CISF Constable GD Eligibility 2026 – Complete Criteria Explained
Before you fill the SSC GD 2026 application for a CISF posting, you need to clear four eligibility gates: educational qualification, age limit, physical standards (PST/PET), and medical fitness. Miss any one and your application gets rejected — sometimes at the very last stage after months of preparation. This guide breaks each gate down completely so there are no surprises on exam day.
👉 CISF Constable Syllabus 2026 — CBT pattern, subject-wise topics, PET standards & 90-day prep plan
Educational Qualification
The minimum educational requirement for CISF Constable GD 2026 is Matriculation (10th pass) from a recognized board or university. There is no upper qualification bar — graduates, postgraduates, and ITI holders can all apply, but the exam is designed for 10th level knowledge. No specific stream or subject combination is required.
| Qualification | Status |
|---|---|
| Matriculation (10th Pass) | ✅ Eligible (Minimum) |
| 10+2 / Intermediate | ✅ Eligible |
| Graduation / B.A. / B.Sc. / B.Com | ✅ Eligible |
| ITI / Diploma | ✅ Eligible (if 10th is cleared) |
| 8th pass / Below 10th | ❌ Not Eligible |
Important: Your 10th marksheet and passing certificate are mandatory at the Document Verification stage. Open schooling (NIOS) certificates are accepted if the board is recognized by the respective state or central board.
Age Limit for CISF Constable GD 2026
The age limit for SSC GD 2026 (through which CISF Constable is recruited) is 18 to 23 years for General/EWS category candidates. The cutoff date for age calculation is specified in the SSC GD notification. Reserved category candidates get substantial relaxation.
| Category | Minimum Age | Maximum Age | Relaxation |
|---|---|---|---|
| General / EWS | 18 years | 23 years | — |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 18 years | 26 years | +3 years |
| SC / ST | 18 years | 28 years | +5 years |
| Ex-Serviceman (General) | 18 years | 26 years | +3 years |
| Ex-Serviceman (OBC) | 18 years | 29 years | +6 years |
| Ex-Serviceman (SC/ST) | 18 years | 31 years | +8 years |
Age relaxation for PwBD (Persons with Benchmark Disability) is 10 years for General, 13 years for OBC, and 15 years for SC/ST — however, GD Constable posts have strict physical standards, so PwBD candidates should check which specific vacancies are open to them.
Nationality & Domicile
The candidate must be a citizen of India. Subjects of Nepal, Bhutan, Tibetan refugees (who came before 1 January 1962), and migrants from specified countries (Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia, Vietnam) who have settled permanently in India are also eligible under special conditions specified in the SSC notification.
Physical Standards (PST) – Height & Chest
PST (Physical Standard Test) is conducted after CBT. Candidates who fail PST are eliminated regardless of their CBT score. Height and chest measurements are taken by a medical team at the PST venue.
Height Standards
| Category | Male Height | Female Height |
|---|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS / SC | 170 cm | 157 cm |
| ST (Scheduled Tribe) | 162.5 cm | 150 cm |
| Candidates from hill areas of Garhwal, Kumaon, Himachal Pradesh, Gorkhas, Dogras, Marathas, and specified tribal areas | 165 cm | 155 cm |
| North-East States (Sikkim, Nagaland, Arunachal, Manipur, Tripura, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Assam) & J&K residents | 162.5 cm | 152.5 cm |
Chest Standards (Male candidates only)
| Category | Chest (Unexpanded) | Minimum Expansion |
|---|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS / SC | 80 cm | 5 cm (to 85 cm) |
| ST | 76 cm | 5 cm (to 81 cm) |
| Hill area / NE states | 78 cm | 5 cm (to 83 cm) |
Chest expansion less than 5 cm is a direct disqualification. Female candidates are not tested on chest measurement.
Physical Efficiency Test (PET) Standards
PET is held at the same venue immediately after PST. Candidates who clear PST measurements must pass the run within the stipulated time on the same day.
| Test | Male Standard | Female Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Running | 5 km in 24 minutes | 1.6 km in 8.5 minutes |
There is no high jump, long jump, or other athletic test in SSC GD PET — only the timed run. However, the run is conducted without any warm-up allowance. Candidates who have trained to run 5 km in 23 minutes or less have a comfortable margin. Those who barely make 24 minutes in training often fail on the actual day due to stress and unfamiliar ground conditions.
