The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has officially released the Combined Graduate Level (CGL) Examination 2026 notification to fill approximately 12,256 Group B and Group C vacancies across various Ministries and Departments of the Government of India. The online application process begins on 21 May 2026 and will close on 22 June 2026. This recruitment provides an excellent opportunity for graduate candidates aiming to secure prestigious central government jobs.
Candidates interested in SSC CGL 2026 can apply only through the official SSC portal at https://ssc.gov.in or via the mY SSC mobile app. The notification contains complete details about posts, eligibility criteria, age limits, pay scales, exam scheme, and selection process.
SSC CGL 2026 Overview
SSC CGL 2026 is being conducted to recruit candidates for various Group B and Group C posts in multiple government organizations. The recruitment aims to fill positions like Assistant Section Officer, Junior Statistical Officer, Assistant Audit Officer, Tax Assistant, Sub Inspector in CBI/NIA, Inspector in Income Tax and CBIC, Postal Assistant, and more.
The recruitment process will follow a two-tier computer-based examination system along with document verification and, in some cases, skill tests like Data Entry Speed Test (DEST) and Computer Knowledge Test (CKT).
Important Dates for SSC CGL 2026
- Notification Date: 21 May 2026
- Online Application Start: 21 May 2026
- Last Date to Apply Online: 22 June 2026 (23:00 hours)
- Last Date for Fee Payment: 23 June 2026 (23:00 hours)
- Correction Window: 29 June to 01 July 2026 (23:00 hours)
- Age Calculation Date: 01 August 2026
- Educational Qualification Cutoff: 01 August 2026
- Tier-I Examination (Tentative): August – September 2026
- Tier-II Examination (Tentative): December 2026
SSC CGL 2026 Post-wise Vacancy and Pay Scale
The recruitment covers multiple pay levels based on the post and department.
Pay Level 8 (Group B Gazetted Non-Ministerial)
- Assistant Audit Officer (Central and State Cadres) – Age 18–30 years
Pay Level 7 (Group B)
- Assistant Section Officer (Central Secretariat Service, Intelligence Bureau, Ministry of Railways, Ministry of External Affairs, AFHQ, Ministry of Electronics & IT) – Age 18–30/20–30 years
- Inspector of Income Tax, Inspector (Central Excise), Inspector (Preventive Officer), Assistant Enforcement Officer, Sub Inspector (CBI), Inspector (Dept. of Posts), Inspector (Central Bureau of Narcotics) – Age 18–30/20–30 years
Pay Level 6 (Group B)
- Assistant / Executive / Research / Sub Inspector posts, Junior Statistical Officer, Statistical Investigator Grade-II, Office Superintendent, Section Head – Age 18–32 years
Pay Level 5 (Group C)
- Auditor, Accountant / Junior Accountant – Age 18–27 years
Pay Level 4 (Group C)
- Postal Assistant / Sorting Assistant, Senior Secretariat Assistant, Tax Assistant, Sub-Inspector – Age 18–27 years
Final allotment of posts will depend on merit-cum-preference. Certain posts have physical and medical standards that must be fulfilled.
Eligibility Criteria
Nationality
Candidates must be citizens of India or persons from specified neighboring/migrated countries with valid eligibility certificates.
Educational Qualification
- Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized university as on 01 August 2026
- Junior Statistical Officer: Degree with 60% in Mathematics at 12th level or Statistics at degree level
- Statistical Investigator Grade-II: Degree in Statistics, Mathematics, Economics, Computer Science, Data Science, or related fields
- Assistant Audit Officer / Accounts Officer: Degree is essential; professional qualifications like CA, CMA, CS, M.Com, MBA (Finance) are desirable
Age Limit
- Post-specific, ranging from 18 to 32 years
- Age calculated as on 01 August 2026
Age Relaxation
- SC/ST: 5 years
- OBC: 3 years
- PwBD: 10–15 years depending on category
- Ex-Servicemen and Defense Personnel: 3–8 years depending on conditions
- Women (Widows/Divorced/Separated): 35–40 years depending on category
Application Fee
- General / OBC / EWS Male: ₹100 (Non-refundable)
- Women, SC/ST, PwBD, Ex-Servicemen: NIL
- Correction Window Fee: ₹200 for first correction, ₹500 for second correction
Payment must be made online through BHIM UPI, Net Banking, or Debit/Credit cards.
SSC CGL 2026 Selection Process
The selection process includes Tier-I and Tier-II Computer Based Examinations. Scores in CBE are normalized. Re-evaluation is not allowed.
Tier-I Examination
- General Intelligence & Reasoning: 25 Questions, 50 Marks
- General Awareness: 25 Questions, 50 Marks
- Quantitative Aptitude: 25 Questions, 50 Marks
- English Comprehension: 25 Questions, 50 Marks
- Total Marks: 200, Duration: 1 hour
- Negative Marking: 0.5 marks per wrong answer
Tier-II Examination
- Paper-I (All Posts): Mathematical Abilities, English, General Awareness, Computer Knowledge (qualifying), DEST (qualifying)
- Paper-II (JSO / Statistical Investigator): Statistics, 200 Marks
- Paper-III (AAO / AAcO): Finance and Economics, 200 Marks
Examination Syllabus Highlights
- Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, English, General Awareness, Computer Knowledge
- Paper-II and Paper-III focus on domain-specific subjects
- DEST and CKT are qualifying in nature but mandatory
Exam Centres
Candidates choose three centres in the same region. SSC may reallocate based on administrative needs. Regions include Central, Eastern, Karnataka-Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, North Eastern, Northern, North Western, Southern, and Western regions.
Who Should Not Apply
- Candidates without a Bachelor’s Degree by 01-08-2026
- Outside age limit even after relaxation
- Non-eligible OBC candidates
- Candidates unable to meet post-specific standards
- Distance-learning degree holders without valid UGC-DEB approval
- Female candidates applying for BRO posts where only males are eligible
How to Apply
- Generate One-Time Registration (OTR) on SSC portal
- Complete profile and lock it
- Fill Common Application Form (CAF) with live photo capture
- Upload scanned signature
- Choose posts and exam centres
- Pay application fee (if applicable)
- Preview and submit application
- Use correction window if needed (29 June to 01 July 2026)
- Keep printouts and documents ready for future verification
Documents for Verification
- Matriculation/Secondary Certificate for DOB
- Graduation Mark Sheets and Degree Certificate
- Caste Certificate (SC/ST/OBC) in prescribed format
- Any other supporting documents as per post-specific requirements
FAQ
When can I apply for SSC CGL 2026?
Applications start on 21 May 2026 and close on 22 June 2026.
What is the eligibility qualification?
A Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized university is required, with post-specific exceptions for JSO, Statistical Investigator, and AAO posts.
Is there any fee for female candidates?
No, women candidates from all categories are exempted from fees.
How will Tier-I and Tier-II exams be conducted?
Both exams are computer-based and include multiple-choice questions. Tier-I is a screening test, and Tier-II is post-specific.
Where can I apply?
Candidates can apply only at https://ssc.gov.in or via the mY SSC mobile app.
Conclusion
SSC CGL 2026 is one of the most sought-after examinations for graduates seeking central government jobs. With 12,256 vacancies across Group B and C posts, it offers an incredible career opportunity for dedicated candidates. Proper preparation, timely application, and careful attention to eligibility criteria are essential for success. Candidates are advised to regularly check the official SSC website for updates, exam dates, and post-allotment notifications.
Official SSC Website: https://ssc.gov.in