SSC GD Constable Exam
SSC GD Constable Exam: Eligibility, Exam Pattern, Syllabus & FAQs
The SSC GD Constable Examination is conducted by the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) for recruitment to the post of Constable (General Duty) in various Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and Rifleman (General Duty) in Assam Rifles. The recruitment process is conducted in coordination with the Ministry of Home Affairs and the participating forces.
The examination is particularly suitable for candidates who have completed Class 10 and are interested in a uniformed government service. Unlike many other SSC examinations, SSC GD includes written examination, physical tests and medical examination, making both academic and physical preparation important.
About SSC GD Constable Exam
About SSC GD Constable Exam
SSC GD recruitment covers Constable (GD) positions in forces such as:
- Border Security Force (BSF)
- Central Industrial Security Force (CISF)
- Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF)
- Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP)
- Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB)
- Secretariat Security Force (SSF)
It also recruits Rifleman (GD) in Assam Rifles.
The recruitment process broadly follows:
Computer Based Examination → PET/PST → Medical Examination → Document Verification → Final Selection
The final result and force allocation are based on performance in the Computer Based Examination and the candidate’s force preferences, subject to qualifying the physical, medical and other prescribed requirements.
SSC GD Eligibility Criteria
SSC GD Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
Candidates must have passed Matriculation (Class 10) or an equivalent examination from a recognised Board/University.
The qualification must be obtained by the cut-off date specified in the particular recruitment notification.
Candidates appearing for Class 10 should carefully check the qualification cut-off date before applying.
Age Limit
The prescribed age is generally 18 to 23 years.
The exact crucial date for calculating age is mentioned in the recruitment notification.
Age Relaxation
Upper-age relaxation is available according to Government of India rules. In the latest official framework, the principal relaxations include:
| Category | Age Relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC/ST | 5 years |
| OBC | 3 years |
| Ex-Servicemen | As per applicable rules |
| Certain other specified categories | As prescribed |
Candidates claiming relaxation must produce the required certificates during document verification.
Nationality
The candidate must be an Indian citizen.
Since vacancies for most participating CAPFs are allocated on a State/UT and area basis, candidates must provide the required Domicile Certificate/Permanent Residential Certificate (PRC) for the State/UT mentioned in their application.
This is an important difference between SSC GD and many other SSC examinations.
Physical Eligibility
Physical fitness is an essential part of SSC GD recruitment.
Physical Efficiency Test (PET)
For candidates other than those belonging to the Ladakh region, the prescribed race is:
| Candidate | Race |
|---|---|
| Male | 5 km in 24 minutes |
| Female | 1.6 km in 8½ minutes |
For candidates belonging to the Ladakh region, separate race standards apply.
Physical Standard Test (PST)
The standard height prescribed in the latest framework is:
- Male: 170 cm
- Female: 157 cm
Relaxations are available for specified categories and regions under the recruitment rules. The PST also includes measurement of weight and chest, where applicable.
SSC GD Selection Process
SSC GD Selection Process
The SSC GD selection process consists of:
1. Computer Based Examination (CBE)
Candidates first appear for the objective written examination.
2. Physical Efficiency Test (PET)
Candidates shortlisted on the basis of the CBE must qualify the prescribed physical efficiency test.
3. Physical Standard Test (PST)
Candidates’ physical standards such as height, weight and applicable chest measurements are checked.
4. Medical Examination
Candidates must qualify the Detailed Medical Examination (DME). A Review Medical Examination (RME) may be conducted where applicable.
5. Document Verification
Educational, domicile, category and other required documents are verified.
The complete recruitment process is conducted through these stages.
SSC GD Exam Pattern
SSC GD Exam Pattern
The Computer Based Examination consists of 80 objective-type questions, with each question carrying 2 marks.
| Part | Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | General Intelligence & Reasoning | 20 | 40 |
| B | General Knowledge & General Awareness | 20 | 40 |
| C | Elementary Mathematics | 20 | 40 |
| D | English/Hindi | 20 | 40 |
| Total | 80 | 160 |
Duration: 60 minutes
Negative Marking: 0.25 mark for each incorrect answer.
The questions are of approximately Matriculation level.
The Computer Based Examination is conducted in English, Hindi and specified regional languages, including Bengali.
