Every year, the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) conducts the Combined Graduate Level (CGL) Examination 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. SSC has officially announced 12,256 vacancies for the 2026 recruitment cycle. Explore this guide for critical exam dates, eligibility standards, the selection process, exam patterns, and salary structures.
SSC CGL Notification 2026 Out
The official SSC CGL 2026 notification PDF is now available, detailing all 12,256 vacancies and the comprehensive selection process. Interested candidates for Group B and C roles must complete their applications exclusively through the official online portal. You can find the direct link to the official notification in our exam overview table below.
Registration Reopened: The application window has been reopened for two days (June 23rd to June 25th, 2026) to accommodate candidates who faced technical challenges during the initial submission phase.
SSC CGL 2026 Exam – Overview
With over 25 lakh applicants competing annually, the SSC CGL exam is highly competitive. Candidates are encouraged to initiate their preparation immediately to gain an edge. Review the summary of the SSC CGL 2026 exam details before you begin your study plan.
| 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 |
| Application Reopened | 23rd to 25th June 2026 |
| Exam Dates | August-September 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) |
When is the SSC CGL 2026 Exam?
As per the official notification, the Tier 1 examination is scheduled for August-September 2026, followed by the Tier 2 exam in December 2026. Only candidates with successfully validated applications will be eligible to appear for the exam.
SSC CGL 2026 Important Dates
The registration timeline for SSC CGL 2026 has been updated. The final date for application submission is June 25th, 2026, with the deadline for fee payment set for June 26th, 2026. Refer to the key dates provided below.
| Events | Dates |
| Notification Release Date | 21st May 2026 |
| SSC CGL Apply Online Starts | 21st May 2026 |
| Application Reopened | 23rd June 2026 (11 pm) |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 25th June 2026 (23:00 hours) |
| Fee Payment Last Date | 26th June 2026 (23:00 hours) |
| Application Form Correction Dates | 1st to 3rd July 2026 (23:00 hours) |
| SSC CGL Tier 1 Exam Date | August-September 2026 |
| SSC CGL Tier 2 Exam Date | December 2026 |
SSC CGL Vacancy 2026 Details
SSC CGL 2026 offers 12,256 vacancies across 40 distinct Group B and Group C posts. Notably, the Assistant Audit Officer (AAO) and Assistant Accounts Officer (AAO) roles are available again this cycle, featuring a competitive pay scale ranging from Rs. 47,600 to Rs. 1,51,100.
Review the annual vacancy 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 Posts Classification
The Staff Selection Commission recruits personnel for various central government ministries through the CGL exam. Detailed information regarding SSC CGL Posts, their classifications, and the corresponding 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/Organisations | |
| 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 Eligibility Criteria
The commission adheres to specific eligibility parameters, including educational qualification, age limits, and nationality requirements. The SSC CGL Eligibility Criteria outlined in the official notification are detailed 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, 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
(Available Saturday 9 AM – Sunday 10 PM)
Age Limit (as on 01/08/2026)
Generally, candidates must be between 18 and 32 years of age. Please refer to our post-wise age limit table to verify your eligibility for specific roles.
| 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
Detailed information regarding age relaxation provided to reserved categories for the SSC CGL 2026 exam is listed 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 |
| Defence 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 individuals of Indian origin who have migrated from specific countries including Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and others, with the intent of permanently settling in India.
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 the SSC CGL 2026 Exam - Click Here
SSC CGL 2026 Selection Process
The SSC utilizes a two-tier SSC CGL selection process to effectively shortlist candidates for the various Group B and C roles available in 2026.
Stage 1 (Tier-I): A Computer-Based Examination that serves as a qualifying round.
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).
Final candidate selection is determined by merit and post-preference rankings. Please note that the Commission does not permit post-allotment changes.
Q. Is there a limit to the number of attempts?
Ans: No, there is no fixed number of attempts; you may apply as long as you meet the upper age limit criteria.Q. Is 140 a competitive score?
Ans: Given that typical cut-offs range between 150-160, a score of 140 is considered a "decent" performance but may not be sufficient for top-tier posts.
