How Many Marks Are Required to Become an Inspector Through SSC CGL 2026
The Staff Selection Commission's Combined Graduate Level examination for 2026 doesn't work on a fixed cutoff percentage that applies uniformly across all posts. To become an Inspector through SSC CGL, you'll need to clear the Tier I exam first, then secure a competitive rank in Tier II where the actual merit list forms. The exact marks required fluctuate each year depending on the number of applicants, their performance distribution, and the specific category you're applying under. Your best approach is checking the previous year's cutoff marks for Inspector positions in the SSC CGL notification, as the 2026 official announcement will follow a similar pattern. Keep monitoring the SSC website regularly for the official notification once it releases, as it will specify both the qualifying marks and selection process details.
Job Description
Eligibility
How to Apply
Important Dates, Fees & How to Apply
A structured summary auto-generated for every job on hireds.in. For binding rules, always cross-check the official notification linked above.
Important Dates & Fees
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Notification Released | 23 Jun 2026 |
| Application Start Date | 23 Jun 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | Refer notification |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | Same as last date |
| Total Vacancies | As per notification |
| Application Fee | General / OBC: ₹100–₹500. SC / ST / PwD / Women: Usually exempt. Refer notification for exact amount. |
| Mode of Payment | Online — UPI / Net Banking / Debit Card / Credit Card |
| Mode of Application | Online only via the official portal listed above |
Step-by-step: How to apply online
Read the official notification PDF first.
Before filling any form, download and read the full notification published by How Many Marks Are Required to Become an Inspector Through S. It carries the binding eligibility criteria, age-relaxation table, fee structure, exam pattern, and the syllabus. The detailed page above is a clean summary — the PDF is the legal document.Confirm you meet eligibility.
Check your age (as on the cut-off date stated in the notification), educational qualification, and category-specific reservations. Many candidates fill the form and lose the fee because their qualification did not match exactly.Keep documents ready before opening the form.
Scanned passport-size photo (recent, white background), signature, left-thumb impression, 10th certificate, qualifying degree, caste/EWS/PwD certificate if applicable, and a valid photo ID (Aadhaar / PAN / Voter ID). Use 100% scale and the file-size limits the portal specifies.Open the official application portal.
Use only the official application URL: ssc.nic.in. Never apply through a Telegram / WhatsApp forwarded link — those are scams.Register, then log in.
Most portals require a one-time registration with your name, mobile, email and a password. Save the registration number — you will need it for every future login, admit-card download and result check.Fill the form carefully.
Personal details, educational qualification, communication address, category, and preferences. Cross-check each field. After final submission, most portals lock the form and corrections cost an extra fee.Pay the application fee online.
Use UPI, net-banking, debit / credit card. Keep the transaction receipt; some portals require you to upload the receipt before downloading the admit card.Submit & save the confirmation.
Save the final PDF acknowledgement and your registration number. Last-day submissions frequently fail because of portal overload — do not wait.
Source verified by the hireds.in editorial team. For the official notification, always visit the recruiter portal listed at the top of this page. Editorial policy.
Overview
The SSC Combined Graduate Level (CGL) examination is conducted by the Staff Selection Commission to recruit candidates for various Group B and Group C posts across Central Government Ministries, Departments, and Organizations. The Inspector position through SSC CGL includes posts like Central Excise Inspector, Preventive Officer, Examiner in various departments, and Inspector (Central Bureau of Narcotics). The exam is conducted in multiple tiers including Tier-I (Prelims), Tier-II (Mains), and Tier-III (Descriptive Paper), followed by document verification. This is an All India recruitment drive open to eligible graduates from any stream. Successful candidates are appointed to posts with pay scale in Level-6 and Level-7 of 7th Pay Commission, offering excellent career progression in Central Government services.
