- Application Start Date: 21 May 2026
- Last Date to Apply: 22 June 2026 (11:00 PM)
- Last Date for Fee Payment: 23 June 2026 (11:00 PM)
- Form Correction Window: 29 June – 1 July 2026
- Tier-I Exam (Tentative): August–September 2026
The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has officially released the SSC CGL 2026 Notification on 21 May 2026. This is one of the most prestigious government recruitment examinations in India, offering approximately 12,256 vacancies across various Group B and Group C posts in Central Government Ministries, Departments, and Constitutional Bodies.
If you hold a Bachelor's degree from any recognised university and are between 18–32 years of age, this could be the most important exam of your career. In this article, we cover everything you need to know — from eligibility and salary details to exam pattern, step-by-step application guide, and honest preparation advice — all verified directly from the official SSC notification.
SSC CGL 2026 – Official Overview
| Conducting Body | Staff Selection Commission (SSC) |
| Exam Name | Combined Graduate Level Examination 2026 |
| Post Category | Group B (Gazetted & Non-Gazetted) and Group C |
| Total Vacancies | Approx. 12,256 (updated vacancies on ssc.gov.in) |
| Application Mode | Online only |
| Application Dates | 21 May 2026 – 22 June 2026 |
| Age Limit | 18–27 years / 18–30 years / 20–30 years / 18–32 years (post-wise) |
| Educational Qualification | Bachelor's Degree from a recognised University/Institute |
| Application Fee | ₹100 (Free for Women, SC, ST, PwBD, ESM) |
| Exam Mode | Computer Based Examination (CBE) |
| Tier-I Exam Date | August–September 2026 (Tentative) |
| Tier-II Exam Date | December 2026 (Tentative) |
| Official Website | ssc.gov.in |
| Helpline Number | 1800 309 3063 (Toll Free) |
Posts Available & Pay Scale
SSC CGL 2026 offers jobs at 4 different pay levels. Here is a clear breakdown of posts, the departments they belong to, and their salary range:
Pay Level-8 | Salary: ₹47,600 – ₹1,51,100
| Post | Department | Age Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Assistant Audit Officer (Central Cadre) | Indian Audit & Accounts Dept (C&AG) | 18–30 years |
| Assistant Audit Officer (State Cadre) | Indian Audit & Accounts Dept (C&AG) | 18–30 years |
| Assistant Accounts Officer | Indian Audit & Accounts Dept (C&AG) | 18–30 years |
Pay Level-7 | Salary: ₹44,900 – ₹1,42,400
| Post | Department | Age Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Assistant Section Officer | Central Secretariat Service | 20–30 years |
| Assistant Section Officer | Intelligence Bureau | 18–30 years |
| Assistant Section Officer | Ministry of Railways | 20–30 years |
| Assistant Section Officer | Ministry of External Affairs | 20–30 years |
| Inspector of Income Tax | CBDT | 18–30 years |
| Inspector (Central Excise) | CBIC | 18–30 years |
| Sub Inspector | Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) | 20–30 years |
| Inspector Posts | Department of Posts | 18–30 years |
| Assistant Enforcement Officer | Directorate of Enforcement (ED) | 18–30 years |
Pay Level-6 | Salary: ₹35,400 – ₹1,12,400
| Post | Department | Age Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Executive Assistant | CBIC | 18–30 years |
| Junior Statistical Officer | Ministry of Statistics & PI | 18–32 years |
| Sub Inspector | National Investigation Agency (NIA) | 18–30 years |
| Divisional Accountant | Offices under C&AG | 18–30 years |
| Office Superintendent | CBDT | 18–30 years |
Pay Level-4 & 5 | Salary: ₹25,500 – ₹92,300
| Post | Department | Age Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Auditor / Accountant | Offices under C&AG / CGDA | 18–27 years |
| Tax Assistant | CBDT / CBIC | 18–27 years |
| Postal Assistant / Sorting Assistant | Department of Posts | 18–27 years |
| Senior Secretariat Assistant / UDC | Central Govt. Offices | 18–27 years |
Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
The basic requirement for all posts is a Bachelor's Degree from any recognised University or Institute (as on 01 August 2026). Students in their final year can also apply, but must complete their degree by the cut-off date.
Age Limit (as on 01 August 2026)
| Category | Age Relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC / ST | 5 years relaxation |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 3 years relaxation |
| PwBD (General) | 10 years relaxation |
| PwBD + OBC | 13 years relaxation |
| PwBD + SC/ST | 15 years relaxation |
| Ex-Servicemen (ESM) | 3 years after deduction of military service |
| Widows / Divorced Women (General) | Up to 35 years of age |
| Central Govt. Civilian Employees (3+ yrs service) | Up to 40 years (Group C posts) |
Nationality
Candidates must be a citizen of India, or a subject of Nepal/Bhutan, or a person of Indian origin who has migrated from specific countries with intent to permanently settle in India, as detailed in the official notification.
