Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has officially released the notification for Combined Graduate Level (CGL) Examination, 2026 on 21 May 2026, inviting applications for approximately 12,256 vacancies across Group B and Group C posts in various Ministries, Departments, Organizations, Constitutional Bodies, Statutory Bodies, and Tribunals of the Government of India.
The online application window is open from 21 May 2026 to 22 June 2026 (23:00 hrs) at ssc.gov.in. A correction window is available from 29 June to 1 July 2026 — with a charge of ₹200 for the first correction and ₹500 for the second.
Tier-I (CBT) is tentatively scheduled for August–September 2026 and Tier-II for December 2026. Minimum qualification is a Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized University.
Overview Table
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | Staff Selection Commission (SSC) |
| Examination Name | Combined Graduate Level (CGL) Examination, 2026 |
| Notification Date | 21 May 2026 |
| Total Vacancies | Approx. 12,256 (tentative) |
| Post Group | Group B (Gazetted & Non-Gazetted) and Group C |
| Application Mode | Online — ssc.gov.in or mySSC mobile app |
| Application Start Date | 21 May 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 22 June 2026 (23:00 hrs) |
| Fee Payment Last Date | 23 June 2026 (23:00 hrs) |
| Correction Window | 29 June – 1 July 2026 (23:00 hrs) |
| Tier-I Exam (CBT) | August – September 2026 (Tentative) |
| Tier-II Exam (CBT) | December 2026 (Tentative) |
| Minimum Qualification | Bachelor’s Degree from recognized University |
| Age Limit | 18–32 years (post-wise, as on 01-08-2026) |
| Application Fee | ₹100/- (General/OBC Male); Others Exempted |
| Official Website | ssc.gov.in |
| Helpline | 1800 309 3063 (Toll Free) |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Released | 21 May 2026 |
| Online Application Opens | 21 May 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 22 June 2026 (23:00 hrs) |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | 23 June 2026 (23:00 hrs) |
| Application Correction Window | 29 June – 1 July 2026 (23:00 hrs) |
| Correction Charge (1st time) | ₹200/- |
| Correction Charge (2nd time) | ₹500/- |
| Age Crucial Date | 01 August 2026 |
| EQ Crucial Date | 01 August 2026 |
| Tier-I CBT | August – September 2026 (Tentative) |
| Tier-II CBT | December 2026 (Tentative) |
| Document Verification | After Tier-II result by User Departments |
Posts and Pay Levels
Pay Level-8 (₹47,600 – ₹1,51,100)
| Post | Department | Age Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Assistant Audit Officer (Central Cadre) | Indian Audit & Accounts Dept., C&AG | 18–30 years |
| Assistant Audit Officer (State Cadre) | Indian Audit & Accounts Dept., C&AG | 18–30 years |
| Assistant Accounts Officer (State Cadre) | Indian Audit & Accounts Dept., C&AG | 18–30 years |
Pay Level-7 (₹44,900 – ₹1,42,400)
| Post | Department | Age Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Assistant Section Officer | Central Secretariat Service (CSS) | 20–30 years |
| Assistant Section Officer | Intelligence Bureau (IB) | 18–30 years |
| Assistant Section Officer | Ministry of Railways | 20–30 years |
| Assistant Section Officer | Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) | 20–30 years |
| Assistant Section Officer | AFHQ | 20–30 years |
| Assistant Section Officer | MeitY | 18–30 years |
| Assistant / Assistant Section Officer | Other Ministries/Departments | 18–30 years |
| Inspector of Income Tax | CBDT | 18–30 years |
| Inspector (Central Excise / Preventive Officer / Examiner) | CBIC | 18–30 years |
| Assistant Enforcement Officer | Directorate of Enforcement (ED) | 18–30 years |
| Sub Inspector | CBI | 20–30 years |
| Inspector Posts | Department of Posts | 18–30 years |
| Inspector | Central Bureau of Narcotics (CBN) | 18–30 years |
Pay Level-6 (₹35,400 – ₹1,12,400)
| Post | Department | Age Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Assistant / Assistant Section Officer | Other Ministries | 18–30 years |
| Executive Assistant | CBIC | 18–30 years |
| Research Assistant | NHRC | 18–30 years |
| Divisional Accountant | Offices under C&AG | 18–30 years |
| Sub Inspector | NIA | 18–30 years |
| Sub Inspector / Junior Intelligence Officer | NCB (MHA) | 18–30 years |
| Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) | Ministry of Statistics & PI | 18–32 years |
| Statistical Investigator Grade-II | Ministry of Home Affairs | 18–30 years |
| Office Superintendent | CBDT | 18–30 years |
| Section Head | DGFT | 18–30 years |
Pay Level-5 (₹29,200 – ₹92,300)
| Post | Department | Age Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Auditor | Offices under C&AG, CGDA, Others | 18–27 years |
| Accountant / Junior Accountant | C&AG, CGA, Others | 18–27 years |
Pay Level-4 (₹25,500 – ₹81,100)
| Post | Department | Age Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Postal Assistant / Sorting Assistant | Department of Posts | 18–27 years |
| Senior Secretariat Assistant / UDC | Central Govt. Offices | 18–27 years |
| Senior Administrative Assistant | Military Engineering Services | 18–27 years |
| Tax Assistant | CBDT, CBIC | 18–27 years |
| Sub-Inspector | Central Bureau of Narcotics | 18–27 years |
Note: Final post allotment is based on candidate’s merit and post preferences submitted online. Once a post is allotted, no change will be made even if the candidate fails to meet post-specific physical/medical standards.
