The SSC GD physical test 2027 has two parts – the Physical Standard Test (PST) which measures height, chest and weight, and the Physical Efficiency Test (PET) which is the qualifying run. This page gives the complete category-wise standards, the Ladakh exceptions and a practical training approach for both male and female candidates.
Quick Answer
SSC GD running standards: male candidates run 5 km in 24 minutes and female candidates run 1.6 km in 8.5 minutes. General height is 170 cm for males and 157 cm for females, with lower limits for ST, North-Eastern and hill-area candidates. Chest is measured only for male candidates.
SSC GD PET Running Standards 2027
The run is the only performance-based test. Candidates who fail to complete the distance within the prescribed time are not allowed to appear in the remaining stages.
| Candidate group | Distance | Time limit |
|---|---|---|
| Male (except Ladakh region) | 5 km | 24 minutes |
| Female (except Ladakh region) | 1.6 km | 8.5 minutes |
| Male – Ladakh region | 1.6 km | 7 minutes |
| Female – Ladakh region | 800 metres | 5 minutes |
SSC GD PST Height Standards 2027
| Category / region | Male height | Female height |
|---|---|---|
| General | 170 cm | 157 cm |
| Scheduled Tribe | 162.5 cm | 150 cm |
| ST candidates of North-Eastern states | 157 cm | 147.5 cm |
| ST candidates of Naxal-affected districts | 160 cm | 147.5 cm |
| Garhwali, Kumaoni, Dogra, Maratha and notified states/UTs | 165 cm | 155 cm |
| Notified North-Eastern states | 162.5 cm | 152.5 cm |
| Gorkha Territorial Administration | 157 cm | 152.5 cm |
Chest Measurement Standards
Chest measurement applies only to male candidates. Female candidates are exempt.
| Group | Unexpanded chest | Minimum expansion |
|---|---|---|
| General (male) | 80 cm | 5 cm |
| Scheduled Tribe | 76 cm | 5 cm |
| Garhwali, Kumaoni, Dogra, Maratha and notified areas | 78 cm | 5 cm |
| Notified North-Eastern states / GTA | 77 cm | 5 cm |
Weight and Medical Standards
- Weight should be proportionate to height and age; the medical officer records it during the Detailed Medical Examination.
- Vision must meet the prescribed standard in each eye and colour blindness is a disqualification.
- At least 14 healthy teeth are required for proper chewing.
- There should be no knock knees, flat feet, old fracture with deformity or congenital defect.
- Varicose veins, hydrocele and hernia are common reasons for rejection, so get a check-up done in advance.
How to Prepare for PET and PST
Twenty-four minutes for 5 km is roughly 4 minutes 48 seconds per kilometre. Most candidates fail because they start training too late, not because the standard is impossible.
- Weeks 1-3: build a base with slow runs of 3 to 4 km, four days a week.
- Weeks 4-6: add interval sessions (400 m repeats) and one longer run of 6 km.
- Final 4 weeks: practise the exact 5 km distance at target pace once a week and taper before the test.
- Add strength work for legs and core twice a week, and keep one full rest day.
- Do not attempt crash weight-loss or performance supplements before the medical examination.
Common Mistakes on the Physical Test Day
- Arriving without the call letter or a valid photo ID – entry is refused.
- Wearing new shoes or clothes that have never been tested on a run.
- Starting too fast in the first kilometre and running out of stamina in the last one.
- Ignoring the warm-up before the run, which increases the risk of cramps and injury.
- Carrying a chest or height measurement discrepancy from the application form – the PST board re-measures everything.
PET and PST Events in the Order They Are Conducted
| Event | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 170 cm | 157 cm |
| Chest | 80 cm with 5 cm expansion | Not applicable |
| Weight | Proportionate to height | Proportionate to height |
| Race, main regions | 5 km in 24 minutes | 5 km in 24 minutes |
| Race, Shillong and Ladakh regions | 1.6 km in 7 minutes | 1.6 km in 7 minutes |
| Race, Ladakh region | 800 metres in 5 minutes | 800 metres in 5 minutes |
Height relaxations apply to candidates from specified hilly and border regions. The notice lists each region and its exact relaxation, so verify your own before training to a higher standard.