👉 CISF Constable Salary 2026 — In-hand pay, allowances, NPS pension, and CISF vs private sector comparison
Weight Standards
Weight is checked against height in a proportional table. SSC/CISF follows standard height-weight charts for both male and female candidates. Candidates who are significantly overweight or underweight for their height are flagged at the medical examination. The medical board uses Body Mass Index (BMI) as a reference. A BMI between 18.5 and 27.5 is generally considered acceptable — candidates above or below this range may face additional scrutiny.
Medical Standards – Detailed Vision & Health Requirements
Medical is the last gate. A large number of candidates who clear CBT, PST, and PET are rejected at medical due to issues they were unaware of.
| Medical Parameter | Standard Required |
|---|---|
| Distance Vision (Right Eye) | 6/6 |
| Distance Vision (Left Eye) | 6/9 |
| Spectacles / Contact Lens | Not permitted (GD Constable) |
| Colour Vision | Normal (no colour blindness of any grade) |
| Hearing | Normal in both ears (no hearing aid) |
| Knock-knees / Bow legs | No significant deformity |
| Flat Feet (Pes Planus) | No Grade 2 or above flat feet |
| Varicose Veins | Not acceptable |
| Dental | Functional teeth, no severe abnormality |
Tattoo Policy
Tattoos are now permitted for CISF/SSC GD constable candidates under updated guidelines, but with restrictions:
- Tattoos on the inner forearm (from wrist to elbow on the inside) and on the back of the hand are permitted.
- Tattoos on the face, neck, chest, or any area visible in uniform are NOT permitted.
- Tribal tattoos on areas other than face/neck are generally permitted — declared at the medical stage and evaluated case by case.
- If you have a tattoo in a disallowed area, get a formal legal opinion from a lawyer before applying. Removal before the medical is an option but complete removal must be verified by the medical board.
Who Is NOT Eligible – Common Disqualification Reasons
| Disqualification Reason | Stage Where Caught |
|---|---|
| Less than 10th pass | Application / Document Verification |
| Age above maximum (overage) | Application verification |
| Height below standard | PST |
| Chest expansion less than 5 cm | PST |
| Failed 5 km run in 24 min | PET |
| Vision below 6/6 (right) or 6/9 (left) | Medical |
| Colour blindness | Medical |
| Flat feet (Grade 2+) | Medical |
| Tattoo in prohibited area | Medical / Document Verification |
| Criminal record / court conviction | Document Verification |
Category Certificate Requirements
If you are claiming age relaxation or fee concession under OBC / SC / ST / EWS, you must have the correct certificate at the time of Document Verification:
- OBC: Non-Creamy Layer (NCL) certificate issued within the last 6 months from a competent authority at the sub-divisional / district level. OBC certificates without NCL clause are not accepted.
- SC/ST: Caste certificate from a competent authority. Must mention the scheduled caste/tribe as listed in the Presidential Order for your state.
- EWS: Income and asset certificate from a competent authority for the financial year preceding the application. Must confirm family income below ₹8 lakh per annum and no member should own land above specified limits.
- Domicile: Some states require a domicile/residence certificate for certain quota seats — check the SSC GD state-wise vacancy details.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can a 10th pass candidate with 45% marks apply for CISF Constable GD 2026?
Yes. There is no minimum percentage requirement for the 10th pass qualification. As long as you have passed matriculation from a recognized board — regardless of marks percentage — you are educationally eligible. The CBT exam tests your actual knowledge, not your board marks.
Q: My height is 168 cm (General male). Am I eligible for CISF Constable?
No. The minimum height for General/OBC/EWS/SC male candidates is 170 cm. At 168 cm, you fall 2 cm short and will be rejected at the PST stage even if you clear CBT with a top score. However, if you belong to a hill area / specified NE state / J&K, the minimum is 162.5 cm — check whether your state/region qualifies for the relaxed standard under the SSC GD notification.
Q: I wear spectacles (myopia -1.5D). Can I apply for CISF Constable GD?
CISF Constable GD requires 6/6 vision in one eye and 6/9 in the other without spectacles or contact lenses. If your uncorrected vision is below this standard, you are medically ineligible for the GD post. However, laser eye surgery (LASIK) is now permitted — if done at least 1 year before medical examination and your uncorrected vision meets the 6/6 standard post-surgery, you can be considered eligible. Confirm with the official notification and medical board.
Q: I am 24 years old and belong to the General category. Can I still apply?
No. The maximum age for General/EWS candidates is 23 years. At 24, you are over the age limit for the General category. If you have OBC/SC/ST certificate, you can apply under the respective category with the applicable age relaxation.
Q: Is NCC certificate useful for CISF Constable eligibility?