Important Dates
Typical / Indicative Timeline:
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | February 2026 |
| Application Start Date | February 2026 |
| Application Last Date | March 2026 |
| Fee Payment Last Date | March 2026 |
| Tier-I Admit Card Release | June 2026 |
| Tier-I Exam Date | July 2026 |
| Tier-I Result Date | September 2026 |
| Tier-II Exam Date | November 2026 |
| Tier-III Exam Date | December 2026 |
| Final Result Date | April 2027 |
Vacancy Details
Typical / Indicative Vacancy Distribution:
| Category | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| UR (Unreserved) | 4,500 |
| SC (Scheduled Caste) | 1,800 |
| ST (Scheduled Tribe) | 900 |
| OBC (Other Backward Classes) | 3,200 |
| EWS (Economically Weaker Section) | 1,100 |
| Total | 11,500 |
Note: Actual vacancies vary each year and are announced in the official notification.
Eligibility
Educational Qualification
- Minimum Qualification: Bachelor's Degree in any discipline from a recognized University or Institute
- Candidates appearing in final year are also eligible to apply
- Degree obtained through Distance Education mode must be recognized by UGC/DEC
- For specific Inspector posts (like Statistical Investigator), Statistics/Mathematics may be required
Age Limit
Age as on the closing date of application:
| Category | Minimum Age | Maximum Age |
|---|---|---|
| General/UR | 18 years | 32 years |
| OBC | 18 years | 35 years |
| SC/ST | 18 years | 37 years |
| PwD (UR) | 18 years | 42 years |
| PwD (OBC) | 18 years | 45 years |
| PwD (SC/ST) | 18 years | 47 years |
| Ex-Servicemen | 18 years | As per rules |
Age Relaxation:
| Category | Relaxation |
|---|---|
| OBC | 3 years |
| SC/ST | 5 years |
| PwD (General) | 10 years |
| PwD + OBC | 13 years |
| PwD + SC/ST | 15 years |
| Ex-Servicemen | 3 years after deduction of military service |
| Central Government Civilian Employees | 5 years (40 years for UR) |
Nationality
- Indian Citizen, OR
- Subject of Nepal, OR
- Subject of Bhutan, OR
- Tibetan Refugee who came to India before 1st January 1962 with intention of permanent settlement, OR
- Person of Indian Origin migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African countries (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia, Vietnam) with intention of permanent settlement
How to Apply
Steps to Apply Online:
- Visit the official SSC website at ssc.nic.in or regional SSC websites
- Click on "Login" if already registered OR click on "Register Now" for new registration
- For new registration, provide basic details (Name, Date of Birth, Father's Name, Mother's Name) and create login credentials
- After registration, login using Registration ID and Password
- Fill the SSC CGL application form with personal details, educational qualifications, category, exam centre preference
- Upload recent colour photograph (4-12 KB, JPG/JPEG format) and signature (1-12 KB, JPG/JPEG format) as per specifications
- Preview the filled application form and verify all details carefully
- Proceed to payment section and pay application fee through online mode (Net Banking/Debit Card/Credit Card/UPI) or offline mode (SBI Challan)
- Submit the application form and save/print the application confirmation page for future reference
- Note down the Registration ID and Password for downloading admit card
Application Fees:
| Category | Fee Amount |
|---|---|
| General/OBC/EWS (Male) | ₹100 |
| SC/ST/PwD/Ex-Servicemen | NIL (No Fee) |
| Women Candidates (All Categories) | NIL (No Fee) |
Note: Fee once paid is non-refundable under any circumstances.
Selection Process
Selection involves Four Stages:
- Tier-I (Computer Based Examination): Objective type multiple choice exam covering General Intelligence & Reasoning, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, and English Comprehension. This is a screening test and marks are not counted for final merit.
- Tier-II (Computer Based Examination): Objective type exam consisting of multiple papers - Quantitative Abilities, English Language & Comprehension, Statistics, and General Studies (Finance & Economics). Papers vary based on post preference. Marks of Tier-II are counted for final merit.