SSC GD Syllabus
SSC GD Syllabus
A. General Intelligence & Reasoning
The Reasoning section primarily tests analytical ability, observation and the ability to identify patterns.
Important topics include:
- Analogies
- Similarities and Differences
- Spatial Visualization
- Spatial Orientation
- Visual Memory
- Observation
- Relationship Concepts
- Arithmetical Reasoning
- Figural Classification
- Number Series
- Non-Verbal Series
- Coding-Decoding
The official syllabus gives particular emphasis to analytical aptitude and non-verbal reasoning.
B. General Knowledge & General Awareness
This section tests awareness of the candidate’s surroundings, current events and general knowledge.
Important areas include:
History
- Ancient India
- Medieval India
- Modern India
- Indian Freedom Movement
Geography
- Indian Geography
- World Geography
- Rivers, mountains and climate
- Natural resources
Polity
- Indian Constitution
- Parliament
- Government
- Fundamental Rights
- Political system
Economy
- Basic economic concepts
- Indian economy
- Banking and financial awareness
General Science
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Biology
- Everyday science
Current Affairs
- National events
- International events
- Sports
- Awards
- Important appointments
- Government schemes
- Science and technology
The official syllabus also includes areas such as sports, history, culture, geography, economic scene, general polity, the Indian Constitution and scientific research.
C. Elementary Mathematics
Important topics include:
- Number System
- Whole Numbers
- Decimals and Fractions
- Fundamental Arithmetic Operations
- Percentage
- Ratio and Proportion
- Average
- Interest
- Profit and Loss
- Discount
- Mensuration
- Time and Distance
- Time and Work
- Ratio and Time
The questions are designed around basic mathematical concepts at the prescribed examination level.
D. English / Hindi
This section tests the candidate’s basic understanding of English or Hindi and comprehension ability.
Preparation should cover:
- Vocabulary
- Grammar
- Sentence Structure
- Basic comprehension
- Correct usage
- Reading comprehension
The candidate should select the language according to the options available in the examination and prepare accordingly.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions About SSC GD
Q1. What is SSC GD Constable?
SSC GD is a national-level recruitment examination conducted by SSC for Constable (GD) posts in various CAPFs and Rifleman (GD) in Assam Rifles.
Q2. What is the minimum educational qualification?
Candidates must generally have passed Class 10/Matriculation from a recognised Board.
Q3. What is the age limit for SSC GD?
The general age range is 18 to 23 years, subject to the applicable cut-off date and age relaxations.
Q4. Is there a physical test in SSC GD?
Yes. Candidates shortlisted from the written examination have to qualify the PET and PST.
Q5. What is the SSC GD written exam pattern?
The CBE has 80 questions carrying 160 marks, divided equally among Reasoning, General Awareness, Mathematics and English/Hindi.
Q6. Is there negative marking?
Yes. 0.25 mark is deducted for every incorrect answer in the Computer Based Examination.
Q7. Is SSC GD conducted in Bengali?
Yes. Bengali is among the regional languages in which the Computer Based Examination is conducted.
Q8. Is graduation required for SSC GD?
No. The minimum educational qualification is generally Class 10/Matriculation.
Q9. Is a domicile certificate required?
Yes. For vacancies that are State/UT based, candidates are required to provide the prescribed Domicile Certificate/PRC corresponding to the State/UT declared in the application.
Q10. Which forces recruit through SSC GD?
The recruitment includes Constable (GD) positions in BSF, CISF, CRPF, ITBP, SSB and SSF, along with Rifleman (GD) in Assam Rifles, subject to the vacancies notified for the particular recruitment cycle.
Q11. What is the SSC GD PET for male candidates?
For candidates other than those belonging to Ladakh, the standard is 5 km in 24 minutes. Separate standards apply to Ladakh candidates.
Q12. What is the SSC GD PET for female candidates?
For candidates other than those belonging to Ladakh, the standard is 1.6 km in 8½ minutes. Separate standards apply to Ladakh candidates.
Q13. What is the level of the SSC GD question paper?
The Computer Based Examination questions are of Matriculation level.
Important Note
SSC may change the eligibility conditions, physical standards, examination scheme, vacancies or other recruitment provisions in future recruitment cycles. Candidates should always refer to the latest official SSC notification before applying.
