SSC GD Constable Eligibility 2026
Age limit, relaxation, qualification and physical standards.
Updated 22 October 2026
SSC GD Constable eligibility criteria 2026
To be eligible for SSC GD Constable 2026, you must be an Indian citizen, be 18–23 years old on 1 January 2026, and have passed Class 10 from a recognised board. You also have to meet the physical standards (PST), clear the running test (PET) and pass the medical examination. Failing any one of these at any stage ends your candidature.
Eligibility summary
| Criterion | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Citizen of India (see the note below) |
| Age | 18–23 years as on 1 January 2026 |
| Education | Matriculation / Class 10 pass from a recognised board |
| Height | 170 cm (men), 157 cm (women), with relaxations |
| Chest (men only) | 80 cm unexpanded, at least 5 cm expansion |
| Vision | 6/6 in the better eye and 6/9 in the other, without glasses |
| Experience | None required, so freshers can apply |
| Attempts | No upper limit has been notified |
Nationality
You must be a citizen of India. Earlier notices also allowed subjects of Nepal and Bhutan, and Tibetan refugees who came to India before 1962, in specified cases. For some state-wise vacancies in CAPFs and Assam Rifles, you may also have to produce a domicile or permanent resident certificate.
SSC GD age limit and relaxation
For the 2026 cycle, the age limit is 18 to 23 years on 1 January 2026. In other words, a general candidate must have been born between 2 January 2003 and 1 January 2008.
| Category | Relaxation | Upper age |
|---|---|---|
| General (UR) | None | 23 years |
| SC / ST | 5 years | 28 years |
| OBC | 3 years | 26 years |
| Ex-Servicemen | 3 years after deducting military service | As calculated |
| Children/dependants of victims of the 1984 riots or the 2002 Gujarat riots (UR) | 5 years | 28 years |
| Same, OBC | 8 years | 31 years |
| Same, SC/ST | 10 years | 33 years |
Earlier notifications also gave 5 years of relaxation to candidates domiciled in Jammu & Kashmir for the period mentioned in the notice. Check the current PDF before you count on it.
Educational qualification
You need a pass in Matriculation (Class 10) or an equivalent exam from a recognised board, on or before the cut-off date in the notification. Candidates still waiting for their Class 10 result could not apply for the 2026 cycle.
Physical Standard Test (PST)
The PST checks height, chest (men only) and weight. Your weight must be in proportion to your height and age under the medical standards.
Height
| Category / region | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|
| General, OBC, SC | 170 cm | 157 cm |
| All Scheduled Tribe candidates | 162.5 cm | 150 cm |
| Garhwalis, Kumaonis, Dogras, Marathas; candidates from Assam, Himachal Pradesh, J&K and Ladakh | 165 cm | 155 cm |
| Candidates from Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura | 162.5 cm | 152.5 cm |
| Gorkha Territorial Administration (Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Kurseong sub-divisions and listed mouzas) | 157 cm | 152.5 cm |
| ST candidates of the North-Eastern states | 157 cm | 147.5 cm |
| ST candidates of Left Wing Extremism affected districts | 160 cm | 147.5 cm |
Chest (men only)
| Category | Minimum unexpanded | Minimum expansion |
|---|---|---|
| General, OBC, SC | 80 cm | 5 cm |
| All ST candidates | 76 cm | 5 cm |
| Garhwalis, Kumaonis, Dogras, Marathas; Assam, Himachal Pradesh, J&K, Ladakh | 78 cm | 5 cm |
| North-Eastern states and GTA areas | 77 cm | 5 cm |
Physical Efficiency Test (PET)
| Region | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|
| All regions except Ladakh | 5 km in 24 minutes | 1.6 km in 8½ minutes |
| Ladakh region | 1.6 km in 6½ minutes | 800 metres in 4 minutes |
The PET only has to be qualified; it carries no marks. Before the race, female candidates must declare whether they are pregnant. A candidate found pregnant is declared temporarily unfit. Her PET is then held until six weeks after delivery, once she produces a medical fitness certificate.
Medical standards
| Test | Better eye | Worse eye |
|---|---|---|
| Near vision (uncorrected) | N6 | N9 |
| Distant vision (uncorrected) | 6/6 | 6/9 |
| Refraction | Correction with glasses not allowed | Not allowed |
| Colour vision | CP-III (Ishihara test) | CP-III |
You must also be mentally and physically fit, with no deformity or chronic condition that could affect your duties. Read the SSC GD exam pattern to see how the PET, PST and medical stages fit together.
Tips before you apply
- Measure your height and chest honestly and work out which relaxation, if any, applies to you.
- Start running practice months before the CBE. Many candidates who clear the written exam fail the PET.
- Make sure your name and date of birth match your Class 10 certificate exactly.
- Keep your category, domicile and ESM certificates ready in the format the notification asks for. See the application form guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the age limit for SSC GD Constable 2026?
The age limit is 18 to 23 years on 1 January 2026. Upper age relaxation is 5 years for SC/ST, 3 years for OBC, and more for the riot-affected categories.
What is the minimum height for SSC GD?
Men from the General, OBC and SC categories need 170 cm and women need 157 cm. ST candidates and candidates from certain hill and North-Eastern regions get lower limits.
How long is the SSC GD running test?
Men must run 5 km in 24 minutes and women 1.6 km in 8½ minutes. Candidates from Ladakh run 1.6 km in 6½ minutes (men) or 800 metres in 4 minutes (women).
Can I wear glasses in the SSC GD medical test?
No. Uncorrected distant vision of 6/6 in the better eye and 6/9 in the worse eye is required, and correction with glasses is not allowed.
Is there a limit on the number of attempts for SSC GD?
The notification sets no limit on attempts. You can keep applying as long as you are within the age limit.
Always check the latest official notification on ssc.gov.in before applying.