SSC GD Syllabus 2026 at a Glance
The SSC GD Constable exam is one 60-minute computer-based test of 80 questions (160 marks) with four equal parts: General Intelligence and Reasoning, General Knowledge and General Awareness, Elementary Mathematics, and English or Hindi, 20 questions each. Every question carries 2 marks and 0.25 mark is deducted for each wrong answer. Questions are of Matriculation (Class 10) level. Candidates who qualify then face the PET (race), PST (height and chest), medical examination and document verification.
Key takeaway: This page follows the official SSC notice for the Constable (GD) in CAPFs and SSF, and Rifleman (GD) in Assam Rifles Examination, 2026 (published on ssc.gov.in on 1 December 2025; 25,487 vacancies). SSC's calendar lists the next cycle, the 2027 exam, for January-March 2027. Until the 2027 notice is published, this is the latest official scheme, so prepare with it.
For the 2026 cycle, SSC published the list of candidates shortlisted for PET/PST on 12 October 2026.
SSC GD Exam Pattern 2026 (Computer Based Exam)
| Part | Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | General Intelligence and Reasoning | 20 | 40 |
| B | General Knowledge and General Awareness | 20 | 40 |
| C | Elementary Mathematics | 20 | 40 |
| D | English / Hindi | 20 | 40 |
| Total | 80 | 160 |
- Time: 60 minutes for the whole paper.
- Marking: +2 for each correct answer, −0.25 for each wrong answer.
- Language: English, Hindi and 13 regional languages (Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Konkani, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu).
- Level: Matriculation.
- No calculators or electronic gadgets.
- Scores across shifts are normalised (SSC procedure of 2 June 2025), and NCC bonus marks are added to the normalised score.
SSC GD Reasoning Syllabus
The notice says reasoning will test analytical aptitude and pattern-spotting, "principally of non-verbal type". Official topics:
| Type | Topics |
|---|---|
| Verbal and number | Analogies, similarities and differences, arithmetical reasoning, arithmetic number series, coding and decoding, relationship concepts |
| Non-verbal | Spatial visualisation, spatial orientation, figural classification, non-verbal series, visual memory, discrimination and observation |
In practice, questions also come from blood relations, direction sense, ranking, alphabet series, mathematical operations, calendar and clock, and mirror images, all at a simple level.
SSC GD GK Syllabus (General Knowledge and General Awareness)
Questions test awareness of the environment around you, current events, everyday science, and India and its neighbouring countries, especially:
| Area | What to revise |
|---|---|
| Sports | Recent tournaments, trophies, venues, famous players |
| History | Ancient, medieval and modern India; freedom movement |
| Culture | Dances, festivals, music, monuments |
| Geography | Rivers, mountains, national parks, states and capitals |
| Economic scene | Budget basics, RBI, schemes |
| General polity and Indian Constitution | Articles, fundamental rights, Parliament, President |
| Scientific research | Class 10 science, ISRO missions, inventions |
The notice adds that these questions "do not require a special study of any discipline", so focus on breadth and current affairs of the last six months.
SSC GD Maths Syllabus (Elementary Mathematics)
| Area | Official topics |
|---|---|
| Number system | Number systems, computation of whole numbers, decimals and fractions, relationship between numbers |
| Basic operations | Fundamental arithmetical operations (simplification, BODMAS) |
| Arithmetic | Percentages, ratio and proportion, averages, interest, profit and loss, discount |
| Time based | Time and distance, time and work |
| Mensuration | Areas and perimeters of 2D figures; volumes of simple solids |
There is no algebra, geometry or trigonometry in the GD list, which makes this the easiest maths section among SSC exams. Accuracy and speed decide the score.
SSC GD English and Hindi Syllabus
Part D tests your ability to understand basic English or basic Hindi and basic comprehension; you answer in the language you choose. For English, cover spot the error, fill in the blanks, synonyms and antonyms, one-word substitution, idioms, spelling, sentence improvement, cloze test and a short comprehension passage.
SSC GD Qualifying Marks and NCC Bonus 2026
| Category | Minimum qualifying marks in the CBE (without NCC bonus) |
|---|---|
| UR | 30% (48 of 160) |
| OBC / EWS | 25% (40 of 160) |
| All other categories | 20% (32 of 160) |
| NCC certificate | Bonus marks | On 160 marks |
|---|---|---|
| 'C' certificate | 5% of maximum marks | 8 |
| 'B' certificate | 3% of maximum marks | 4.8 |
| 'A' certificate | 2% of maximum marks | 3.2 |
- Bonus marks are added only if you claim them in the online form, and are confirmed when the CAPF verifies the certificate.
- About 8 times the vacancies are shortlisted for PET/PST, state-wise, area-wise and category-wise. About 2 times are then called for medical examination and document verification.
SSC GD PET Race Time and PST Height (Physical Test Details)
SSC GD PET (Physical Efficiency Test)
| Candidates | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| All except Ladakh region | 5 km in 24 minutes | 1.6 km in 8½ minutes |
| Ladakh region | 1.6 km in 7 minutes | 800 m in 5 minutes |
PET is qualifying only. There is no appeal against a PET (race) result. Ex-Servicemen are exempt from PET but must appear for measurements and the medical test.