Vacancies
Total approx. 12,256 tentative vacancies. Updated post-wise and category-wise vacancies will be published at ssc.gov.in → For Candidates → Tentative Vacancy. State-wise/zone-wise vacancies are not collected by SSC — candidates may contact User Departments for this information.
Educational Qualification
Age and qualification calculated as on 01 August 2026.
| Post | Required Qualification |
|---|---|
| Assistant Audit Officer / Assistant Accounts Officer | Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized University. Desirable: CA / CMA / CS / M.Com / MBA (Finance) / MBE |
| Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) | Bachelor’s Degree in any subject with minimum 60% in Mathematics at 12th level; OR Bachelor’s Degree with Statistics as one subject at degree level |
| Statistical Investigator Grade-II | Bachelor’s Degree in Statistics / Mathematics / Economics / Demography / Population Studies / Operations Research / IT / Computer Science / Computer Engineering / Data Science / AI |
| All Other Posts | Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized University or equivalent |
Important: Candidates appearing in their final year of graduation can apply, but must possess the essential qualification as on 01-08-2026.
Age Limit
Age calculated as on 01 August 2026.
| Age Limit | Birth Date Range |
|---|---|
| 18–27 years | 02-08-1999 to 01-08-2008 |
| 20–30 years | 02-08-1996 to 01-08-2006 |
| 18–30 years | 02-08-1996 to 01-08-2008 |
| 18–32 years | 02-08-1994 to 01-08-2008 |
Age Relaxation
| Category | Relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC / ST | 5 years |
| OBC | 3 years |
| PwBD (UR) | 10 years |
| PwBD (OBC) | 13 years |
| PwBD (SC/ST) | 15 years |
| Ex-Servicemen (ESM) | 3 years after deduction of military service from actual age (as on 01-08-2026) |
| Defence Personnel disabled in operations (UR) | 3 years |
| Defence Personnel disabled in operations (SC/ST) | 8 years |
| Central Govt. Civilian Employees – UR (min. 3 yrs service) | Up to 40 years |
| Central Govt. Civilian Employees – SC/ST (min. 3 yrs service) | Up to 45 years |
| Widows / Divorced Women / Judicially Separated Women (UR) | Up to 35 years |
| Widows / Divorced Women / Judicially Separated Women (SC/ST) | Up to 40 years |
Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC (Male) | ₹100/- |
| SC / ST (Male) | Exempted |
| PwBD (All) | Exempted |
| Women (All Categories) | Exempted |
| Ex-Servicemen eligible for reservation | Exempted |
Payment Mode: BHIM UPI, Net Banking, Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, RuPay Debit Card.
Correction Window Charges: ₹200 for 1st correction; ₹500 for 2nd correction. Applicable to all candidates regardless of category.
Exam Pattern
Tier-I (Computer Based Examination)
| Subject | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 25 | 50 | 15 min (sectional) |
| General Awareness | 25 | 50 | 15 min (sectional) |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 50 | 15 min (sectional) |
| English Comprehension | 25 | 50 | 15 min (sectional) |
| Total | 100 | 200 | 1 hour |
Negative Marking: 0.50 marks per wrong answer. Questions in English & Hindi (except English Comprehension section). Questions are of Graduation level (Part C of Quantitative Aptitude at 10th standard level).
