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SSC CGL Eligibility 2026: Age Limit, Qualification & Nationality Criteria

R
Virat
Updated: Aug 23, 2026
22 MIN READ

SSC CGL Eligibility 2026, Age Limit, Qualification, Nationality

The SSC CGL Eligibility Criteria 2026 encompass mandatory requirements regarding age, educational qualifications, nationality, and physical standards. Generally, candidates must be at least 18 years old and hold a recognized Bachelor’s degree to apply. Since eligibility often varies by specific post, we have detailed these requirements below to help you determine your suitability for the exam.

SSC CGL Eligibility 2026

The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) will conduct the SSC CGL 2026 exam to fill various Combined Graduate Level vacancies. With lakhs of aspirants competing annually, verifying your eligibility is a critical first step. Candidates are evaluated based on three primary parameters for the SSC CGL recruitment:

  1. Age Limit
  2. Qualification 
  3. Nationality

Your details must be entered accurately in the online application form, as they will be strictly verified during the final stages of the selection process. Ensure all information is correct to avoid potential disqualification.

SSC CGL Notification 2026 Released - Click Here for Details

SSC CGL Age Limit 2026

It is essential to review the full SSC CGL eligibility requirements before submitting your application. The official SSC CGL age limit generally ranges between 18 to 32 years, though this varies by post. Relaxations are available for reserved categories in accordance with government regulations.

Ministry/Department/Office
Post Name
Age Limit
Central Secretariat Service
Assistant Section Officer
20–30 years
Intelligence Bureau
Assistant Section Officer
18–30 years
Ministry of Railways
Assistant Section Officer
20–30 years
Ministry of External Affairs
Assistant Section Officer
20–30 years
AFHQ
Assistant Section Officer
20–30 years
Ministry of Electronics & IT
Assistant Section Officer
18–30 years
Other Ministries/Departments/Organizations
Assistant / ASO
18–30 years
CBDT
Inspector of Income Tax
18–30 years
CBIC
Inspector (Central Excise)
18–30 years
CBIC
Inspector (Preventive Officer)
18–30 years
CBIC
Inspector (Examiner)
18–30 years
Directorate of Enforcement, Dept. of Revenue
Assistant Enforcement Officer
18–30 years
Central Bureau of Investigation
Sub Inspector
20–30 years
Department of Posts
Inspector Posts
18–30 years
Central Bureau of Narcotics, Ministry of Finance
Inspector
18–30 years
DGFT (Directorate General of Foreign Trade)
Section Head
18–30 years
Other Ministries/Departments/Organizations
Assistant / ASO
18–30 years
CBIC
Executive Assistant
18–30 years
National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)
Research Assistant
18–30 years
Offices under C&AG
Divisional Accountant
18–30 years
National Investigation Agency (NIA)
Sub Inspector
18–30 years
Narcotics Control Bureau (MHA)
Sub-Inspector / Junior Intelligence Officer
18–30 years
Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation
Junior Statistical Officer (JSO)
18–32 years
Ministry of Home Affairs
Statistical Investigator Grade-II
18–30 years
CBDT
Office Superintendent
18–30 years
Offices under C&AG
Auditor
18–27 years
Offices under CGDA
Auditor
18–27 years
Other Ministries/Departments
Auditor
18–27 years
Offices under C&AG
Accountant
18–27 years
Controller General of Accounts
Accountant
18–27 years
Other Ministries/Departments
Accountant / Jr. Accountant
18–27 years
Department of Posts, Ministry of Communications
Postal Assistant / Sorting Assistant
18–27 years
Central Govt. Offices/Ministries (non-CSCS)
Senior Secretariat Assistant / UDC
18–27 years
Military Engineering Services, Ministry of Defence
Senior Administrative Assistant
18–27 years
CBDT
Tax Assistant
18–27 years
CBIC
Tax Assistant
18–27 years
Central Bureau of Narcotics, Ministry of Finance
Sub-Inspector
18–27 years

SSC CGL Post-wise Age Limit

S. No.
Age Limit
Date of Birth Range
Remarks
(i)
18–27 years
02-08-1998 to 01-08-2007
For posts with age limit 18–27 years
(ii)
20–30 years
02-08-1995 to 01-08-2005
For posts with age limit 20–30 years
(iii)
18–30 years
02-08-1995 to 01-08-2007
For posts with age limit 18–30 years
(iv)
18–32 years
02-08-1993 to 01-08-2007
For posts with age limit 18–32 years

