SSC CGL 2026 Notification Released: Complete Guide to Dates, Eligibility, Exam Pattern & Posts

SSC CGL 2026 sarkari result : The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has officially released the much-awaited notification for the Combined Graduate Level (CGL) E

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SSC CGL 2026 sarkari result : The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has officially released the much-awaited notification for the Combined Graduate Level (CGL) Examination 2026 on 21st May 2026. As every year, SSC CGL remains one of the most sought-after government recruitment examinations in India, offering coveted Group "B" and Group "C" posts across various Ministries, Departments, and organisations under the Government of India.

If you are a graduate aspiring to land a prestigious central government job, this is the opportunity you have been waiting for. Here is everything you need to know about the SSC CGL 2026 notification.

Quick Overview of SSC CGL 2026

The SSC CGL 2026 examination will be conducted to fill up various Group "B" and Group "C" posts in different Ministries, Departments, Organizations, Constitutional Bodies, Statutory Bodies, and Tribunals of the Government of India. The recruitment process consists of a two-tier Computer Based Examination — Tier-I (Preliminary) and Tier-II (Mains).

Important Dates at a Glance

Mark these dates on your calendar — missing any of these could cost you the opportunity.

EventDate / Schedule
Notification Release Date21 May 2026
Start of Online Application21 May 2026
Last Date for Online Application22 June 2026 (23:00 hours)
Last Date for Online Fee Payment23 June 2026 (23:00 hours)
Window for Application Form Correction29 June 2026 to 01 July 2026 (23:00 hours)
Tier-I Examination (Tentative)August – September 2026
Tier-II Examination (Tentative)December 2026
Toll-Free Helpline1800 309 3063

SSC CGL 2026 Eligibility Criteria

Age Limit (As on 01-08-2026)

The age limit varies depending on the post applied for:

  • 18–30 years: For most posts including Assistant Audit Officer, Assistant Accounts Officer, Inspector (CBDT/CBIC), Inspector Posts, Assistant Enforcement Officer, and others.
  • 20–30 years: For posts such as Assistant Section Officer (CSS), Assistant Section Officer (Railways/MEA/AFHQ), Sub-Inspector (CBI), etc.
  • 18–32 years / up to 30 years: For certain other posts as specified in the notification.

Age relaxation is admissible for reserved category candidates (SC/ST/OBC/PwBD/Ex-servicemen) as per Government of India rules.

SSC CGL 2026 Educational Qualification 

  • Assistant Audit Officer / Assistant Accounts Officer: Bachelor's Degree from a recognized University. Desirable qualifications include CA, CMA, CS, M.Com, MBA (Finance), or Masters in Business Economics.
  • Junior Statistical Officer (JSO): Bachelor's Degree in any subject with at least 60% marks in Mathematics at 12th level OR Bachelor's Degree with Statistics as a subject.
  • Statistical Investigator Grade-II: Bachelor's Degree in Statistics, Mathematics, Economics, Demography, Population Studies, Operation Research, Information Technology, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Computer Application, Data Science, or Artificial Intelligence.
  • All Other Posts: Bachelor's Degree from a recognized University or equivalent.

Candidates appearing in the final year of graduation can also apply, provided they possess the essential qualification as on 01-08-2026.

Major Posts and Pay Scales

Here is a quick snapshot of the key posts you can apply for under SSC CGL 2026:

Pay LevelPay Scale (₹)Notable PostsClassification
Pay Level-847,600 – 1,51,100Assistant Audit Officer (Central/State Cadre), Assistant Accounts OfficerGroup "B" Gazetted (Non-Ministerial)
Pay Level-744,900 – 1,42,400Assistant Section Officer (CSS/IB/Railways/MEA/AFHQ/MeitY), Inspector (Income Tax, Central Excise, Preventive Officer, Examiner), Assistant Enforcement Officer, Sub Inspector (CBI), Inspector PostsGroup "B"
Pay Level-635,400 – 1,12,400Assistant/ASO (Other Ministries), Executive Assistant (CBIC), Research Assistant (NHRC), Divisional Accountant (C&AG), Sub-Inspector (NIA), Junior Statistical Officer, Statistical Investigator Grade-II, Section Head (DGFT)Group "B"

SSC CGL 2026 Application Fee

The application fee structure is simple and pocket-friendly:

CategoryFee
General / OBC / EWS₹100
Women CandidatesExempted
SC / STExempted
Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD)Exempted
Ex-Servicemen (ESM) eligible for reservationExempted

Fee can be paid online via BHIM UPI, Net Banking, or Visa/Mastercard/Maestro/RuPay Debit cards. Note: Fee, once paid, is non-refundable and non-adjustable.

