SSB Recruitment 2026 for Constable posts is a large Group 'C' central force recruitment drive under the Ministry of Home Affairs. Although many users search this as SSB Constable Tradesman recruitment, the official advertisement covers a wider set of posts: Constable (Veterinary), Constable (Driver), Constable (Gardener), Constable (Water Carrier), Constable (Cobbler), Constable (Tailor), Constable (Washerman), Constable (Barber), Constable (Waiter), Constable (Carpenter) and Constable (Nursing Orderly).
This matters because the eligibility is not the same for all 827 posts. Some posts ask only for matriculation plus trade experience or trade training, but Driver needs a valid heavy vehicle driving licence, Veterinary needs 10th with Science plus experience in treatment of animals, and Nursing Orderly needs a first aid certificate and hospital experience. So the first thing a candidate should check is the exact post name, not just the total vacancy.
The official SSB recruitment advertisements page shows that this recruitment opened on 21 March 2026 and closed on 20 April 2026, and the apply status is now shown as closed. At this stage, the useful next steps are to understand the post-wise eligibility, PET and PST requirements, written examination pattern, skill test rules and the documents that will be needed when SSB starts issuing stage-wise admit cards.
Recruitment Overview and Current Status
This recruitment is for 827 Constable posts in Sashastra Seema Bal under the Ministry of Home Affairs. The official advertisement treats these as Group 'C' Non-Gazetted (Combatised) and Non-Ministerial posts. The posts are temporary but likely to continue, and selected candidates are liable to serve anywhere in India or outside the territory of India under SSB rules.
The official SSB advertisements page shows the application window from 21 March 2026 to 20 April 2026. The apply status for this recruitment is shown as closed. Candidates who could not apply in time should not rely on unofficial extension claims unless SSB issues a fresh notice on its own portal.
One practical point from the official advertisement is that a candidate could apply for only one post from among the posts covered in this recruitment.
Post-wise Vacancy Breakup
The official notification distributes the 827 vacancies across 11 Constable posts. The breakup is as follows.
| Post | UR | EWS | OBC | SC | ST | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Constable (Veterinary) | 21 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 4 | 34 |
| Constable (Driver) only for male | 244 | 45 | 145 | 81 | 38 | 553 |
| Constable (Gardener) | 18 | 3 | 7 | 9 | 4 | 41 |
| Constable (Water Carrier) | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Constable (Cobbler) | 15 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 2 | 25 |
| Constable (Tailor) | 19 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 4 | 41 |
| Constable (Washerman) | 32 | 7 | 19 | 11 | 5 | 74 |
| Constable (Barber) | 21 | 4 | 10 | 5 | 3 | 43 |
| Constable (Waiter) | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Constable (Carpenter) | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 7 |
| Constable (Nursing Orderly) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Total | 383 | 64 | 191 | 128 | 61 | 827 |
The notification also states that 10% of the vacancies are reserved for Ex-Servicemen. SSB further reserves the right to increase, decrease, fill or not fill the vacancies.
Age Limit and Relaxation
The minimum age is 18 years for all posts, but the upper age varies by post.
| Post | Age Limit |
|---|---|
| Constable (Veterinary) | 18 to 27 years |
| Constable (Driver) | 18 to 27 years |
| Constable (Gardener, Water Carrier, Cobbler, Tailor, Washerman, Barber, Waiter) | 18 to 23 years |
| Constable (Carpenter) | 18 to 25 years |
| Constable (Nursing Orderly) | 18 to 27 years |
Age relaxation mentioned in the official advertisement includes 5 years for SC and ST, 3 years for OBC, and 3 years after deduction of military service for Ex-Servicemen. Departmental central government candidates can get relaxation up to 40 years for UR, 43 years for OBC and 45 years for SC and ST, subject to the conditions in the notification.
The notice also gives additional age relaxation for eligible J&K and Ladakh domiciles for the specified period and for eligible children or dependents of 1984 riot victims. The crucial date for age and eligibility is linked to the closing date of receipt of applications.
Post-wise Educational Qualification
The minimum level is matriculation, but the professional requirement changes from post to post.
| Post | Qualification |
|---|---|
| Constable (Veterinary) | 10th pass with Science as main subject from a recognized board, plus one year experience in treatment of different species of animals in a recognized veterinary hospital |
| Constable (Driver) | 10th pass from a recognized board, plus valid heavy vehicle driving licence |
| Constable (Gardener, Water Carrier, Cobbler, Tailor, Washerman, Barber, Waiter) | Matriculation or equivalent, plus either two years work experience in the trade, or one year certificate course from a recognized Industrial Training Institute or Vocational Institute with at least one year experience in the trade, or two years diploma from a recognized Industrial Training Institute in the trade or similar trade; must qualify trade test |
| Constable (Carpenter) | Matriculation or equivalent, plus either two years work experience in the respective trade, or one year certificate course from a recognized Industrial Training Institute or Vocational Institute with at least one year experience in the trade, or two years diploma from a recognized Industrial Training Institute in the respective or similar trade; must qualify trade test |
| Constable (Nursing Orderly) | 10th pass from a recognized board, First Aid certificate course from St. John's Ambulance Association or Red Cross Society of India, and minimum one year experience as Nursing Orderly in a minimum fifty bedded hospital or institution recognized by Central or State Government |
Candidates should check the wording of the official notification carefully before claiming eligibility, especially where trade experience, certificate course or hospital recognition is involved.
