SSC Exam Calendar 2026-27

The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) Exam Calendar 2026-27 is an annual schedule released by SSC outlining all major examinations to be conducted during the recruitment cycle. SSC is the premier recruitment body under the Government of India that conducts examinations for various Group B and Group C posts across Central Government Ministries and Departments. The calendar includes examinations like SSC CGL, CHSL, MTS, GD Constable, Stenographer, JE, and others. This calendar helps lakhs of candidates plan their preparation and manage multiple exam applications effectively. The SSC recruits for diverse positions ranging from clerical posts to technical roles like Junior Engineers, with qualifications varying from 10th pass to graduate level. ITI-qualified candidates can apply for technical and skilled trade posts announced in specific recruitment notifications during the year.

Important Dates (Typical Annual Cycle)

Note: Exact dates will be notified in the official calendar. Dates vary by specific examination.

Vacancy Breakdown (Typical / Indicative Across All SSC Exams 2026-27)

Note: Vacancy numbers vary significantly by specific examination and are announced in individual recruitment notifications. Above figures represent typical aggregate vacancies across all SSC examinations in a calendar year.

Eligibility Criteria

Educational Qualification

Varies by Examination:

• SSC MTS/Havaldar: 10th Pass
• SSC CHSL: 12th Pass (10+2)
• SSC GD Constable: 10th Pass
• SSC CGL: Bachelor's Degree from recognized university
• SSC JE (Junior Engineer): Diploma/Degree in Engineering (Civil/Electrical/Mechanical)
• SSC Stenographer: 12th Pass with typing/stenography skills
• ITI-Based Posts: ITI Certificate in relevant trade (for technical/skilled positions in specific recruitments)

Specific educational requirements must be verified from individual exam notifications.

Age Limit

General Age Range (as of January 1, 2026):

Age Relaxation:

Nationality

Candidates must be:

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

How to Apply

1. Visit Official Website: Go to https://ssc.nic.in and navigate to the specific examination notification link
2. One-Time Registration: If applying for the first time, complete one-time registration by providing basic details, email ID, and mobile number
3. Login: Use registration number and password to login to the SSC portal
4. Fill Application Form: Complete Part-I (Personal Details), Part-II (Educational/Other Details), and Part-III (Preferences/Posts)
5. Upload Documents: Upload scanned photograph (size: 4-12 KB), signature (size: 1-12 KB), and other required documents in prescribed format (JPG/JPEG)
6. Fee Payment: Pay application fee through online mode (Credit/Debit Card/Net Banking/UPI) or offline mode (SBI Challan)
7. Submit Application: Review all details carefully and submit the application form
8. Print Confirmation: Take printout of the submitted application form for future reference

Application Fees

Payment Mode: Online (Credit/Debit Card, Net Banking, UPI, BHIM) or Offline (SBI Branch Challan)

Note: Fee structure may vary for certain examinations. Fee is generally non-refundable except in case of cancellation of examination.

Selection Process (Varies by Examination)

Typical SSC Selection Stages:

1. Computer Based Examination - Tier I (Prelims): Objective-type multiple choice examination covering General Intelligence, Quantitative Aptitude, English, and General Awareness. This is a screening test.

1. Computer Based Examination - Tier II (Mains): Detailed examination with papers on Quantitative Abilities, English Language, Statistics, and General Studies (for CGL). Papers vary by examination and post applied.

1. Skill Test/Typing Test/Physical Test: Depending on the post, candidates may need to undergo Data Entry Speed Test (DEST), Computer Proficiency Test (CPT), Typing Test (English/Hindi), or Physical Efficiency Test (PET) and Physical Standard Test (PST) for posts like GD Constable.

1. Document Verification: Shortlisted candidates are called for verification of original documents including educational certificates, caste certificate, age proof, and other relevant documents.

1. Medical Examination: For certain posts like GD Constable, Excise Inspector, and other field posts, candidates must undergo detailed medical examination to ensure fitness for the role.

