SSB Head Constable 2026 Notification: Complete Guide to 233 Vacancies, Eligibility & How to Apply
The Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), one of India’s Central Armed Police Forces under the Ministry of Home Affairs, has officially released the full notification for 233 Head Constable posts in four technical trades — Communication, Electrician, Steward, and Veterinary. These are permanent central government positions with Pay Level 4 (₹25,500 – ₹81,100) plus DA, HRA, and other allowances. If you have been looking for defence sector government jobs, this is a great chance to serve the nation along India’s borders with Nepal and Bhutan.
The application process is completely online through the SSB portal, and you have until 20 April 2026 to submit your form. Whether you are 12th pass, ITI qualified, or hold a diploma, there is a suitable post for you. This article on GovtJobsAlert.in covers everything — vacancy breakdown, trade-wise eligibility, salary details, selection process, and step-by-step application guide. Read carefully so you don’t miss any important detail.
What is SSB Head Constable Recruitment 2026?
The Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) is one of India’s five Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and is responsible for guarding India’s borders with Nepal and Bhutan. This recruitment (Advertisement No. 524/RC/SSB/Combined Advt./CT to SI (Non-GD)/2025) aims to fill Head Constable level technical positions across the force.
- Post Names: Head Constable (Communication), Head Constable (Electrician), Head Constable (Steward), Head Constable (Veterinary)
- Total Vacancies: 233
- Salary / Pay Level: Pay Level 4 (₹25,500 – ₹81,100) under the 7th CPC
- Job Location: All India — SSB border formations along Indo-Nepal and Indo-Bhutan borders
- Last Date to Apply: 20 April 2026
How Many Vacancies Are Available in SSB Head Constable 2026?
| Post Name | Trade | Vacancies |
|---|---|---|
| Head Constable | Communication | 197 |
| Head Constable | Electrician | 29 |
| Head Constable | Veterinary | 5 |
| Head Constable | Steward | 2 |
Total: 233 vacancies. 10% of vacancies are reserved for Ex-Servicemen across all categories. A candidate can apply for only one post.
What Are the Eligibility Criteria for SSB Head Constable 2026?
Educational Qualification
Each trade has different qualification requirements:
- HC (Communication): 12th class in Science (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics) from a recognised board; OR a 3-year diploma in Electronics, Communications, Computer Science, or IT from a recognised institute
- HC (Electrician): Matriculation (10th pass); with either 2 years work experience in the trade, OR 1-year ITI certificate + 1 year experience, OR 2-year ITI diploma in the relevant trade. Must qualify trade test
- HC (Steward): 12th pass + 2-year diploma in Catering & Kitchen Management + 1 year experience as Steward in a minimum 100-bedded hospital/institution
- HC (Veterinary): 12th pass with Science & Biology + 2-year diploma in Veterinary & Livestock Development, Veterinary Stock Assistant, or Animal Husbandry
Age Limit
| Post | Minimum Age | Maximum Age |
|---|---|---|
| HC (Communication) | 18 years | 27 years |
| HC (Electrician) | 18 years | 25 years |
| HC (Steward) | 18 years | 27 years |
| HC (Veterinary) | 18 years | 27 years |
Age relaxation: OBC — 3 years, SC/ST — 5 years, Ex-Servicemen — 3 years (after deducting military service). Departmental candidates (Central Govt employees with 3+ years service) get relaxation up to 40 years (UR), 43 years (OBC), or 45 years (SC/ST). Age is calculated as on the closing date of applications.
What Is the Salary for SSB Head Constable 2026?
All four Head Constable trades carry the same pay structure based on the 7th Central Pay Commission under Pay Level 4.
- Basic Pay: ₹25,500 (initial)
- Pay Level: Level 4 (₹25,500 – ₹81,100)
- Dearness Allowance (DA): Currently 53% of basic pay
- House Rent Allowance (HRA): 9% to 27% based on city classification
- Ration Money Allowance: As admissible in SSB
With all allowances combined, the approximate in-hand salary ranges from ₹38,000 to ₹45,000 per month initially, depending on the posting location.
