The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has officially published the highly anticipated notification for the Combined Graduate Level Examination 2026 (SSC CGL 2026). This year brings one of the largest recruitment drives for graduates in recent times, offering approximately 12,256 vacancies across various Group ‘B’ and Group ‘C’ positions within central ministries, departments, constitutional bodies, and tribunals.
Eligible male and female candidates looking for a secure career in the Central Government can submit their applications online starting from 21 May 2026. The absolute last date to complete your online application is 22 June 2026 (23:00 Hrs).
SSC CGL 2026 Overview
Before diving into the detailed eligibility criteria and selection process, here is a quick summary of the key highlights regarding the SSC CGL 2026 recruitment drive.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Combined Graduate Level Examination 2026 (SSC CGL) |
| Conducting Body | Staff Selection Commission (SSC) |
| Total Vacancies | Approx. 12,256 Posts |
| Job Category | Central Government Jobs |
| Post Types | Group B & Group C (Inspector, Assistant, Auditor, etc.) |
| Minimum Qualification | Bachelor’s Degree (Graduation) |
| Age Limit | 18 to 30 Years (Post-dependent) |
| Salary Range | ₹25,500 to ₹1,51,100 (Pay Level 4 to 8) |
| Application Mode | Online Only |
| Official Website | ssc.gov.in |
Important Dates
Staying updated with the official timeline is crucial to avoid missing deadlines. Note down these official dates for the registration and examination phases:
| Event | Important Dates |
|---|---|
| Notification Release Date | 21 May 2026 |
| Online Application Start Date | 21 May 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 22 June 2026 (Till 11:00 PM) |
| Last Date for Online Fee Payment | 23 June 2026 (Till 11:00 PM) |
| Correction Window Dates | 29 June 2026 to 01 July 2026 |
| SSC CGL Tier-I Exam Date | August – September 2026 (Tentative) |
| SSC CGL Tier-II Exam Date | December 2026 (Tentative) |
Eligibility Criteria
To be considered for the selection process, applicants must fulfill the following parameters as specified by the commission.
1. Age Limit (As on 01.08.2026)
The general age requirements range from 18 to 30 years, depending heavily on the specific post you are targeting.
- Group C Posts: Generally 18–27 years.
- Group B Posts: Generally 20–30 years.
- Junior Statistical Officer (JSO): Up to 32 years.
Category-Wise Age Relaxation
Relaxations in the upper age limit are provided to reserved categories as per government rules:
- SC / ST: 5 years relaxation
- OBC: 3 years relaxation
- PwBD (Unreserved): 10 years relaxation
- PwBD (OBC): 13 years relaxation
- PwBD (SC/ST): 15 years relaxation
- Ex-Servicemen (ESM): 3 years after deduction of military service
2. Educational Qualification
Candidates must possess their degree certificates before the specified cutoff date.
- For All General Posts: Bachelor’s Degree in any discipline from a recognized University or equivalent institute.
- Assistant Audit Officer / Assistant Accounts Officer (AAO): Bachelor’s Degree in any subject. Desirable qualifications include CA, CMA, CS, M.Com, or MBA (Finance).
- Junior Statistical Officer (JSO): Bachelor’s Degree with at least 60% marks in Mathematics at the 12th-grade level, OR a Bachelor’s Degree with Statistics as one of the core graduation subjects.
- Statistical Investigator Grade-II: Bachelor’s Degree with Statistics as a subject. Fields like Mathematics, Economics, Demography, Computer Science, Data Science, or AI are applicable if statistics modules are integrated.
- State Cadre AAO Posts: Candidates must demonstrate additional proficiency in the regional or official language of the state they are assigned to.
Post-Wise Salary Structure
The SSC CGL offers an attractive salary alongside multiple central allowances like Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), and Transport Allowance. The pay distribution spans five distinct levels:
| Pay Level | Salary Scale | Prominent Posts Included |
|---|---|---|
| Pay Level-8 | ₹47,600 – ₹1,51,100 | Assistant Audit Officer, Assistant Accounts Officer |
| Pay Level-7 | ₹44,900 – ₹1,42,400 | Income Tax Inspector, ASO (MEA/CSS), Sub-Inspector (CBI) |
| Pay Level-6 | ₹35,400 – ₹1,12,400 | Divisional Accountant, Executive Assistant, JSO, SI (NIA) |
| Pay Level-5 | ₹29,200 – ₹92,300 | Auditor, Accountant, Junior Accountant |
| Pay Level-4 | ₹25,500 – ₹81,100 | Tax Assistant, Postal Assistant, Senior Secretariat Assistant |
Selection Process & Exam Pattern
The recruitment framework uses a multi-tiered screening system to assess candidates thoroughly.
