SSC GD Constable
Also known as: GD Constable
Staff Selection Commission
SSC recruitment to the rank of Constable (General Duty), an entry-level Pay Level 3 post open to Class 10 pass candidates.
SSC GD Constable is a recruitment examination conducted by the Staff Selection Commission to fill Constable (General Duty) posts. Selection runs through a 160-mark Computer Based Examination of 60 minutes, followed by a Physical Efficiency Test and Physical Standard Test, and then a Detailed Medical Examination. Both the physical and medical stages are qualifying in nature and do not add marks to the final merit.
Frequency
Once a year
Overview
What is GD Constable?
The examination exists to recruit personnel at the constable level for general duty roles in the uniformed services, at Pay Level 3 (Rs 21,700 to Rs 69,100). Its three-stage design tests three separate things in sequence: basic academic ability through the Computer Based Examination, physical fitness and body standards through the PET and PST, and medical fitness through the Detailed Medical Examination. Because only the written stage carries marks, the merit list reflects written performance alone, while the later stages act as pass or fail filters. The list of participating organisations and the distribution of posts among them is set out in the official notification for each cycle. Those selected enter service as Constable (General Duty), with a departmental progression running from Head Constable to ASI, then SI and Inspector.
Who Can Apply?
The examination is aimed at candidates who have completed Matriculation or Class 10 from a recognised board and are looking for entry into a uniformed service at constable rank. Applicants must be Indian citizens and aged between 18 and 23 years. Age relaxation on record is three years for OBC candidates and five years for SC and ST candidates. Since clearing the Physical Efficiency Test, Physical Standard Test and Detailed Medical Examination is compulsory for appointment, candidates should be prepared for sustained physical training alongside written preparation.
Career Opportunities
Selection through SSC GD Constable leads to appointment as a Constable (General Duty) in the Central Armed Police Forces and allied organisations for which the Staff Selection Commission conducts this recruitment. Entry is at Pay Level 3 (Rs 21,700 to Rs 69,100), and the post is a uniformed, field-level role. Progression from the entry grade runs to Head Constable, then Assistant Sub-Inspector, then Sub-Inspector, and then Inspector. Movement up this chain depends on vacancies in the higher grade, length of service and the departmental conditions laid down by the employing force. Candidates should read the official notification of the cycle they are applying to for the list of forces and posts covered in that year.
Eligibility Criteria
Age Limit
18–23 years
Age Relaxation
| Category | Relaxation |
|---|---|
| OBC | +3 years |
| SC | +5 years |
| ST | +5 years |
Educational Qualification
Matriculation or Class 10 pass from a recognised board.
Nationality
Indian citizen.
Candidates must have passed Matriculation or Class 10 from a recognised board to be eligible for SSC GD Constable. The age band is 18 years at the minimum and 23 years at the maximum, with relaxation of 3 years for OBC candidates and 5 years each for SC and ST candidates. Applicants must be Indian citizens. Candidates should confirm the cut-off date for age calculation and the acceptable proof of qualification from the official notification for the cycle they are applying to.
Selection Process
Computer Based Examination
Computer Based Test · 60 minutes
Physical Efficiency Test and Physical Standard Test
Physical
Detailed Medical Examination
Medical
Final Selection
Exam Pattern
Computer Based Examination
Computer Based TestDuration: 60 minutesTotal: 160 marksNegative: 0.25 marks deducted per wrong answer| Subject / Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General Intelligence and Reasoning | 20 | 40 |
| General Knowledge and General Awareness | 20 | 40 |
| Elementary Mathematics | 20 | 40 |
| English or Hindi | 20 | 40 |
80 questions in total, 2 marks for each correct answer. No sectional timing.
Physical Efficiency Test and Physical Standard Test
PhysicalNegative: Not applicableQualifying only. Clearing it is required but it carries no marks towards the final merit.
Detailed Medical Examination
MedicalNegative: Not applicableQualifying only.
