SSC CGL
Staff Selection Commission — Combined Graduate Level
SSC CGL 2026 Combined Graduate Level Exam: Full Guide to Group B & C Central Government Posts
The SSC Combined Graduate Level (CGL) examination is the country's most sought-after national-level recruitment test for Group 'B' and Group 'C' non-gazetted clerical, assistant and supervisory posts in central government ministries, departments and attached offices. Conducted annually by the Staff Selection Commission, a single merit list feeds candidates into prestigious roles such as Assistant Section Moderator, Income Tax Inspector, Excise Inspector, Auditor, Accountant, Junior Statistical Officer, Assistant Audit Officer and several Central Police Organisation positions.
For the 2026 cycle, the Commission released the detailed notification on 21 May 2026 against roughly 12,256 tentative vacancies. The online application window ran from 21 May to 25 June 2026 (fee payment up to 26 June, with a window for corrections in early July), and the Tier-I computer-based test is being conducted during August–September 2026. This guide explains the pattern, eligibility, selection logic, salary and preparation strategy — with every date phrased for verification on the official SSC website.
Recruitment Snapshot
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting body | Staff Selection Commission (SSC) |
| Exam name | Combined Graduate Level (CGL) 2026 |
| Posts | Group 'B' & 'C' non-gazetted central government services |
| Tentative vacancies | ~12,256 (as per the 21 May 2026 notification) |
| Selection stages | Tier-I (qualifying) → Tier-II (merit) → DEST/CPT (where applicable) → Document Verification → Post Allocation |
| Mode | Online computer-based tests across multiple centres and shifts |
| Official portal | ssc.gov.in |
Important Dates – 2026 Cycle
| Milestone | Date / Status |
|---|---|
| Detailed notification released | 21 May 2026 |
| Online application window | 21 May to 25 June 2026 |
| Fee payment last date | 26 June 2026 |
| Window to edit/refresh application | Early July 2026 |
| Tier-I CBT | Being conducted during August–September 2026 |
| City intimation slip | Released close to exam dates on ssc.gov.in |
| Tier-I admit card (call letter) | Typically a few days before each shift |
| Tier-II dates | To be announced after Tier-I conclusion |
Note: SSC publishes exam-day logistics through short regional notices and rolling call letters. Exact shift-wise dates, individual admit-card links and the Tier-II schedule should always be confirmed directly on ssc.gov.in using your registration details, as they vary by state and session.
Selection Process Explained
SSC CGL is a two-tier written examination followed by skill tests and verification. Each stage plays a different role in the final merit.
Tier-I – Qualifying in Nature
Tier-I is the screening round. A candidate must clear the section-wise and overall qualifying cutoff published by the Commission. Reaching Tier-I cutoff alone does not confirm selection; it simply makes you eligible to appear for Tier-II.
Tier-II – Decides the Merit
The Tier-II papers carry the greater weight in the final merit list. Normalisation across multiple shifts is applied, and the Tier-II score (combined with Tier-I wherever specified) determines shortlisting for skill tests, document verification and eventual post allocation.
DEST / CPT – Where Applicable
Candidates shortlisted for posts such as Assistant Section Moderator, Office Assembler, UDC, LDC and similar clerical roles must qualify a Data Entry Speed Test (DEST) or Computer Proficiency Test (CPT). This is a qualifying, speed-based typing and computer-operation test.
Document Verification and Final Post Allocation
Candidates who qualify the applicable skill test are called for document verification against originals. The final merit list, prepared from Tier-II scores (and Tier-I where applicable), is then used to allocate posts and preferences through the online choice-filling process.
Tier-I Exam Pattern
Tier-I is a 100-question, 200-mark computer-based test of 60 minutes duration. There are four sections of 25 questions each, every question carrying 2 marks, with a penalty of 0.50 mark for each wrong answer.
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General Intelligence and Reasoning | 25 | 50 |
| General Awareness | 25 | 50 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 50 |
| English Comprehension | 25 | 50 |
| Total | 100 | 200 |
The medium of the paper is bilingual, and time is usually managed section-wise within the overall 60-minute window. Because 0.50 marks are deducted per wrong answer, accuracy is as valuable as attempts.
Tier-II Paper Pattern Overview
Tier-II is paper-based on preference and post applied for. The exact number of papers a candidate writes depends on the posts chosen in the application.
| Paper | Applies To | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Paper-I (Paper I) | All candidates | Mathematical Abilities, Reasoning, Data/Computer Interpretation, English — the core scoring paper |
| Paper-II (Statistics) | Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) | Statistical Concepts, Graphs, Relationships and higher-level Statistics content |
| Paper-III (Finance & Economics) | Assistant Audit Officer / Assistant Accounts Officer (AAO) | Finance and Economics, accounting and auditing orientation |
Pattern sections and marks are revised from cycle to cycle; confirm the current Tier-II structure from the 2026 notification PDF on the SSC site.
Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
A graduate degree in any discipline from a recognised university is the baseline. Certain posts add specific requirements — for example, a Statistics or Mathematics background for JSO, or a postgraduate degree/CA for AAO. Final-year students who will possess the qualification by the cut-off date may apply provisionally.
Age Limit and Category Relaxation
The upper age limit varies by post. Commonly cited ranges are 18–27 years, 18–30 years and 18–32 years depending on the cadre.
| Post Group | Typical Age Range |
|---|---|
| Lower-tier Assistant / LDC / UDC type posts | 18–27 years |
| Inspector-level posts (IT, Excise, CBI-type) | 18–30 years |
| Assistant Section Moderator / AAO-type senior posts | 18–32 years |
Standard statutory relaxations apply — up to 3 years for OBC, 5 years for SC/ST, additional concessions for PwBD, Ex-Servicemen and Departmental Candidates, as per the notification. Nationality requirements follow the normal central-government rules (citizen of India, or other eligible categories as defined).
Number of Attempts
There is generally no fixed cap on attempts for SSC CGL; a candidate may keep applying each year provided they remain within the applicable age band for the post.
How to Apply – Process and Fee
- One-Time Registration (OTR): Register once on the SSC portal using your Aadhaar/other ID to generate a universal registration number that can be reused across SSC exams.
- Application Form: Log in, complete personal, educational and contact details, and select post/state preferences.
- Document Upload: Upload the scanned photograph, signature and other images in the prescribed format and size.
- Fee Payment: Pay the Rs. 100 application fee online via net banking, card or UPI. Candidates belonging to SC, ST, PwBD, Ex-Servicemen and certain other exempted categories, plus female candidates as per rules, are generally exempt from the fee.
- Final Submit & Print: Submit the form and save/print the final confirmation for your records.
An application-correction (edit) window usually opens after the main window closes, allowing limited changes during early July.
Salary, Pay Matrix and Allowances
CGL posts are mapped to Pay Matrix Levels 4 to 7 of the 7th Central Pay Commission structure, so in-hand pay scales with the responsibility and seniority of the cadre.
| Pay Level | Indicative Starting Basic (Rs.) | Typical Cadres |
|---|---|---|
| Level 4 | ~25,500 | Lower-division/clerical and assistant-type posts |
| Level 5 | ~29,200 | Senior clerical / upper-division posts |
| Level 6 | ~35,400 | Inspector, Auditor, Accountant, ASO and similar |
| Level 7 | ~44,900 | Senior technical/subordinate-time cadre posts |
To the basic pay are added Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), Transport Allowance and other applicable central-government allowances, so the CTC at metro postings can rise meaningfully above basic. Pay levels and cell allocations for specific posts are set out in the official notification and revised with DA orders, so treat these figures as indicative. Postings are transferable and distributed across ministries, field units and union territories as per administrative requirement.
Preparation Strategy
Tier-I Foundation
- Build Quantitative Aptitude on arithmetic, algebra, geometry and data interpretation with timed practice.
- Sharpen Reasoning through puzzles, series, coding and analytical sets for speed.
- Improve English via reading, vocabulary and grammar drills.
- Keep General Awareness current with static GK plus monthly national and international events.
Tier-II Depth
- Reinforce advanced maths and data analysis, which dominate the scoring paper.
- Statistics aspirants should strengthen probability, sampling and index concepts for Paper-II.
- AAO aspirants should revise basic finance, economics and accounting principles for Paper-III.
- Practise previous-year papers under normalised multi-shift conditions to protect accuracy against negative marking.
Admit Card Checklist
- Download the city intimation slip first to know your exam city, then the shift-wise admit card a few days before the test.
- Print the admit card clearly and carry a valid photo ID as specified on the call letter.
- Verify name, roll number, DOB, category, exam date, time and centre address on the card.
- Reach the reporting centre well before the gate-closing time mentioned on the admit card.
- Check the instruction page on ssc.gov.in for the list of permitted and prohibited items.
About Cut-Off Marks
There is no fixed cut-off for SSC CGL. Each year the qualifying marks shift according to the number of vacancies, the category-wise candidate pool, the difficulty level of the paper and the normalisation across shifts. The Commission publishes category-wise Tier-I and Tier-II cut-offs after each stage; use past-year trends as a guide only, not a target.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tier-I score added to the final merit?
Tier-I is primarily qualifying; the final merit leans heavily on Tier-II (with Tier-I considered where the notification specifies). Always follow the current cycle's scheme.
Can final-year students apply?
Provisional application is usually allowed if the degree is completed by the cut-off date and evidenced during document verification.
Is DEST mandatory for everyone?
No. Only candidates in the running for clerical/moderator posts need to qualify the DEST/CPT; it is qualifying, not counted in merit.
Where do I download the Tier-I call letter?
From your region's login on ssc.gov.in; admit cards are released close to each shift date.
Official Links
- SSC main site & notifications: https://ssc.gov.in
- Candidate login for admit cards and results: ssc.gov.in (candidate portal)