The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has officially released its notification for the Combined Graduate Level Examination 2026 (CGLE 2026). This exam opens doors to a wide range of prestigious posts across various central government ministries and departments.
This year, SSC is looking to fill around 12,256 vacancies in Group B and Group C posts. Online applications started on 21 May 2026 and the last date to apply is 22 June 2026. Whether you are a fresh graduate or have been preparing for government exams for a while, this is the right time to act.
SSC CGL 2026 – Quick Overview
| Exam Name | SSC Combined Graduate Level Examination 2026 |
| Conducting Body | Staff Selection Commission (SSC) |
| Total Vacancies | 12,256 (Tentative) |
| Post Type | Group B and Group C |
| Educational Qualification | Bachelor’s Degree |
| Application Mode | Online Only |
| Apply Start Date | 21 May 2026 |
| Apply Last Date | 22 June 2026 |
SSC CGL 2026 – Posts and Salary
SSC CGL covers a wide range of posts from Pay Level 4 to Pay Level 8. This means the monthly salary can range from ₹25,500 to ₹1,51,100, depending on the post you qualify for. Let’s look at what each Pay Level offers:
| Pay Level | Monthly Salary (₹) | Key Posts |
|---|---|---|
| Pay Level 8 | 47,600 – 1,51,100 | Assistant Audit Officer, Assistant Accounts Officer (C&AG) |
| Pay Level 7 | 44,900 – 1,42,400 | Inspector of Income Tax, Inspector (CBIC), Sub-Inspector (CBI), ASO (CSS, IB, MEA) |
| Pay Level 6 | 35,400 – 1,12,400 | Junior Statistical Officer, Sub-Inspector (NIA, NCB), Divisional Accountant |
| Pay Level 5 | 29,200 – 92,300 | Auditor (C&AG, CGDA), Accountant, Junior Accountant |
| Pay Level 4 | 25,500 – 81,100 | Tax Assistant, Postal Assistant, Upper Division Clerk (UDC) |
As you can see, the top posts like Assistant Audit Officer and Inspector of Income Tax offer very attractive salaries along with government perks like HRA, DA, medical benefits, and job security.
Who Can Apply? – Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
You need a Bachelor’s Degree in any subject from a recognised university or institute. Final-year students can also apply, but they must complete their graduation by 1 August 2026.
Some posts have additional requirements:
- Junior Statistical Officer (JSO): You must have scored at least 60% in Mathematics at Class 12, OR studied Statistics as a subject in graduation.
- Assistant Audit Officer / Assistant Accounts Officer: Candidates with CA, CMA, CS, M.Com, or MBA (Finance) have an added advantage.
Age Limit (as on 01 August 2026)
The age requirement varies by post:
| Age Range | Posts |
|---|---|
| 18 to 27 years | Most Group C posts |
| 18 to 30 years | Inspector-level and equivalent posts |
| 20 to 30 years | Some specific posts |
| 18 to 32 years | Certain other posts |
Age Relaxation:
- SC/ST candidates: 5 years extra
- OBC candidates: 3 years extra
- PwBD candidates: 10 years extra
- Ex-Servicemen and other reserved categories: as per government rules
Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS | ₹100 |
| Women | Exempted (No fee) |
| SC / ST | Exempted (No fee) |
| PwBD (Persons with Disability) | Exempted (No fee) |
| Ex-Servicemen (ESM) | Exempted (No fee) |
The fee can be paid online through BHIM UPI, Net Banking, or Debit Cards (Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, RuPay). The fee payment deadline is 23 June 2026 by 11 PM. Please note that the fee once paid will not be refunded under any circumstances.
How to Apply for SSC CGL 2026? – Step-by-Step Guide
Applying for SSC CGL 2026 is fully online. Follow these simple steps:
- Register on the SSC Portal – Go to the official SSC website. If you have not registered before, complete the One-Time Registration (OTR) process. Note: OTRs from the old SSC website will not work. You must register fresh on the new portal.
- Complete OTR – During registration, you will need a valid mobile number, email ID, and Aadhaar-based verification.
- Log In and Select the Exam – After registration, log in and choose Combined Graduate Level Examination, 2026 from the active recruitment list.
