SSC CGL 2026 Notification: 12,256 Vacancies, Exam Date, Eligibility & Pattern
SSC CGL 2026 Notification, 12256 Vacancy, Eligibility, Exam Date, Pattern
The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has officially released the SSC CGL 2026 notification at ssc.gov.in, inviting applications for 12,256 Group B and Group C vacancies. Eligible candidates must complete their online application by the deadline of 22nd June 2026.
The 2026 recruitment cycle features key updates, including 3 papers in Tier 2 for specific posts like AAO and the introduction of sectional timing across both Tier 1 and Tier 2. This comprehensive guide covers vacancy details, eligibility criteria, the direct application link, exam pattern, syllabus, and salary structures.
About SSC CGL 2026 Exam
The SSC Combined Graduate Level (CGL) Exam is the primary gateway for prestigious Group B and Group C positions within Central Government Ministries and Departments. The selection process comprises two stages: a Computer-Based Tier 1 and Tier 2. With no interview stage, final selection is merit-based, derived from Tier 2 performance. Under the 7th CPC, the SSC CGL Pay Level ranges from 4 to 8, with post allocation determined by candidate preference and final rankings.
Candidates can attempt the exam as many times as they wish, provided they remain within the age bracket of 18 to 32 years. Because academic requirements and age limits vary by post, aspirants should carefully review the official notification before submitting their application for the SSC CGL 2026 exam.
SSC CGL Notification 2026 PDF
The official SSC CGL 2026 notification, released on 21st May 2026, confirms a total of 12,256 vacancies. This PDF document is the definitive source for all recruitment rules. Given the significant changes to the exam structure this year, a thorough review of the notification is mandatory for all applicants.
Download SSC CGL 2026 Official Notification PDF
SSC CGL 2026- Highlights
Highlight | Details |
Recruitment Details | Exam Name: Combined Graduate Level Examination, 2026 Post Name: Various (Group B and C) Vacancy: 12,256 Exam Level: Pan India |
Application Process | Application Mode: Online Application Dates: 21st May to 22nd June 2026 Apply at: www.ssc.gov.in Application Fee: Rs. 100/- One-Time Registration (OTR) Required? Yes |
Eligibility Criteria | Age Limit: 18 to 32 years (as per post) Age Relaxation: Applicable Qualification: Graduation (Minimum) (Stream as per post) Nationality: Indian |
Selection Process | Tier 1 (Qualifying) (Computer-Based Test) Tier 2 (Merit-making) (Computer-Based Test) Document Verification |
Salary | Rs. 25,500 - 1,51,100/- (As per post) |
SSC CGL 2026 - Important Dates
The Commission has established the 2026 exam schedule, with Tier 1 examinations set for August–September 2026 and Tier 2 scheduled for December 2026. Specific exam dates, venue details, and admit card release notifications will be provided via the official SSC portal.
Events | Dates |
Notification Date | 21st May 2026 |
Online Application Started | 21st May 2026 |
Last Date to Submit the form | 22nd June 2026 |
Last Date for Receipt of Online Applications | 22nd June 2026 (11:00 PM) |
Last Date for Online Fee Payment | 23rd June 2026 (11:00 PM) |
Application Form Correction Window (Including Online Payment) | 29th June 2026 to 1st July 2026 (11:00 PM) |
Tier 1 Exam Date | August to September 2026 |
Tier 2 Exam Date | December 2026 |
Answer Key | 7-10 days after exam |
SSC CGL Vacancy 2026 (AAO Re-introduced)
There are 12,256 vacancies available across various government departments, including the inclusion of Assistant Audit Officer and Assistant Account Officer roles. Please note that these figures are tentative and subject to adjustment by the Commission.
