The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has notified the SSB Recruitment Rules, 2026. The rules have come into effect after being published in the Official Gazette. They introduce changes in the recruitment process for Constable (General Duty) posts in the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB).
One of the main changes is the reservation of 50% of Constable (GD) vacancies for former Agniveers.
The move is part of the government's plan to provide employment opportunities to personnel who complete their service under the Agnipath scheme.
RESERVATION FOR FORMER AGNIVEERS
According to the new rules, half of all Constable (GD) vacancies in the SSB will now be filled by former Agniveers. These candidates will compete for the reserved vacancies during the recruitment process.
The reservation applies to former Agniveers who have completed their service under the Agnipath scheme and meet the eligibility conditions laid down in the recruitment rules.
The new rules also provide exemptions during recruitment. Former Agniveers will not have to appear for the written examination. They will also be exempted from the Physical Standard Test (PST) and the Physical Efficiency Test (PET).
These exemptions are based on the training and service completed by Agniveers during their time in the armed forces. Other eligibility requirements and document verification will continue to be part of the recruitment process as per the rules.
AGE RELAXATION
The recruitment rules also include relaxation in the upper age limit for former Agniveers.
Candidates from the first batch of Agniveers will receive a relaxation of five years in the upper age limit. Former Agniveers from later batches will be given a relaxation of three years.
The age relaxation is intended to help former Agniveers apply for jobs after completing their military service.
With the notification of the SSB Recruitment Rules, 2026, the recruitment process for Constable (GD) posts will now follow the new provisions.
The reservation, exemptions from recruitment tests, and age relaxation are now part of the official recruitment policy for the Sashastra Seema Bal.
The rules took effect immediately after their publication in the Official Gazette and will apply to future recruitment carried out under these provisions.