Tier-II (Computer Based Examination)
Paper-I: Compulsory for all posts — conducted in two sessions on the same day.
| Session | Section | Subject | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Session-I | Section-I (A+B) | Mathematical Abilities + Reasoning & General Intelligence | 30+30=60 | 60×3=180 | 1 hour (sectional) |
| Session-I | Section-II (A+B) | English Language & Comprehension + General Awareness | 45+25=70 | 70×3=210 | 1 hour (sectional) |
| Session-I | Section-III | Computer Knowledge Test (CKT) | 20 | 20×3=60 | 15 minutes |
| Session-II | Section-IV | Data Entry Speed Test (DEST) | 1 task | — | 15 minutes |
Negative Marking in Paper-I: 1 mark per wrong answer in Sections I, II & III. No negative marking in DEST (Section-IV).
Paper-II: For JSO (Statistics) and Statistical Investigator Grade-II candidates only — 100 questions, 200 marks, 2 hours. Negative marking: 0.50 per wrong answer.
Paper-III: For Assistant Audit Officer / Assistant Accounts Officer candidates only — 100 questions, 200 marks (Finance & Economics), 2 hours. Negative marking: 0.50 per wrong answer.
Important Tier-II Notes:
- All sections of Paper-I must be qualified separately (sectional qualifying marks apply)
- Computer Knowledge Test (Section-III) is qualifying in nature for most posts — higher standards for Computer Proficiency posts
- DEST (Section-IV) is qualifying in nature for most posts — higher standards for Tax Assistant/Postal Assistant posts
- PwBD-OH candidates may be exempted from DEST (except Computer Proficiency posts)
Tier-I Syllabus (Key Topics)
| Subject | Key Topics |
|---|---|
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | Analogies, coding-decoding, number series, figural series, Venn diagrams, critical thinking, spatial orientation, statement-conclusion, emotional intelligence |
| General Awareness | Current events, History, Culture, Geography, Economy, Indian Constitution, Science & Technology, India & neighbouring countries |
| Quantitative Aptitude | Number system, percentage, ratio, profit-loss, SI/CI, time-distance, time-work, algebra, geometry, mensuration, trigonometry, data interpretation |
| English Comprehension | Reading comprehension, error spotting, fill in the blanks, idioms, one-word substitution, synonyms-antonyms, active-passive voice, direct-indirect speech |
Posts Requiring Physical/Medical Standards
The following posts have specific Physical Standards, Physical Tests, and Medical Standards — candidates must ensure they meet these requirements before giving post preferences:
- Inspector (Central Excise) — CBIC
- Inspector (Examiner) — CBIC
- Inspector (Preventive Officer) — CBIC
- Inspector — Central Bureau of Narcotics (CBN)
- Sub Inspector — CBN, Ministry of Finance
- Sub Inspector / Junior Intelligence Officer — NCB, MHA
- Sub Inspector — CBI
- Sub Inspector — NIA
- Posts in Border Roads Organization (BRO) — Male candidates only
Physical and Medical Tests are conducted by the User Department after final selection. If a candidate fails physical/medical tests, candidature may not be considered for any other post.
How to Apply – Step by Step
- Visit
ssc.gov.inor download the mySSC mobile app (Google Play Store) - Complete One Time Registration (OTR) on the new website — old OTR (ssc.nic.in) will NOT work on the new website
- Aadhaar-based authentication is recommended — exempts from photo/signature format rejection
- Login and fill the application form with personal, educational, and category details
- Upload scanned signature (JPEG, 10–20 KB, 6cm×2cm dimensions)
- Pay application fee of ₹100 via BHIM UPI / Net Banking / Debit Card (where applicable)
- Preview all details using the Preview/Print option before final submission
- Submit application before 22 June 2026 (23:00 hrs)
- Fee payment deadline: 23 June 2026 (23:00 hrs)
- If correction needed: Use Application Form Correction Window: 29 June – 1 July 2026 (pay ₹200 for 1st correction, ₹500 for 2nd)
Post Preferences: After Tier-II result, candidates must submit post preferences online. Candidates who do NOT submit preferences within the stipulated time will NOT be considered for any post in the First Round of Tentative Allocation (FRTA). This step is critical and irreversible.
