SSC CGL Exam Date 2026 (Out) - Check Schedule & Details

The Staff Selection Commission Combined Graduate Level (SSC CGL) examination is one of India's most prestigious and competitive government job exams, conducted annually by the Staff Selection Commission. This national-level examination recruits candidates for various Group B and Group C posts across different ministries, departments, and organisations of the Government of India. The exam is open to graduates from any discipline and serves as a gateway to posts such as Assistant, Inspector, Tax Assistant, Auditor, and various other administrative positions. SSC CGL offers candidates the opportunity to serve in central government departments with excellent job security, competitive salary packages, and comprehensive benefits. The 2026 examination cycle will follow a multi-tier selection process comprising Tier-I (Prelims), Tier-II (Mains), Tier-III (Descriptive), and document verification, with some posts also requiring Tier-IV (skill test/computer proficiency test).

Important Dates - SSC CGL 2026

Vacancy Breakdown - SSC CGL 2026 (Typical / Indicative)

Note: Actual vacancy numbers will be notified in the official advertisement. Typical vacancy count ranges from 8,000 to 12,000 posts annually depending on departmental requirements.

Eligibility Criteria - SSC CGL 2026

Educational Qualification

For most posts: Bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognised university or equivalent qualification.

Post-specific requirements:

• Statistical Investigator Grade-II & Compiler: Bachelor's degree with Statistics as a subject OR Bachelor's degree with Mathematics as a subject with Statistics studied at 12th standard
• Junior Statistical Officer (JSO): Bachelor's degree with Statistics OR Mathematics OR Economics as main subject OR Bachelor's degree with Statistics and Mathematics as compulsory/elective subjects
• Assistant Audit Officer: Bachelor's degree from a recognised university OR equivalent

Age Limit

Age calculated as on: 01-01-2026 (typically)

Age Relaxation

Note: For certain posts like Tax Assistant and Inspector in departments like Central Excise, Customs, etc., the upper age limit may extend to 32-35 years. Candidates should verify post-specific age limits in the official notification.

Nationality

A candidate must be either:

• A citizen of India, OR
• A subject of Nepal, OR
• A subject of Bhutan, OR
• A Tibetan refugee who came to India before 1st January 1962 with the intention of permanently settling in India, OR
• A person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African countries of Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia and Vietnam with the intention of permanently settling in India

Note: Candidates in categories (2), (3), (4), and (5) must have a certificate of eligibility issued by the Government of India.

How to Apply for SSC CGL 2026

1. Visit the Official Website: Go to the official SSC website at https://ssc.nic.in or the regional SSC website applicable to your region
2. Click on 'Apply' Link: Navigate to the 'Combined Graduate Level Examination 2026' notification and click on the 'Apply' button
3. One-Time Registration (if new user): Complete one-time registration by providing basic details (Name, Date of Birth, Father's Name, Mother's Name), mobile number, and email ID. Note the generated Registration Number and Password
4. Login with Credentials: Use your Registration Number and Password to login to the application portal
5. Fill Application Form (Part-I): Enter personal details, educational qualifications, address, contact information, and other required details accurately
6. Fill Application Form (Part-II): Select examination centre preferences, posts/departments, upload recent photograph (4-12 KB, JPG format), signature (1-12 KB, JPG format), and other required documents (scanned in prescribed format)
7. Review Application: Carefully review all entered information before submission
8. Submit Application: Click on 'Submit' button. Note down the Application/Registration Number
9. Pay Application Fee: Complete fee payment through available modes (Net Banking/Credit Card/Debit Card/UPI/Challan)
10. Download/Print Application: Take a printout of the submitted application form for future reference
11. Corrections (if needed): Utilize the correction window (announced separately) to make necessary corrections to submitted application

Application Fee Structure

Payment Modes: Online payment through BHIM UPI, Net Banking, Visa/MasterCard/RuPay Credit or Debit cards OR Cash payment through SBI Challan (at any SBI branch)

Note: Fees once paid will not be refunded under any circumstances. No fee is charged for Application Correction.

