SSC CGL 2026: Job Profile, Career Growth, Vacancy Trends & Complete Calendar
A Detailed Guide for Aspirants – The Prayas India
The Staff Selection Commission has released the tentative exam calendar for 2026–27, and as per the schedule, the SSC CGL 2026 Notification is expected to be released in March 2026 on the official website (ssc.gov.in).
Through this article, we are covering every important detail — eligibility, selection process, exam pattern, vacancies, job roles, and important dates — in a clear and structured manner for serious aspirants.
SSC Calendar 2026 PDF
SSC CGL 2026 Notification – What to Expect?
The SSC CGL 2026 official notification will provide complete information regarding recruitment for Group B and Group C posts under various Ministries, Departments, and Government of India organizations.
The notification will include:
- Total number of vacancies (post-wise & category-wise)
- Educational qualification requirements
- Age limit & relaxation rules
- Selection process
- Detailed exam pattern
- Application procedure
- Pay level & salary structure
Candidates are strongly advised to read the official notification carefully before applying to ensure they meet all eligibility conditions.
SSC Calendar 2026-27
SSC CGL 2026 – Important Dates (Tentative)
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | March 2026 |
| Online Application Start | To Be Announced |
| Last Date to Apply | To Be Announced |
| Last Date to Pay Fee | To Be Announced |
| Tier 1 Exam | May–June 2026 |
| Tier 2 Exam | To Be Announced |
Note: Exact dates will be confirmed in the official notification.
What is SSC CGL Exam?
The SSC Combined Graduate Level (CGL) Exam is one of the most prestigious national-level recruitment examinations in India. It is conducted annually to recruit graduates for various administrative, investigative, financial, and clerical posts under the Central Government.
Alongside exams like:
- Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
- Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS)
SSC CGL is considered one of the top career options for graduates seeking a stable government job.
Selected candidates are posted across India in central ministries and departments.
Major Posts Under SSC CGL
Some of the prominent posts recruited through SSC CGL include:
-
Assistant Section Officer (ASO)
- Inspector of Income Tax
- Inspector (Central Excise)
- Sub-Inspector in CBI
- Junior Statistical Officer (JSO)
- Auditor
- Accountant
- Tax Assistant
- Divisional Accountant
- Postal Assistant
- Upper Division Clerk (UDC)
- Senior Secretariat Assistant
- Executive Assistant
- Research Assistant
- Junior Intelligence Officer
- And many more
These posts offer:
✔ Attractive salary (as per 7th CPC)
✔ Government allowances
✔ Job security
✔ Pension benefits
✔ Strong promotion prospects
Get All SSC CGL Exams Updates
SSC CGL 2026 – Exam Highlights
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | Staff Selection Commission |
| Exam Name | SSC Combined Graduate Level |
| Posts | Group B & C Services |
| Vacancy (2025) | 14,582 |
| Category | Government Jobs |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Selection Process | Tier 1 (Qualifying) + Tier 2 |
| Exam Mode | Online (CBT) |
| Age Limit | 18–32 years (varies by post) |
| Qualification | Bachelor’s Degree |
| Exam Level | National |
SSC CGL Vacancy Trends (Previous Years)
Vacancies vary each year depending on departmental requirements. Below is the trend analysis:
| Year | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| 2025 | 14,582 |
| 2024 | 17,727 |
| 2023 | 8,415 |
| 2022 | 37,409 |
| 2021 | 7,621 |
| 2020 | 7,035 |
| 2019 | 8,428 |
| 2018 | 11,271 |
| 2017 | 9,276 |
Vacancy Trend Analysis
- 2022 saw record-high recruitment due to backlog clearance.
- 2023 showed a decline.
- From 2024 onward, recruitment stabilized.
- SSC CGL 2026 is expected to maintain a healthy vacancy range similar to 2024–25.
Join New Batches of SSC CGL Exam
SSC CGL 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility depends on age, education, and nationality. Since multiple posts are involved, criteria differ slightly for certain roles.
Educational Qualification
- Must possess a Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized university.
- For specific posts:
- Junior Statistical Officer – Statistics as a subject required.
- Certain financial posts – Commerce/Finance background preferred.
Candidates in final year may apply (subject to conditions in notification).
