SSB Syllabus 2026 — Exam Pattern, PET/PST, CBT Topics & Selection Process

SSB (Sashastra Seema Bal / सशस्त्र सीमा बल) recruitment 2026 is out — 1,194 posts across Constable, HC, ASI, and SI. You've decided to apply. Now what? Figure out what's actually in the exam. Because SSB selection isn't just one test. It's a multi-stage process — physical tests, written exam, trade test, medical. Skip one, and you're out.

This guide covers the complete syllabus and selection process for every SSB post — Constable Tradesman, Head Constable, ASI, and SI. Physical standards, CBT topics, trade test details, and the exact qualifying marks. Everything you need in one place.

SSB Selection Process — The Full Pipeline

Most candidates focus only on the written exam. Big mistake. More people are eliminated in PET/PST than in the written test. If you can't run 4.8 km in 24 minutes, your GK knowledge doesn't matter.

Physical Tests — PET & PST Standards

PET (Physical Efficiency Test) — Race

Pro tip: Start running NOW. Not next week, not after the admit card. TODAY. The race is the very first stage — you either clear it or go home. Practice at the exact distance and time. If you can do 4.8 km in 22 minutes during practice, you'll comfortably do it in 24 on exam day.

PST (Physical Standard Test) — Height & Chest

These are non-negotiable. If you're 169.5 cm and need 170, you're out. No appeals, no relaxation (except for ST and hill area candidates). Measure yourself properly before applying.

Written Exam (CBT) — Constable Tradesman

The big one. 100 MCQs, 2 hours, 0.25 negative marking per wrong answer. This is different from UPTET — here wrong answers COST you marks. So don't blindly guess.

Qualifying: 50% (UR/OBC/EWS), 45% (SC/ST). Final selection is purely on CBT merit.

Subject-Wise Topics

General Knowledge (25 marks):

• Current Affairs — national & international (last 6 months is enough)
• Indian History — freedom movement, Mughal period, ancient India basics
• Indian Geography — states, rivers, mountains, climate
• Indian Polity — Constitution basics, Parliament, Fundamental Rights
• Indian Economy — Five Year Plans, GDP, budget basics
• Science — basic physics, chemistry, biology from Class 10
• Sports, Awards, Books, Personalities in News

Elementary Mathematics (25 marks):

• Number System, HCF/LCM, Simplification
• Percentage, Profit & Loss, Simple & Compound Interest
• Ratio & Proportion, Average, Time & Work, Time & Distance
• Geometry — area, perimeter, volume basics
• Data Interpretation — tables, bar graphs, pie charts

Logical Reasoning (25 marks):

• Analogy, Series (number & alphabet), Coding-Decoding
• Blood Relations, Direction Test, Ranking
• Venn Diagrams, Puzzle, Classification
• Non-verbal reasoning — mirror image, paper folding, pattern

English / Hindi (25 marks):

• English: Fill in blanks, Error spotting, Synonyms/Antonyms, Comprehension, Sentence correction, One word substitution
• Hindi: अपठित गद्यांश, विलोम, पर्यायवाची, मुहावरे, संधि, समास, वाक्य शुद्धि

Written Exam — Head Constable (Part I + Part II)

HC exam is harder than Constable — it has TWO parts:

Part II is trade-specific. If you're applying for HC (Electrician), Part II covers electrical theory. HC (Communication) covers radio communication, signals, networking. You must qualify both parts separately.

Trade Test / Skill Test — 50 Marks

After the written exam, you face a practical trade test. This is qualifying — you need 60% (30/50).

• Tradesman: Practical test in your trade — carpentry, tailoring, cooking, driving, etc.
• HC Electrician: Wiring, circuit testing, equipment repair
• HC Communication: Radio operation, signal transmission
• ASI Radiographer: X-ray machine operation, patient positioning
• SI Staff Nurse: Nursing procedures, patient care assessment

This test is often ignored during preparation. Don't. If you're a Tradesman (Tailor), practice actual tailoring. If you're a Driver, practice driving — including reverse, hill driving, night driving. They test real skills, not bookish knowledge.

Preparation Strategy — Quick Roadmap

• Month 1: Start running daily. Build stamina for PET. Simultaneously, begin GK + Current Affairs.
• Month 2: Maths + Reasoning — solve 50 questions daily. These are scoring if practiced.
• Month 3: English/Hindi language + previous year papers. Start full mock tests.
• Last 2 weeks: Current affairs revision + 1 mock test daily. Keep running.
• Key rule: 0.25 negative marking means DON'T guess randomly. Skip questions you have zero idea about.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there negative marking in SSB exam?
Yes. 0.25 marks deducted per wrong answer. 100 MCQs, 2 hours. Don't guess blindly — skip questions you have zero idea about.

