The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has officially released the SSC CGL 2026 Notification for the recruitment of 12,256 vacancies across various Group B and Group C posts in central government ministries, departments, and organizations. The Combined Graduate Level (CGL) Examination is one of India’s most prestigious competitive exams, offering excellent career opportunities in departments such as Income Tax, CBI, Customs, Enforcement Directorate, and more.
Candidates aspiring for a stable government career should carefully review the notification, eligibility criteria, exam pattern, syllabus, and application process before applying.
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SSC CGL 2026 Notification Highlights
The SSC CGL 2026 Notification was released on 21 May 2026, and the online application process is open until 22 June 2026 (11:00 PM).
Interested candidates can complete the One-Time Registration (OTR) and submit their application through the official SSC portal.
SSC CGL 2026 Overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | SSC Combined Graduate Level (SSC CGL) 2026 |
| Conducting Body | Staff Selection Commission |
| Total Vacancies | 12,256 |
| Notification Release | 21 May 2026 |
| Registration Period | 21 May – 22 June 2026 |
| Mode of Exam | Computer-Based Test (Online) |
| Qualification | Bachelor’s Degree |
| Age Limit | 18–32 Years (Post-wise) |
| Selection Process | Tier 1 (Qualifying) + Tier 2 (Merit) |
| Application Fee | ₹100 (Exemptions for eligible categories) |
| Salary | Pay Level 4 to Pay Level 8 |
| Official Website | www.ssc.gov.in |
SSC CGL 2026 Important Dates
| Event | Date |
| Notification Release | 21 May 2026 |
| Online Application Starts | 21 May 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 22 June 2026 (11 PM) |
| Fee Payment Last Date | 23 June 2026 |
| Application Correction Window | 29 June – 1 July 2026 |
| Tier 1 Exam | August–September 2026 |
| Tier 2 Exam | December 2026 |
SSC CGL 2026 Vacancy Details
SSC has announced 12,256 vacancies for multiple Group B and Group C posts.
Vacancy Trend
| Year | Vacancies |
| 2026 | 12,256 |
| 2025 | 14,582 |
| 2024 | 18,174 |
| 2023 | 8,415 |
| 2022 | 37,409 |
| 2021 | 7,621 |
| 2020 | 7,035 |
| 2019 | 8,428 |
| 2018 | 11,271 |
| 2017 | 9,276 |
This year’s notification also includes Assistant Audit Officer (AAO) and Assistant Accounts Officer (AAO) posts with Pay Level 8 salaries.
SSC CGL Posts List
SSC recruits candidates for numerous prestigious posts across different ministries.
Some major posts include:
- Assistant Audit Officer (AAO)
- Assistant Accounts Officer (AAO)
- Assistant Section Officer (CSS, MEA, Railways, IB, AFHQ)
- Inspector of Income Tax
- Inspector (Central Excise)
- Inspector (Preventive Officer)
- Inspector (Examiner)
- Assistant Enforcement Officer
- Sub Inspector (CBI)
- Sub Inspector (NIA)
- Junior Statistical Officer (JSO)
- Statistical Investigator Grade-II
- Divisional Accountant
- Auditor
- Accountant / Junior Accountant
- Tax Assistant
- Senior Secretariat Assistant
- Upper Division Clerk
These posts are distributed among various ministries, departments, and government organizations.
SSC CGL 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
Assistant Audit Officer / Assistant Accounts Officer
- Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized university.
- Desirable qualifications include CA, CMA, CS, MBA, M.Com, or equivalent.
Junior Statistical Officer (JSO)
- Bachelor’s Degree with at least 60% marks in Mathematics at Class 12 level, or
- Graduation with Statistics as one of the subjects.
Statistical Investigator Grade II
- Graduation with Economics, Mathematics, or Statistics as a compulsory/elective subject.
Research Assistant (NHRC)
- Bachelor’s Degree with one year of research experience.
Other Posts
- Bachelor’s Degree in any discipline from a recognized university.
SSC CGL 2026 Age Limit
The age limit varies depending on the post.
- Minimum Age: 18 Years
- Maximum Age: 32 Years
Most posts fall within:
- 18–27 Years
- 18–30 Years
- 20–30 Years
- 18–32 Years
Candidates should verify the specific age criteria applicable to their desired post.
Age Relaxation
| Category | Relaxation |
| SC/ST | 5 Years |
| OBC | 3 Years |
| PwD (General) | 10 Years |
| PwD (OBC) | 13 Years |
| PwD (SC/ST) | 15 Years |
| Ex-Servicemen | 3 Years |
| J&K Domicile | 5 Years |
Nationality
Candidates must be:
- Citizens of India, or
- Subjects of Nepal or Bhutan, or
- Persons of Indian origin who migrated from specified countries intending permanent settlement in India.
Major Changes in SSC CGL 2026
SSC has introduced several important updates this year:
- Assistant Audit Officer (AAO) posts are included again.