SSC GD PST (Physical Standard Test)
| Standard | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| Height (general) | 170 cm | 157 cm |
| Height: all ST candidates | 162.5 cm | 150 cm |
| Height: ST candidates of North-Eastern states | 157 cm | 147.5 cm |
| Height: Garhwalis, Kumaonis, Dogras, Marathas; candidates of Assam, Himachal Pradesh, J&K and Ladakh | 165 cm | 155 cm |
| Height: candidates from Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura | 162.5 cm | 152.5 cm |
| Chest (male only, unexpanded / minimum expansion) | 80 cm / 5 cm | Not measured |
Relaxed chest for males: ST 76 cm; Garhwalis, Kumaonis, Dogras, Marathas and candidates of Assam, HP, J&K and Ladakh 78 cm; North-Eastern states and GTA 77 cm (all with 5 cm expansion). Weight must be proportionate to height and age. Other relaxed categories (ST of Left-Wing Extremism affected districts, Gorkha Territorial Administration) are listed in Para 12.5 of the notice.
SSC GD Eligibility at a Glance (2026 Notice)
- Age: 18-23 years as on 1 January 2026 (born between 2 January 2003 and 1 January 2008), with relaxations for reserved categories.
- Education: Matriculation or 10th class pass by 1 January 2026.
- Forces: BSF, CISF, CRPF, ITBP, SSB, SSF (Constable GD) and Assam Rifles (Rifleman GD).
- Selection: CBE → PET/PST → Detailed Medical Examination and Document Verification. Final merit is on CBE marks (plus NCC bonus), subject to qualifying PET/PST and medical.
How to Prepare for SSC GD Using the Syllabus
- Attempt widely, but accurately. The penalty is only 0.25 against a 2-mark reward: even a pure guess among four options has a slightly positive expected value (1/4 × 2 − 3/4 × 0.25 ≈ +0.31), and eliminating one option makes a guess clearly worth it.
- Score in Maths and Reasoning first. Both are Class 10 level; finish them in 30-35 minutes.
- Read current affairs daily. GK is the least predictable part; cover sports, schemes and appointments of the last six months.
- Start running now. The 5 km in 24 minutes target means an average of 12.5 km/h; build up gradually.
- Measure yourself early. Check your height and chest against the PST table, and keep the certificate needed for any relaxation ready.
SSC GD Practice Questions (with Answers)
Q1. How many questions and marks are there in the SSC GD exam? Answer: 80 questions, 160 marks, 60 minutes.
Q2. A candidate gets 62 correct and 14 wrong answers. What is the raw score? Answer: 120.5. 62 × 2 − 14 × 0.25 = 124 − 3.5 = 120.5.
Q3. How many bonus marks does an NCC 'C' certificate holder get? Answer: 8 marks (5% of 160).
Q4. What is the PET race standard for male candidates (outside Ladakh)? Answer: 5 km in 24 minutes.
Q5 (Maths). Find 15% of 840. Answer: 126.
Q6 (Maths). A man walks at 6 km/h. How long will he take to cover 4.5 km? Answer: 45 minutes (4.5 ÷ 6 = 0.75 hour).
Q7 (Reasoning). Find the odd one out: 121, 144, 169, 190. Answer: 190, because the others are perfect squares (11², 12², 13²).
Q8 (Reasoning). If PEN is coded as QFO, how is INK coded? Answer: JOL (each letter +1).
Q9 (GK). Under which ministry do the Central Armed Police Forces such as BSF and CRPF work? Answer: Ministry of Home Affairs.
Q10 (English). Choose the synonym of "courageous". Answer: Brave.
SSC GD Syllabus FAQs
What is the SSC GD syllabus 2026?
Four parts of 20 questions each: Reasoning (mostly non-verbal), GK and General Awareness, Elementary Mathematics, and English or Hindi, at Class 10 level.
Is there negative marking in SSC GD?
Yes. 0.25 mark is deducted for each wrong answer; a correct answer earns 2 marks.
Is the SSC GD 2027 syllabus different?
The 2027 notice had not been released when this page was written. SSC has used the same 80-question, 160-mark scheme in the 2026 notice; check the 2027 notice when it is published for any change.
What is the SSC GD running time for males and females?
Males: 5 km in 24 minutes. Females: 1.6 km in 8½ minutes. Ladakh region: 1.6 km in 7 minutes (male) and 800 m in 5 minutes (female).
What is the height required for SSC GD?
170 cm for men and 157 cm for women, with relaxations for ST candidates, hill and North-Eastern regions and some other categories.
Can I give the SSC GD exam in Hindi or a regional language?
Yes. The CBE is offered in English, Hindi and 13 regional languages. Part D tests either English or Hindi.
What are the qualifying marks for SSC GD?
30% for UR, 25% for OBC and EWS and 20% for others, counted without NCC bonus marks.
Practice Next
- Practise the SSC GD sections: SSC GD Reasoning Sectional Mock Test 08, SSC GD Reasoning Mini Mock Test 07 and SSC GD Percentage Mock Test 02.
- Full mocks: SSC GD Full Length Mock Test 01, SSC GD Full Mock Test 08.
- Sectionals: Reasoning Sectional 01, Elementary Maths Sectional 01, GK Sectional 01, English Sectional 01.
- Topic tests: Percentage, Number Series, Coding-Decoding.
- Related notes: percentage tricks, average tricks, coding-decoding tricks, odd one out questions, important articles of the Indian Constitution, SSC CGL syllabus 2026.
- Browse all study notes.