APSSB Special Recruitment Drive 2026 is a major Arunachal Pradesh uniformed services recruitment covering Constable Band, Constable Bugler, Constable IRBn, Constable Civil Police, Fireman, and Special Tiger Guard posts. The Arunachal Pradesh Staff Selection Board has advertised 984 Group C vacancies under Advertisement No. 04/2026, with all posts placed in Level-3 of the pay matrix.
The recruitment started with an original application closing date of 10-04-2026, but APSSB later issued a separate official notice rescheduling the timeline. As per the latest official update, the online application window remains open until 20-04-2026 up to 3:00 PM, and the written examination is scheduled for 14-06-2026. Candidates should note one important condition: the eligibility date for age, qualification, and experience remains tied to 10-04-2026 despite the extension.
This recruitment is not just about filling the form. The notice includes post-wise physical standards, PET benchmarks, trade test requirements for Band and Bugler posts, a written exam pattern, and a special one-time age relaxation provision for certain constable categories. Candidates should therefore check post suitability carefully before choosing their order of preference and submitting the application.
Recruitment Overview
APSSB has invited online applications for the Special Recruitment Drive for Uniformed Services Combined Examination 2026. The recruitment covers Group C uniformed posts under Police Headquarters, Fire and Emergency Services, and Environment and Forest Department.
The advertised posts are Constable Band (IRBn), Constable Bugler (IRBn), Constable (IRBn), Constable Civil Police (Female), Constable Civil Police (Male), Fireman, and Special Tiger Guard under STPF. All notified posts carry Level-3 pay in the state pay matrix.
The board has clearly stated that only online applications submitted through the APSSB portal will be accepted. Applications sent through any other mode are liable to be rejected.
Important Dates and Updated Schedule
| Event | Original advertisement | Latest official status |
|---|---|---|
| Notification date | 13-03-2026 | 13-03-2026 |
| Application start | 23-03-2026, 11:00 AM | Unchanged |
| Application closing date | 10-04-2026, 3:00 PM | Rescheduled to 20-04-2026, 3:00 PM |
| Written examination | 10-05-2026 | Rescheduled to 14-06-2026 |
| PST, PET and Trade Test | 25-05-2026 onwards | To be announced after written test |
| Eligibility cut-off date | 10-04-2026 | Remains 10-04-2026 |
Candidates should use the rescheduled notice for the latest application and exam timeline, but should not assume that the eligibility reckoning date has moved. The official notice specifically keeps qualification, age, and experience tied to 10-04-2026.
Post-wise Vacancy Details
| Post | Vacancies | Ex-Servicemen included |
|---|---|---|
| Constable Band (IRBn) | 44 | 6 |
| Constable Bugler (IRBn) | 2 | 0 |
| Constable (IRBn) | 236 | 0 |
| Constable Civil Police (Female) | 170 | 0 |
| Constable Civil Police (Male) | 216 | 58 |
| Fireman | 73 | 3 |
| Special Tiger Guard under STPF | 243 | 0 |
| Total | 984 | 67 |
The notification also notes that the number of vacancies is provisional and may change. APSSB publishes the vacancy position as reported by the requisitioning departments.
Eligibility and Educational Qualification
The first basic condition is citizenship. The notification says the candidate must be a citizen of India.
| Post | Qualification | Suitability note |
|---|---|---|
| Constable Band (IRBn) | Class X pass | Reserved for male candidates and requires knowledge in playing band |
| Constable Bugler (IRBn) | Class X pass | Reserved for male candidates and requires knowledge in playing bugle |
| Constable (IRBn) | Class X pass or equivalent | Reserved for male candidates |
| Constable Civil Police (Female) | Class X pass or equivalent | Female category post |
| Constable Civil Police (Male) | Class X pass or equivalent | Male category post |
| Fireman | Class X pass or equivalent | Reserved for male candidates |
| Special Tiger Guard under STPF | Class X pass | Physical standards are prescribed separately for male and female candidates |
Applicants should also pay attention to the order of preference they mark in the online form. The board has stated that once submitted, preference will be treated as final and will not be changed later.
Age Limit and Relaxations
| Post codes | Posts covered | Age limit |
|---|---|---|
| 5/26, 6/26, 7/26, 8/26, 9/26 | Band, Bugler, IRBn Constable, Civil Police Female, Civil Police Male | 18 to 22 years |
| 10/26, 11/26 | Fireman and Special Tiger Guard | 18 to 32 years |
For APST candidates, the upper age limit is relaxable by 5 years. Ex-Servicemen age benefit applies as per the rule cited in the advertisement.
A separate one-time upper age relaxation has also been allowed for candidates who had appeared in the written examination dated 13-07-2025 under Advertisement No. 09/2020 for specific constable categories. As per the official notice and annexure, this one-time relaxation applies only to post codes 5/26, 6/26, 8/26, and 9/26. It does not apply to post codes 7/26, 10/26, and 11/26.
Even after the rescheduling of the application deadline, the board has kept the age and qualification reckoning date as 10-04-2026.
Selection Process and Exam Pattern
The scheme of examination is different for some post codes, but the written examination is central to the merit process.
| Stage | Who has to appear | Key details |
|---|---|---|
| Stage-I | All posts | Objective type written exam, 200 marks, 2 hours |
| Stage-II | All posts | PST, PET and Trade Test wherever applicable |
| Stage-III | Post codes 5/26 to 10/26 | Medical Fitness Test |
The written examination has four parts: General Awareness, General Intelligence and Reasoning Ability, Arithmetical and Numerical Ability, and English Language and Comprehension. Each section carries 50 marks, making the total 200 marks.
