SSC CGL 2026 Notification – Combined Graduate Level Examination
The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has officially released the SSC CGL 2026 Notification for the Combined Graduate Level Examination. This is one of the most competitive and sought-after government examinations in India, conducted annually to recruit staff for various Group B and Group C posts across central government ministries, departments, and organisations.
SSC CGL 2026 offers an excellent opportunity for graduates to secure prestigious government positions with attractive pay scales ranging from Pay Level 4 (₹25,500) to Pay Level 11 (₹67,700–₹1,51,100). The examination covers posts such as Tax Assistant, Auditor, Upper Division Clerk (UDC), Inspector (Central Excise/Preventive Officer/Examiner), Assistant Section Officer (ASO), and Statistical Investigator Grade-II, among others.
The total number of vacancies for SSC CGL 2026 is expected to be approximately 17,727, covering multiple ministries including the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Commerce, Comptroller & Auditor General of India (C&AG), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), and the Ministry of External Affairs. Candidates from all states and union territories across India are eligible to apply.
The examination follows a two-tier pattern: Tier 1 (Computer Based Examination) serves as the screening test with 100 questions carrying 200 marks across four sections — General Intelligence & Reasoning, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, and English Comprehension. Tier 2 (Computer Based Examination) is the main examination comprising multiple papers including Quantitative Abilities, English Language & Comprehension, Statistics, and General Studies (Finance & Economics).
Candidates must hold a bachelor's degree from a recognised university or equivalent at the time of application. The age limit varies by post, with the general age bracket being 18–32 years for most positions, with relaxations applicable for SC/ST (5 years), OBC (3 years), and PwD candidates (up to 10 years) as per government norms.
The application process is entirely online through the SSC's official website. Candidates must register on the SSC portal, fill in personal and educational details, upload required documents (photograph, signature, and identity proof), and pay the application fee online. The application fee is ₹100 for General/OBC candidates, while female candidates and SC/ST/PwD/ESM candidates are exempted from payment.
This page provides comprehensive details about SSC CGL 2026 including important dates, eligibility criteria, exam pattern, syllabus overview, selection process, salary structure, and a step-by-step application guide. Bookmark this page for the latest updates as we track every official announcement from SSC.
SSC CGL 2026 Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release Date | 2026-01-15 |
| Online Application Start Date | 2026-02-01 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 2026-04-30 |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | 2026-05-02 |
| Application Correction Window | 2026-05-05 to 2026-05-10 |
| Tier 1 Exam Date | 2026-07-15 to 2026-08-10 |
| Tier 1 Result Date | 2026-09-15 |
| Tier 2 Exam Date | 2026-11-20 to 2026-11-22 |
| Final Result Date | To Be Announced |
SSC CGL Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for SSC CGL 2026, candidates must meet the following criteria:
Educational Qualification
- Minimum Qualification: Bachelor's Degree from a recognised university or equivalent.
- Statistical Investigator Grade-II: Bachelor's Degree with Statistics as one of the subjects in graduation, OR Bachelor's Degree with Mathematics in Class 12 and Statistics as a paper in the final year.
- Compiler (in RGI): Bachelor's Degree with Economics or Statistics or Mathematics as a compulsory/elective subject.
Age Limit (as on 01-01-2026)
- Group B Posts (ASO, Tax Assistant, etc.): 20–30 years
- Group C Posts (UDC, LDC, DEO): 18–27 years
- Inspector Posts: 18–30 years
Age Relaxation
- SC/ST: 5 years
- OBC (Non-Creamy Layer): 3 years
- PwD (General): 10 years | PwD (OBC): 13 years | PwD (SC/ST): 15 years
- Ex-Servicemen: 3 years after deduction of military service rendered
Check your exact eligibility using our Age Calculator for Government Jobs.
Check Your Age Eligibility
Check if you meet the age requirement for SSC CGL. Our calculator shows your exact age on the cut-off date with category-wise relaxation (OBC, SC/ST, PH, Ex-Servicemen).
