The Border Security Force (BSF) has announced the written exam date for the Constable (Tradesman) recruitment. The Computer Based Test (CBT) will be held on 2 December 2026 for 3,588 Constable (Tradesman) posts, and e-admit cards will be available from 17 November 2026. A total of 1,81,143 candidates who cleared the physical test (PET/PST) are eligible to appear in this written exam. The paper will have 100 questions for 100 marks, and candidates will get 2 hours to finish it.
This article gives the complete BSF Tradesman syllabus 2026, exam pattern, subject-wise topics, PET and PST standards, trade test details and qualifying marks in simple words. The written exam is the second phase of selection, and only the candidates who clear it will be called for the trade test and medical examination. Read the full syllabus below and download the official notice from the links given in this article before the exam.
BSF Tradesman Syllabus 2026 – Overview |
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| BSF Tradesman Written Exam (CBT) on 2 December 2026 | 3,588 Posts | Admit Card from 17 November 2026 | |
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| Particulars | Details |
| Organisation | Border Security Force (BSF), Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India |
| Recruitment Name | Constable (Tradesman) Exam 2024-25 |
| Advertisement Number | CT_Trade_07/2025, dated 24 July 2025 |
| Total Vacancies | 3,588 Posts (Male 3,406 + Female 182) |
| Post Name | Constable (Tradesman) — Cook, Water Carrier, Sweeper, Washerman, Barber, Cobbler, Tailor, Carpenter and other trades |
| Written Exam Date | 2 December 2026 (Computer Based Test, 3 shifts) |
| Admit Card Date | 17 November to 2 December 2026 (e-admit card, online only) |
| Exam Mode | Computer Based Test (CBT), bilingual — Hindi and English |
| Selection Process | PST/PET → Written Exam (CBT) → Trade Test → Medical Examination |
| Salary | Pay Level-3, Rs. 21,700 – Rs. 69,100 per month + allowances |
| Official Website | rectt.bsf.gov.in and bsf.gov.in |
BSF Tradesman Syllabus 2026 – Quick Summary (In Simple Words) |
| The BSF Tradesman written exam will be held on 2 December 2026 as a Computer Based Test (CBT) in 3 shifts — 9:00 to 11:00 AM, 1:00 to 3:00 PM and 5:00 to 7:00 PM. Only the 1,81,143 candidates who cleared the physical test (PET/PST) can appear in this exam. |
| The paper has 100 objective questions for 100 marks and a total time of 2 hours. There are 4 parts of 25 questions each — General Knowledge and Awareness, Elementary Mathematics, Analytical Aptitude, and English or Hindi. There is no negative marking in this exam. |
| To qualify, General and Ex-Servicemen candidates need 35% marks and SC, ST and OBC candidates need 33% marks. After the written exam, qualified candidates will face the trade test (practical skill test), document verification and medical examination. The final merit list is prepared on the basis of written exam marks. |
| The e-admit card will be available from 17 November 2026 on the official BSF recruitment portal. It will be sent through email and SMS link — admit cards will not be sent by post. For admit card problems, BSF has given a helpdesk number: +91-9513251955. |
Download Links for BSF Tradesman Syllabus 2026 |
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| BSF Tradesman Written Exam Date Notice (10 November 2026) | Click Here |
| BSF Tradesman Notification and Syllabus PDF (Official) | Click Here |
| Download BSF Tradesman E-Admit Card 2026 (from 17 November 2026) | Click Here |
| BSF Official Website | Click Here |
| Note: BSF publishes the notice and syllabus PDFs on its official recruitment portal rectt.bsf.gov.in. BSF has not given a direct public PDF link, so download the PDFs from the official portal link given above. | |
Important Dates – BSF Tradesman Recruitment 2026 |
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| Event | Date |
| Short Notification Released | 22 July 2025 |
| Detailed Notification (Advt. CT_Trade_07/2025) | 25 July 2025 |
| Online Application Start Date | 26 July 2025 |
| Online Application Last Date | 24 August 2025 |
| PET/PST Admit Card Released | 12 December 2025 |
| PET/PST Conducted | 26 December 2025 to 20 March 2026 |