Candidates need at least 33 percent marks in aggregate in the written paper to remain eligible. There is no negative marking. The board will shortlist candidates for Stage-II in a 1:3 ratio, subject to the minimum qualifying marks.
Stage-II and Stage-III are qualifying in nature. The final merit list is prepared on the basis of performance in the written examination only, read along with the candidate's post preference.
Physical Standards and PET Highlights
The notification gives separate physical standards and physical efficiency benchmarks for different posts. A few key benchmarks are listed below for quick reference.
| Post | Key PET benchmarks |
|---|---|
| Constable Band (IRBn) | 100 metres in 16 seconds, 1500 metres in 8 minutes, high jump 107 cm, long jump 11 feet, trade test in playing band |
| Constable Bugler (IRBn) | 100 metres in 16 seconds, 1500 metres in 8 minutes, high jump 107 cm, long jump 11 feet, trade test in playing bugle |
| Constable (IRBn) | 100 metres in 16 seconds, 1500 metres in 8 minutes, high jump 107 cm, long jump 11 feet |
| Constable Civil Police (Female) | 100 metres in 19 seconds, 800 metres in 5 minutes, long jump 9 feet, high jump 90 cm |
| Constable Civil Police (Male) | 100 metres in 16 seconds, 1500 metres in 8 minutes, high jump 107 cm, long jump 11 feet |
| Fireman | 100 metres with 10 kg load in 1 minute, 1500 metres in 8 minutes 30 seconds, rope or vertical pipe climb to 8 feet, high jump 107 cm, long jump 11 feet |
| Special Tiger Guard | Male: 25 km walk in 4 hours; Female: 14 km walk in 4 hours; high jump 3.5 feet; long jump 11 feet for male and 9 feet for female |
The advertisement also prescribes post-wise height, chest and eyesight standards. For several constable and fireman posts, no colour blindness is allowed and medical fitness is mandatory. Ex-Servicemen are exempted from PET and Trade Test, but they still have to qualify PST.
Application Fee and How to Apply Online
The examination fee is non-refundable and must be paid online.
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| APST candidates | Rs. 150 |
| Unreserved candidates | Rs. 200 |
- Open the APSSB recruitment portal and select the Special Recruitment Examination for Uniformed Services - 2026.
- Read the detailed advertisement before starting the online application.
- Register using a working mobile number and email address.
- Fill in personal details, post preference and eligibility information carefully.
- Upload the required passport-size photo and scanned signature in the prescribed format.
- Pay the fee online, wherever applicable.
- Complete the final submission before the deadline and check that the application appears under the final submitted application section.
- Retain a printout of the finally submitted application for future stages.
The board has also stated that candidates should submit only one online application for a particular post. Printouts do not need to be sent physically to the board.
Documents and Identity Requirements
At the online application stage, candidates are required to upload the prescribed photo and signature. The board's instructions also make it clear that certificates are not to be sent physically at this stage.
For the examination, candidates have to carry the admit card along with one original photo identity document such as Aadhaar Card, Voter ID Card, Driving License, PAN Card, or another government-authorized photo identity document.
For document verification, the shortlisted candidates will have to submit and produce relevant documents, including passport-size photographs, matriculation certificate for date of birth, education qualification certificate, APST certificate if applicable, intimation to Head of Department for regular government servants, discharge book and PPO for Ex-Servicemen, admit card, printout of online application, and any other relevant documents.
What Candidates Should Rely On
For this recruitment, candidates should rely on two official documents together: the original advertisement dated 13-03-2026 and the rescheduled dates notice dated 07-04-2026. The advertisement contains the core eligibility, vacancy, exam pattern, PET, PST and fee details, while the later notice updates the application closing date and written examination date.
Candidates should not assume that every date changed after the extension. The official rescheduled notice explicitly says that educational qualification, age and experience will still be determined as on 10-04-2026. That point is easy to miss and can affect eligibility.
Applicants should also remember that vacancies are provisional, preference once submitted is final, and other stage-wise details such as PST, PET and Trade Test scheduling will be notified later on the official APSSB website.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the revised last date to apply for APSSB Special Recruitment Drive 2026?
The revised last date is 20-04-2026 up to 3:00 PM.
How many vacancies are announced in APSSB Special Recruitment Drive 2026?
A total of 984 vacancies are announced, including 67 posts reserved for Ex-Servicemen.
What is the minimum qualification for these APSSB uniformed posts?
The basic qualification is Class X pass or equivalent. Constable Band and Constable Bugler also require relevant playing knowledge.
What is the age limit for APSSB Constable, Fireman and Special Tiger Guard posts?
Post codes 5/26 to 9/26 have an age limit of 18 to 22 years, while Fireman and Special Tiger Guard posts have an age limit of 18 to 32 years, subject to the notified relaxations.
What is the selection process for APSSB Special Recruitment Drive 2026?
The process includes a written exam, PST and PET with trade test where applicable, and medical fitness test for post codes 5/26 to 10/26. Final merit is based on the written exam only.
Is there negative marking in the APSSB written examination?
No, the official advertisement states that there is no negative marking.
What is the application fee for APSSB Special Recruitment Drive 2026?
The fee is Rs. 150 for APST candidates and Rs. 200 for unreserved candidates, payable online only.
Does the application extension change the eligibility cut-off date?
No. Even after the extension, age, qualification and experience are to be determined as on 10-04-2026.