What is the SSB exam date 2026?
Written exam date hasn't been announced yet. PET/PST is the first stage. Admit cards will be released on the official SSB website before each stage.

Is SSB exam same as SSC GD?
No. SSC GD is conducted by SSC for all CAPFs. SSB's own departmental recruitment has a separate exam. SSC GD: 80 questions in 60 minutes. SSB exam: 100 questions in 120 minutes with 0.25 negative marking.

What happens in the medical test?
Eyes (6/6 vision without glasses for Constable), flat feet check, color blindness, hearing test, X-ray, blood pressure, varicose veins, tattoo policy. Permanent tattoo on visible body parts may lead to rejection (except tribal candidates).

Is there interview in SSB recruitment?
No interview. Selection is purely PET + PST + CBT merit + Trade test + Medical. No viva or panel interview.

Can I prepare for SSB and SSC GD simultaneously?
Yes — syllabus overlaps 80% (GK, Maths, Reasoning, English/Hindi). Preparing for one covers most of the other. Just note the exam pattern differences.

Is There Negative Marking in SSB Exam?

Yes, there is negative marking in the SSB CBT (Computer Based Test). For each wrong answer, 0.25 marks are deducted. If you are not sure about an answer, it is better to skip it rather than guess randomly. There is no negative marking in the PET/PST (Physical) stage.

What is SSB Exam Syllabus?

SSB exam syllabus covers General Knowledge, Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, Hindi/English language, and subject-specific topics depending on the post (Constable, HC, ASI, SI). The Physical Endurance Test includes 1.6km run, long jump, and high jump. Trade test is required for tradesman posts.

SSB ASI (Assistant Sub Inspector) Syllabus 2026

SSB ASI selection has the same stages as other posts — PET, PST, CBT, and Trade Test — but the written exam includes additional questions on the specific trade. ASI Steno candidates are tested on stenography speed (80 WPM Hindi or English). ASI Pharmacy candidates get questions on pharmacology, drug management, and hospital pharmacy operations. ASI Radio Mechanic candidates face questions on radio communication, electronics repair, and signal processing. The CBT for ASI has 100 questions worth 100 marks with 0.25 negative marking per wrong answer.

SSB भर्ती 2026 निकल चुकी है — 1,194 पद। Constable, HC, ASI, SI। Apply करने का मन बना लिया। अब? पहले जान लीजिए exam में क्या आता है। SSB selection सिर्फ एक test नहीं है। Physical test, written exam, trade test, medical — सब clear करना होगा। एक में fail = बाहर।

SSB Selection Process — पूरा Pipeline

ज्यादातर candidates सिर्फ written exam पर focus करते हैं। बड़ी गलती। Written exam से ज्यादा लोग PET/PST में बाहर होते हैं। अगर 4.8 km 24 मिनट में नहीं दौड़ सकते, तो GK का ज्ञान काम नहीं आएगा।

Physical Tests — PET और PST Standards

PET — दौड़

सलाह: अभी से दौड़ना शुरू कीजिए। अगले हफ्ते नहीं, admit card आने के बाद नहीं — आज से। Practice में 4.8 km 22 मिनट में कर लिए तो exam day पर 24 में आराम से हो जाएगा।

PST — Height और Chest

ये non-negotiable है। 169.5 cm हैं और 170 चाहिए — बाहर। कोई appeal नहीं (ST और पहाड़ी उम्मीदवारों को छोड़कर)। Apply करने से पहले सही से नाप लीजिए।

Written Exam (CBT) — Constable Tradesman

100 MCQs, 2 घंटे, 0.25 negative marking। UPTET से अलग — यहाँ गलत answer पर marks कटते हैं। तो अंधा guess मत लगाइए।

Qualifying: 50% (UR/OBC/EWS), 45% (SC/ST)।

विषय-वार Topics

सामान्य ज्ञान (25 अंक): Current Affairs (पिछले 6 महीने), भारतीय इतिहास, भूगोल, संविधान, अर्थव्यवस्था, विज्ञान (10वीं level), खेल, पुरस्कार।

गणित (25 अंक): संख्या प्रणाली, HCF/LCM, प्रतिशत, लाभ-हानि, ब्याज, अनुपात, औसत, समय-कार्य, समय-दूरी, ज्यामिति, Data Interpretation।

Reasoning (25 अंक): Analogy, Series, Coding-Decoding, Blood Relations, Direction, Ranking, Venn Diagram, Puzzle, Mirror Image, Pattern।

