Police Constable
Police Constable Recruitment (State & Central)
Police Constable Recruitment Guide 2025: State Police & Central CAPF (SSC GD) Exams
The Police Constable recruitment is one of the largest entry-level government recruitment drives in India. It runs on two parallel tracks: the central track, conducted by the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) for Constables (General Duty) of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) such as the BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, SSF and SSB; and the state track, conducted by each state's police department or recruitment board (for example, the UP Police Recruitment and Promotion Board). Both tracks follow the same broad structure: a written examination, a physical test, document verification and a medical examination.
Vacancies are announced almost every year in cycles. Because each state follows its own rules, all state-level figures in this guide are typical values based on recent cycles of major states (especially Uttar Pradesh) and must be confirmed from the official notification of the state you apply to. Central SSC GD figures refer to the last published cycle. The sources of truth are ssc.gov.in (central) and each state's official recruitment board website (for example, uppbpb.gov.in for UP Police).
Overview / Key Highlights
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Bodies | Staff Selection Commission (central/CAPF) and respective State Police Recruitment Boards (state) |
| Post Name | Police Constable (Civil Police, Armed Police, Home Guard-cadre posts) / Constable (General Duty) in CAPFs |
| Exam Level | State-level (varies by state) and National-level (SSC GD for CAPFs) |
| Mode of Examination | Online (CBT) or offline (OMR) written exam depending on the conducting body |
| Selection Stages | Written Exam → PET / PST → Document Verification → Medical Examination (SSC GD adds a second CBT) |
| Negative Marking | Central (SSC GD): Yes, 0.50 mark per wrong answer. State: varies (many states have none) |
| Educational Qualification | Central: Class 10 pass. State: Class 10 or Class 12 depending on the state |
| Age Limit | Central: 18–23 years. State: typically 18–22 to 18–25 years (varies) |
| Official Websites | https://ssc.gov.in (central); state board websites (e.g., uppbpb.gov.in for UP) |
| Current Cycle | SSC GD Constable 2025 (central); state cycles announced periodically on respective board websites |
Selection Process
Although the exact order can vary slightly between central and state recruitments, the selection process for a Police Constable typically follows the stages below.
- Written Examination: The first stage is a written test of general knowledge, reasoning, mathematics and language. In SSC GD this is a Computer Based Test (CBT 1) of 80 questions; in most state exams it is a paper of around 100 marks.
- Physical Efficiency Test (PET): A qualifying running race. In SSC GD, male candidates run 5 km in 24 minutes and female candidates run 1.6 km in 8 minutes 30 seconds (tentative). State standards are similar, with state-specific distances and times.
- Physical Standard Test (PST) / Document Verification: Height, chest (for males) and weight are measured, and original certificates are verified.
- Medical Examination: A detailed check-up is conducted by the recruiting force or state health board to confirm physical and visual fitness.
- Final Merit List: For SSC GD, the merit is prepared from the combined marks of CBT 1 and CBT 2 (PET/PST is only qualifying). For state exams, merit is normally based on the written examination score with PET/PST as a qualifying stage.
Exam Pattern
Central — SSC GD Constable (CAPFs) CBT 1
| Section | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 20 | 40 | 60 minutes (80 minutes for candidates with 40% disability, tentative) |
| General Knowledge & General Awareness | 20 | 40 | |
| Elementary Mathematics | 20 | 40 | |
| English / Hindi | 20 | 40 | |
| Total | 80 | 160 |
Notes: Each question carries 2 marks and 0.50 mark is deducted for every wrong answer. The paper is set to the Class 10 (Matriculation) standard. CBT 1 is a screening-cum-merit stage. Candidates who qualify then appear for the PET/PST (qualifying only), followed by CBT 2, which has the same structure of 80 questions and 160 marks. The marks of CBT 1 and CBT 2 are added to prepare the final merit list.
State — Typical Written Exam Pattern (representative; varies by state)
| Subject / Section | Typical Questions | Typical Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General Knowledge & Current Affairs | 30–50 | 30–50 |
| Mathematics / Numerical and Mental Ability | 20–30 | 20–30 |
| Reasoning & Mental Aptitude | 15–25 | 15–25 |
| Hindi / English Language | 10–20 | 10–20 |
| General Science (in some states) | 0–15 | 0–15 |
| Total | 100 (approx.) | 100 (approx.) |
Notes: This pattern is a representative summary and varies from state to state. For example, the UP Police Constable written exam in recent cycles has been a 100-question, 100-mark, 60-minute paper with 50 questions of General Knowledge and Science and 50 of Numerical Ability and Mental Aptitude, with no negative marking (tentative). Many states apply no negative marking in the constable written exam; some deduct marks for wrong answers. Some states also conduct a separate language (Hindi) qualifying test. Always verify the exact pattern from the official notification.
