The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has officially commenced the recruitment drive for the General Duty (GD) Constable examination 2026. This announcement opens the door for thousands of aspirants seeking a career in India’s esteemed paramilitary forces. The commission released the detailed notification on December 1, 2025, confirming the start of the online application process. This recruitment cycle aims to fill vacancies in the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and the Secretariat Security Force (SSF). Aspirants can now apply directly via the new official portal, ssc.gov.in.
Critical Recruitment Timeline
The commission has established a strict schedule for this recruitment cycle. The online application window opened on December 1, 2025, and will remain active for exactly one month. Candidates must complete their registration and form submission by December 31, 2025 (23:00 hours). While the deadline for online fee payment extends slightly to January 1, 2026, applicants should avoid last-minute transactions. For those who make errors during the initial submission, a brief correction window will open from January 8 to January 10, 2026. The Computer-Based Examination (CBE) is tentatively scheduled between February and April 2026.
Force-Wise Vacancy Breakdown
The 2026 recruitment drive announces a total of 25,487 vacancies. The distribution heavily favors the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), offering the highest number of seats this year.
| Force | Full Name | Vacancies |
| CISF | Central Industrial Security Force | 14,595 |
| CRPF | Central Reserve Police Force | 5,490 |
| SSB | Sashastra Seema Bal | 1,764 |
| AR | Assam Rifles | 1,706 |
| ITBP | Indo-Tibetan Border Police | 1,293 |
| BSF | Border Security Force | 616 |
| SSF | Secretariat Security Force | 23 |
| Total | All Forces | 25,487 |
Note: These figures are tentative. The commission reserves the right to alter vacancy counts based on administrative requirements.
Eligibility Criteria: Age and Education
Strict eligibility norms govern this competitive examination. Nationality: The applicant must be a citizen of India. Education: Candidates must hold a Matriculation (10th Class) certificate from a recognized board as of January 1, 2026. Age Limit: Applicants must be between 18 and 23 years old. Specifically, the candidate’s birth date must fall between January 2, 2003, and January 1, 2008. Relaxations: The upper age limit is relaxable for reserved categories. SC/ST candidates receive a five-year relaxation, while OBC candidates get three years. Ex-Servicemen are also eligible for relaxations as per government rules.
Salary Structure and Application Fees
Successful candidates will secure a position in Pay Level-3. This offers a basic pay scale ranging from ₹21,700 to ₹69,100, excluding various central government allowances like Dearness Allowance (DA) and House Rent Allowance (HRA). Application Fee Details: The application fee is set at a nominal ₹100 for General, OBC, and EWS male candidates. However, the commission has exempted women, SC, ST, and Ex-Servicemen candidates from this payment. Aspirants can pay fees via UPI, Net Banking, or Credit/Debit cards.
Step-by-Step Application Guide
Applications are accepted only through the online mode.
- One-Time Registration (OTR): Visit ssc.gov.in and complete the OTR process if not done previously.
- Login: Access your dashboard using your registration number and password.
- Apply: Select the “Constable (GD) in CAPFs, SSF and Rifleman (GD) in Assam Rifles Examination, 2026” link.
- Fill Details: Enter your personal and educational data accurately.
- Upload Media: Capture a live photograph using the webcam feature and upload a scanned signature.
- Payment & Submit: Pay the requisite fee (if applicable) and submit the form.
- Print: Save a PDF copy of the final application for future reference.