SSC CGL 2026 Exam Pattern Revised
The Staff Selection Commission has introduced revisions to the SSC CGL Exam Pattern regarding timing. The examination will proceed in two tiers as outlined 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-type, multiple-choice questions in both English and Hindi. A negative marking of 0.50 marks per incorrect answer applies. New for 2026: A sectional time limit of 15 minutes per subject has been implemented.
| 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 |
Click here to view the Revised SSC CGL Tier 2 Exam Pattern
SSC CGL 2026 Syllabus
The preliminary exam covers General Awareness, Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, and the English Language. An overview of the SSC CGL Syllabus for Tier-1 is available 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 Tier-1 & Tier-2 Syllabus
SSC CGL 2026 Online Form
The SSC CGL 2026 registration window remains open at the official website until June 25th, 2026 (11 PM). All candidates are required to complete the One-Time Registration (OTR) process and submit their application forms via www.ssc.gov.in.
Click for SSC CGL 2026 Online Application Details
SSC CGL 2026 Application Fee
The application fee is Rs. 100, payable online at www.ssc.gov.in. Exemptions apply for women, SC, ST, PwBD, and ESM candidates. Payment can be made via UPI, Net Banking, or major debit cards. Please note that the final deadline for fee payment is June 23, 2026 (23:00 hours), and all fees are non-refundable.
SSC CGL Salary Structure
The gross in-hand salary generally varies between Rs. 35,000 and Rs. 65,000 per month, contingent on the specific role and the city of posting (due to HRA adjustments). All salary structures comply with the 7th Pay Commission mandates.
| 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
Strategic preparation is essential for success. Candidates who achieved top rankings in previous years recommend the following SSC CGL Preparation Tips:
Step 1: Master the official syllabus and exam pattern to understand the requirements.
Step 2: Develop a 90-day study schedule, allocating 6–8 hours daily, with priority given to weaker subject areas.
Step 3: Solve previous year's question papers to identify recurring themes and question patterns.
Step 4: Take a minimum of two full-length mock tests weekly to refine your speed and accuracy.
Step 5: Read the newspaper daily to stay updated for the General Awareness section.
Step 6: Practice with sectional timers to adapt to the new 2026 exam constraints.
SSC CGL 2026 Exam Centres
The SSC CGL 2026 exam will be held at various centers nationwide. You may select your preferred location during application. Details regarding your specific exam center will be provided on your admit card, issued 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) |
Centers include: Bangalore, Dharwar, Gulbarga, Mangalore, Mysore, Kochi, and Kozhikode (Calicut). Additional centers: 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: Haridwar, 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
The SSC publishes category-wise and post-wise cut-off marks alongside the exam results. We recommend reviewing the previous year's Tier 1 cut-off data provided below to gauge the necessary standards for this year.
| 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 SSC CGL 2026 notification has been officially released for 12,256 vacancies across Group B and C posts.
The Tier 1 exam is expected to be conducted in August-September 2026; confirmed dates will be announced by the Commission in due course.
The SSC has announced a total of 12,256 vacancies for the 2026 CGL recruitment cycle.
The exam process comprises two stages: Tier 1 (qualifying) and Tier 2 (merit-based selection).
The primary change for 2026 is the implementation of sectional timing for both tiers. Additionally, AAO posts have been reintroduced to the recruitment pool.
Yes, One-Time Registration (OTR) via ssc.gov.in is a mandatory prerequisite for applying to the SSC CGL 2026 exam.
The application fee is Rs. 100 for General and OBC candidates. SC, ST, PwBD, ESM, and women candidates are fully exempt from payment.
Yes, Tier 1 is a qualifying round focusing on foundational concepts, while Tier 2 serves as the comprehensive final examination.
General category candidates aiming for Tier 2 qualification should typically aim for a score of 150+ out of 200.
Also Read:
- SSC CGL 2026 Registration Re-opened: Over 28 Lakh Applicants, Apply by June 25
- SSC CGL 2026 Notification: Apply for 12,256 Vacancies, Exam Dates & Eligibility
- SSC CGL Eligibility 2026: Qualification, Age Limit & Relaxation Rules
- SSC CGL Syllabus 2026: Download Tier 1 & Tier 2 Syllabus PDF
- SSC CGL Syllabus 2026: Tier 1 & Tier 2 Exam Pattern, PDF Download
- SSC CGL 2026 Notification: 12,256 Vacancies, Apply Online, Exam Dates & Eligibility
- How Many Attempts for SSC CGL? Official Rules Explained
- SSC CGL Syllabus 2026: Official Tier 1 & Tier 2 Exam Pattern PDF
- SSC CGL 2026 Preparation Guide: Expert Strategy, 3-Month Study Plan & Topper Tips
- SSC CGL 2026 Notification: Complete Guide to New Exam Pattern & Changes