8-Week Training Plan to Run 5 km in 24 Minutes
| Week | Distance per session | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| 1 to 2 | 2 to 3 km | Easy pace and breathing rhythm |
| 3 to 4 | 3 to 4 km | Continuous running without walking breaks |
| 5 to 6 | 4 to 5 km | Add 400 metre repeats at target pace |
| 7 | 5 km | Full-distance trial, note your time |
| 8 | 5 km plus short sprints | Sharpen pace, rest two days before the test |
- Run six days a week with one full rest day.
- Never run in shoes bought the same week; break them in first.
- Do 20 push-ups and 30 sit-ups after each run.
- Stop and walk if you feel sharp pain in the knee or shin, and rest two days.
Common Physical-Test Rejections
- Standing half a centimetre below the required height, measured without shoes.
- Chest expansion below the 5 cm minimum.
- Breaching the 24 minute mark by even a few seconds.
- Not carrying the admit card, photographs or ID proof to the ground.
- Reporting late, because gates close before the written reporting time on many days.
How Height and Chest Are Measured: The Exact Method
Candidates lose a year’s preparation over half a centimetre because they never checked how the measurement is actually taken. This is the standard procedure followed at PET and PST venues.
| Measurement | Method used | Common mistake |
|---|---|---|
| Height | Standing height against a stadiometer or wall scale, shoes removed, heels together | Measuring at home with a tape against a wall that is not vertical |
| Height, candidates with turban | Measured with the turban, which is then allowed as part of the height | Assuming the full turban height is counted; only the standard allowance applies |
| Chest | Measured under the armpits during normal breathing and again on full expansion | Holding the breath or pushing the chest out, which is visible and disallowed |
| Weight | Standard weighing scale, light clothes | Heavy shoes or items in pockets |
| Chest expansion | Expansion value recorded separately from the chest measurement | Believing the expansion is measured automatically — it is recorded per candidate |
Get measured once at a government hospital or a recognised clinic a few weeks before the test, in the same manner the PET team uses. If the reading is close to the limit, start stretching and posture work immediately — daily posture correction can add a small but decisive margin.
Nutrition and Hydration Plan for Test Week
What you eat in the three days before the physical test changes your 5 km time by more than most candidates realise. This is a simple, practical plan.
| Day | Food focus | Water |
|---|---|---|
| Three days before | Normal meals with extra rice, roti and dal; avoid fried food and heavy protein | 3 to 4 litres, spread through the day |
| Two days before | Light carbohydrate loading: poha, banana, curd rice, dalia | 3 to 4 litres |
| One day before | Light, familiar food only. No new dishes, no outside food | Sip water through the day, stop one hour before sleep |
| Test morning | One banana, two biscuits and water two hours before the run | 200 to 300 ml, no more |
| After the run | Water with salt and sugar, or an ORS, then a light meal | As per thirst |
- Never try an energy drink or supplement for the first time on the test day.
- Avoid heavy milk products on the morning of the run in hot weather.
- Carry a small bottle of water and an ORS sachet in your bag, though the venue usually provides water.
Injury Prevention During Training
| Injury | What causes it | How to avoid it |
|---|---|---|
| Shin pain | Sudden increase in distance or hard surfaces | Increase distance by 10 per cent a week, run on grass or a soft track twice a week |
| Knee pain | Weak thighs and hip muscles, worn-out shoes | Strength work twice a week, replace shoes before they flatten |
| Ankle sprain | Running on uneven ground, fatigued legs | Ankle mobility drills, avoid the last tired kilometre |
| Muscle cramps | Dehydration and low salt | Electrolytes during long runs, banana and curd in the diet |
| Blistered feet | New socks or wet shoes | Cotton-blend socks, carry a spare pair to the venue |
If pain lasts more than three days, stop running and switch to swimming or cycling for a week. Training through an injury is the most common reason candidates miss the physical test entirely.
Appeal and Re-measurement: What the Rules Say
Re-measurement is not a right; it is allowed only in the situations the notice describes, and the procedure differs by region.
| Situation | What happens |
|---|---|
| Height or chest marginally short | Some regions record the reading and allow a second measurement in the presence of a senior officer |
| Candidate disagrees with the race timing | Timing recorded by the officials stands in most regions, since timing is electronic or supervised |
| Medical condition discovered at DME | An appeal is available as per the procedure printed in the notice |
| Injury during the test | Reported to the ground officials immediately, and the medical officer records it |
The practical lesson is to arrive with a comfortable margin on every parameter. Candidates who clear the height by 2 cm and the run by 90 seconds never need an appeal.
