Everything a candidate needs for SSC CGL 2026 — eligibility, exam pattern, Tier I and post-wise final cut-offs, vacancies, posts and salary, exam-day rules and preparation.
- SSC — Conducting body
- ssc.gov.in — Official portal
- 2 tiers — Both CBT
- 10,731 — 2026 vacancies (revised)
- Level 4 – 8 — Pay levels
Disclaimer: Vacancies, cut-offs, pattern, fees and dates change every year. Figures on this page are compiled from SSC notices and results and other public sources and are indicative only. Always verify on ssc.gov.in and in the current notice before taking any decision. Page compiled October 2026.
Introduction & official website
The Combined Graduate Level Examination (SSC CGL) is conducted every year by the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) to recruit graduates to Group B and Group C posts in central government ministries, departments, constitutional bodies, statutory bodies and tribunals — such as Assistant Section Officer, Inspector of Income Tax, GST / Customs Inspector, Assistant Audit Officer and Sub-Inspector in the CBI.
| Official website | ssc.gov.in (one-time registration, application, admit card, answer key, result) |
|---|---|
| Conducting body | Staff Selection Commission, Department of Personnel & Training, Government of India |
| Frequency | Once a year |
| Mode | Computer Based Test (CBT) for Tier I and Tier II |
| Languages | Tier I and Tier II Paper I (except English) in English, Hindi and 13 regional languages |
| SSC CGL 2026 | Notification on 21 May 2026; Tier I from 30 September to 30 October 2026; 10,731 vacancies (revised) |
Purpose of the exam
One examination fills around 30 different posts. Candidates give post preferences, and allocation is made on the Tier II merit, category and preference.
↑ Back to topEligibility criteria
| Criterion | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Citizen of India, or a subject of Nepal / Bhutan, or as specified in the notice |
| Educational qualification | Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognised university by the cut-off date in the notice |
| Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) | Bachelor’s degree with at least 60% in Mathematics in Class 12, or with Statistics as a subject in graduation |
| Statistical Investigator Gr. II | Bachelor’s degree with Statistics as a compulsory or elective subject |
| Final-year students | May apply if they will hold the degree by the cut-off date given in the notice |
| Number of attempts | No limit, within the age limit |
Age limits by post
| Age limit | Typical posts |
|---|---|
| 18 – 27 years | Tax Assistant, Auditor, Accountant / Junior Accountant, Senior Secretariat Assistant / UDC, Sub-Inspector (CBN) |
| 18 – 30 years | Inspectors (CBIC, Income Tax, Posts, CBN), Assistant Audit Officer, Assistant Accounts Officer, Assistant Enforcement Officer |
| 20 – 30 years | Assistant Section Officer (CSS), Sub-Inspector (CBI), Sub-Inspector (NIA) |
| 18 – 32 years | Junior Statistical Officer and some other posts as notified |
Upper age relaxation
| Category | Relaxation |
|---|---|
| OBC | 3 years |
| SC / ST | 5 years |
| PwBD (UR / OBC / SC-ST) | 10 / 13 / 15 years |
| Ex-Servicemen | 3 years after deducting military service |
| Central government civilian employees | As specified in the notice |
Exact post-wise age limits are given in the SSC CGL 2026 notice; ages are counted on the cut-off date stated there.
↑ Back to topExam pattern
Tier I — qualifying (screening)
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 25 | 50 |
| General Awareness | 25 | 50 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 50 |
| English Comprehension | 25 | 50 |
| Total | 100 | 200 |
+2 for each correct answer, −0.50 for each wrong answer. Duration 80 minutes for candidates eligible for a scribe. Tier I marks are used only for shortlisting.
Tier II — merit
| Section / module | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Section I — Mathematical Abilities | 30 | 90 | 1 hour (for Section I) |
| Section I — Reasoning & General Intelligence | 30 | 90 | — |
| Section II — English Language & Comprehension | 45 | 135 | 1 hour (for Section II) |
| Section II — General Awareness | 25 | 75 | — |
| Section III — Computer Knowledge (qualifying) | 20 | 60 | 15 minutes |
| Section III — Data Entry Speed Test (DEST, qualifying) | — | — | 15 minutes |
+3 for each correct answer and −1 for each wrong answer in Sections I, II and the Computer module. Merit is made on the 390 marks of Sections I and II; the Computer module and DEST are qualifying.
| Paper | For | Questions | Marks | Time | Negative |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper II — Statistics | JSO and Statistical Investigator Gr. II | 100 | 200 | 2 hours | −0.50 |
| Paper III — Finance & Economics (where notified) | Assistant Audit Officer / Assistant Accounts Officer | 100 | 200 | 2 hours | −0.50 |
Important
Sectional timing applies in Tier II: each section must be finished in its own time slot. Check the scheme of examination in the current notice for any change.
