SSC GD Syllabus 2026, Exam Pattern, Age Limit & Physical Height Standards
Written by exam mentor Shivlal: Complete practical roadmap covering the 80-question CBT exam blueprint, subject-wise weightage, category-wise age relaxations, 5km race strategies, medical tests, and force preference choices.
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SSC GD 2026: Forces Profile & Preference Codes
SSC GD Constable is one of India's most sought-after defense examinations for 10th pass youth. Candidates recruited through this exam serve in the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), National Security Guard (SSB/CISF), and other specialized central agencies. Choosing your force preference during application is irreversible, so understanding each force is essential:
First line of defense guarding India's international borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh. High duty allowances and border hardship pay.
Secures airports, Delhi Metro, nuclear installations, seaports, and industrial complexes. Generally peaceful urban postings with excellent family housing facilities.
India's premier internal security force deployed in anti-Naxal operations, counter-insurgency in J&K, election security, and disaster response.
Guards friendly open borders with Nepal and Bhutan. Known for disciplined and relatively calmer border deployments.
Guards the high-altitude Himalayan border with China ranging from Ladakh to Arunachal Pradesh. Special high-altitude mountain climate allowances.
Provides security to central government ministries and secretariats in New Delhi. Fixed 8-hour shift, zero field combat, highest cutoff across all India.
SSC GD 2026 Selection Stages: How the Selection Actually Happens
Many students mistakenly think that physical race marks are counted in the final merit list. The reality is: Final merit is 100% determined by your Computer Based Test (CBT) score out of 160 marks! The physical and medical rounds are strictly qualifying.
Stage 1: Computer Based Examination (CBT) — The Only Merit Decider
Online test of 80 questions (160 marks). Candidates scoring above the state and category cutoffs are shortlisted for the physical round in an approximate ratio of 1:8 (8 times the total vacancies).
Stage 2: Physical Standard Test (PST) & Physical Efficiency Test (PET)
PST checks height, chest (for males), and weight measurements. Immediately following measurement, candidates undergo the PET running race (5 km in 24 mins for males / 1.6 km in 8.5 mins for females) tracked with electronic RFID chips.
Stage 3: Detailed Medical Examination (DME) & Review Medical (RME)
Conducted by CAPF medical boards to inspect distant/near vision (6/6 & 6/9), color perception, knock knees, flat feet, hearing, dental points, and surgical histories. Review Medical (RME) is held immediately if a temporary disqualification occurs.
Stage 4: Document Verification (DV) & Final All-India Force Nomination
Verification of 10th marksheet, domicile certificate, caste category certificate, and NCC bonus mark certificates, followed by final force allotment based on your CBT score and choice order.
SSC GD Exam Pattern 2026: 80 Questions Blueprint
The Computer Based Examination lasts exactly 60 minutes (1 hour). You have to solve 80 questions, meaning you get only 45 seconds per question! Time management is where most candidates succeed or fail:
| Section & Subject | Questions | Total Marks | Duration | Negative Penalty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part A: General Intelligence & Reasoning | 20 | 40 | 60 Minutes (Composite Time) | -0.25 Marks per wrong answer |
| Part B: General Knowledge & Awareness | 20 | 40 | ||
| Part C: Elementary Mathematics | 20 | 40 | ||
| Part D: English OR Hindi (Candidate's Choice) | 20 | 40 | ||
| Total Aggregate | 80 Questions | 160 Marks | 60 Mins | 1/8th Penalty |
• NCC ‘C’ Certificate: 5% of maximum marks (+8 Bonus Marks)
• NCC ‘B’ Certificate: 3% of maximum marks (+4.8 Bonus Marks)
• NCC ‘A’ Certificate: 2% of maximum marks (+3.2 Bonus Marks)
SSC GD Age Limit & Educational Qualification 2026
To be eligible for SSC GD Constable, candidates must meet clear educational, citizenship, and age guidelines:
1. Minimum Educational Qualification
Candidate must have passed 10th Class (Matriculation) from a recognized Board by the cutoff date. Candidates awaiting 10th results are not eligible. There is zero restriction on minimum division or marks percentage!
