Full SSC GD Constable syllabus and exam pattern 2026: 80-question CBE, four sections, negative marking, PET/PST standards, eligibility, and Pay Level 3 salary.
The SSC GD Constable exam recruits General Duty constables for BSF, CISF, CRPF, SSB, ITBP, Assam Rifles (AR), SSF, and NCB. Conducted by the Staff Selection Commission (SSC), it is a Class-10 level exam and the biggest-volume recruitment SSC runs. Selection has three stages: a single computer-based examination (CBE), followed by the Physical Efficiency and Physical Standard Tests (PET/PST), and finally a detailed medical examination.
The 2026 cycle has already run, with the CBE held from April to May 2026 against 25,487 vacancies. If you are aiming for the next round, the SSC GD Constable 2026-27 notification is expected around 30 September 2026, and it will be released on the SSC official website, with the computer-based exam tentatively scheduled for January to March 2027. Use the gap to master the syllabus below.
The written stage is a single online CBE. It has 80 questions for 160 marks, to be completed in 60 minutes. There are four sections of 20 questions each, and every question carries 2 marks. Crucially, there is no sectional lock, so you can move freely between sections and manage your own time. Negative marking is 0.25 marks for every wrong answer.
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 20 | 40 |
| General Knowledge & General Awareness | 20 | 40 |
| Elementary Mathematics | 20 | 40 |
| English or Hindi (candidate's choice) | 20 | 40 |
| Total | 80 | 160 |
The total exam duration is 60 minutes. Because each question is worth 2 marks and the penalty is only 0.25, calculated attempts pay off, but reckless guessing on doubtful questions still erodes your score.
This section is mostly non-verbal and analytical, and rewards practice more than theory:
The GK section tests everyday awareness at a Class-10 level:
Maths stays at a basic, school-level standard. Focus on speed and accuracy in:
Candidates choose one language for the fourth section. It checks basic comprehension, grammar, vocabulary, error spotting, fill in the blanks, and sentence structure.
The bar for entry is deliberately wide, which is why the exam draws such large numbers:
Candidates from hill, tribal, and border areas get height and chest relaxations as per the official notification. Clearing the CBE is only the first hurdle; the PET/PST (running, height, chest measurement) and medical examination are qualifying stages you must also pass.
Only candidates who clear the CBE are called for the Physical Efficiency Test (PET) and Physical Standard Test (PST). The PET is a race that checks stamina, while the PST verifies your recorded height and chest against the eligibility standards. These stages are qualifying in nature, which means they do not add to your merit score, but failing any of them removes you from the process entirely.
Here is how the physical and medical stages fit together:
Because these stages are pass or fail, treat physical training as seriously as your written preparation. Many candidates who score well in the CBE lose their seat at the PET, so begin running and conditioning early rather than after results are out.
The post is placed at Pay Level 3 under the 7th Central Pay Commission (7th CPC). The basic pay begins at Rs 21,700 and rises within the level.
| Component | Detail |
|---|---|
| Pay Level | Level 3 (7th CPC) |
| Basic Pay | Rs 21,700 |
| Pay Range | Rs 21,700 to Rs 69,100 |
| Approximate in-hand | Around Rs 36,000 to 40,000 |
The approximate in-hand figure of around Rs 36,000 to 40,000 includes Dearness Allowance (DA), ration money, House Rent Allowance (HRA), and force-specific allowances on top of the basic pay. Exact take-home varies by posting location and force. Alongside the monthly pay, the role carries central government job security, medical cover, and pension benefits, which is a large part of why the SSC GD Constable exam attracts such huge numbers every year.
With a wide gap before the next cycle, a structured plan matters more than raw study hours. Break your preparation into three phases: build concepts, then practise topic-wise, and finally attempt full mocks under real timing. Because all four sections carry equal weight (20 questions and 40 marks each), a balanced approach beats over-investing in a single strong subject.
Solving previous-year papers is the single most reliable way to understand the real difficulty level and the way each topic is asked. Since the paper is Class-10 standard, consistency and calm test temperament usually matter more than advanced tricks.
The SSC GD Constable exam pattern rewards steady, section-wise practice more than last-minute cramming. Build accuracy in Reasoning and Elementary Mathematics, keep your General Awareness current, and lock in your stronger language for the fourth section. Since there is no sectional lock, train yourself to attempt easy questions first across all four sections. Practise full-length SSC GD mock tests on Quiz4Exam to simulate the 80-question, 60-minute CBE, review your negative-marking pattern, and walk into the real exam already used to its rhythm.
Always confirm the latest dates, vacancies and pattern on the official website before applying.
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The SSC GD Constable exam is a single computer-based examination with 80 questions for 160 marks in 60 minutes. It has four sections of 20 questions each, and every question carries 2 marks. There is no sectional lock, and negative marking is 0.25 marks per wrong answer.
Candidates must have passed Class 10 (Matriculation) and be aged 18 to 23 years. The minimum height is 170 cm for men (with chest 80 to 85 cm) and 157 cm for women. Hill, tribal, and border-area candidates receive height and chest relaxations.
The 2026 cycle exam already ran from April to May 2026 for 25,487 vacancies. The next SSC GD Constable 2026-27 notification is expected around 30 September 2026, with the computer-based exam tentatively scheduled for January to March 2027.
The post is at Pay Level 3 under the 7th CPC, with a basic pay of Rs 21,700 in a range of Rs 21,700 to Rs 69,100. The approximate in-hand salary is around Rs 36,000 to 40,000, including DA, ration money, HRA, and force allowances.
Yes, 0.25 marks are deducted for every wrong answer in the computer-based examination. There is no penalty for unattempted questions, so calculated attempts help while reckless guessing hurts your final score.