SSC CGL Age Limit Relaxation

Government guidelines provide specific age relaxations for candidates belonging to reserved categories. Please refer to the table below for detailed information on age concessions:

SSC CGL Age Relaxation
Category
Age Relaxation
OBC
3 years
ST/SC
5 years
PH+Gen
10 years
PH + OBC
13 years
PH + SC/ST
15 years
Ex-Servicemen (Gen)
3 years
Ex-Servicemen (OBC)
6 years
Ex-Servicemen (SC/ST)
8 years

SSC CGL Educational Qualification

The educational qualifications required for various SSC CGL posts are outlined below, ensuring you meet the academic criteria before applying:

SSC CGL Educational Qualification
Post Name
Educational Qualification 
Junior Statistical Officer
Bachelor’s Degree from any recognized University with a minimum of 60% in Mathematics in Class 12th
OR
Bachelor’s Degree in any discipline with Statistics as one of the subjects in graduation 
Statistical Investigator Grade-II Post
Bachelor’s Degree from any recognized University with Statistics. Candidates must have studied Statistics as a full subject throughout their entire graduation, in Part-I, Part-II, and Part-III, or in all six semesters of a three-year degree course. Just having one paper or module in Statistics is not enough
All Other Posts
Bachelor’s Degree in any discipline from a recognized University or equivalent

SSC CGL Nationality/Citizenship

Nationality Requirements for SSC CGL:

  • A Citizen of India (or)
  • A Citizen of Nepal (or)
  • A Citizen of Bhutan (or)
  • A Tibetan refugee who came over to India, before the 1st January 1962 to permanently settle in India.
  • A person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African Countries of Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania (Formerly Tanganyika and Zanzibar), Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia, and Vietnam to permanently settle in India.

SSC CGL Physical Standards/Measurements

Beyond educational and age requirements, certain SSC CGL positions mandate that candidates meet specific physical fitness benchmarks.

Physical Standards for SSC CGL Eligibility

Physical standard requirements, including height, chest measurements (for males), and weight, are mandatory for specific roles. Positions such as Inspector (Central Excise, Examiner, Preventive Officer) and Sub-Inspector in CBN require strict adherence to these physical fitness standards.

Criteria
Male Candidates
Female Candidates
Height
157.5 cm
152 cm
Chest
81 cm (fully expanded, with a minimum expansion of 5 cm)
-
Weight
-
48 kg
Exemptions
Height relaxable by 5 cm for Garwalis, Assamese, Gorkhas, and members of Scheduled Tribes.
Height relaxable by 2.5 cm. Weight relaxable by 2 kg for Gorkhas, Garwalis, Assamese, and members of Scheduled Tribes.

Physical Test Requirements

  • Walking:
    • Male: 1600 meters in 15 minutes
    • Female: 1 km in 20 minutes
  • Cycling:
    • Male: 8 km in 30 minutes
    • Female: 3 km in 25 minutes

Important Points to Remember

Follow these tips to ensure your application aligns with the official SSC CGL eligibility criteria and to prevent any risk of disqualification during the process:

  1. Read the Official Notification Carefully: Go through the SSC CGL notification in detail to understand the eligibility requirements for various posts, including age limits, educational qualifications, and category-specific conditions.
  2. Verify Your Age Eligibility: Check the age criteria for your preferred post and calculate your age based on the cut-off date mentioned in the notification. Age relaxation benefits should be claimed only if you meet the required conditions.
  3. Confirm Educational Qualifications: Ensure your educational qualifications match the required criteria for the specific post you are applying for. If you are in the final year of graduation, verify if you are eligible to apply.
  4. Prepare Valid Documents: Keep all necessary documents like your birth certificate, educational certificates, and category certificates ready and up to date.
  5. Check for Physical Fitness Requirements: Some posts may have physical fitness or medical standards, so ensure you meet those criteria if applicable.
  6. Avoid False Information: Providing incorrect or misleading information can lead to immediate disqualification, so ensure all details entered in the application form are accurate.
Related Articles
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the eligibility criteria for SSC CGL 2026?
Q: Can diploma holders apply for SSC CGL?
Q: Is there any physical requirement for SSC CGL?
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