- Tier-III (Descriptive Paper): Pen and Paper mode exam to test writing skills in English/Hindi. Candidates write Essay, Précis, Application, Letter. This is qualifying in nature (minimum 33% marks required) and marks are counted for final merit.
- Document Verification: Shortlisted candidates are called for verification of original certificates including educational qualifications, age proof, caste certificate, disability certificate (if applicable). Candidates failing to produce valid documents are rejected.
- Medical Examination: For specific posts like Inspector (Central Excise), candidates undergo medical fitness test as per standards prescribed for the post.
Final Merit: Prepared based on aggregate marks of Tier-I + Tier-II + Tier-III (wherever applicable) subject to qualifying each tier and document verification.
Exam Pattern
Tier-I (Preliminary) Exam Pattern
| Section | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 25 | 50 | 60 minutes (Total) |
| General Awareness | 25 | 50 | 60 minutes (Total) |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 50 | 60 minutes (Total) |
| English Comprehension | 25 | 50 | 60 minutes (Total) |
| Total | 100 | 200 | 60 minutes |
Negative Marking: 0.50 marks deducted for each wrong answer.
Extra Time: PwD candidates with scribe get 20 minutes extra (80 minutes total).
---
Tier-II (Mains) Exam Pattern
| Paper | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper-I: Quantitative Abilities | 100 | 200 | 120 minutes |
| Paper-II: English Language & Comprehension | 200 | 200 | 120 minutes |
| Paper-III: Statistics | 100 | 200 | 120 minutes |
| Paper-IV: General Studies (Finance & Economics) | 100 | 200 | 120 minutes |
Note: Paper-III and Paper-IV are for specific posts only (like Statistical Investigator, Junior Statistical Officer).
Negative Marking: 0.50 marks (0.25 for Paper-II) deducted for each wrong answer.
Tier-III Pattern: Descriptive Paper of 100 marks in Pen & Paper mode, 60 minutes duration. Essay writing, Précis, Application/Letter writing in English or Hindi.
Syllabus
Tier-I Syllabus
General Intelligence & Reasoning
- Analogies and Similarities
- Differences and Classification
- Space Visualization and Spatial Orientation
- Problem Solving and Analysis
- Decision Making and Judgment
- Visual Memory and Observation
- Relationship Concepts
- Arithmetical Reasoning and Number Series
- Non-verbal Series and Coding-Decoding
- Statement-Conclusion and Syllogism
- Venn Diagrams and Direction Sense Test
General Awareness
- Indian History (Ancient, Medieval, Modern)
- Indian Polity and Constitution
- Geography (Indian and World)
- Economic and Financial Awareness
- General Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology)
- Current Affairs (National and International)
- Awards and Honors
- Books and Authors
- Sports and Games
- Important Days and Events
- Indian Culture and Heritage
- Scientific Research and Development
Quantitative Aptitude
- Number Systems and Simplification
- Decimals, Fractions, LCM & HCF
- Ratio and Proportion
- Percentages and Averages
- Profit and Loss
- Discount and Partnership
- Simple and Compound Interest
- Time and Work
- Time and Distance
- Mensuration (Area, Volume)
- Data Interpretation (Tables, Bar Graph, Pie Chart, Line Graph)
- Algebra (Linear Equations, Quadratic Equations)
- Geometry and Trigonometry basics
English Comprehension
- Reading Comprehension
- Vocabulary (Synonyms, Antonyms)
- Grammar (Tenses, Articles, Prepositions)
- Sentence Structure and Correction
- Idioms and Phrases
- One Word Substitution
- Error Spotting
- Fill in the Blanks
- Sentence Improvement
- Active and Passive Voice
- Direct and Indirect Speech
Tier-II Syllabus
Paper-I: Quantitative Abilities
- All topics from Tier-I Quantitative Aptitude in advanced level
- Advanced Algebra and Quadratic Equations
- Trigonometry (Heights and Distances, Identities)
- Geometry (Circles, Triangles, Coordinate Geometry)
- Advanced Mensuration
- Advanced Data Interpretation
Paper-II: English Language & Comprehension
- Comprehension Passages (Advanced)
- Advanced Grammar Topics
- Para Jumbles and Sentence Rearrangement
- Cloze Test
