SSC GD Constable is one of the few government jobs where a 10th pass candidate can join central armed police forces like BSF, CISF, CRPF, and ITBP. With 25,487+ vacancies, it's a golden opportunity. But the eligibility criteria are strict — especially the physical standards. Thousands of candidates clear the written exam only to fail in the height measurement or PET.
Before you start preparing, make sure you meet every single criterion listed below.
Age Limit
| Category | Min Age | Max Age | DOB Range |
|---|
| General / EWS | 18 | 23 | 02 Jan 2003 – 01 Jan 2008 |
| OBC (NCL) | 18 | 26 | 02 Jan 2000 – 01 Jan 2008 |
| SC / ST | 18 | 28 | 02 Jan 1998 – 01 Jan 2008 |
| Ex-Serviceman | — | +3 years after deduction of service | — |
Education Qualification
Class 10th (Matriculation) pass from any recognized board. That's it. No minimum percentage required — just pass. This makes SSC GD one of the most accessible government job exams in India.
Candidates appearing in 10th exam can also apply, but must produce the pass certificate before document verification.
Physical Standards — Height, Chest & Weight
Male Candidates
| Category | Height | Chest (Unexpanded) | Chest (Expanded) |
|---|
| General / OBC / SC | 170 cm | 80 cm | 85 cm (+5 cm) |
| ST / Gorkhas / Garhwali / Kumaoni | 165 cm | 78 cm | 83 cm |
| NE States, Sikkim, Ladakh | 162.5 cm | 77 cm | 82 cm |
Female Candidates
| Category | Height | Weight |
|---|
| General / OBC / SC | 157 cm | — |
| ST / NE / Gorkha / Ladakh | 150 cm | — |
Physical Efficiency Test (PET)
| Test | Male | Female |
|---|
| Running | 5 km in 24 minutes | 1.6 km in 8 min 30 sec |
PET is qualifying — no marks. But if you can't complete the run within time, you're eliminated regardless of your CBT score. Start running daily at least 3 months before the PET. Male candidates — aim for under 22 minutes for a comfortable margin.
Medical Standards
- Vision: 6/6 and 6/9 without glasses (varies by force). Colour blindness not accepted.
- Flat Feet: Rejection in most CAPFs
- Knock Knees: Not accepted
- Varicose Veins: Not accepted
- General: No chronic illness, no hearing issues, dental fitness required
👉 Exam syllabus: SSC GD Syllabus 2026 — CBT Exam Pattern & Topics
👉 Salary details: SSC GD Salary 2026 — In-Hand Pay & Allowances
Which Forces Can You Join Through SSC GD?
| Force | Full Name | Deployment |
|---|
| BSF | Border Security Force | India-Pakistan, India-Bangladesh borders |
| CISF | Central Industrial Security Force | Airports, metros, PSU installations |
| CRPF | Central Reserve Police Force | Internal security, anti-naxal, J&K |
| ITBP | Indo-Tibetan Border Police | India-China border (Himalayas) |
| SSB | Sashastra Seema Bal | India-Nepal, India-Bhutan borders |
| Assam Rifles | Assam Rifles | Northeast India |
| NCB | Narcotics Control Bureau | Anti-drug operations pan-India |
| SSF | Special Security Force | VIP/VVIP protection |
You indicate force preferences in your application. SSC allocates based on your rank, preference, and available vacancies. CISF is usually the most preferred (airport postings, city-based), while BSF and ITBP involve more challenging border postings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can 10th fail candidates apply?
No. You must have PASSED 10th from a recognized board. Failed or compartment candidates are not eligible. However, there's no minimum percentage — just pass.
Is there any height relaxation?
Yes. General/OBC/SC: 170 cm. But candidates from hill areas, tribal regions, northeast states, Gorkhas, Garhwalis, and Kumaonis get relaxation to 162.5-165 cm. Check the detailed notification for your specific region.
Can females apply for SSC GD?
