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

First, a quick reminder of what SSC even is

• The Staff Selection Commission is the government body that fills up Group B and Group C posts across central ministries and departments all over the country.
• Think of it as the HR department of the Indian government — but for lakhs of aspirants at once.
• Salaries follow the 7th Pay Commission structure, which means the pay is decent, the job is stable, and the benefits are real.

SSC CGL 2026 — The Big One for Graduates

• CGL stands for Combined Graduate Level, and it’s arguably the most sought-after SSC exam for anyone who has finished their degree.
• The 2026 notification cycle has opened up, with applications being accepted through March and April 2026.
• Posts span across Income Tax, CBI, MEA, audit departments — proper career-building roles, not just clerical work.
• You need a graduation degree from any recognised university, and the age window is typically 18 to 30 years.

SSC GD Constable 2026 — 25,000+ Vacancies and Still Going

• This one is massive. Over 25,487 vacancies have been announced for GD Constables across central armed forces — BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, SSB, Assam Rifles, and more.
• Of these, roughly 23,467 seats are for male candidates and about 2,020 for female candidates.
• The application window ran through December 2025, but the written exam has been postponed — so if you’ve already applied, stay patient and keep checking ssc.gov.in.
• Qualification needed is just 10th pass, and the age bracket is 18 to 23 years. One of the most accessible central government jobs out there.

SSC Phase XIV (Selection Posts) 2026 — Something for Everyone

• This is SSC’s most flexible recruitment drive because it covers posts across multiple qualification levels — from Matric (10th) all the way to Post-Graduation.
• The Phase XIV notification dropped in March 2026, with applications open through April 2026.
• Age limit sits at 18–30 years as of 1st January 2026, with the usual relaxations for SC, ST, OBC, and EWS candidates.
• The application fee is ₹100 for General and OBC candidates. Women and SC/ST applicants are completely exempt.

SSC CHSL 2026 — The 12th Pass Favourite

• CHSL (Combined Higher Secondary Level) is the go-to exam for aspirants who’ve cleared 12th board and want to enter central government service without waiting for a degree.
• Posts under this exam include Lower Division Clerk, Junior Secretariat Assistant, Postal/Sorting Assistants, and Data Entry Operators.
• The Tier 2 exam date has already been announced for the 2025 batch — the 2026 notification is expected to follow the same calendar rhythm.
• Vacancy numbers under CHSL tend to be among the highest in SSC’s annual lineup, so this one is always worth tracking.

SSC MTS 2026 — Entry-Level, but Don’t Underestimate It

• Multi-Tasking Staff posts are open to 10th pass candidates and are one of the most popular starting points for young aspirants from smaller towns and cities.
• The 2026 admit cards have been released — if you’ve registered, your exam city and date details are now available for download on the official portal.
• It’s a straightforward exam with a clear syllabus, and the job itself comes with all the perks of a central government posting.

SSC JHT 2025 — For the Language-Skilled Ones

• If you have a strong grip on Hindi translation, SSC has opened 437 vacancies under the Junior Hindi Translator (JHT) exam.
• The notification is already out — don’t sleep on this one if you have the right academic background in Hindi or Sanskrit.

Who Can Apply — the Basics

• Most SSC exams need candidates to be between 18 and 30 years of age, though the upper limit varies post to post.
• SC, ST, OBC, EWS, and Ex-Servicemen categories all get age relaxations — and in some posts, even sons and daughters of ex-servicemen get special consideration.
• Educational qualifications range from 10th pass (MTS, GD) to graduation (CGL), depending on the role.

How to Apply — Step by Step

• Visit the official SSC website: ssc.gov.in
• Register or log in to the SSC candidate portal (OTR registration).
• Fill in personal, educational, and contact details accurately.
• Upload your photograph and signature in the prescribed format.
• Pay the application fee online via Debit Card, Credit Card, Net Banking, or UPI.
• Review your form carefully and submit — then save a printout.

The Bottom Line

SSC 2026 is shaping up to be one of the busiest recruitment cycles in recent years. Whether you’re a fresh 10th pass aspirant eyeing GD Constable or a graduate targeting CGL, the window is open. Stay consistent with your preparation, bookmark the official website, and don’t let a single notification slip by.

Official Website: ssc.gov.in