- Error Detection (Sentence level)
- Sentence Completion
- Advanced Vocabulary
Paper-III: Statistics (for specific posts)
- Collection, Classification and Presentation of Statistical Data
- Measures of Central Tendency and Dispersion
- Moments, Skewness and Kurtosis
- Correlation and Regression
- Probability Theory
- Random Variables and Probability Distributions
- Sampling Theory and Statistical Inference
- Analysis of Variance
- Time Series Analysis
- Index Numbers
Paper-IV: General Studies - Finance & Economics (for specific posts)
- Comptroller & Auditor General of India
- Finance Commission
- Basic Accounting Concepts
- Financial Accounting and Budget
- Indian Economy (Planning, Policy, Growth)
- Banking and Financial Institutions
- Fiscal and Monetary Policy
- International Trade and Organizations
Salary
Typical / Indicative Salary for Inspector Posts (Level-7, 7th CPC):
| Component | Amount (Monthly) |
|---|---|
| Starting Basic Pay | ₹44,900 |
| Pay Scale | Level-7: ₹44,900 - ₹1,42,400 |
| Dearness Allowance (DA) @ 50% | ₹22,450 |
| House Rent Allowance (HRA) @ 24% (X-class city) | ₹10,776 |
| Transport Allowance | ₹3,600 |
| Other Allowances | ₹2,000 - ₹5,000 |
| Gross Monthly Salary | ₹83,000 - ₹88,000 |
| Deductions (GPF, NPS, Income Tax) | ₹8,000 - ₹12,000 |
| In-Hand Salary | ₹71,000 - ₹80,000 |
Additional Benefits:
- Medical facilities for self and dependents
- Leave Travel Concession (LTC)
- Annual increments (3% of basic pay)
- Pension benefits under National Pension System (NPS)
- Group Insurance and CGHS facilities
- Children Education Allowance (₹2,250 per child, maximum 2 children)
Note: HRA varies based on city classification (24% for X-class, 16% for Y-class, 8% for Z-class cities). DA rates are revised quarterly.
Career Growth
Inspectors recruited through SSC CGL enjoy excellent career progression in Central Government departments. Starting at Level-7, officers can get promoted to Assistant Commissioner/Superintendent level (Level-8/10) through departmental promotion exams after 4-6 years of service. With further experience and performance, promotion to higher positions like Deputy Commissioner (Level-11) and Joint Commissioner (Level-12) is possible. Officers can also apply for deputation to other ministries and gain diverse experience across various government sectors.
Admit Card
Admit Cards for SSC CGL are released separately for each tier approximately 7-10 days before the respective examination date. Candidates can download their admit card from the official SSC website or regional SSC websites using their Registration ID and Date of Birth/Password. The admit card contains important details like examination date, time, venue address, reporting time, and instructions. Candidates must carry a printed copy of the admit card along with a valid photo ID proof to the examination centre.
Result
SSC declares Tier-I results typically 4-6 weeks after the completion of examination, listing roll numbers of qualified candidates who are shortlisted for Tier-II. Tier-II results are announced 6-8 weeks after the exam, showing marks and qualifying status. Final result with merit list is published after Tier-III and document verification, usually 8-10 months after Tier-I examination. Results are available on the official SSC website and candidates can check their individual scores using registration credentials. Scorecard with detailed marks and answer keys are also made available for download.
Expected Cutoff
SSC CGL cutoff marks vary significantly each year based on vacancy, number of applicants, and difficulty level of the exam. For Inspector level posts (typically requiring Tier-II qualification), Tier-I cutoffs generally range between 130-160 marks out of 200 for General category, 115-145 for OBC, 105-135 for SC, and 95-125 for ST categories. Tier-II cutoffs are higher and more competitive, with General category requiring typically 350-420 marks out of 600 (combined Paper-I and Paper-II). Category-wise cutoffs differ by 10-30 marks between successive categories, with final selection depending on vacancy distribution and candidate preference for specific posts.
