If you have been preparing for SSC GD 2026, this is the moment you have been working towards. The Staff Selection Commission officially announced the Computer-Based Test (CBT) dates, and the exam is already underway across India. Whether you are appearing in an upcoming phase or just trying to track the full timeline, this article covers everything — from the exact exam dates to the selection process, vacancy breakdown, admit card steps, and beyond.
⚡ Breaking Update: SSC GD CBT 2026 is live! The exam started on 27 April 2026 and will run in four phases through 30 May 2026. Admit cards were released on 25 April 2026 at ssc.gov.in. Over 48.83 lakh candidates have registered for this cycle.
A quick note about something many aspirants don’t know — the exam was originally scheduled for 23 February 2026, but SSC postponed it. The new dates were officially announced on 11 April 2026, giving candidates a short window to submit their week preferences between 11 and 15 April. So if you are reading this to understand the current status, yes — the exam is happening, and it’s happening right now.
SSC GD Exam Date 2026 – Phase-wise CBT Schedule
The CBT is being conducted in four separate windows to manage the massive number of applicants. SSC also introduced a new facility this year — candidates were allowed to choose their preferred exam week, which was a welcome change from earlier cycles where you had no say in when you appeared.
| Phase | Exam Window (Dates) | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | 27 April 2026 – 2 May 2026 | ✔ Completed |
| Phase 2 | 4 May 2026 – 9 May 2026 | ✔ Completed |
| Phase 3 | 18 May 2026 – 23 May 2026 | ✔ Completed |
| Phase 4 | 25 May 2026 – 30 May 2026 | 🔵 Ongoing |
Exams are being held in up to four shifts per day across multiple centres nationwide. If your phase has passed or you are currently in Phase 4, make sure you check your admit card for the exact reporting time, centre address, and shift details — those are centre-specific.
📍 Important: The exact exam centre address, roll number, reporting time, and shift information are printed only on your admit card. SSC does not send this separately. Always carry a printed copy to the venue.
Complete SSC GD 2026 Event Timeline
For those who want to see the full picture — from notification to what comes next — here is the end-to-end schedule of SSC GD Constable 2026.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Released | 1 December 2025 |
| Application Form Opens | 1 December 2025 |
| Last Date to Apply | 31 December 2025 |
| Application Correction Window | 8–10 January 2026 |
| Week Preference Submission | 11 April – 15 April 2026 |
| Admit Card Released | 25 April 2026 |
| CBT Phase 1 | 27 April – 2 May 2026 |
| CBT Phase 2 | 4 May – 9 May 2026 |
| CBT Phase 3 | 18 May – 23 May 2026 |
| CBT Phase 4 | 25 May – 30 May 2026 |
| Answer Key Release | Expected: June 2026 |
| CBT Result | Expected: July–August 2026 |
| PET / PST | To be announced by CAPFs |
| Medical Examination (DME) | To be announced |
| Final Merit List | To be announced |
The PET, PST, and medical examination stages are scheduled and managed separately by the respective CAPFs — SSC does not conduct these directly. Once the CBT result is out, each force will notify shortlisted candidates for physical and medical tests.
SSC GD Admit Card 2026 – How to Download It
The admit card for SSC GD CBT 2026 was released on 25 April 2026 at the official SSC website. If you have not downloaded yours yet or need to re-download it, here is the exact process.
- Go to the official SSC websiteVisitssc.gov.inon any browser. Make sure you are on the official government portal and not a third-party site.
- Click on ‘Admit Card’Navigate to the Admit Card / Hall Ticket section from the top menu or the Latest News section on the homepage.
- Select SSC GD Constable Exam 2026Find and click the link specifically for “Constable (GD) in CAPFs, SSF, Rifleman (GD) Assam Rifles Examination, 2026 Admit Card.”
- Enter your credentialsLog in using your Application Number and Date of Birth. These are the same credentials you used during registration.
- Download and printYour admit card will appear on the screen. Download the PDF, save a copy on your phone, and print at least one copy to bring to the exam centre.
