The basic SSC GD eligibility is simple: Indian citizenship, an age of 18 to 23 years on the notice's reference date, and a class 10 pass certificate from any recognised board. Reserved categories get extra years on the upper limit.
What makes this recruitment different is the physical side. You need a minimum height, a minimum chest size for men, and you must finish a timed run, all on top of the written test. Each rule is set out below with tables you can check against yourself before you pay the form fee.
Exam at a glance
Conducted by
Staff Selection Commission (SSC)Nationality
Citizen of IndiaAge (UR)
18 to 23 years on the notice cut off dateQualification
Class 10 (matriculation) passHeight
Men 170 cm, women 157 cm (general standard)Race
Men 5 km in 24 min, women 1.6 km in 8.5 minFee
100 rupees; women, SC, ST and ex servicemen exemptOfficial website
SSC GD eligibility in five points
- Citizen of India.
- Between 18 and 23, with age worked out on the reference date the notice names (it was 1 January in the newest cycle).
- Matriculation (class 10) cleared through a recognised board or university by that same reference date.
- Meets the height, chest and running standards for your category and region.
- Medically fit as per the CAPF medical guidelines.
The posts are Constable (GD) in BSF, CISF, CRPF, ITBP, SSB and SSF, and Rifleman (GD) in Assam Rifles. Pay is at Level 3 of the pay matrix for these posts.
Age limit and relaxation
The general upper limit is 23 years. Relaxation is added on top for these groups, as listed in the latest notice:
| Who | Extra years | Highest age allowed |
|---|---|---|
| Unreserved, EWS | Nil | 23 |
| OBC | 3 years | 26 |
| SC and ST | 5 years | 28 |
| Former armed forces personnel | 3 years, counted after subtracting service already rendered | Varies |
| Children and dependants of 1984 riot and 2002 Gujarat riot victims | UR 5, OBC 8, SC and ST 10 years | 28, 31, 33 |
SSC GD qualification eligibility
Education is the easy part: a class 10 (matric) pass is all SSC asks for. You do not need class 12 or a degree, and higher qualifications give no extra marks.
Your class 10 result has to be declared by the reference date SSC prints. If you are still waiting for your board result on that date, you cannot apply in that cycle. Students who passed through open schooling from a recognised board are treated like other 10th pass candidates, subject to the board's recognition.
SSC GD physical eligibility: height and chest
At the Physical Standard Test, your height (and chest for men) is measured. The general standards and the main relaxed standards are below.
| Group | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|
| General, SC, OBC, EWS | 170 | 157 |
| All ST candidates | 162.5 | 150 |
| ST of North Eastern states | 157 | 147.5 |
| ST of Left Wing Extremism affected districts | 160 | 147.5 |
| Garhwalis, Kumaonis, Dogras, Marathas; Assam, Himachal Pradesh, J and K, Ladakh | 165 | 155 |
| Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura | 162.5 | 152.5 |
| Gorkha Territorial Administration, Darjeeling | 157 | 152.5 |
| Group | Chest |
|---|---|
| General, SC, OBC, EWS | 80 |
| All ST candidates | 76 |
| Garhwalis, Kumaonis, Dogras, Marathas; Assam, Himachal Pradesh, J and K, Ladakh | 78 |
| North Eastern states and GTA Darjeeling | 77 |
Your weight is judged against your height and age under the medical rules. Women have no chest requirement. To claim a lower standard, carry the regional or tribal certificate exactly as the notice's annexure prescribes.
Running test (PET)
| Candidates | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|
| All regions except Ladakh | 5 km within 24 minutes | 1.6 km within 8 and a half minutes |
| Ladakh region | 1.6 km within 7 minutes | 800 metres within 5 minutes |
The PET is pass or fail. It adds no marks, but failing it ends your candidature for that cycle, however high your CBT score.
Medical standards and NCC bonus
Shortlisted candidates go through a detailed medical examination covering eyesight, hearing, general fitness and conditions such as knock knees, flat feet or squint. The exact standards follow the uniform medical guidelines for CAPF recruitment, so read the medical annexure of the notice before you apply.
| Certificate | Bonus |
|---|---|
| NCC C | 5 percent of maximum marks |
| NCC B | 3 percent of maximum marks |
| NCC A | 2 percent of maximum marks |
You must declare your NCC certificate in the application, and show the original at document verification. Ex servicemen do not get this bonus. Bonus marks can decide selection, as you can see on our SSC GD cut off page.
Papers to carry for verification
- Class 10 certificate or marksheet showing date of birth
- SC, ST or OBC certificate in the notice's own format (OBC candidates need non creamy layer status)
- A valid EWS income and asset certificate, if you apply as EWS
- Domicile or permanent residence certificate, since vacancies are allotted state wise
- Certificate for relaxed height or chest, if you claim it
- NCC certificate, if claimed
- Discharge certificate for ex servicemen
If you tick every box, turn to the GD written test topics and the past GD papers. For other options, our eligibility checker matches exams to your age and schooling.
Frequently asked questions
Up to what age can I apply for SSC GD?
Unreserved and EWS applicants must be 18 to 23 on the reference date SSC fixes. The upper limit rises to 26 for OBC and to 28 for SC and ST applicants.
Can a 12th pass or graduate apply for SSC GD?
Yes. The minimum is class 10, and a 12th pass or a graduate is equally free to apply if the age and fitness standards fit. Higher education gives no extra marks.
What is the height required for SSC GD?
Men in the general group need at least 170 cm, women at least 157 cm. Lower standards apply to ST candidates and to certain hill and North Eastern regions, as shown in the tables above.
Is the SSC GD constable eligibility different for women?
Age and education rules are the same. Women have a lower height standard, no chest measurement, and run 1.6 km in 8.5 minutes instead of 5 km.
Do I need a domicile certificate for SSC GD?
Yes, in practice. Posts are allotted by state and area, so your claim to a state's vacancies rests on your domicile or permanent residence certificate.
Is there a cap on SSC GD attempts?
No cap is set. Apply in each cycle for as long as your age stays inside the limit for your category.