English/Hindi (25 अंक): English: Fill in blanks, Error spotting, Synonyms, Comprehension। Hindi: अपठित गद्यांश, विलोम, पर्यायवाची, मुहावरे, संधि, समास।

Head Constable — Written Exam (Part I + II)

HC का exam Constable से कठिन है — दो Part हैं:

दोनों Parts अलग-अलग qualify करने होंगे।

Trade Test / Skill Test — 50 अंक

Written exam के बाद practical trade test। 60% (30/50) ज़रूरी है।

• Tradesman: अपनी trade में practical — tailoring, cooking, driving, carpentry
• HC Electrician: Wiring, circuit testing
• ASI Radiographer: X-ray machine operation
• SI Staff Nurse: Nursing procedures

इसे ignore मत कीजिए। Real skills test होता है, किताबी ज्ञान नहीं।

तैयारी कैसे करें — Quick Plan

• महीना 1: रोज़ दौड़ना शुरू। साथ में GK + Current Affairs।
• महीना 2: Maths + Reasoning — रोज़ 50 सवाल। Practice से scoring बनता है।
• महीना 3: English/Hindi + previous year papers + mock tests।
• आखिरी 2 हफ्ते: Current affairs revision + रोज़ 1 mock test। दौड़ना जारी रखिए।
• याद रखिए: 0.25 negative marking = बिना सोचे guess मत लगाइए। जिस सवाल का कोई idea नहीं, छोड़ दीजिए।

अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले सवाल

SSB exam में negative marking है?
हाँ। हर गलत answer पर 0.25 marks कटते हैं। 100 MCQs, 2 घंटे। बिना सोचे guess मत लगाइए।

SSB exam date 2026 कब है?
Written exam date अभी announce नहीं हुई। PET/PST पहले होता है। Admit card official SSB website पर हर stage से पहले release होता है।

SSB exam और SSC GD same है?
नहीं। SSC GD — SSC conduct करती है सभी CAPFs के लिए। SSB की अपनी भर्ती का exam अलग है। SSC GD: 80 सवाल 60 मिनट। SSB exam: 100 सवाल 120 मिनट, 0.25 negative marking।

Medical test में क्या check होता है?
आँखें (6/6 vision बिना glasses), flat feet, color blindness, hearing, X-ray, blood pressure, varicose veins, tattoo policy। दिखने वाली जगह पर permanent tattoo = reject (tribal को छोड़कर)।

SSB भर्ती में interview होता है?
नहीं। Selection PET + PST + CBT merit + Trade test + Medical पर based है। कोई interview नहीं।

SSB और SSC GD एक साथ तैयारी कर सकते हैं?
हाँ — 80% syllabus same है। एक की तैयारी से दूसरे का 80% cover हो जाता है।

क्या SSB परीक्षा में नेगेटिव मार्किंग है?

हां, SSB CBT (कंप्यूटर बेस्ड टेस्ट) में नेगेटिव मार्किंग है। हर गलत उत्तर पर 0.25 अंक काटे जाते हैं। अगर आपको उत्तर के बारे में पक्का पता नहीं है, तो अंदाज़े से उत्तर देने से बेहतर है छोड़ दें। PET/PST (शारीरिक) चरण में कोई नेगेटिव मार्किंग नहीं है।

SSB का सिलेबस क्या है?

SSB परीक्षा के सिलेबस में सामान्य ज्ञान, रीजनिंग, गणित, हिंदी/अंग्रेजी भाषा, और पद-विशिष्ट विषय शामिल हैं। शारीरिक दक्षता परीक्षा में 1.6 किमी दौड़, लंबी कूद, और ऊंची कूद शामिल है।

SSB ASI (सहायक उप निरीक्षक) सिलेबस 2026

SSB ASI का चयन भी अन्य पदों जैसा ही है — PET, PST, CBT, और ट्रेड टेस्ट। लेकिन लिखित परीक्षा में ट्रेड-विशिष्ट प्रश्न अतिरिक्त होते हैं। ASI स्टेनो को आशुलिपि गति (80 WPM हिंदी या अंग्रेजी) की परीक्षा देनी होती है। ASI फार्मेसी को फार्माकोलॉजी, दवा प्रबंधन के प्रश्न मिलते हैं। ASI रेडियो मैकेनिक को इलेक्ट्रॉनिक्स रिपेयर, सिग्नल प्रोसेसिंग के प्रश्न आते हैं। CBT में 100 प्रश्न 100 अंकों के, 0.25 नेगेटिव मार्किंग।