SSC GD Constable Exam Guide (CAPFs, SSF, Assam Rifles & NCB)

What the SSC GD Constable exam is

The SSC GD Constable examination recruits Constables (General Duty) for India's Central Armed Police Forces and other participating forces, Riflemen (GD) for the Assam Rifles, and — in the current cycle — Sepoy (GD) for the Narcotics Control Bureau. It is one of the largest-volume recruitment exams in the country in terms of applicants and posts.

It is a Class-10-level entry, which makes it the main uniformed-forces gateway for candidates who have completed matriculation. This guide is distinct from the graduate SSC exams (CGL) and the Class-12-level ones (CHSL) — GD Constable has its own eligibility and physical-test route.

• Recruits Constable (GD) in CAPFs and other participating forces, Rifleman (GD) in Assam Rifles, and Sepoy (GD) in the Narcotics Control Bureau (per the current notification)
• A Class-10 (matriculation) level entry
• Distinct from SSC CGL/CHSL/MTS, which are graduate- or 12th-level clerical exams

Who conducts it and which forces it covers

The exam is conducted by the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) through ssc.gov.in. The Computer-Based Examination is held by SSC, while the physical tests and medical examination are scheduled and conducted by the concerned forces.

The participating forces have included the Border Security Force (BSF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and the National Investigation Agency (NIA), along with the Secretariat Security Force (SSF), Rifleman (GD) in Assam Rifles, and Sepoy (GD) in the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB). The exact list of participating forces changes from cycle to cycle, so always confirm the current list in the specific notification on ssc.gov.in.

• CBE conducted by SSC; PET/PST and medical conducted by the forces
• Forces in the current notification have included BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, SSB, SSF, Assam Rifles and the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB)
• Confirm the current participating-force list in each cycle's notification

Eligibility — the essentials (confirm the specifics officially)

The core educational requirement is that a candidate has passed Class 10 (matriculation) from a recognised board. Nationality eligibility is stated as being open to Indian citizens as per the official notification.

The age band, physical standards (height, chest where applicable, and PET timings/distances), medical standards and any relaxations are set separately in each notification and differ by category and force. These are exactly the kind of specifics that change — verify them directly on ssc.gov.in and never assume figures from a coaching page.

• Passed Class 10 (matriculation) from a recognised board
• Open to Indian citizens as per the official notification
• Age limit, physical standards, PET timings and medical criteria: verify on ssc.gov.in

Stages and exam pattern

Selection is a sequence of stages. First is the Computer-Based Examination (CBE), an objective test that has covered general intelligence and reasoning, general knowledge and general awareness, elementary mathematics and English/Hindi. The CBE carries a negative-marking penalty for wrong answers.

Candidates who qualify the CBE go to the Physical Efficiency Test (PET) and Physical Standard Test (PST) — a race and measurement of physical standards such as height and chest (where applicable) — and then a Detailed Medical Examination (DME). The exact number of questions, marks, timing, and every physical standard are set in the notification; do not rely on unofficial figures.

• Stage 1 — Computer-Based Examination (objective; negative marking applies)
• Stage 2 — Physical Efficiency Test (PET) and Physical Standard Test (PST)
• Stage 3 — Detailed Medical Examination (DME)
• Exact question counts, marks, PET timings and physical standards: confirm in the notification

How to prepare (a neutral approach)

Because the CBE is Class-10 level, build strong basics in reasoning, elementary mathematics, general awareness and language, and practise timed objective papers so you get comfortable with the pace and the negative marking.

The PET/PST is qualifying, so alongside written practice, prepare physically for the running and physical-standard requirements in the notification, at a sensible, safe level. No coaching, book or app can guarantee selection — steady daily practice and physical readiness are what matter.

• Strengthen Class-10-level reasoning, maths, general awareness and language
• Practise timed objective papers to manage speed and negative marking
• Prepare safely for the PET running/standards described officially
• Treat any 'guaranteed selection' claim as a red flag

What to verify on the official website

Before applying, confirm on ssc.gov.in: the age band and relaxations, the exact physical standards and PET timings, the current participating forces and vacancies, the CBE pattern and available languages, the application fee, and the important dates.

These details are revised in every recruitment cycle. Treat the official SSC website and the specific notification as the single source of truth, and re-check them close to your application date.