Yes. 600+ posts for females in this cycle. Female height: 157 cm (General), 150 cm (ST/hill areas). PET: 1.6 km in 8.5 min (vs 5 km in 24 min for males).
Is SSC GD a permanent government job?
Yes. SSC GD Constable is a permanent, pensionable central government position. You serve until retirement (60 years) with full benefits — pension, medical, canteen, housing.
What if I fail the PET but passed the written exam?
You're eliminated. PET is qualifying — there are no second chances in the same cycle. You'll need to re-apply and clear everything again in the next recruitment cycle.
Can I choose which force I want to join?
You give preferences in the application form. SSC tries to accommodate your top preferences, but final allocation depends on your merit rank and vacancies available in each force. Higher rank = more likely to get preferred force.
Common Reasons for Rejection at Rally/Medical
Every year, thousands of candidates who cleared the CBT get rejected during PET, PST, or medical. Here are the most common reasons — and how to avoid them:
- Not completing 5 km run in time: This is the #1 reason. Start training 3-4 months before. Build endurance first (run slowly but complete the distance), then work on speed. On exam day, pace yourself — don't sprint in the first km and burn out.
- Height shortfall: Even 0.5 cm less = rejection. Measure yourself barefoot in the morning (you're slightly taller in the morning). If you're borderline, check if your region qualifies for relaxed standards (165 cm for hill areas, 162.5 cm for NE states).
- Chest expansion less than 5 cm: Practice deep breathing exercises and chest expansion workouts daily for 2-3 months. Inflate balloons, do push-ups, and practice the expansion technique.
- Flat feet: Get checked by a doctor beforehand. Rigid flat feet = guaranteed rejection. Flexible flat feet are sometimes accepted on appeal.
- Colour blindness: If you can't distinguish red-green colours, you'll fail the Ishihara chart test. No treatment or workaround for this.
- Underweight: Weight must be proportionate to height. Underweight candidates are rejected — gain weight through proper diet, not just before the medical.
SSC GD vs State Police — Which Is Better?
| Parameter | SSC GD (CAPF) | State Police Constable |
|---|
| Pay Scale | Level 3 (₹21,700-69,100) | Level 3-4 (varies by state) |
| In-Hand Salary | ₹30,000-35,000 | ₹25,000-40,000 (state dependent) |
| Posting | All-India (can be far from home) | Within state only |
| Transfer | Frequent (every 3-5 years) | Less frequent |
| Allowances | Risk, border, field, ration allowance | Standard state allowances |
| Pension | Yes (NPS — central) | Yes (NPS — state) |
| Danger Level | Higher (border/insurgency areas) | Moderate (law & order) |
| Prestige | Central forces — higher prestige | State police — local respect |
Bottom line: If you want to stay close to home, state police is better. If you want a central government tag with higher prestige and better allowances (especially border/field allowances), go for SSC GD.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can 10th fail candidates apply?
No. You must have PASSED 10th from a recognized board. No minimum percentage — just pass. Appearing candidates can also apply but must submit the pass certificate before document verification.
Is there separate height for different CAPFs?
The notification specifies a standard height (170 cm male General). However, certain forces like Assam Rifles may have slightly different standards. Always check the detailed notification for force-specific requirements.
What if I'm 22 years and 11 months old?
If you're within the age limit on the cut-off date (1st January 2026), you're eligible. Even one day over = rejected. Calculate carefully using the exact DOB range given in the notification.
Can females apply for all CAPFs?
Yes. Female vacancies exist in BSF, CISF, CRPF, ITBP, SSB, and Assam Rifles. The PET standard for females is different — 1.6 km in 8.5 minutes (vs 5 km in 24 minutes for males).
Do I need a sports certificate for bonus marks?
SSC GD doesn't give bonus marks for sports/NCC in the written exam. However, some CAPFs may consider sports achievements during the final allocation. Focus on the CBT score — that's what matters most.