1. Final Merit List: Based on aggregate performance in various stages (with weightage as specified), final merit list is prepared category-wise and candidates are allocated to posts based on preferences.

Exam Pattern (Sample: SSC CGL)

Tier-I (Preliminary Examination)

Negative Marking: 0.50 marks deducted for each wrong answer

Note: There is compensatory time of 20 minutes per hour for PwD candidates entitled to scribe.

Tier-II (Mains Examination)

Negative Marking: 0.50 marks (for 2-mark questions) and 0.25 marks (for 1-mark questions) deducted for wrong answers

Note: Exam patterns vary significantly across different SSC examinations (CHSL, MTS, JE, GD, Stenographer). Candidates must refer to specific exam notifications for detailed patterns.

Syllabus (Comprehensive for Major SSC Exams)

General Intelligence & Reasoning

• Analogies and Similarities
• Differences and Classification
• Series Completion (Number, Alphabetic, Semantic)
• Coding-Decoding
• Blood Relations
• Direction Sense and Distance
• Puzzle Solving and Pattern Recognition
• Syllogism and Statement-Conclusion
• Venn Diagrams
• Embedded Figures and Figure Matrix
• Word Formation and Jumbling
• Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

General Awareness

• Current Affairs: National and International events of past 6-12 months
• History: Indian Freedom Movement, Ancient, Medieval, and Modern India
• Geography: Physical, Social, and Economic Geography of India and World
• Polity: Indian Constitution, Governance, Political System, Panchayati Raj
• Economics: Indian Economy, Budget, Five-Year Plans, Economic Reforms
• Science: Physics, Chemistry, Biology (General Science for 10th standard)
• Environment & Ecology: Environmental issues, Climate Change, Biodiversity
• Culture: Indian Art, Literature, Awards, and Sports
• Important Dates: National and International Days

Quantitative Aptitude/Numerical Ability

• Number System: HCF, LCM, Divisibility Rules, Prime Numbers
• Simplification: BODMAS, Fractions, Decimals, Surds, and Indices
• Percentage and Ratio: Applications and Problem Solving
• Average, Profit & Loss: Commercial Mathematics
• Simple and Compound Interest: Banking and Finance calculations
• Time and Work: Work Efficiency problems
• Time, Speed & Distance: Train, Boat, and Stream problems
• Mensuration: Area, Volume, Perimeter of 2D and 3D figures
• Algebra: Linear Equations, Polynomials, Quadratic Equations
• Geometry: Lines, Angles, Triangles, Circles, Coordinate Geometry
• Trigonometry: Basic identities, Heights and Distances
• Statistics: Mean, Median, Mode, Standard Deviation
• Data Interpretation: Tables, Bar Graphs, Pie Charts, Line Graphs

English Language & Comprehension

• Vocabulary: Synonyms, Antonyms, One-word Substitution
• Grammar: Parts of Speech, Tenses, Articles, Prepositions
• Sentence Structure: Active-Passive Voice, Direct-Indirect Speech
• Error Detection: Spotting Errors in sentences
• Sentence Improvement: Phrase Replacement
• Fill in the Blanks: Context-based word selection
• Cloze Test: Paragraph completion
• Reading Comprehension: Passage-based questions
• Idioms and Phrases: Common expressions
• Spelling Correction: Identifying misspelled words

Computer Proficiency (for certain posts)

• Computer Basics and Hardware
• MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Internet and Email
• Operating Systems
• Computer Networks and Security
• Database Management Systems

Technical Subjects (for SSC JE)

• Civil Engineering: Building Materials, Construction, Surveying, Strength of Materials, Soil Mechanics, Hydraulics, RCC, Environmental Engineering
• Electrical Engineering: Basic Concepts, Network Theory, Machines, Power Systems, Measurements, Electronics
• Mechanical Engineering: Thermodynamics, Fluid Mechanics, Manufacturing, Strength of Materials, Theory of Machines

Note: Syllabus varies by examination. ITI candidates should focus on trade-specific technical knowledge for relevant posts.