- ✓ Enter DOB and cut-off date
- ✓ Category-wise age relaxation
- ✓ Preset cut-off dates for major exams
SSC CGL 2026 Application Fee
| Category | Fee (₹) |
|---|---|
| General | ₹100 |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | ₹100 |
| SC / ST | Exempted |
| Female (all categories) | Exempted |
| PwD / Ex-Servicemen | Exempted |
Payment Modes: Net Banking, Credit Card, Debit Card, UPI, SBI Challan
SSC CGL Selection Process
- Tier 1 – Computer Based Examination (Screening)
- Tier 2 – Computer Based Examination (Main)
- Document Verification
- Medical Examination
- Final Merit List based on Tier 2 score (normalised)
SSC CGL 2026 Exam Pattern
Tier 1 – Computer Based Examination
| Subject | Questions | Marks | Duration | Negative Marking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 25 | 50 | 60 min (combined) | 0.50 per wrong answer |
| General Awareness | 25 | 50 | — | 0.50 per wrong answer |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 50 | — | 0.50 per wrong answer |
| English Comprehension | 25 | 50 | — | 0.50 per wrong answer |
| Total | 100 | 200 |
Tier 2 – Paper 1 (Compulsory for all posts)
| Subject | Questions | Marks | Duration | Negative Marking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematical Abilities | 30 | 90 | 60 min (Module I) | 1.0 per wrong answer |
| Reasoning & General Intelligence | 30 | 90 | 60 min (Module I) | 1.0 per wrong answer |
| English Language & Comprehension | 45 | 135 | 60 min (Module II) | 1.0 per wrong answer |
| General Awareness | 25 | 75 | 60 min (Module II) | 1.0 per wrong answer |
| Computer Knowledge | 20 | 60 | 15 min (Module III) | 1.0 per wrong answer |
| Total | 150 | 450 |
Tier 2 – Paper 2 (Statistics – for JSO only)
| Subject | Questions | Marks | Duration | Negative Marking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Statistics | 100 | 200 | 120 min | 0.50 per wrong answer |
| Total | 100 | 200 |
SSC CGL Syllabus Overview
The SSC CGL syllabus covers a wide range of topics across Tier 1 and Tier 2. Tier 1 tests fundamental aptitude across Reasoning (analogies, classification, coding-decoding, matrix, syllogism), Quantitative Aptitude (number systems, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, data interpretation), English (reading comprehension, cloze test, error spotting, synonyms/antonyms), and General Awareness (current affairs, history, geography, polity, economics, science).
Tier 2 covers advanced topics including Data Sufficiency, Mathematical Modelling, advanced English passages, and Computer Proficiency (MS Office, networking basics, database). For detailed topic-wise syllabus, see our SSC CGL 2026 Syllabus page.
SSC CGL 2026 Salary Structure
Pay Levels
Pay Level 4 to Pay Level 11
Gross Salary Range
₹35,000 – ₹1,80,000 per month
In-Hand Salary Range
₹30,000 – ₹1,50,000 per month (approx.)
Post-wise Basic Pay
| Post Name | Pay Level | Basic Pay (₹/month) |
|---|---|---|
| Upper Division Clerk (UDC) | Level 4 | ₹25,500 – ₹81,100 |
| Tax Assistant (CBDT/CBIC) | Level 4 | ₹25,500 – ₹81,100 |
| Auditor (C&AG/CGDA) | Level 5 | ₹29,200 – ₹92,300 |
| Sub-Inspector (CBI) | Level 6 | ₹35,400 – ₹1,12,400 |
| Inspector (Central Excise/Customs) | Level 7 | ₹44,900 – ₹1,42,400 |
| Assistant Section Officer (CSS) | Level 8 | ₹47,600 – ₹1,51,100 |
| Statistical Investigator Gr-II | Level 8 | ₹47,600 – ₹1,51,100 |
| Assistant Audit/Accounts Officer | Level 8 | ₹47,600 – ₹1,51,100 |
Allowances & Benefits
- Dearness Allowance (DA) – revised biannually
- House Rent Allowance (HRA) – 8% to 24% based on city
- Transport Allowance (TPTA)
- Children Education Allowance
- Leave Travel Concession (LTC)
- National Pension System (NPS) – 14% employer contribution
- Medical Benefits under CGHS
Calculate Your In-Hand Salary
Use the 7th CPC Government Salary Calculator to estimate your in-hand salary for SSC CGL 2026 posts — including DA, HRA, and all deductions based on your pay level and city.
- ✓ Select pay level (1–18) and basic pay
- ✓ City-wise HRA (X, Y, Z category)
- ✓ DA, TA, NPS deductions included
How to Apply for SSC CGL 2026
- Visit the official SSC website at ssc.gov.in and navigate to the "Register/Login" section.
- If you are a new user, click "New User? Register Now" and complete one-time registration with your name, email, mobile number, and create a password.
- After registration, log in to the SSC portal and click on "Apply" next to the CGL 2026 notification.
- Fill in the application form with personal details (name, date of birth, category), educational qualifications, and examination preferences (centres, posts).
- Upload scanned copies of your recent passport-size photograph (20–50 KB, JPEG), signature (10–20 KB, JPEG), and a valid photo ID proof (100–300 KB, PDF).
- Pay the application fee of ₹100 via Net Banking, Credit/Debit Card, UPI, or SBI Challan. Female, SC, ST, PwD, and Ex-Servicemen candidates are exempted.
- Review all details carefully, submit the application, and download/print the confirmation page with your Registration ID for future reference.
