SSC GD Physical Standards: Height, Chest and Running Time (PET/PST)

After the computer-based exam, SSC GD candidates face two physical tests run by the CAPFs: the Physical Efficiency Test (PET), which is a timed race, and the Physical Standard Test (PST), which measures height, chest and weight. Both are pass or fail. This page lists every standard from the official SSC notice for the Constable (GD) Examination 2026, published on 1 December 2025.

For the written exam, see our SSC GD exam pattern guide.

SSC GD running time (PET)

• The race is the whole PET. There is no long jump, high jump or other event in the notice.
• There is no appeal against a PET result.
• Ex-Servicemen are exempt from the PET.

What 24 minutes for 5 km means: an average of about 4 minutes 48 seconds per kilometre. For women, 1.6 km in 8½ minutes is about 5 minutes 19 seconds per kilometre. If you cannot yet hold that pace, build up with steady runs three or four times a week and one timed trial over the full distance each week. Speak to a doctor first if you have any health condition.

SSC GD height

The basic height standard is 170 cm for men and 157 cm for women. Some groups get a lower standard:

The GTA area covers the Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Kurseong sub-divisions of Darjeeling district, plus 18 named mouzas listed in the notice.

SSC GD chest measurement

Chest is measured for male candidates only. You need a minimum un-expanded chest and must also expand it by at least 5 cm.

For female candidates, chest is not measured. The board only checks that the chest is well developed.

Weight: the notice does not give a fixed number. Weight must be proportionate to height and age, as per the medical standards.

Check yourself before the test

Measure your height and chest at home or with a local trainer well before the PET/PST. The standards are hard cut-offs. A male candidate who measures 169.5 cm against the general 170 cm standard does not qualify, however well he runs.

• Height: stand straight against a wall, barefoot, heels together. Ask someone to mark the top of your head with a flat object and measure from the floor.
• Chest (men): measure around the chest at rest, then after a full breath in. The difference is your expansion, and it must be at least 5 cm.
• Race: time yourself over the exact distance on a flat track or ground. Practising on a measured track is better than relying on a phone app alone.

If you are close to the line on height or chest, find out early whether you fall in a relaxed category and arrange the certificate in time.

How to claim a relaxation

• ST candidates claim the relaxed height and chest by showing a valid ST certificate.
• Everyone else (hill categories, North-East states, GTA and the other regional groups) must bring a certificate from the competent authority in the format given in Annexure-IX of the notice.
• The certificate must be produced at the PET/PST itself. The board checks your eligibility for relaxation after you clear the race and before your measurements are taken.

What happens on the day

1. Biometric verification.
2. The PET (race), followed by the PST (height, chest and weight).
3. If you are declared not qualified in height or chest, you can appeal the same day to the Appellate Authority through the Presiding Officer. Its decision is final.

Some other rules from the notice:

• Ex-Servicemen do not run, but they are still measured for height, chest and weight for the record. They must clear the medical exam.
• Women candidates submit a self-declaration about pregnancy. A candidate found pregnant is declared temporarily unfit, her vacancy is held, and she is re-tested six weeks after delivery with a fitness certificate.
• SSC does not hear appeals, RTIs or grievances against PET/PST decisions. The CAPFs run these tests and their boards decide.

Where PET/PST fits in selection

1. Computer-based exam (CBE): you need at least 30% if you are UR, 25% if you are OBC or EWS, and 20% in all other categories to be considered for the next stage.
2. PET/PST: about 8 times the number of vacancies are called, shortlisted state-wise, area-wise and category-wise on CBE merit. Men and women are shortlisted separately.
3. Medical exam and document verification: about 2 times the vacancies are called from those who clear PET/PST, again ranked on CBE merit.

PET/PST does not add marks. Your rank comes from your computer-based exam score, plus NCC bonus marks if you have them. Passing the race and measurements only keeps you in the list. So you need to train for both: a strong written score to get called, and the fitness to clear the physical on the day.

Prepare for the written exam too

You cannot reach PET/PST without a good score in the computer-based exam, and only about 8 candidates per vacancy are called. Take the SSC GD Full Mock 1, free: 80 questions, 160 marks, the real 60-minute timer and −0.25 negative marking, with a section-wise report. More tests are on the /ssc-gd page.