SSC CGL 2026 Tier 1 Exam Date, 12,256 Vacancies & Complete Guide

Posted: Jun 10, 2026 06:38 AM IST
Updated: Jul 23, 2026 07:56 AM IST
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The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has officially announced 12,256 vacancies for the SSC CGL 2026 examination, drawing applications from over 28 lakh aspirants. Candidates are now gearing up for the Tier 1 exam, scheduled to take place in August-September 2026. Explore this comprehensive guide for exam dates, eligibility criteria, selection procedures, updated patterns, salary structures, application steps, and month-wise preparation strategies.

SSC CGL 2026 Exam

The SSC CGL is a premier national-level examination administered by the Staff Selection Commission to recruit qualified graduates for prestigious Group B and Group C central government positions. Successful candidates secure coveted postings in esteemed organizations such as the Income Tax Department (CBDT), Customs & Excise (CBIC), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Enforcement Directorate, and the National Investigation Agency (NIA), among others. 

Conducted across two stages—Tier 1 (qualifying) and Tier 2 (scoring)—the SSC CGL attracts intense competition, particularly with over 28 lakh applicants this year. Aspirants must avoid delays and begin their preparation immediately. Review the core summary of the SSC CGL Exam 2026 below before diving into your study plan. 

SSC CGL 2026 Exam—Summary
Exam NameSSC CGL 2026
Full FormStaff Selection Commission Combined Graduate Level
Notification No.F. No. HQ-C11018/1/2026-C-1
Conducting BodyStaff Selection Commission (SSC)
SSC CGL Vacancy 202612256
Mode of ExamOnline
Exam DatesAugust-September 2026
Exam TypeNational Level
QualificationBachelor's Degree (Graduation)
Age Limit18 to 32 Years
Selection Process
  • Tier 1 (Qualifying)
  • Tier 2 (Scoring)
Application FeeRs. 100 (Women/SC/ST/PwBD/ESM exempted)
SalaryVaries post-wise (Pay Level 4 to 7)
Official Websitewww.ssc.gov.in
Helpline (Toll Free)1800 309 3063
Notification PDFOfficial Link

SSC CGL 2026 Notification Out

The Staff Selection Commission has released the official SSC CGL Notification 2026 PDF for 12,256 Group B and Group C vacancies across various government ministries and departments. This notification document provides comprehensive insights into the recruitment guidelines, crucial timelines, eligibility standards, vacancy breakdowns, exam syllabi, and selection procedures.

Download Official Notification PDF

What's New in SSC CGL 2026?

  • AAO posts are back- Assistant Audit Officer (Central & State Cadre) and Assistant Accounts Officer (State Cadre) have been included again, with pay scale Rs. 47,600–1,51,100.
  • Sectional timing introduced in Tier 1- Each section now has a separate 15-minute time limit. Candidates cannot switch between sections mid-section.
  • New Paper 3 in Tier 2- A new Paper-III (General Studies – Finance & Economics) has been added exclusively for AAO/AAAO posts in Tier 2.
  • Local Language rule for AAO State Cadre- Candidates selected for AAO State Cadre posts must be able to read, write, speak, and understand the local language of the allotted state.
  • Statistical Investigator eligibility expanded- AI, Data Science, and IT graduates are now eligible for Statistical Investigator Grade II post.

Check Details of New Changes Introduced in SSC CGL

What are the important dates for SSC CGL 2026?

EventsDates
Notification Release Date21st May 2026
SSC CGL Apply Online Starts21st May 2026
Application Reopened23rd June 2026 (11 pm)
Last Date to Apply Online25th June 2026 (23:00 hours)
Fee Payment Last Date26th June 2026 (23:00 hours)
Application Form Correction Dates1st to 3rd July 2026 (23:00 hours)
SSC CGL Tier 1 Exam DateAugust-September 2026
SSC CGL Tier 2 Exam DateDecember 2026

Latest Update: 
Following the conclusion of the registration process, applicants are eagerly awaiting the official release of the SSC CGL Exam Date 2026. The Tier 1 examination is anticipated in August-September 2026, while the Tier 2 exam will follow in December.

