SSB Head Constable (Non-GD) Recruitment 2026 is a combined recruitment for Group C, non-gazetted, combatised and non-ministerial posts in Sashastra Seema Bal under the Ministry of Home Affairs. This notification covers four different post streams: Head Constable (Steward), Head Constable (Communication), Head Constable (Electrician) and Head Constable (Veterinary). Although all are under one recruitment, the educational requirements, age limit in one trade and some physical standards vary by post.
If you are checking whether you can apply, the first thing to understand is that this is not a single uniform eligibility route. Steward requires 12th pass plus catering-related diploma and experience. Communication requires either 12th with PCM or a relevant three-year diploma. Electrician allows matriculation with trade experience or ITI-style qualifications, while Veterinary requires 12th with Science and Biology plus a related diploma course. Because of this, the correct approach is to match your qualification with the exact post before starting the form.
The official advertisement also makes it clear that candidates can apply for only one post, applications are accepted only online, and selected candidates may be posted anywhere in India or even outside the territory of India as per service requirements. The article below focuses on what most applicants actually need first: vacancy breakup, post-wise eligibility, age relaxation, fee, selection stages, physical standards, written exam pattern and the official links to keep checking.
What this recruitment covers
This SSB recruitment is for Head Constable level non-GD posts under four functional streams. All posts are Group C, non-gazetted, combatised and non-ministerial in nature. The advertisement states that the posts are temporary but likely to continue.
The recruitment is national in nature, not state-specific. Selected candidates are liable to serve anywhere in India or outside the territory of India as per SSB requirements. Candidates must apply online only, and applications sent through any other mode are liable to be rejected.
- Head Constable (Steward)
- Head Constable (Communication)
- Head Constable (Electrician)
- Head Constable (Veterinary)
SSB Head Constable 2026 vacancy breakup
The official advertisement gives the following category-wise vacancy breakup for the 233 posts.
| Post | UR | EWS | OBC | SC | ST | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Head Constable (Steward) | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Head Constable (Communication) | 87 | 18 | 55 | 20 | 17 | 197 |
| Head Constable (Electrician) | 13 | 2 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 29 |
| Head Constable (Veterinary) | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 5 |
| Grand Total | 105 | 20 | 62 | 27 | 19 | 233 |
The notice also states that 10% vacancies are reserved for Ex-Servicemen. If eligible Ex-Servicemen are not available, those vacancies may be filled by non-Ex-Servicemen candidates as per the advertisement conditions.
Post-wise eligibility and qualification
You should not treat this recruitment as having one common qualification. The required education and professional background changes by post.
| Post | Age | Essential qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Head Constable (Steward) | 18 to 27 years | 12th pass from a recognized board, minimum two-year diploma in Catering and Kitchen Management from a Central or State Government recognized institution, and minimum one year experience as a Steward in a minimum 100-bedded hospital or recognized institution |
| Head Constable (Communication) | 18 to 27 years | Either 12th pass in Science with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics, or a three-year diploma in Electronics, Communication, Computer Science or Information Technology from a recognized institute |
| Head Constable (Electrician) | 18 to 25 years | Matriculation or equivalent plus either two years work experience in the trade, or one-year certificate course from a recognized ITI or vocational institute with at least one year experience, or two-year diploma from a recognized industrial training institute in the respective or similar trade; must also qualify the trade test |
| Head Constable (Veterinary) | 18 to 27 years | 12th pass with Science and Biology as main subjects, plus two-year diploma in Veterinary and Livestock Development or Veterinary Stock Assistant or Animal Husbandry course from a Central or State Government recognized institution |
The notification ties the eligibility cut-off to the closing date of receipt of applications. Candidates must possess the required qualification and certificates by that applicable closing date.
Age limit and age relaxation
The basic age bands are post-wise. Steward, Communication and Veterinary are open to candidates between 18 and 27 years. Electrician is open to candidates between 18 and 25 years.
The advertisement provides age relaxation for reserved and specified categories as per Central Government rules. The main relaxations are:
- SC/ST: 5 years
- OBC: 3 years
- Ex-Servicemen: 3 years after deduction of military service from actual age
- Departmental candidates with required continuous central government service: up to 40 years for UR, 43 years for OBC and 45 years for SC/ST
- Domicile-based and 1984 riot affected categories: relaxation as specified in the official notice
For OBC, SC, ST and EWS claims, the prescribed certificate format matters. The notice makes it clear that wrong format or non-production at documentation can affect category benefit.
Nationality, service conditions and pay
The advertisement states that a person who is not a citizen of India shall not be appointed except with prior permission of the Central Government in writing, while preserving the notification-specific exception for subjects of Nepal or Bhutan.
The pay scale for all four advertised Head Constable posts is Level-4 in the pay matrix, Rs. 25,500 to Rs. 81,100. In addition to basic pay, the posts carry Dearness Allowance, Ration Money Allowance, House Rent Allowance and other allowances as admissible in SSB from time to time.
The notice also states that selected candidates will be covered under the applicable pension framework as per prevailing government rules and organizational policy for new entrants.
Application fee and who is exempt
The official notice fixes the examination fee at Rs. 100 for UR, EWS and OBC candidates. The payment has to be made online through available digital payment modes such as net banking, credit card, debit card or UPI as enabled on the portal.
The following categories are exempted from payment of examination fee:
- SC candidates
- ST candidates
- Ex-Servicemen
- Female candidates
The fee is non-refundable. The application instructions also advise candidates to avoid making multiple payments against one registration.
