The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has officially released the SSC CGL 2026 Notification, announcing 12,256 vacancies for diverse Group B and Group C positions across various Central Government ministries. As one of India's most sought-after competitive exams, the SSC CGL attracts over 25 lakh aspirants aiming for stable, high-growth government careers.
Candidates can apply online at the official portal: www.ssc.gov.in. The application window is open from 21st May to 22nd June 2026. This comprehensive guide provides all essential updates on exam dates, eligibility criteria, the latest selection process, exam patterns, salary structure, and application instructions.
SSC CGL 2026 Notification PDF
The Combined Graduate Level (CGL) 2026 recruitment drive covers 12,256 vacancies for prestigious roles, including Assistant Section Officer, Income Tax Inspector, Inspector in CBIC, Assistant Enforcement Officer, CBI Sub-Inspector, Junior Statistical Officer, Auditor, and Tax Assistant. You can download the official SSC CGL 2026 notification PDF, which outlines full vacancy details, selection norms, and test schedules, directly from the official website.
Download Official SSC CGL 2026 Notification PDF
SSC CGL 2026- Exam Summary
The SSC CGL (Combined Graduate Level) exam is an annual national-level assessment conducted by the Staff Selection Commission. It aims to recruit highly qualified graduates for key Group B and C administrative, executive, and investigative positions in government bodies like the Income Tax Department, CBI, and Customs.
| SSC CGL 2026 Exam- Summary | |
| Exam Name | SSC CGL 2026 |
| Full Form | Staff Selection Commission Combined Graduate Level |
| Notification No. | F. No. HQ-C11018/1/2026-C-1 |
| Conducting Body | Staff Selection Commission (SSC) |
| SSC CGL Vacancy 2026 | 12256 |
| Mode of Exam | Online |
| Registration Dates | 21st May to 22nd June 2026 |
| Exam Type | National Level |
| Eligibility | Bachelor's Degree from a recognised University/Institute |
| Age Limit | 18 to 32 Years |
| Selection Process |
|
| Application Fee | Rs. 100 (Women/SC/ST/PwBD/ESM exempted) |
| Salary | Varies post-wise (Pay Level 4 to 7) |
| Official Website | www.ssc.gov.in |
| Helpline (Toll Free) | 1800 309 3063 |
SSC CGL 2026 Important Dates
The official registration for SSC CGL 2026 commenced on 21st May 2026, alongside the publication of the detailed notification PDF. Candidates are advised to consult the critical dates section to ensure they do not miss any key milestones.
| Events | Dates |
| Notification Release Date | 21st May 2026 |
| SSC CGL Apply Online Starts | 21st May 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 22nd June 2026 (23:00 hours) |
| Fee Payment Last Date | 22nd June 2026 |
| Application Form Correction Dates | 29th June to 1st July 2026 (23:00 hours) |
| SSC CGL Tier 1 Exam Date | August-September 2026 |
| SSC CGL Tier 2 Exam Date | December 2026 |
SSC CGL 2026 Exam Dates
According to the notification, the SSC CGL Tier 1 exam is tentatively scheduled for August-September 2026, with exact dates to follow soon. Only candidates who submit error-free applications and meet all criteria will be eligible to download their admit cards.
SSC CGL Vacancy 2026 Details
The SSC has confirmed 12,256 vacancies for the 2026 cycle across 40 specialized Group B and Group C posts. Detailed category-wise and post-wise vacancy breakdowns are available on the official website: ssc.gov.in under the 'Tentative Vacancy' tab.
This year, vacancies for Assistant Audit Officer (AAO) and Assistant Accounts Officer have been reinstated, offering a lucrative pay scale ranging from Rs. 47,600 to Rs. 1,51,100.
