Published: May 2026 | Updated: 25 May 2026 | Category: Government Jobs, Defence Recruitment | Reading Time: 8 min

If you have been waiting for a golden chance to serve India in uniform without appearing for the toughest competitive exams, 2026 is your year. Not one, but two separate SSB Constable Recruitment 2026 notifications are currently active — and together they open doors for candidates across different age groups, qualifications, and backgrounds.
The Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) has now released a brand-new Constable (General Duty) Recruitment 2026 notification on 22 May 2026, announcing 50 GD posts with an offline application mode and a maximum age limit of 35 years. This comes in addition to the large-scale 1,194-vacancy combined recruitment (Tradesman, Driver, Head Constable, SI, ASI) that was notified in March 2026.
Whether you are 21 or 34, a Class 10 pass or a diploma holder — there is a post in SSB 2026 that may be meant for you. Read every section of this guide before you apply.
New SSB Constable Recruitment 2026 — Apply Offline by 20 June 2026
This is the freshest notification, published just today (25 May 2026) and must not be missed.
Advertisement No.: 600/RC/SSB/Remust.CT (GD)-2026/2026/3030-3152
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Post Name | Constable (General Duty) |
| Total Vacancies | 50 |
| Qualification | Matriculation (Class 10) or equivalent |
| Maximum Age | 35 years |
| Age Relaxation | 5 years for SC/ST candidates |
| Application Mode | Offline (by post) |
| Application Fee | Nil — Free for all categories |
| Last Date to Apply | 20 June 2026 |
| Official Website | ssb.gov.in |
Why This Notification Stands Out
Three things make this different from every other SSB recruitment open right now:
1. Higher age limit of 35 years — Most CAPF constable recruitments cap at 27 years. This GD notification goes up to 35, which means candidates who missed earlier opportunities due to age now have a legitimate second chance.
2. Completely free to apply — No application fee for any category, including General and OBC. Zero cost to try.
3. Offline application — You do not apply online. Download the application form from ssb.gov.in, fill it manually, attach self-attested documents, and send it by Speed Post or Registered Post to the address mentioned in the official notification PDF.
Important Dates — GD Constable Offline Recruitment 2026
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Released | 22 May 2026 |
| Last Date to Submit Application | 20 June 2026 |
| Unit Forwards to Ftr HQ SSB | 30 June 2026 |
| Ftr HQ Forwards to ARC SHQ SSB Lakhimpur Kheri | 10 July 2026 |
| ARC Forwards List to FHQ Recruitment Branch | 30 July 2026 |
Selection Process — GD Constable 2026
- Physical Standard Test (PST)
- Physical Efficiency Test (PET)
- Written Examination
- Documentation and Detailed Medical Examination (DME)
- Review Medical Examination (RME)
How to Apply — Step by Step (Offline Mode)
- Visit ssb.gov.in and download the official notification PDF and application form
- Fill the form carefully in the prescribed format with correct personal and educational details
- Attach self-attested photocopies of required documents — photo, signature, ID proof, Class 10 certificate
- Double-check all entries before sealing the envelope
- Send by Speed Post or Registered Post to the address mentioned in the notification
- Keep a photocopy of your complete application for future reference
- Ensure it is received before 20 June 2026
Important: Post your application at least 7–10 days before the deadline to account for postal transit time. Reaching even one day late means automatic rejection.
SSB Constable Recruitment 2026 — The Big Combined Drive (1,194 Vacancies)
Alongside the new GD notification, the main combined recruitment announced in March 2026 is also part of the overall SSB 2026 drive. Here is the complete picture.
Sashastra Seema Bal released Advertisement No. 524/RC/SSB/Combined Advt./CT to SI (Non-GD)/2025 on 21 March 2026, covering four post categories in a single notification.
| Post | Total Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Constable (Tradesman & Driver) | 827 |
| Head Constable (Non-GD) | 233 |
| Sub Inspector (SI) | 51 |
| Assistant Sub Inspector (ASI) | 7 |
| Grand Total | 1,194 |
Applications for this recruitment were extended. Always verify the current status at recruitment.ssb.gov.in.