Selection process
- Tier I (CBT)Qualifying; category-wise shortlisting for Tier II
- Tier II (CBT)Paper I for all; Paper II / III for specific posts; DEST
- Skill / physical testsDEST, CPT for some posts; physical standards for Inspector and SI posts
- AllocationDocument verification, post preference and final allocation
| Post group | Additional stage |
|---|---|
| Assistant Section Officer (CSS, MEA) | Computer Proficiency Test (CPT) |
| Inspector (CBIC — Central Excise, Preventive Officer, Examiner), Inspector & SI (CBN) | Physical standards and physical test |
| Sub-Inspector (CBI, NIA) | Physical standards, medical examination |
| Tax Assistant (CBIC, CBDT) | DEST — 8,000 key depressions per hour |
| JSO, Statistical Investigator Gr. II | Tier II Paper II (Statistics) |
Cutoffs
Tier I cut-off — SSC CGL 2025 (out of 200)
| Category | All other posts | JSO | Statistical Investigator Gr. II |
|---|---|---|---|
| UR | 136.40 | 153.46 | 152.47 |
| OBC | 130.37 | 153.46 | 150.51 |
| EWS | 127.42 | 151.59 | 152.15 |
| SC | 115.03 | 137.30 | 137.16 |
| ST | 106.39 | 136.40 | 130.17 |
| ESM | 92.82 | — | — |
Normalised marks, rounded to two decimals, from the SSC CGL 2025 Tier I result (revised, actual cut-off). Tier I result was declared on 18 December 2025.
What the cut-off means
Tier I only shortlists candidates for Tier II. The final selection depends on Tier II Paper I marks (out of 390) and the post preferences given.
Post-wise final cutoffs
SSC CGL 2025 final cut-off — Tier II Paper I marks (out of 390) of the last candidate selected in each post and category.
| Post | UR | OBC | EWS | SC | ST |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assistant Enforcement Officer (ED) | 362 | 342 | — | 336 | 326 |
| Inspector, Central Bureau of Narcotics | 361 | 355 | 355 | 333 | — |
| Assistant / ASO, MeitY | 360 | — | — | — | 339 |
| ASO, Ministry of Railways | 350 | 346 | 349 | 335 | 325 |
| ASO, Ministry of External Affairs | 348 | 343 | 345 | 328 | 329 |
| ASO, National Informatics Centre | 345 | — | 347 | — | — |
| Inspector of Income Tax (CBDT) | 342 | 335 | 338 | 322 | 313 |
| ASO, EPFO | 338 | 331 | 337 | 318 | 312 |
| ASO, Narcotics Control Bureau | 336 | 330 | — | 317 | 314 |
| ASO, Intelligence Bureau | 332 | 330 | 332 | 315 | 306 |
| Inspector of Posts | 332 | 329 | 331 | 314 | 306 |
| Assistant Section Officer, CSS | 331 | 324 | 327 | 311 | 299 |
| Sub-Inspector, CBI | 330 | 329 | 334 | 311 | 306 |
| ASO, AFHQ | 328 | 323 | 326 | 310 | 298 |
| Inspector (Examiner), CBIC | 325 | 328 | 323 | 309 | 299 |
| Inspector (Preventive Officer), CBIC | 321 | 319 | 319 | 303 | 293 |
| Inspector (Central Excise), CBIC | 320 | 317 | 316 | 305 | 292 |
As reported from the SSC CGL 2025 final result. “—” means no vacancy or no candidate in that category. A revised result after the final round of allocation changed some figures by 1–2 marks — check the official result PDF on ssc.gov.in.
↑ Back to topVacancies
| Exam year | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 17,727 |
| 2025 | 15,118 (final result) |
| 2026 | 12,256 (notified) → 10,731 (revised, 24 September 2026) |
More than 28 lakh candidates applied for SSC CGL 2026. Vacancies are tentative and are revised by the user departments until the final result; the post-wise and category-wise list is published on ssc.gov.in.