Detailed Syllabus
The subjects below apply to both the central (SSC GD) and typical state police constable written examinations. The topic lists are common to most states, though the weightage of each subject differs from state to state.
General Knowledge & Current Affairs
- Current affairs of the last 6–12 months: national news, awards, sports, appointments and events
- Indian History: ancient, medieval and modern periods, the freedom struggle and prominent leaders
- Indian Polity: Constitution, fundamental rights and duties, Parliament, President and judiciary
- Indian Geography: rivers, mountains, states and capitals, agriculture and mineral resources
- Indian Economy: budget, banking, RBI, inflation and economic concepts
- General Science: basic Physics, Chemistry and Biology concepts from daily life
- National and international organisations: UN, SAARC, BRICS, WTO and their functions
- Important days, national symbols and firsts in India
- Government schemes and flagship programmes of India and the state concerned
- Sports: tournaments, trophies, stadiums, Olympics, Asian Games and notable players
- Static GK: national parks, dams, rivers, airports, ports and famous places
General Intelligence & Reasoning
- Analogy (verbal and non-verbal)
- Classification / odd one out
- Series: number, letter and alphanumeric series
- Coding and decoding
- Blood relations
- Direction sense and distance
- Order and ranking
- Venn diagrams and syllogism
- Mathematical operations and missing numbers
- Clock and calendar problems
- Non-verbal reasoning: figure series, mirror images and water images
- Decision making and statement-conclusion questions
Mathematics / Numerical Ability
- Number system: place value, HCF and LCM, divisibility rules
- Simplification using BODMAS
- Ratio and proportion
- Percentage and its applications
- Profit, loss and discount
- Simple interest and compound interest
- Time and work, pipes and cisterns
- Time, speed and distance: trains, boats and streams
- Averages and mixtures
- Algebra: linear equations and basic identities
- Mensuration: area and volume of 2D and 3D figures
- Data interpretation: tables, bar graphs and pie charts
Hindi Language (state exams)
- Grammar: sandhi, samas, synonyms and antonyms
- Vyakaran: kriya, kaal, ling, vachan and karak
- Idioms and phrases (muhavare and lokoktiyan)
- Spelling and sentence correction
- Comprehension passages (unseen)
English / Hindi Language (central SSC GD)
- Spotting errors in sentences
- Fill in the blanks (grammar and vocabulary)
- Synonyms and antonyms
- One-word substitution
- Idioms and phrases
- Sentence improvement and rearrangement
- Reading comprehension passages
- Cloze test passages
- Active and passive voice; direct and indirect speech
- Tenses, articles, prepositions and conjunctions
Marking Scheme
| Particulars | Central (SSC GD) | State (typical) |
|---|---|---|
| Marks per question | 2 marks (each CBT) | 1 mark (typically) |
| Total written marks | 160 per CBT (80 questions) | 100 (approx., varies) |
| Negative marking | 0.50 per wrong answer | Usually none; some states deduct marks |
| Unanswered questions | No marks and no penalty | No marks |
| PET/PST weightage | Qualifying only | Qualifying only (merit from written exam) |
| Final merit basis | CBT 1 + CBT 2 combined marks | Written exam score; tie-breakers as per notification |
| Cut-off factors | Vacancies, candidates, difficulty, reservations | Vacancies, candidates, category reservations |
Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
Central (SSC GD): Matriculation (Class 10) pass from a recognised board or equivalent.
State: Varies by state. UP Police Constable has required Class 12 (Intermediate) pass in many recent cycles (some cycles accept Class 10), Bihar Police requires Class 12 in some notifications and Class 10 in others, while Rajasthan, MP and others accept Class 10 or 12 depending on the cycle. Candidates must read the exact qualification in the official notification of their state (all figures tentative).
Age Limit (as on the date fixed in the notification)
| Category | Central SSC GD | State (typical, e.g., UP) |
|---|---|---|
| General / EWS | 18–23 years | 18–22 years (male), 18–25 years (female), tentative |
| OBC (non-creamy layer) | +3 years | +5 years (tentative) |
| SC / ST | +5 years | +5 years (tentative) |
| Ex-servicemen / others | As per rules | As per state rules (tentative) |
There is no fixed limit on the number of attempts in most constable recruitments; candidates may apply in each cycle as long as they meet the age and other conditions.
Application Process & Fees
How to Apply
- Register on ssc.gov.in (central) or on the official state police recruitment board website.