⚠️ Don’t Forget: Always carry a valid government-issued photo ID along with your printed admit card. The admit card alone is not sufficient for entry. Acceptable IDs include Aadhaar card, Voter ID, PAN card, and Passport.
SSC GD 2026 Vacancy Breakdown – Force-wise
A total of 25,487 posts have been announced under this recruitment. These are distributed across India’s major Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), the Secretariat Security Force (SSF), and Assam Rifles. Out of the total, 23,467 are for male candidates and 2,020 for female candidates.
| Force | Vacancies | Distribution |
|---|---|---|
| CISF (Central Industrial Security Force) | 14,595 | 57.2% |
| CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force) | 5,490 | 21.5% |
| Assam Rifles | 1,706 | 6.7% |
| SSB (Sashastra Seema Bal) | 1,764 | 6.9% |
| ITBP (Indo-Tibetan Border Police) | 1,293 | 5.1% |
| BSF (Border Security Force) | 616 | 2.4% |
| SSF (Secretariat Security Force) | 23 | 0.1% |
CISF alone accounts for more than half the total vacancies this year — which makes it the most accessible force statistically. However, remember that vacancies are also distributed state-wise, and your domicile state will be a factor in post allocation.
SSC GD 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Before everything else, you need to check whether you were eligible to appear in the first place. Here is what SSC specified in the official notification.
Educational Qualification
Candidates must have passed Class 10 (Matriculation) or its equivalent from a recognised Board or University. The qualification must have been obtained on or before 1 January 2026. Candidates who were awaiting their Class 10 results at the time of application were not eligible.
Age Limit
The age window for SSC GD 2026 is 18 to 23 years, calculated as of 1 January 2026. This means candidates born between 2 January 2003 and 1 January 2008 were eligible to apply. Standard age relaxations apply for OBC (3 years), SC/ST (5 years), and other categories as per government rules.
Nationality
Applicants must be Indian citizens. Additionally, candidates need a domicile or permanent residence certificate from their respective State or UT, since vacancies are distributed state-wise.
Physical Standards
Meeting the educational and age criteria alone is not enough. Candidates must also meet physical standards in the PST stage. The general benchmarks are: height of at least 170 cm for males (157 cm for females), chest expansion of 80/85 cm for males, and weight proportionate to height and age. Relaxations in these standards apply for hill region candidates and other notified categories.
SSC GD 2026 Selection Process – All 4 Stages Explained
Clearing SSC GD is a four-stage journey, and you need to clear every single stage to make it to the final merit list. Here is what each stage involves.
💻
Stage 1: CBTComputer-Based Test — 80 questions, 160 marks, 60 minutes
🏃
Stage 2: PETPhysical Efficiency Test — Running 5 km (M) / 1.6 km (F)
📏
Stage 3: PSTPhysical Standard Test — Height, weight, chest measurements
🩺
Stage 4: Medical + DVMedical Examination + Document Verification by CAPFs
Stage 1 — Computer-Based Test (CBT)
This is the first and most critical filter. The CBT is conducted online, has 80 objective-type questions, and carries a total of 160 marks. The total time allowed is 60 minutes. Each wrong answer deducts 0.25 marks, so accuracy matters as much as speed. Your final merit is determined based on your CBT score — the PET, PST, and medical stages are qualifying in nature only.
Stage 2 — Physical Efficiency Test (PET)
Shortlisted candidates from CBT are called for PET. Male candidates must complete a 5 km run within 24 minutes. Female candidates must complete a 1.6 km run within 8.5 minutes. Ex-servicemen are exempted from the PET stage but must still appear for the Medical Examination. Pregnant women are not eligible to participate in PET/PST.
Stage 3 — Physical Standard Test (PST)
PST checks physical measurements against prescribed standards. This includes height, weight, and chest measurements for male candidates. Candidates who do not meet the minimum standards are disqualified at this stage. Relaxed standards apply for candidates from notified hill regions and tribal areas.
