The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) conducts the Combined Graduate Level (CGL) examination annually to recruit qualified graduates for prestigious Group B and Group C positions across various central government ministries and departments, including the CBI, Income Tax, and Customs. For the 2026 recruitment cycle, the SSC has officially announced 12,256 vacancies. Read this complete guide for critical exam dates, eligibility requirements, selection procedures, the latest exam pattern, salary structure, and application instructions.
SSC CGL 2026 Notification Out
Released on May 21, the official SSC CGL 2026 notification details all 12,256 vacancies, ranging from registration timelines to the final selection process. Interested candidates for Group B and C posts should submit their applications via the official portal before the deadline on June 22, 2026 (11:00 PM). The official notification PDF is provided in our exam overview table below.
SSC CGL Posts Classification
The Staff Selection Commission recruits for high-profile Group B and C roles across Indian government ministries and departments through the rigorous SSC CGL exam. A detailed list of SSC CGL Posts, their classifications, and respective departments are provided in the table 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 | |
SSC CGL 2026 Exam- Overview
With over 25 lakh applicants competing annually, the SSC CGL is one of India's most competitive exams. Aspirants should begin their preparation immediately to gain a competitive edge. Before diving into your studies, review the essential summary of the SSC CGL 2026 exam below.
| 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 |
| Qualification | Bachelor's Degree (Graduation) |
| 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 |
| Notification PDF | Download Link (Official) |
SSC CGL Tier 2 Score Card 2026 Released: Click Here to View Your Results
SSC CGL 2026 Important Dates
The online registration window for the SSC CGL 2026 exam is now open. Candidates must submit their application forms by June 22, with the final date for online fee payment set for June 23, 2026. Review all critical deadlines in the schedule below.
| 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 | 23rd June 2026 (23:00 hours) |
| 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 |
What is the SSC CGL 2026 exam date?
As per the official notification, the Tier 1 exam is scheduled for August-September 2026, followed by the Tier 2 exam in December 2026. Only successfully registered candidates with accepted applications will be permitted to appear for the examination.
SSC CGL Vacancy 2026 Details
The SSC CGL 2026 recruitment drive offers 12,256 vacancies across 40 distinct Group B and Group C posts. This year marks the return of vacancies for Assistant Audit Officer and Assistant Accounts Officer, carrying an attractive pay scale of Rs. 47,600 to Rs. 1,51,100.
Analyze the Year-wise Recruitment Trends:
| Year | Vacancies |
| 2026 | 12256 |
| 2025 | 14582 |
| 2024 | 18174 |
| 2023 | 8415 |
| 2022 | 37409 |
| 2021 | 7621 |
| 2020 | 7035 |
| 2019 | 8428 |
| 2018 | 11271 |
| 2017 | 9276 |
SSC CGL 2026 Eligibility Criteria
The Commission has established clear eligibility parameters regarding educational qualifications, age limits, and nationality. Detailed SSC CGL Eligibility Criteria can be found in the official notification as follows:
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, 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.
📱 Free SSC CGL Tier 1 Live Mock Test with Sectional Timing
(Available Sat 9AM – Sun 10PM)
Age Limit (as on 01/08/2026)
Generally, candidates must be between 18 and 32 years of age. Please refer to the table below for specific post-wise age limit requirements.
| 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 upper age limit relaxations provided for various categories in the SSC CGL 2026 exam 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
Candidates must be citizens of India, Nepal, or Bhutan, or Tibetan refugees who settled in India before January 1, 1962. Individuals of Indian origin who migrated from countries such as Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia, or Vietnam with the intention of permanently settling in India are also eligible.
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.
New Changes Introduced in SSC CGL 2026: Click Here to Learn More
SSC CGL 2026 Selection Process
The SSC employs a two-tier SSC CGL selection process to shortlist candidates for the various Group B and C positions in the 2026 recruitment.
Stage 1 (Tier-I): A computer-based examination that serves as a qualifying test.
Stage 2 (Tier-II): Consists of Paper I (mandatory for all), Paper II (for Junior Statistical Officer applicants), and Paper III (for Assistant Audit/Accounts Officer applicants).
The final selection is determined by merit and the candidate's post-preference. Once a post has been allotted by the Commission, no requests for changes will be entertained.