NCC (National Cadet Corps) certificates are not a direct eligibility criterion for CISF Constable GD. However, NCC B/C certificate holders may get benefits in the merit calculation or certain state police recruitments. For SSC GD specifically, there is no NCC bonus — but NCC training gives you a physical fitness head start.
Q: Can a female candidate apply for CISF Constable GD?
Yes. CISF recruits female constables through SSC GD. The physical standards are different: height minimum 157 cm (General/OBC/SC) and 150 cm (ST), running 1.6 km in 8.5 minutes. Female candidates are deployed at airports, industrial units, metro security, and CISF residential campuses.
Q: What happens if I give wrong information about my age or category in the SSC GD form?
Providing false information in any government recruitment application is a serious offence. If detected at any stage — during document verification or even after appointment — your candidature is cancelled, and you may face legal action under relevant laws. Always fill the form with accurate details and have supporting documents ready.
Ex-Serviceman Eligibility – Special Rules
Ex-servicemen (ESM) who have served in the Army, Navy, or Air Force and been discharged with an "Exemplary" or "Very Good" record get a 3-year age relaxation (over and above the standard relaxation). Meaning an Ex-Serviceman from General category can apply up to age 26 instead of 23. For SC/ST Ex-Servicemen, the maximum age goes up to 31 years.
The key rule for ESM: the service period in the armed forces is deducted from the actual age to calculate "effective age" for the purpose of age relaxation. Example: A 27-year-old ex-serviceman who served 5 years in the Army has an effective age of 22 years — making him eligible for General category. This makes SSC GD one of the most attractive options for ex-defence personnel seeking a second government career.
ESM candidates must carry: Discharge Certificate (Book No. / Service Record), Rank Certificate, and original pension payment order (PPO) if applicable, to the Document Verification stage.
Government Employees – Can They Apply?
Yes. Central or state government employees who are otherwise eligible (age, qualification, physical standards) can apply for SSC GD / CISF Constable. However, they must submit a "No Objection Certificate (NOC)" from their current employer at the time of Document Verification. If selected, they must resign from the current post before joining. Government service does not count as ESM for age relaxation purposes unless the person has specifically served in the armed forces.
Documents Required for CISF Constable Document Verification
Carry original documents plus 2 sets of self-attested photocopies of each:
| Document | Purpose |
|---|---|
| 10th Marksheet & Certificate | Education + Date of Birth proof |
| 10+2 / Graduation certificate (if applicable) | Educational eligibility |
| Domicile / Residence Certificate | State quota / residence proof |
| Category Certificate (OBC-NCL / SC / ST / EWS) | Category benefits / age relaxation |
| SSC GD Admit Card (all stages) | Candidature proof |
| SSC GD Score Card | Marks proof |
| Aadhar Card / Voter ID / Passport | Identity proof |
| Discharge Certificate (Ex-Serviceman only) | ESM age relaxation |
| NOC from current employer (Govt employees) | No-objection confirmation |
| Passport-size photographs (10–15 copies) | Various DV forms |
CISF Force Preference – How to Maximise Your Chances of Getting CISF
SSC GD is a combined exam for all CAPFs. After clearing all stages, SSC publishes a consolidated merit list. You fill a preference form indicating which CAPF you prefer (CISF, BSF, CRPF, etc.). Allocation is based on merit rank and available vacancies in each force.
To maximise your probability of CISF allocation: aim for a high CBT score (above 125/160 for General category), mention CISF as your first preference in the option form, and understand that CISF postings at airports and nuclear plants are considered prestigious — competition for CISF slots can be higher than for some other CAPFs. Candidates from states where CISF has large deployments (UP, Bihar, Delhi/NCR, Maharashtra) often find local preferences align with CISF postings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I apply for CISF Constable after failing 12th board exams if I have passed 10th?
Yes. The minimum qualification is 10th pass — 12th failure does not disqualify you. As long as you have a valid matriculation certificate, you are educationally eligible. Your 12th board result has no bearing on the SSC GD eligibility.
Q: Is there a minimum weight for CISF Constable GD?
There is no fixed minimum weight in kg specified separately. Weight is evaluated proportionally to height using BMI (Body Mass Index). A BMI between 18.5 and 27.5 is the acceptable range. Candidates who are significantly underweight (BMI below 18.5) or obese (BMI above 30) may be flagged during medical. Achieving a healthy weight-height ratio before medical examination is advisable.
📌 Related on RojgarDekho:- 📋 Apply Online — CISF Constable GD 2026 Notification
- 💰 Salary — CISF Constable GD Salary 2026
- 📚 Syllabus — CISF Constable GD Syllabus & Exam Pattern 2026
