Getting selected as a Gujarat Police Constable is more than just landing a job—it’s a stable career with respect and growth. The Gujarat Police Recruitment 2025-26 has opened 12,733 vacancies for Constable posts, making this the largest recruitment drive in recent years. But here’s the harsh reality: with intense competition from 3-5 lakh applicants, only 1% actually get selected.
Here’s what nobody tells you: getting 120 marks in the Gujarat Police Constable exam doesn’t guarantee success. Why? Because success depends on what category you belong to, which cadre you’re applying for, and how many candidates score above you.
With 13,591 vacancies announced in the 2025-26 recruitment and 12,733 specifically for Constable posts, this is statistically your best shot. But the competition is fierce—and understanding the real cutoff marks, your realistic target score, and which cadre suits you best will determine if you make it or not.
This isn’t just about passing. This is about understanding the game and playing it smarter than thousands of other candidates.
The Timeline That Just Happened: Did You Miss It?
Critical Update: The online application window for Gujarat Police Recruitment 2025-26 closed on December 23, 2025. If you missed it, applications are now closed until the next recruitment cycle (likely 2026-27).
If you applied, here’s what comes next:
| Event | Status |
|---|---|
| Application Window | December 3-23, 2025 (CLOSED) |
| Exam Date | TBA (To Be Announced) |
| Selection Process | Physical Test → Written Exam → Medical → Document Verification |
| Official Portal | ojas.gujaat.gov.in |
If you’re preparing for the next cycle, use this guide to get a headstart. The syllabus and pattern remain consistent year-to-year.
The Real Cutoff Data: What Score Actually Gets You Selected?
This is the section that changes the game. Here’s the actual cutoff from the previous recruitment—the minimum marks you needed to clear:
Unarmed Police Constable (UPC) – Previous Year Cutoffs
| Category | Male | Female | Ex-Serviceman |
|---|---|---|---|
| General | 132.25 | 113.50 | 105.80 |
| EWS | 125.50 | 98.25 | 100.40 |
| SC | 121.28 | 102.25 | — |
| SEBC | 127.25 | 105.25 | 101.80 |
| ST | 101.25 | 80.00 | — |
Armed Police Constable (APC) – Previous Year Cutoffs
| Category | Male | Female | Ex-Serviceman |
|---|---|---|---|
| General | 124.50 | 100.75 | 99.60 |
| EWS | 121.50 | 83.00 | — |
| SC | 117.50 | 96.25 | — |
| SEBC | 123.00 | 97.75 | 98.40 |
| ST | 90.25 | — | — |
What This Means for You:
For a General Category Male candidate: You typically need 120-132 marks out of 200 to qualify. That’s 60-66%.
For ST candidates: You might qualify with as low as 80-90 marks (40-45%), depending on the cadre.
For Female candidates: Generally, the cutoff is 15-20 marks lower than males in the same category.
For Ex-Servicemen: The cutoff is slightly lower, recognizing their prior military training.
Reality Check: These aren’t hard numbers for 2025-26. Cutoffs fluctuate based on:
- Exam difficulty level
- Total number of test-takers
- Category-wise applications
- Vacancies in each cadre
But they give you a realistic target. If you’re General category, aiming for 130+ marks is safer than aiming for 110.
Understanding the Three Police Cadres (Not All Jobs Are the Same)
Here’s what confuses most candidates: the Constable post has three different types, each with slightly different physical and mental demands, salary, and work environment.
1. Unarmed Police Constable (UPC) – Lokrakshak Cadre
Role: General policing, community safety, traffic control, law enforcement in towns and cities.
Physical Demands: Moderate. You’ll be on patrol, but mostly in urban/semi-urban areas.
Cutoff Data: Generally the highest cutoffs (UPC had cutoffs of 130+ for General males).
Selection Pool: Largest (most vacancies here).
Why Choose UPC: If you want standard policing work with regular posting, this is it.