| PET/PST Result Declared | 9 June 2026 (1,81,143 candidates shortlisted) |
| Written Exam Date Notice Released | 10 November 2026 |
| E-Admit Card Available | 17 November to 2 December 2026 |
| Written Exam (CBT) | 2 December 2026 |
| Result Date | Not announced yet |
BSF Tradesman Vacancy Details 2026 – Trade Wise |
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| Trade | Male | Female |
| Cook | 1,462 | 82 |
| Water Carrier | 699 | 38 |
| Sweeper | 652 | 35 |
| Washerman | 320 | 17 |
| Barber | 115 | 6 |
| Cobbler | 65 | 2 |
| Carpenter | 38 | – |
| Tailor | 18 | 1 |
| Waiter | 13 | – |
| Plumber | 10 | – |
| Painter | 5 | – |
| Electrician | 4 | – |
| Pump Operator | 1 | – |
| Upholster | 1 | – |
| Khoji and other small trades | 3 | 1 |
| Total Vacancies | 3,406 | 182 |
| Grand Total: 3,588 posts. Cook is the biggest trade with 1,462 male posts, followed by Water Carrier (699) and Sweeper (652). One portal reports a revised total of 3,636 posts after 48 extra posts for four states, but the official notification figure is 3,588. | ||
BSF Tradesman Exam Pattern 2026 |
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| Part | Subject | Questions | Marks |
| Part A | General Knowledge and Awareness | 25 | 25 |
| Part B | Elementary Mathematics | 25 | 25 |
| Part C | Analytical Aptitude | 25 | 25 |
| Part D | English or Hindi Language | 25 | 25 |
| Total | 100 | 100 | |
| Exam mode: Computer Based Test (CBT), objective type, bilingual (Hindi and English). Duration: 2 hours. Each question carries 1 mark. Negative marking: None as per the official notification. Exam shifts on 2 December 2026: 9:00–11:00 AM, 1:00–3:00 PM and 5:00–7:00 PM. | |||
BSF Tradesman Syllabus 2026 – Subject Wise Topics |
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| Subject | Important Topics |
| General Knowledge and Awareness | Current Affairs (national and international), Indian Constitution, Indian History and Geography, General Politics, Indian Economy, General Science, Sports — championships, winners and number of players, Awards and Honours, Famous Personalities, Books and Authors, Abbreviations, Committees and Commissions |
| Elementary Mathematics | Basic Multiplications, Mixed Fractions, Number System, Averages, Percentages, Profit and Loss, Ratio and Proportion, Time and Distance, Time and Work, Simple Interest and Compound Interest, Simple Mensuration, HCF and LCM, Square and Cube Roots, Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Statistics, Simplification |
| Analytical Aptitude and Reasoning | Coding and Decoding, Number Series, Alphabet Series (position-based), Relationship Concepts, Blood Relations, Distance and Directions, Arithmetic Number Series, Analogies, Similarities and Differences, Problem Solving, Decision Making, Visual Memory, Puzzles, Syllogisms, Clocks and Calendars, Cubes and Dice, Mirror Images, Embedded Figures |
| English Language | Synonyms, Antonyms, Reading Comprehension, Grammar, Tenses, Spellings, Error Detection and Correction, Sentence Structure, Idioms and Phrases, One Word Substitution, Cloze Test, Para Jumbles, Subject Verb Agreement |
| Hindi Language | समास, पर्यायवाची, विलोम, वचन, लिंग, संधि-विच्छेद, अलंकार, मुहावरे और लोकोक्तियाँ, शुद्ध-अशुद्ध वाक्य, वाक्यांश के लिए एक शब्द, तत्सम-तद्भव, अनेकार्थी शब्द, गद्यांश आधारित प्रश्न |
BSF Tradesman Qualifying Marks 2026 |
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| Category | Minimum Qualifying Marks (out of 100) |
| General and Ex-Servicemen | 35% (35 marks) |
| SC, ST and OBC | 33% (33 marks) |
| The written exam is qualifying in nature for the next stage, but the final merit list is prepared on the basis of written exam marks of the candidates who clear all stages. | |
Eligibility Criteria – BSF Tradesman Recruitment 2026 |
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| Trade Group | Education Required |
| Cook, Water Carrier, Waiter | Class 10 pass + NSQF Level-I course in Food Production or Kitchen from NSDC or an NSDC-recognised institute |
| Carpenter, Plumber, Painter, Electrician, Pump Operator, Upholster | Class 10 pass + 2-year ITI certificate in the trade or 1-year vocational course + 1 year of work experience |
