Key Takeaways
- Candidates must meet physical eligibility standards, including height, weight, and running requirements for SSC GD.
- The Physical Efficiency Test (PET) and Physical Standard Test (PST) assess candidates’ endurance and measurements.
- Male candidates generally need a height of 170 cm and a running time of 5 km in 24 minutes, while female candidates require 157 cm and 1.6 km in 8½ minutes.
- Specific relaxations exist for height and chest measurements for certain categories, including males from Ladakh and Scheduled Tribes.
- SSC GD physical eligibility guidelines can change, so candidates should check for updated criteria before applying.
The SSC GD physical eligibility is one of the most important requirements candidates need to check before applying for the Constable GD examination. Clearing the Computer-Based Examination alone is not enough. Candidates shortlisted after the CBE must also qualify the Physical Efficiency Test (PET) and Physical Standard Test (PST) to move ahead in the recruitment process. The SSC GD 2027 physical standards will be confirmed through the official notification. Until then, candidates can use the previous official standards to understand the expected height, chest, weight and running requirements for male and female candidates.
What is SSC GD Physical Eligibility?
SSC GD physical eligibility refers to the physical standards and fitness requirements that candidates must satisfy to qualify for recruitment as Constable GD. The physical stage broadly includes:
- Physical Efficiency Test (PET): Checks physical endurance through a running test.
- Physical Standard Test (PST): Checks height, weight and chest measurement, wherever applicable.
Candidates are shortlisted for PET/PST based on their performance in the Computer-Based Examination. The PET and PST are conducted by the CAPFs at designated centres.
SSC GD Physical Eligibility 2026-27 Overview
Candidates can check the expected SSC GD Constable physical eligibility requirements in the table below. These standards are based on the previous official SSC GD Notification and should be treated as reference criteria until SSC confirms the 2027 requirements.
| Particulars | Male Candidates | Female Candidates |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Height | 170 cm | 157 cm |
| Chest | 80 cm un-expanded with 5 cm expansion | Not measured |
| Weight | Proportionate to height and age | Proportionate to height and age |
| PET – Except Ladakh | 5 km in 24 minutes | 1.6 km in 8½ minutes |
| PET – Ladakh Region | 1.6 km in 7 minutes | 800 metres in 5 minutes |
| Height Relaxation | Available for eligible categories/regions | Available for eligible categories/regions |
| Physical Test | PET and PST | PET and PST |
The previous official notification prescribed 170 cm height for males and 157 cm for females, while weight was required to be proportionate to height and age as per medical standards.
SSC GD Physical Eligibility for Male Candidates
The SSC GD physical eligibility for male candidates includes height, weight, chest measurement and the PET running requirement. Under the previous official standards, a general male candidate was required to meet the following criteria:
| Requirement | Standard |
|---|---|
| Height | 170 cm |
| Chest – Un-expanded | 80 cm |
| Chest Expansion | Minimum 5 cm |
| Weight | Proportionate to height and age |
| Running – Except Ladakh | 5 km in 24 minutes |
| Running – Ladakh | 1.6 km in 7 minutes |
Relaxations in height and chest measurements are available for certain categories and candidates belonging to specified regions.
SSC GD Physical Eligibility for Female Candidates
The SSC GD physical eligibility for female candidates differs from the male standards, particularly in the running test and chest measurement. Based on the previous official criteria:
| Requirement | Standard |
|---|---|
| Height | 157 cm |
| Chest Measurement | Not applicable |
| Weight | Proportionate to height and age |
| Running – Except Ladakh | 1.6 km in 8½ minutes |
| Running – Ladakh | 800 metres in 5 minutes |
Chest measurement is not taken for female candidates. The previous notification states that it is only ascertained that the chest is well-developed.
SSC GD Physical Standard Test – PST
The Physical Standard Test checks whether candidates meet the prescribed body measurements required for the post. The SSC GD PST generally checks:
- Height
- Weight
- Chest measurement for male candidates
- Applicable category or regional relaxation
Candidates shortlisted for PET/PST undergo biometric verification before the physical tests.
SSC GD Height Eligibility
The standard height requirement under the previous SSC GD notification was:
- Male: 170 cm
- Female: 157 cm
However, SSC provides relaxation to candidates belonging to certain categories and regions.
