ITBP Head Constable Recruitment 2026: The Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force (ITBPF), Ministry of Home Affairs, has invited online applications for 37 posts of Head Constable (Group C, Non-Gazetted, Non-Ministerial) in two trades – Head Constable (Education & Stress Counsellor) – 16 posts and Head Constable (Motor Mechanic) – 21 posts. Both posts carry Pay Level-4 (₹25,500 – ₹81,100). The online application opens on 28 September 2026 and closes on 27 October 2026 (11:59 PM). This article covers vacancies, age limit, qualification, fee, selection process, physical standards, exam pattern, salary and the complete application procedure for both posts.
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ITBP Head Constable Recruitment 2026 – Overview
| Particulars | Head Constable (Education & Stress Counsellor) | Head Constable (Motor Mechanic) |
|---|---|---|
| Organization | Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force (ITBPF), Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt. of India | |
| Total Vacancies | 16 (14 Male + 2 Female) | 21 (Male only) |
| Eligible Gender | Male & Female | Male |
| Post Type | General Central Service, Group 'C' Non-Gazetted (Non-Ministerial), temporary but likely to be permanent | |
| Age Limit | 20 – 25 years | 18 – 25 years |
| Qualification | Degree with Psychology as a subject, or Degree with B.Ed / B.T or equivalent | 10+2 with Motor Mechanic certificate/ITI (with 3 years experience) or 3-year Diploma in Automobile Engineering |
| Pay Scale | Level-4 in Pay Matrix, ₹25,500 – ₹81,100 (7th CPC) plus allowances | |
| Application Fee | ₹100 (Male UR/OBC/EWS); nil for SC, ST, Females, Ex-Servicemen | ₹100 (Male UR/OBC/EWS); nil for SC and Ex-Servicemen |
| Application Mode | Online only | |
| Apply Start – Last Date | 28 Sep 2026 (00:01 AM) – 27 Oct 2026 (11:59 PM) | |
| Selection Process | PET, PST, Written Exam, Document Verification, DME/RME | PET, PST, Documentation, Written Exam, Practical (Skill) Test, DME/RME |
| Official Website | recruitment.itbpolice.nic.in | |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Signed | 07 September 2026 |
| Online Application Starts | 28 September 2026 (00:01 AM) |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 27 October 2026 (11:59 PM) |
| Age Reckoning Date | 27 October 2026 (closing date) |
| Certificate Validity Date (SC/ST/OBC-NCL/EWS) | Must be in possession on or before 27 October 2026 |
| PET/PST, Exam Dates | To be announced on the website (admit card issued online) |
ITBP Head Constable Vacancy 2026 – Category-wise
1. Head Constable (Education & Stress Counsellor) – 16 Posts
| Gender | UR | SC | ST | OBC | EWS | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 3 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 1 | 14 |
| Female | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Total | 4 | 0 | 2 | 9 | 1 | 16 |
2. Head Constable (Motor Mechanic) – 21 Posts (Including Backlog)
| Post | UR | SC | ST | OBC | EWS | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Head Constable (Motor Mechanic) | 7 | 4 | 0 | 7 | 3 | 21 |
- Vacancies are tentative and may increase or decrease without notice; changes will be published on the ITBPF recruitment website.
- 10% vacancies are reserved for Ex-Servicemen in the respective post/category. Unfilled ESM vacancies are filled by non-ESM candidates of the same category.
- For the Counsellor post, as per MHA guidelines, if women candidates are not available in the horizontal reservation of any vertical category, the posts are filled by male candidates of that category.
- ITBPF may change the sequence of the recruitment process or cancel/postpone the recruitment for administrative reasons.
ITBP Head Constable 2026 – Age Limit & Relaxation
| Post | Age Limit | Date of Birth Range |
|---|---|---|
| Education & Stress Counsellor | 20 to 25 years | Born between 28 Oct 2001 and 27 Oct 2006 |
| Motor Mechanic | 18 to 25 years | Born between 28 Oct 2001 and 27 Oct 2008 |
The age is counted as on the closing date, 27 October 2026. Only the Date of Birth recorded in the Matriculation certificate is accepted, and no request for change will be considered later.