All Active SSB Recruitments in 2026 — At a Glance
| Recruitment | Vacancies | Mode | Last Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Constable GD (New — Offline) | 50 | Offline | 20 June 2026 |
| Constable GD Sports Quota | 404 | Online | 7 June 2026 |
| Constable Tradesman & Driver | 827 | Online | Extended (check site) |
| Head Constable (Non-GD) | 233 | Online | Extended (check site) |
| GDMOs & Specialist Doctors | 35 | Walk-in | 4 June 2026 |
This makes SSB one of the most active CAPF recruiters of 2026, with opportunities covering Class 10 candidates, sports persons, trade specialists, and medical professionals.
Who Is Eligible for SSB Constable Tradesman 2026?
Educational Qualification
Candidates must have passed Class 10 (Matriculation) from a recognised board. Trade-specific qualifications apply — nursing orderly posts may require a relevant certificate, and driver posts require a valid Heavy Motor Vehicle (HMV) Driving Licence.
Age Limit
- Minimum: 18 years | Maximum: 27 years (General)
- OBC: 3 years relaxation | SC/ST: 5 years relaxation
- Ex-Servicemen and J&K/NE state candidates: as per Central Government norms
Who Is Eligible for SSB Head Constable 2026?
The Head Constable (Non-GD) drive covers 233 posts — Steward, Communication, Electrician, and Veterinary categories.
- Qualification: Class 12 pass from a recognised board; trade-specific ITI/diploma may be required
- Age: 18 to 27 years (General), with standard reserved category relaxations
- Physical Standards (Male — General/OBC/SC): Height 170 cm, Chest 80–85 cm
- Physical Standards (Female — General/OBC/SC): Height 157 cm
- Relaxed PST norms apply for ST, Garhwali, Kumaoni, Dogra, Maratha, and North-Eastern region candidates
SSB Constable Selection Process 2026 — Step by Step
The multi-stage selection process applies to both the Tradesman and the new GD recruitment, with minor post-specific variations.
Stage 1: Physical Efficiency Test (PET)
Qualifying in nature — scores not counted in merit. You must pass to proceed.
- Male: 4.8 km race in 24 minutes
- Female: 2.4 km race in 18 minutes
- Ex-Servicemen: Exempted from PET
Stage 2: Physical Standard Test (PST)
Height and chest (males only) are measured immediately after PET. Minimum chest expansion of 5 cm required. General male candidates need 167.5 cm height for Tradesman posts; 170 cm for Head Constable posts.
Stage 3: Written Examination (CBT)
- Mode: Online (Computer-Based Test)
- Duration: 2 hours | Total: 100 MCQs, 100 marks
- Subjects: General Knowledge, Mathematics, Reasoning, General English or General Hindi
- Minimum qualifying marks: 35 for General/EWS/OBC; 33 for SC/ST
Stage 4: Trade/Skill Test
Demonstrates actual trade competency — tailoring, barbering, carpentry for tradesman posts; driving and vehicle maintenance for driver posts.
Stage 5: Detailed Medical Examination (DME)
Full medical assessment including vision, hearing, and physical fitness as per SSB standards.
Stage 6: Review Medical Examination (RME)
Candidates declared unfit in DME can appeal before a medical board for a review.
SSB Constable Salary 2026 — What You Will Earn
| Post | Pay Matrix Level | Basic Pay Range |
|---|---|---|
| Constable (Tradesman/GD/Driver) | Level 3 | ₹21,700 – ₹69,100/month |
| Head Constable | Level 4 | Higher than Constable |
| Sub Inspector (SI) | Level 6 | ₹35,400 – ₹1,12,400/month |
Beyond the basic pay, all SSB personnel receive HRA (or free government accommodation), Dearness Allowance (DA), Transport Allowance (TA), free medical treatment for self and family, canteen subsidies, Leave Travel Concession (LTC), and pension benefits under NPS. The total in-hand value across all benefits makes this one of the most financially secure entry-level government careers available.
SSC GD Constable 2026 — What Is It and Is the Notification Out?
The SSC GD Constable exam is conducted separately by the Staff Selection Commission and fills Constable (General Duty) vacancies across multiple CAPFs — SSB, BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, and Assam Rifles — through a single national exam.