Selection Process for SSC CGL 2026

The selection process for SSC CGL 2026 consists of the following stages:

1. Tier-I Examination (Computer Based Test - Prelims): This is a screening examination consisting of 4 sections (General Intelligence & Reasoning, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, and English Comprehension) with 100 questions of 200 marks. Candidates securing minimum qualifying marks are shortlisted for Tier-II based on normalized scores across different sessions.

1. Tier-II Examination (Computer Based Test - Mains): Candidates who qualify Tier-I appear for Tier-II which consists of multiple papers - Paper-I (Quantitative Abilities), Paper-II (English Language & Comprehension), Paper-III (Statistics - only for JSO posts), and Paper-IV (General Studies Finance & Economics - only for certain posts). Performance in relevant papers determines qualification for Tier-III.

1. Tier-III Examination (Descriptive Paper - Pen & Paper Mode): This is a descriptive examination designed to test writing skills in English/Hindi comprising Essay Writing, Précis Writing, Letter/Application Writing, etc. The paper is of 100 marks with 60 minutes duration. Candidates must secure minimum qualifying marks to proceed further.

1. Tier-IV Examination (Skill Test/Computer Proficiency Test - if applicable): For certain posts like Tax Assistant (CBDT & CBIC), Data Entry Speed Test (DEST) of 2000 key depressions in 15 minutes is conducted. For Assistant positions in CSS, Computer Proficiency Test (CPT) comprising Word Processing, Spreadsheet, and Slide Generation is mandatory. This is qualifying in nature.

1. Document Verification: Candidates are called for document verification in order of merit based on combined performance in Tier-I, Tier-II, and Tier-III (wherever applicable). Original documents including educational certificates, age proof, caste certificate (if applicable), and other relevant documents are verified.

1. Medical Examination (for specific posts): For certain posts, candidates undergo medical examination to ensure fitness standards as per departmental requirements, particularly for Inspector and Tax Assistant positions.

1. Final Merit List & Allocation: Final merit is prepared based on aggregate marks obtained in Tier-I, Tier-II, and Tier-III examinations. Candidates are allocated to posts and departments based on merit, preference, and vacancy availability.

SSC CGL 2026 Exam Pattern

Tier-I Examination (Computer Based Test)

Additional time for PwBD candidates: 80 minutes (20 minutes compensatory time)

Negative Marking: 0.50 marks deducted for each wrong answer

Note: The examination will be conducted in multiple sessions. Normalisation of marks will be done for candidates appearing in different sessions.

Tier-II Examination (Computer Based Test)

Additional time for PwBD candidates: 160 minutes per paper (40 minutes compensatory time)

Negative Marking:

• Paper-I (Section-I: 0.50 marks, Section-II: 0.25 marks per wrong answer)
• Paper-II: 0.25 marks per wrong answer
• Paper-III (Module-I: 0.50 marks, Module-II: 0.25 marks per wrong answer)
• Paper-IV (Part-A: 0.50 marks, Part-B: 0.25 marks per wrong answer)

Tier-III Examination (Descriptive - Pen & Paper Mode)

Additional time for PwBD candidates: 80 minutes (20 minutes compensatory time)

Qualifying Marks: 33% for General/EWS, 30% for OBC, 25% for SC/ST/PwBD candidates

Tier-IV Examination (Skill Test/CPT)

Note: Tier-IV is qualifying in nature and not counted for final merit.