Exam Centres
SSC CGL 2026 exam will be held across 9 SSC Regional Offices covering all states and UTs. Key cities include:
Gujarat candidates can appear from Ahmedabad (7001), Gandhinagar (7012), Mehsana (7013), Rajkot (7006), Surat (7007), Vadodara (7002) — all under Western Region (WR). Candidates must select 3 exam centres in order of preference from within the same region.
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Important Links
| Action | Link |
|---|---|
| Apply Online | Click Here |
| Download Notification | Click Here |
| Official Website | Click Here |
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FAQ – SSC CGL 2026
Q1. What is the last date to apply for SSC CGL 2026? The last date to submit the online application for SSC CGL 2026 is 22 June 2026 at 23:00 hrs. The fee payment deadline is 23 June 2026 at 23:00 hrs. Candidates who miss the correction window (29 June – 1 July 2026) cannot make any changes to their submitted application.
Q2. What is the total number of vacancies in SSC CGL 2026? Approximately 12,256 tentative vacancies have been announced for SSC CGL 2026 across Group B and Group C posts in various central government ministries, departments, and organizations. Updated post-wise and category-wise vacancies will be available at ssc.gov.in under “For Candidates → Tentative Vacancy.”
Q3. What is the educational qualification for SSC CGL 2026? The minimum qualification for most SSC CGL 2026 posts is a Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized University. For Junior Statistical Officer, 60% marks in Mathematics at 12th level or Statistics as a degree subject is additionally required. For Statistical Investigator Grade-II, specific degree subjects like Statistics, Economics, or Data Science are required. Candidates in their final year of graduation can also apply, provided they possess the degree by 01 August 2026.
Q4. What is the age limit for SSC CGL 2026? Age limit varies post-wise and is calculated as on 01 August 2026. Group B posts (Inspector, ASO, AAO) have age limits of 18–30 or 20–30 years. Group C posts (Auditor, Accountant, Tax Assistant) have an age limit of 18–27 years. The Junior Statistical Officer post has an age limit of 18–32 years. Standard age relaxations apply for SC/ST (5 years), OBC (3 years), PwBD (10 years), and Ex-Servicemen.
Q5. What is the exam pattern for SSC CGL Tier-I 2026? SSC CGL Tier-I 2026 is a Computer Based Examination with 100 questions for 200 marks in 1 hour, with 25 questions each from General Intelligence & Reasoning, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, and English Comprehension. There is sectional timing of 15 minutes per section and negative marking of 0.50 marks per wrong answer.
Q6. Is there negative marking in SSC CGL 2026? Yes. In Tier-I, negative marking is 0.50 marks per wrong answer. In Tier-II Paper-I (Sections I, II & III), negative marking is 1 mark per wrong answer. In Tier-II Paper-II (Statistics) and Paper-III (Finance & Economics), negative marking is 0.50 marks per wrong answer. There is no negative marking in the DEST (Data Entry Speed Test).
Q7. What is the correction charge for SSC CGL 2026 application? SSC CGL 2026 has a paid correction window from 29 June to 1 July 2026. The correction charge is ₹200 for the first correction and ₹500 for the second correction. This charge applies to all candidates regardless of category. The correction window allows up to two re-submissions of the modified application.
Q8. What posts are included in SSC CGL 2026? SSC CGL 2026 includes posts across Pay Levels 4 to 8 — from Tax Assistant and Auditor at lower levels to Inspector of Income Tax, Assistant Section Officer (CSS/MEA/Railways), Assistant Enforcement Officer (ED), Sub Inspector (CBI/NIA), and Assistant Audit Officer at higher levels. The complete post list with department-wise details is in Annexure-III of the official notification.
Q9. Can final year graduation students apply for SSC CGL 2026? Yes. Candidates who have appeared in their final year of graduation examination can apply for SSC CGL 2026. However, they must possess the essential qualification (Bachelor’s Degree) as on 01 August 2026. Proof of degree will be required at Document Verification stage.
Q10. What happens if a candidate does not submit post preferences after SSC CGL Tier-II result? This is one of the most critical steps in SSC CGL. Candidates who do not submit their post preferences on the SSC website within the stipulated time after Tier-II result will not be considered for any post in the First Round of Tentative Allocation (FRTA). This is an irreversible step — no second chance will be given. Candidates must monitor ssc.gov.in regularly for the preference window notification.
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