Salary & Career Growth
Pay Scale
Pay Level 3 (Rs 21,700 to Rs 69,100)
Allowances & Benefits
In addition to pay under Level 3 (Rs 21,700 to Rs 69,100), the post carries Ration Allowance, Dress Allowance and Risk and Hardship Allowance, along with Dearness Allowance and House Rent Allowance. The rates applicable to Risk and Hardship Allowance and House Rent Allowance depend on the posting and its classification. Dearness Allowance is revised periodically by the government and applies to all eligible central government employees.
Promotion Hierarchy
Constable GD to Head Constable to ASI to SI to Inspector
Job Security
Recruitment is conducted by the Staff Selection Commission, and selected candidates are appointed to a regular government post carrying Pay Level 3 (Rs 21,700 to Rs 69,100). Pay moves within that level over the course of service, and the post carries the standard allowance components attached to central uniformed service, including Ration, Dress, Risk and Hardship, Dearness Allowance and House Rent Allowance.
Preparation Strategy
For Beginners
Start with the Computer Based Examination, since it is the only stage that carries marks: 80 questions for 160 marks in 60 minutes, split equally across General Intelligence and Reasoning, General Knowledge and General Awareness, Elementary Mathematics, and a language paper that can be attempted in English or Hindi. The question standard follows the Matriculation level set for eligibility, so the first few months are best spent closing gaps in Class 10 arithmetic and basic reasoning types rather than attempting advanced material. With 0.25 marks deducted for a wrong answer and 2 marks awarded for a correct one, build the habit early of marking only what you can justify, and use full 60 minute mocks to fix a section order, as there is no sectional timing to force pacing. Begin physical preparation in parallel from day one, because the Physical Efficiency Test, Physical Standard Test and Detailed Medical Examination are qualifying stages that add nothing to merit but end the attempt if failed.
Intermediate Level
Inconsistent mock scores at this stage usually trace to attempt count rather than knowledge, since 80 questions in 60 minutes leaves about 45 seconds per question and no sectional timing to force balance. Log every mock by section: number attempted, number correct, and marks lost to the 0.25 deduction, because each wrong answer costs 0.25 while each correct one earns 2, and a section where accuracy falls below roughly 80 percent is where the score is leaking. Fix the weakest of the four sections by topic rather than by volume, since General Intelligence and Reasoning, General Knowledge and General Awareness, Elementary Mathematics and the English or Hindi paper each carry 40 marks and none can be sacrificed. Set a fixed per-section time budget before the next mock, mark any question not solved within the budget for review instead of guessing, and compare the resulting score spread across three consecutive mocks.
Advanced (Final Stage)
At this stage, stop adding new material and work instead on full 80-question papers under a strict 60-minute clock, since the absence of sectional timing means your pacing habits decide how many questions you actually reach. Fix a section order and keep it constant across every mock, so that General Intelligence and Reasoning, General Knowledge and General Awareness, Elementary Mathematics and the English or Hindi paper each get a budget you have already tested rather than one you improvise on exam day. With 2 marks for a correct answer and 0.25 deducted for a wrong one, review each mock by separating genuine errors from guesses, and leave blank only those questions where you can eliminate nothing. Keep running your physical practice alongside revision, because the Physical Efficiency Test and Physical Standard Test and the Detailed Medical Examination are qualifying requirements that have to be cleared even though they add nothing to the merit position.
3-Month Study Plan
Month 1: Cover the basics of all four sections, General Intelligence and Reasoning, General Knowledge and General Awareness, Elementary Mathematics, and the chosen language paper in English or Hindi, giving roughly equal time to each since all four carry 40 marks. Work through arithmetic and reasoning topics on paper first, without worrying about speed. Month 2: Shift to timed section practice of 20 questions at a time, which matches the number asked from each section. Keep a daily record of wrong answers, because 0.25 marks are deducted for each one and the habit of guessing has to be identified early. Month 3: Attempt full 80-question mocks in a single 60-minute block, since there is no sectional timing and the order of attempt is yours to decide. Use the remaining days to revise General Knowledge and General Awareness notes and to re-solve the questions you marked wrong in earlier mocks.