How to apply for SSB Head Constable 2026
The application has to be filled online on the SSB recruitment system. The recruitment notice and later updates are hosted on the official SSB recruitment website.
- Open the official recruitment portal and read the Head Constable (Non-GD) advertisement carefully.
- Select the exact post you want to apply for. The notice allows only one post choice under this advertisement.
- Enter personal details exactly as recorded in the matriculation certificate.
- Fill category, nationality, address, education and other applicable claims carefully.
- Upload photograph and signature in the format specified on the portal and in the notification annexures.
- Pay the applicable fee if you are not in an exempted category.
- Submit the form and save the registration or application number for future use.
The instructions also make it clear that candidates should review the filled form before final submission. Requests for correction after submission are generally not entertained unless a separate correction window is officially announced on the portal.
Documents and upload points to keep ready
Applicants should keep the following records ready before starting the online form:
- Matriculation certificate for name and date of birth
- Post-specific educational qualification certificates
- Experience certificate, where required
- Category certificate in the prescribed format, if claiming reservation or relaxation
- EWS certificate valid for the applicable year, if claiming EWS
- Identity proof such as Aadhaar or other accepted photo identity document
- Recent photograph and scanned signature as per portal instructions
The notice specifically warns that wrong information, fake photograph, incomplete application or non-production of original documents at later stages can lead to rejection. Candidates should also ensure that their mobile number and email ID remain active because recruitment updates are linked to the registered contact details and official portal notices.
Selection process stage by stage
The official recruitment process is multi-stage. Candidates whose applications are found in order will be called through admit cards uploaded on the SSB recruitment website.
- Physical Efficiency Test (PET)
- Physical Standard Test (PST)
- Computer Based Written Examination
- Skill Test only for Head Constable (Electrician)
- Document Verification
- Detailed Medical Examination (DME)
- Review Medical Examination (RME), where applicable
Ex-Servicemen are exempted from PET, but they still have to appear in other applicable stages such as PST, written exam, documentation and medical examination.
The recruitment process also uses biometric verification at different stages. The notice states that thumb biometrics may be matched across stages, and discrepancies can trigger suspicion and further action.
PET and PST standards
The PET standards mentioned in the notification are:
| Category | PET requirement |
|---|---|
| Male | 1.6 km race in 6 minutes 30 seconds |
| Female | 800 meter race in 4 minutes |
The baseline PST standards for general categories differ by post. Category and region-based relaxations are separately provided in the notification.
| Post | Male height | Female height | Male chest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Head Constable (Steward) | 165 cm | 155 cm | 75-80 cm |
| Head Constable (Communication) | 170 cm | 157 cm | 80 cm, minimum expansion 5 cm |
| Head Constable (Electrician) | 167.5 cm | 157 cm | 78 cm, minimum expansion 5 cm |
| Head Constable (Veterinary) | 170 cm | 157 cm | 80 cm, minimum expansion 5 cm |
Relaxed standards are available for specified categories such as Scheduled Tribes, certain hill and border communities, and candidates from specified North Eastern and other listed regions. Candidates claiming such relaxation must produce the supporting certificate at the time of PST.
Written exam pattern and electrician skill test
Candidates who qualify PST will have to appear in a computer based written examination. The notification describes it as a three-hour common entrance test of 150 marks with 150 objective-type questions.
| Part | Marks | Topics |
|---|---|---|
| Part I | 50 | General Knowledge, Mathematics, Reasoning, General English or General Hindi |
| Part II | 100 | Technical Subject |
Minimum qualifying marks in the written examination are 50% for General, EWS, OBC and Ex-Servicemen candidates, and 45% for SC and ST candidates.
For Head Constable (Electrician), there is an additional skill test after the written examination. This skill test is of 50 marks, qualifying in nature, and the minimum qualifying mark is 60% for all categories. The notification also clarifies that skill test marks are not added to the written exam marks for preparation of the final merit list.
Documentation, medical exam and final merit
After the skill test for Electrician and after the written exam for the other posts, shortlisted candidates are called for document verification and detailed medical examination on the basis of merit. The advertisement states that candidates up to three times the number of vacancies, category-wise, may be shortlisted for documentation and DME/RME.
Original documents claimed in the online application are checked at document verification. If a candidate fails to produce the originals or the prescribed certificate format, the candidature can be cancelled.
Final selection is prepared in order of merit after completion of Review Medical Examination. The notice specifically says that merely qualifying the stages does not guarantee final selection. Appointment is strictly merit-based.
Where written exam marks are equal, the tie is resolved in this order:
- Higher marks in Part II technical subject
- Candidate senior in age
- Alphabetical order of names in English
Official Links
Frequently Asked Questions
The official advertisement notifies 233 vacancies in total across Steward, Communication, Electrician and Veterinary posts.
No. The advertisement clearly states that a candidate can apply for only one post under this recruitment.
The age limit is 18 to 27 years for Steward, Communication and Veterinary, and 18 to 25 years for Electrician, subject to applicable relaxations.
UR, EWS and OBC candidates have to pay Rs. 100. SC, ST, Ex-Servicemen and female candidates are exempted from the fee.
Yes. Candidates who qualify PST have to appear in a computer based written examination of 150 marks and 150 objective questions.
No. The skill test is specifically mentioned only for Head Constable (Electrician), and it is qualifying in nature.
The pay scale is Level-4 in the pay matrix, Rs. 25,500 to Rs. 81,100, along with admissible allowances.