↑ Back to topPosts, departments & salary
Pay as per the 7th Central Pay Commission pay matrix. Dearness Allowance, HRA, Transport Allowance and other allowances are paid in addition.
| Pay level | Basic pay range | Posts |
|---|---|---|
| Level 8 | ₹47,600 – ₹1,51,100 | Assistant Audit Officer, Assistant Accounts Officer (C&AG) |
| Level 7 | ₹44,900 – ₹1,42,400 | Assistant Section Officer (CSS, MEA, IB, Railways, AFHQ and others), Inspector of Income Tax, Inspector (Central Excise / Preventive Officer / Examiner), Assistant Enforcement Officer, Sub-Inspector (CBI, NIA), Inspector of Posts, Inspector (CBN) |
| Level 6 | ₹35,400 – ₹1,12,400 | Junior Statistical Officer, Statistical Investigator Gr. II, Assistant / ASO in other ministries, Research Assistant, Divisional Accountant |
| Level 5 | ₹29,200 – ₹92,300 | Auditor, Accountant, Junior Accountant |
| Level 4 | ₹25,500 – ₹81,100 | Senior Secretariat Assistant / UDC, Tax Assistant, Sub-Inspector (CBN) |
The posts and their pay levels for each year are listed in the notice; check the 2026 notice for the current list.
↑ Back to topApplication process
- One-time registrationRegister once on ssc.gov.in with Aadhaar-based details, mobile number and e-mail; keep the registration number and password.
- Fill the CGL formLog in, open the CGL 2026 application, and fill education, category, exam centres and post preferences.
- Live photograph and signatureCapture a live photo through the portal or app as instructed, and upload a scanned signature.
- Pay the feeOnline by BHIM-UPI, net banking, Visa, MasterCard, Maestro or RuPay card.
- Save the applicationPrint the application form; use the correction window, if offered, to fix errors.
Application fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS (men) | ₹100 |
| Women, SC, ST, PwBD and Ex-Servicemen (eligible for reservation) | Exempt |
Important dates
| Event | SSC CGL 2026 |
|---|---|
| Notification & application start | 21 May 2026 |
| Last date to apply | 25 June 2026 |
| Last date for fee payment | 26 June 2026 |
| Correction window | 1 – 3 July 2026 |
| Tier I exam-city slip | 21 September 2026 |
| Revised vacancy list | 24 September 2026 |
| Tier I admit card | 27 September 2026 |
| Tier I exam | 30 September – 30 October 2026 |
| Tier I answer key & result | November – December 2026 (expected) |
| Tier II exam | December 2026 (tentative) |
Dates as announced by SSC. Tier II and result dates are tentative; follow ssc.gov.in.
↑ Back to topExam day guidelines — what to carry & what not to bring
SSC CGL is a computer-based test with biometric and photo verification at the centre. Read the instructions on your admit card the night before.
✅ Allowed items — carry these
- Admit card printed, if issued, with your details checked.
- Valid original photo ID with date of birth exactly as in the application: Aadhaar / e-Aadhaar, Voter ID, Driving Licence, PAN, Passport, university / college ID, or employer ID (government).
- Two recent passport-size colour photographs, if asked for in the notice or admit card.
- Transparent ballpoint pen for rough work, if listed; rough sheets are provided at the centre.
- PwBD certificate and scribe documents, if applicable.
ℹ️ Note
There is no arrangement for safekeeping of barred items at the exam centre. Report at the time on the admit card — the entry gate closes before the exam starts.
Syllabus & preparation resources
The detailed syllabus is in the SSC CGL 2026 notice. Tier I and Tier II Paper I cover the same four subjects; Tier II goes deeper and adds Computer Knowledge.
About these numbers
SSC does not publish topic-wise weightage. The counts below are approximate, based on the pattern of recent Tier I papers, and rounded so each section totals its 25 questions.
