SSC CGL 2026 Notification OUT — 12,256 Vacancies: Apply at ssc.gov.in by June 22 & Complete Guide

Every year, over 25 lakh graduates compete for SSC CGL — India’s most sought-after path to a Group B or Group C central government job. The 2026 notification dropped on May 21. You have until June 22 to apply. Here is everything you need — eligibility, posts, salary, exam pattern, new 2026 changes and the exact application steps.

Notification OUT — Key Details

Complete Timeline — Important Dates

The last date and time for submission of SSC CGL online application is 22 June 2026 till 11 PM.

Do NOT wait until June 22. SSC servers crash on the last day of application every year without fail. Submit your form at least 5–7 days before the deadline.

Vacancies — 12,256 Posts Across 40+ Departments

A total of 12,256 vacancies have been announced for various Group B and Group C posts in Central Government Ministries, Departments, and Institutions.

SSC CGL is a national level recruitment exam conducted once a year. Each year more than 25 lakh candidates apply.

Most Sought-After Posts in SSC CGL 2026:

Eligibility Criteria — Who Can Apply?

Educational Qualification:

A Bachelor’s Degree from any recognised university or institute is required. Qualification must be completed as on 01 August 2026.

Students in their final year of graduation can also apply — degree must be complete by August 1, 2026.

Age Limit (as on August 1, 2026):

Age calculated as on 01.08.2026. Standard age relaxation applies: SC/ST 5 years, OBC 3 years, PwBD 10-15 years, Ex-Servicemen as per rules.

Application Fee

Payment accepted online only via BHIM UPI, Net Banking, Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, or RuPay. Fee once paid is non-refundable.

Exam Pattern — Tier 1 & Tier 2 (2026)

NEW FOR 2026 — SECTIONAL TIMING INTRODUCED

A key change this year — SSC has introduced sectional timing in both Tier 1 and Tier 2.

This is the most significant change in the SSC CGL exam pattern in years. Students can no longer skip difficult sections and compensate in others — each section must be attempted within its own time limit.

Tier 1 — Computer-Based Test:

Negative marking: 0.50 marks per wrong answer.

Tier 2 — Computer-Based Test (Three Papers):

This year, there will be 3 papers in total: Paper 1 is compulsory for all, Paper 2 for JSO and Paper 3 for AAO post only respectively.

Paper I (Compulsory for ALL candidates):

• Section 1: Mathematical Abilities + Reasoning (60 Qs, 180 marks, 1 hour)
• Section 2: English + General Awareness (50 Qs, 150 marks, 1 hour)
• Section 3: Computer Knowledge (20 Qs, 60 marks, 15 mins)
• DEST (Data Entry Speed Test): For Tax Assistant posts only

Paper II (JSO/Statistical Investigator posts only):

• Statistics — 100 Qs, 200 marks, 2 hours

Paper III (AAO posts only):

• Finance & Economics / General Studies — 100 Qs, 200 marks, 2 hours

Negative marking: 1 mark per wrong answer in Paper I.

SSC CGL Syllabus 2026 — What to Study

Tier 1 — Topic-wise:

Tier 2 Paper I — Additional Topics:

SSC CGL 2026 Salary — What You Will Earn

The most prestigious position in SSC CGL 2026 is the Assistant Audit Officer (AAO) at Pay Level 8 — ₹47,600 to ₹1,51,100. This is the highest paying post in SSC CGL. Besides basic salary, AAOs receive Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), and Travel Allowance (TA), making in-hand salary ₹70,000–₹80,000 per month depending on city of posting.

Beyond salary: SSC CGL officers also get medical benefits under CGHS, pension under NPS, government housing (in some posts), and Leave Travel Concession — perks that significantly enhance the overall package.

How to Apply for SSC CGL 2026 — Step by Step

Step 1 → Visit the official SSC website: ssc.gov.in

Step 2 → Complete One Time Registration (OTR) — if you have not already done this from a previous SSC exam, register once with your basic details. Use the same OTR for all future SSC exams.

Step 3 → Login to OTR portal → Click “Apply for SSC CGL 2026”

Step 4 → Fill in:

• Personal details (name, DOB, category, nationality)
• Educational qualification details
• Post preference and exam centre choices
• Communication address

Step 5 → Upload:

• Photograph: Recent, colour, white/light background
• Signature: Black ink on white paper
• Both as per SSC’s specified file size/format

Step 6 → Pay application fee — ₹100 (General/OBC/EWS) via BHIM UPI, Net Banking or Debit Card. Female candidates, SC/ST, PwBD and Ex-Servicemen are fee-exempt.

Step 7 → Submit and download the application confirmation page — save the PDF and Application ID.

OTR Tip: OTR is a one-time process. If you already have an OTR ID from SSC CHSL, CPO, MTS or any other SSC exam, use the same ID for CGL. Do not register multiple OTR accounts.

Selection Process — How You Get Selected

Tier 1 screens out candidates — roughly 15–20x the number of vacancies are shortlisted for Tier 2. Tier 2 is the real exam. Your performance here determines which post and department you get.

No Interview in SSC CGL. Your marks in Tier 1 and Tier 2 determine everything.

Documents Required — At the Time of Application