SSC MTS Eligibility 2026

SSC MTS Eligibility

Nationality

Candidates must be citizens of India. Candidates from all parts of the country can apply.

Educational qualification

You must have passed Matriculation (Class 10) or an equivalent exam from a recognised board by the cut-off date given in the notification. No higher qualification is needed for either MTS or Havaldar.

Age limit (2025 cycle, as on 1 August 2025)

Post	Age limit
MTS (most posts) and Havaldar in CBN	18 to 25 years
Havaldar in CBIC and some MTS posts	18 to 27 years

The 2025 cycle had 6,078 MTS posts in the 18 to 25 age group and 732 MTS posts in the 18 to 27 age group. Your age decides which posts you can be considered for.

Age relaxation

Upper age relaxation is available for SC, ST, OBC, PwBD, ex-servicemen and other notified categories, as per government rules and the notification. The exact years of relaxation for each category are listed in the official notification, so check it before applying.

Physical standards (Havaldar only)

Men: height 157.5 cm, chest 76 cm with 5 cm expansion; walk 1,600 m in 15 minutes; cycle 8 km in 30 minutes.
Women: height 152 cm, weight 48 kg; walk 1 km in 20 minutes; cycle 3 km in 25 minutes.
Height and weight relaxations apply to Garhwalis, Assamese, Gorkhas and ST candidates.

MTS posts have no physical test.

Important for the 2026 cycle

The age cut-off date, age brackets and relaxation rules for 2026 will be set in the 2026 notification, which was still awaited as of late October 2026.

Source: Central Bureau of Narcotics press release (official), Free Press Journal, Scroll.in, Careers360 (SSC MTS 2025), Careers360 News (7,948 vacancies), OnlineResult (Havaldar PET/PST)

SSC MTS Eligibility 2026