Stage 1: Tier-I Examination (Qualifying)
This is a Computer Based Test (CBT) containing multiple-choice questions. Marks obtained here do not count toward the final merit list, but clearing the cutoff is mandatory to reach Tier-II.
| Subject | Questions | Total Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 25 | 50 | 60 Minutes |
| General Awareness | 25 | 50 | |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 50 | |
| English Comprehension | 25 | 50 | |
| Total | 100 | 200 |
Important Note: A negative marking penalty of 0.50 marks applies for every incorrect answer in the Tier-I exam.
Stage 2: Tier-II Examination (Merit Deciding)
Tier-II consists of distinct sections conducted on a computer-based platform. Paper-I is mandatory for all job roles.
Paper-I Layout (Compulsory for All Posts)
- Section I (1 Hour): Mathematical Abilities (30 Questions) + Reasoning & General Intelligence (30 Questions). Total: 60 Questions (180 Marks).
- Section II (1 Hour): English Language & Comprehension (45 Questions) + General Awareness (25 Questions). Total: 70 Questions (210 Marks).
- Section III (15 Minutes): Computer Knowledge Test (20 Questions – 60 Marks). This section is qualifying but crucial for specific posts.
- Section IV (15 Minutes): Data Entry Speed Test (DEST). Candidates must complete one comprehensive data entry task to test typing proficiency.
Specialized Papers (Post-Specific)
- Paper-II (Statistics): Mandatory only for JSO applications. Features 100 questions worth 200 marks with a 2-hour duration limit.
- Paper-III (Finance & Economics): Mandated solely for AAO positions. Comprises 100 questions totaling 200 marks across 2 hours.
Stage 3: Document Verification (DV)
The final document verification step will be conducted directly by the user ministries or departments allocated to the candidates after final selection.
Application Fee
| Category | Fee Amount |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS Candidates | ₹100 |
| All Female Candidates | Exempted (No Fee) |
| SC / ST / PwBD / Ex-Servicemen | Exempted (No Fee) |
The registration processing fee can safely be paid online via net banking, UPI channels, or valid debit/credit cards.
How to Apply Online for SSC CGL 2026
Follow these quick structural steps to submit your application form smoothly:
1.One-Time Registration (OTR):
Go to the official website at ssc.gov.in. If you are a new user, complete your registration profile using an active mobile number and personal email address to obtain your unique registration credentials.
2.Fill the Portal Application:
Log into your dashboard using your registration ID and system password. Navigate to the “Apply” section under the Combined Graduate Level Examination 2026 tab and complete the main application form with your education details and post preferences.
3.Document Uploading Process:
Upload your scanned digital signature along with a high-quality recent photograph. Make sure the background is clean and your documents adhere exactly to the dimension limits specified in the official notification.
4.Online Application Fee Payment:
Proceed to the payment gateway if you belong to the General, OBC, or EWS categories. Pay the ₹100 fee securely using your preferred online payment tool.
5.Final Form Submission:
Double-check all your typed information using the application preview tool. Submit the form, download the automatically generated confirmation sheet, and save a printout for your future recruitment references.
Important Links
| Resource Description | Link |
|---|---|
| Official SSC CGL 2026 Notification PDF | Download PDF Here |
| Online Application Portal | Apply Online Now |
| Explore More Graduate Level Government Jobs | View All Graduate Jobs |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What is the total number of vacancies listed in the SSC CGL 2026 notification?
Ans. The Staff Selection Commission has released an estimated total of 12,256 vacant seats for various executive, non-technical, Group B, and Group C profiles.
Q2. When is the final deadline to submit my online registration form?
Ans. The online application window stays open until 22 June 2026 at 11:00 PM. We strongly recommend submitting early to avoid peak server congestion.
Q3. Can final-year graduation students apply for this recruitment drive?
Ans. Yes, provided you meet the required educational qualification cutoff date mentioned in the official handbook. You must possess your final results or degree on or before the crucial date specified by the SSC.
Q4. Is there an option to fix mistakes made in the application form?
Ans. Yes, the commission provides a dedicated application form correction window from 29 June 2026 through 01 July 2026. Candidates can modify specific parameters by paying the structural correction fee online.
Q5. Is the negative marking system standard across all exam tiers?
Ans. No, the negative marking penalty structure varies. In the Tier-I exam, 0.50 marks are deducted per wrong answer. In the Tier-II exam, there is a penalty of 1 mark for each incorrect response in Section-I, Section-II, and Section-III of Paper-I.