2. Armed Police Constable (APC) – SRPF/APF Cadre
Role: Anti-riot operations, disaster management, high-risk situations, maintaining public order during sensitive events.
Physical Demands: Higher than UPC. More intensive training, more rigorous physical work.
Cutoff Data: Slightly lower than UPC (APC cutoffs around 120-124 for General males).
Selection Pool: Moderate vacancies.
Why Choose APC: If you’re physically stronger and want more actionable, challenging work. Better training opportunities.
3. Jail Sepoy/Jail Matron
Role: Prison security, inmate management, maintaining jail discipline.
Physical Demands: High—managing potentially dangerous individuals in confined spaces.
Cutoff Data: Similar to APC (around 115-121 marks).
Selection Pool: Smaller number of vacancies.
Why Choose Jail Sepoy: If you prefer structured environment, single posting location (not transferred frequently).
Pro Tip: You can apply for multiple cadres in a single application. But your priority matters. If you set Jail Sepoy as your priority and UPC as backup, you’ll only be placed in Jail Sepoy if you qualify for it—even if UPC cutoff would’ve been easier.
The Written Exam Pattern (200 MCQs, 3 Hours, Negative Marking)
Here’s what you’re actually facing on exam day:
Paper 1: Objective Test (MCQs)
- Total Questions: 200
- Total Marks: 200
- Duration: 3 hours
- Negative Marking: 0.25 marks per wrong answer
- Pass Requirement: Generally 40% in both Part A and Part B separately (though exact passing marks vary)
Paper 2: Descriptive Test (Only If You Qualify Paper 1)
- Total Questions: 8 descriptive questions
- Total Marks: 100
- Duration: 3 hours
- Language: Gujarati and English
- Eligibility: Only candidates scoring 40%+ in Part A AND 40%+ in Part B of Paper 1 get their Paper 2 evaluated
Part A Breakdown (80 Marks)
| Subject | Marks |
|---|---|
| Reasoning & Data Interpretation | 30 |
| Quantitative Aptitude (Math) | 30 |
| Gujarati Language Comprehension | 20 |
| Total | 80 |
Part B Breakdown (120 Marks)
| Subject | Marks |
|---|---|
| Constitution of India | 30 |
| Current Affairs + Science + GK | 40 |
| History + Geography + Cultural Heritage of Gujarat/India | 50 |
| Total | 120 |
The 0.25 Negative Marking Impact: Why Guessing Kills Your Score
This is critical to understand:
- Each wrong answer costs you 0.25 marks
- Each blank costs you 0 marks
- Each correct answer earns you 1 mark
Example Scenario:
- You attempt 180 questions
- You get 160 correct and 20 wrong
- Score = (160 × 1) – (20 × 0.25) = 160 – 5 = 155 marks
If instead you attempted 200 questions with 140 correct and 60 wrong:
- Score = (140 × 1) – (60 × 0.25) = 140 – 15 = 125 marks (20 marks worse!)
Strategy: For every 4 questions you’re unsure about, leaving one blank is worth more than guessing and getting 1 right and 3 wrong. Do the math before you guess.
The Physical Tests: Fitness Standards That Actually Matter
Before you even write the exam, you have to clear the physical tests. And they’re non-negotiable.
Physical Standard Test (PST) – The Height & Chest Check
This is a simple yes/no gate. If you don’t meet the minimum, you’re out—no paper-based exam.
Male Candidates:
- General & EWS & SEBC & OBC: Minimum 165 cm height
- SC & ST (Gujarat origin): Minimum 162 cm height
- Chest Measurement: 79 cm (unstretched), 84 cm (stretched)
Female Candidates:
Reality: If you’re 164.5 cm as a General male, you won’t even get to write the exam. No exceptions, no mercy.
Physical Efficiency Test (PET) – The Running Test
This is where your fitness counts. Unlike PST (pass/fail), PET is scored, and the score contributes to your final merit list ranking.