SSC CGL Vacancy 2026 Details

The SSC CGL 2026 recruitment campaign features exactly 12,256 openings distributed across 40 distinguished Group B and Group C categories. This cycle notably marks the re-introduction of high-demand Assistant Audit Officer and Assistant Accounts Officer positions.

Year-wise Vacancy Trend

Analyze the historical trends and year-on-year fluctuations of SSC CGL vacancies through our compiled data overview:

YearVacancies
202612256
202514582
202418174
20238415
202237409
20217621
20207035
20198428
201811271
20179276

SSC CGL Posts List

The Staff Selection Commission manages recruitment for Group B and Group C posts spanning numerous government ministries, departments, and public sector organizations via the SSC CGL framework. Review the classification of SSC CGL Posts mapped alongside their respective department/ministries in the detailed breakdown below.

SSC CGL Post NamePost CategoryDepartment/Ministry
Assistant Audit Officer (Central Cadre)Group “B” Officer (Central Cadre), Indian Audit & Accounts Dept. under C&AG
Assistant Audit Officer (State Cadre)Indian Audit & Accounts Dept. under C&AG
Assistant Accounts Officer (State Cadre)Indian Audit & Accounts Dept. under C&AG
Assistant Section OfficerCentral Secretariat Service, Intelligence Bureau, Ministry of Railway, Ministry of External Affairs, AFHQ
AssistantOther Ministries/Departments/Organisations
Inspector (Central Excise)CBIC
Assistant Enforcement OfficerDirectorate of Enforcement, Department of Revenue
Sub InspectorCentral Bureau of Investigation
InspectorCentral Bureau of Narcotics
Junior Statistical OfficerM/o Statistics & Programme Implementation
Statistical Investigator Grade-IIRegistrar General of India
Inspector of Income TaxGroup “C”CBDT
AuditorOffices under C&AG, CGDA
Accountant/Junior AccountantOther Ministry/ Departments
Senior Secretariat Assistant/Upper Division ClerksCentral Govt. Offices/ Ministries other than CSCS cadres
Tax AssistantCBDT/ CBIC

SSC CGL 2026 Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the SSC CGL examination, candidates must hold a bachelor's degree from a recognized university and fall within the 18 to 32 age bracket. The commission establishes strict guidelines covering educational qualifications, age caps, and nationality requirements. Consult the comprehensive SSC CGL Eligibility Criteria, outlined directly from the official notification below–

Educational Qualification (as on 01/08/2026)

  • For Assistant Audit Officer / Assistant Accounts Officer: Bachelor's Degree (Essential). Desirable: Chartered Accountant, Cost & Management Accountant, Company Secretary, Master's in Commerce, MBA, or Master's in Business Studies.
  • For Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) – Bachelor’s Degree from any recognised University with a minimum 60% in Mathematics in Class 12
    or in any discipline with statistics as one of the subjects in graduation.
  • For Statistical Investigator Grade II: Graduation degree from any recognised university with economics, statistics, or mathematics as a compulsory or elective subject.
  • For Research Assistant in National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) – Bachelor’s Degree from a recognised university or institute with a minimum of one year of research experience in any recognised university or recognised research institution.
  • For remaining posts – Bachelor’s Degree in any subject from a recognised university.

Can final-year graduation students apply for SSC CGL 2026?

Yes, final-year degree students are eligible to apply provided they can present valid proof or their official Bachelor's Degree certificate on or before the critical cut-off date of August 1, 2026.

Age Limit (as on 01/08/2026)

Eligible applicants must generally maintain an age range between 18 and 32 years. Verify specific post-wise age limits by referencing the structured category table below.

