To join in Constable jobs in India, there are some eligibility requirement that needs to be fulfilled. In India, Staff Selection Commission (SSC) conducts entrance test and interview for selection of constables in varied government departments. Similarly, Border Security Force (BSF) conducts examinations for constable jobs to join BSF. The State Governments also require constables in various profiles for which vacancies of constable jobs are published time-to-time in the local newspapers.

Eligibility Criteria

Constable jobs are available for both males and females. For males, the age limit is between 18 and 21 years of age and for females, the age requirement is between 18 and 25 years of age. This age limit is for the executive constable position.  With experience and with job profiles, the age limit increases. However, there is relaxation of the age limits as per various norms for the Freshers’ positions. Age limit is relaxed for the following:

• For varied castes (SC, ST, OBC)
• For ex- servicemen
• For sportsmen and women
• For widows
• For offspring of police or army personnel
• For departmental constable jobs

Also, it is mandatory in most constable jobs for Male Candidates to have a valid Driving License for LMV (Motor Cycle/Car) and learning driving license is not acceptable.

Educational Qualification

In order to apply for constable jobs in India, there is a need for the candidates to fulfill the minimum educational requirement.

Candidates should pass class (10+2) higher secondary from a recognized Board/University. However, candidates can simply be class 11 or class 10 pass if they are applying for constable jobs positions as mounted constables, bandsmen, buglers, drivers, dispatch riders, etc. or if they are sons/daughters of Police Personnel or if they are ex-Class-IV employees or in multi-tasking staff earlier.

Process of selection

Candidates who are eligible to apply for Constable jobs should also prepare themselves well for their selection. The process of selection is a long one and candidates need to clear each process for final selection.

Preliminary Written test

The first process is a written test, which is pen and paper test of three hours duration and carries 200 marks. All objective questions are given and the question paper is set in Hindi, English and any of the regional language of the candidates as chosen while applying for the position. The candidates can move on to the second phase when they get minimum 40% in the written test (35% for OBCs and 30% for SC/ ST/ Ex-Servicemen).

PE and PMT

The second phase is Physical Endurance and Measurement Test (PE&MT). The candidates should under PMT and meet the following requirements.

• Males: Height should not be less than 170 cms, chest not less than 85 cm (after expanding)
• Females: Height should not be less than 157 cms

In PE test, males upto 31 years of age should be able to do a long jump of 14 feet, high jump of 3’9” and complete 1600 meters of race in 6 minutes. For females, the race should be completed in 8 minutes, they should do a long jump of 10 feet and a high jump of 3 feet.  However, with the increase in age, there is a relaxation. Again there are relaxations in terms of caste categories, family background and also regional wise.

Descriptive Written test

The third phase is the Descriptive Written Test. It is a 90-minute long written examination of 100 marks comprising questions on Reasoning, General Knowledge/Current Affairs and Numerical Ability.

Medical examination

The fourth phase is the Final Medical Examination for the final selection of the candidates in constable jobs in India.

Note: There are some exceptions in eligibility and qualification criteria for selection in constable jobs in India, depending on the states, the position and the department. The above is a general idea on what should be minimum qualification, eligibility requirement and the process of selection for constable jobs in India.