Salary Structure (Typical / Indicative for Various SSC Posts)

SSC Group C Posts (MTS, Havaldar)

SSC Group B Posts (Junior Engineer, Tax Assistant, Auditor)

Additional Benefits:

• Dearness Allowance (DA): Revised twice yearly based on inflation
• House Rent Allowance (HRA): 8% to 24% of Basic Pay depending on city classification (X/Y/Z)
• Transport Allowance: ₹1,800 to ₹7,200 per month
• Medical Benefits: CGHS facility for self and dependents
• Leave Travel Concession (LTC): Once in 2 years
• Pension: Under National Pension System (NPS) with 14% employer contribution
• Gratuity: After completion of service

Salary mentioned is typical and varies by post, pay level, and location. DA rates change bi-annually.

SSC posts offer excellent career progression through departmental promotion channels and time-bound promotions. Group C employees can rise to Group B gazetted posts through departmental exams and seniority, while Group B officers progress to senior administrative positions. For example, an MTS can become UDC, then LDC, and eventually reach supervisory roles; Junior Engineers can progress to Assistant Engineer, then Executive Engineer with pay scales reaching ₹1.5-2 lakhs per month at senior levels. Annual increments of 3% on basic pay, along with periodic pay commission revisions, ensure steady financial growth throughout a 35-40 year career span.

SSC releases admit cards for all examinations approximately 7-10 days before the scheduled exam date on its official website (ssc.nic.in) and respective Regional Office websites. Candidates must download admit cards using their registration number and date of birth/password from the login portal. The admit card contains crucial details including candidate's name, photograph, exam center address, reporting time, and important instructions. No postal copies are sent. Candidates must carry a printed copy of the admit card along with a valid photo ID proof (Aadhaar, Voter ID, Driving License, or Passport) to the examination center for verification.

SSC typically declares preliminary examination results within 30-45 days of exam completion, while mains/final results take 45-90 days depending on the examination complexity and number of candidates. Results are published on the official SSC website with category-wise cut-off marks. Candidates can check results using registration number and date of birth. Score cards showing normalized marks (for multi-shift exams) are made available in the candidate login portal. Final selection lists include roll numbers of selected candidates along with their allocated posts and joining formalities. Representations regarding answer keys are accepted for 3-5 days after exam through the official portal.

SSC cutoff marks vary significantly by examination, post category, and candidate reservation category. For SSC CGL Tier-I, typical cutoffs range from 120-160 marks out of 200 for General category, 100-130 for OBC, 85-115 for SC, and 75-105 for ST candidates. SSC CHSL cutoffs are generally 130-150 for General, 110-130 for OBC, 90-110 for SC/ST. Cutoffs fluctuate based on exam difficulty level, number of vacancies, and total applicants. Category-wise cutoffs are published with each result, and cutoff trends from previous years provide reasonable preparation benchmarks. Higher cutoffs are observed for popular posts and metro locations, while regional/technical posts may have relatively lower cutoffs.

Examination Centers

SSC conducts examinations across India in over 200 cities to ensure accessibility for candidates from all regions.

Major Exam Centers by Region:

North: Delhi NCR (Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad, Faridabad, Gurgaon), Chandigarh, Jaipur, Lucknow, Allahabad, Kanpur, Dehradun, Shimla, Jammu, Srinagar, Amritsar

South: Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Coimbatore, Madurai, Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, Mysuru, Mangalore, Puducherry

East: Kolkata, Patna, Ranchi, Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Jamshedpur, Durgapur, Siliguri, Dhanbad, Rourkela

West: Mumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad, Surat, Nagpur, Nashik, Thane, Vadodara, Rajkot, Indore, Bhopal, Raipur

Northeast: Guwahati, Agartala, Aizawl, Imphal, Itanagar, Kohima, Shillong, Gangtok

Candidates can select 3-4 preferred exam centers during application. Final center allotment is subject to availability and mentioned in the admit card. SSC may add or remove centers based on administrative feasibility.