SSC CGL 2026 Notification Out | Important Dates, Vacancies & Eligibility Explained
SSC CGL 2026 Vacancy Details
SSC CGL 2026 Notification Out: Check Important Dates, Vacancies, and Eligibility
The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has officially released the notification for the Combined Graduate Level (CGL) Examination, 2026. This is a major recruitment drive for various Group 'B' and Group 'C' posts across different Ministries, Departments, and Organizations of the Government of India.
If you are an aspiring candidate looking to join the central government services, here is everything you need to know about the examination.
Important Examination Dates
Make sure to mark your calendar with these crucial deadlines to avoid any last-minute issues:
|
Event |
Date |
|---|---|
|
Submission of Online Applications |
21.05.2026 to 22.06.2026 |
|
Last Date & Time for Receipt of Applications |
22.06.2026 (23:00 hours) |
|
Last Date & Time for Online Fee Payment |
23.06.2026 (23:00 hours) |
|
Window for Application Form Correction |
29.06.2026 to 01.07.2026 (23:00 hours) |
|
Tentative Schedule: Tier-I (CBE) |
August-September, 2026 |
|
Tentative Schedule: Tier-II (CBE) |
December, 2026 |
Vacancies
The Commission has announced approximately 12,256 tentative vacancies to be filled through this examination. Please note that these vacancies are tentative and subject to change based on reports from the indenting departments.
Key Eligibility Criteria
Nationality
Candidates must be either:
- A citizen of India;
- A subject of Nepal or Bhutan; or
- A person of Indian origin who has migrated from specific countries (including Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, etc.) with the intention of permanently settling in India.
Age Limit (As on 01-08-2026)
The age limit varies based on the specific post, generally ranging between:
- 18–27 years
- 20–30 years
- 18–30 years
- 18–32 years
Relaxations in the upper age limit are available for SC/ST (5 years), OBC (3 years), and other categories as per government rules.
Selection Process
The selection process consists of two stages of Computer Based Examinations (CBE):
- Tier-I: A qualifying stage to shortlist candidates for Tier-II.
- Tier-II: Comprises Paper-I (compulsory for all), Paper-II (for Junior Statistical Officer/Statistical Investigator Grade-II), and Paper-III (for Assistant Audit/Accounts Officer).
Application Fee
General Fee: The fee payable for the examination is ₹100/- (Rupees one hundred only).
Fee Exemptions: Women candidates and candidates belonging to Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), Ex-Servicemen (ESM) eligible for reservation, and Persons with Benchmark Disability (PwBD) are exempted from payment of fee.
Examination Syllabus Overview
The SSC CGL 2026 selection process involves a Tier-I and Tier-II Computer Based Examination.
Tier-I (Qualifying)
Tier-I is a qualifying stage used to shortlist candidates for Tier-II.
Tier-II (Main Examination)
The Tier-II examination consists of three papers. Paper-I is compulsory for all posts, while Papers II and III are specific to certain positions.
Note: All sections of Paper-I must be qualified separately. Tier-II consists of objective-type multiple-choice questions, except for the Data Entry Speed Test.
Scheme of Tier-I Examination
|
Tier |
Subject |
Number of Questions |
Maximum Marks |
Time Allowed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
I |
A. General Intelligence and Reasoning |
25 |
50 |
1 hour (with a sectional timer of 15 minutes for each subject). For candidates eligible for a scribe, the time is 1 hour and 20 minutes (with a sectional timer of 15+5=20 minutes for each subject). |
|
B. General Awareness |
25 |
50 |
||
|
C. Quantitative Aptitude |
25 |
50 |
||
|
D. English Comprehension |
25 |
50 |
Scheme of Tier-II Examination
|
Paper |
Session |
Subject |
Number of Questions |
Maximum Marks |
Time Allowed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Paper-I |
Session-I (2 hours and 15 minutes) |
Section-I: A: Mathematical Abilities B: Reasoning and General Intelligence |
30 30 Total = 60 |
60 * 3 = 180 |
1 hour (with a sectional timer of 30 minutes for each subject). For candidates eligible for a scribe, the time is 1 hour and 20 minutes (with a sectional timer of 30+10=40 minutes for each subject). |
|
Section-II: A: English Language and Comprehension B: General Awareness |
45 25 Total = 70 |
70 * 3 = 210 |
1 hour (with a sectional timer of 40 minutes for Subject A and 20 minutes for Subject B). For candidates eligible for a scribe, the time is 1 hour and 20 minutes (with a sectional timer of 40+15=55 minutes for Subject A and 20+5=25 minutes for Subject B). |
||
|
Section-III: Computer Knowledge Test |
20 |
20 * 3 = 60 |
15 Minutes. (20 minutes for candidates eligible for a scribe). |
||
|
Session-II (15 minutes) |
Section-IV: Data Entry Speed Test |
One Data Entry Task |
- |
15 Minutes. (20 minutes for candidates eligible for a scribe). |
|
|
Paper-II |
- |
Statistics |
100 |
100 * 2 = 200 |
2 hours. (2 hours and 40 minutes for candidates eligible for a scribe). |
How to Apply
Candidates can apply online through the official website of the Commission at https://ssc.gov.in.
Important Tips for Applicants:
- Ensure your photograph is clear, captured against a plain background, and taken without a cap or spectacles.
- Aadhaar-based authentication has been implemented for this examination.
- Candidates must carefully select their post preferences, as the final allotment is based on merit-cum-preference.
- For any difficulty in filling out the application form, you can contact the toll-free helpline number: 1800 309 3063.
Disclaimer: This post is for information purposes based on the provided notification. Candidates are strongly advised to read the full official notification available on the official SSC website (https://ssc.gov.in) before applying.
