The SSC GD syllabus for the Constable (General Duty) exam has four parts: reasoning, general knowledge, elementary maths, and English or Hindi. Each part has 20 questions of 2 marks each, so the paper totals 80 questions and 160 marks in 60 minutes. The level is Class 10.
Passing the CBE is only the first step. You must also clear a running test, height and chest measurement and a medical exam. The pattern below follows recent notifications; confirm it in the notice for your cycle.
SSC GD exam pattern (CBE)
| Part | Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | General Intelligence and Reasoning | 20 | 40 |
| B | General Knowledge and General Awareness | 20 | 40 |
| C | Elementary Mathematics | 20 | 40 |
| D | English or Hindi | 20 | 40 |
| Total | 60 minutes | 80 | 160 |
- Each wrong answer costs 0.25 mark.
- Question papers are set in Hindi, English and 13 regional languages; you pick one in the form.
- Scores from different shifts are normalised.
Topic-wise SSC GD syllabus
Part A: General Intelligence and Reasoning
Analogies, similarities and differences, spatial visualisation and orientation, visual memory, observation, relationship concepts, arithmetical reasoning, figure classification, number series, non-verbal series, coding and decoding, and basic puzzles. Questions test how you think rather than what you have memorised.
Part B: General Knowledge and General Awareness
Current events, sports, India and its neighbours, history, culture, geography, the economy, general polity and the Constitution, and scientific research. Most questions are one-line facts.
Part C: Elementary Mathematics
- Number system, whole numbers, decimals and fractions, and how numbers relate to each other.
- Basic operations, percentages, ratio and proportion, averages.
- Interest, profit and loss, discount.
- Mensuration, time and distance, time and work.
Part D: English or Hindi
The SSC GD English syllabus checks basic understanding: vocabulary, synonyms and antonyms, fill in the blanks, error spotting, sentence order, idioms and a short passage. If you choose Hindi, the same skills are tested in Hindi. Pick the language you read fastest.
PET and PST standards
The physical stage is qualifying only. Recent notifications give these standards for general candidates; relaxations apply for some regions, communities and categories.
| Test | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| Race (except Ladakh region) | 5 km in 24 minutes | 1.6 km in 8.5 minutes |
| Race (Ladakh region) | 1.6 km in 7 minutes | 800 metres in 5 minutes |
| Height | 170 cm | 157 cm |
| Chest | 80 cm, with at least 5 cm expansion | Not applicable |
Weight should be in proportion to height and age as per the medical standards.
The full selection path
| Stage | Run by | Counts for merit? |
|---|---|---|
| Computer-based exam | SSC | Yes |
| PET and PST | Nodal force named for the cycle | No, qualifying |
| Detailed Medical Exam and document verification | CAPF medical boards | No, qualifying |
| Review Medical Exam | For candidates declared unfit who appeal | No, qualifying |
Because only the CBE decides your rank, every extra mark in the written paper matters. But the physical and medical stages can still knock you out, so prepare for both together.
NCC bonus marks
Recent notifications give NCC certificate holders bonus marks added to the CBE score: 5% of the maximum marks for the C certificate, 3% for B and 2% for A. You must claim it in the form and show the original certificate during document verification.
Choosing your exam language
You choose the language of the paper in your application. Pick the one in which you read and understand fastest, not the one you think looks better. For Part D, choose English or Hindi based on where your grammar and vocabulary are stronger. Changing the language after the application closes is not possible, so decide carefully.
Building up for the race
- Start with brisk walking and slow jogging, and add distance week by week.
- Run on a flat ground or track, the way the test is held, and time yourself at least twice a week.
- Wear proper running shoes and warm up before every session to avoid injury close to the PET.
- Aim to finish your full distance well inside the time limit, since nerves on test day slow most people down.
Getting the official syllabus
- Visit ssc.gov.in and open the Constable (GD) notice for the current cycle.
- Download the notification PDF. The scheme of exam, physical standards and medical rules are inside.
- Check the state-wise vacancy table, since you compete within your own state or UT.
Subject-wise study plan
- Reasoning: do 20 mixed questions a day from series, coding, analogy and figures. Speed comes from variety.
- General knowledge: read NCERT history, geography and science books for Classes 6 to 10, and a monthly current affairs summary.
- Maths: master percentages, ratio, averages and profit and loss first; they feed into most other questions.
- English or Hindi: revise basic grammar and read one short passage daily in the language you chose.
How to prepare
- Practise full 60-minute mocks. With 80 questions, you have 45 seconds each.
- Skip questions you are unsure of; the 0.25 penalty adds up.
- Start running practice early. Build up to the full distance in less than the allowed time.
- Get your height and chest measured honestly before you apply, so there are no surprises.
After the exam, use the SSC GD answer key guide to check your responses, and later the GD Constable result steps to see if you qualified for the PET. The SSC GD exam overview lists the forces and eligibility. A similar Class 10 level paper is covered in the SSC MTS topic list , and our syllabus hub has the rest.
HindiScope is not an official site; read the notification on ssc.gov.in.