Quantitative Aptitude
| Topic | Questions (≈) | Marks (≈) | Weightage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arithmetic (percentage, ratio, profit & loss, interest, time & work, speed, average, mixture) | 10 | 20 | 40% |
| Algebra | 3 | 6 | 12% |
| Geometry | 3 | 6 | 12% |
| Trigonometry & heights and distances | 3 | 6 | 12% |
| Mensuration | 2 | 4 | 8% |
| Number system & simplification | 2 | 4 | 8% |
| Data interpretation & statistics | 2 | 4 | 8% |
| Total | 25 | 50 | 100% |
General Intelligence & Reasoning
| Topic | Questions (≈) | Marks (≈) | Weightage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Figure-based (mirror, paper folding, embedded, counting) | 5 | 10 | 20% |
| Analogy | 3 | 6 | 12% |
| Classification | 3 | 6 | 12% |
| Series (number, letter, figure) | 3 | 6 | 12% |
| Missing number & matrix | 3 | 6 | 12% |
| Coding–decoding | 2 | 4 | 8% |
| Blood relation & direction | 2 | 4 | 8% |
| Order, ranking & seating | 2 | 4 | 8% |
| Syllogism & Venn diagram | 2 | 4 | 8% |
| Total | 25 | 50 | 100% |
English Comprehension
| Topic | Questions (≈) | Marks (≈) | Weightage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading comprehension | 5 | 10 | 20% |
| Cloze test | 5 | 10 | 20% |
| Synonyms & antonyms | 3 | 6 | 12% |
| Error spotting | 2 | 4 | 8% |
| Sentence improvement | 2 | 4 | 8% |
| Fill in the blanks | 2 | 4 | 8% |
| Idioms & phrases | 2 | 4 | 8% |
| One-word substitution | 2 | 4 | 8% |
| Spelling, voice & narration | 2 | 4 | 8% |
| Total | 25 | 50 | 100% |
General Awareness
| Topic | Questions (≈) | Marks (≈) | Weightage |
|---|---|---|---|
| General science (physics, chemistry, biology) | 5 | 10 | 20% |
| Static GK (culture, sports, awards, books) | 5 | 10 | 20% |
| Current affairs | 4 | 8 | 16% |
| History | 3 | 6 | 12% |
| Polity | 3 | 6 | 12% |
| Geography | 3 | 6 | 12% |
| Economy | 2 | 4 | 8% |
| Total | 25 | 50 | 100% |
Recommended books
| Subject | Book | Author / publisher |
|---|---|---|
| Quantitative Aptitude | Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations | R.S. Aggarwal |
| Quantitative Aptitude | SSC Mathematics Chapter-wise Solved Papers | Kiran Prakashan |
| Reasoning | A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning | R.S. Aggarwal |
| English | Objective General English | S.P. Bakshi (Arihant) |
| English | Plinth to Paramount | Neetu Singh |
| General Awareness | Lucent’s General Knowledge | Lucent Publications |
| Computer Knowledge | Objective Computer Awareness | Arihant |
Mock tests and previous year papers
- Previous papers and answer keys are published on ssc.gov.in after each exam; solve recent shifts under the 60-minute Tier I time limit.
- Full mocks: take Tier I mocks in one sitting and Tier II mocks with sectional timing, exactly as in the real exam.
- Accuracy: −0.50 in Tier I and −1 in Tier II — skip a question unless you can rule out options.
- Tier II decides the post: plan for Tier II from the start; Tier I is only a screening test.
FAQs & helpline
Is Tier I counted in the final merit?
No. Tier I is qualifying; the final merit is based on Tier II Paper I (and Paper II / III for the posts that need them).
How many attempts are allowed?
There is no limit, as long as you are within the age limit for the post.
Can final-year students apply?
Yes, if they will have the degree by the cut-off date given in the notice.
Is there an interview?
No. SSC CGL has no interview; selection is on the written tests and skill / physical tests where required.
Is there sectional cut-off in Tier I?
No sectional cut-off is prescribed in Tier I; shortlisting is on total normalised marks.
Why are marks normalised?
The exam runs in many shifts, so SSC normalises scores to adjust for differences in difficulty between shifts.
Which posts need physical tests?
CBIC Inspectors, CBN Inspector / SI and CBI / NIA Sub-Inspectors have physical standards and tests.
Is there an application fee for women?
No. Women and SC, ST, PwBD and Ex-Servicemen candidates are exempt from the fee.
Official helpline & links
- SSC helpline
- 1800-309-3063 (toll free)
- SSC website
- ssc.gov.in
- Regional offices
- Contact details of SSC regional offices are given in the notice and on ssc.gov.in