Running Standards:
| Category | Distance | Time Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Male (General) | 5,000 meters | 25 minutes |
| Female (General) | 1,600 meters | 9 minutes 30 seconds |
| Ex-Servicemen | 2,400 meters | 12 minutes |
What 5,000 meters in 25 minutes means: That’s an average pace of 5 minutes per kilometer. Most untrained people run at 7-8 minutes per km. You need to be training now.
Advanced Preparation Strategy: 90-Day Power Plan
Forget generic 3-month plans. Here’s a realistic breakdown for someone starting from moderate fitness:
Phase 1 (Days 1-30): Foundation & Baseline
Physical Training (Daily):
- 20-30 minutes running (start at slow pace, 2-3 km)
- Strength training 3x/week (bodyweight: push-ups, squats, pull-ups)
- Stretching & flexibility work
Mental Exam Prep (Daily):
- Part A: Complete 1 reasoning chapter + 1 math chapter (2-3 hours)
- Part B: Read 1 history topic + 1 geography topic + current affairs (1-2 hours)
- Gujarati: Read newspaper 20 minutes daily
Why This Phase: You’re building endurance, not speed. Understanding syllabus depth, not memorizing.
Phase 2 (Days 31-60): Acceleration & Depth
Physical Training (Daily):
- 30-40 minutes running (increase distance to 4-5 km)
- Interval training 2x/week (Sprint 1 min, jog 1 min, repeat 10 times)
- Strength maintained
Mental Exam Prep (Daily):
- Part A: Solve 50 practice questions from each subject daily
- Part B: Complete full revision of Constitution, Current Affairs updates
- Weekly mock test (1 section at a time)
- Gujarati: Write essays weekly (350 words, 30 minutes)
Why This Phase: Your running pace drops from 7 min/km to 5.5 min/km. Practice starts. Pattern recognition begins.
Phase 3 (Days 61-90): Peak & Polish
Physical Training (Daily):
- 40-50 minutes running (5-6 km easy, 1-2x per week at PET pace: 5 km in 25 min)
- Simulation: Run on the actual PET terrain if possible (parks, tracks)
- Recovery focus: Stretching, sleep, nutrition
Mental Exam Prep (Daily):
- Full-length mock exams (Paper 1 + Paper 2 together)
- Review weak sections
- Speed optimization: Can you solve 200 questions in 3 hours?
- Final revision: Memorize formulas, important dates, constitutional articles
Why This Phase: You’re race-ready. Mock scores should predict actual performance. Injuries should be healing, not appearing.
Category-Wise Realistic Targets: Know Your Number
Don’t chase a mark that requires you to be top 1% in your category. Be strategic.
If You’re General Category
Realistic Target Score: 125-135 marks (out of 200)
Why? Last year, General males needed 120-132 marks to qualify. Your buffer is key. Don’t aim for exactly 120. Aim for 130+.
Strategy: Focus heavily on Part B (History/Geography = 50 marks). This is where you can gain 40+ marks if you specialize.
If You’re SC/SEBC
Realistic Target Score: 110-120 marks
SC candidates needed 94-117 marks last year. You have more flexibility. But don’t get complacent—still prepare seriously.
Strategy: Master Constitution (30 marks, high weightage). Current Affairs (40 marks, medium difficulty). You have room to miss 10-15 questions and still qualify.
If You’re ST
Realistic Target Score: 95-105 marks
ST candidates needed 80-101 marks last year. The cutoff is lower, but competition is also lower in this category. You have the most flexibility.
Strategy: Focus on easy wins—Gujarati (20 marks), Basic Math (easy arithmetic), Basic Reasoning (simple puzzles).
If You’re Female
Realistic Target Score: 105-115 marks (all categories)
Female cutoffs are typically 15-20 marks lower than males. Strategic advantage. If you score 110 as a female General candidate, you’re basically equivalent to a male scoring 125-130.
Strategy: Your female quota is an advantage. Use it wisely.
