Punjab Police Constable 2026 — Eligibility Criteria
Age limit, educational qualification, age relaxation, reservation and domicile — everything you need to confirm before you apply.
Age limit
18–28 yrs
Qualification
12th Pass + Punjabi at Matriculation level
Age as on
1 January 2026
Punjab Police Constable eligibility combines age limits with a 10+2 qualification and a mandatory Punjabi-at-Matriculation requirement. Age is reckoned as on 1 January 2026, with a 5-year relaxation for SC/BC residents of Punjab and for serving regular government employees (maximum age 33). Ex-Servicemen who are residents of Punjab may deduct their period of service from their actual age, and the resultant age may exceed the upper limit by up to 3 years.
Age
Age limit
Minimum age
18yrs
Maximum age
28yrs
Age is calculated as on 1 January 2026. Upper age limit is before category relaxation.
Relaxation
Age relaxation by category
| Category | Relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC / Backward Classes (Punjab residents) | +5 yrs |
| Serving regular Govt. employees (Punjab / State / Central) | +5 yrs |
Qualification
Educational qualification
- Passed 10+2 (Class 12) or its equivalent from a recognised Education Board/University
- For Ex-Servicemen, the minimum qualification is Matriculation
- Must have passed Matriculation with Punjabi as a compulsory or elective subject
- All qualifications must be attained on or before 1 January 2026
Nationality
Candidate must be a citizen of India who has not obtained citizenship / permanent residency / green card of any other country.
Domicile
A Domicile Certificate issued by the Punjab Government is required for female candidates applying under the General/Open/UR category.
Physical
Physical standards — PMT & PST
Candidates who clear the Stage-I CBT are called for Stage-II — the Physical Measurement Test (PMT) and Physical Screening Test (PST). Both are qualifying in nature: no marks are added to the merit, but failing any single event means immediate elimination.
Physical Measurement Test (PMT) — minimum height
| Category | Minimum height |
|---|---|
| Male | 170.2 cm (5 ft 7 in) |
| Female / TransgenderTransgender candidates are treated at par with female candidates. | 157.5 cm (5 ft 2 in) |
No chest measurement is required for Punjab Police Constable 2026 — the PMT verifies height only, using digital measuring devices. Candidates who fail the PMT are eliminated before the PST.
Physical Screening Test (PST) — events & qualifying standards
| Category | Event | Qualifying standard | Chances |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male (incl. ESM under 35 yrs) | 1600 m race | 6 min 30 sec | 1 chance |
| Long jump | 3.80 m | 3 chances | |
| High jump | 1.10 m | 3 chances | |
| Female (incl. ESM under 35 yrs) | 800 m race | 4 min 30 sec | 1 chance |
| Long jump | 3.00 m | 3 chances | |
| High jump | 0.95 m | 3 chances | |
| Ex-Servicemen male (above 35 yrs) | 1400 m walk / run | 12 min | 1 chance |
| 10 full squats (uthak-baithak) | Within 3 min | 1 chance | |
| Ex-Servicemen female (above 35 yrs) | 800 m run | 6 min | 1 chance |
Key physical-test rules
- Both the PMT and PST are only qualifying — no marks are added to the merit list, but failing any one event means immediate disqualification.
- Transgender candidates are assessed at par with female candidates for both the PMT and PST.
- The recruitment board may carry out random biological (drug) testing for performance-enhancing substances; refusal to give a sample leads to disqualification.
- Pregnant candidates may submit a medical report before the PST date to postpone the test; if they clear the written merit, the seat is held and the PST is allowed within 6 months of delivery.
Reservation
Reservation details
| Category | Reservation |
|---|---|
| General / Open / Unreserved1,394 posts (1,066 District + 328 Armed) | 42% |
| Scheduled Castes (Balmiki/Mazhbi + Ramdasia)680 posts combined across both SC categories | 21% |
| Backward Classes, Punjab340 posts (260 District + 80 Armed) | 10% |
| Economically Weaker Sections (EWS)340 posts (260 District + 80 Armed) | 10% |
| Ex-Servicemen (all sub-categories)442 posts combined | 13% |
| Wards of Police Personnel68 posts (52 District + 16 Armed) | 2% |
| Wards of Freedom Fighters34 posts (26 District + 8 Armed) | 1% |
| Women (horizontal)1,084 posts across categories (825 District + 259 Armed) | 33% |
Figures show each category's share of total vacancies. Women's reservation is horizontal — it applies within each category, not as a separate row.
Answers
Frequently asked questions
What is the age limit for Punjab Police Constable 2026?
Candidates must be 18 to 28 years as on 1 January 2026. SC/BC residents of Punjab and serving regular government employees get a 5-year relaxation (max 33). Ex-servicemen deduct their service period from their age (resultant age may exceed the limit by up to 3 years).
What is the educational qualification required?
A 10+2 (Class 12) pass from a recognised Board/University, attained on or before 1 January 2026. Candidates must also have passed Matriculation with Punjabi as a compulsory or elective subject. For Ex-Servicemen, the minimum qualification is Matriculation.
Is Punjabi compulsory for Punjab Police Constable?
Yes. You must have passed Punjabi at Matriculation level, and Paper-II of the CBT is a mandatory qualifying Punjabi-language test (50 marks, 50% required). Paper-II marks do not count towards merit.
What is the height requirement for Punjab Police Constable 2026?
The minimum height is 170.2 cm (5 ft 7 in) for male candidates and 157.5 cm (5 ft 2 in) for female and transgender candidates. Height is verified at the Physical Measurement Test (PMT) using digital devices, and candidates who fall short are eliminated before the Physical Screening Test.
What is the running and physical test (PST) standard for Punjab Police Constable?
Male candidates (and ESM under 35) must complete a 1600 m race in 6 minutes 30 seconds (1 chance), a 3.80 m long jump and a 1.10 m high jump (3 chances each). Female candidates must complete an 800 m race in 4 minutes 30 seconds, a 3.00 m long jump and a 0.95 m high jump. Ex-Servicemen above 35 have relaxed standards. The PST is qualifying — failing any event leads to disqualification.
Is there a chest measurement for Punjab Police Constable 2026?
No. The Punjab Police Constable 2026 recruitment does not prescribe any chest measurement. The Physical Measurement Test (PMT) checks the minimum height only; the running, long jump and high jump are assessed separately in the Physical Screening Test (PST).
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