- Sectional timing has been introduced in Tier 1 and Tier 2 Paper 1.
- Tier 2 now consists of:
- Paper 1 (Mandatory for all)
- Paper 2 (For JSO)
- Paper 3 (For AAO/Assistant Accounts Officer)
SSC CGL 2026 Selection Process
The recruitment process consists of two stages.
Tier 1
- Computer-Based Examination
- Qualifying in nature
Tier 2
- Paper 1: Mandatory for all candidates
- Paper 2: Only for Junior Statistical Officer applicants
- Paper 3: Only for Assistant Audit Officer/Assistant Accounts Officer applicants
Final selection is based on merit and post preferences submitted by candidates.
SSC CGL 2026 Exam Pattern
Tier 1
| Subject | Questions | Marks | Time |
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 25 | 50 | 15 Minutes |
| General Awareness | 25 | 50 | 15 Minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 50 | 15 Minutes |
| English Comprehension | 25 | 50 | 15 Minutes |
| Total | 100 | 200 | 60 Minutes |
Negative marking: 0.50 marks for every incorrect answer.
SSC CGL 2026 Syllabus
The Tier 1 syllabus covers four major subjects.
General Intelligence & Reasoning
- Analogy
- Classification
- Coding-Decoding
- Series
- Matrix
- Non-Verbal Reasoning
- Word Formation
General Awareness
- History
- Geography
- Current Affairs
- Science
- Polity
- Economy
- Sports
- Books & Authors
- Government Schemes
Quantitative Aptitude
- Simplification
- Percentage
- Ratio & Proportion
- Average
- Interest
- Data Interpretation
- Mensuration
- Algebra
English Language
- Reading Comprehension
- Fill in the Blanks
- Cloze Test
- Synonyms & Antonyms
- Idioms & Phrases
- Sentence Correction
- One Word Substitution
SSC CGL 2026 Application Process
The online registration started on 21 May 2026.
Candidates must:
- Complete One-Time Registration (OTR).
- Fill the online application form.
- Upload required documents.
- Pay the application fee.
- Submit and save the confirmation.
SSC CGL 2026 Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
| General/OBC/EWS | ₹100 |
| Women | Exempted |
| SC/ST | Exempted |
| PwBD | Exempted |
| Ex-Servicemen | Exempted |
Payment can be made through UPI, Net Banking, Debit Card, or other approved online modes.
SSC CGL 2026 Salary
SSC CGL offers attractive salaries under the 7th Pay Commission.
| Pay Level | Initial Pay | Approximate Gross Salary |
| Level 8 | ₹47,600 | ₹63,000 – ₹70,000 |
| Level 7 | ₹44,900 | ₹55,000 – ₹65,000 |
| Level 6 | ₹35,400 | ₹45,000 – ₹55,000 |
| Level 5 | ₹29,200 | ₹40,000 – ₹50,000 |
| Level 4 | ₹25,500 | ₹35,000 – ₹45,000 |
Employees also receive HRA, DA, Transport Allowance, medical benefits, and pension-related benefits.
SSC CGL 2026 Preparation Tips
To maximize your chances of success:
1. Understand the Syllabus
Study the official syllabus and exam pattern thoroughly before starting preparation.
2. Create a Study Plan
Prepare a realistic 90-day schedule with daily revision and practice.
3. Solve Previous Year Papers
Analyze question trends and improve familiarity with the exam pattern.
4. Take Mock Tests
Attempt at least two full-length mocks every week to enhance speed and accuracy.
5. Stay Updated
Read newspapers and current affairs regularly to strengthen the General Awareness section.
6. Practice Sectional Timing
Since SSC has introduced sectional timing, practice solving each section within the allotted time.
SSC CGL 2026 Exam Centres
The examination will be conducted across multiple cities in India under various SSC regional offices, including:
- Northern Region
- Central Region
- Eastern Region
- Western Region
- Southern Region
- Karnataka-Kerala Region
- North Eastern Region
- North Western Region
- Madhya Pradesh Region
Candidates can select their preferred examination centre while filling out the application form.
SSC CGL Previous Year Cut Off
The Staff Selection Commission releases category-wise and post-wise cut-offs after every examination.
For General category candidates in the previous cycle:
- Finance/AAO: 169.67
- JSO: 168.54
- Statistical Investigator Grade II: 172.36
- Other Posts: 150.05
The actual cut-off varies every year depending on vacancies, exam difficulty, and candidate performance.
SSC CGL 2026 presents an excellent opportunity for graduates seeking secure and rewarding careers in the Central Government. With 12,256 vacancies, competitive salaries, career growth, and postings in prestigious departments, the examination remains one of the top choices among government job aspirants.
Candidates should carefully review the eligibility criteria, complete the application process before the deadline, and begin focused preparation using the latest syllabus and exam pattern to maximize their chances of success.
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