2. Nationality & Domicile
Must be a Citizen of India. Since vacancies are allotted state-wise and district-wise, candidates must produce a valid Permanent Resident / Domicile Certificate (PRC) of their home state during Document Verification.
| Category | Standard Age Bracket | Upper Age Relaxation | Maximum Permissible Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unreserved (UR / General / EWS) | 18 – 23 Years | Nil | 23 Years |
| OBC (Other Backward Classes) | 18 – 23 Years | +3 Years | 26 Years |
| SC / ST (Scheduled Castes / Tribes) | 18 – 23 Years | +5 Years | 28 Years |
| Ex-Servicemen (ESM) | 18 – 23 Years | +3 Years post service | Calculated after service deduction |
SSC GD Height & Chest Standards (PST Measurement)
Physical Standard Test (PST) is non-negotiable. Even a deficiency of 0.5 cm in height or chest expansion results in instant disqualification. Review the exact measurements below before applying:
| Category / Domicile Region | Male Height | Female Height | Male Chest (Normal / Expanded) |
|---|---|---|---|
| General, OBC, SC & EWS Candidates | 170 cm | 157 cm | 80 cm (Min 5 cm expansion = 85 cm) |
| Scheduled Tribe (ST) Candidates | 162.5 cm | 150.0 cm | 76 cm (Min 5 cm expansion = 81 cm) |
| ST Candidates of North-Eastern States | 157.0 cm | 147.5 cm | 76 cm (Min 5 cm expansion = 81 cm) |
| Garhwalis, Kumaonis, Dogras, Marathas & Assam/HP/J&K/Ladakh | 165.0 cm | 155.0 cm | 78 cm (Min 5 cm expansion = 83 cm) |
| Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura | 162.5 cm | 152.5 cm | 77 cm (Min 5 cm expansion = 82 cm) |
Every year hundreds of male candidates fail not because their chest is less than 80 cm, but because they fail to expand their chest by a full 5 centimeters! Practice breathing deeply from the diaphragm and expanding your ribs wide during pushups. Female candidates are completely exempt from chest measurements.
SSC GD 5 KM Running Race & Practical Ground Training Routine
Running 5 Kilometers in 24 minutes is not a sprint; it is an endurance test. Over 30% of candidates who clear CBT get eliminated in the running race due to starting practice too late or pacing incorrectly.
5 Kilometers in 24:00 Minutes
Requires maintaining a constant speed of 12.5 km/h or 4 minutes 48 seconds per kilometer.
1.6 Kilometers in 08:30 Minutes
Requires maintaining a constant speed of 11.3 km/h or 5 minutes 18 seconds per kilometer.
4 Ground-Reality Running Tips for Aspirants (From Mentor Shivlal):
Most beginners run like a 100m sprint in the first 500 meters under peer pressure and burn out by kilometer 2. Start at a steady, rhythmic jogging pace and reserve extra energy for the last 800 meters.
90% of CAPF recruitment centers conduct the 5 km race on asphalt camp roads, not soft grass grounds. Use well-cushioned running shoes to protect your knees and avoid shin splints.
Do not practice 5 km every single day. Run 6 to 7 km at a slower conversational pace on alternate days. Once your body is accustomed to 7 km, finishing 5 km in 24 mins becomes easy.
Physical testing often begins early in the morning and continues till 11 AM in scorching sun. Take electrolytes/ORS, stay hydrated the previous evening, and eat 1 banana 90 minutes before your batch runs.
Detailed Medical Examination (DME) Guidelines & Checkpoints
CAPF medical examination standards are strict because GD Constables operate in high-risk border environments. Understanding common rejection causes helps you take corrective measures early:
• Distant Vision: 6/6 in better eye & 6/9 in worse eye without spectacles.
• Color Vision: Must clear CP II standard on Ishihara plates.
• LASIK Surgery: Lasik or laser eye surgery is strictly not permitted for GD Constables.
• Knock Knees: Knees must not touch when standing straight with feet together.
• Flat Foot: Arch of the foot must be naturally curved.
• Varicose Veins: Swollen or enlarged veins in calves/legs will lead to rejection.
• Religious symbols or names on the inner aspect of the left forearm are permitted.
• Size of tattoo must be less than 1/4th of the particular body part.
• Tattoos on saluting hand (right hand) or face are strictly prohibited.