Age Relaxation (Beyond Upper Age Limit)
| Category | Education & Stress Counsellor | Motor Mechanic |
|---|---|---|
| SC / ST | 5 years | 5 years (SC) |
| OBC (NCL) | 3 years | 3 years |
| Ex-Servicemen (UR) | 3 years after deducting military service rendered from actual age | |
| Ex-Servicemen (OBC-NCL) | 6 years (3+3) after deducting military service rendered | |
| Ex-Servicemen (SC/ST) | 8 years (3+5) after deducting military service rendered | |
| Departmental / Government Servants | 5 years (departmental candidates) | Up to 40 years (UR), 43 years (OBC-NCL), 45 years (SC/ST) |
ITBP Head Constable 2026 – Educational Qualification
| Post | Essential Qualification |
|---|---|
| Head Constable (Education & Stress Counsellor) | Degree from a recognised University or equivalent with Psychology as a subject; OR Degree from a recognised University with Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) or Bachelor of Teaching (B.T) or equivalent. |
| Head Constable (Motor Mechanic) | (i) 10+2 pass from a recognised Board or Institution; AND (ii) Certificate in Motor Mechanic from a recognised Institution or Industrial Training Institute (ITI) with three years practical experience in the trade in a reputed workshop; OR a three-year Diploma in Automobile Engineering. |
Nationality: Indian citizens (including subjects of Nepal or Bhutan) are eligible. Candidates belonging to the physically handicapped category are not eligible.
Physical Standards (PST)
| Category / Region | Height (Male) | Height (Female)* | Chest (Male) Unexpanded / Expanded |
|---|---|---|---|
| All other States and UTs | 170 cm | 157 cm | 80 / 85 cm |
| Garhwalis, Kumaonis, Gorkhas, Dogras, Marathas and candidates from Assam, Himachal Pradesh, Kashmir region of J&K and UT of Ladakh (For the Counsellor post, this group also includes Sikkim, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Tripura, Mizoram, Meghalaya) | 165 cm | 155 cm | Counsellor: 80 / 85 cm Motor Mechanic: 78 / 83 cm |
| Scheduled Tribes (incl. Mizos and Nagas) for Counsellor post; North-Eastern States (Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura) for Motor Mechanic post | 162.5 cm | 154 cm | Counsellor: 77 / 82 cm Motor Mechanic: 77 / 82 cm |
*Female standards apply only to the Education & Stress Counsellor post. Chest measurement is for male candidates only. Weight must be proportionate to height and age as per medical standards. Candidates claiming relaxation in height/chest must submit the certificate in the prescribed format (Annexure-V) when asked by the Recruitment Board.
Physical Efficiency Test (PET)
| Event | Male Candidates (both posts) | Female Candidates (Counsellor post) |
|---|---|---|
| Race | 1.6 km in 7 min 30 sec | 800 m in 4 min 45 sec |
| Long Jump | 11 feet (3 chances) | 9 feet (3 chances) |
| High Jump | 3½ feet (3 chances) | 3 feet (3 chances) |
- PET is qualifying in nature (no marks). Candidates must qualify every event; there is no appeal against PET.
- PET is not held for Ex-Servicemen, but they must qualify PST, written exam and medical examination (and the skill test for Motor Mechanic).
- Female candidates must submit a self-declaration of pregnancy status at PET/PST. A candidate found pregnant of 12 weeks or more is declared temporarily unfit; her vacancy is kept reserved and she is re-examined six weeks after confinement, subject to a fitness certificate.
Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| Male candidates – UR, OBC, EWS | ₹100/- |
| SC, Ex-Servicemen (both posts); ST and Female candidates (Counsellor post) | Exempted (Nil) |
- Fee must be paid online only through the payment gateway on the ITBPF recruitment website. Payment by any other mode leads to rejection and forfeiture of the amount.
- Fee once paid is not refundable under any circumstances.
Selection Process
A. Head Constable (Education & Stress Counsellor)
- Phase I: Physical Efficiency Test (PET) and Physical Standard Test (PST)
- Phase II: Written Examination (100 marks) and Merit List
- Phase III: Verification of Original Documents (before DME), Detailed Medical Examination (DME) and Review Medical Examination (RME)
B. Head Constable (Motor Mechanic)
- Phase I: Physical Efficiency Test (PET) and Physical Standard Test (PST)
- Phase II: Verification of Original Documents and Written Examination (100 marks)
- Phase III: Practical (Skill) Test (50 marks, qualifying) and Merit List
- Phase IV: Detailed Medical Examination (DME) and Review Medical Examination (RME)
Candidates who fail to qualify at any stage are eliminated from the process at that stage. There is no reserve list for either post.
Written Exam Pattern & Syllabus
The written exam is objective type (MCQ), carries 100 marks and has a duration of 2 hours. The mode (OMR or CBT) is decided by ITBPF. There is no negative marking for the Counsellor exam, and the answer key is uploaded on the website after the exam.