The SSC GD 2026 notification was released on 1 December 2025, the exam was conducted in February 2026, and results are currently awaited.
| Feature | SSB Constable GD 2026 (New) | SSC GD Constable 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Conducting Body | Sashastra Seema Bal directly | Staff Selection Commission |
| Application Mode | Offline | Online (ssc.gov.in) |
| Maximum Age | 35 years | 23 years |
| Application Fee | Nil | As per SSC norms |
| Status | Open — Apply by 20 June 2026 | Closed (exam held Feb 2026) |
If you missed SSC GD 2026 or are above 23 years of age, the direct SSB Constable GD offline recruitment currently open is your best active option.
SSC GD Constable Syllabus 2026 — What to Study
The written exam syllabus for both SSB direct recruitment and SSC GD is Class 10 level and broadly similar:
General Knowledge & General Awareness: Current affairs, Indian history, geography, politics, science, economy, sports, awards, defence and national events.
General Intelligence & Reasoning: Analogies, series completion, coding-decoding, blood relations, direction sense, Venn diagrams, and non-verbal reasoning.
Elementary Mathematics: Number systems, percentages, ratio and proportion, time and work, time-speed-distance, simple and compound interest, averages, profit and loss.
English/Hindi (choose one): Grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, fill in the blanks, error detection, synonyms and antonyms.
Real preparation advice: Maths and Reasoning give the fastest returns with consistent daily practice. For GK, follow a monthly current affairs digest and focus on at least three months of events before your exam date. Do not skip Hindi or English — even 5–8 marks here can change your final rank.
Documents Required for SSB Constable Application
For Online Recruitment (Tradesman/Driver/Head Constable): Keep scanned copies ready — Class 10/12 certificate and marksheet, caste certificate, date of birth proof, HMV licence (Driver post), domicile certificate, passport-size photograph (recent, colour, white background), signature, and Aadhaar/valid photo ID.
For Offline Recruitment (GD Constable): Physical photocopies (self-attested) of all the above documents must be attached to the printed application form before posting.
(FAQ)
Q1: How many vacancies are there in SSB Constable Recruitment 2026? A total of 1,194 vacancies — 827 for Constable (Tradesman & Driver), 233 for Head Constable, 51 for SI, and 7 for ASI.
Q2: What is the last date to apply for SSB Constable 2026? The extended last date is 4 May 2026 for Constable Tradesman & Driver, and 10 May 2026 for Head Constable. Always verify on the official site.
Q3: Is the SSC GD 2026 notification out? Yes. The SSC GD 2026 notification was released on 1 December 2025 and the exam was held in February 2026. Results are awaited.
Q4: What is the GD Constable salary? SSC GD / SSB GD Constable salary is at Pay Matrix Level 3 — ₹21,700 to ₹69,100 per month basic pay, plus HRA, DA, TA, and other allowances.
Q5: Can female candidates apply for SSB Constable 2026? Yes, both male and female candidates can apply for eligible posts. Physical standards and PET requirements differ for female candidates.
Q6: What is the official website to apply? Visit recruitment.ssb.gov.in or ssb.gov.in for all official notifications and the direct apply link.
Final Thoughts — Two Open Windows, One Decision
As of May 2026, SSB is running one of its most ambitious recruitment cycles in years. Whether you are a fresh Class 10 pass at 18 or a working candidate at 34 looking for a second chance in a government uniform job — there is now a specific path for you.
The Constable Tradesman/Driver/Head Constable online recruitment suits younger candidates with trade qualifications. The new Constable GD offline recruitment with its generous 35-year age cap is a rare opportunity that does not come often.
Apply for every post you are eligible for, submit your forms well before the deadlines, prepare your physical fitness alongside your written exam, and verify all details on the official website at ssb.gov.in or recruitment.ssb.gov.in.
Disclaimer: This article is based on official SSB notifications including the notification dated 22 May 2026 (Advt. No. 600/RC/SSB/Remust.CT (GD)-2026) and the March 2026 combined notification. Candidates must read the complete official notification PDF at ssb.gov.in before applying. Dates are subject to change — always verify on the official website.