SSC CGL Recruitment 2026: 12,256 Group B & C Vacancies | Apply by 22 June

Latest Update (May 2026): The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has officially released the notification for the Combined Graduate Level (CGL) Examination, 2026 (Notice No. F. No. HQ-C11018/1/2026-C-1). This mega recruitment drive is out to fill approximately 12,256 tentative vacancies for various Group 'B' and Group 'C' posts across multiple Central Ministries, Departments, and Government of India Organizations. Eligible graduates looking for premium administrative and inspector posts can submit their online applications starting 21 May 2026. The last date to apply is 22 June 2026. SSC CGL Recruitment 2026 Notification – 12256 Central Govt Vacancies Official Notification PDF: Download SSC CGL 2026 Full Notification PDF

Recruitment Name: SSC Combined Graduate Level Examination, 2026 (SSC CGL 2026)

12,256 Group 'B' and Group 'C' Posts Across India

Short Summary: SSC invites applications from Indian citizens holding a Bachelor's Degree from a recognized university. The age limits vary from 18 to 32 years depending heavily on the specific post code. All appointments are pan-India and feature attractive pay levels ranging from Level 4 up to Level 8.

Important Dates – SSC CGL 2026

Notification & Registration Start Date: 21-05-2026
Last Date for Online Application: 22-06-2026 (23:00 Hours)
Last Date for Fee Payment: 23-06-2026 (23:00 Hours)
Application Form Correction Window: 29-06-2026 to 01-07-2026 (23:00 Hours)
Crucial Date for Age & Qualification: 01-08-2026
Tier-I CBT Exam Date (Tentative): August – September, 2026
Tier-II CBT Exam Date (Tentative): December, 2026

Application Fee

General / OBC / EWS (Male): ₹100/- (Non-Refundable)
Women / SC / ST / PwBD / Ex-Servicemen: Exempted (NIL)
Fee can be paid online via BHIM UPI, Net Banking, or standard Debit/Credit cards. Form correction charges apply uniformly at ₹200 for the first time and ₹500 for the second time.

📺 SSC CGL Form Video Guide

Watch this walkthrough video to understand the SSC CGL eligibility criteria.

Important Links

Apply Online (New Portal): Apply Now – ssc.gov.in
Notification PDF: Download Notification PDF
Watch Detailed Video Guide: Watch on YouTube
Join Our Groups for Updates:

Post-Wise Classification & Age Limits

Below is a brief breakdown of the structural distribution of notable posts under different Pay Matrix Levels (7th CPC):

Pay Level 8 (₹47,600–1,51,100) – Group 'B' Gazetted

Post NameDepartment / MinistryAge Limit
Assistant Audit OfficerIndian Audit & Accounts Dept. under C&AG18–30 Years
Assistant Accounts OfficerIndian Audit & Accounts Dept. under C&AG18–30 Years

Pay Level 7 (₹44,900–1,42,400) – Group 'B' Non-Gazetted

Post NameDepartment / MinistryAge Limit
Assistant Section Officer (ASO)CSS, IB, Railways, MEA, AFHQ, MeitY20–30 / 18–30 Years
Inspector of Income TaxCBDT18–30 Years
Inspector (Central Excise / Examiner / Preventive)CBIC18–30 Years
Assistant Enforcement Officer (AEO)Directorate of Enforcement (ED)18–30 Years
Sub Inspector (SI)Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)20–30 Years
Inspector PostsDepartment of Posts18–30 Years

Pay Level 6 (₹35,400–1,12,400) & Level 5 (₹29,200–92,300)

Post NameDepartment / MinistryAge Limit
Executive Assistant / Research AssistantCBIC / National Human Rights Commission18–30 Years
Divisional Accountant / Sub InspectorOffices under C&AG / NIA18–30 Years
Junior Statistical Officer (JSO)MoSPI18–32 Years
Auditor / AccountantC&AG, CGDA, Controller General of Accounts18–27 Years

Pay Level 4 (₹25,500–81,100) – Group 'C' Posts

Post NameDepartment / MinistryAge Limit
Postal Assistant / Sorting AssistantDepartment of Posts18–27 Years
Tax AssistantCBDT / CBIC18–27 Years
Senior Secretariat Assistant / UDCCentral Government Offices / Ministries18–27 Years
Sub-InspectorCentral Bureau of Narcotics18–27 Years

Eligibility Criteria & Specialized Post Qualifications

Post ProfileEssential Educational Qualification (As on 01-08-2026)
All Standard PostsBachelor's Degree in any discipline from a recognized University or its structural equivalent.
Junior Statistical Officer (JSO)Bachelor's Degree in any subject with minimum 60% marks in Mathematics at 12th standard level OR Bachelor's Degree with Statistics as one of the core subjects at the degree level.
Statistical Investigator Grade-IIBachelor's Degree with Statistics, Mathematics, Economics, Demography, Operation Research, Data Science, or Artificial Intelligence as a main subject.
AAO / Assistant Accounts OfficerBachelor's Degree (Essential). Desirable qualifications include CA, CMA, CS, M.Com, or MBA (Finance).

Age Relaxation Provisions

CategoryPermissible Age Relaxation Beyond Upper Limit
SC / ST5 Years
OBC (Non-Creamy Layer)3 Years
PwBD (Unreserved / OBC / SC-ST)10 Years / 13 Years / 15 Years
Ex-Servicemen (ESM)3 Years after deduction of military service rendered from the actual age
Widows / Divorced Women (Not Remarried)Up to 35 Years of age (40 Years for SC/ST)

SSC CGL Selection Process & Detailed Exam Pattern 2026

The recruitment process will be finalized entirely based on two distinct stages of Computer Based Examinations (CBE).