- Fill in the online application form with personal, educational, category and centre details.
- Upload scanned photograph, signature and thumb impression (if required) in the prescribed format.
- Pay the application fee online (or claim fee exemption if eligible) and submit the form.
- Download the confirmation page and note the application/registration number and password.
Application Fee (typical; varies and is tentative)
| Category | Central SSC GD | State (typical) |
|---|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS | Rs. 100 | Rs. 400 (varies by state, tentative) |
| Women candidates | Nil | Exempted or lower (varies) |
| SC / ST / PwD / Ex-servicemen | Nil | Usually reduced or exempted (varies) |
Salary / Pay Scale
Central (SSC GD Constable): The post is placed at Pay Level-1 of the 7th Central Pay Commission pay matrix, with a basic pay of approximately Rs. 21,700 per month (tentative). With Dearness Allowance, House Rent Allowance, ration money, special police duty and other allowances, the gross in-hand is roughly Rs. 30,000–35,000 per month depending on the place of posting (tentative).
State: Varies by state. As a reference, the UP Police Constable is placed in Pay Band 1 (Rs. 5,200–20,200) with Grade Pay of Rs. 2,000, giving an approximate gross in-hand of Rs. 25,000–30,000 per month including allowances (tentative). Other states follow their own pay rules. These figures are indicative and must be confirmed from the official notification.
Official Links & PDFs
- Staff Selection Commission (central): https://ssc.gov.in — official notification, syllabus and schedule for SSC GD Constable (CAPFs).
- UP Police Recruitment & Promotion Board: http://uppbpb.gov.in/ — official notifications for UP Police Constable recruitment.
- Official SSC GD notification and syllabus PDFs are available under the Current Notices / Downloads section of ssc.gov.in for each cycle.
- For other states use the respective official portals: Bihar — Central Selection Board of Constable (csbc.bih.nic.in); MP — Madhya Pradesh Police / Vyapam portal; Rajasthan — Rajasthan Police website; Maharashtra — Mahapariksha portal; Punjab — Punjab Police website. Confirm the exact portal from the state notification (tentative).
Preparation Tips & Strategy
- Read the official notification and syllabus first; every state's pattern differs slightly, so prepare exactly for your target.
- For SSC GD, practise the 0.50 negative marking discipline: attempt only questions you are confident about.
- Solve previous-year papers and mock tests of your state's exam and SSC GD under timed conditions.
- Keep daily current affairs notes and revise monthly compilations for General Knowledge.
- Build speed in mathematics using short-cuts for percentage, interest, ratio and mensuration.
- Practise reasoning puzzles and series daily to improve accuracy under time pressure.
- Start physical training early: regular running, stretching and weight control to clear PET/PST easily, and keep originals ready for document verification.
- Trust only the official website of the conducting body for dates, admit cards and results.
FAQ
Q: Who conducts the Police Constable recruitment?
A: Central constable (CAPF) recruitment is conducted by the Staff Selection Commission through the SSC GD exam. State police constable recruitment is conducted by each state's police department or its recruitment board, such as the UP Police Recruitment and Promotion Board.
Q: What is the minimum educational qualification?
A: For SSC GD Constable, Class 10 pass. For state posts it varies by state and cycle, from Class 10 to Class 12 pass. Confirm from the official notification.
Q: Is the physical test counted in the final merit?
A: No. The PET/PST is a qualifying stage in both central and state recruitments. The final merit is based on the written examination marks (combined CBT 1 and CBT 2 for SSC GD).
Q: Is there negative marking?
A: In SSC GD, 0.50 mark is deducted for each wrong answer. In state exams it varies; many states apply no negative marking. Verify from the official notification.
Q: Can women apply for police constable posts?
A: Yes. Most states reserve a share of constable vacancies for women and set separate PET standards; women are exempted from the SSC GD application fee.
Q: Are height and chest standards the same everywhere?
A: No. Central CAPF standards are generally 170 cm (male) and 157 cm (female) for general candidates, while state standards are usually lower (for example, 168 cm male and 152 cm female in several states, tentative), with relaxations for SC/ST and hill and tribal areas.
Closing Note
Police Constable recruitment combines a national exam (SSC GD for CAPFs) with a large set of state-specific exams. Since eligibility, pattern, physical standards and fees change with every cycle and differ sharply between states, candidates must always read the official notification of the recruiting body and keep following the official website — ssc.gov.in for central posts and the state recruitment board portal (e.g., uppbpb.gov.in for UP) for state posts — for updates on vacancies, admit cards, results and physical test schedules.