SSC CGL 2026 Notification: 12,256 Posts, Apply & New Pattern
SSC CGL 2026 Notification: 12,256 Posts, Apply Online, Exam Date & New Pattern
The Staff Selection Commission released the official Combined Graduate Level Examination 2026 notification on 21 May 2026, with approximately 12,256 vacancies for Group B and Group C posts across central government departments. The online application window is open right now, from 21 May to 22 June 2026.
Every figure below is taken straight from the official notification (F. No. HQ-C11018/1/2026-C-1), not from secondary sources. This guide covers the exact dates, eligibility, post-wise pay, the new sectional-timing pattern, and how to apply, point by point.
SSC CGL 2026 Overview
| Detail | Information (per official notification) |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | Staff Selection Commission (SSC) |
| Examination | Combined Graduate Level Examination, 2026 |
| Total Vacancies | Approx. 12,256 (tentative) |
| Posts | Group B and Group C posts in central government departments |
| Application Mode | Online only, at ssc.gov.in |
| Application Fee | ₹100 (several categories exempt) |
| Selection Stages | Tier-I (Computer Based) and Tier-II (Computer Based) |
| Helpline | 1800 309 3063 (Toll Free) |
| Official Website | ssc.gov.in |
SSC CGL 2026 Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification released | 21 May 2026 |
| Online application start | 21 May 2026 |
| Last date to apply | 22 June 2026 (23:00 hours) |
| Last date for fee payment | 23 June 2026 (23:00 hours) |
| Application correction window | 29 June to 1 July 2026 (23:00 hours) |
| Tier-I exam (tentative) | August to September 2026 |
| Tier-II exam (tentative) | December 2026 |
Application Fee
- Fee payable is ₹100 (one hundred rupees only).
- Women candidates are exempt from the fee.
- SC, ST, ESM eligible for reservation, and PwBD candidates are also exempt.
- Fee is paid online while submitting the form, and the last date for payment is 23 June 2026.
Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
- A Bachelor's Degree from a recognised University is the base qualification for most posts.
- Junior Statistical Officer needs a degree with Statistics as one of the subjects, as per the notification's specific conditions.
- Statistical Investigator Grade-II and a few other posts have their own subject requirements.
- Final-year students can apply, but must possess the essential qualification as on 1 August 2026.
Age Limit (varies by post)
- 18 to 27 years for many Group C posts such as Auditor, Accountant, Tax Assistant, Upper Division Clerk and Sub-Inspector.
- 18 to 30 years for several Group B posts.
- 20 to 30 years for Assistant Section Officer in CSS, Railways, MEA and AFHQ.
- Age is reckoned with the crucial date of 1 August 2026, with category-wise relaxation as per rules.
SSC CGL 2026 Posts
- Assistant Audit Officer and Assistant Accounts Officer (the highest pay level, Group B Gazetted).
- Assistant Section Officer in CSS, Intelligence Bureau, Railways, MEA, AFHQ and MeitY.
- Inspector of Income Tax (CBDT) and Inspector posts in CBIC (CGST and Central Excise, Preventive Officer, Examiner).
- Assistant Enforcement Officer and Sub-Inspector in CBI.
- Junior Statistical Officer, Auditor, Accountant, Tax Assistant and Upper Division Clerk.
SSC CGL 2026 Salary (Pay Levels)
| Pay Level | Pay Range | Example Posts |
|---|---|---|
| Level 8 | ₹47,600 to ₹1,51,100 | Assistant Audit Officer, Assistant Accounts Officer |
| Level 7 | ₹44,900 to ₹1,42,400 | Assistant Section Officer, Inspector posts |
| Level 6 | ₹35,400 to ₹1,12,400 | Assistant, Sub-Inspector and similar |
| Level 5 | ₹29,200 to ₹92,300 | Auditor, Accountant, JSO and similar |
| Level 4 | ₹25,500 to ₹81,100 | Tax Assistant, Upper Division Clerk |
These are pay-matrix ranges. Actual in-hand salary depends on the posting city's HRA and the applicable DA, but Level 7 and Level 8 posts are the genuine reason SSC CGL stays the most chased graduate exam in the country.
What Changed: New Sectional Timing
- Tier-I now has a sectional timer of 15 minutes for each of the four subjects.
- This means you cannot park time from an easy section to spend on a hard one.
- Tier-II Paper-I also runs on sectional timers, section by section.
- If you trained on the old "manage the full hour yourself" style, your strategy needs a reset.
This single change rewards balanced preparation. Being strong in Maths no longer covers a weak General Awareness, because the clock closes each section on its own.
SSC CGL 2026 Tier-I Exam Pattern
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 25 | 50 |
| General Awareness | 25 | 50 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 50 |
| English Comprehension | 25 | 50 |
| Total | 100 | 200 |
- Total time is 1 hour, with a sectional timer of 15 minutes for each subject.
- Negative marking is 0.50 marks for each wrong answer.
- Questions are set in English and Hindi, except the English Comprehension section.
- Maths Part A is matriculation level and English is 10+2 level.
SSC CGL 2026 Tier-II Exam Pattern
Tier-II has Paper-I, Paper-II and Paper-III, conducted in separate sessions or days.