Sr. No. | Post Name | Ministry/Department | Classification |
1 | Assistant Audit Officer (Central Cadre) | Indian Audit & Accounts Department under C&AG | Group “B” Gazetted (Non-Ministerial) |
2 | Assistant Audit Officer (State Cadre) | Indian Audit & Accounts Department under C&AG | |
3 | Assistant Accounts Officer (State Cadre) | Indian Audit & Accounts Department under C&AG | |
4 | Assistant Section Officer | Central Secretariat Service | Group “B” |
5 | Assistant Section Officer | Intelligence Bureau | |
6 | Assistant Section Officer | Ministry of Railways | |
7 | Assistant Section Officer | Ministry of External Affairs | |
8 | Assistant Section Officer | AFHQ | |
9 | Assistant Section Officer | Ministry of Electronics & IT | |
10 | Assistant/Assistant Section Officer | Other Ministries/Departments | |
11 | Inspector of Income Tax | CBDT | |
12 | Inspector (Central Excise) | CBIC | |
13 | Inspector (Preventive Officer) | CBIC | |
14 | Inspector (Examiner) | CBIC | |
15 | Assistant Enforcement Officer | Directorate of Enforcement | |
16 | Sub Inspector | CBI | |
17 | Inspector Posts | Department of Posts | |
18 | Inspector | Central Bureau of Narcotics | |
19 | Assistant/Assistant Section Officer | Other Ministries/Departments | |
20 | Executive Assistant | CBIC | |
21 | Research Assistant | NHRC | |
22 | Divisional Accountant | Offices under C&AG | |
23 | Sub Inspector | NIA | |
24 | Sub-Inspector/Junior Intelligence Officer | Narcotics Control Bureau | |
25 | Junior Statistical Officer | Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation | |
26 | Statistical Investigator Grade-II | Ministry of Home Affairs | |
27 | Office Superintendent | CBDT | |
28 | Section Head | DGFT | |
29 | Auditor | Offices under C&AG | Group “C” |
30 | Auditor | Offices under CGDA | |
31 | Auditor | Other Ministries/Departments | |
32 | Accountant | Offices under C&AG | |
33 | Accountant | Controller General of Accounts | |
34 | Accountant/Junior Accountant | Other Ministries/Departments | |
35 | Postal Assistant/Sorting Assistant | Department of Posts | |
36 | Senior Secretariat Assistant/UDC | Central Govt. Offices/Ministries | |
37 | Senior Administrative Assistant | Military Engineering Services | |
38 | Tax Assistant | CBDT | |
39 | Tax Assistant | CBIC | |
40 | Sub-Inspector | Central Bureau of Narcotics |
Last 9 Years Vacancy Trends
While the 2026 vacancy count is slightly lower than the figures recorded in 2025 and 2024, the competition remains high. Prospective candidates should review the year-wise historical data to better understand the current recruitment landscape.
CGL Year | Vacancies |
2026 | 12,256 |
2025 | 14,582 |
2024 | 17,727 |
2023 | 8,415 |
2022 | 37,409 |
2021 | 7,621 |
2020 | 7,035 |
2019 | 8,428 |
2018 | 11,271 |
2017 | 9,276 |
SSC CGL Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must strictly adhere to the defined age limits, educational qualifications, and nationality requirements. Refer to the table below for a detailed breakdown of eligibility criteria and age relaxations for reserved categories.
Post-Wise Age Limit (As on 1/8/2026)
Age requirements are specific to individual posts, and age relaxations are granted to eligible candidates belonging to reserved categories as per government norms.
Post Group | Age Limit |
Group B | 18 To 32 years (For some posts minimum age is 20 years and the maximum age is 30 years. Refer to official notification for post-wise age limit) |
Group C | 18 To 27 years |
Post-wise Qualification
Post Name | Essential Qualification |
Assistant Audit Officer (Central Cadre) | Bachelor’s Degree from a recognised University/Institute Desirable: CA/CMA/Company Secretary/Master’s in Commerce/Business Studies/MBA (Finance)/Business Economics |
Assistant Audit Officer (State Cadre) | Bachelor’s Degree in any discipline from a recognised University Desirable: CA/CMA/Company Secretary/Master’s in Commerce/Business Studies/MBA (Finance)/Business Economics Proficiency in the Regional/Official Language of the State at the matriculation level |
Assistant Accounts Officer (State Cadre) | Bachelor’s Degree + Proficiency in the Regional/Official Language of the State at the matriculation level |
Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) | Bachelor’s Degree with 60% marks in Mathematics in Class 12 OR Statistics as a subject at the degree level |
Statistical Investigator Grade-II | Bachelor’s Degree: in Statistics/Mathematics/Economics/Demography/Population Studies/ Operation Research/IT/Computer Science/Computer Engineering/Computer Technology/Computer Application/Data Science/Artificial Intelligence |
All Other Posts | Bachelor’s Degree from a recognised University or equivalent |
Age Relaxation
Category | Age Relaxation |
SC/ST | 5 years |
OBC | 3 years |
PwBD | 10 years |
PwBD (OBC) | 13 years |
PwBD (SC/ST) | 15 years |
Ex-Servicemen (ESM) | 3 years after deduction of military service |
Defence Personnel disabled in operation | 3 years |
Defence Personnel disabled in operation (SC/ST) | 8 years |
Central Govt. Civilian Employees | Up to 40 years |
Central Govt. Civilian Employees (SC/ST) | Up to 45 years |
Widows/Divorced Women/Women judicially separated | Up to 35 years |
Widows/Divorced Women/Women judicially separated (SC/ST) | Up to 40 years |
Nationality
Candidates must satisfy the following nationality criteria to be eligible for the examination:
- a citizen of India, or
- a subject of Nepal, or
- a subject of Bhutan, or
- 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 with the intention of permanently settling in India.