Education & Stress Counsellor – Exam Pattern
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General English | 10 | 10 |
| General Hindi | 10 | 10 |
| General Awareness (Bilingual) | 10 | 10 |
| Quantitative Aptitude & Simple Reasoning (Bilingual) | 10 | 10 |
| Psychology (Bilingual) | 60 | 60 |
| Total | 100 | 100 |
Psychology Syllabus (60 Marks)
| Topic | Marks |
|---|---|
| General Psychology, Intelligence and Creativity, Problem Solving | 10 |
| Personality, Attitude, Stereotypes, Prejudice and Discrimination, Group Dynamics | 10 |
| Psychopathology | 15 |
| Counseling Psychology | 15 |
| Managing Human Resources | 10 |
Motor Mechanic – Exam Pattern (12th Standard Level)
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General Knowledge (Bilingual) | 10 | 10 |
| Mathematics (Bilingual) | 10 | 10 |
| Hindi or English (attempt 20 in either language) | 20 | 20 |
| Trade Related Theory (Bilingual) | 60 | 60 |
| Total (2 Hours) | 100 | 100 |
Minimum Qualifying Marks (Written Exam)
| Category | Minimum Percentage |
|---|---|
| UR / General, EWS, Ex-Servicemen | 35% |
| SC / ST / OBC (NCL) | 33% |
There is no provision for re-evaluation or re-checking of scores. In case of a tie, the older candidate ranks higher; if the tie persists, the candidate whose name comes first alphabetically (English) is placed higher.
Practical (Skill) Test – Motor Mechanic Only
Candidates who qualify the written exam, up to ten times the category-wise vacancies in order of written marks, are called for the Practical (Skill) Test. It carries 50 marks, is qualifying in nature, and the qualifying marks for all categories are 50%. The final merit list is prepared on the basis of marks in the written examination.
| Part | Marks |
|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection | 10 |
| Identification of Faults | 10 |
| Rectification of Defects | 25 |
| Handling of Tools | 5 |
| Total | 50 |
Medical Standards & Tattoo Rules
- Eyesight: Distant vision 6/6 (better eye) and 6/9 (worse eye) without glasses/lenses; near vision N6 and N9. Visual correction of any kind is not permitted. Binocular vision is required.
- Colour vision: CP-III by Ishihara. A colour-blind person is not eligible.
- No knock-knees, flat foot, varicose veins or squint. Candidates must be in good mental and bodily health.
- Weight must be proportionate to height and age. Underweight/overweight candidates are not debarred at PST; the final decision is taken at DME.
- Tattoos: Religious symbols/figures and names (as followed in the Indian Army) are allowed; only on the inner aspect of the left forearm or dorsum (back) of the hands; size must be less than ¼ of the particular part (elbow or hand). Substantially faded tattoo-removal scars are treated as scars, with approval of the Presiding Officer.
- Candidates declared UNFIT in DME can apply for Review Medical Examination (RME) by submitting signed consent (Annexure-VII) within 24 hours. There is no "temporary unfit" provision, and the RME decision is final.
Salary & Benefits
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Pay Level | Level-4, ₹25,500 – ₹81,100 (7th CPC) for both posts |
| Allowances | Dearness Allowance, Ration Money Allowance, Special Compensatory Allowance (in specified border areas), free accommodation or HRA, Transport Allowance, Leave Travel Concession, free medical facilities and other admissible allowances |
| Pension | Choice between the New Pension Scheme (NPS) (effective 01.01.2004) and the United Pension Scheme (UPS) (effective 01.04.2024) |
How to Apply for ITBP Head Constable Recruitment 2026
- Visit the official ITBPF recruitment website https://recruitment.itbpolice.nic.in and create your profile.
- Fill in Gender, Category (UR/SC/ST/OBC-NCL/EWS), employment status and other details carefully in the profile. False or incorrect information leads to cancellation, and changes are not allowed later.
- Read the instructions and select the post (Head Constable – Education & Stress Counsellor or Motor Mechanic).
- Provide a genuine, working e-mail ID and mobile number, as the admit card and updates are available online.
- Upload the required photo and details, and pay the ₹100 fee online (if applicable).
- Submit the form between 28 September 2026 and 27 October 2026 (11:59 PM) and take a clear printout of the application form. Offline applications are rejected.
Tip: Apply well before the last date. ITBPF is not responsible for power failure or internet problems faced while applying.
