SSB Recruitment 2026: Head Constable Medical Eligibility

SSB Recruitment 2026 covers two concurrent official notifications released on March 19–20, 2026 the first for 233 Head Constable and trade specialist posts under CEN notification, and the second for 76 Paramedical Staff vacancies together offering a combined 309 posts across the Sashastra Seema Bal, India’s border-guarding paramilitary force responsible for the Indo-Nepal and Indo-Bhutan borders under the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Both notifications require candidates to be between 18 and 27 years of age for most posts with paramedical posts extending the upper age limit to 30 years and carry separate educational qualification criteria for each post category that specifically define the minimum academic and experiential standards a candidate must meet before the Medical Examination becomes relevant.

SSB Recruitment 2026 All Vacancies

Here is the complete vacancy distribution across both SSB Recruitment 2026 notifications:

CEN Notification — 233 Posts:

Paramedical Notification — 76 Posts:

Age Limit and Relaxation Rules

The SSB Recruitment 2026 age rules apply as follows for all posts:

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• General category: 18 to 25 years (some HC posts allow up to 27 years)
• Paramedical posts: 18 to 30 years
• OBC candidates: 3 years relaxation (upper limit up to 28 or 30 years depending on post)
• SC/ST candidates: 5 years relaxation (upper limit up to 30 or 32 years depending on post)
• Ex-Servicemen: 3 years over and above the period of military service already rendered

Medical Eligibility: Full CAPF Standards

The Medical Examination for SSB Recruitment 2026 represents the fifth and final selection stage — and the standards align with the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) medical fitness framework that applies across BSF, CISF, CRPF, ITBP, and SSB:

Vision Standards (Compulsory):

• Colour Perception: Candidates must qualify as CP-II on the Ishihara colour chart — indicating adequate colour vision for operational duties
• No squint, colour blindness, or night blindness qualifies for disqualification at the medical stage

Physical Defect Disqualifiers:

The following conditions render a candidate medically unfit for SSB Head Constable posts regardless of otherwise satisfactory physical fitness:

• Knock-knees — where knees knock during normal walking gait
• Flat feet — fallen arches that fail the flat foot test administered by the medical board
• Varicose veins — dilated, twisted veins in the legs visible to clinical examination
• Squint in either eye — beyond the correction threshold
• Any physical deformity, disease, or defect that impairs the ability to perform active border duties
• Any chronic systemic disease that could affect operational efficiency

Tattoo Policy:

Candidates with tattoos must ensure their tattoos comply with MHA guidelines tribal tattoos or tattoos that are part of the candidate’s ethnic or religious tradition are generally permitted on non-visible body parts. Tattoos on the face, neck, or hands that are clearly visible during physical inspection are subject to case-by-case evaluation by the medical board.​

Physical Efficiency Test (PET) and Physical Standard Test (PST) — Stage 1

Before the Medical Examination, every candidate must clear the PET and PST conducted as Stage 1 of the SSB selection process:

Height Standards (SSB Head Constable 2026):

Chest Measurement (Male Candidates Only):

PET Events:

• Running: 1.6 km in 6.5 minutes for male candidates
• Long Jump: 11 feet in 3 attempts
• High Jump: 3.5 feet in 3 attempts

Selection Process: All Five Stages

The complete SSB Head Constable 2026 selection process runs through five sequential stages:

1. Stage 1 — PET and PST: Physical measurement and physical efficiency events — qualifying in nature; no marks awarded
2. Stage 2 — Written Examination (CBT): Computer-Based Test of 150 questions for 150 marks over 3 hours for HC posts; negative marking of -0.25 per wrong answer applies​
3. Stage 3 — Skill Test: Required only for Head Constable (Electrician) — practical demonstration of electrical trade competency
4. Stage 4 — Document Verification: Original documents including educational certificates, experience certificates, caste certificate, Aadhaar, and photo ID undergo scrutiny​
5. Stage 5 — Detailed Medical Examination (DME) and Review Medical Examination (RME): Full CAPF medical assessment — candidates found unfit at DME receive one opportunity to appear at the Review Medical Examination before a fresh board​

How to Apply Online for SSB Recruitment 2026

Applications for both notifications open on the official SSB website:

1. Visit ssb.gov.in — the official Sashastra Seema Bal recruitment portal
2. Locate the “Recruitment” tab and click on the relevant notification — HC (CEN 233 posts) or Paramedical (76 posts)
3. Register with a valid email address and active mobile number to generate login credentials
4. Fill the online application form — enter personal details, educational qualification, work experience, and category information exactly as per supporting documents
5. Upload scanned copies of passport photograph (white background), signature, educational certificates, experience certificate, and caste certificate (if applicable)
6. Pay the application fee online — the specific fee amount for SSB Recruitment 2026 is not publicly disclosed; check the official notification at ssb.gov.in for the confirmed fee structure
7. Submit the application and download the acknowledgement slip — store this securely as it contains your Application Reference Number