SSB Constable Eligibility Criteria 2026: Post-wise Age Limits, Qualifications, Physical Standards and Relaxations Guide

The SSB Constable Eligibility Criteria 2026 notification has been released with full post-wise eligibility details. The notification sets the minimum age at 18 years , spells out trade-specific qualifications such as Heavy Vehicle Driving Licence for Driver, and lists physical standards including chest expansion of 5 cm for males.

Quick Overview: What’s in the SSB Constable Eligibility Criteria 2026

The notification covers who can apply for SSB Constable (Tradesman) posts — Driver, Veterinary, Carpenter, Nursing Orderly, Gardener and other trades. The basic educational requirement across most trades is Class 10th / Matriculation or equivalent.

Only male candidates are eligible for the Constable (Driver) post. Most other trades are open to both male and female candidates. Nationality rules permit Indian citizens and subjects of Nepal and Bhutan to apply.

Key physical checks include a Physical Standard Test (PST) — height and chest (males only) — and chest expansion of 5 cm in applicable posts.

Important Dates and Publication Details

Note: The official SSB notification released on the same date contains the eligibility rules. The specific application window and fee details were not listed in the eligibility section of the notification.

Post-wise Age Limits and Category Relaxations (At a Glance) — SSB Constable Eligibility Criteria 2026

The minimum age for all posts is 18 years . Upper age limits vary by trade as per the official notification.

Post-wise upper age limits

Category-wise age relaxation

How relaxations apply: you compare your actual age with the post’s upper age limit and then add the applicable category relaxation. For Ex-Servicemen the method specified is deduction of military service years first, then add the relaxation as described in the notification.

Educational Qualifications and Trade-Specific Requirements

The broad educational requirement is Class 10th/Matriculation or equivalent. Each trade also requires trade-specific certificates or experience — check the table and make sure your documents are from recognised institutes.

All educational certificates, licences and experience letters must be from recognised boards, institutes, hospitals or organisations. If your certificate is a state-board or recognised vocational institute qualification, keep the recognition proof ready for document verification.

Physical Standards & PST: Height, Chest and Expansion Rules — SSB Constable Eligibility Criteria 2026

The Physical Standard Test (PST) is mandatory. If you fail to meet the PST norms for your trade and category, you will not proceed to the next stage. The notification sets height minima and chest minima (males only) with 5 cm chest expansion required where chest is measured.

Below are the official tables extracted from the notification for each trade.

SSB Constable (Veterinary) — Physical Standards

SSB Constable (Driver) — Physical Standards (Male only)

SSB Constable (Gardener, Water Carrier, Cobbler, Tailor, Washerman, Barber, Waiter & Carpenter)

SSB Constable (Nursing Orderly) — Physical Standards

Notes on PST and chest expansion

• Chest measurement applies to male candidates only. The notification mandates a chest expansion of 5 cm where chest is measured.
• Regional and community concessions (Garhwali/Kumaoni, Gorkha, Dogra, Maratha, candidates from certain NE states, J&K/Ladakh and ST categories) reduce the height/chest threshold as specified above.

Gender, Nationality and Special Eligibility Notes

• Driver post: Only male candidates are eligible.
• Most other trades: Both male and female candidates can apply.
• Nationality: Indian citizens can apply. Subjects of Nepal and Bhutan are also eligible as per notification.
• For nationality and residence proof you must produce valid documents at verification — keep your passport, voter ID, Aadhaar, school leaving certificate or domicile certificate ready as relevant.

Age Relaxation Mechanics and Ex-Servicemen Calculation

Understand how relaxations are applied so you can calculate your eligibility precisely.

• SC / ST candidates get 5 years relaxation beyond the post’s upper age limit.
• OBC candidates get 3 years relaxation.
• For Ex-Servicemen (ESM) the method specified is: deduct the period of military service rendered from your actual age, then apply the relaxation rule mentioned in the notification (ESM benefit shown as 3 years in the eligibility table).
• Departmental central government employees have upper age caps specified: UR up to 40 , OBC up to 43 , SC/ST up to 45 .

If you fall into more than one relaxation category, follow the rules in the official notification for which relaxations can be combined. Keep your service certificates, discharge book, and caste/ community certificates handy for verification.