Q. Is there a limit on the number of attempts for SSC CGL?
Ans: No, there is no cap on the number of attempts as long as candidates remain within the prescribed upper age limit.Q. Is 140 a good score in the SSC CGL?
Ans: With cut-off marks generally falling between 150-160, a score of 140 is considered a "Decent Score" but may not guarantee a top-tier position.
SSC CGL 2026 Exam Pattern Revised
The Staff Selection Commission has revised the SSC CGL Exam Pattern regarding timing. The examination will be conducted in two tiers, as detailed below.
| 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 English and Hindi (except English Comprehension). Negative marking of 0.50 marks applies per incorrect response. A 15-minute sectional time limit for each subject has been implemented this year.
| 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 |
SSC CGL Tier 2 Revised Exam Pattern: Click to Check Details
SSC CGL 2026 Syllabus
The Preliminary exam covers 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 |
Access Detailed SSC CGL Syllabus for Tier-1 & Tier-2 Exams
SSC CGL 2026 Online Form
Registration for the SSC CGL 2026 exam commenced on May 21, 2026, via the official SSC website. Eligible candidates must complete the One-Time Registration (OTR) process and submit their online application at www.ssc.gov.in.
SSC CGL 2026 Apply Online: Get Step-by-Step Instructions
SSC CGL 2026 Application Fee
The application fee is Rs. 100, payable online via BHIM UPI, Net Banking, or major credit/debit cards. Women, SC, ST, PwBD, and ESM candidates are exempt from fees. The deadline for online payment is June 23, 2026 (23:00 hours). Fees are non-refundable.
SSC CGL Salary Structure
Under the 7th Pay Commission, the monthly in-hand gross salary typically ranges from Rs. 35,000 to Rs. 65,000, depending on the specific position and city of posting due to variable HRA components.
| 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 vital for success in the SSC CGL. We have compiled proven SSC CGL Preparation Tips shared by top scorers to help guide your study plan:
Step 1: Thoroughly study the official syllabus and exam pattern to understand the assessment structure.
Step 2: Create a 90-day study plan, dedicating 6–8 hours daily. Prioritize subjects that require improvement.
Step 3: Practice with previous years' papers to identify recurring topics and common question patterns.
Step 4: Attempt at least two full-length mock tests weekly to analyze weak areas and boost speed and accuracy.
Step 5: Stay updated with daily newspapers, as General Awareness and Current Affairs account for 25 questions in Tier 1.
Step 6: Practice with sectional timers—a new feature for 2026—to adapt your strategy to time-bound sections.
SSC CGL 2026 Exam Centres
The SSC CGL 2026 exam will be held at centers nationwide. Candidates can select their preferred location during the application process. Exam center details will be provided on the admit card, released one week before the test. A list of key exam centers is provided below:
| 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) |
Bangalore, Dharwar, Gulbarga, Mangalore, Mysore, Kochi, Kozhikode (Calicut), Thiruvananthapuram, 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) |
Almora, Dehradun, Haldwani, Srinagar (Uttarakhand), Haridwar, Delhi, Ajmer, Alwar, Bharatpur, Bikaner, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Kota, Sriganganagar, 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
The Commission releases category-wise and post-wise cut-off marks alongside results. Candidates should review last year's Tier 1 cut-off marks in the table below to gauge the required performance level.
| 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 May 21, 2026.
The Tier 1 exam is expected to occur in August-September 2026, though specific confirmed dates will be announced shortly.
A total of 12,256 vacancies have been announced for the SSC CGL 2026 recruitment cycle.
The exam consists of two stages: Tier 1 (a qualifying stage) and Tier 2 (the final selection round).
Key updates for 2026 include the introduction of sectional timing in both tiers and the inclusion of vacancies for AAO posts.
Yes, One-Time Registration (OTR) at ssc.gov.in is a mandatory prerequisite for applying to the CGL 2026 exam.
The application fee is Rs. 100 for General and OBC candidates, while SC, ST, women, PwBD, and ESM candidates are exempt.
Yes, Tier 1 serves as a qualifying test for speed and basics, while Tier 2 is the main examination focused on conceptual depth.
General category candidates typically require a score of 150+ to maintain a high probability of qualifying for Tier 2.
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