SSC CGL 2026 Detailed Syllabus

Tier-I Syllabus

#### General Intelligence & Reasoning

• Analogies
• Similarities and differences
• Space visualization
• Spatial orientation
• Problem solving
• Analysis and judgement
• Decision making
• Visual memory
• Discriminating observation
• Relationship concepts
• Arithmetical reasoning
• Verbal and figure classification
• Arithmetical number series
• Non-verbal series
• Coding and decoding
• Statement conclusion
• Syllogistic reasoning
• Semantic Analogy
• Symbolic/Number Analogy
• Figural Analogy
• Semantic Classification
• Symbolic/Number Classification
• Figural Classification
• Semantic Series
• Number Series
• Figural Series
• Problem Solving
• Word Building
• Numerical Operations
• Symbolic Operations
• Trends
• Space Orientation
• Venn Diagrams
• Drawing inferences
• Punched hole/pattern-folding & unfolding
• Figural Pattern – folding and completion
• Indexing
• Address matching
• Date & city matching
• Classification of centre codes/roll numbers
• Small & Capital letters/numbers coding, decoding and classification
• Embedded figures
• Critical Thinking
• Emotional Intelligence
• Social Intelligence

#### General Awareness

• Indian History (Ancient, Medieval, Modern)
• Indian Polity and Constitution
• Indian Geography (Physical, Social, Economic Geography of India)
• World Geography
• Indian Economy
• Economic issues concerning development
• Science and Technology (Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Computer)
• Environmental Studies
• Current Affairs (National and International importance)
• Sports
• Awards and Honours
• Books and Authors
• Important Days and Dates
• Art and Culture
• Static GK (Important Personalities, Places, etc.)

#### Quantitative Aptitude

• Number Systems: Computation of whole numbers, decimals, fractions, relationships between numbers
• Fundamental arithmetical operations: Percentages, Ratio and Proportion, Square roots, Averages, Interest (Simple and Compound), Profit and Loss, Discount, Partnership Business, Mixture and Allegation, Time and distance, Time and work
• Algebra: Basic algebraic identities of School Algebra, Elementary surds, Graphs of Linear Equations
• Geometry: Familiarity with elementary geometric figures and facts (Triangle, Quadrilaterals, Regular Polygons, Circle, Right Prism, Right Circular Cone, Right Circular Cylinder, Sphere, Hemispheres, Rectangular Parallelepiped, Regular Right Pyramid with triangular or square base)
• Mensuration: Triangle, Quadrilaterals, Regular Polygons, Circle, Right Prism, Right Circular Cone, Right Circular Cylinder, Sphere, Hemispheres, Rectangular Parallelepiped, Regular Right Pyramid with triangular or square base
• Trigonometry: Trigonometric ratios, Complementary angles, Height and distances, Histogram, Frequency polygon, Bar diagram, Pie chart
• Data Interpretation: Tables, Graphs, Bar Charts, Pie Charts

#### English Comprehension

• Vocabulary: Synonyms, Antonyms, One word substitution, Idioms & Phrases
• Grammar: Spotting Errors, Phrase Replacement, Fill in the Blanks, Sentence Improvement, Active/Passive Voice, Direct/Indirect speech
• Comprehension: Reading Comprehension passages with questions
• Sentence Rearrangement: Para Jumbles
• Cloze Test
• Spelling Errors

Tier-II Syllabus

#### Paper-I: Mathematical Abilities (Quantitative Aptitude)

Module-I: Mathematical Abilities (Part-A: 30 Qs for 60 marks)

• Number Systems: Computation of whole numbers, decimals, fractions, relationships between numbers, Fundamental arithmetical operations, Percentages, Ratio and Proportion, Square roots, Averages, Interest, Profit and Loss, Discount, Partnership Business, Mixture and Allegation, Time and distance, Time and work

Module-II: Mathematical Abilities (Part-B: 30 Qs for 60 marks)

• Algebra: Basic algebraic identities, Linear equations, Graphs, Polynomials
• Geometry: Triangles, Quadrilaterals, Circles, Polygons
• Mensuration: Areas and Volumes
• Trigonometry: Basic trigonometric ratios, Heights and Distances
• Statistics and Probability: Use of Tables and Graphs, Histogram, Frequency polygon, Bar diagram, Pie chart, Measures of central tendency, Standard deviation, Calculation of simple probabilities