SSC GD Height Eligibility Category-Wise
| Category | Male Height | Female Height |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Requirement | 170 cm | 157 cm |
| Scheduled Tribe Candidates | 162.5 cm | 150 cm |
| ST Candidates of North-Eastern States | 157 cm | 147.5 cm |
| ST Candidates of Left-Wing Extremism Affected Districts | 160 cm | 147.5 cm |
| Garhwalis, Kumaonis, Dogras, Marathas and candidates from Assam, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh | 165 cm | 155 cm |
| Candidates from Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura | 162.5 cm | 152.5 cm |
| Eligible candidates from Gorkha Territorial Administration | 157 cm | 152.5 cm |
These category-wise height relaxations are specified in the previous official SSC GD notification.
SSC GD Chest Eligibility for Male Candidates
Chest measurement is part of the SSC GD PST for male candidates. The general requirement under the previous notification was:
- Un-expanded chest: 80 cm
- Minimum expansion: 5 cm
Some candidates are allowed relaxation in the un-expanded chest measurement.
SSC GD Chest Measurement Category-Wise
| Category | Un-expanded Chest | Minimum Expansion |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Requirement | 80 cm | 5 cm |
| Scheduled Tribe Candidates | 76 cm | 5 cm |
| Garhwalis, Kumaonis, Dogras, Marathas and candidates from Assam, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh | 78 cm | 5 cm |
| Candidates from specified North-Eastern States and GTA | 77 cm | 5 cm |
The minimum expansion remains 5 cm for these categories.
Is Chest Measurement Required for Female Candidates?
No. Female candidates do not have to meet a numerical chest measurement requirement in SSC GD PST. The official previous-cycle rules specifically state that chest measurements for female candidates are not taken.
SSC GD Weight Eligibility
There is no single fixed weight requirement applicable to every SSC GD candidate. According to the official SSC GD rules, weight should be: Proportionate to height and age as per medical standards. This means a candidate weighing a particular number of kilograms cannot automatically be called eligible or ineligible without considering height, age and the applicable medical standards.
SSC GD Physical Efficiency Test – PET
The PET checks whether candidates have the required physical endurance for the post. The main component is a running test.
SSC GD Running Eligibility
| Candidate | Distance | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Male – Except Ladakh | 5 km | 24 minutes |
| Female – Except Ladakh | 1.6 km | 8½ minutes |
| Male – Ladakh Region | 1.6 km | 7 minutes |
| Female – Ladakh Region | 800 metres | 5 minutes |
Note: These were the official running standards in the previous SSC GD recruitment cycle. Candidates should use these timings as a preparation benchmark until the SSC GD 2027 notification confirms the physical criteria for the upcoming cycle.
SSC GD Physical Eligibility for Special Categories
SSC GD physical eligibility rules differ for certain categories such as candidates from the Ladakh region, Ex-Servicemen, and pregnant female candidates. The previous recruitment cycle prescribed separate PET standards and special provisions for these candidates. The details are given below for reference.
| Category | SSC GD Physical Eligibility Rules |
|---|---|
| Ladakh Male Candidates | Male candidates belonging to the Ladakh region were required to complete 1.6 km in 7 minutes in the Physical Efficiency Test. |
| Ladakh Female Candidates | Female candidates belonging to the Ladakh region were required to complete 800 metres in 5 minutes in the Physical Efficiency Test. |
| Ex-Servicemen | Ex-Servicemen shortlisted after the Computer-Based Examination were exempted from the PET. However, they were required to appear at the PET/PST stage so that their height, chest and weight could be recorded. They were also required to qualify the Medical Examination. |
| Pregnant Female Candidates | Female candidates appearing for PET/PST were required to submit a declaration regarding pregnancy status. If pregnancy was confirmed, the candidate was treated as temporarily unfit and her candidature was kept in abeyance. Under the previous rules, such candidates could appear for PET/PST six weeks after confinement, subject to producing a fitness certificate from a registered medical practitioner. |
Note: These provisions are based on the previous SSC GD recruitment rules. Candidates should check the SSC GD 2027 notification for confirmation of the applicable physical eligibility criteria for the upcoming cycle.
