SSC CGL: syllabus, exam pattern & eligibility
Staff Selection Commission Combined Graduate Level Examination. Recruitment to Group 'B' and Group 'C' posts (Pay Levels 4-8) in central Ministries/Departments, constitutional and statutory bodies, e.g. Assistant Audit Officer, Assistant Section Officer, Inspector (Income Tax / Central Excise / Preventive Officer / Examiner), Sub-Inspector (CBI/NIA), Junior Statistical Officer, Auditor, Accountant, Tax Assistant, UDC.
- Category
- SSC
- Conducted by
- Staff Selection Commission (SSC), Government of India
- Level
- Recruitment
- Frequency
- Once a year
- Mode
- CBT
- Languages
- English, Hindi
- Application fee
- ₹100; women, SC, ST, PwBD and ESM eligible for reservation are exempted (2026 notice)
Eligibility
- Education: Bachelor's degree from a recognised university (final-year students may apply but must hold the degree by 01-08-2026). JSO: Bachelor's with at least 60% in Mathematics at 12th level, or Statistics as a degree subject. Statistical Investigator Gr-II: Bachelor's in Statistics/Mathematics/Economics/Demography/Population Studies/OR/IT/CS/Computer Engg/Computer Application/Data Science/AI. AAO/AAO (State Cadre) additionally list desirable professional qualifications.
- Age: Post-wise, as on 01-08-2026: 18-27, 20-30, 18-30 or 18-32 years. Relaxation: SC/ST 5 yrs, OBC 3 yrs, PwBD 10 yrs (OBC 13, SC/ST 15), ESM 3 yrs after deducting service.
- Attempts: No limit (within age limit)
- Nationality: Citizen of India, or subject of Nepal/Bhutan, or specified persons of Indian origin (certificate of eligibility needed). Only male candidates for BRO vacancies.
Exam pattern
Tier-I
60 min · 100 questions · 200 marks
- General Intelligence and Reasoning: 25 questions, 50 marks
- General Awareness: 25 questions, 50 marks
- Quantitative Aptitude: 25 questions, 50 marks
- English Comprehension: 25 questions, 50 marks
Tier-II Paper-I (compulsory for all posts)
150 min · 150 questions · 450 marks
- Section-I A: Mathematical Abilities: 30 questions, 90 marks
- Section-I B: Reasoning and General Intelligence: 30 questions, 90 marks
- Section-II A: English Language and Comprehension: 45 questions, 135 marks
- Section-II B: General Awareness: 25 questions, 75 marks
- Section-III: Computer Knowledge Test: 20 questions, 60 marks
- Section-IV: Data Entry Speed Test
Tier-II Paper-II (Statistics) - only for JSO / Statistical Investigator Gr-II
120 min · 100 questions · 200 marks
- Statistics: 100 questions, 200 marks
Tier-II Paper-III (General Studies - Finance and Economics) - only for AAO / AAO (Accounts)
120 min · 100 questions · 200 marks
- Part A: Finance and Accounts, 80 marks
- Part B: Economics and Governance, 120 marks
Syllabus
General Intelligence and Reasoning
Verbal and non-verbal reasoning (Tier-I & Tier-II)
General Awareness
General awareness (Tier-I & Tier-II)
Quantitative Aptitude / Mathematical Abilities
Number systems, Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Mensuration, Trigonometry, Statistics and probability
English Comprehension / English Language
English (Tier-I & Tier-II)
Computer Knowledge (Tier-II Section-III)
Computer basics, Software, Internet and e-mail, Networking and cyber security
Statistics (Tier-II Paper-II)
Statistics
General Studies - Finance and Economics (Tier-II Paper-III)
Part A: Finance and Accounts (80 marks), Part B: Economics and Governance (120 marks)
Important dates (2026)
- Notification / application opens: 2026-05-21
- Application closes (original): 2026-06-22
- Application window re-opened (reported): 2026-06-23
- Application closes (extended, reported): 2026-06-25
- Application correction window (reported, revised): 2026-07-01
- Exam city intimation: 2026-09-21
- Revised tentative vacancies (10,731) (reported): 2026-09-24
- Tier-I exam starts: 2026-09-30
- Tier-I exam ends: 2026-10-30
- Tier-II exam (tentative per notice): 2026-12
Selection process
Tier-I (shortlisting, category-wise) -> Tier-II (Paper-I for all; Paper-II for JSO/SI Gr-II; Paper-III for AAO/AAO accounts) -> Document Verification. Final merit on Tier-II scores plus post preference; CKT and DEST qualifying, with higher standards for posts needing computer proficiency / DEST.
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Frequently asked questions
What is SSC CGL?
SSC CGL stands for Staff Selection Commission Combined Graduate Level Examination. Recruitment to Group 'B' and Group 'C' posts (Pay Levels 4-8) in central Ministries/Departments, constitutional and statutory bodies, e.g. Assistant Audit Officer, Assistant Section Officer, Inspector (Income Tax / Central Excise / Preventive Officer / Examiner), Sub-Inspector (CBI/NIA), Junior Statistical Officer, Auditor, Accountant, Tax Assistant, UDC. It is conducted by Staff Selection Commission (SSC), Government of India. Level: Recruitment.
Who is eligible for SSC CGL?
Education: Bachelor's degree from a recognised university (final-year students may apply but must hold the degree by 01-08-2026). JSO: Bachelor's with at least 60% in Mathematics at 12th level, or Statistics as a degree subject. Statistical Investigator Gr-II: Bachelor's in Statistics/Mathematics/Economics/Demography/Population Studies/OR/IT/CS/Computer Engg/Computer Application/Data Science/AI. AAO/AAO (State Cadre) additionally list desirable professional qualifications. Age limit: Post-wise, as on 01-08-2026: 18-27, 20-30, 18-30 or 18-32 years. Relaxation: SC/ST 5 yrs, OBC 3 yrs, PwBD 10 yrs (OBC 13, SC/ST 15), ESM 3 yrs after deducting service. Attempts: No limit (within age limit). Nationality: Citizen of India, or subject of Nepal/Bhutan, or specified persons of Indian origin (certificate of eligibility needed). Only male candidates for BRO vacancies.
What is the exam pattern of SSC CGL?
Tier-I: 60 minutes, 100 questions, 200 marks. Tier-II Paper-I (compulsory for all posts): 150 minutes, 150 questions, 450 marks. Tier-II Paper-II (Statistics) - only for JSO / Statistical Investigator Gr-II: 120 minutes, 100 questions, 200 marks. Tier-II Paper-III (General Studies - Finance and Economics) - only for AAO / AAO (Accounts): 120 minutes, 100 questions, 200 marks. Mode: CBT.
How often is SSC CGL held?
Once a year.
When is SSC CGL held?
2026 cycle: Notification / application opens 2026-05-21; Application closes (original) 2026-06-22; Application window re-opened (reported) 2026-06-23; Application closes (extended, reported) 2026-06-25; Application correction window (reported, revised) 2026-07-01; Exam city intimation 2026-09-21.
How are candidates selected through SSC CGL?
Tier-I (shortlisting, category-wise) -> Tier-II (Paper-I for all; Paper-II for JSO/SI Gr-II; Paper-III for AAO/AAO accounts) -> Document Verification. Final merit on Tier-II scores plus post preference; CKT and DEST qualifying, with higher standards for posts needing computer proficiency / DEST.
What is the application fee for SSC CGL?
₹100; women, SC, ST, PwBD and ESM eligible for reservation are exempted (2026 notice).
Compiled from public sources, last checked 2026-09-25. Dates, fees and rules change, so confirm with the official website before you apply.