- Paper-I: compulsory for all posts.
- Paper-II: only for Junior Statistical Officer and Statistical Investigator Grade-II.
- Paper-III: only for Assistant Audit Officer and Assistant Accounts Officer.
Tier-II Paper-I Structure
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Section-I: Mathematical Abilities (30) + Reasoning & General Intelligence (30) | 60 | 180 |
| Section-II: English Language & Comprehension (45) + General Awareness (25) | 70 | 210 |
| Section-III: Computer Knowledge Test (qualifying) | 20 | 60 |
| Section-IV: Data Entry Speed Test (qualifying) | - | - |
- Each scored question carries 3 marks in Paper-I Sections I and II.
- Negative marking is 1 mark for each wrong answer in Sections I, II and III.
- Computer Knowledge Test and Data Entry Speed Test are qualifying in nature.
- You must qualify all sections of Paper-I separately.
Tier-II Paper-II and Paper-III
- Paper-II (Statistics): 100 questions, 200 marks, 2 hours, for JSO and Statistical Investigator posts.
- Paper-III (General Studies, Finance and Economics): 100 questions, 200 marks, 2 hours, for AAO and AAccO posts.
- Negative marking in Paper-II and Paper-III is 0.50 marks per wrong answer.
- Both papers are at graduation level.
How to Apply for SSC CGL 2026
- Register on the SSC portal at ssc.gov.in if you are a new user, using a valid email and mobile number.
- Log in and fill the SSC CGL 2026 application form with your personal and academic details.
- Upload your photograph and signature in the prescribed format.
- Pay the ₹100 fee online, unless you fall in an exempt category.
- Submit before 22 June 2026 (23:00 hours) and save a printout for your records.
- If you spot an error later, use the correction window from 29 June to 1 July 2026.
Selection Process
- Tier-I: Computer-based, screening and qualifying for the next stage.
- Tier-II: Computer-based, the merit-deciding stage with Paper-I, II and III as applicable.
- Document Verification: conducted by the user departments after results.
- Physical and Medical Standards: ascertained by user departments for posts that require them.
Preparation Strategy
- Adjust to sectional timing first. Practice each section in its own 15-minute window, not as one open hour.
- Do not let a weak section hide behind a strong one. Balance is now mandatory.
- Build General Awareness daily, since it has the same weight as Maths and English in Tier-I.
- Solve previous year papers in the exact new pattern before attempting full mocks.
- Start your preparation now. Tier-I is only two to three months away.
Mock Test & Practice Strategy
The pattern changed, so old mocks without sectional timing will mislead you. Use mocks that lock each section to its timer. ExamAtlas has free SSC CGL mock tests built on the 2026 pattern with AI analytics that show your section-wise accuracy and time use, which is exactly what you need to adapt to the sectional clock before the real exam.
FAQs
How many vacancies are there in SSC CGL 2026?
SSC CGL 2026 has approximately 12,256 tentative vacancies for Group B and Group C posts across central government departments. The exact post-wise and category-wise vacancies will be published on ssc.gov.in later, as the Commission is still collecting them from indenting departments.
What is the last date to apply for SSC CGL 2026?
The last date to submit the SSC CGL 2026 online application is 22 June 2026 by 23:00 hours, and the last date for online fee payment is 23 June 2026. A correction window is available from 29 June to 1 July 2026 for candidates who need to edit their forms.
What is new in the SSC CGL 2026 exam pattern?
The key change is sectional timing. Tier-I now has a 15-minute timer for each of the four subjects, and Tier-II Paper-I also runs section by section. You can no longer carry saved time from one section into another, so balanced preparation across all subjects matters more than before.
What is the age limit for SSC CGL 2026?
The age limit varies by post. Many Group C posts require 18 to 27 years, several Group B posts allow 18 to 30 years, and Assistant Section Officer posts in CSS, Railways, MEA and AFHQ require 20 to 30 years. Age is reckoned as on 1 August 2026 with category relaxation as per rules.
What is the salary for SSC CGL posts?
SSC CGL salaries span Pay Level 4 to Level 8. Assistant Audit Officer and Assistant Accounts Officer fall in Level 8 with a pay range of ₹47,600 to ₹1,51,100, while Tax Assistant and Upper Division Clerk are in Level 4 at ₹25,500 to ₹81,100. Actual in-hand pay depends on city HRA and applicable DA.
Is SSC CGL Tier-I qualifying or scoring?
Tier-I is a computer-based screening stage that shortlists candidates for Tier-II. The final merit is decided by Tier-II, where Paper-I is compulsory and Paper-II or Paper-III apply only to specific posts like JSO and Assistant Audit Officer. Treat Tier-I as the gate to the scoring stage.
Final Word
SSC CGL 2026 stays the top graduate-level government exam for a reason: Level 7 and Level 8 posts with strong pay and growth, across 12,256 seats. The notification rewards candidates who read it carefully, especially the new sectional-timing rule that quietly changes how you should practice.
Apply before 22 June, then move straight to pattern-matched mocks. Try the free SSC CGL daily quiz on ExamAtlas to keep General Awareness sharp through the run-up to the August Tier-I.