6-Month Study Plan
Month 1: Build the base in General Intelligence and Reasoning and Elementary Mathematics. Work through one section at a time without a timer, and keep a written record of every question type that is answered wrong. Begin physical conditioning in parallel, since the Physical Efficiency Test and Physical Standard Test must be cleared to stay in the process. Month 2: Continue Reasoning and Elementary Mathematics, and add daily General Knowledge and General Awareness reading. Decide at this point whether the language paper will be attempted in English or in Hindi, and prepare only that option from here on. Month 3: Bring all four sections into the weekly cycle. Attempt 20 question sets under a 15 minute limit for each section separately, which matches the paper's ratio of 80 questions in 60 minutes. Month 4: Start full-length mocks of 80 questions and 160 marks in a single 60 minute sitting. Score each one with 2 marks for a correct answer and 0.25 deducted for a wrong one, so the cost of guessing is visible in the final score rather than hidden. Month 5: Use mock analysis to fix the order in which the four sections are attempted. There is no sectional timing, so time saved in a strong section can be moved to a weak one. Reduce wrong attempts before trying to raise total attempts. Month 6: Run two to three full mocks each week at the same time of day as the reporting slot, and spend the remaining days on revision of recorded errors. Keep physical practice going through this month, and confirm that documents and medical fitness requirements are in order for the Detailed Medical Examination stage.
12-Month Study Plan
Month 1: Begin with two subjects only, General Intelligence and Reasoning and Elementary Mathematics. Work through basic concepts slowly and solve a small fixed number of questions each day rather than long sessions. Start light physical conditioning in the same week, because the Physical Efficiency Test and Physical Standard Test is a compulsory stage of selection. Month 2: Stay on the same two subjects and raise the daily question count slightly. Add a short daily slot for General Knowledge and General Awareness and keep all notes for it in a single notebook or file from the first day. Continue physical conditioning on alternate days. Month 3: Introduce the language paper. Decide now whether you will attempt English or Hindi in the Computer Based Examination and stay with that choice for the rest of the preparation. Keep the daily routine untimed at this stage so that understanding comes before speed. Month 4: First consolidation month. Re-solve the Elementary Mathematics and reasoning questions attempted in Months 1 and 2, and mark every question you got wrong a second time. These repeated errors form your weak list for the rest of the year. Month 5: Start timed sectional practice. Each section of the paper carries 20 questions, so practise in blocks of 20 and record the time taken for each block. Keep General Knowledge and General Awareness revision running daily alongside. Month 6: Take your first full-length mock of 80 questions in 60 minutes. Score it strictly, 2 marks for each correct answer and 0.25 deducted for each wrong one, so that the real effect of guessing becomes visible. Spend the rest of the month on the subject that scored lowest. Month 7: Work on accuracy rather than coverage. Review every wrong answer from the mock and classify it as a concept gap, a reading error or a guess, then cut the guessing category down over the month. Raise physical practice to a regular weekly schedule. Month 8: Second full pass through all four subjects, General Intelligence and Reasoning, General Knowledge and General Awareness, Elementary Mathematics, and the chosen language paper. Give the largest share of hours to the weakest of the four. Take one full mock at the end of the month. Month 9: Move to a mock every fortnight with a full review after each one. Run General Knowledge and General Awareness revision in short repeated cycles rather than reading new material continuously. Keep the error log updated after every test. Month 10: Shift to one full mock a week. There is no sectional timing in the paper, so use these tests to fix the order in which you attempt the four sections and the point at which you leave a question and move on. Continue physical preparation without a break. Month 11: Revision only. Stop adding new material and work entirely from your own notes and the error log. Keep the documents needed for the Physical Standard Test and the Detailed Medical Examination ready, since both stages are qualifying and must be cleared. Month 12: Take full mocks under exam conditions at the same time of day as your reporting slot, then taper in the last ten days. Revise the single consolidated note set, keep solving a small daily set to stay in rhythm, and check the official notification for the current cycle's reporting and admit card instructions.