Documents Required (Original + Self-Attested Copies)
- Printout of the online application form and admit card (entry to PET/PST is not allowed without them)
- Educational certificates (with Diploma/ITI and experience certificates for Motor Mechanic)
- Matriculation / 10th certificate for date of birth
- SC/ST certificate (Annexure-I), OBC certificate (Annexure-II) with Non-Creamy Layer declaration (Annexure-II-A) based on income of FY 2025-26, 2024-25 and 2023-24, and EWS Income & Asset certificate valid for 2025-26 (Annexure-III), issued by an authority not below Tehsildar/SDM in the prescribed format only
- Certificate for relaxation in height/chest, if applicable (Annexure-V)
- Domicile certificate, PAN, Aadhaar, Driving Licence or Voter Card for citizenship verification
- Discharge certificate for Ex-Servicemen
- "No Objection Certificate" (in original) from the employer for candidates already in Central/State Government, PSU or similar service
- Four recent passport-size photographs (same as uploaded in the application form)
- West Pakistani Refugee certificate for J&K candidates, if applicable
Important Instructions for Candidates
- Candidates whose category claim certificate is not produced when sought will be considered under the Unreserved (UR) category. Change of category is not allowed later.
- Biometric verification is done before PET/PST and can be repeated at any stage. Mehndi, wax or similar on fingers that stops fingerprint capture will lead to non-appearance, and biometric failure leads to cancellation of candidature.
- Mobile phones, calculators, digital watches and electronic gadgets are not allowed in the exam hall. Possession is treated as unfair means.
- Selected candidates must serve a minimum of 10 years; on resigning earlier they must refund three months' pay and allowances or the training cost, whichever is higher.
- Selected candidates are liable to serve anywhere in India or abroad and will undergo Basic Training.
- Every stage of the recruitment is covered by CCTV/videography.
- No TA/DA is admissible. Candidates should be prepared for a stay of more than one day at the recruitment centre at their own arrangement.
- Beware of touts. Recruitment is purely merit-based and no money is to be paid other than the application fee.
- All disputes are subject to the jurisdiction of the courts in Delhi only.
Helpline & Important Links
For any query or complaint, write to comdtrect@itbp.gov.in or call the helpline 011-24369482 / 011-24369483.
| Link | URL |
|---|---|
| Apply Online | Click Here |
| Notification PDF – Education & Stress Counsellor | Click Here |
| Notification PDF – Motor Mechanic | Click Here |
| Official Website | recruitment.itbpolice.nic.in |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1. How many vacancies are there in ITBP Head Constable Recruitment 2026?
There are 37 vacancies: 16 for Head Constable (Education & Stress Counsellor) and 21 for Head Constable (Motor Mechanic).
Q2. What is the last date to apply?
The online application closes on 27 October 2026 at 11:59 PM. It opens on 28 September 2026 at 00:01 AM.
Q3. Can female candidates apply?
Yes, but only for the Head Constable (Education & Stress Counsellor) post, which has 2 vacancies for women. The Motor Mechanic post is open to male candidates only.
Q4. What is the salary of ITBP Head Constable?
The pay is Level-4 in the Pay Matrix, ₹25,500 – ₹81,100 (7th CPC), plus DA, ration money, HRA/free accommodation, transport allowance, LTC, medical facilities and other allowances.
Q5. What is the age limit for both posts?
Education & Stress Counsellor: 20 to 25 years. Motor Mechanic: 18 to 25 years. Age is counted as on 27 October 2026, with relaxation as per rules.
Q6. What qualification is needed for the Counsellor post?
A degree with Psychology as a subject, or a degree with B.Ed / B.T or equivalent, from a recognised University.
Q7. What is the application fee?
₹100 for male UR, OBC and EWS candidates, paid online. SC, Ex-Servicemen (both posts) and ST and female candidates (Counsellor post) are exempted.
Q8. Is there negative marking in the written exam?
The Counsellor exam notification clearly states there is no negative marking. The Motor Mechanic notification does not mention negative marking, so candidates should follow the instructions on the admit card.
Q9. Is there a skill test for the Motor Mechanic post?
Yes. A 50-mark qualifying Practical (Skill) Test covers vehicle inspection, fault identification, rectification of defects and handling of tools, with 50% required to qualify.
Q10. Can candidates with glasses apply?
No. The vision standard is 6/6 and 6/9 without correction, and visual correction of any kind, including glasses, is not permitted.
Conclusion
The ITBP Head Constable Recruitment 2026 offers a stable Group C career with Level-4 pay and border-area allowances. Eligible candidates in Psychology/B.Ed and Motor Mechanic/Automobile trades should keep their category, education and experience certificates ready and apply on recruitment.itbpolice.nic.in before 27 October 2026. Start PET preparation early, since it is qualifying in every event. Bookmark this page for updates on admit cards, exam dates and results.
Disclaimer: This article is prepared for information purposes from the official notifications. Information on the website and in the advertisement is only guidelines; in case of ambiguity, ITBPF/Government of India rules will prevail. Please read the official notification before applying.