PostsAge Limit
Pay Level-8 (Rs. 47,600 – Rs. 1,51,100)
Assistant Audit Officer (Central Cadre) in Indian Audit & Accounts Dept. under C&AG18-30 years
Assistant Audit Officer (State Cadre) in Indian Audit & Accounts Dept. under C&AG
Assistant Accounts Officer (State Cadre) in Indian Audit & Accounts Dept. under C&AG
Pay level-7 (Rs. 44900 to Rs. 142400)
Assistant Section Officer in the Intelligence Bureau18–30 years
Assistant Section Officer in the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
Assistant Section Officer in Other Ministries/Dept./Org.
Assistant/Assistant Section Officer in Other Ministries/Dept./Org.
Inspector of Income Tax in CBDT
Inspector (Central Excise) in CBIC
Inspector (Preventive Officer) in CBIC
Inspector (Examiner) in CBIC
Asst. Enforcement Officer, Dept. of Revenue
Inspector Posts in DOP
Inspector in the Central Narcotics Bureau
Section Head in the Director General of Foreign Trade
Sub-Inspector in CBI20–30 years
Assistant Section Officer in Central Secretariat Service
Assistant Section Officer in the Ministry of Railways
Assistant Section Officer in the Ministry of External Affairs
Assistant Section Officer in AFHQ
Pay level- 6 (Rs. 35400 to Rs. 112400)
Assistant/Assistant Section Officer in Other Ministries/Dept./Org18-30 years
Executive Assistant in CBIC
Research Assistant in NHRC
Divisional Accountant in Offices C & AG
Sub-Inspector in NIA
Sub-Inspector in NCB- MHA
Statistical Investigator Grade-II in MHA
Office Superintendent in CBDT
Junior Statistical Officer in the Ministry of Statistics & Programme
Implementation
18–32 years
Pay level- 5 (Rs. 29200 to Rs. 92300)
Auditor in C & AG18–27 years
Auditor in Other Ministries/Dept.
Auditor in CGDA
Accountant in C & AG
Accountant in the Controller General of Accounts
Accountant/Junior Accountant in Other Ministry Dept.
Pay level- 4 (Rs. 25500 to Rs. 81100)
Postal Assistant/Sorting Assistant18–27 years
Sr. Secretariat Assistant/Upper Division Clerks in CGO/CSOs
Senior Administrative Assistant
Tax Assistant in CBDT
Tax Assistant in CBIC
Sub Inspector in CBN

📱 Free SSC CGL Tier 1 Live Test with Sectional Timing
(Sat 9AM–Sun 10PM)

SSC CGL Age Relaxation

The structured upper-age relaxation norms applicable to reserved categories for the SSC CGL 2026 examination are outlined below.

CategoriesAge relaxation
SC/ ST5 years
OBC3 years
PwD + General10 years
PwD + OBC13 years
PwD + SC/ ST15 years
Candidates domiciled in the State of Jammu & Kashmir between 1st January, 1980, to 31st December, 19895 years
Ex-Servicemen3 years
Defence personnel who are disabled in any hostile military activity3 years
SC/ST Defence Personnel who are disabled during any hostile military activity8 years

Nationality

Applicants must be a citizen of India, a subject of Nepal or Bhutan or a Tibetan refugee who arrived in India prior to January 1, 1962, with the intention of permanent settlement, or a person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African countries (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia, and Vietnam) to permanently reside in India.

SSC CGL Application Fee

Candidates are required to pay a non-refundable application fee of Rs. 100/- while completing their online forms. Payments can be seamlessly processed online through BHIM UPI, Net Banking, or Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, and RuPay Debit cards.

  • GEN/OBC (Male): Rs. 100
  • Female, SC, ST, PwD, & Ex-Servicemen: Completely exempted (No Fees)

Why Choose SSC CGL?