Application Dates, Fee and Form Rules
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Opening date | 21 March 2026 |
| Closing date | 20 April 2026 |
| Mode of application | Online only |
| Current status | Closed |
| Fee for UR, EWS and OBC | Rs 100 |
| Fee for SC, ST, Ex-Servicemen and female candidates | Exempt |
| Payment mode | Net banking, credit card, debit card or UPI |
The fee is non-refundable. The official advertisement also states that application through any mode other than online is not accepted.
During application, candidates had to apply for only one post, fill details exactly as per matriculation certificate, and keep valid mobile number and email active. SSB also uses biometric verification across recruitment stages, so application data and later attendance records are cross-checked.
Selection Process
The recruitment is stage-based and is not decided by one test alone. Candidates whose applications are found in order are issued admit cards through the SSB recruitment website and then go through multiple stages.
- Stage I: Physical Efficiency Test and Physical Standard Test
- Stage II: Written Examination
- Stage III: Documentation and Skill Test
- Stage IV: Detailed Medical Examination and Review Medical Examination
- Final Selection
The official notification says biometric attendance, digital photograph, signature and thumb impression are taken at the recruitment venue. Ex-Servicemen are exempt from PET, but they still have to appear in other applicable stages such as PST, written examination, skill test and medical examination.
The notice further says candidates up to 20 times the vacancies can be called for documentation and skill test after the written stage, and up to 3 times the vacancies can be shortlisted for DME and RME based on written merit after the skill test stage.
PET and PST Requirements
The PET standard mentioned in the official advertisement is common for the notified Constable posts.
| Category | PET Standard |
|---|---|
| Male | 4.8 km race in 24 minutes |
| Female | 2.4 km race in 18 minutes |
For PST, the base standards differ by post group. The notification also provides category and region-based relaxed standards for eligible communities, Scheduled Tribes and specified states or regions.
| Post Group | Male Height | Female Height | Male Chest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Constable (Veterinary) | 170 cm | 157 cm | 80 cm with 5 cm expansion |
| Constable (Driver) | 170 cm | Not applicable | 80 cm with 5 cm expansion |
| Constable (Gardener, Water Carrier, Cobbler, Tailor, Washerman, Barber, Waiter, Carpenter) | 167.5 cm | 157 cm | 78 cm with 5 cm expansion |
| Constable (Nursing Orderly) | 165 cm | 155 cm | 75 to 80 cm |
Weight should be proportionate to height and age. The notification makes it clear that overweight or underweight candidates can still face disqualification during the detailed medical examination even if they pass PST.
Written Examination Pattern and Skill Test
The written examination is a computer based test for all the posts covered in this recruitment.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Mode | Computer Based Test |
| Duration | 2 hours |
| Total marks | 100 |
| Total questions | 100 objective type questions |
| Main areas | General Knowledge, Mathematics, Reasoning, General English and General Hindi |
Minimum qualifying marks in written examination are 50% for UR, EWS, OBC and Ex-Servicemen, and 45% for SC and ST candidates.
After the written examination, shortlisted candidates appear for documentation and skill test. The skill test carries 50 marks, but it is qualifying in nature. The minimum qualifying level in the skill test is 60% for all categories, and the skill test marks are not added to the written examination marks for final merit preparation.
The official notification clearly states that final merit for all posts is prepared on the basis of written examination marks only, subject to qualifying other applicable stages.
Medical Examination, Final Merit and Tie-Break
After skill test, candidates shortlisted on the basis of written merit are called for Detailed Medical Examination and, where applicable, Review Medical Examination. The medical examination is conducted as per the notified CAPF medical guidelines and later amendments cited in the notification.
Being found fit in medical examination does not by itself guarantee final appointment. Appointment remains strictly merit-based and vacancy-based.
If two candidates get equal marks in the written examination, the tie is resolved first in favour of the candidate senior in age. If the dates of birth are also the same, priority is decided alphabetically by names in English dictionary order.
The official advertisement also states that there is no reserve merit list or panel after final result. Unfilled vacancies, if any remain, are carried forward to the next recruitment.
Admit Card, Result Updates and Documents to Keep Ready
The official notification says admit cards can be downloaded from the SSB recruitment website. The admit card will carry venue details for PET, PST, documentation and medical examination, depending on the stage.
Candidates should keep the following ready for later stages:
- Matriculation certificate for name, date of birth and minimum qualification proof
- All trade, vocational, diploma or experience certificates as applicable
- Heavy vehicle driving licence for Driver post
- Science qualification proof and veterinary experience proof for Veterinary post
- First Aid certificate and hospital experience proof for Nursing Orderly
- Category certificate, OBC non-creamy layer certificate or EWS certificate in prescribed format, if claimed
- Photo identity proof such as Aadhaar or another accepted ID document
- Recent photographs and application details
For the latest stage-wise updates, candidates should follow only recruitment.ssb.gov.in and ssb.gov.in. Exam date, admit card release and result schedules should be treated as not yet announced unless published there.
Official Links
Frequently Asked Questions
There are 827 vacancies in total across 11 Constable posts including Driver, Veterinary, Gardener, Washerman, Barber, Tailor, Carpenter and Nursing Orderly.
The official SSB advertisements page showed 20 April 2026 as the closing date, and the current status is closed.
The minimum level is generally 10th pass, but several posts also need trade experience, trade training, a heavy vehicle driving licence, science background or first aid and hospital experience depending on the post.
No. The official vacancy table specifically shows Constable (Driver) as only for male candidates.
UR, EWS and OBC candidates have to pay Rs 100. SC, ST, Ex-Servicemen and female candidates are exempt from the examination fee.
The selection process includes PET and PST, written examination, documentation, skill test, detailed medical examination and review medical examination, followed by final merit.
Final merit is prepared on the basis of written examination marks only, after candidates qualify the other applicable stages such as skill test and medical examination.