SSC CGL (Combined Graduate Level Examination)
What is SSC CGL, who can sit it, and how does the two-tier selection to central government Group B and C posts work?
The Combined Graduate Level Examination (CGL) is the Staff Selection Commission's yearly recruitment exam for graduates. One exam fills Group B and Group C posts across central government ministries, departments, constitutional bodies and tribunals: assistants, inspectors, auditors, tax assistants, statistical officers and more. There are two computer-based tiers. Tier-I only shortlists, and the final merit list comes from Tier-II. Everything on this page is from SSC's notice for the 2026 exam (F. No. HQ-C11018/1/2026-C-1), uploaded on ssc.gov.in on 21 May 2026.
This page may be out of date. It was due for a re-check on 31 December 2026. Confirm every rule with the official source before acting on it.
The 2026 application window closed on 22 June 2026. The notice gave tentative windows of August-September 2026 for Tier-I and December 2026 for Tier-II; check ssc.gov.in for the current schedule and results.
Exam at a glance
- Conducted by
- Staff Selection Commission (SSC), Department of Personnel and Training, Government of India[1]
- Who it recruits
- Group B and Group C posts in central ministries, departments and other bodies, from Pay Level-4 to Pay Level-8[1]
- Education
- A bachelor's degree. A few posts ask for more (see below). Final-year students can apply if they hold the degree by 1 August 2026.[1]
- Age limit
- Depends on the post: 18-27, 20-30, 18-30 or 18-32 years, counted on 1 August 2026[1]
- Stages
- Tier-I (computer-based, shortlisting) and Tier-II (computer-based, decides the merit list)[1]
- Tentative vacancies (2026)
- About 12,256[1]
- Application fee
- Rs 100. Women, SC, ST, PwBD and eligible ex-servicemen candidates pay nothing.[1]
Tier-II Paper-I: marks by section
| Part | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General Intelligence and Reasoning | 25 | 50 |
| General Awareness | 25 | 50 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 50 |
| English Comprehension | 25 | 50 |
| Total | 100 | 200 |
One hour, with a 15-minute timer for each part. Multiple-choice questions in English and Hindi (English Comprehension in English only). 0.50 marks are deducted for each wrong answer.[1]
| Section | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| I: Mathematical Abilities + Reasoning and General Intelligence | 30 + 30 | 180 | 1 hour |
| II: English Language and Comprehension + General Awareness | 45 + 25 | 210 | 1 hour |
| III: Computer Knowledge Test (qualifying) | 20 | 60 | 15 minutes |
| IV: Data Entry Speed Test (qualifying) | One data-entry task | None | 15 minutes |
Each question in Sections I to III carries 3 marks, and a wrong answer costs 1 mark. Paper-II (Statistics, 100 questions, 200 marks, 2 hours) is only for candidates shortlisted for Junior Statistical Officer and Statistical Investigator Grade-II. Paper-III (General Studies: Finance and Economics, 100 questions, 200 marks, 2 hours) is only for those shortlisted for Assistant Audit Officer and Assistant Accounts Officer. In Papers II and III a wrong answer costs 0.50 marks.[1]
| Category | Minimum |
|---|---|
| Unreserved (UR) | 30% |
| OBC and EWS | 25% |
| All other categories | 20% |
Reaching the minimum does not guarantee a place. Category-wise cut-offs decide who moves on.[1]
You need a bachelor's degree from a recognised university, held by 1 August 2026. You can apply while in the final year, but the result must actually be declared by that date. A result that is still being processed does not count.
Some posts ask for more. Junior Statistical Officer needs a degree with at least 60% in Mathematics in Class 12, or Statistics as a subject in the degree. Statistical Investigator Grade-II needs a degree in Statistics, Mathematics, Economics, Computer Science or one of the other subjects the notice lists. Assistant Audit Officer and Assistant Accounts Officer list desirable qualifications such as CA, CMA, CS or a master's in commerce.
Each post has its own age band, counted on 1 August 2026. Upper age limits are relaxed by 5 years for SC and ST, 3 years for OBC and 10 years for PwBD candidates, with other relaxations listed in the notice.[1]
CGL fills a long list of posts, grouped by pay level from Level-4 (Rs 25,500 to 81,100) up to Level-8 (Rs 47,600 to 1,51,100). Assistant Audit Officer and Assistant Accounts Officer are Group B gazetted posts at Level-8. Others include Assistant Section Officer, inspectors in central taxes, auditors, accountants and tax assistants.
You choose and rank posts and departments online before the final result. SSC allots one post on merit and on those preferences. Once you get your first available preference, you are not considered for any other, and some posts carry physical or medical standards that the department tests after selection.[1]
- Tier-I is the shortlist. Category-wise cut-offs decide who sits Tier-II, with separate cut-offs for the statistics posts and the audit and accounts posts.
- Tier-II Paper-I is compulsory, and you must qualify every section of it.