Detailed Subject-Wise SSC GD Syllabus & Topic Weightage
Based on actual analysis of previous shift questions conducted by TCS, here is the exact topic breakdown and question count for all 4 sections:
1. General Intelligence & Reasoning (20 Qs / 40 Marks)
High-Scoring SectionMost students score 36+ out of 40 in reasoning. Focus on speed drills in sitting arrangement and letter coding:
- Coding-Decoding & Letter Shifting (3–4 Qs)
- Number & Alphabet Series (2–3 Qs)
- Sitting Arrangement (Circular & Linear Table) (2 Qs)
- Blood Relations & Family Tree (1–2 Qs)
- Analogy & Word Pairs (2 Qs)
- Mirror & Water Images (1–2 Qs)
- Paper Folding, Cutting & Hidden Figures (2 Qs)
- Mathematical Sign Replacement (1–2 Qs)
- Syllogism & Venn Diagrams (1–2 Qs)
- Dice & Cube Orientation (1 Q)
2. Elementary Mathematics (20 Qs / 40 Marks)
Arithmetic Centric (Class 10th)There is almost NO advanced algebra or trigonometry in SSC GD. 18 out of 20 questions are strictly Commercial Arithmetic:
- Percentages & Profit, Loss and Discount (4–5 Qs)
- Ratio and Proportion & Partnership (2–3 Qs)
- Time and Work & Pipes-Cisterns (2–3 Qs)
- Speed, Time and Distance (Trains, Relative Speed) (2 Qs)
- Simple Interest & Compound Interest (2 Qs)
- LCM, HCF & Divisibility Rules (2 Qs)
- Averages & Ages (1–2 Qs)
- Mensuration 2D & 3D (Cylinder, Cone, Sphere Area/Volume) (2 Qs)
- Simplification (BODMAS rules) (1–2 Qs)
3. General Knowledge & Awareness (20 Qs / 40 Marks)
The Merit DeciderStatic GK and Culture form the backbone of the GS section in SSC GD:
- Folk & Classical Dances of States
- Famous Festivals & Fairs
- Musical Instruments & Exponents
- Census 2011 Data & Demographics
- Sports cups, stadiums & Olympics
- Important Constitution Articles
- Fundamental Rights & DPSP
- President, PM & Parliament
- Indian Freedom Struggle 1857-1947
- Mughal, Maurya & Gupta Dynasties
- Rivers, Tributaries & Dams
- National Parks & Sanctuaries
- Last 6 Months National Awards
- Government Welfare Schemes
- Basic General Science in daily life
General Hindi vs General English: Which One Scores Higher?
In Part D of the exam, candidates get to choose between 20 questions of General Hindi or General English. You do not need to pre-select this during application; you choose live during the computer test!
The syllabus is extremely predictable: मुहावरे एवं लोकोक्तियाँ (3 Qs), विलोम शब्द (2–3 Qs), पर्यायवाची शब्द (2–3 Qs), वाक्यांश के लिए एक शब्द (2 Qs), वर्तनी शुद्धि / वाक्य शुद्धि (3 Qs), aur 5 रिक्त स्थान वाला गद्यांश (5 Qs). With just 15 days of preparation, students comfortably score 36 to 40 marks out of 40!
If you have completed your schooling in English medium or reside in South or North-East India where Hindi grammar is challenging. Covers: Synonyms, Antonyms, Spotting the Error, Cloze Test, One-Word Substitution, and Idioms/Phrases.
SSC GD Constable Monthly In-Hand Salary & Pay Level 3 Structure
SSC GD Constables receive handsome compensation under 7th CPC Pay Matrix Level 3 (Basic Pay ₹21,700 to ₹69,100). In addition, constables posted in border or high-risk terrain receive massive hardship allowances:
| Salary Component | Standard City / Base Posting | Border / High-Risk Hardship Area |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Pay (Level 3 starting) | ₹21,700 | ₹21,700 |
| Dearness Allowance (DA @ 50%) | ₹10,850 | ₹10,850 |
| House Rent Allowance (HRA) | ₹2,170 – ₹6,510 (10% to 30%) | ₹2,170 (Often barracks provided) |
| Transport Allowance (TA + DA) | ₹2,025 | ₹1,350 |
| Ration Money Allowance (RMA) | ₹3,900 | ₹3,900 |
| Risk & Hardship Allowance | Nil / Base | ₹9,700 – ₹17,300 (J&K / NE) |
| Gross Monthly Salary | ₹40,645 | ₹49,670 – ₹57,270 |
| Net Monthly In-Hand Salary (Post NPS) | ₹35,000 – ₹37,500 | ₹44,000 – ₹51,000 |
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) — SSC GD Constable 2026
Q1. What is the exact age limit and relaxation for SSC GD Constable 2026?