Common Exam Day Mistakes (Learned from Previous Year Data)
Mistake #1: Running Out of Time on Paper 1
The Problem: Candidates spend 45 minutes on Part A (80 questions) and then only have 2 hours 15 minutes for Part B (120 questions). They rush and make careless errors.
Solution: Allocate time smartly:
- Part A: 40 minutes (0.5 min per question)
- Part B: 2 hours 20 minutes (1.1 min per question—gives you time to think)
Mistake #2: Attempting All 200 Questions
The Problem: With 0.25 negative marking, guessing is expensive. Candidates attempt 200 questions, get 60 wrong, and lose 15 marks unnecessarily.
Solution: Target 160-180 attempted questions with >85% accuracy. Leave 20-40 blank. Better to score 140 accurately than 160 with 60 wrong answers.
Mistake #3: Ignoring Constitution Till the End
The Problem: Constitution is 30 marks (15% of total) but candidates treat it as secondary.
Solution: Constitution is high-weightage, moderate difficulty. Master it by Week 4 of preparation. It’s 30 free marks if you focus.
Mistake #4: Weak Running Technique
The Problem: Candidates can run 5 km, but not in 25 minutes. Poor technique wastes 10-15% of energy.
Solution: Focus on:
- Stride length: Longer strides = fewer steps = faster time
- Breathing: Rhythmic breathing (3 steps inhale, 2 steps exhale)
- Posture: Lean slightly forward, eyes forward (not down)
- Practice at race pace: 1-2x per week, run 5 km at exactly 5 min/km pace
Mistake #5: Neglecting Gujarati
The Problem: Gujarati is 20 marks but candidates from Hindi/English medium backgrounds ignore it.
Solution: Gujarati newspaper reading is non-negotiable. 20 minutes daily. That’s 100+ hours of Gujarati exposure in 3 months. It works.
Mental Preparation: The Underrated Factor
Your brain will sabotage you on exam day if you haven’t trained it mentally.
Pre-Exam Night
- Do: Light revision, early sleep (7+ hours), breakfast-heavy meal, hydration
- Don’t: Late-night cramming, heavy workouts, anxiety-inducing news
PET Test Day (The Morning)
Your heart rate will spike. Breathing will quicken. Here’s how to stay calm:
- 5 minutes before run: Box breathing (4 sec inhale, 4 sec hold, 4 sec exhale, 4 sec hold)
- During run: Focus on your breathing rhythm, not the finish line
- Pace yourself: First 1 km easy, next 3 km hard, last 1 km whatever’s left
Written Exam Day (Post-PET)
You’ll be exhausted. Here’s your mindset:
- First 15 minutes: Read all 200 questions quickly. Mark easy, medium, hard questions
- Next 2 hours 30 minutes: Solve in order: easy → medium → hard → blank
- Last 15 minutes: Review your marked answers. Don’t second-guess correct answers.
Final Reality Check: The Numbers
Out of 13,591 vacancies announced for 2025-26:
- 12,733 are Constable posts
- Approximately 3-5 lakh candidates apply (estimated based on past cycles)
- Roughly 40,000-50,000 qualify the written exam (pass rate ~10-15%)
- Roughly 20,000 qualify medical exam (pass rate ~50%)
- Final 12,733 are selected (success rate ~0.8-1% from total applicants)
This means: You need to be in the top 1% bracket to get selected. That’s not luck. That’s preparation.
Action Items (Do This Today, Not Tomorrow)
- Check your eligibility: Height, age, education on ojas.gujarat.gov.in (Application window closed, but you can verify for next cycle)
- Assess your fitness: Run 5 km, time yourself. How far are you from the PET standard?
- Get your previous years’ papers: Solve 1 full mock test. See your baseline score.
- Know your target: Based on your category and cadre choice, what score do you REALLY need?
- Start daily routine NOW: Running daily + 4 hours study daily. Not starting “next week.”
source: https://ojas.gujarat.gov.in/ https://police.gujarat.gov.in/