- The Computer Knowledge Test and the Data Entry Speed Test are qualifying only. Posts that need computer skills, and tax-assistant type posts, set higher qualifying standards for them.
- The final merit list uses Sections I and II of Tier-II Paper-I, plus Paper-II or Paper-III for the posts that need them. Tier-I marks do not count.
- Scores from different shifts are normalised. There is no re-evaluation or re-checking of scores.
Source[1]
- 21 May to 22 June 2026: online applications (fee by 23 June).
- 29 June to 1 July 2026: form correction window.
- August-September 2026: Tier-I, tentative.
- December 2026: Tier-II, tentative.
- Before you apply: check your post's age band and any subject rule, because the post decides both.
- Between the tiers: Tier-II Paper-I adds the computer test and the data entry test, so practise typing on a computer, not only the four written subjects.
- Before the final stage: rank posts with care. A preference you submit cannot be changed later.
Source[1]
Tips and tricks
- Read the age band of each post you want before you apply. A 30-year-old can fit an 18-32 post and still be too old for an 18-27 one.[1]
- If you are aiming for the statistics posts or the audit and accounts posts, budget time for the extra Tier-II paper (Paper-II or Paper-III). It counts in the merit list for those posts.[1]
- Practise typing on a computer keyboard early. The data entry test is only qualifying, but some posts set a higher standard for it.[1]
Questions people ask
Can final-year students apply for SSC CGL?
Yes. The 2026 notice lets final-year students apply, but the degree result must be declared by 1 August 2026. A result still being processed on that date does not count.[1]
What is the age limit for SSC CGL?
It depends on the post. The 2026 notice uses four bands, 18-27, 20-30, 18-30 and 18-32 years, all counted on 1 August 2026. SC and ST candidates get 5 extra years, OBC 3 and PwBD 10.[1]
Do Tier-I marks count in the final result?
No. Tier-I is used to shortlist candidates for Tier-II. The final merit list is made from Tier-II only.[1]
Is there negative marking in SSC CGL?
Yes. In Tier-I a wrong answer costs 0.50 marks. In Sections I to III of Tier-II Paper-I it costs 1 mark, and in Papers II and III it costs 0.50 marks.[1]
Who has to take the typing test?
Everyone. The Data Entry Speed Test is Section IV of Tier-II Paper-I and is compulsory for all posts, though it only needs to be qualified. PwBD-OH candidates with the prescribed medical certificate can be exempted for some posts.[1]
Connected pages
- Related · DegreeBA (Bachelor of Arts)How long a BA takes, the honours and research year, majors and minors, the CUET tests that get you in, and the MA through CUET (PG). From UGC and NTA.
- Related · ExamSSC Selection Posts (Phase-XIV/2026)SSC Selection Posts Phase-XIV: 382 post codes at 10th, 12th and graduate level, the 1 January 2026 age date, one test per level and what happens after the CBE.
- Related · DegreeB.Com (Bachelor of Commerce)How long a B.Com takes, the 4-year honours option, how central universities admit, and the CA, CS and SSC routes after it. From UGC, ICAI, ICSI and NTA.
- Related · DegreeB.Sc (Bachelor of Science)How long a B.Sc takes, the honours and research year, the CUET tests that get you in, and M.Sc at IITs through JAM. From UGC and NTA.
- Related · ExamSSC CHSL (Combined Higher Secondary Level Examination)SSC CHSL 2026 from the official SSC notice: LDC/JSA and Data Entry Operator posts, the 18-27 age rule, Tier-I and Tier-II pattern and the typing or skill test.
- Related · ExamSSC CPO 2026 (Sub-Inspector in Delhi Police and CAPFs)SSC Sub-Inspector 2026: 1,871 posts, age 20-25 (SI Fire 18-30), Paper-I proposed 20-28 Nov, the PET, and how Paper-II decides your force.
- Related · ExamRRB Section Controller 2026RRB Section Controller (CEN 03/2026): 119 Level 6 posts for graduates aged 20 to 33, the CBT, the aptitude test (CBAT), the A-2 eyesight rule and seats by RRB.
- Related · ExamIBPS PO (Probationary Officer / Management Trainee)IBPS PO/MT (CRP-XVI) from the official IBPS notification: the graduate rule, 20-30 age band, prelims and mains pattern, interview and bank allotment.
- Related · ExamSSC JE 2026 (Junior Engineer Examination)SSC Junior Engineer 2026: 1,699 tentative posts, the 30 or 32 age limit, Paper-I on 2-6 Nov and 30 Nov-1 Dec, and why only Paper-II sets your rank.
Official and partner links
- Official bodyStaff Selection Commission (official website)
Sources
- Notice: Combined Graduate Level Examination, 2026 (F. No. HQ-C11018/1/2026-C-1, uploaded 21-05-2026), Staff Selection Commission. Paras 2, 3.1, 5, 8, 10, 13.8-13.10, 16 (pp. 1-42). Accessed 17 October 2026.
Found an error or a newer rule? Tell us through the corrections page. Updated 17 October 2026.