HowIndiaEarns
Pay Level 3Group C · Non-gazettedcentral govt

Constable (General Duty), CAPF

कांस्टेबल (जीडी)

Pay Level 3 post via SSC GD — armed guard, patrol and security duty in BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, SSB and Assam Rifles.

Central Armed Police Forces, SSF and Assam Rifles · Ministry of Home Affairs

Exam

SSC GD

Qualification

10th pass

Age limit

18–23 years

Transfers

Anywhere in India

Work hours

Shift duty around the clock, with little predictable free time

Probation

2 years

Estimated in-hand / month

₹38,268

Gross ₹41,940 · CTC ≈ ₹5.6 lakh/yr

Level 3

Where are you posted?

Joining

Constable (General Duty), CAPF · rates as of January 2026 (DA 60%). Excludes CGHS, GPF/insurance deductions and special allowances. Estimate only.

New to pay slips? Read how in-hand salary is worked out.

What you will actually do

  • Sentry and guard duty at posts, camps and installations
  • Patrolling borders or operational areas
  • Frisking and access control (CISF)
  • Counter-insurgency, election and law-and-order deployments
  • Maintaining weapons, kit and the camp

A typical day

Life runs on a roster. A typical day has a few hours of sentry duty in two shifts, one often at night, plus physical training, weapon cleaning and camp work. On a border you walk long patrols in heat, cold or rain. In CISF you stand at an airport or metro gate checking passengers. You sleep in barracks, eat in the mess, and go home only on leave, usually two or three times a year.

Stress4/5
CalmIntense
Public dealing2/5
LittleConstant
Field work5/5
DeskOutdoors

Promotion path

Timelines are ranges and vary by cadre. See how promotions and MACP work.

  1. Constable (General Duty), CAPF (joining)

    Pay Level 3

    ₹36,000–₹43,000 in-hand

  2. Head Constable

    8–18 years, depends on the force · Level 4 · via dpc

    ₹42,000–₹50,000 in-hand

  3. Assistant Sub-Inspector

    Further 5–10 years · Level 5 · via dpc

    ₹48,000–₹56,000 in-hand

Promotion timelines vary by cadre and vacancies. If not promoted, MACP gives a pay upgrade after 10, 20 and 30 years.

How to get in

SSC GDOnce a year

Staff Selection Commission

  1. 1.Computer-based examination
  2. 2.Physical efficiency and physical standards test
  3. 3.Detailed medical examination
  4. 4.Document verification

Eligibility: Class 10 (matriculation) pass from a recognised board. Age 18–23. SC/ST: 5 years, OBC: 3 years, ex-servicemen: 3 years after deducting military service, as per the notification.

Physical standards: Men: height 170 cm, chest 80–85 cm, 5 km run in 24 minutes. Women: height 157 cm, 1.6 km run in 8.5 minutes. Relaxed standards for ST, hill and some regional categories.

The good

  • ✓ Secure central job after Class 10
  • ✓ Free food, housing and uniform reduce living costs
  • ✓ Allowances in hard areas raise take-home pay

The hard parts

  • – Posted away from family for most of your service
  • – Physically hard and sometimes dangerous
  • – Slow promotions

Postings

All-India. BSF, ITBP and SSB mean borders; CRPF means internal-security and conflict areas; CISF means airports, metros and industrial units in cities. Units move every few years.

Job security with NPS (14% government contribution)Ration money, uniform and hardship or risk allowances where applicableGovernment accommodation or barracksForce canteen and medical facilities for the family

Questions people ask

What is the in-hand salary of Constable (General Duty), CAPF?+

Constable (General Duty), CAPF is a Pay Level 3 post with a starting basic pay of ₹21,700. At current rates (DA 60%, January 2026), the starting in-hand salary is roughly ₹36,000–₹43,000 a month, depending on whether you are posted in a Z, Y or X class city.

What is the qualification and age limit for Constable (General Duty), CAPF?+

Class 10 (matriculation) pass from a recognised board. Age: 18–23 years. Relaxation: SC/ST: 5 years, OBC: 3 years, ex-servicemen: 3 years after deducting military service, as per the notification.

Which exam do I need to clear for Constable (General Duty), CAPF?+

SSC GD (Staff Selection Commission).

Which force is best for a settled life?+

CISF has the most city postings and fixed shifts. Border and counter-insurgency forces involve far more separation from family.

Compare with similar posts

Constable vs Sub-InspectorConstable vs RPF ConstableConstable vs Agniveer

Sub-Inspector (CAPF: BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, SSB)

उप निरीक्षक (केंद्रीय सशस्त्र पुलिस बल)

Pay Level 6

Pay Level 6 post via SSC CPO — leading a platoon or section in a central armed police force on border or security duty.

₹57,000–₹67,000 in-handSSC CPO

RPF Constable

आरपीएफ कांस्टेबल

Pay Level 3

Pay Level 3 uniformed post in the Railway Protection Force — guarding railway property and passengers at stations and on trains.

₹36,000–₹43,000 in-handRRB RPF

Agniveer (Indian Army)

अग्निवीर (भारतीय सेना)

Own pay structure

Four-year engagement in the Army under the Agnipath scheme — a fixed monthly package, no pension, and up to 25% retained.

₹30,000–₹40,000 grossAgnipath

Books to prepare for SSC GD

  • Fast Track Objective Arithmetic

    Rajesh Verma (Arihant)

    Shorter and more shortcut-oriented than R.S. Aggarwal. Useful when time per question matters.

    See on Amazon

  • Lucent's General Knowledge

    Lucent Publications

    Compact static GK for history, polity, geography and science. It does not cover current affairs.

    See on Amazon

  • Lucent Samanya Gyan Hindi

    Lucent Publications

    The Hindi edition of Lucent's GK, widely used for SSC and railway exams.

    See on Amazon

All 7 books for SSC CHSL, MTS, GD, Stenographer and Delhi Police

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. It costs you nothing extra and does not affect which books we list.

Sources

This profile is being reviewed. Confirm details in the latest official notification. Salary computed from pay rules as of January 2026.