Analyze the historical year-on-year trends for SSC CGL vacancies here.
| Year | Vacancies |
| 2026 | 12256 |
| 2025 | 14582 |
| 2024 | 18174 |
| 2023 | 8415 |
| 2022 | 37409 |
| 2021 | 7621 |
| 2020 | 7035 |
| 2019 | 8428 |
| 2018 | 11271 |
| 2017 | 9276 |
SSC CGL Posts Classification
The SSC CGL exam is a gateway to high-status administrative careers. The complete list of SSC CGL Posts, their classifications, and parent government departments are detailed in the section below.
| SSC CGL Posts List | ||
| SSC CGL Post | Classification of Post | Department/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 Officer | Central Secretariat Service, Intelligence Bureau, Ministry of Railway, Ministry of External Affairs, AFHQ | |
| Assistant | Other Ministries/ Departments/ Organizations | |
| Inspector (Central Excise) | CBIC | |
| Assistant Enforcement Officer | Directorate of Enforcement, Department of Revenue | |
| Sub Inspector | Central Bureau of Investigation | |
| Inspector | Central Bureau of Narcotics | |
| Junior Statistical Officer | M/o Statistics & Programme Implementation | |
| Statistical Investigator Grade-II | Registrar General of India | |
| Inspector of Income Tax | Group “C” | CBDT |
| Auditor | Offices under C&AG, CGDA | |
| Accountant/ Junior Accountant | Other Ministry/ Departments | |
| Senior Secretariat Assistant/ Upper Division Clerks | Central Govt. Offices/ Ministries other than CSCS cadres | |
| Tax Assistant | CBDT/ CBIC | |
Major Changes in SSC CGL 2026 Exam
- This year, AAO posts (Assistant Audit Officer and Assistant Accounts Officer) have been notified in the notification.
- SSC has introduced sectional timing for both Tier 1 and Paper 1 of Tier 2 Exam.
- Now there are three papers in the Tier 2 exam, wherein Paper is common, Paper 2 is for JSO posts and Paper 3 for AAO.
Key Changes in SSC CGL 2026: Click to View
SSC CGL 2026 Eligibility Criteria
The commission enforces strict eligibility guidelines concerning educational qualifications, age limits, and nationality. Detailed information regarding the SSC CGL Eligibility Criteria as per the latest notification is provided below.
Education 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, Masters 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 12th
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 recognized University or Institute with a minimum of one year of research experience in any recognized university or recognised Research Institution.
- For remaining posts- Bachelor’s Degree in any subject from a recognized University.
📱 Free SSC CGL Tier 1 Mock Test with Sectional Timing
(Available Sat 9 AM – Sun 10 PM)
Age Limit (as on 01/08/2026)
Generally, candidates must be between 18 and 32 years of age, depending on the specific post. Please consult our post-wise age requirement table below for clarity.
| Posts | Age Limit |
| Pay Level-8 (Rs. 47,600 – Rs. 1,51,100) | |
| Assistant Audit Officer (Central Cadre) in Indian Audit & Accounts Dept. under C&AG | 18-30 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 Bureau | 18–30 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 CBI | 20–30 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./Org | 18-30 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 & AG | 18–27 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 Assistant | 18–27 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 | |
Upper Age Relaxation
We have outlined the standard upper-age relaxation policies applicable to various reserved categories for the SSC CGL 2026 examination below.
| SSC CGL Age Relaxation | |
| Categories | Age relaxation |
| SC/ ST | 5 years |
| OBC | 3 years |
| PwD + General | 10 years |
| PwD + OBC | 13 years |
| PwD + SC/ ST | 15 years |
| Candidates domiciled in the State of Jammu & Kashmir between 1st January, 1980, to 31st December, 1989 | 5 years |
| Ex-Servicemen | 3 years |
| Defense Personnel who are disabled in any hostile military activity | 3 years |
| SC/ST Defence Personnel who are disabled during any hostile military activity | 8 years |
Nationality
Applicants must be citizens of India, Nepal, or Bhutan, or Tibetan refugees who arrived in India before January 1, 1962, or individuals of Indian origin migrated from specified countries with the intention of permanent settlement in India.
SSC CGL 2026 Selection Process
The SSC utilizes a rigorous two-tier SSC CGL selection process to recruit candidates for all Group B and C positions in the 2026 cycle.
Stage 1 (Tier-I): Computer-Based Examination (Qualifying only).
Stage 2 (Tier-II): Consists of Paper I (mandatory for all), Paper II for Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) candidates, and Paper III for Assistant Audit/Accounts Officer (AAO) applicants.
Final selection is determined by merit and post-preference. Please be aware that once the Commission allocates a post, requests for changes will not be entertained.
Q. Is there a limit on the number of attempts for SSC CGL?
Ans.- There is no cap on the number of attempts, provided candidates remain within the prescribed upper age limit.Q. Is a score of 140 good in SSC CGL?