Stage 4 — Medical Examination (DME) and Document Verification (DV)
The Detailed Medical Examination is conducted by CAPF-designated medical boards. Vision standards require 6/6 eyesight without glasses, no colour blindness, and general fitness for armed duties. Document verification happens simultaneously, where candidates need to produce originals of all certificates including education documents, identity proof, category certificates, and domicile papers.
Key Point About Final Merit
Your final selection and force allocation depends entirely on your CBT score and normalised marks. PET, PST, and the medical exam are qualifying only — they do not add to your score. So a strong CBT performance is what ultimately decides whether you get selected and which force you are posted to.
- NCC certificate holders receive additional incentive marks added to their normalised CBT score
- Force allocation is based on preferences submitted during the application and CBT rank
- Final result is declared as a PDF merit list on ssc.gov.in
SSC GD 2026 Exam Pattern & Syllabus
Understanding the exact structure of the CBT helps you allocate your preparation time more effectively. The exam tests four subjects, each with equal weightage.
| Subject | 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 |
Duration: 60 minutes | Negative Marking: 0.25 marks per wrong answer | Mode: Computer-Based (Online)
The language section gives you the choice between English and Hindi — most candidates from Hindi-medium backgrounds find it easier to attempt Hindi, while those from English-medium backgrounds prefer English. There is no right or wrong answer here; go with whatever gives you a speed advantage.
SSC GD Constable Salary 2026 – What You Actually Take Home
One of the biggest reasons SSC GD attracts millions of applicants every year is the salary structure combined with the stability and pride of working in India’s paramilitary forces. Here is what you can expect if selected.
| Salary Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Pay Level | Level-3 |
| Basic Pay Range | ₹21,700 – ₹69,100 |
| Gross Salary (with allowances) | ₹41,077 – ₹45,417 per month |
| In-hand Salary (after deductions) | ₹32,985 – ₹37,325 per month |
The gross salary includes Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), Transport Allowance, and National Pension System (NPS) contributions. Deductions include CGHS, CGEGIS, and pension contributions. In addition to salary, selected candidates receive several non-monetary benefits including medical coverage, accommodation facilities, and long-term promotion opportunities within the force.
SSC GD 2026 Preparation Strategy – Last-minute to Long-term
Whether your exam is still ahead in Phase 4 or you are planning for SSC GD 2027 (notification expected September 2026), here is a practical preparation approach that actually works.
For Candidates Appearing in Phase 4 (May 25–30)
At this stage, do not start anything new. Focus entirely on revision. Go through your notes one last time, attempt 2–3 full-length mock tests in timed conditions, and pay special attention to Current Affairs from the last 6 months. For GK, revise static topics — history, geography, polity, economy. For Reasoning, practice series, analogies, and coding-decoding. For Mathematics, revise percentage, profit-loss, ratio, and simplification.
For Future Aspirants (Planning for SSC GD 2027)
You have a solid window ahead. Start by downloading and thoroughly reading the official notification when it releases. Build subject-wise strength — Reasoning and Mathematics require daily practice, while GK requires consistent reading. Most toppers recommend 2–3 hours of daily study and at least two full mock tests per week in the final 3 months. Physical preparation should run parallel to academics — start building stamina early if you want to clear PET comfortably.
Smart Study Tips
Use previous year papers from 2023 and 2024 cycles to understand question patterns. SSC GD typically repeats concepts (though not the exact questions), so understanding the type of problems that appear repeatedly gives you a real edge. For English/Hindi, vocabulary and grammar basics are enough — this section should not consume too much of your time. Use it to secure quick marks.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the SSC GD exam date for 2026?
Was the SSC GD 2026 exam postponed?
How many vacancies are there in SSC GD 2026?
When was the SSC GD Admit Card 2026 released?
What is the age limit for SSC GD 2026?
What is the qualification required for SSC GD 2026?
Does the CBT score decide final selection in SSC GD 2026?
When will SSC GD result 2026 be declared?
When will SSC GD 2027 notification be released?