Age Limit (As per post)
General age range: 18 to 32 years
Age relaxation is applicable as per Government of India rules for:
- SC/ST
- OBC
- PwBD
- Ex-servicemen
- Other reserved categories
Detailed Post-wise Age Limits
Below is a structured overview of major posts:
Age Limit: 20–30 Years
- Assistant Section Officer (Central Secretariat Service)
- Assistant Section Officer (Railways)
- Assistant Section Officer (MEA)
- Sub-Inspector (CBI)
Age Limit: 18–30 Years
- Inspector of Income Tax (CBDT)
- Inspector (Central Excise) – CBIC
- Inspector (Preventive Officer)
- Assistant Enforcement Officer
- Divisional Accountant
- Executive Assistant
- Research Assistant (NHRC)
- Sub-Inspector (NIA)
- Junior Intelligence Officer (NCB)
- Statistical Investigator Grade-II
- Office Superintendent
- Section Head (DGFT)
Age Limit: 18–27 Years
- Auditor (C&AG / CGDA / Other Ministries)
- Accountant
- Junior Accountant
- Postal Assistant
- Sorting Assistant
- Senior Secretariat Assistant
- Senior Administrative Assistant
- Tax Assistant (CBDT & CBIC)
- Sub-Inspector (Narcotics)
Age Limit: 18–32 Years
- Junior Statistical Officer (JSO)
The Prayas India Mock Test
SSC CGL 2026 Selection Process
The recruitment process consists of the following stages:
Tier I – Preliminary Examination
- Objective type (MCQs)
- Computer-Based Test
- Qualifying in nature
Subjects:
- General Intelligence & Reasoning
- General Awareness
- Quantitative Aptitude
- English Comprehension
Tier II – Main Examination
Computer-Based Test divided into multiple sections:
- Quantitative Abilities
- English Language & Comprehension
- General Studies (Finance & Economics)
- Computer Proficiency Test (for specific posts)
- Data Entry Speed Test (where applicable)
Document Verification
Shortlisted candidates must present original documents to verify:
- Educational qualification
- Age proof
- Category certificate
- Identity proof
No interview is conducted.
SSC CGL 2026 Exam Pattern
Tier 1 – Preliminary Exam
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Mode | Online |
| Type | Objective (MCQs) |
| Total Questions | 100 |
| Marks | 200 |
| Duration | 60 Minutes |
| Negative Marking | 0.50 per wrong answer |
Sections:
- 25 Questions – Reasoning
- 25 Questions – General Awareness
- 25 Questions – Quantitative Aptitude
- 25 Questions – English
Tier 2 – Mains Exam
- Mode: Online
- Type: Objective
- Divided into multiple papers (depending on post)
- Includes Finance & Economics (for select posts)
- Includes Computer Proficiency Test (if required)
SSC CGL 2026 Tier 2 Exam Structure (Detailed)
The Tier 2 stage of SSC CGL 2026 is a computer-based examination divided into different papers depending on the post applied for. The structure is as follows:
Paper I (Compulsory for All Candidates)
Subjects Covered:
- Quantitative Abilities
- English Language & Comprehension
- General Intelligence & Reasoning
- General Awareness
- Computer Knowledge
- Data Entry Speed Test (DEST)
Exam Structure:
- Conducted in 2 sessions
- Divided into multiple sections and modules
- Total Duration: 2 Hours 30 Minutes
- Negative Marking: 1 mark for each incorrect answer
Paper I is mandatory for every candidate appearing in SSC CGL 2026.
Paper II (Only for Junior Statistical Officer – JSO)
This paper is specifically for candidates applying for the Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) post.
Subject: Statistics
- Total Marks: 200
- Duration: 2 Hours
- Negative Marking: 0.50 marks per wrong answer
Candidates not applying for JSO are not required to appear for this paper.
SSC CGL 2026 Syllabus (Subject-wise Overview)
A thorough understanding of the syllabus is essential before starting preparation. Below is a structured overview of the key topics.
English Comprehension
- Reading Comprehension
- Fill in the Blanks
- Spellings
- Cloze Test
- Synonyms & Antonyms
- Idioms & Phrases
- One Word Substitution
- Sentence Correction
- Word Formation
General Awareness
- Static General Knowledge
- Science
- Current Affairs
- Indian Geography
- Important Government Schemes
- Sports
- Books and Authors
- Current Chief Ministers & Governors
General Intelligence & Reasoning
- Classification
- Analogy
- Coding-Decoding
- Series
- Non-Verbal Reasoning
- Matrix
Quantitative Aptitude
- Simplification
- Interest
- Averages
- Percentage
- Ratio & Proportion
- Mensuration
- Data Interpretation (DI)
- Problem on Ages
Candidates should prepare according to the updated notification once officially released.
SSC CGL 2026 Application Process
The application process for SSC CGL is conducted completely online through the official website of the Staff Selection Commission.
