Candidates planning to apply for SSC MTS 2026 should check the eligibility criteria before filling the form. The Staff Selection Commission conducts this exam to recruit Multi-Tasking Staff for Group C posts in central government offices and Havaldars in CBIC and CBN. To be eligible, you must have passed Class 10 and be 18 to 25 years old (18 to 27 for Havaldar), with age relaxation for reserved categories. Havaldar candidates must also meet the physical standards. The SSC MTS 2026 notification is expected in October 2026.

SSC MTS Eligibility Criteria 2026

The SSC MTS eligibility criteria 2026 has four parts: educational qualification, age limit, nationality and, for Havaldar, physical standards. Here is a quick summary based on the latest notification.

SSC MTS Educational Qualification 2026

The SSC MTS educational qualification is Matriculation (Class 10) or an equivalent examination from a recognised board. The qualification must be completed on or before the closing date of the online application.

There is no minimum percentage requirement in Class 10. Candidates who have passed Class 12 or a degree can also apply, as long as they have passed Class 10. Candidates whose Class 10 result is not declared by the closing date are not eligible.

What the exam tests: SSC MTS Syllabus and Exam Pattern

SSC MTS Age Limit 2026

The SSC MTS age limit depends on the post. Age is counted as on a fixed date given in the notification; in the 2025 notification it was 1 August 2025, and the 2026 notification is expected to follow a similar date.

Age Limit for MTS Posts

For most Multi-Tasking Staff posts, the age limit is 18 to 25 years. Some MTS posts in certain departments have an upper limit of 27 years; the post-wise age limit is given in the vacancy list of the notification. Under the 2025 notification, candidates for the 18 to 25 group had to be born between 2 August 2000 and 1 August 2007.

Age Limit for Havaldar Posts

For Havaldar posts in CBIC and CBN, the age limit is 18 to 27 years. Under the 2025 notification, candidates had to be born between 2 August 1998 and 1 August 2007. Havaldar candidates must also qualify the PET and PST.

Age Limit for General, OBC, SC and ST Categories

The table below shows the upper age limit for each category after the standard relaxation of 3 years for OBC and 5 years for SC and ST. EWS candidates follow the same limit as General candidates.

SSC MTS Age Relaxation 2026

SSC MTS age relaxation is given only on the upper age limit, and candidates must produce a valid certificate to claim it. Here are the relaxations from the latest notification.

PwBD candidates need at least 40% benchmark disability to claim the relaxation. A candidate who falls in more than one group can claim only one relaxation, whichever is most beneficial.

SSC MTS Nationality Criteria

To apply for SSC MTS, a candidate must be one of the following:

• A citizen of India
• A subject of Nepal
• A subject of Bhutan
• A Tibetan refugee who came to India before 1 January 1962 to settle permanently
• A person of Indian origin who migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia or Vietnam to settle permanently in India

Candidates in the last four groups need a certificate of eligibility from the Government of India.

SSC Havaldar Physical Eligibility Criteria 2026

Havaldar candidates in CBIC and CBN must qualify two physical tests after the CBE: the Physical Efficiency Test (PET) and the Physical Standard Test (PST). Both are qualifying, so they do not add marks to the merit list. MTS candidates do not take these tests.

Physical Efficiency Test (PET)

The PET is a timed walking test. Candidates who do not finish within the time limit are disqualified.

Physical Standard Test (PST)

The PST checks height and chest for men, and height and weight for women. Measurements are taken on the day of the test, and candidates below the standard are disqualified.

Height and Chest Requirements for Male Candidates

Male Havaldar candidates must meet these physical standards.

Height Requirements for Female Candidates

Female Havaldar candidates must meet the following height and weight standards.

How the PET/PST fits into selection: SSC MTS Selection Process

SSC MTS Eligibility Criteria for Female Candidates

Women can apply for both MTS and Havaldar posts. The educational qualification and age limit are the same as for men; the differences are in the physical standards and the fee.

Form-filling steps and fee: SSC MTS Apply Online

Documents Required to Verify SSC MTS Eligibility

SSC checks eligibility at the document verification stage, so candidates should keep these documents ready, with the same name and date of birth as in the application form:

• Class 10 marksheet and passing certificate (also used as proof of date of birth)
• Valid photo identity proof, such as Aadhaar, Voter ID or PAN
• Caste certificate for SC, ST or OBC (OBC must be Non-Creamy Layer and in the central format)
• EWS certificate, if applicable
• PwBD certificate showing at least 40% disability, if applicable
• Ex-Servicemen discharge certificate or service documents, if applicable
• Central Government service certificate, if claiming the employee age relaxation
• Certificate of eligibility for Nepal, Bhutan, Tibetan refugee or migrant categories, if applicable
• Recent passport-size photographs

Posts, work and pay after selection: SSC MTS Salary

SSC MTS Eligibility Criteria 2026 FAQs

Q1. What is the SSC MTS eligibility criteria 2026?

Candidates must have passed Class 10, be 18 to 25 years old for MTS (18 to 27 for Havaldar and some MTS posts) and meet the nationality rules. Havaldar candidates must also qualify the PET and PST.

Q2. What is the minimum educational qualification for SSC MTS?

Matriculation (Class 10) or equivalent from a recognised board, completed by the closing date of the application.

Q3. Can a 10th-pass candidate apply for SSC MTS 2026?

Yes. Class 10 pass is the only educational requirement for both MTS and Havaldar posts.

Q4. What is the SSC MTS age limit for General category candidates?

18 to 25 years for MTS posts and 18 to 27 years for Havaldar posts.

Q5. What is the age limit for OBC candidates in SSC MTS?

OBC candidates get 3 years of relaxation, so the upper limit is 28 years for MTS and 30 years for Havaldar.

Q6. What is the age limit for SC/ST candidates in SSC MTS?

SC and ST candidates get 5 years of relaxation, so the upper limit is 30 years for MTS and 32 years for Havaldar.

Q7. How much age relaxation is available for SSC MTS?

3 years for OBC, 5 years for SC/ST, 10 to 15 years for PwBD, and 3 years after deducting service for Ex-Servicemen. Widows and divorced women can apply up to 35 years (40 for SC/ST).

Q8. Is there a difference between MTS and Havaldar age limits?

Yes. The upper limit is 25 years for most MTS posts and 27 years for Havaldar.

Q9. Is physical fitness required for SSC MTS?

Only for Havaldar posts. MTS candidates do not take the PET or PST.

Q10. What are the physical eligibility criteria for SSC Havaldar?

Men need a height of 157.5 cm and a chest of 76 cm (81 cm expanded), and must walk 1,600 metres in 15 minutes. Women need a height of 152 cm and weight of 48 kg, and must walk 1 km in 20 minutes.

Q11. Can female candidates apply for SSC MTS and Havaldar posts?

Yes. Women can apply for both posts and do not pay the application fee.

Q12. Is there a minimum percentage requirement in Class 10 for SSC MTS?

No. Any pass in Class 10 or an equivalent examination is enough.

Q13. Can candidates appearing for their Class 10 examination apply for SSC MTS?

No. The Class 10 result must be declared by the closing date of the online application.

Q14. What documents are required to prove SSC MTS eligibility?

The Class 10 certificate, a photo ID, and category, EWS, PwBD or Ex-Servicemen certificates if you claim those benefits.

Q15. Is Indian citizenship mandatory for SSC MTS recruitment?

No. Subjects of Nepal and Bhutan, certain Tibetan refugees and some migrants of Indian origin can also apply with a certificate of eligibility from the Government of India.