Candidates must meet the following criteria based on their service background. The standard of the written exam will be at the Graduation level.
- Ex-Servicemen: Must be a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) of Subedar rank or higher, or hold an equivalent rank in other Paramilitary forces, with a minimum of 10 years of experience in security.
- Short Service Commissioned (SSC) Officers: Must have at least 5 years of experience. This also applies to incumbents holding the position of Assistant Commandant in forces like CRPF, BSF, ITBP, etc., in the pre-revised pay scale of Rs. 8,000-13,500.
- Paramilitary Inspectors: Inspectors from Paramilitary Forces require a minimum of 10 years of experience.