The Staff Selection Commission Combined Graduate Level Examination, popularly known as SSC CGL Exam, is one of the most competitive government exams in India. The exam is conducted every year by the Staff Selection Commission to recruit candidates for prestigious Group B and Group C posts in various ministries, departments, and government offices.
SSC CGL Exam 2026 Exam Date
- Starting date of submission of online application: 21st May 2026
- Last date of submission of online application: 22nd June 2026
- Date of SSC CGL Tier I Examination: August-September, 2026
- Dates of Tier-II Examination (CBE): December, 2026
SSC CGL offers excellent salary packages, job security, career growth, government allowances, and posting opportunities across India. Every year, lakhs of candidates apply for SSC CGL to secure central government jobs such as Income Tax Inspector, Assistant Section Officer, Auditor, Accountant, Excise Inspector, and many more.
What is SSC CGL?
SSC CGL stands for Staff Selection Commission Combined Graduate Level Examination. It is a national-level competitive exam conducted for graduate candidates who want to work in central government departments.
Through SSC CGL, recruitment is done for various departments including:
- Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT)
- Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC)
- Ministry of External Affairs
- Comptroller and Auditor General of India
- Central Secretariat Service
- Intelligence Bureau
- National Investigation Agency
- Railway Ministry
- Other Central Government Offices
SSC CGL 2026 Highlights
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | SSC Combined Graduate Level Examination |
| Conducting Body | Staff Selection Commission |
| Exam Level | National Level |
| Mode of Exam | Computer Based Test |
| Qualification | Graduation |
| Exam Stages | Tier 1 & Tier 2 |
| Job Type | Central Government Jobs |
| Salary | Pay Level 4 to Level 8 |
| Official Website | SSC Official Website |
SSC CGL 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must satisfy the SSC CGL eligibility conditions before applying online.
Educational Qualification
Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized university or institution. Some posts require specific qualifications such as Mathematics, Statistics, Economics, or Commerce background.
Post-wise Qualification
- Assistant Audit Officer – Bachelor’s Degree
- Assistant Accounts Officer – Bachelor’s Degree
- Junior Statistical Officer – Degree with Statistics
- Statistical Investigator – Degree with Statistics/Economics/Mathematics
- Income Tax Inspector – Graduation
- Auditor – Graduation
- Accountant – Graduation
- Tax Assistant – Graduation
SSC CGL Age Limit 2026
The age limit varies according to the post.
| Post Category | Age Limit |
|---|---|
| Minimum Age | 18 Years |
| Maximum Age | 32 Years |
Different posts may have age limits like:
- 18–27 Years
- 20–30 Years
- 18–30 Years
- 18–32 Years
Reserved category candidates receive age relaxation according to government rules.
SSC CGL Nationality
Candidates must be:
- Citizen of India
- Subject of Nepal/Bhutan
- Tibetan refugee settled in India before January 1, 1962
- Person of Indian origin migrated from specified countries
SSC CGL Selection Process
The SSC CGL recruitment process consists of:
- Tier 1 Examination
- Tier 2 Examination
- Document Verification
Candidates must qualify each stage to move to the next round.
SSC CGL Exam Pattern 2026
SSC CGL Tier 1 Exam Pattern
Tier 1 is qualifying in nature.
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 25 | 50 |
| General Awareness | 25 | 50 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 50 |
| English Comprehension | 25 | 50 |
Important Details
- Total Questions: 100
- Total Marks: 200
- Duration: 60 Minutes
- Negative Marking: 0.50 Marks
SSC CGL Tier 2 Exam Pattern
Tier 2 is the main examination and plays the most important role in final selection.
Subjects Included
- Mathematical Abilities
- Reasoning
- English Language
- General Awareness
- Computer Knowledge
- Statistics (for JSO)
- Finance & Economics (for AAO)
Tier 2 Features
- Computer-Based Test
- Multiple Sessions
- Negative Marking Applicable
SSC CGL Syllabus 2026
Quantitative Aptitude Syllabus
Important topics include:
- Percentage
- Profit and Loss
- Time and Work
- Time, Speed and Distance
- Ratio and Proportion
- Average
- Algebra
- Geometry
- Mensuration
- Trigonometry
- Data Interpretation
- Simplification
- Number System
SSC CGL Reasoning Syllabus
Important reasoning topics:
- Analogy
- Coding-Decoding
- Blood Relation
- Direction Test
- Syllogism
- Puzzle
- Venn Diagram
- Non-Verbal Reasoning
- Series
- Classification
SSC CGL English Syllabus
Important English topics:
- Grammar
- Vocabulary
- Synonyms and Antonyms
- One Word Substitution
- Idioms and Phrases
- Error Detection
- Cloze Test
- Reading Comprehension
- Sentence Improvement
- Active and Passive Voice
SSC CGL General Awareness Syllabus
General Awareness includes:
- History
- Geography
- Indian Polity
- Economics
- Science
- Current Affairs
- Static GK
- Awards and Honors
- Sports
- Important Days
- Books and Authors
SSC CGL Salary Structure
SSC CGL posts come under different pay levels.
| Pay Level | Salary Range |
|---|---|
| Level 4 | ₹25,500 – ₹81,100 |
| Level 5 | ₹29,200 – ₹92,300 |
| Level 6 | ₹35,400 – ₹1,12,400 |
| Level 7 | ₹44,900 – ₹1,42,400 |
| Level 8 | ₹47,600 – ₹1,51,100 |
Additional benefits include:
- Dearness Allowance (DA)
- House Rent Allowance (HRA)
- Travel Allowance (TA)
- Medical Benefits
- Pension Benefits
Popular SSC CGL Posts
Some of the most preferred SSC CGL jobs are:
- Income Tax Inspector
- GST Inspector
- Central Excise Inspector
- Assistant Section Officer
- Auditor
- Accountant
- Junior Statistical Officer
- Assistant Enforcement Officer
- Tax Assistant
- Sub Inspector