Module-III: Data Analysis (Part-C: 40 Qs for 80 marks)

• Tabulation, Bar Charts, Pie Charts, Line Graphs, Mixed Graphs
• Data Sufficiency
• Data Interpretation from various sources

#### Paper-II: English Language and Comprehension

Module-I: Language Proficiency (Vocabulary - 45 Qs)

• Synonyms and Antonyms
• One word substitution
• Idioms and Phrases
• Spellings/Error Detection

Module-II: Language Proficiency (Grammar - 60 Qs)

• Phrase Replacement
• Error Spotting
• Fill in the Blanks
• Sentence Improvement
• Active/Passive Voice
• Direct/Indirect Speech
• Parts of Speech
• Tenses

Module-III: Language Proficiency (Comprehension - 95 Qs)

• Reading Comprehension passages with questions
• Para Jumbles
• Cloze Test
• Sentence Completion
• Inference based questions

#### Paper-III: Statistics (for JSO posts only)

Module-I: Statistics (60 Qs for 120 marks)

• Collection, Classification and Presentation of Statistical Data
• Measures of Central Tendency
• Measures of Dispersion
• Moments, Skewness and Kurtosis
• Correlation and Regression
• Probability Theory
• Random Variables and Probability Distributions
• Sampling Theory
• Statistical Inference
• Analysis of Variance
• Time Series Analysis
• Index Numbers

Module-II: General Studies (Finance and Economics) (40 Qs for 80 marks)

• Finance and Accounts (Fundamental principles and basic concepts)
• Financial Accounting
• Public Finance
• Economics and Governance
• Comptroller & Auditor General of India

#### Paper-IV: General Studies (Finance & Economics) (for AAO/certain posts)

Part-A: Finance and Accounts (80 Qs for 120 marks)

• Fundamental principles and basic concepts of Accounting
• Financial Accounting: Nature and scope, Limitations of Financial Accounting, Basic concepts and Conventions, Double Entry System
• Inventory Valuation
• Accounting Standards
• Analysis of Financial Statements
• Public Finance and Economics

Part-B: Economics and Governance (40 Qs for 80 marks)

• Comptroller & Auditor General of India
• Finance Commission
• Basic concept of Economics and introduction to Micro Economics
• Theory of Demand and Supply
• Production and costs
• Forms of Market and price determination
• Indian Economy
• Economic Reforms in India
• Money and Banking
• Role of Information Technology in Governance

Tier-III Syllabus (Descriptive Paper)

• Essay Writing: Writing essays on topics of national/international importance, social issues, economic matters (approximately 200-250 words)
• Précis Writing: Summarizing given passages in specified word limit
• Letter Writing: Official/Business letters, Applications
• Report Writing: Writing reports on given situations/topics
• Language: The paper can be written in English or Hindi (10th standard level)

Skills Tested:

• Writing skills
• Expression of ideas clearly
• Comprehension abilities
• Grammar and vocabulary usage
• Coherent and logical presentation

Salary Structure for SSC CGL Posts (Typical / Indicative)

Post-wise Pay Level Details:

Additional Benefits:

• Provident Fund (GPF/CPF)
• Gratuity
• New Pension Scheme (NPS)
• Medical facilities for self and dependents
• Leave Travel Concession (LTC)
• Government accommodation or HRA
• Annual increments
• Performance-related incentives (in some departments)
• Maternity/Paternity leave benefits

Note: Actual salary may vary based on posting location (metro/non-metro), department, and periodic revisions in allowances. The figures mentioned are indicative for 2026 and subject to Government of India pay revision policies.

Career progression in SSC CGL posts offers excellent opportunities for vertical mobility through departmental promotion examinations and seniority-based promotions. Officers starting as Assistants (Level 4) can progress to Senior Assistants, Administrative Officers, and eventually reach Group A gazetted officer positions like Under Secretary, Deputy Secretary, and beyond through Limited Departmental Competitive Examinations (LDCE) or time-bound promotions. For example, Tax Assistants can become Tax Officers and subsequently reach positions like Assistant Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner in Income Tax or Customs departments. The typical career span sees 4-6 promotions over a 30-35 year service period, with senior positions commanding pay levels of Level 11-13 (₹67,700 - ₹2,08,700 basic pay). Cross-departmental transfers and empanelment opportunities further enhance career diversity and growth prospects.

