Assam Rifles Government Jobs

Raised in 1835 as the Cachar Levy to protect Assam's tea gardens, Assam Rifles is the oldest paramilitary force in India and took its present name in 1917. Nicknamed the 'Sentinels of the North East' and 'Friends of the Hill People,' it is one of India's Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) — administered by the Ministry of Home Affairs while the Indian Army retains operational control, a dual-control structure unique among the CAPFs. Headquartered in Shillong under a Director General of Lieutenant General rank, Assam Rifles runs about 46 battalions responsible for border guarding, counter-insurgency, and internal security across North East India.

Assam Rifles recruits through three main channels. Rifleman (General Duty) posts are largely filled via the SSC GD Constable exam, which is common to Assam Rifles, BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, SSB and NIA/SSF. Technical & Tradesman posts — clerks, radio mechanics, linemen, vehicle mechanics, draughtsmen, cipher operators and similar trades — are filled through dedicated Recruitment Rallies announced directly on assamrifles.gov.in; the Technical & Tradesman Recruitment Rally 2026 opened applications for 354 vacancies from 28 September to 28 October 2026, with the rally tentatively from 23 November 2026. A separate annual Sports Quota Recruitment Rally inducts meritorious sportspersons directly as Rifleman/Riflewoman (GD). Officer intake differs from other CAPFs — roughly 80% of Assam Rifles officers are deputed from the Indian Army, with the remainder drawn from the Assam Rifles' own cadre, rather than through the UPSC CAPF (AC) exam.

SSC GD Constable Exam — for Rifleman (GD) in Assam Rifles alongside other CAPFs. Assam Rifles Technical & Tradesman Recruitment Rally — direct rally-based recruitment for Group B/C technical and trade posts (Warrant Officer, Havildar, Rifleman ranks). Assam Rifles Sports Quota Recruitment Rally — for meritorious sportspersons in disciplines such as football, boxing, athletics, archery, rowing, cross-country and polo. Assam Rifles Medical Officer walk-in recruitment — for MBBS-qualified doctors for AR hospitals and battalions. UPSC CAPF (AC) Exam recruits officers for other CAPFs but not typically for Assam Rifles.

Age is generally 18–23 years for Rifleman (GD) and most Technical & Tradesman trades, with the usual government relaxations (5 years for SC/ST, 3 years for OBC/MOBC). Educational qualification depends on the post: Matriculation/10th pass for Rifleman (GD); 10th pass with ITI/Diploma for technical trades like Electrical Fitter, Vehicle Mechanic and Radio Mechanic; 12th pass with typing skills for Clerk; and a relevant degree for specialist posts such as Religious Teacher. Candidates must be Indian citizens meeting CAPF physical standards for height, chest and weight, with relaxations for candidates from hill areas, North-Eastern states, and notified Left Wing Extremism-affected districts. Some rallies, including the current Technical & Tradesman Rally 2026, are open to male candidates only — check each notification for post-specific and gender-specific criteria.

Selection typically runs through a Physical Standard Test (PST — height, chest, weight) and Physical Efficiency Test (PET — timed race), followed by a Computer-Based Test (CBT) or written examination, a Trade/Skill Test for technical posts, Document Verification, and a Detailed Medical Examination, with a final merit list drawn from CBT/written marks among candidates who clear every stage. The SSC GD route follows a similar CBT → PET/PST → Medical → Document Verification sequence. PST/PET events for the 2026 Technical & Tradesman Rally are being conducted at RFID-enabled centres in Jorhat and Diphu, Assam.

Rifleman (GD) and most Technical & Tradesman posts start on Level-3 of the 7th CPC pay matrix (₹21,700–₹69,100 basic), along with Dearness Allowance, Ration Money Allowance, and Special/Hardship Duty Allowances for border and North-East postings, plus free accommodation in unit lines and CAPF medical cover. Warrant Officer, Havildar and Naib Subedar trade entrants draw correspondingly higher pay levels. Personnel are covered under the National Pension System and can be promoted through the Naik, Havildar, Naib Subedar and Subedar ranks over a career. Pay currently follows the civil CAPF matrix rather than Army pay — in December 2025 the Delhi High Court declined to grant Assam Rifles personnel Army-equivalent pay parity through litigation and directed the government to decide the matter.