SSC CGL 2026

Overview

The Staff Selection Commission Combined Graduate Level (SSC CGL) Examination 2026 is one of the most popular competitive exams in India for recruiting staff to various Group B and Group C posts in ministries, departments, and organizations of the Government of India.

SSC CGL is conducted annually and attracts lakhs of candidates who aspire to work in government departments such as the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of External Affairs, Comptroller and Auditor General, Central Bureau of Investigation, and other central government organizations.

Important Dates

Event	Date
Notification Release	April 20, 2026
Application Start Date	May 1, 2026
Application End Date	June 1, 2026
Tier I Exam Date	August 15, 2026
Admit Card Release	August 1, 2026
Tier II Exam Date	October 2026 (Tentative)
Final Result	December 2026 (Tentative)

Eligibility Criteria

Educational Qualification

• Minimum Qualification: Bachelor's Degree from a recognized University or equivalent.
• Some posts require specific degrees such as B.Com, B.Sc, or Engineering.
• Final year students can also apply provisionally.

Age Limit

• General: 18 to 32 years (varies by post)
• OBC: 3 years relaxation
• SC/ST: 5 years relaxation
• PwD: 10 years relaxation (additional to category relaxation)

Nationality

• Must be a citizen of India.
• Certain categories of candidates from Nepal, Bhutan, and Tibetan refugees are also eligible.

Application Fee

Category	Fee
General / OBC	₹100
Women / SC / ST / PwD / Ex-Servicemen	Free

Payment can be made through SBI Challan, Net Banking, or any Visa/Master/Maestro/RuPay Credit/Debit card.

Selection Process

The selection process for SSC CGL 2026 consists of the following stages:

Tier I — Computer Based Examination

• Duration: 60 minutes
• Total Questions: 100
• Maximum Marks: 200
• Sections: General Intelligence & Reasoning, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, English Comprehension
• Negative Marking: 0.50 marks for each wrong answer

Tier II — Computer Based Examination

• Duration: Session I (2 hours 15 minutes) + Session II (15 minutes)
• Session I Papers: Mathematical Abilities, Reasoning & General Intelligence, English Language & Comprehension, General Awareness, Computer Knowledge
• Session II: Data Entry Speed Test / Computer Proficiency Test (for specific posts)
• Negative Marking: 1 mark for each wrong answer in Session I Paper I; 0.50 marks for Paper II and Paper III

Document Verification

• Original documents verified after qualifying the written examination.

Salary Structure

Post	Pay Level	Approximate Salary
Assistant Audit Officer	Pay Level 8	₹47,600 – ₹1,51,100
Income Tax Inspector	Pay Level 7	₹44,900 – ₹1,42,400
Sub Inspector (CBI)	Pay Level 7	₹44,900 – ₹1,42,400
Auditor	Pay Level 5	₹29,200 – ₹92,300
Tax Assistant	Pay Level 4	₹25,500 – ₹81,100
Upper Division Clerk	Pay Level 4	₹25,500 – ₹81,100

In addition to basic pay, employees receive DA, HRA, Transport Allowance, and other benefits as per government norms.

Syllabus

Tier I Syllabus

General Intelligence & Reasoning: Analogies, Classification, Coding-Decoding, Matrix, Word Formation, Venn Diagram, Direction & Distance, Blood Relations, Series, Non-Verbal Reasoning.

General Awareness: Current Events, History, Geography, Polity, Economics, General Science, Static GK.

Quantitative Aptitude: Number System, Percentage, Ratio & Proportion, Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Mensuration, Data Interpretation, Time & Work, Speed & Distance.

English Comprehension: Reading Comprehension, Fill in the Blanks, Spellings, Phrases & Idioms, One Word Substitution, Sentence Correction, Error Spotting, Cloze Test.

Preparation Strategy

1. Understand the Syllabus: Go through the complete syllabus and exam pattern before starting preparation.
2. Create a Study Plan: Allocate dedicated time for each section based on your strengths and weaknesses.
3. Practice Previous Year Papers: Solve at least 5 years of previous papers to understand the difficulty level and question patterns.
4. Take Mock Tests: Regular mock tests help improve speed and accuracy. Aim for at least 2 full-length tests per week.
5. Focus on Current Affairs: Read newspapers daily and make notes of important events, especially from the last 6 months.
6. Revise Regularly: Maintain short notes and revision sheets for quick revision before the exam.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the SSC CGL exam? SSC CGL is a national-level competitive examination conducted by the Staff Selection Commission to recruit candidates for various Group B and Group C posts in government departments and ministries.

Q: Can final year students apply for SSC CGL 2026? Yes, candidates who are appearing in their final year of graduation can apply provisionally. They must produce the proof of passing the graduation at the time of document verification.

Q: Is there negative marking in SSC CGL? Yes, there is negative marking in both Tier I and Tier II. In Tier I, 0.50 marks are deducted for each wrong answer. In Tier II, the deduction varies by paper.

Q: How many attempts are allowed for SSC CGL? There is no restriction on the number of attempts for SSC CGL, as long as the candidate meets the age eligibility criteria.

Q: What is the salary of an SSC CGL officer? The salary ranges from ₹25,500 to ₹1,51,100 depending on the post and pay level, plus additional allowances like DA, HRA, and Transport Allowance.