What to Expect at the Venue
Ground conditions vary widely between regions, and candidates who have only trained in a gym find the first lap unfamiliar.
| Element | Typical reality |
|---|---|
| Surface | A 400 metre track, a mud ground or a road circuit |
| Timing | Electronic timing mats or stopwatch officials at the finish |
| Weather | Sessions run in heat, humidity and sometimes rain |
| Crowd | Large batches in one session, so the start is crowded |
| Facilities | Basic drinking water and a waiting area, sometimes without shade |
- Reach early and walk the track once so that the surface is not a surprise.
- Do not sprint the first lap in a crowded start; settle into your pace after the first 200 metres.
- Keep a dry towel and a spare shirt in your bag for after the run.
Standards for Female Candidates: Relaxations and Preparation
| Parameter | Standard for female candidates |
|---|---|
| Height | 157 cm, with regional relaxations for hilly and border areas |
| Chest | Not measured |
| Weight | Proportionate to height as per the medical standard |
| Running | 5 km in 24 minutes in most regions, or the shorter regional distance |
| Medical | Vision, teeth and general health standards apply as for male candidates |
Female candidates often train on male-oriented plans found online, which focus on upper-body strength and shorter distances. A plan built around endurance, core strength and consistent pacing works much better for the 5 km standard.
The most common mistake is starting training four weeks before the test. Eight to twelve weeks of structured running is the realistic window for a comfortable finish.
Related Job Hubs
Browse all 40 job hubs: All Job Hubs — jobs by qualification, sector and state
Related new hubs: Forest Guard and Fireman Jobs 2026, Police Sub-Inspector Jobs 2026, Agniveer Recruitment 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the SSC GD running time for male candidates?
5 km in 24 minutes for male candidates other than those from the Ladakh region, where the distance is 1.6 km in 7 minutes.
What is the SSC GD running time for female candidates?
1.6 km in 8.5 minutes, and 800 metres in 5 minutes for female candidates from the Ladakh region.
What is the minimum height in SSC GD?
170 cm for general male candidates and 157 cm for general female candidates. Relaxation applies for ST, North-Eastern states, hill area and notified categories.
Is chest measurement taken for female candidates?
No. Chest measurement is applicable only to male candidates in SSC GD.
Is the PET qualifying or scoring?
The PET is purely qualifying. Only the CBT marks decide the final merit list.
When should PET or PST preparation start?
Start at least three months before the expected exam so that the 5 km target pace becomes comfortable rather than a last-minute strain.
Can I request a re-measurement if I fail PST?
Measurement is done by the official board and no relaxation is given at the centre beyond the categories notified by SSC.
Is the SSC GD running test 5 km or 1.6 km?
It depends on the region. Most regions run 5 km in 24 minutes, while the Ladakh and Shillong regions have shorter distances with their own time limits.
Is chest measurement required for female candidates in SSC GD?
No. Chest measurement is taken only for male candidates.
Can the physical test be rescheduled if it rains?
Yes. The regional SSC office issues a revised date if the ground or the weather forces a postponement.
Final Checklist Before You Apply
- Confirm your eligibility against the official notification once it is released.
- Keep scanned Class 10 marksheet, photo, signature and category certificate ready.
- Complete One Time Registration (OTR) on ssc.gov.in before the application window opens.
- Apply early and verify the submitted form before the closing date.
- Track the admit card, exam city slip and PET/PST schedule on the SSC website.
SSC GD 2027 – Related Guides
- SSC GD 2027 Complete Guide – notification, syllabus, physical standards and salary in one place
- SSC GD Vacancy 2027 – state-wise, force-wise and category-wise break-up
- SSC GD Running Chart 2027 – 5 km in 24 Minutes Pace Table
- SSC GD Tattoo Rules 2027 – Allowed Places & Size Limit
- SSC GD Selection Process 2027 – CBT, PET/PST, DME & DV
Official Sources
Last updated: 18 September 2026. Standards shown are based on the last SSC GD notification and are confirmed in the 2027 notification. Always cross-check on ssc.gov.in before your PET/PST.
