The SSC CGL 2026 Exam notification is highly anticipated by millions of aspirants. The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) is expected to release the official calendar for the 2026-27 cycle soon. Candidates eager to secure a prestigious Group B or Group C government job should start preparing now, as the exams are tentatively scheduled for mid-2026.
SSC CGL is one of the most reputed exams in India. This blog covers the New Exam Pattern, Selection Flowchart, Post-wise Salary, and the Complete Syllabus you need to crack this exam.
SSC CGL 2026 Vacancy Details (Expected)
Vacancy Update: While the official notification is pending, trends suggest approx 7,500 – 8,500 vacancies for the 2026 cycle across various ministries like Income Tax, MEA, and Excise.
Important Dates for SSC CGL 2026 (Tentative)
Based on the SSC annual calendar trends, here is the expected schedule:
| Event | Tentative Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | March/April 2026 |
| Online Application Start | March/April 2026 |
| Tier-I Exam Date | June – July 2026 |
| Tier-II Exam Date | September/October 2026 |
SSC CGL Selection Process Flowchart
The selection process has been streamlined into two main Tiers. It is crucial to understand that Tier 1 is qualifying, and merit is decided solely by Tier 2.
- Tier 1 Exam (CBE): Qualifying in nature. Marks are not added to the final merit.
- Tier 2 Exam (CBE): Decides your rank. Includes Mathematical Abilities, Reasoning, English, GK, and Computer Knowledge.
- Data Entry Skill Test (DEST): Conducted in Tier 2 Session II (Qualifying).
- Document Verification: Conducted by the Indenting Departments (not SSC).
New SSC CGL Exam Pattern: Tier 1 vs. Tier 2
Tier 1 Exam Pattern (Qualifying)
| Subject | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 25 | 50 | 60 Minutes |
| General Awareness | 25 | 50 | |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 50 | |
| English Comprehension | 25 | 50 |
Tier 2 Exam Pattern (Merit Deciding)
This is the most critical stage. It is divided into three sections:
- Section 1: Math (30 Q) + Reasoning (30 Q) = 180 Marks
- Section 2: English (45 Q) + General Awareness (25 Q) = 210 Marks
- Section 3: Computer Knowledge (20 Q) + Typing Test (Qualifying)
SSC CGL Tier-1 Cut-Off Trends (For Reference)
Understanding previous trends helps in setting a target score. Here is the cut-off trend for the “List-1 (AAO)” and “List-3 (Other Posts)” categories for General (UR) candidates:
| Year | Tier-1 Cut-Off (UR – AAO) | Tier-1 Cut-Off (UR – Other Posts) |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 (Expected) | 160+ | 145 – 150 |
| 2023 | 169.67 | 150.04 |
| 2022 | 158.36 | 114.27 (High Vacancy Year) |
Strategy Tip: Aim for a raw score of 145+ in Tier 1 to be on the safe side for high-paying Level 7 posts.
SSC CGL Salary & Pay Levels (Post-Wise)
SSC CGL posts are classified into Pay Levels 4 to 8. Here is the breakdown:
Pay Level 8 (₹47,600 – ₹1,51,100)
| Post Name | Department |
|---|---|
| Assistant Audit Officer (AAO) | Indian Audit & Accounts Dept under C&AG |
| Assistant Accounts Officer | Indian Audit & Accounts Dept under C&AG |
Pay Level 7 (₹44,900 – ₹1,42,400)
| Post Name | Department |
|---|---|
| Assistant Section Officer (ASO) | CSS, IB, Railway, MEA, AFHQ |
| Inspector of Income Tax | CBDT |
| Inspector (Central Excise) | CBIC |
| Inspector (Preventive/Examiner) | CBIC |
| Sub Inspector | CBI |
Pay Level 6 (₹35,400 – ₹1,12,400)
| Post Name | Department |
|---|---|
| Divisional Accountant | Offices under C&AG |
| Sub Inspector | NIA |
| Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) | M/o Statistics |
Pay Level 4 & 5 (₹25,500 – ₹92,300)
| Post Name | Department |
|---|---|
| Auditor / Accountant | C&AG, CGDA |
| Tax Assistant | CBDT / CBIC |
| Upper Division Clerk (UDC) | Central Govt. Offices |
SSC CGL Syllabus Overview
To clear the exam, you must master these four pillars:
- Reasoning: Analogies, Coding-Decoding, Venn Diagrams, Series, Blood Relations.