SSC CGL 2026 Admit Card
Release Date: To Be Announced
- Visit ssc.gov.in and click on "Status/Download Admit Card" under the Candidate's Corner
- Select "Combined Graduate Level Examination 2026" from the exam list
- Log in with your Registration ID and Date of Birth
- Download and print the admit card on A4 paper
- Carry the printed admit card to the examination hall
- Carry one valid photo ID proof: Aadhaar Card, Passport, Voter ID, Driving Licence, or PAN Card — candidates without both documents will not be permitted to enter
SSC CGL Previous Year Cutoff Marks
| Year | Category | Cutoff Score | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | General | 175.44 | 200 |
| 2024 | OBC | 153.70 | 200 |
| 2024 | SC | 141.63 | 200 |
| 2024 | ST | 126.28 | 200 |
| 2023 | General | 170.26 | 200 |
| 2023 | OBC | 149.52 | 200 |
| 2023 | SC | 137.33 | 200 |
| 2023 | ST | 122.41 | 200 |
| 2022 | General | 160.04 | 200 |
| 2022 | OBC | 140.68 | 200 |
| 2022 | SC | 130.31 | 200 |
| 2022 | ST | 117.51 | 200 |
SSC CGL 2026 Result
Result Date: To Be Announced
Next Steps After Result:
- Check the result PDF on ssc.gov.in — qualified candidates' roll numbers are listed category-wise
- SSC applies normalisation across multiple shifts to ensure fair scoring — your raw score is converted to a normalised score
- Download your individual score card from the candidate login portal after result declaration
- Tier 1 qualified candidates will be called for Tier 2 examination
- Final merit list is prepared based on normalised Tier 2 scores and uploaded to the official website
SSC CGL 2026 – FAQs
Age Limit
The age limits for various posts under the SSC CGL 2026 examination vary, typically falling into ranges such as 18-27 years, 20-30 years, 18-30 years, and up to 32 years for specific positions like Junior Statistical Officer. The crucial date for age calculation will be specified in the official notification for 2026. Significant age relaxations are provided for candidates belonging to reserved categories as per government rules. Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) candidates are eligible for a 5-year relaxation, while Other Backward Classes (OBC) candidates receive a 3-year relaxation. Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) are granted a 10-year relaxation (13 years for PwBD+OBC and 15 years for PwBD+SC/ST). Ex-Servicemen are eligible for a 3-year relaxation after deduction of the military service rendered from the actual age. Central Government Civilian Employees who have rendered not less than 3 years of regular and continuous service as of the closing date for receipt of applications are eligible for relaxation up to 40 years of age (45 years for SC/ST). Widows, divorced women, and judicially separated women are also provided age relaxation up to 35 years (40 years for SC/ST) for specific posts.
Preparation Tips
Effective preparation for the SSC CGL 2026 examination demands a strategic and disciplined approach. Begin by thoroughly understanding the updated syllabus and examination pattern for both Tier-I and Tier-II. Create a structured study plan that allocates sufficient time to each section: General Intelligence & Reasoning, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, and English Comprehension. For Quantitative Aptitude and Reasoning, focus on building strong conceptual clarity and practicing a wide variety of problem types to enhance speed and accuracy. Regular reading of newspapers, magazines, and current affairs digests is essential for General Awareness, alongside a systematic study of static GK topics like History, Geography, Polity, and Science. English Comprehension requires consistent practice in grammar rules, vocabulary building, and reading comprehension passages. Solving previous year's question papers is invaluable for understanding the exam's difficulty level and common question patterns. Integrate regular mock tests into your schedule to simulate exam conditions, identify weak areas, and refine time management skills. Post-mock analysis is crucial for learning from mistakes. For Tier-II, pay special attention to the Computer Knowledge Module and, if applicable, the specific papers for JSO (Statistics) or AAO (Finance & Economics). Consistent revision of all subjects is paramount to retain information and perform optimally on exam day.
Application Process
Applying for the SSC CGL 2026 examination involves a streamlined online process through the official website of the Staff Selection Commission, ssc.nic.in. Candidates must first complete a One-Time Registration (OTR) if they haven't already, providing basic details, contact information, and uploading a scanned photograph and signature as per specified dimensions and file size. After successful OTR, candidates can log in using their registration number and password to access the detailed application form for the CGL 2026 examination. The application form requires filling in educational qualifications, post preferences, examination center choices, and other relevant information. It is crucial to accurately fill all details and review them before submission. The application fee, typically ₹100, must be paid online through various modes like BHIM UPI, Net Banking, or by using Visa/Mastercard/Maestro Credit/Debit cards. Women candidates and candidates belonging to Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD), and Ex-Servicemen eligible for reservation are exempted from paying the application fee. Upon successful payment and final submission, candidates should print a copy of their completed application form for future reference.