The SSC CGL remains one of India's most sought-after competitive examinations for graduate degree holders. Here is why hundreds of thousands of aspirants target this career path annually:

  1. Prestigious postings: Work with CBI, Income Tax, Customs, Enforcement Directorate and Ministry of External Affairs – some of the most respected departments in the Central Government.
  2. Wide range of posts: 40+ diverse Group B and Group C posts including finance, investigation, audit, statistics, secretarial work etc. suitable for various interests and strengths.
  3. Attractive salary: Starting salary ranging from Rs. 25,500 to Rs. 47,600 basic pay (Level 4 to Level 8), plus DA, HRA, TA, and other Central Government perks. In-hand gross salary ranges from approximately Rs. 35,000 to Rs. 70,000+ per month.
  4. Career growth: Clear promotion path through departmental exams (LDCE) and time-scale promotions in each ministry/department.
  5. Job Security: Regular Central Government Job with NPS pension, medical benefits and leave entitlements under CCS rules.
  6. All India transfer: Transfer all over the country. During the allocation process, candidates can indicate location preferences for the regions they prefer.
  7. Graduate eligible: Most positions are open to any bachelor’s degree in any discipline.
  8. Very inclusive: Most vacancies do not require an engineering or professional degree.
  9. Unlimited attempts: Candidates can appear every year within the age limit giving multiple chances to qualify.

SSC CGL 2026 Selection Process

The Staff Selection Commission manages a rigorous SSC CGL selection process designed to shortlist top-tier candidates for Group B and C positions under the SSC CGL 2026 umbrella. 

Stage 1 Tier-I: Computer-Based Examination serving as a screening and qualifying phase.

Stage 2 Tier-II: Features Paper I (mandatory for all positions), Paper-II tailored for Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) applicants under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, and Paper-III dedicated to Assistant Audit Officer (AAO) and Assistant Accounts Officer aspirants. 

Final candidate selection is determined strictly on merit-cum-preference of posts designated during application. Once a post code is allotted, no modifications are permitted by the Commission.

Q. How many attempts are allowed in the SSC CGL examination?
Ans.- There is no restriction on the number of attempts for the SSC CGL Exam, provided candidates remain within the permissible upper age limit.

Q. Is 140 a good score in SSC CGL?
Ans.- Given that competitive cut-offs typically hover between 150-160 marks, 140 cannot be classified as a safe top score, though it serves as a respectable "Decent Score".

SSC CGL 2026 Exam Pattern Revised

The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has updated the SSC CGL Exam Pattern specifically regarding time management rules. The examination format is structured across 2 main tiers as outlined below:

TierTypeMode
Tier – 1 (Qualifying)Objective Multiple ChoiceComputer-Based (online)
Tier – 2 (Paper 1, 2, 3)
  • Paper 1: Compulsory for all posts
  • Paper 2 for candidates who apply for the posts of Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) in the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.
  • Paper 3: For AAO post
Computer-Based (online)

Tier-I Examination

Tier I comprises objective-type, multiple-choice questions administered in English and Hindi (except for English Comprehension). A negative marking scheme applies penalizing 0.50 marks per incorrect response. A strict sectional time limit of 15 minutes per subject has been newly implemented this year.

SubjectsNo. of QuestionsMarksTimings
General Intelligence & Reasoning255015 minutes
General Awareness255015 minutes
Quantitative Aptitude255015 minutes
English Comprehension255015 minutes
Total10020060 minutes

SSC CGL Tier 2 Exam Pattern (Revised)- Click to Check 

SSC CGL 2026 Syllabus

The primary core sections featured in the SSC CGL Preliminary Exam include General Awareness, General Intelligence & Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, and English Comprehension. Review the core SSC CGL Syllabus overview for the Tier-1 exam below.

General Intelligence and ReasoningGeneral Awareness/ GKQuantitative AptitudeEnglish Comprehension
ClassificationStatic General Knowledge
(Indian History, Culture etc.)
SimplificationReading Comprehension
AnalogyScienceInterestFill in the Blanks
Coding-DecodingCurrent AffairsAveragesSpellings
SeriesIndian GeographyMensurationCloze Test
Non-VerbalCurrent CM & GovernorsDISynonyms & Antonyms
Word FormationSportsPercentageIdioms and Phrases
MatrixBooks and AuthorsRatio and ProportionOne word Substitution
Important SchemesProblem on AgesSentence Correction

Check Detailed SSC CGL Syllabus for Tier-1 & 2 Exams

SSC CGL Salary Structure

Estimated gross in-hand compensation ranges from roughly Rs. 35,000 to Rs. 65,000 per month, varying according to the specific job designation and assigned city tier (affecting House Rent Allowance). All salaries follow the pay matrix standards dictated by the 7th Central Pay Commission. 