Is there a limit to the number of attempts?
No, there is no fixed number of attempts for SSC CGL. Candidates may appear for the exam as long as they meet the prescribed age limit and educational criteria.
SSC CGL 2026 Online Form
The SSC CGL 2026 online application portal is now active. Before applying, please carefully follow the instructions regarding photograph/signature uploads, fee payment, and form submission to ensure a successful registration.
Direct Link: Apply Online for SSC CGL 2026
Application Fee
The application fee is set at Rs. 100/- for General and OBC candidates. Women, SC, ST, PwBD, and Ex-Servicemen are fully exempted from the fee.
SSC CGL 2026 Post Preference Guide
When selecting post preferences, consider factors such as the nature of the job, career advancement opportunities, location, and work-life balance. Group B posts remain highly coveted due to their competitive salary and growth trajectory.
- Assistant Section Officer (ASO) in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and CSS
- Income Tax Inspector
- Examiner
- Assistant Audit Officer (AAO)
- Assistant Enforcement Officer (AEO).
How to Choose SSC CGL Post?
Here are the critical factors to evaluate when choosing your preferred posts:
Work Profile: Determine whether you are better suited for field-based duties or administrative office work.
Promotion Opportunities: Research the career progression path for each post to ensure it aligns with your long-term goals.
Posting Location: Ministry-based roles typically offer more stability regarding working hours and office location.
Work-Life Balance: Administrative positions generally offer more predictable schedules than field-intensive roles.
Salary and Allowances: While all CGL posts offer a strong salary package, perks and allowances vary by department.
SSC CGL Selection Process
The recruitment process comprises only Tier 1 and Tier 2 stages, with no interview.
Stage 1: Tier 1 (Prelims)
- The Tier 1 exam is a computer-based test.
- This stage is qualifying in nature, and marks are not added to the final list.
- Only those who qualify in Tier 1, will be called for Tier 2.
Stage 2: Tier 2 (Mains)
- Like Tier 1, this is also a CBT mode test, and candidates who pass Tier 1, will be eligible for Tier 2.
- It consists of both an Objective paper and a Typing/Skill Test.
- Tier 2 consists of Papers I, II, and III. Paper I is compulsory for all posts, and others are post-specific.
- This stage decides the final merit list.
Stage 3: Answer Key & Objection Filing
- SSC will release provisional answer keys and response sheet for both Tier 1 and Tier 2.
- Candidates can check official answers to the questions asked in the exam.
- An objection window will opened and after considering the answer key objections, a final answer key will be released by SSC.
Stage 4: Document Verification (DV)
- SSC will verify educational certificates, category certificates, ID proof, and other required documents.
SSC CGL 2026 Exam Pattern (New)
New for 2026, the SSC has introduced sectional timing for both tiers. Please refer to the updated exam pattern guidelines.
Tier 1 Exam Pattern
- Exam Mode: Online
- Question Type: Objective (MCQs)
- Total Questions: 100 (25 per section)
- Total Marks: 200
- Duration: 1 hour (15 mins per section)
- Negative Marking: 0.50 marks for each wrong answer
Sections | No. of Questions | Marks | Duration |
English Comprehension | 25 | 50 | 15 Mins |
General Awareness | 25 | 50 | 15 Mins |
General Intelligence and Reasoning | 25 | 50 | 15 Mins |
Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 50 | 15 Mins |
Total | 100 | 200 | 60 Mins |
Tier 2 Exam Pattern
The exam now includes 3 papers: Paper 1 is mandatory for everyone, while Paper 2 and Paper 3 are specific to JSO and AAO positions, respectively.