Overview of Posts
The SSC CGL 2026 examination is conducted to fill various Group 'B' (Gazetted and Non-Gazetted) and Group 'C' posts across multiple Ministries, Departments, and Organizations under the Government of India.
The posts are categorized by pay levels:
Pay Level-8 (₹47,600 to ₹1,51,100)
- Assistant Audit Officer (Central Cadre & State Cadre): These posts belong to the Indian Audit & Accounts Department under the O/o Comptroller and Auditor General of India (C&AG). They are classified as Group "B" Gazetted (Non-Ministerial) with an age limit of 18-30 years.
- Assistant Accounts Officer (State Cadre): This post is also under the Indian Audit & Accounts Department under the O/o C&AG. It is a Group "B" Gazetted (Non-Ministerial) post with an age limit of 18-30 years.
Pay Level-7 (₹44,900 to ₹1,42,400)
- Assistant Section Officer (Central Secretariat Service): A Group "B" post with an age limit of 20-30 years.
- Assistant Section Officer (Intelligence Bureau): A Group "B" post with an age limit of 18-30 years.
- Assistant Section Officer (Ministry of Railways): A Group "B" post with an age limit of 20-30 years.
- Assistant Section Officer (Ministry of External Affairs): A Group "B" post with an age limit of 20-30 years.
- Assistant Section Officer (AFHQ): A Group "B" post with an age limit of 20-30 years.
- Assistant Section Officer (Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology): A Group "B" post with an age limit of 18-30 years.
- Assistant Section Officer (Other Ministries/ Departments/ Organizations): A Group "B" post with an age limit of 18-30 years.
- Inspector of Income Tax: Located within the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), this is a Group "B" post with an age limit of 18-30 years.
- Inspector (Central Excise): Located within the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), this is a Group "B" post with an age limit of 18-30 years.
- Inspector (Preventive Officer): Associated with the CBIC, this is a Group "B" post with an age limit of 18-30 years.
- Inspector (Examiner): Associated with the CBIC, this is a Group "B" post with an age limit of 18-30 years.
- Assistant Enforcement Officer: Located in the Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Department of Revenue, this is a Group "B" post with an age limit of 18-30 years.
- Sub Inspector (Central Bureau of Investigation): A Group "B" post with an age limit of 20-30 years.
- Inspector Posts: Located in the Department of Posts, Ministry of Communications, this is a Group "B" post with an age limit of 18-30 years.
- Inspector (Central Bureau of Narcotics): Located in the Ministry of Finance, this is a Group "B" post with an age limit of 18-30 years.
Pay Level-6 (₹35,400 to ₹1,12,400)
- Assistant / Assistant Section Officer: Located in Other Ministries/ Departments/ Organizations, this is a Group "B" post with an age limit of 18-30 years.
- Executive Assistant / Assistant Section Officer: Located in the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), this is a Group "B" post with an age limit of 18-30 years.
- Research Assistant / Divisional Accountant: Located in the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), this is a Group "B" post with an age limit of 18-30 years.
- Divisional Accountant / Executive: Located in Offices under C&AG, this is a Group "B" post with an age limit of 18-30 years.
- Sub Inspector (National Investigation Agency): A Group "B" post with an age limit of 18-30 years.
- Sub-Inspector / Junior Intelligence Officer (Narcotics Control Bureau): Under the MHA, this is a Group "B" post with an age limit of 18-30 years.
- Junior Statistical Officer: Located in the Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation, this is a Group "B" post with an age limit of 18-32 years.
- Statistical Investigator Grade-II: Located in the Ministry of Home Affairs, this is a Group "B" post with an age limit of 18-30 years.
- Office Superintendent: Located in the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), this is a Group "B" post with an age limit of 18-30 years.
- Section Head: Located in the Director General of Foreign Trade, this is a Group "B" post with an age limit of 18-30 years.
Pay Level-5 (₹29,200 to ₹92,300)
- Auditor: Available in Offices under C&AG, Offices under CGDA, and Other Ministries/ Departments. These are Group "C" posts with an age limit of 18-27 years.
- Accountant / Junior Accountant: Available in Offices under C&AG, the Controller General of Accounts, and Other Ministries/ Departments. These are Group "C" posts with an age limit of 18-27 years.
Pay Level-4 (₹25,500 to ₹81,100)
- Postal Assistant / Sorting Assistant: Located in the Department of Posts, Ministry of Communications, this is a Group "C" post with an age limit of 18-27 years.
- Senior Secretariat Assistant / Upper Division Clerks: Located in Govt. Offices/ Central Ministries other than CSCS cadres, this is a Group "C" post with an age limit of 18-27 years.
- Senior Administrative Assistant: Located in Military Engineering Services, Ministry of Defence, this is a Group "C" post with an age limit of 18-27 years.
- Tax Assistant: Available in both the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) and the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC). These are Group "C" posts with an age limit of 18-27 years.
- Sub-Inspector (Central Bureau of Narcotics): Located in the Ministry of Finance, this is a Group "C" post with an age limit of 18-27 years.
Educational Qualifications
General Requirement: For the vast majority of posts under the CGL examination, the essential educational qualification is a Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized University or equivalent.
Post-Specific Notes:
Junior Statistical Officer (JSO): Requires a Bachelor’s Degree in any subject with at least 60% marks in Mathematics at the 12th standard level, OR a Bachelor’s Degree in any subject with Statistics as one of the subjects at the degree level.
Assistant Audit Officer/Assistant Accounts Officer: Candidates with a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce or with desirable qualifications may preferably be allocated to the Commercial stream.
Important: Candidates must satisfy themselves that they are eligible for the post(s) before applying, as the Commission does not undertake detailed scrutiny of applications at the time of the written examination.
For a complete and definitive list of educational requirements for each specific post code, you should refer to the full official notification at https://ssc.gov.in.