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Frequently Asked Questions
SSC GD Constable is a recruitment examination conducted by the Staff Selection Commission for constable posts at the general duty level. It replaces separate departmental tests with one common written test for a single large recruitment cycle. The organisations and posts covered in any given cycle are listed in the official notification for that cycle.
The minimum qualification is Matriculation or a Class 10 pass from a recognised board. The exam is aimed at candidates who have completed schooling and are looking for entry level uniformed service rather than at graduates. No higher degree is required.
The minimum age is 18 years and the maximum age is 23 years. This is a narrow window, so candidates who miss early attempts have limited cycles left. The exact cut-off date for calculating age is given in the official notification for each cycle.
Yes. Upper age relaxation is 3 years for OBC candidates and 5 years for SC and ST candidates. Candidates should check the official notification for the full list of relaxation categories and the documents needed to claim them.
There are three stages. The Computer Based Examination is the filtering stage and the only stage that contributes marks to merit. Candidates who clear it move to the Physical Efficiency Test and Physical Standard Test and then to the Detailed Medical Examination, both of which are pass or fail checks on fitness.
The Computer Based Examination has 80 questions carrying 160 marks, with a duration of 60 minutes. There are four sections of 20 questions and 40 marks each, General Intelligence and Reasoning, General Knowledge and General Awareness, Elementary Mathematics, and English or Hindi. There is no sectional timing.
Yes. Each correct answer in the Computer Based Examination carries 2 marks and 0.25 marks are deducted for each wrong answer. The Physical Efficiency Test, Physical Standard Test and Detailed Medical Examination have no negative marking as they are qualifying stages.
Yes. One section of 20 questions and 40 marks is set as English or Hindi, so the candidate takes one of the two. The procedure for indicating this choice is explained in the official notification and the application form.
No. The Physical Efficiency Test and Physical Standard Test are qualifying only and carry no marks towards the final merit. Clearing them is required to stay in the process, but merit is decided by the Computer Based Examination alone.
The post falls under Pay Level 3, with a pay range of Rs 21,700 to Rs 69,100. In addition to basic pay, constables receive Ration Allowance, Dress Allowance, Risk and Hardship Allowance, Dearness Allowance and House Rent Allowance. The applicable rates depend on government rules and posting, so check the official notification for details.
The career progression runs from Constable GD to Head Constable, then to Assistant Sub Inspector, Sub Inspector and Inspector. Promotions depend on service rules, vacancies and departmental requirements in the force to which a candidate is allotted.
The exam is conducted once a year by the Staff Selection Commission. Applications are submitted online through the official website at https://ssc.gov.in. For the application window, fees and other cycle-specific details, refer to the official notification.
Key Takeaways
- SSC GD Constable is conducted by the Staff Selection Commission once a year and is open to Indian citizens who have passed Matriculation or Class 10 from a recognised board.
- The age limit for SSC GD Constable is 18 to 23 years, with relaxation of 3 years for OBC candidates and 5 years for SC and ST candidates.
- The SSC GD Constable Computer Based Examination carries 160 marks across 80 questions in 60 minutes, with 2 marks for each correct answer and 0.25 marks deducted for each wrong answer.
- The SSC GD Constable written paper has four sections of 20 questions and 40 marks each, covering General Intelligence and Reasoning, General Knowledge and General Awareness, Elementary Mathematics, and English or Hindi.
- An SSC GD Constable is appointed at Pay Level 3, Rs 21,700 to Rs 69,100, with promotion running from Constable GD to Head Constable to ASI to SI to Inspector.