Application Fee
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS (Male) | ₹100/- |
| Women Candidates (All categories) | FREE (Exempted) |
| SC / ST Candidates | FREE (Exempted) |
| PwBD Candidates | FREE (Exempted) |
| Ex-Servicemen (ESM) | FREE (Exempted) |
Payment can be made via BHIM UPI, Net Banking, Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, or RuPay Debit cards.
Exam Pattern – Tier I & Tier II
Tier-I: Computer Based Examination
| Subject | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 25 | 50 |
| General Awareness | 25 | 50 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 50 |
| English Comprehension | 25 | 50 |
| Total | 100 | 200 |
- Time allowed: 1 hour (1 hour 20 minutes for eligible PwBD candidates)
- Sectional timer of 15 minutes per section
- All questions are Objective Type (MCQ)
- Negative marking: 0.50 marks per wrong answer
- Questions set in both English & Hindi (except English Comprehension)
Tier-II: Computer Based Examination
Tier-II is held for shortlisted candidates from Tier-I and is scheduled tentatively for December 2026. It tests advanced level quantitative abilities, English, statistics, and general studies (Finance & Economics), depending on the post applied for.
Actual Take-Home Salary After Deductions
Most job sites only show the pay band. Here is a realistic estimate of your monthly take-home salary for a popular post like Inspector (Income Tax) – Pay Level 7:
Career Growth Path After SSC CGL
This is a section most websites skip entirely. Here is what your career can look like after joining as an SSC CGL officer:
| Post (Entry Level) | First Promotion | Senior Level |
|---|---|---|
| Inspector Income Tax | ITO (Income Tax Officer) | Assistant Commissioner of IT |
| Assistant Section Officer | Section Officer | Under Secretary → Deputy Secretary |
| Sub Inspector (CBI) | Inspector (CBI) | DSP (Deputy Superintendent) |
| Auditor | Senior Auditor | Assistant Audit Officer |
| Postal Assistant | Postal Supervisor | Senior Postmaster |
Promotions are time-bound and performance-based. Most Group B gazetted post holders are eligible for promotion within 5–8 years of service.
How to Apply for SSC CGL 2026 – Step-by-Step
Register on the SSC Official Portal
Go to ssc.gov.in. Click on "New User? Register Now." Enter your basic details, mobile number, and email ID to get your Registration ID and Password.
Log In and Fill the Application Form
Log in with your Registration ID and password. Select "Apply" under SSC CGL 2026. Fill in personal details, educational qualifications, and category carefully.
Upload Photo & Signature
Upload a recent passport-size photo (JPG, 20–50 KB) and your scanned signature (JPG, 10–20 KB) in the prescribed format. Blurry or invalid uploads will reject your form.
Choose Your Post Preferences
Select and rank the posts you want. Choose carefully — SSC allots posts based on merit-cum-preference, and once allotted, no change is allowed.
Pay the Application Fee
Pay ₹100 online via UPI, net banking, or debit card before 23 June 2026 (11 PM). Keep your payment receipt/transaction ID safe.
Download and Save Confirmation
After payment, download and save your filled application form PDF. You will need it for future reference and document verification.
7 Common Mistakes That Get Applications Rejected
- Entering wrong date of birth that does not match your 10th certificate
- Uploading photo/signature that exceeds size limit or has wrong dimensions
- Selecting wrong category (OBC/EWS) without a valid certificate on the crucial date
- Not paying the application fee on time (deadline is 23 June, one day after form submission)
- Submitting multiple application forms — SSC rejects duplicate applications
- Entering mobile number / email you don't check regularly (all alerts sent there)
- Not correcting errors during the Application Correction Window (29 June – 1 July 2026)
Is SSC CGL 2026 Worth Applying For? (Honest Analysis)
⚖️ Our Verdict: Highly Recommended – With Realistic Expectations
Here is an honest breakdown for different types of candidates:
✅ Best for: Fresh graduates looking for a stable, well-paying government career with benefits. Posts like Inspector (IT), ASO (MEA/Railway), and Sub-Inspector (CBI) offer excellent career growth and social recognition.
⚠️ Keep in mind: SSC CGL is highly competitive with millions of applicants for ~12,000 seats. You need disciplined preparation of at least 4–6 months for Tier-I and additional time for Tier-II.
📌 Verdict: If you are a graduate between 18–30 and serious about a Central Government job, the ₹100 fee and the effort of applying is absolutely worth it. Even if you are preparing for other exams, SSC CGL can run in parallel.
Overall Opportunity Score
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Official Links & Apply Now
Helpline for application difficulties: 1800 309 3063 (Toll Free)
Last Verified: 21 May 2026 | Source: ssc.gov.in