Application Correction Charges

If you make a mistake, SSC provides a 3-day correction window — but it comes at a price:

  • First correction: ₹200
  • Second correction: ₹500

These charges apply to all candidates irrespective of gender or category, and you get only two chances to correct your form.

SSC CGL Exam Pattern 2026

Tier-I (Computer Based Examination)

Tier-I is a one-hour objective-type exam with four sections, each carrying equal weightage.

SSC CGL 2026 Notification Released: Complete Guide to Dates, Eligibility, Exam Pattern & Posts
SectionNo. of QuestionsMaximum MarksTime Allowed
General Intelligence and Reasoning25501 hour total (with sectional timer of 15 minutes per section)
General Awareness2550 
Quantitative Aptitude2550 
English Comprehension2550 
Total10020060 minutes

Negative Marking: 0.50 marks will be deducted for every wrong answer in Tier-I.

Tier-II (Computer Based Examination)

Tier-II is more elaborate, consisting of three papers across two sessions.

PaperSection / SubjectNo. of QuestionsMaximum Marks
Paper-I (Compulsory for all posts)Section-I: (A) Mathematical Abilities + (B) Reasoning & General Intelligence30 + 30 = 60180
 Section-II: (A) English Language & Comprehension + (B) General Awareness45 + 25 = 70210
 Section-III: Computer Knowledge Test2060
 Section-IV: Data Entry Speed Test (DEST)1 Task– (Qualifying)
Paper-IIStatistics (for JSO and Statistical Investigator Gr-II only)100200
Paper-IIIGeneral Studies – Finance & Economics (for AAO/AAO only)100200

Negative Marking in Tier-II: 1 mark for each wrong answer in Paper-I (except Section-IV/DEST). For Paper-II and Paper-III, 1 mark will be deducted for each wrong answer.

SSC CGL 2026 Examination Centres

The exam will be conducted across multiple centres spread across the country, organised under different Regional Offices including Central Region (Prayagraj), Eastern Region, Northern Region, North-Western Region, North-Eastern Region, Southern Region, Western Region, Madhya Pradesh Sub-Region, and Karnataka–Kerala Region. Candidates can choose their preferred examination centres while filling the application form.

SSC CGL 2026 Notification file click here

How to Apply for SSC CGL 2026

  1. Visit the official SSC website: https://ssc.gov.in (the new website) or use the mySSC mobile application available on Google Play Store.
  2. Generate a One-Time Registration (OTR) on the new website. (Note: OTR generated on the old website ssc.nic.in will not work.)
  3. Opt for Aadhaar Based Authentication — this offers significant benefits including not being required to carry a Photo-ID at the exam centre and immunity from rejection due to photograph/signature issues.
  4. Fill in the online application form, upload the live photograph (captured by the application module itself — pre-existing photographs are not accepted) and signature in JPEG/JPG format.
  5. Pay the application fee online (if applicable).
  6. Take a printout of the submitted application for future reference.

Mode of Selection for SSC CGL 2026

The selection process involves:

  1. Tier-I: Shortlisting candidates for Tier-II.
  2. Tier-II: Final merit is determined based on aggregate marks scored in Paper-I (Section-I and Section-II), along with Paper-II (for JSO/SI posts) and Paper-III (for AAO/AAO posts), subject to qualifying Section-III (Computer Knowledge Test) and Section-IV (DEST) of Paper-I.
  3. Document Verification is conducted by the User Departments/Organisations after the declaration of the final result.

Minimum Qualifying Marks

  • UR: 30%
  • OBC/EWS: 25%
  • All other categories: 20%

Important Tips for Aspirants

  • Apply early: Don't wait until the last day — server load near the deadline can cause issues, and SSC will not be responsible for last-minute application failures.
  • Double-check before submission: Use the Preview/Print option to verify all details before final submission.
  • Keep documents handy: Preserve your application form and other documents (admission certificate, response sheet, score card) for at least 3 years.
  • Check post preferences carefully: Once you submit your post preferences during the FRTA (First Round of Tentative Allocation) stage, they are FINAL and IRREVERSIBLE.
  • Be aware of physical standards: Posts such as Inspector (Central Excise/Examiner/Preventive Officer), Sub-Inspector (CBI/NIA/NCB), and posts in BRO have specific Physical Standards and Medical Standards requirements.

The SSC CGL 2026 is a golden opportunity for graduates aspiring to serve in the central government. With well-defined pay scales, prestigious posts, and clear career progression, this examination opens doors to some of the most respected government jobs in India.

Start your preparation early, plan your strategy section-wise, and most importantly — apply on time. With dedication and consistent effort, your dream government job could be just a few months away.

For the official notification and the latest updates, always refer to the SSC official website: https://ssc.gov.in.

Best of luck to all aspirants!

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