Exam Centres
Exam Centres across India:
North: Delhi, Chandigarh, Jaipur, Lucknow, Dehradun, Shimla, Jammu, Prayagraj, Agra, Meerut, Varanasi, Kanpur
South: Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Puducherry, Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, Mysuru, Coimbatore, Madurai, Tiruchirappalli
East: Kolkata, Patna, Ranchi, Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Raipur, Bilaspur, Siliguri, Durgapur, Jamshedpur
West: Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Pune, Surat, Nagpur, Indore, Bhopal, Goa, Nashik, Aurangabad, Vadodara, Rajkot
Northeast: Guwahati, Shillong, Imphal, Agartala, Aizawl, Kohima, Itanagar, Dibrugarh
Note: Candidates can choose up to 3 centre preferences. Final centre allotment depends on availability.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum educational qualification required to become an Inspector through SSC CGL?
A Bachelor's Degree in any discipline from a recognized University or Institute is the minimum educational qualification required. Candidates appearing in final year examinations are also eligible to apply. For some specific Inspector posts like Statistical Investigator, degree in Statistics/Mathematics may be required as mentioned in the official notification.
What is the application fee for SSC CGL 2026?
The application fee is ₹100 for General, OBC, and EWS male candidates. Women candidates of all categories, SC, ST, PwD, and Ex-Servicemen candidates are exempted from paying application fees. Fee can be paid through online mode (Net Banking, Debit/Credit Card, UPI) or offline mode through SBI Challan.
How many vacancies are typically announced for SSC CGL exam?
SSC CGL typically announces 10,000-15,000 vacancies annually across various posts and departments. The exact number varies each year based on requirements of different ministries and departments. Vacancies are distributed among different categories as per government reservation policy, with approximately 50% for General/EWS, 27% for OBC, 15% for SC, and 7.5% for ST candidates.
What is the salary of an Inspector appointed through SSC CGL?
Inspector posts under SSC CGL are placed in Level-7 of 7th Pay Commission with basic pay starting from ₹44,900 per month. With DA, HRA, Transport Allowance and other benefits, the gross monthly salary ranges between ₹83,000-88,000. The in-hand salary after deductions typically ranges from ₹71,000-80,000 per month depending on the city of posting and applicable deductions.
How many attempts are allowed for SSC CGL exam?
There is no restriction on the number of attempts for SSC CGL examination. Candidates can appear for the exam any number of times as long as they meet the age eligibility criteria on the closing date of application. However, candidates must satisfy the upper age limit including applicable age relaxations as per their category.
Is there negative marking in SSC CGL examination?
Yes, there is negative marking in both Tier-I and Tier-II examinations. In Tier-I, 0.50 marks are deducted for each wrong answer. In Tier-II Paper-I (Quantitative Abilities), Paper-III and Paper-IV, 0.50 marks are deducted, while in Paper-II (English), 0.25 marks are deducted for each incorrect answer. Tier-III is descriptive and has no negative marking.
Can I apply for SSC CGL 2026 online only?
Yes, SSC CGL applications are accepted only through online mode on the official SSC website (ssc.nic.in) or respective regional SSC websites. There is no offline application facility available. Candidates must have a valid email ID and mobile number for registration. After online submission, candidates should save and print the application confirmation for future reference.
What are the different stages of selection for SSC CGL?
SSC CGL selection consists of four stages: (1) Tier-I - Computer Based Test (objective type) which is a screening test, (2) Tier-II - Computer Based Test with multiple papers depending on post preference, (3) Tier-III - Descriptive Paper in Pen & Paper mode testing writing skills, and (4) Document Verification followed by Medical Examination for specific posts. Final merit is prepared based on aggregate performance in qualifying stages.