Ans.- With cut-offs typically ranging between 150-160, a score of 140 is considered a "decent attempt" but may not guarantee selection depending on yearly competition.
SSC CGL 2026 Exam Pattern Revised
The Staff Selection Commission has optimized the SSC CGL Exam Pattern regarding timing. The examination structure is divided into two distinct tiers as follows:
| Tier | Type | Mode |
| Tier – 1 (Qualifying) | Objective Multiple Choice | Computer-Based (online) |
| Tier – 2 (Paper 1, 2, 3) |
| Computer-Based (online) |
Tier-I Examination
Tier I features objective multiple-choice questions in both English and Hindi (excluding English Comprehension). A penalty of 0.50 marks applies for every incorrect answer. Crucially, a sectional timing of 15 minutes per subject has been introduced for 2026.
| Subjects | No. of Questions | Marks | Timings |
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 25 | 50 | 15 minutes |
| General Awareness | 25 | 50 | 15 minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 50 | 15 minutes |
| English Comprehension | 25 | 50 | 15 minutes |
| Total | 100 | 200 | 60 minutes |
Check Revised SSC CGL Tier 2 Exam Pattern Here
SSC CGL 2026 Syllabus
Core subjects for the Preliminary Exam include General Awareness, Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, and English Language. An overview of the SSC CGL Syllabus for Tier-1 is provided below.
| General Intelligence and Reasoning | General Awareness/ GK | Quantitative Aptitude | English Comprehension |
| Classification | Static General Knowledge (Indian History, Culture etc.) | Simplification | Reading Comprehension |
| Analogy | Science | Interest | Fill in the Blanks |
| Coding-Decoding | Current Affairs | Averages | Spellings |
| Series | Indian Geography | Mensuration | Cloze Test |
| Non-Verbal | Current CM & Governors | DI | Synonyms & Antonyms |
| Word Formation | Sports | Percentage | Idioms and Phrases |
| Matrix | Books and Authors | Ratio and Proportion | One word Substitution |
| Important Schemes | Problem on Ages | Sentence Correction |
View Detailed SSC CGL Syllabus for Tier-1 & 2
SSC CGL 2026 Online Form
Registration for SSC CGL 2026 opened on 21st May 2026. Candidates must complete the One-Time Registration (OTR) process before filling out the main application form at www.ssc.gov.in.
Access SSC CGL 2026 Application Portal
SSC CGL 2026 Application Fee
The application fee is Rs. 100/-. Women, SC, ST, PwBD, and ESM candidates are exempt. Payments can be processed via UPI, Net Banking, or Debit Card. The deadline for fee payment is 23rd June 2026 (23:00 hours); please note that fees are non-refundable.
SSC CGL Salary Structure
Under the 7th Pay Commission, the gross monthly salary for SSC CGL posts typically ranges between Rs. 35,000 and Rs. 65,000, depending on the role and city HRA classification.
| Posts | Level | Pay Scale | Grade Pay | Initial Pay | Gross 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 Accountant | Level 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 Preparation Tips
A strategic approach is crucial for success. We have compiled expert SSC CGL Preparation Tips recommended by previous toppers:
Step 1: Thoroughly study the official syllabus and exam pattern to understand question weightage.
Step 2: Follow a structured 90-day study plan, dedicating 6–8 hours daily, focusing specifically on your weaker subjects.
Step 3: Solve previous years' papers to identify recurring themes and difficulty patterns.
Step 4: Attempt at least two full-length mock tests weekly to improve speed and accuracy.
Step 5: Stay current with daily news for General Awareness and Current Affairs, which is a major component of Tier 1.
Step 6: Practice with time-bound sectional constraints (new for 2026) to manage exam pressure effectively.
