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SSC GD slot booking is the step where registered candidates log in to the SSC portal and tell the Commission when they prefer to take the Computer-Based Test (CBT). In the last cycle, SSC replaced full slot selection with a week preference system: you rank the exam weeks, and SSC allots the exact date, shift and city. For SSC GD 2027, the booking window is expected to open about 8–10 days before the CBT, which is tentatively scheduled for January–March 2027.
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SSC GD Slot Booking 2027: Key Dates at a Glance
| Event | SSC GD 2027 (expected) | SSC GD 2026 (last cycle) |
| Notification | October–November 2026 | 1 December 2025 |
| Slot / week preference window | To be announced, about 8–10 days before CBT | 11–15 April 2026 (till 5 PM) |
| City intimation slip | About 7–10 days before CBT | 19 April 2026 |
| Admit card | 2–4 days before CBT | 25 April 2026 |
| CBT exam | January–March 2027 (tentative) | 27 April – 30 May 2026 |
| Official website | ssc.gov.in | ssc.gov.in |
Why SSC GD Slot Booking Matters
1: In a certain code language, ‘ROK’ is written as ‘44’ and ‘MIG’ is written as ‘29’. What will be the code for ‘TAL’ in that code language?
Lakhs of candidates apply for SSC GD Constable every year, and the CBT runs across several weeks in multiple shifts. Slot booking is your only chance to influence when you sit the exam. Miss it, and SSC picks a week for you.
The process has also changed. Many candidates still expect to choose their city, date and shift, but the 2026 exam used week preference instead. This guide explains how SSC GD slot booking works now, the exact steps, what happens after you submit, and the mistakes that cost candidates their preferred week.
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What Is SSC GD Slot Booking (and Why It’s Now Week Preference)?
SSC GD slot booking, also called self slot selection, is an online facility on the SSC candidate portal. It lets candidates who have applied for SSC GD Constable state their preferred exam schedule before city slips and admit cards are issued.
For SSC GD 2026, the Commission simplified this into a week preference system. The CBT was split into four exam weeks between 27 April and 30 May 2026. Candidates ranked these weeks in order of preference, and SSC then allotted the exact date, shift and city.
Self Slot Selection vs Week Preference
| Feature | Self slot selection (older model) | Week preference (SSC GD 2026) |
| What you choose | Exam city, date and shift | Order of preference for exam weeks |
| Exact date | Chosen by candidate | Allotted by SSC |
| Exam city | Chosen by candidate | Allotted by SSC |
| Shift | Chosen by candidate | Allotted by SSC |
| Guarantee | Seat-based, subject to availability | Preferred week not guaranteed |
SSC has not yet confirmed which model SSC GD 2027 will use.
What You Can and Cannot Choose in SSC GD Slot Booking
Under the week preference system, your control is limited to the exam week. Everything else is decided by SSC.
| You can choose | You cannot choose |
| Your preferred exam week | Exact exam date |
| The order of preference for all weeks | Exam city or centre |
| When to submit, within the window | Shift timing |
Your exam city is usually allotted based on the preferences you gave in the application form. That makes the city choices in your SSC GD application just as important as the slot booking step.
How to Do SSC GD Slot Booking: Step-by-Step
The process takes about five minutes once the link is live. These steps follow the 2026 process; the 2027 link is expected to sit in the same place.
- Go to the official SSC website, ssc.gov.in.
- Click Login and sign in to the candidate portal with your Registration Number and password.
- Open the My Applications section on your dashboard.
- Click Examination Week Preference (or Slot Selection) next to SSC GD Constable.
- Read the on-screen instructions fully before selecting anything.
- Choose or rank your preferred exam week(s).
- Click Validate & Submit.
- Enter the OTP sent to your registered mobile number or email to confirm.
- Download or screenshot the confirmation page for your records.
What You Need Before You Start
- SSC Registration Number (One-Time Registration ID)
- Portal password (reset it in advance if you’ve forgotten it)
- Access to your registered mobile number and email for the OTP
- A stable internet connection, ideally not on the last day
- A rough idea of your exam readiness and travel plans for each week
Confirming and Saving Your Booking
Your preference is only recorded after OTP verification. If you close the page before entering the OTP, log in again and check whether the submission shows as complete. Keep the confirmation screenshot until you receive your city intimation slip.