- Fill in Your Details – Enter your personal, educational, and post-preference details carefully.
- Capture Live Photograph – The application module will take a live photo. Sit in good lighting, without a cap or glasses.
- Upload Signature – Upload a clear scanned signature in JPEG/JPG format (size: 10–20 KB).
- Choose Exam Centres – Select three preferred centres from the same region, in order of priority.
- Pay the Application Fee – Pay ₹100 online. Exempted candidates can skip this step.
- Submit and Save – Click submit and download the confirmation page. Keep it safe for future reference.
Correction Window
Made a mistake in your form? SSC will open a correction window from 29 June to 1 July 2026. However, corrections are not free:
| Correction Attempt | Charge |
|---|---|
| First Correction | ₹200 |
| Second Correction | ₹500 |
SSC CGL 2026 Exam Pattern
Tier-I (Online Objective Test)
| Subject | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 25 | 50 | 60 Minutes Total |
| General Awareness | 25 | 50 | |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 50 | |
| English Comprehension | 25 | 50 | |
| Total | 100 | 200 |
- Questions are multiple-choice type.
- Paper is available in both English and Hindi (except English Comprehension).
- Negative marking: 0.50 marks deducted for each wrong answer.
Tier-II (Advanced Level Online Test)
Tier-II has three papers:
- Paper-I – Compulsory for all candidates. Covers Mathematical Abilities, Reasoning, English Language, General Awareness, Computer Knowledge Test (qualifying), and Data Entry Speed Test (qualifying).
- Paper-II – Only for JSO and Statistical Investigator Grade-II candidates.
- Paper-III – Only for Assistant Audit Officer and Assistant Accounts Officer candidates.
Negative marking in Tier-II:
- Paper-I (Sections I, II, III): 1 mark per wrong answer
- Paper-II and Paper-III: 0.50 marks per wrong answer
Important Dates at a Glance
| Notification Released | 21 May 2026 |
| Application Opens | 21 May 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 22 June 2026 (11 PM) |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | 23 June 2026 (11 PM) |
| Correction Window | 29 June – 1 July 2026 |
| Tier-I Exam | August – September 2026 |
| Tier-II Exam | December 2026 |
Useful Web-Links of SSC CGL Recruitment
| Application Form | Registration | Login |
| Official Notification | Click Here |
| Official Website | Click Here |
| WhatsApp Channel | Click Here |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What is the last date to apply for SSC CGL 2026?
The last date to submit the online application is 22 June 2026 by 11 PM. The fee payment window closes on 23 June 2026 by 11 PM.
Q2. How many vacancies are there in SSC CGL 2026?
SSC has announced approximately 12,256 vacancies for Group B and Group C posts. The exact post-wise and category-wise vacancy list will be published separately by SSC.
Q3. Can final-year graduation students apply for SSC CGL 2026?
Yes, final-year students can apply. However, they must complete their graduation degree by 1 August 2026 to be eligible.
Q4. Is there any application fee for female candidates?
No. Women candidates are completely exempted from paying any application fee. SC, ST, PwBD, and Ex-Servicemen candidates are also exempted.
Q5. What is the selection process for SSC CGL 2026?
The selection is based on a two-tier computer-based exam — Tier-I and Tier-II. Tier-II also includes a Computer Knowledge Test (CKT) and Data Entry Speed Test (DEST), both of which are qualifying in nature.
Q6. What is the minimum age to apply for SSC CGL 2026?
The minimum age is 18 years for most posts (as on 01 August 2026). The upper age limit varies between 27 to 32 years, depending on the post.
Q7. What documents are needed for SSC CGL 2026 application?
You will need a valid mobile number, email ID, Aadhaar number for OTR, and a scanned signature (JPEG/JPG, 10–20 KB). A live photograph is captured during the application process.
Q8. How many times can I correct my application form?
SSC allows a maximum of two corrections during the correction window (29 June – 1 July 2026). The first correction costs ₹200 and the second costs ₹500.
Q9. When will the SSC CGL 2026 Tier-I exam be held?
The Tier-I exam is scheduled for August to September 2026. Tier-II is expected in December 2026.