The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) General Duty (GD) Constable exam is among India’s largest recruitment drives for entry-level posts in Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), Assam Rifles, Narcotics Control Bureau and other agencies. Each year, lakhs of candidates compete for thousands of constable positions that play a direct role in national security and internal law-and-order functions. This article explains the exam structure, eligibility, selection process, recent vacancy context, and practical advice — all drawn from official SSC material and reputable reporting.
What is SSC GD and why it matters
SSC GD recruits candidates as Constables (General Duty) into forces such as BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, SSB, Assam Rifles, Narcotics Control Bureau and others. These posts are frontline roles essential for internal security, border policing and specialized duties. Recruitment through SSC ensures a centralised, merit-based selection process for these important roles.
Recent scale & vacancies (context)
The SSC GD cycle typically advertises large vacancy numbers. For example, recent recruitment cycles have discussed tens of thousands of vacancies (reports in 2024–25 referenced figures such as ~53,000 vacancies for one cycle), underlining the scale and competitive nature of the exam. Candidates should always check the latest official notification for exact vacancy numbers for the year they are applying.
Who is eligible? (basic, verifiable criteria)
Typical eligibility criteria (check the current SSC notification for exact dates and relaxations):
- Educational qualification: Passed Matriculation (10th) from a recognised board.
- Age limit: Generally 18 to 23 years (age limits and relaxations for OBC/SC/ST/Ex-Servicemen vary and are specified in the notification). Applicants must verify the exact dates of birth cut-offs in the official advertisement.
Always use the SSC’s official notification for precise eligibility details because rules (and cut-off dates) change year to year.
Selection process — stages explained
The recruitment follows a multi-stage process:
- Computer Based Examination (CBE / CBT) — objective-type test covering four sections:
- General Intelligence & Reasoning
- General Knowledge & General Awareness
- Elementary Mathematics
- English/Hindi
The CBT typically contains 80–100 questions (weights and marks vary by year) and is completed in 60 minutes. Questions are generally of up to 10th-standard difficulty.
- Physical Efficiency Test (PET) & Physical Standard Test (PST) — Candidates who clear the CBT are invited for physical tests and measurement checks. Standards are prescribed separately for male and female candidates and differ by force and by category (height, chest, race timing, long jump, etc.).
- Detailed Medical Examination (DME) and Document Verification (DV) — Shortlisted candidates undergo medical tests by authorised military/civil medical boards and verification of certificates. Final merit is prepared after these stages.
The commission publishes procedural notices and detailed frameworks on its official portal; aspirants should refer to SSC’s website for official timelines and guidelines.
Exam pattern & syllabus (what to study)
The CBT tests four key areas; common topics include:
- General Intelligence & Reasoning: Analogies, classification, series, coding-decoding, blood relations, non-verbal reasoning.
- General Knowledge & Awareness: Current affairs, Indian polity, geography, history, basic science.
- Elementary Mathematics: Arithmetic (percentages, ratio & proportion, averages), mensuration basics, simple algebra.
- English/Hindi: Basics of grammar, vocabulary, comprehension.
Question difficulty is aligned with 10th-standard level; practice with previous year papers and mock tests is highly recommended.
Physical standards — typical benchmarks
PET/PST standards vary by gender and post. For example, male candidates typically face longer race distances and minimum chest measurements, while female candidates have modified benchmarks. Exact parameters (height, chest, race times, long jump/shot put where applicable) are included in the SSC notification and force-specific annexures. Candidates should prepare by following official standards and practising under timed conditions.
Expected timeline & official sources
SSC issues a detailed calendar and notifications for each recruitment year. The SSC portal (ssc.gov.in / ssc.nic.in) publishes:
- Recruitment notifications and vacancy lists
- Admit cards and exam dates
- Answer keys and results
- PET/PST and DME schedules
Always use the SSC website as the primary source for authoritative information and download official PDFs (notifications and notices) rather than relying solely on secondary sites.
How competitive is SSC GD — cut-off & selection ratios
Competition is intense: CBT-to-vacancy ratios can be large because millions register and only a small fraction proceed beyond CBT. Cut-offs fluctuate by state, category and year, and are influenced by vacancy count, exam difficulty and number of applicants. Historical merit lists and cut-offs are published with results — consult the SSC results/release PDFs for verified cut-off marks in each cycle.
Practical preparation advice (evidence-based tips)
- Master the basics: Focus on 10th-standard maths and reasoning fundamentals; accuracy beats guesswork.
- Solve previous year papers & mocks: Time management and exposure to question patterns are critical.
- Physical training: Start PET/PST preparation early — running, long jump practice, strength training and measurement checks. Physical tests eliminate many aspirants even after a good CBT.
- Document readiness: Keep matriculation certificates, domicile proof, caste certificates (if applicable), and other documents ready for DV to avoid disqualification.
Career outlook & salary (what successful candidates can expect)
Constables in RRBs and CAPFs receive pay as per central pay scales, allowances (TA/DA, HRA as applicable), and government benefits including pension/EPF depending on service rules. Exact pay band, grade pay and allowances depend on the recruiting force and central pay matrix updates; aspirants should check force-specific offers of appointment and official recruitment notifications for precise figures.
Final note — where to verify everything (official links)
- Staff Selection Commission (official portal): (for notifications, notices, results).
- Tentative vacancy documents & state-wise lists: SSC vacancy PDFs available on the portal.
Bottom line
SSC GD offers a high-impact career path into India’s central security architecture and remains one of the most sought-after government recruitments. Success demands a balanced preparation — clear conceptual practice for the CBT, disciplined physical training for PET/PST, and careful document readiness for DV/DME. For the most reliable information, always refer to SSC’s official notifications and the recruitment PDF for the year you apply.
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Last Updated on: Tuesday, December 2, 2025 1:04 pm by Sakethyadav | Published by: Sakethyadav on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, 1:04 pm | News Categories: India
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