| Cobbler, Tailor, Washerman, Barber, Sweeper, Khoji, Syce | Class 10 pass + proficiency in the trade; must pass the trade test |
| Age Limit | 18 to 25 years as on 24 August 2025; SC/ST +5 years, OBC +3 years relaxation in the upper age limit |
| Nationality | Indian citizen; candidate must have the domicile of the state for which he or she applied |
Application Fee – BSF Tradesman Recruitment 2026 |
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| Category | Fee |
| General / OBC / EWS | Rs. 100 + applicable service charges and GST |
| SC / ST / Women / BSF Serving Personnel / Ex-Servicemen | Nil (No fee) |
| The application window is closed now. The fee details above are given only for reference. | |
BSF Tradesman PST Standards 2026 (Physical Standard Test) |
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| Category | Height (Male) | Height (Female) | Chest (Male) |
| General | 165 cm | 155 cm | 75–80 cm |
| Scheduled Tribes (ST) | 160 cm | 147 cm | 76–81 cm |
| ST from LWE-affected areas | 158 cm | 147 cm | 75–80 cm |
| Hilly areas (HP, Sikkim, NE states, Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Goa) | 162.5 cm | 150 cm | 75–80 cm |
| Weight must be proportionate to height and age as per medical standards. PST is qualifying only. | |||
BSF Tradesman PET Standards 2026 (Physical Efficiency Test) |
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| Event | Male | Female |
| Race | 5 km in 24 minutes | 1.6 km in 8 minutes 30 seconds |
| Long Jump | 11 feet (3 chances) | 9 feet (3 chances) |
| High Jump | 3 feet 6 inches (3 chances) | 3 feet (3 chances) |
| PET is qualifying only — its marks are not counted in the final merit. The PET/PST for this recruitment was held from 26 December 2025 to 20 March 2026. | ||
BSF Tradesman Selection Process and Trade Test 2026 |
| Phase 1: Physical Standard Test (PST) and Physical Efficiency Test (PET) with documentation — completed (26 December 2025 to 20 March 2026). Result declared on 9 June 2026: 1,81,143 candidates shortlisted (1,76,361 male + 4,782 female). |
| Phase 2: Written Examination (Computer Based Test) — 2 December 2026, 100 questions, 100 marks, 2 hours, 3 shifts. Only PET/PST-qualified candidates can appear. |
| Phase 3: Trade Test — a practical skill test in the candidate’s own trade (Cook, Barber, Washerman, Carpenter, Electrician and others). The selection board checks the knowledge and experience of the candidate in the trade. The trade test is qualifying in nature. |
| Phase 4: Document Verification and Detailed Medical Examination. Candidates must be medically fit as per BSF standards. |
| Final Merit: The final merit list is prepared on the basis of written exam marks of the candidates who clear all stages successfully. |
Salary – BSF Constable Tradesman 2026 |
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| Pay Level | Level 3: Rs. 21,700 – Rs. 69,100 per month |
| Along with the basic pay, Constable (Tradesman) gets allowances as per government rules — Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), medical facilities, free accommodation and other benefits of a Central Armed Police Force job. | |
How to Download BSF Tradesman Admit Card 2026 – Step by Step |
| Step 1: Visit the official BSF recruitment portal at rectt.bsf.gov.in. |
| Step 2: On the homepage, find the link for Constable (Tradesman) Written Exam E-Admit Card. |
| Step 3: The e-admit card link will also be sent to your registered email ID and mobile number through SMS. Click on that link. |
| Step 4: Log in with your registration number and password or date of birth as asked on the portal. |
| Step 5: Check your exam date, shift timing and exam centre on the admit card carefully. |
| Step 6: Download the e-admit card and take a printout. Carry it with a valid photo ID to the exam centre. Admit cards will not be sent by post. |
| Helpdesk: For admit card download problems, call BSF at +91-9513251955 between 17 November and 2 December 2026. |
Preparation Tips for BSF Tradesman Written Exam 2026 |
| Tip 1: The paper is based on Class 10 level concepts, so first clear the basics of Maths, Reasoning and English or Hindi. Do not study very advanced topics. |
| Tip 2: Give equal time to all 4 parts — each part carries 25 marks. Many candidates lose marks by ignoring one part completely. |