Is There any Long Jump or High Jump in SSC GD PET?
Under the previous official SSC GD recruitment rules, the PET requirement listed for candidates was the prescribed race. Candidates should therefore rely on the PET requirements mentioned in the official SSC GD notification rather than assuming that physical events used in other police or defence recruitments will also apply to SSC GD.
How are Height and Chest Relaxations Verified?
Candidates claiming height or chest relaxation must provide valid supporting documents at the PET/PST stage. Under the previous rules, candidates other than Scheduled Tribe candidates were required to submit the prescribed certificate issued by the competent authority, while ST candidates could claim the relaxation by producing a valid Scheduled Tribe certificate. Candidates should therefore keep the relevant original certificates ready before appearing for the physical test.
Can you Appeal if you fail the SSC GD Running Test?
No. The previous official SSC GD notification clearly states that there is no appeal in PET (Race). This makes running preparation particularly important. A candidate who does not complete the prescribed race within the required time cannot rely on a remeasurement or appeal process available for certain PST measurements.
Is SSC GD PET/PST Qualifying in Nature?
Yes. Candidates need to qualify the PET and PST to remain in the recruitment process. The SSC GD final result is based on performance in the Computer-Based Examination and the force preferences exercised by the candidate, subject to qualifying the PST, PET, Medical Examination and other prescribed conditions. In other words, running faster than the prescribed PET time does not itself give extra merit marks. The objective is to meet the qualifying physical standard.
SSC GD Physical Eligibility vs Medical Eligibility
Physical eligibility and medical eligibility are related but are not the same stage.
| Physical Eligibility | Medical Eligibility |
|---|---|
| Checked through PET/PST | Checked through DME/RME |
| Includes running | Includes medical fitness examination |
| Checks height | Checks prescribed health and medical standards |
| Checks chest for males | Includes medical assessment by CAPF Medical Boards |
| Checks proportionate weight | Determines medical fitness for appointment |
What Documents are required for SSC GD Physical Eligibility Relaxation?
Candidates claiming category or regional relaxations should keep the necessary supporting certificates ready.
Documents may include:
- Valid ST Certificate
- Height/Chest Relaxation Certificate
- Domicile or Permanent Resident Certificate, wherever applicable
- Category Certificate
- Other certificates prescribed in the official notification
During the previous cycle, certificates supporting height/chest relaxation were checked as part of the recruitment process.
How to check whether you meet SSC GD Physical Eligibility
Candidates should check their physical eligibility before reaching the PET/PST stage.
| Step | What to Check | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Measure Your Height | Height requirement | Measure your height without footwear and compare it with the standard applicable to your gender, category, and region. |
| 2. Check Chest Measurement | Chest standard | Male candidates should check both un-expanded chest measurement and minimum expansion. Female candidates are not required to meet a numerical chest measurement. |
| 3. Maintain Appropriate Weight | Weight standard | Weight should remain proportionate to height and age according to the prescribed medical standards. |
| 4. Test Your Running Performance | PET running requirement | Practise the complete PET distance and record your timing. Aim to complete the required distance comfortably within the qualifying time. |
| 5. Check Relaxation Eligibility | Category/region relaxation | If you plan to claim height or chest relaxation, verify whether your category or region is eligible and keep the required certificate ready. |
FAQs
SSC GD physical eligibility includes the Physical Standard Test and Physical Efficiency Test. Candidates must meet the prescribed height, weight, chest, and running requirements applicable to their gender and category.
Based on the previous official standards, male candidates generally required a minimum height of 170 cm, an un-expanded chest of 80 cm with 5 cm expansion, proportionate weight, and a 5 km run in 24 minutes for candidates outside Ladakh.
Based on the previous standards, female candidates generally required a minimum height of 157 cm, weight proportionate to height and age, and a 1.6 km run in 8½ minutes outside Ladakh. Female candidates do not undergo numerical chest measurement.
The previous standard height was 170 cm for male candidates and 157 cm for female candidates. Lower height standards apply to certain categories and regions.
For male candidates, the general previous-cycle standard was 80 cm un-expanded with a minimum expansion of 5 cm. Relaxations apply to specified categories. Chest measurement is not taken for female candidates.
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