- The exam mode is completely online
- Questions in Tier 2 are asked in MCQ format only
- There is no descriptive paper in CGL Tier 2 Exam.
- There is a negative marking of 1 mark for each incorrect answer.
- There is sectional timing in Sections 1 and 2 of Paper I as shown below.
Paper | Session | Section | Subject | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Duration | Weightage |
Paper I | Session I | Section I | Mathematical Abilities | 30 | 90 | 30 minutes | 23% |
Reasoning and General Intelligence | 30 | 90 | 30 minutes | 23% | |||
Section II | English Language and Comprehension | 45 | 135 | 40 minutes | 35% | ||
General Awareness | 25 | 75 | 20 minutes | 19% | |||
Section III | Computer Knowledge Test | 20 | 60 | 15 minutes | - | ||
Session II | Data Entry Speed Test | One Data Entry Task | Qualifying | 15 minutes | - | ||
Paper II | For JSO only | Statistics | Statistics | 100 | 200 | 2 hours | - |
Paper III | for AAO only | General Studies | General Studies (Finance and Economics) | 100 | 200 | 2 hours | - |
SSC CGL 2026 Syllabus
The SSC CGL 2026 Syllabus is explicitly detailed in the notification. The core subjects include General Intelligence, Reasoning, Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, and English, with additional sections for Computer Knowledge and Data Entry in Tier 2.
Section | Topics To Cover |
General Intelligence & Reasoning | Analogies, Similarities & Differences, Space Visualization, Spatial Orientation, Problem Solving, Analysis, Judgment, Decision Making, Visual Memory, Discrimination, Observation, Relationship Concepts, Arithmetical Reasoning, Figural Classification, Arithmetic Number Series, Non-verbal Series, Coding-Decoding, Statement Conclusion, Syllogistic Reasoning, Semantic Analogy, Symbolic/Number Analogy, Figural Analogy, Semantic Classification, Number Classification, Figural Classification, Semantic Series, Number Series, Figural Series, Word Building, Numerical Operations, Symbolic Operations, Trends, Venn Diagrams, Drawing Inferences, Pattern Folding & Unfolding, Embedded Figures, Critical Thinking, Emotional Intelligence, Social Intelligence |
General Awareness | Current Affairs, General Awareness of Environment & Society, Everyday Science, India & Neighboring Countries, History, Culture, Geography, Economic Scene, General Policy, Scientific Research |
Quantitative Aptitude | Whole Numbers, Decimals, Fractions, Percentage, Ratio & Proportion, Square Roots, Averages, Interest, Profit & Loss, Discount, Partnership Business, Mixture & Alligation, Time & Distance, Time & Work, Algebra, Surds, Linear Equations, Geometry, Triangles, Circles, Quadrilaterals, Polygons, Mensuration, Cone, Cylinder, Sphere, Pyramid, Trigonometry, Heights & Distances, Histogram, Frequency Polygon, Bar Diagram, Pie Chart |
English Comprehension | English Grammar, Vocabulary, Comprehension, Sentence Structure, Writing Ability, Correct Usage of English, Basic Understanding & Communication Skills |
How Sectional Timing Changes SSC CGL Preparation in 2026?
With the introduction of strict sectional timing, candidates cannot switch between sections. Mastery of time management, speed, and accuracy is now essential for success.
SSC CGL Pay Level and Salary
Pay levels range from 4 to 8, with Assistant Audit/Accounts Officers (AAO) commanding the highest salary bracket of Rs. 47,600 - 1,51,100.
Pay Level | Salary Range |
Level 8 | Rs. 47,600 - 1,51,100 |
Level-7 | Rs. 44,900 – 1,42,400 |
Level-6 | Rs. 35,400 – 1,12,400 |
Level-5 | Rs. 29,200 – 92,300 |
Level-4 | Rs. 25,500 – 81,100 |
Is SSC CGL a top career choice after graduation?
Absolutely. It provides secure government employment, attractive pay scales, and significant professional growth opportunities within Central Government departments.
Practice SSC CGL 2026 Mock Tests
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SSC CGL Examination Centre List
Candidates must select their Tier 1 and Tier 2 examination centers with care, as requests for changes will not be honored. Ensure all city codes are entered correctly during the application process.
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