| Tip 3: Read current affairs of the last 6 months daily. GK questions on current events, sports, awards and famous personalities are asked every year. |
| Tip 4: Practise previous year papers and mock tests in 2 hours. This will improve your speed and show your weak areas before the exam. |
| Tip 5: Keep your trade skills ready for the trade test after the written exam. Practice the practical work of your trade — cooking, stitching, carpentry, wiring or washing — so you do not fail the qualifying trade test. |
| Tip 6: Download the admit card as soon as it comes on 17 November 2026 and check the exam centre and shift timing in advance. Reach the centre early on 2 December 2026. |
Important Links for BSF Tradesman Syllabus 2026 |
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| BSF Recruitment Portal (Admit Card, Notice, Result) | Click Here |
| BSF Official Website | Click Here |
| BSF Tradesman Exam Date Notice (10 November 2026) | Click Here |
| First Job 24 – Home Page | Click Here |
| Join First Job 24 Telegram Channel | Click Here |
| Join First Job 24 WhatsApp Channel | Click Here |
| First Job 24 YouTube Channel | Click Here |
FAQs – BSF Tradesman Syllabus 2026 |
| Q1. What is the BSF Tradesman written exam date 2026? The BSF Tradesman written exam (Computer Based Test) will be held on 2 December 2026 in 3 shifts — 9:00 to 11:00 AM, 1:00 to 3:00 PM and 5:00 to 7:00 PM. BSF announced the date through an official notice (No. 9A/CT(TM)-2024-25/Pers(Rectt)/BSF/2026/9073) on 10 November 2026. |
| Q2. When will the BSF Tradesman admit card 2026 be released? The e-admit card will be available from 17 November 2026 to 2 December 2026 on the official portal rectt.bsf.gov.in. The admit card link will also be sent to the candidate’s registered email ID and mobile number. Admit cards will not be sent by post. |
| Q3. What is the exam pattern of BSF Tradesman 2026? The written exam is a Computer Based Test (CBT) of 100 objective questions for 100 marks in 2 hours. It has 4 parts of 25 questions each — General Knowledge and Awareness, Elementary Mathematics, Analytical Aptitude, and English or Hindi. The paper is bilingual (Hindi and English). |
| Q4. Is there negative marking in the BSF Tradesman written exam? No. As per the official notification, there is no negative marking in the BSF Tradesman written exam. Each question carries 1 mark, and no marks are cut for a wrong answer. |
| Q5. What are the qualifying marks for the BSF Tradesman exam? General and Ex-Servicemen candidates need 35% marks (35 out of 100) and SC, ST and OBC candidates need 33% marks (33 out of 100) to qualify in the written exam. |
| Q6. How many vacancies are there in BSF Tradesman Recruitment 2026? There are 3,588 vacancies — 3,406 for male and 182 for female candidates. Cook is the biggest trade with 1,462 male posts, followed by Water Carrier (699) and Sweeper (652). |
| Q7. Who can appear in the BSF Tradesman written exam? Only the candidates who cleared the PET/PST can appear. BSF declared the PET/PST result on 9 June 2026 and shortlisted 1,81,143 candidates (1,76,361 male + 4,782 female) for the written exam. |
| Q8. What is the syllabus of the BSF Tradesman exam? The syllabus has 4 parts — General Knowledge and Awareness (current affairs, Indian Constitution, history, geography, sports), Elementary Mathematics (percentages, profit and loss, time and distance, interest, mensuration), Analytical Aptitude (coding-decoding, series, blood relations, directions) and English or Hindi (grammar, synonyms, antonyms, comprehension). The full topic list is given in the syllabus table above. |
| Q9. What is the salary of a BSF Constable (Tradesman)? The salary is Pay Level-3, Rs. 21,700 to Rs. 69,100 per month (7th CPC) plus allowances like Dearness Allowance, House Rent Allowance, medical facilities and free accommodation. |
| Q10. What happens after the BSF Tradesman written exam? After the written exam, qualified candidates will be called for the trade test (practical skill test in their trade), then document verification and medical examination. The final merit list is prepared on the basis of written exam marks. The result date has not been announced yet. |