SSC CGL 2026 Exam Centres
The SSC will conduct the 2026 exam at various centers nationwide. You may select your preferred location during application. Exam venue details will be confirmed on your admit card, typically released one week prior to the exam.
| Examination Centers | SSC Regions and States | Address of the Regional Offices/ Website |
| Agra, Allahabad, Bareilly, Gorakhpur, Kanpur, Lucknow, Meerut, Varanasi, Bhagalpur, Muzaffarpur, Patna | Central Region (CR)/ Bihar and Uttar Pradesh | Regional 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 Blair | Eastern Region (ER)/ Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Jharkhand, Odisha, Sikkim and West Bengal | Regional Director (ER), Staff Selection Commission, 1st MSO Building,(8th Floor), 234/4, Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Road, Kolkata, West Bengal-700020 (www.sscer.org) |
Major testing centers include: Bangalore, Dharwar, Gulbarga, Mangalore, Mysore, Kochi, and Kozhikode. Additional centers include: Thiruvananthapuram and Thrissur. | Karnataka, Kerala Region (KKR)/ Lakshadweep, Karnataka and Kerala | Regional 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, Durg | Madhya Pradesh Sub-Region (MPR)/ Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh | Dy. Director (MPR), Staff Selection Commission, J-5, Anupam Nagar, Raipur, Chhattisgarh-492007 (www.sscmpr.org) |
Uttarakhand centers: Almora, Dehradun, Haldwani, and Srinagar. Other centers include: Delhi, Ajmer, Alwar, Bharatpur, Bikaner, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Kota, Sriganganagar, and Udaipur. | Northern Region (NR)/ NCT of Delhi, Rajasthan and Uttarakhand | Regional 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, Chandigarh | North Western Sub-Region (NWR)/ Chandigarh, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab | Dy. 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, Warangal | Southern 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, Panaji | Western Region (WR)/ Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu, Goa, Gujarat and Maharashtra | Regional 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, Aizwal | North 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 2026 Cut Off
Following results, the Commission releases detailed cut-off marks. Prospective candidates can review previous years' Tier 1 cut-offs in the table below for benchmarking their preparation.
| SSC CGL Previous Year Cut Off | ||||
| Categories | Finance/AAO | JSO | Statistical Investigator Gr.II | All Other Posts |
| General | 169.67168 | 168.53975 | 172.36025 | 150.04936 |
| EWS | 167.18331 | 166.06750 | 158.76802 | 143.44441 |
| OBC | 166.28763 | 165.86857 | 152.42184 | 145.93743 |
| SC | 154.29292 | 148.50911 | -- | 126.68201 |
| ST | 148.98918 | 146.65109 | 127.32602 | 118.16655 |
| OH | 147.95269 | 132.72381 | -- | 115.98466 |
| HH | 126.86400 | 80.99998 | 49.14875 | 77.72754 |
| Others-PWD | 109.82718 | -- | 40.00000 | 57.45303 |
| VH | -- | 114.60998 | 82.56201 | 121.59662 |
| ESM | -- | -- | -- | 100.29326 |
FAQs
Yes, the official SSC CGL 2026 Notification was released on 21st May 2026.
The Tier 1 exam is tentatively scheduled for August-September 2026; confirmed dates will be announced by the Commission shortly.
A total of 12,256 vacancies have been announced for this recruitment drive.
The exam follows a two-stage process: Tier 1 (qualifying) and Tier 2 (merit-based).
Key updates include strict sectional timing in both tiers and the addition of AAO post vacancies.
Yes, completing the One-Time Registration (OTR) at ssc.gov.in is a mandatory prerequisite for application.
The application fee is Rs. 100 for General/OBC candidates, with exemptions for SC, ST, Women, PwBD, and ESM applicants.
Tier 1 is qualifying to filter for Tier 2, which acts as the main selection exam with greater conceptual depth.
General category candidates typically target 150+ marks to secure a comfortable lead for the subsequent stages.
Also Read:
- How Many Attempts for SSC CGL? Official Rules Explained
- SSC CGL Syllabus 2026: Detailed Tier 1 & Tier 2 Exam Pattern PDF
- SSC CGL Preparation Tips 2026: Complete Subject-wise Strategy, 3-Month Study Plan & Toppers' Guide
- SSC CGL 2026 Notification: Complete Guide to New Exam Pattern & Changes
- SSC CGL Maths Syllabus 2026: Detailed Tier 1 & Tier 2 Topic-Wise Guide
- SSC CGL AAO Salary 2026, Salary Structure, Pay Scale, Job Profile
- OSSC CGL Cut Off 2026 Released: Check Category-wise Prelims Marks PDF
- BSSC CGL Cut Off 2026: Expected & Previous Year Marks (Post-Wise)
- OSSC CGL Answer Key 2026 Released: Download Official Response Sheet PDF & Raise Objections
- OSSC CGL Question Paper 2026: Prelims Paper PDF Download (19 April)