SSC CGL 2026 admit cards for each tier will be released approximately 7-10 days before the respective examination date on the official SSC website (ssc.nic.in) and regional SSC websites. Candidates must login to the SSC portal using their Registration Number and Password/Date of Birth to download their admit card. The admit card contains crucial information including candidate's name, photograph, roll number, examination centre address, date and time of examination, reporting time, and important instructions. No physical admit cards are dispatched by post; candidates must download and carry a printout along with a valid original photo ID proof (Aadhaar/Voter ID/Driving License/Passport) to the examination centre. Admit cards not carrying clear photographs or signatures may lead to denial of entry.

SSC CGL results are declared tier-wise on the official website after evaluation and normalization of scores across multiple examination sessions. Tier-I results typically contain normalized marks, cut-off marks for different categories, and the list of candidates shortlisted for Tier-II based on merit. Similarly, Tier-II and Tier-III results are declared separately with category-wise cut-offs. The final result contains the allocation of candidates to various posts and departments based on aggregate performance across all tiers, preferences submitted, and vacancy availability. Candidates can check their results by entering their Registration Number/Roll Number and date of birth on the SSC portal. Score cards displaying section-wise and overall marks are made available for download after result declaration, which can be used for future reference and departmental verification.

SSC CGL cut-off marks vary significantly based on examination difficulty level, number of candidates, and category-wise reservation. For Tier-I, typical qualifying cut-offs range from 125-150 marks for General category (out of 200), 110-135 for OBC, 95-120 for SC, and 85-110 for ST candidates, though actual cut-offs may be higher for final selection. Tier-II cut-offs are generally higher, with Paper-I (Quantitative) seeing cut-offs around 110-130 for General, Paper-II (English) around 130-150 for General category. Posts like Assistant Audit Officer and JSO command higher cut-offs (often 15-25 marks above general posts) due to better pay scales and limited vacancies. Category-wise cut-offs maintain approximately 10-15% differential between General and OBC, and 20-30% between General and SC/ST categories. Candidates should target scores significantly above minimum qualifying marks to secure preferred posts and departments in final allocation.

SSC CGL 2026 Exam Centres (Expected)

SSC CGL examination is conducted across India at designated centres in major cities. Candidates can select their preferred examination centres during application.

North India: Delhi, Chandigarh, Jaipur, Lucknow, Allahabad, Dehradun, Shimla, Jammu, Srinagar, Meerut, Agra, Bareilly, Kanpur, Varanasi, Gorakhpur, Hisar, Karnal, Rohtak, Ajmer, Jodhpur, Bikaner

South India: Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam, Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Madurai, Coimbatore, Tirupati, Vijayawada, Guntur, Mysore, Mangalore, Hubli, Tiruchirapalli, Puducherry

East India: Kolkata, Patna, Ranchi, Bhubaneswar, Guwahati, Siliguri, Durgapur, Asansol, Cuttack, Rourkela, Jamshedpur, Dhanbad, Muzaffarpur, Bhagalpur, Sambalpur

West India: Mumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad, Surat, Nagpur, Nashik, Aurangabad, Indore, Bhopal, Raipur, Vadodara, Rajkot, Bhavnagar, Jamnagar, Jabalpur, Gwalior, Bilaspur

Northeast India: Guwahati, Agartala, Imphal, Shillong, Kohima, Aizawl, Dibrugarh, Silchar, Itanagar, Gangtok

Note: The final list of examination centres will be notified in the official advertisement. SSC reserves the right to add/delete centres and allocate candidates to any centre other than the one chosen by them based on administrative convenience.