Tier-I: Scheme of Examination (Screening Stage)

Tier-I consists of objective type, multiple-choice questions set bilingually (English & Hindi). It features a strict sectional timer of 15 minutes per section.

PartSubject Test PaperQuestionsMax MarksDuration
AGeneral Intelligence & Reasoning25501 Hour Total
(1 Hr 20 Mins for scribe-eligible candidates)
BGeneral Awareness2550
CQuantitative Aptitude2550
DEnglish Comprehension2550
Total100200

Negative Marking in Tier-I: Deduction of 0.50 marks for each incorrect response.

Tier-II: Scheme of Examination (Final Merit Stage)

Tier-II is divided into separate sessions and papers depending on target posts. Paper-I is compulsory for all posts.

Paper NameSession / Section ComponentNo. of QsMarksSectional Timing
Paper-I
(Compulsory for All Posts)
Section-I: Mathematical Abilities (30) + Reasoning & GI (30)601801 Hour
Section-II: English Language (45) + General Awareness (25)702101 Hour
Section-III: Computer Knowledge Test (Mandatory Qualifying)206015 Minutes
Section-IV: Data Entry Speed Test (DEST - 2000 Key Depressions)-Qualifying15 Minutes
Paper-II (JSO Only)Statistics1002002 Hours
Paper-III (AAO Only)General Studies (Finance and Economics)1002002 Hours

Negative Marking in Tier-II: Deduction of 1.00 mark per wrong answer in Paper-I (Sections I, II, III); 0.50 marks deduction in Paper-II and Paper-III.

Brief Indicative Syllabus Core Overview

Subject ComponentCore High-Weightage Chapters
Reasoning & GIAnalogies, space visualization, semantic coding, Venn diagrams, pattern folding, critical and emotional intelligence.
General AwarenessCurrent Affairs, India & its neighboring nations, History, Geography, Culture, Economic scene, and basic Scientific Research.
Quantitative AptitudeNumber Systems, Percentages, Profit & Loss, SI/CI, Time & Work, Algebra, linear equations, Geometry, Trigonometry, Mensuration, and elementary Statistics/Probability.
English ComprehensionGrammatical error spotting, sentence improvement, active/passive voice, direct/indirect narration, cloze text, and editorial-based comprehension passages.
Computer KnowledgeComputer basics, CPU, input/output peripherals, MS Office tools (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Web browsing, and cyber security fundamentals.

How to Apply Online via the New SSC Website

Step 1: Fresh OTR Profile Creation
Navigate to the new portal ssc.gov.in. If you have not set up an OTR profile on this new portal, you must create a new one. Old registrations from ssc.nic.in are completely invalid. It is highly recommended to select Aadhaar-based authentication during setup for absolute standard compliance.
Step 2: Live Photograph Capture Requirement
The system does not accept pre-existing scanned passport photos. The application interface uses your webcam or the "mY SSC" mobile app to capture a clean, live picture. Sit in a well-lit space against a completely plain background. Remove any caps, masks, or spectacles before capturing.
Step 3: Upload Signature & Locker Mapping
Upload a cleanly scanned copy of your signature in JPEG/JPG format, sized precisely between 10 KB and 20 KB (recommended dimensions: 6.0 cm width × 2.0 cm height). Avoid blurry uploads to prevent instant system rejection.
Step 4: Lock Preferences & Submit Fee
Select up to three preferred examination centers localized within the same administrative region. Submit the form and proceed to pay the ₹100 application fee online (if applicable). Print out your provisional confirmation slip and retain it safely for future reference.

SSC CGL Recruitment 2026 – Frequently Asked Questions

Can I apply if I am in the final year of my graduation?
Yes, final year candidates can apply provisionally. However, you must acquire and complete your essential graduation degree on or before the definitive cut-off date, which is 01-08-2026.
Can I use my old OTR profile from ssc.nic.in to log in?
No. The Staff Selection Commission has fully migrated to a new portal. Every single applicant must register a brand-new One-Time Registration (OTR) profile at ssc.gov.in.
Is there any negative marking in the Tier-I exam paper?
Yes, Tier-I features an explicit penalty system. For every wrong objective response, a total of 0.50 marks will be deducted.
Are female applicants required to pay the application fee?
No, all female applicants, alongside SC, ST, PwBD, and Ex-Servicemen candidates, are completely exempted from paying the registration fee.
SSC CGL 2026 – Important Structural Instructions (Avoid Rejection!)

Meticulously comply with these parameters to ensure smooth processing:

  • Live Capture Protocol: Do not take a photo of an old physical passport photo with your webcam. The application will flag it during automated processing, leading to immediate rejection.
  • OBC Creamy Layer Status: Applicants classified under the OBC category who belong to the Creamy Layer as on the closing date cannot claim reservation benefits. They must register as General candidates.
  • Post Allotment Rule: Post allocation is handled purely on a merit-cum-preference system. If you fail to pass the strict physical or medical filters of an allocated post (like Excise Inspector, CBI SI, etc.), your candidature for that specific seat is terminated and you will not be accommodated anywhere else.
  • Sectional Performance in Tier-II: It is mandatory to qualify in all independent sections of Paper-I separately. Scoring exceptionally high in one section but failing the minimum qualifying mark in Computer Knowledge or Maths will disqualify you entirely.

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