PostsLevelPay ScaleGrade PayInitial PayGross Salary
Assistant Audit Officer (Central Cadre)Level 8₹ 47,600 to ₹ 1,51,100₹ 4800₹ 47,600₹63,000 - ₹70,000
Assistant Section Officer (CSS)Level 7₹44,900 - ₹1,42,400₹4600₹44,900₹55,000 - ₹65,000
Inspector (Income Tax)
Inspector (Central Excise)
Inspector (Preventive Officer)
Inspector (Examiner)
Sub Inspector (CBI)
Junior Statistical Officer (JSO)
Sub Inspector (NIA)
Divisional Accountant
Level 6₹35,400 - ₹1,12,400₹4200₹35,400₹45,000 - ₹55,000
Auditor & Accountant/Junior AccountantLevel 5₹29,200 - ₹92,300₹2800₹29,200₹40,000 - ₹50,000
Tax Assistant (CBEC) & Tax Assistant (CBDT)Level 4₹25,500 - ₹81,100₹2400₹25,500₹35,000 - ₹45,000

SSC CGL 2026 Cut Off

Upon declaring results, the Staff Selection Commission publishes category-specific and post-wise cut-off marks. Candidates aiming for the upcoming cycle can evaluate last year's Tier 1 cut-off benchmarks using the data table below. 

SSC CGL Previous Year Cut Off
CategoriesFinance/AAOJSOStatistical Investigator Gr.IIAll Other Posts
General169.67168168.53975172.36025150.04936
EWS167.18331166.06750158.76802143.44441
OBC166.28763165.86857152.42184145.93743
SC154.29292148.50911--126.68201
ST148.98918146.65109127.32602118.16655
OH147.95269132.72381--115.98466
HH126.8640080.9999849.1487577.72754
Others-PWD109.82718--40.0000057.45303
VH--114.6099882.56201121.59662
ESM------ 100.29326

SSC CGL 2026 Exam Centres

The SSC CGL 2026 examination will be conducted across numerous designated test cities nationwide. Aspirants select their preferred exam center during online form submission, with the exact venue details printed on the admit card issued approximately one week prior to the exam. The designated online center network is listed below:

Examination CentersSSC Regions and StatesAddress of the Regional Offices/ Website
Agra, Allahabad, Bareilly, Gorakhpur, Kanpur, Lucknow, Meerut, Varanasi, Bhagalpur, Muzaffarpur, PatnaCentral Region (CR)/ Bihar and Uttar PradeshRegional Director (CR), Staff Selection Commission, 21-23, Lowther Road, Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh-211002. (http://www.ssc-cr.org)
Gangtok, Ranchi, Barasat, Berhampore (WB), Chinsurah, Jalpaiguri, Kolkata, Malda, Midnapur, Siliguri, Berhampore(Odisha), Bhubaneshwar, Cuttack, Keonjhargarh, Sambalpur, Port BlairEastern Region (ER)/ Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Jharkhand, Odisha, Sikkim and West BengalRegional Director (ER), Staff Selection Commission, 1st MSO Building,(8th Floor), 234/4, Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Road, Kolkata, West Bengal-700020 (www.sscer.org)