Application Steps:
- Online Registration
- Filling Application Form
- Uploading Required Documents
- Payment of Application Fee
Application Fee Details
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC | ₹100 |
| SC / ST / PwD / Ex-Servicemen | Exempted |
Payment Modes:
- BHIM UPI
- Net Banking
- Debit/Credit Cards (Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, RuPay)
- SBI Challan (Cash at SBI branch)
SSC CGL 2026 Posts, Departments & Salary Structure
Under the SSC CGL Recruitment 2026, a total of 37 different posts are expected to be filled across multiple Ministries, Departments, and Offices of the Central Government by the Staff Selection Commission. These positions fall under Pay Levels 4 to 7 as per the 7th Central Pay Commission.
Since SSC CGL includes a wide range of roles, the salary structure varies depending on the post and pay level. The starting basic pay begins from:
- ₹25,500 – ₹81,100 (Pay Level 4)
- ₹29,200 – ₹92,300 (Pay Level 5)
- ₹35,400 – ₹1,12,400 (Pay Level 6)
- ₹44,900 – ₹1,42,400 (Pay Level 7)
Apart from the basic pay, selected candidates are entitled to additional government allowances such as Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), Transport Allowance (TA), and other admissible benefits depending on the city of posting.
As the nature of work, responsibilities, and promotion opportunities differ from one post to another, candidates are strongly advised to carefully review the complete list of available posts before applying. This will help in making an informed preference selection during the application process.
| S.No | Post Name | Department/Ministry/Office | Classification | Salary (Pay Level) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Assistant Section Officer | Central Secretariat Service | Group B | Rs. 44,900 – 1,42,400 (Level-7) |
| 2 | Assistant Section Officer | Intelligence Bureau | Group B | Rs. 44,900 – 1,42,400 (Level-7) |
| 3 | Assistant Section Officer | Ministry of Railways | Group B | Rs. 44,900 – 1,42,400 (Level-7) |
| 4 | Assistant Section Officer | Ministry of External Affairs | Group B | Rs. 44,900 – 1,42,400 (Level-7) |
| 5 | Assistant Section Officer | AFHQ | Group B | Rs. 44,900 – 1,42,400 (Level-7) |
| 6 | Assistant Section Officer | Ministry of Electronics & IT | Group B | Rs. 44,900 – 1,42,400 (Level-7) |
| 7 | Assistant / ASO | Other Ministries/Departments | Group B | Rs. 44,900 – 1,42,400 (Level-7) |
| 8 | Inspector of Income Tax | CBDT | Group C | Rs. 44,900 – 1,42,400 (Level-7) |
| 9 | Inspector (Central Excise) | CBIC | Group B | Rs. 44,900 – 1,42,400 (Level-7) |
| 10 | Inspector (Preventive Officer) | CBIC | Group B | Rs. 44,900 – 1,42,400 (Level-7) |
| 11 | Inspector (Examiner) | CBIC | Group B | Rs. 44,900 – 1,42,400 (Level-7) |
| 12 | Assistant Enforcement Officer | Directorate of Enforcement, Dept. of Revenue | Group B | Rs. 44,900 – 1,42,400 (Level-7) |
| 13 | Sub Inspector | Central Bureau of Investigation | Group B | Rs. 44,900 – 1,42,400 (Level-7) |
| 14 | Inspector Posts | Department of Posts | Group B | Rs. 44,900 – 1,42,400 (Level-7) |
| 15 | Inspector | Central Bureau of Narcotics, Ministry of Finance | Group B | Rs. 44,900 – 1,42,400 (Level-7) |
| 16 | Section Head | DGFT | Group B | Rs. 44,900 – 1,42,400 (Level-7) |
| 17 | Assistant / ASO | Other Ministries/Departments | Group B | Rs. 35,400 – 1,12,400 (Level-6) |
| 18 | Executive Assistant | CBIC | Group B | Rs. 35,400 – 1,12,400 (Level-6) |
| 19 | Research Assistant | NHRC | Group B | Rs. 35,400 – 1,12,400 (Level-6) |
| 20 | Divisional Accountant | Offices under C&AG | Group B | Rs. 35,400 – 1,12,400 (Level-6) |
| 21 | Sub Inspector | NIA | Group B | Rs. 35,400 – 1,12,400 (Level-6) |
| 22 | Sub Inspector / Jr. Intelligence Officer | Narcotics Control Bureau (MHA) | Group B | Rs. 35,400 – 1,12,400 (Level-6) |