What Happens If You Miss the SSC GD Slot Booking Deadline?
You can still take the exam. In 2026, candidates who did not submit a preference by 5 PM on the last day were allotted any exam week at the Commission’s discretion.
The risk is that the allotted week may clash with other exams, travel plans or your preparation timeline. SSC does not reopen the window for individual candidates, so treat the deadline as final.
After Slot Booking: City Intimation Slip and Admit Card
Once the booking window closes, SSC allots each candidate an exact date, shift and city. This is shared in two stages.
| Document | When it’s released | What it tells you | Do you need to carry it? |
| City intimation slip | About 7–10 days before the exam | Exam city, date and shift | No, it’s for travel planning |
| Admit card | 2–4 days before the exam | Exact centre address, reporting time, photo and roll number | Yes, a printed copy is mandatory |
Both are downloaded from the SSC candidate portal at ssc.gov.in using your login details. Book travel as soon as the city slip is out, especially if your centre is outside your home district.
SSC GD Exam Shift Timings
The SSC GD CBT is a 60-minute exam held in four shifts a day. These were the shift timings for 2026; check your admit card for the final timings.
| Shift | Reporting time | Exam starts | Exam ends |
| Shift 1 | 7:45 AM | 9:00 AM | 10:00 AM |
| Shift 2 | 10:45 AM | 12:00 PM | 1:00 PM |
| Shift 3 | 1:15 PM | 2:30 PM | 3:30 PM |
| Shift 4 | 3:45 PM | 5:00 PM | 6:00 PM |
Reach the centre before the reporting time. Gates close well before the exam starts, and late entry is not allowed.
How to Choose the Right Exam Week
Your preference should reflect where you are in your preparation, not just convenience.
- Preparation level: If you still have weak areas in Maths or Reasoning, pick a later week to buy extra revision time.
- Mock test scores: If you are consistently scoring well in full-length mocks, an early week lets you sit the exam while you’re at your peak.
- Other exams: Avoid weeks that overlap with state police, Agniveer or other SSC exams you have applied for.
- Travel and festivals: Factor in holidays, festivals and long journeys if your allotted city may be far from home.
- Regional language papers: Candidates taking the exam in a regional language may find fewer slots in some weeks, so submit early.
Common SSC GD Slot Booking Mistakes to Avoid
- Waiting until the last day, when the portal is slow and OTPs are delayed
- Forgetting the portal password and getting locked out during the window
- Skipping the instructions and submitting the wrong order of preference
- Closing the page before OTP verification, so the preference is never saved
- Not saving the confirmation screenshot
- Assuming slot booking lets you pick your exam city or exact date
Conclusion
SSC GD slot booking is a short step, but it decides when you face the CBT. Keep your login details ready, watch ssc.gov.in for the 2027 notice, and submit your week preference early with OTP confirmation. Then use the time until your exam week for focused revision.
Preparing for SSC GD Constable 2027? Practise with full-length mock tests and structured classes on the Entri app to walk into your exam week confident.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will SSC GD slot booking 2027 start?
SSC has not announced the date yet. Based on the last cycle, the window is expected to open about 8–10 days before the CBT, which is tentatively scheduled for January–March 2027.
Can I choose my exam city, date or shift in SSC GD slot booking?
Not under the week preference system used in 2026. You could only rank exam weeks. SSC allotted the exact date, shift and city.
Is SSC GD slot booking mandatory?
It is strongly recommended. If you skip it, SSC allots any exam week at its discretion, and you lose any say in your schedule.
Can I change my slot or week after submitting?
No. Once submitted and verified with OTP, the preference is final. Requests to change the exam city, date or week are not accepted.
Is SSC GD slot booking first come, first served?
SSC has not officially confirmed a first-come basis for week preference. However, submitting early avoids portal issues and gives you the best chance of getting your preferred week.
Where is the SSC GD slot booking link?
The link appears inside your SSC candidate login at ssc.gov.in, under My Applications. It is not a public link, so only registered SSC GD applicants can access it.
Does my preferred week guarantee that schedule?
No. SSC tries to honour preferences, but the final week depends on seat availability and administrative needs.