- General Awareness: History, Polity, Geography, Economy, Science, and Current Affairs (Last 6-8 months).
- Quantitative Aptitude: Arithmetic (Percentage, Profit Loss, SI/CI) and Advanced Math (Geometry, Trigonometry, Algebra).
- English: Grammar (Error Spotting, Active/Passive), Vocabulary (Synonyms, Antonyms), and Comprehension.
Eligibility Criteria 2026
- Age Limit: Generally 18-30 years (Varies by post). Age relaxation applies for SC/ST/OBC.
- Education: Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized university. Final year students can apply provisionally.
Application Fee
- General / OBC / EWS: ₹100
- Females / SC / ST / PH: Fee Exempted (₹0)
Physical Standards for “Uniform” Posts (Inspector/Sub-Inspector)
Candidates applying for Inspector (Central Excise/Examiner/Preventive Officer), CBI, NIA, and CBN must meet specific physical criteria. Failure to meet these leads to immediate disqualification.
| Category | Male Candidates | Female Candidates |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 157.5 cm (Relaxable by 5 cm for Hills/ST) | 152 cm (Relaxable by 2.5 cm) |
| Chest | 81 cm (Fully expanded with 5 cm expansion) | N/A |
| Physical Test | Walking: 1600 meters in 15 mins Cycling: 8 Kms in 30 mins |
Walking: 1 Km in 20 mins Cycling: 3 Kms in 25 mins |
Note: For CBI Sub-Inspector, vision verification (Distants/Near) is also conducted.
Document Verification (DV) Checklist
Since Document Verification is now conducted by the User Departments, ensuring your papers are ready is crucial. Keep these original documents ready:
- Matriculation Certificate: (Class 10) for Name and DOB proof.
- Graduation Degree/Provisional: Must be issued before the “Crucial Date” (usually August 1st of the exam year).
- Caste Certificate (OBC/SC/ST/EWS): Must be in the Central Government format. (Note: EWS certificate must be valid for the specific financial year).
- NOC (No Objection Certificate): Only for candidates already employed in Govt jobs.
Follow SSC Cluster-
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- [Latest] SSC CHSL Syllabus 2026 – SSC 10+2 Exam Pattern
- SSC Phase 9 Syllabus 2026: Check SSC Phase IX Exam Pattern
- SSC MTS 2026 Application Form & Notification [APPLY NOW]
- BSSC CGL Syllabus 2026: [Download Free Syllabus PDF]
Important Links
| Apply Online (Official) | Click Here |
| SSC Official Calendar | Check Here |
Final Remark!
This guide covers the essential details for the SSC CGL 2026 Exam. Since the pattern has evolved, focusing on Tier 2 subjects from day one is recommended. Stay tuned to the official SSC website for the exact notification date.
Read More: SSC CHSL Syllabus 2026: Updated Exam Pattern
Watch: SSC CGL 2026 Strategy & Syllabus Breakdown
For a detailed strategy, watch this helpful video analysis:
(Note: This video provides a comprehensive breakdown of the syllabus and effective strategies for the upcoming exam cycle.)
Read: SSC Exam Calendar 2026 Download Exam Date/Schedule in PDF
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When will the SSC CGL 2026 Notification be released?
The notification is tentatively expected in March/April 2026, based on the annual SSC calendar trends.
What is the expected vacancy for SSC CGL 2026?
While official numbers are pending, trends suggest approximately 7,500 to 8,500 vacancies across various Group B and Group C posts.
Is Tier 1 qualifying in SSC CGL?
Yes, Tier 1 is qualifying in nature. Marks scored in Tier 1 are not added to the final merit list; only Tier 2 marks decide your selection.