| 23 | Junior Statistical Officer | Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation | Group B | Rs. 35,400 – 1,12,400 (Level-6) |
| 24 | Statistical Investigator Grade-II | Ministry of Home Affairs | Group B | Rs. 35,400 – 1,12,400 (Level-6) |
| 25 | Office Superintendent | CBDT | Group B | Rs. 35,400 – 1,12,400 (Level-6) |
| 26 | Auditor | Offices under C&AG | Group C | Rs. 29,200 – 92,300 (Level-5) |
| 27 | Auditor | Offices under CGDA | Group C | Rs. 29,200 – 92,300 (Level-5) |
| 28 | Auditor | Other Ministries/Departments | Group C | Rs. 29,200 – 92,300 (Level-5) |
| 29 | Accountant | Offices under C&AG | Group C | Rs. 29,200 – 92,300 (Level-5) |
| 30 | Accountant | Controller General of Accounts | Group C | Rs. 29,200 – 92,300 (Level-5) |
| 31 | Accountant / Junior Accountant | Other Ministries/Departments | Group C | Rs. 29,200 – 92,300 (Level-5) |
| 32 | Postal Assistant / Sorting Assistant | Department of Posts | Group C | Rs. 25,500 – 81,100 (Level-4) |
| 33 | Sr. Secretariat Assistant / UDC | Central Govt. Ministries (non-CSCS) | Group C | Rs. 25,500 – 81,100 (Level-4) |
| 34 | Sr. Administrative Assistant | Military Engineering Services, Ministry of Defence | Group C | Rs. 25,500 – 81,100 (Level-4) |
| 35 | Tax Assistant | CBDT | Group C | Rs. 25,500 – 81,100 (Level-4) |
| 36 | Tax Assistant | CBIC | Group C | Rs. 25,500 – 81,100 (Level-4) |
| 37 | Sub-Inspector | Central Bureau of Narcotics, Ministry of Finance | Group C | Rs. 25,500 – 81,100 (Level-4) |
How to Prepare for SSC CGL 2026?
Preparation requires discipline and a structured approach.
Effective Strategy:
✔ Start with understanding the complete syllabus and exam pattern
✔ Analyze previous year question papers
✔ Identify strengths and weak areas
✔ Complete syllabus first, then move to PYQs
✔ Take regular mock tests
✔ Focus on accuracy due to negative marking
✔ Revise daily
✔ Maintain consistency
Working professionals should create a realistic timetable and focus on quality study hours.
SSC CGL Previous Year Papers
Solving previous year papers helps candidates:
- Understand exam difficulty
- Identify frequently asked topics
- Improve speed and accuracy
- Practice time management
It is strongly recommended to solve multiple years’ question papers before appearing in mock tests.
SSC CGL 2026 Cut Off (Previous Year Reference – Tier 1, 2024)
Cut-Off for All Other Posts
| Category | Cut-Off |
|---|---|
| SC | 126.42235 |
| ST | 111.85520 |
| OBC | 146.23244 |
| EWS | 141.82144 |
| UR | 152.97275 |
| ESM | 69.92674 |
| OH | 113.10008 |
| HH | 64.79156 |
| VH | 102.97465 |
| Other-PWD | 45.74 |
Cut-Off for Junior Statistical Officer (JSO)
| Category | Cut-Off |
|---|---|
| SC | 143.53855 |
| ST | 135.23007 |
| OBC | 160.65216 |
| EWS | 161.73406 |
| UR | 167.02061 |
| OH | 133.35717 |
| HH | 95.45162 |
| VH | 122.51903 |
Cut-Off for Statistical Investigator
| Category | Cut-Off |
|---|---|
| ST | 134.49545 |
| OBC | 161.13462 |
| EWS | 163.50858 |
| UR | 170.65672 |
| HH | 60.66162 |
| VH | 92.05218 |
| Other-PWD | 40.30795 |
Cut-offs vary every year depending on:
- Number of vacancies
- Difficulty level
- Number of candidates appearing
SSC CGL 2026 Exam Centres
The SSC CGL examination is organized at numerous exam centres across India under different regional zones managed by the Staff Selection Commission. These regions typically include Northern, Central, Eastern, Western, Southern, North Eastern, and other sub-regional offices to ensure smooth coordination and administration of the examination process.
While filling out the online application form, candidates are given the option to select their preferred exam cities based on availability. The Commission allocates centres according to preferences and administrative feasibility.
