SSC CGL 2026 — Complete Guide to India's Most Competitive Graduate Job Exam

The Staff Selection Commission Combined Graduate Level (SSC CGL) examination is India's largest recruitment exam for Group B and Group C posts in various central government ministries, departments and organisations. Over 30 lakh candidates appear for SSC CGL every year, competing for approximately 17,000–25,000 vacancies across premium government posts.

If you have a graduation degree, SSC CGL is your fastest path to a central government job.

Disclaimer: CitizenNest is an independent platform not affiliated with SSC. Always check ssc.gov.in for official notification details.

SSC CGL 2026 — Key Dates (Expected)

Check ssc.gov.in for confirmed dates once notification is released.

Eligibility Criteria

Educational Qualification

You can appear in SSC CGL in your final year of graduation.

Age Limit

Age Relaxation: OBC: +3 years | SC/ST: +5 years | PwBD: +10 years | Ex-Servicemen: as per rules

Nationality

Must be an Indian citizen.

Posts and Salary Under SSC CGL

Salary includes DA + HRA + TA at current rates. Subject to city classification.

SSC CGL Exam Pattern 2026

Tier 1 — Computer Based Test

• Negative marking: 0.5 marks per wrong answer
• Qualifying nature: Scores used for Tier 2 shortlisting

Tier 2 — Computer Based Test (3 sessions)

Session 1 (Mandatory for all):

Session 2 (For JSO post): Statistics — 100 questions, 200 marks, 2 hours

Session 3 (For AAO post): General Studies (Finance/Economics) — 100 questions, 200 marks, 2 hours

• Negative marking Tier 2: 1 mark per wrong answer (Paper 1, 2); 0.50 per wrong answer (Paper 3)

Syllabus Overview

General Intelligence & Reasoning

Analogies, Similarities & Differences, Space Visualisation, Problem Solving, Analysis, Coding-Decoding, Blood Relations, Syllogism, Venn Diagrams, Number Series, Non-verbal Reasoning, Matrix

Quantitative Aptitude

Number System, Percentage, Ratio & Proportion, Average, Simple & Compound Interest, Profit/Loss, Time & Work, Time & Distance, Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Mensuration, Statistics & Probability, DI

General Awareness

Current Affairs (last 6 months), History, Geography, Economy, Polity, Science & Technology, Sports, Awards, Books & Authors, Static GK

English Language (Tier 2)

Reading Comprehension, Grammar, Fill in the blanks, Vocabulary, Error Spotting, Para Jumbles, Cloze Test, One Word Substitution, Idioms & Phrases, Active/Passive Voice

Application Fee

Payment mode: Online only — Credit/Debit Card, Net Banking, UPI

How to Apply Online

1. Go to ssc.gov.in
2. Register using your email ID and mobile number (One Time Registration)
3. Log in and fill the CGL application form
4. Upload photo (20–50 KB) and signature (10–20 KB)
5. Select exam centres (up to 4 preferences)
6. Pay the fee and submit
7. Download and save the application PDF

Previous Year Cut-Off (Tier 1 — Indicative)

Cut-offs vary significantly by number of vacancies and difficulty level each year.

Preparation Strategy

6-Month Plan (For Beginners)

Key Resources

• Maths: R.S. Aggarwal, Rakesh Yadav
• English: SP Bakshi (Grammar), Word Power Made Easy (Vocabulary)
• GK: Lucent GK, monthly current affairs magazines
• Practice: Previous 5 years SSC CGL papers (available on SSC website)
• Mock Tests: Testbook, Adda247, SSC Adda — full-length sectional mocks daily

Frequently Asked Questions

Is SSC CGL conducted every year? Yes, SSC CGL is an annual exam. The notification is usually released between February–April each year.

Can a final year student apply for SSC CGL? Yes — candidates in their final year of graduation are eligible to apply. However, you must complete your degree before document verification.

Which post is best in SSC CGL? Assistant Section Officer (CSS) and Income Tax Inspector are considered the most prestigious and highest-paying posts. Both are at Level 7 with excellent career growth.

How many attempts are allowed in SSC CGL? There is no limit on attempts — you can appear as long as you are within the age limit.

Is there an interview in SSC CGL? No — SSC abolished interviews for all Group B and C posts. Selection is purely based on Tier 1 + Tier 2 scores.

What is the posting location for SSC CGL? Depends on the post and department. CSS officers are posted in Delhi. Income Tax Inspectors are posted across India based on cadre preference.