Important Note: All information, including vacancy numbers, the selection procedure, and exact dates, will be included in the official notification that will be posted on www.ssc.gov.in. It is recommended that candidates frequently check the official website for updates.
SSC CGL 2026 Eligibility Requirements
Candidates must confirm that they fulfill the basic requirements established by the Staff Selection Commission prior to submitting an application. The SSC CGL Eligibility Criteria 2026 address age restrictions, educational requirements, and nationality.
One of the most popular government job tests in India is the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) Combined Graduate Level (CGL) exam, which draws thousands of graduates hoping to get Group ‘B’ and ‘C’ positions in various central government agencies including the CBI, Customs, Income Tax, and more. Knowing the entire hiring process, from notification to test day, is essential for anyone hoping to land a top job in 2026. You can get the most up-to-date information on the SSC CGL Exam 2026 in this extensive reference.
SSC CGL 2026: Important Dates in Brief
The first step to an effective preparation plan is keeping yourself updated on the crucial dates. Here is the anticipated schedule for the SSC CGL 2026 exam based on recent announcements and past trends, though official dates are subject to change:
Anticipated Dates
Release of Notifications March–May 2026
Period of Online Applications: March–May 2026
Dates of the Tier 1 Exam: May–July 2026
Date of Tier 2 Exam: May–June 2026
1. Citizenship and Nationality
Candidates must be Indian nationals or meet additional SSC-mandated nationality requirements, such as being citizens of Nepal, Bhutan, or Tibetan refugees who arrived in India before to January 1, 1962.
2. Qualifications for Education
A bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or institution is required of candidates. Specialized courses like statistics, math, or commerce may be necessary for some positions. Final-year students are frequently eligible if their graduation results are announced by the likely exam cut-off date, which is anticipated to be January 1, 2026.
3. Maximum Age
Although it differs based on the particular position, the age restriction for SSC CGL 2026 often falls between 18 and 32 years old. According to government regulations, age relaxations are granted to restricted categories:
SC/ST: 5 years
✅ OBC: three years
For individuals with benchmark disabilities (PwBD), the duration is 10 years for general, 13 years for OBC, and 15 years for SC/ST.
✅ Former Military Personnel: 3 years following the deduction of military service
4. Physical Requirements
Candidates must fulfill certain physical and medical fitness requirements, such as those related to height, chest circumference, and eye health, for certain positions like Inspector or Sub-Inspector.
Pattern of the SSC CGL 2026 Exam
There are two levels of the SSC CGL exam, and both are objective computer-based tests (CBT). Tier 2 (Paper-I) establishes the ultimate merit, whereas Tier 1 is qualifying.
Pattern of the Tier 1 Exam (Qualifying)
This online test must be finished in 60 minutes and consists of 4 sections with 100 multiple-choice questions for a total score of 200. For every wrong response, there is a 0.50 mark deduction.
Number of Questions in Each Section Total Points and Time Allotted
Reasoning and General Intelligence 25–50–60 minutes
Awareness in General 25–50
Quantitative Proficiency 25–50
Understanding English 25–50
In total, 100–200
Paper I (required for all positions), Paper II (for Junior Statistical Officer positions), and Paper III (for Assistant Audit Officer/Assistant Accounts Officer positions) make up Tier 2 Exam Pattern (Merit-Based). Paper I, Paper II, and Paper III are subject to negative marking.
Paper I (Required for Every Position)
Question Count for the Session Section ModuleMarks and Duration
First session (two hours and fifteen minutes)Section I Module-I Mathematical Skills 30 90 1 hour Module-II Reasoning and General Intelligence 30 90 Section II Module-I English Language and Comprehension 45 135 1 hour Module-II General Awareness 25 75
Module I Computer Knowledge Test 20–60 (Qualifying) 15 minutes Session II Section IIIModule-II Data Entry Speed Test: 15 minutes for one qualifying data entry task
Paper II: Statistics for Jobs as Junior Statistical Officers (JSOs).
For positions as an assistant audit officer or assistant accounts officer, Paper III: General Studies (Finance & Economics) is required.
SSC CGL 2026 Comprehensive Course Schedule
Targeted preparation for both Tier 1 and Tier 2 exams requires a deep comprehension of the subject.
Tier 1 Syllabus ✅ General Intelligence & Reasoning: Problem-solving, coding-decoding, critical thinking, word construction, series, analogies, symbolic/number classification, spatial orientation, etc.
✅ General Awareness: Current Affairs, Books & Authors, Sports, Important Schemes, History, Culture, Geography, Economic Scene, General Policy, Scientific Research pertaining to India and its neighbors, etc.
✅ Quantitative aptitude: complex topics (Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Mensuration, Statistics & Probability) and basic arithmetic (%, profit & loss, time & work, data interpretation).
Grammar, sentence structure, vocabulary, fill-in-the-blanks, synonyms and antonyms, spelling, idioms and phrases, one-word substitution, active and passive voice, direct and indirect narrative, and comprehension passages are all part of English understanding.Syllabus f0r Tier 2 (Paper-I Modules)
Comparable to Tier 1 Quantitative Aptitude, mathematical abilities place more emphasis on more complex ideas such as algebra, geometry, trigonometry, mensuration, statistics, and probability.
✅ General Intelligence and Reasoning: Kind of like Tier 1, but a little harder.
✅ English Language and Comprehension: a thorough grasp of vocabulary and syntax, advanced comprehension, parajumbles, cloze tests, active/passive voice, and direct/indirect communication.
✅ General Awareness: More attention to specific general science, history, geography, politization, six to nine months of current affairs, government programs, and static general knowledge.
Computer Knowledge Test: Fundamentals of networking, cybersecurity, hardware, and software (MS Office). Although required, this module is qualifying in nature.
Candidates are advised to consult the comprehensive curriculum included in the official notification for Paper-II (Statistics) and Paper-III (General Studies – Finance & Economics). Data collection and classification, central tendency and dispersion measures, correlation and regression, probability theory, sampling theory, statistical inference, and other topics are covered in statistics classes.
Current Developments and Patterns for SSC CGL 2026
The Staff Selection Commission is always working to make the examination procedure better. Current updates consist of:
✅ New Biometric Authentication based on Aadhaar: Aadhaar authentication is voluntary at registration, application submission, and testing locations.
The’mySSC’ mobile application is a new tool that lets candidates apply for CGL, complete One-Time Registration (OTR), and authenticate using their Aadhaar face and OTP.
✅ New Positions: Office Superintendent at the Central Board of Direct Taxes and Section Head at the Directorate General of Foreign Trade.
✅ “Sliding Scheme” Proposal: If chosen applicants do not join, a waiting-list system is suggested to cover all posted openings.
✅ Modifications to Disability Support: PwBD applicants must provide original disability certificates to the testing location if they want a scribe or more time.
For graduates, the SSC CGL Exam 2026 is a fantastic chance to earn a steady and reputable job in government service. Candidates should start preparing as soon as possible, as the notice is anticipated in March–May 2026 and Tier 1 in May–July 2026.