Apart from the salary, SSB personnel enjoy benefits like Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) / NPS, free medical facilities, canteen facilities, leave travel concession, and subsidised accommodation at border postings.
What Is the Selection Process for SSB Head Constable 2026?
The selection involves multiple stages. You must clear each stage to move to the next.
Stage 1: Physical Efficiency Test (PET)
- Male candidates: 1.6 km race in 6 minutes 30 seconds
- Female candidates: 800 m race in 4 minutes
- Ex-Servicemen are exempted from PET
Stage 2: Physical Standard Test (PST)
Minimum height and chest measurements vary by post and category. For example, HC (Communication) requires 170 cm height for males (general category) with 80 cm chest (5 cm expansion). Relaxations apply for candidates from hill areas, North-Eastern states, and Scheduled Tribes.
Stage 3: Written Examination (Computer Based Test)
- Total Questions: 150 (objective, multiple choice)
- Total Marks: 150
- Duration: 3 hours
- Part I: General Knowledge, Mathematics, Reasoning, General English/Hindi
- Part II: Technical Subject (100 marks) — specific to the trade applied for
- Qualifying marks: 50% for General, OBC, EWS and Ex-Servicemen; 45% for SC and ST
- Final merit is based entirely on written exam marks
Stage 4: Skill Test (Only for HC Electrician)
- Marks: 50 (qualifying only — not added to merit)
- Qualifying: 60% for all categories
- Candidates called up to 20 times the vacancies
Stage 5: Documentation & Medical Examination
Candidates up to 3 times the vacancies (category-wise) are called for document verification and Detailed Medical Examination. Review Medical Examination is available for those declared unfit.
How to Apply Online for SSB Head Constable 2026?
Keep these documents ready before you start: Aadhaar card, 10th/12th marksheet, qualification certificates, passport size photo (white background, JPG, 4-12 KB), and scanned signature (JPG, 4-12 KB).
- Visit the official SSB application portal (direct link in Essential Links below).
- Read the full notification carefully and select the post you want to apply for. Remember, you can apply for only one post.
- Fill in your personal details — name, father’s name, date of birth (exactly as per matriculation certificate), category, and contact information.
- Upload your passport-size photograph (white background, 100×120 pixels, JPG, 4-12 KB) and signature (140×60 pixels, JPG, 4-12 KB).
- Pay the application fee of ₹100 through net banking, credit/debit card, or UPI. SC, ST, Ex-Servicemen, and female candidates are exempted.
- Review all details carefully — no changes are allowed after submission.
- Submit the application and note down your Registration Number for future reference.
- Take a printout of the acknowledgment page for your records.
What Are the Important Dates for SSB Head Constable 2026?
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Published | 21 March 2026 (Employment News) |
| Online Application Starts | 21 March 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 20 April 2026 |
| Admit Card Release | To be announced on SSB website |
| PET/PST Date | To be announced |
| Written Exam Date | To be announced |
What is the Application Fee for SSB Head Constable 2026?
| Category | Fee Amount |
|---|---|
| General, EWS, OBC | ₹100 |
| SC, ST, Ex-Servicemen, Female | Exempted (No Fee) |
Payment can be made through net banking, credit card, debit card, or UPI. The fee is non-refundable.
Essential Links — SSB Head Constable Recruitment 2026
- Download Official Notification PDF
- Apply Online for SSB Head Constable 2026
- Visit SSB Official Website
- Visit SSB Recruitment Portal
- Join WhatsApp Channel for Government Jobs
- Join Telegram Channel for Government Jobs
Don’t let this opportunity slip away — 233 Head Constable posts in SSB with a solid salary and central government benefits don’t come every day. Whether you’re qualified in Communication, Electrician trade, Steward, or Veterinary, this is your chance to serve the nation at the border. The last date is 20 April 2026 — apply now and start preparing. Keep visiting GovtJobsAlert.in for the latest defence job notifications and admit card updates.