Each regional office is responsible for proper supervision, logistical arrangements, and fair conduct of the examination within its jurisdiction. Detailed information regarding exam centre addresses and regional contact details is provided in the official notification to ensure transparency and convenience for candidates.
| Examination Centers | SSC Regions and States | Address of the Regional Offices/ Website |
|---|---|---|
| Agra, Allahabad, Bareilly, Gorakhpur, Kanpur, Lucknow, Meerut, Varanasi, Bhagalpur, Muzaffarpur, Patna | Central Region (CR)/ Bihar and Uttar Pradesh | Regional Director (CR), Staff Selection Commission, 21-23, Lowther Road, Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh-211002. (http://www.ssc-cr.org) |
| Gangtok, Ranchi, Barasat, Berhampore (WB), Chinsurah, Jalpaiguri, Kolkata, Malda, Midnapur, Siliguri, Berhampore (Odisha), Bhubaneshwar, Cuttack, Keonjhargarh, Sambalpur, Port Blair | Eastern Region (ER)/ Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Jharkhand, Odisha, Sikkim, and West Bengal | Regional Director (ER), Staff Selection Commission, 1st MSO Building (8th Floor), 234/4, Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Road, Kolkata, West Bengal-700020 (www.sscer.org) |
| Bangalore, Dharwar, Gulbarga, Mangalore, Mysore, Kochi, Kozhikode (Calicut), Thiruvananthapuram, Thrissur | Karnataka, Kerala Region (KKR)/ Lakshadweep, Karnataka, and Kerala | Regional Director (KKR), Staff Selection Commission, 1st Floor, “E” Wing, Kendriya Sadan, Koramangala, Bengaluru, Karnataka-560034 (www.ssckkr.kar.nic.in) |
| Bhopal, Chindwara, Guna, Gwalior, Indore, Jabalpur, Khandwa, Ratlam, Satna, Sagar, Ambikapur, Bilaspur, Jagdalpur, Raipur, Durg | Madhya Pradesh Sub-Region (MPR)/ Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh | Dy. Director (MPR), Staff Selection Commission, J-5, Anupam Nagar, Raipur, Chhattisgarh-492007 (www.sscmpr.org) |
| Almora, Dehradun, Haldwani, Srinagar (Uttarakhand), Haridwar, Delhi, Ajmer, Alwar, Bharatpur, Bikaner, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Kota, Sriganganagar, Udaipur | Northern Region (NR)/ NCT of Delhi, Rajasthan, and Uttarakhand | Regional Director (NR), Staff Selection Commission, Block No. 12, CGO Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi-110003 (www.sscnr.net.in) |
| Anantnag, Baramulla, Jammu, Leh, Rajouri, Srinagar (J&K), Kargil, Dodda, Hamirpur, Shimla, Bhathinda, Jalandhar, Patiala, Amritsar, Chandigarh | North Western Sub-Region (NWR)/ Chandigarh, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, and Punjab | Dy. Director (NWR), Staff Selection Commission, Block No. 3, Ground Floor, Kendriya Sadan, Sector-9, Chandigarh 160009 (www.sscnwr.org) |
| Guntur, Kurnool, Rajahmundry, Tirupati, Vishakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, Tiruchirapalli, Tirunelveli, Puducherry, Hyderabad, Nizamabad, Warangal | Southern Region (SR)/ Andhra Pradesh, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana | Regional Director (SR), Staff Selection Commission, 2nd Floor, EVK Sampath Building, DPI Campus, College Road, Chennai, Tamil Nadu-600006 (www.sscsr.gov.in) |
| Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Rajkot, Surat, Bhavnagar, Kutch, Amravati, Aurangabad, Kolhapur, Mumbai, Nagpur, Nanded, Nashik, Pune, Thane, Bhandara, Chandrapur, Akola, Jalgaon, Ahmednagar, Alibaug, Panaji | Western Region (WR)/ Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu, Goa, Gujarat, and Maharashtra | Regional Director (WR), Staff Selection Commission, 1st Floor, South Wing, Pratishtha Bhawan, 101, Maharshi Karve Road, Mumbai, Maharashtra-400020 (www.sscwr.net) |
| Itanagar, Dibrugarh, Guwahati (Dispur), Jorhat, Silchar, Kohima, Shillong, Imphal, Churachandpur, Ukhrul, Agartala, Aizwal | North Eastern Region (NER)/ Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Tripura | Regional Director (NER), Staff Selection Commission, Housefed Complex, Last Gate-Basistha Road, P.O. Assam Sachivalaya, Dispur, Guwahati, Assam-781006 (www.sscner.org.in) |
Conclusion
The SSC CGL 2026 exam continues to be a gateway to secure and respected central government jobs for graduates across India. With a well-defined two-tier selection process, competitive salary structures, and diverse posts across Group B and C, it offers aspirants excellent career stability and long-term growth opportunities. Strategic preparation, consistent practice of previous year papers, timely revision, and focused mock tests can significantly improve chances of success. Staying updated with the official notification, exam dates, eligibility criteria, and syllabus is key to cracking this exam with confidence. With dedication, the right plan, and disciplined effort, SSC CGL 2026 can be your first step toward a promising government career.