The standard age limit is 18 to 23 years. Upper age relaxations apply: OBC candidates receive 3 years (up to 26 years), SC/ST candidates receive 5 years (up to 28 years), and Ex-Servicemen get 3 years deduction after military service. The crucial age cutoff date is calculated as of the notification date.
Q2. What is the physical height requirement for Male and Female candidates in SSC GD?
For General, OBC, and SC male candidates, the minimum height required is 170 cm. For female candidates, it is 157 cm. For Scheduled Tribe (ST) candidates, relaxed height is 162.5 cm (Male) and 150 cm (Female). Candidates from North-Eastern and hill states (Garhwalis, Kumaonis, Dogras, Marathas) also get special relaxations.
Q3. What are the physical running standards (PET) in SSC GD?
Male candidates must complete a 5 Kilometer run within 24 Minutes. Female candidates must complete a 1.6 Kilometer run within 8 Minutes 30 Seconds. For Ladakh region candidates, relaxed standards are: Male 1.6 km in 7 minutes and Female 800m in 5 minutes.
Q4. What is the new CBT exam pattern and marking scheme for SSC GD 2026?
The CBT exam consists of 80 objective multiple-choice questions carrying 160 marks (2 marks per question) to be attempted in 60 minutes. The 4 subjects are: Reasoning (20 Qs), General Knowledge & Awareness (20 Qs), Elementary Mathematics (20 Qs), and English or Hindi (20 Qs). Negative marking is 0.25 marks per wrong answer.
Q5. Which language option is better in SSC GD: Hindi or English?
Candidates can choose either Hindi or English for Part D. If you have studied in a Hindi-medium school, General Hindi (Samanya Hindi) is generally much higher scoring because topics like Muhavare, Vilom Shabd, Paryayvachi, and Vakyansh are straightforward and predictable. English is ideal for English-medium students comfortable with basic grammar and comprehension.
Q6. What is the chest measurement required for SSC GD Male candidates?
Male candidates (General/OBC/SC) must have a minimum unexpanded chest of 80 cm with a mandatory minimum expansion of 5 cm (i.e. 80 cm unexpanded to 85 cm expanded). For ST candidates, the chest requirement is 76 cm unexpanded with 5 cm expansion (81 cm). Females are exempt from chest measurements.
Q7. What are the eyesight and medical standards required for SSC GD Constable?
Candidates must have distant vision of 6/6 in the better eye and 6/9 in the worse eye without glasses. Color blindness standard required is CP II (Ishihara test book). Candidates must not have knock knees, flat foot, varicose veins, squint, or finger tremors.
Q8. What are the force options available in SSC GD recruitment?
SSC GD recruits constables for 8 paramilitary and security forces: BSF (Border Security Force), CISF (Central Industrial Security Force), CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force), SSB (Sashastra Seema Bal), ITBP (Indo-Tibetan Border Police), Assam Rifles (AR), SSF (Secretariat Security Force), and NCB (Narcotics Control Bureau - Sepoy).
Q9. What is the starting in-hand monthly salary of an SSC GD Constable in 2026?
SSC GD Constable is placed under Pay Level 3 (Basic Pay ₹21,700 to ₹69,100). Along with Dearness Allowance (DA @ 50%), HRA, Transport Allowance, and Risk/Hardship allowance in border postings, the starting gross salary is ₹36,000 to ₹44,000 per month, resulting in a net in-hand salary of approximately ₹30,000 to ₹38,000 per month.
Q10. Can a 10th pass student with 33% marks apply for SSC GD Constable?
Yes! SSC GD requires only a simple passing certificate in 10th standard (Matriculation) from a recognized state or central board. There is no minimum percentage requirement (even 33% or grace marks pass is fully eligible).
Q11. How does area-wise cutoff work (General, Border, and Naxal districts)?
Cutoffs are released separately for each state and further categorized into General Area, Border Area, and Naxal/Militancy Affected Area. Border and Naxal area candidates usually get lower cutoffs (often 15 to 25 marks lower than General area) due to special reservation quotas.
Q12. Is there any interview or descriptive paper in SSC GD Constable?
No. There is no interview and no descriptive writing test. Selection is based purely on your CBT score, subject to qualifying the Physical (PST/PET) and Medical (DME) rounds.