Selection Stages: From Application to Document Verification (What’s Covered and What’s Not)

The notification’s eligibility section focuses on PST, trade tests and document requirements. It does not provide the full exam syllabus or pattern in the eligibility chapter.

What the notification includes or implies:

• Physical Standard Test (PST) based on height and chest.
• Trade test or proof of specified experience / certificates for trades like Carpenter, Veterinary, Nursing Orderly and Driver.
• Document verification stage: education certificates, licence, experience letter, first aid certificate (for Nursing Orderly), nationality/residence documents.

What the notification does NOT provide (gaps you should track):

• Application start and end dates.
• Application fee and payment modes.
• Post-wise vacancy counts and reservation matrix.
• Detailed written exam syllabus and exam pattern, PET/PMT endurance specifics, and final medical standards.

Prepare for PST and trade tests now. For written exam or PET/PMT details wait for the full recruitment schedule or corrigendum from the official authority.

Document Verification: Stepwise Checklist (Keep Originals Ready)

• Class 10th / Matriculation certificate and mark sheet (or equivalent).
• Trade certificate / ITI diploma / experience certificate where applicable.
• Heavy Vehicle Driving Licence for Driver post (valid).
• First Aid Certificate (St. John’s Ambulance or Red Cross) and hospital experience proof (for Nursing Orderly).
• Veterinary experience certificate from recognised veterinary hospital (for Veterinary post).
• Caste / community certificate (SC/ST/OBC) issued by competent authority.
• Ex-Servicemen discharge book / service certificate (if applicable).
• Domicile / residence proof or passport for J&K or other domicile relaxations (if claiming).
• Identity proof: Aadhaar, Voter ID, Passport, Driving Licence.

Scan and keep PDF copies of all documents. Bring originals in a neat folder during verification.

Common FAQs Candidates Ask

Actionable Checklist: Before You Apply

• Confirm the post you want and check the post-wise upper age limit.
• Verify category relaxation that applies to you and calculate your eligibility carefully.
• Scan certificates: education, driving licence, ITI / trade certificates, experience letters and first-aid certificate.
• If you are an Ex-Serviceman, get your service and discharge documents authenticated.
• Practice for PST: know your height and chest measurements in advance and maintain fitness for any upcoming PET (if announced).
• Keep passport-size photos and ID proofs ready in the format required by the application portal.

What the Notification Does Not Cover — Watch For These Updates

• Application fee amount and payment modes — not specified in the eligibility notification.
• Exact application window and last date — to be announced separately.
• Post-wise vacancy numbers and state-wise reservation matrix — not in the eligibility details.
• Written exam syllabus, exam pattern, PET/PMT timings, and final medical standards — these will come later in the recruitment schedule or detailed brochure.
• Pay scale, grade pay, and allowances — check the full recruitment brochure when released.

Resources and Next Steps: Where to Check Official Updates

• Track the official SSB recruitment portal for the full advertisement, application dates, fee details and corrigenda.
• Set alerts for the recruitment page and follow official notifications — they will publish application start/last dates and any changes to eligibility or selection stages.
• If you lack an essential certificate (Heavy Vehicle Licence, First Aid, ITI diploma), start the process now — these take time to obtain.
• Prepare a verification folder with originals and scanned copies organised by document type.

Final Tip

Read the notification line-by-line for the trade you want. The eligibility rules are strict: missing or incorrect certificates at the document verification stage will get your candidature cancelled. Keep all documents from recognised institutes only and monitor the official portal for application opening and fee details.

FAQs (Short Answers)

• Q: Minimum qualification across most trades?
  A: Class 10th / Matriculation or equivalent.

• Q: Is Nurse Orderly post open to females?
  A: Yes, Nursing Orderly is open to both males and females with specified height standards.

• Q: How is ESM age relaxation calculated?
  A: Deduct service years from actual age, then apply the relaxation rules mentioned in the notification.

• Q: Who is eligible under J&K domicile relaxation?
  A: Candidates ordinarily domiciled in J&K between 1 Jan 1980 and 31 Dec 1989 get specified relaxations.

• Q: Are ITI certificates mandatory for all trades?
  A: Not mandatory — trade test + experience can substitute; ITI certificate with experience is an accepted alternative as specified.

• Q: Where to keep updates on exam pattern and syllabus?
  A: Wait for the detailed recruitment brochure or official SSB updates; the eligibility notification does not include the exam syllabus.