Bangalore, Dharwar, Gulbarga, Mangalore, Mysore, Kochi, Kozhikode(Calicut),

Thiruvananthapuram, Thrissur

Karnataka, Kerala Region (KKR)/ Lakshadweep, Karnataka and KeralaRegional Director (KKR), Staff Selection Commission, 1st Floor, “E” Wing, Kendriya Sadan, Koramangala, Bengaluru, Karnataka-560034 (www.ssckkr.kar.nic.in)
Bhopal, Chindwara, Guna, Gwalior, Indore, Jabalpur, Khandwa, Ratlam, Satna, Sagar, Ambikapur, Bilaspur Jagdalpur, Raipur, DurgMadhya Pradesh Sub-Region (MPR)/ Chhattisgarh and Madhya PradeshDy. Director (MPR), Staff Selection Commission, J-5, Anupam Nagar, Raipur, Chhattisgarh-492007 (www.sscmpr.org)

Almora, Dehradun, Haldwani, Srinagar

(Uttarakhand), Haridwar, Delhi, Ajmer, Alwar, Bharatpur, Bikaner, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Kota, Sriganganagar, Udaipur

Northern Region (NR)/ NCT of Delhi, Rajasthan and UttarakhandRegional Director (NR), Staff Selection Commission, Block No. 12, CGO Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi-110003 (www.sscnr.net.in)
Anantnag, Baramulla, Jammu, Leh, Rajouri, Srinagar(J&K), Kargil, Dodda, Hamirpur, Shimla, Bhathinda, Jalandhar, Patiala, Amritsar, ChandigarhNorth Western Sub-Region (NWR)/ Chandigarh, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir and PunjabDy. Director (NWR), Staff Selection Commission, Block No. 3, Ground Floor, Kendriya Sadan, Sector-9, Chandigarh 160009 (www.sscnwr.org)
Guntur, Kurnool, Rajahmundry, Tirupati, Vishakhapatnam, Vijaywada, Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, Tiruchirapalli, Tirunelveli, Puducherry, Hyderabad, Nizamabad, WarangalSouthern Region (SR)/ Andhra Pradesh, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and Telangana.Regional Director (SR), Staff Selection Commission, 2nd Floor, EVK Sampath Building, DPI Campus, College Road, Chennai, Tamil Nadu-600006 (www.sscsr.gov.in)
Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Rajkot, Surat, Bhavnagar, Kutch, Amravati, Aurangabad, Kolhapur, Mumbai, Nagpur, Nanded, Nashik, Pune, Thane, Bhandara, Chandrapur, Akola, Jalgaon, Ahmednagar, Alibaug, PanajiWestern Region (WR)/ Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu, Goa, Gujarat and MaharashtraRegional Director (WR), Staff Selection Commission,1st Floor, South Wing, Pratishtha Bhawan, 101, Maharshi Karve Road, Mumbai, Maharashtra-400020 (www.sscwr.net)
Itanagar, Dibrugarh, Guwahati(Dispur), Jorhat, Silchar, Kohima, Shillong, Imphal, Churachandpur, Ukhrul, Agartala, AizwalNorth Eastern Region (NER)/ Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura.Regional Director (NER), Staff Selection Commission, Housefed Complex, Last Gate-Basistha Road, P. O. Assam Sachivalaya, Dispur, Guwahati, Assam 781006 (www.sscner.org.in)

SSC CGL Preparation Tips

A disciplined and strategic methodology is vital when launching preparation for the SSC CGL examinations. Top-performing candidates from previous recruitment drives recommend adopting these proven SSC CGL Preparation Tips for maximum effectiveness–

Step 1- Thoroughly examine the official syllabus & exam pattern before initiating study routines to understand testing scopes.

Step 2- Design a robust 90-day study roadmap, dedicating 6–8 focused hours daily while allocating extra attention to challenging subjects. 

Step 3- Incorporate previous years' question papers post-syllabus completion to pinpoint recurring themes and question styles.

Step 4- Attempt at least two full-length mock tests weekly to diagnose weaknesses and optimize time-management speed and accuracy.

Step 5- Cultivate daily newspaper reading habits, given that 25 pivotal Tier 1 questions derive directly from General Awareness & Current Affairs.

Step 6- Practice extensively with sectional timing frameworks (mandatory for 2026) to adapt to rigid time-bound boundaries per section.

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