SSC CGL Recruitment 2026 notification is out for 12,256 vacancies. Graduate candidates can apply online from 21 May to 22 June 2026 at ssc.gov.in. Check eligibility, salary & selection process.
SSC CGL Recruitment 2026: 12,256 Government Jobs Open for Graduates Across India
If you have been waiting for the big one — this is it. The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has officially released the SSC CGL 2026 Notification on 21 May 2026, inviting online applications for approximately 12,256 Group B and Group C posts across various Central Government Ministries and Departments. The application window is live right now and stays open until 22 June 2026.
SSC CGL is one of the most competitive and respected central government examinations in India. Every year, lakhs of graduates fight for these seats — and honestly, the effort is absolutely worth it. Permanent government jobs, solid pay, allowances, and career growth? That’s not a bad deal at all.
Whether you are eyeing a desk job at a Ministry, an Inspector role at Income Tax or Customs, or a statistical position — this notification covers them all. Let’s break down everything you need to know.
SSC CGL 2026 – Recruitment Overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Organisation Name | Staff Selection Commission (SSC), New Delhi |
| Examination Name | Combined Graduate Level Examination, 2026 (SSC CGL 2026) |
| Advertisement No. | F. No. HQ-C11018/1/2026-C-1 dated 21-05-2026 |
| Post Names | Assistant Section Officer, Inspector (IT/CE), Sub Inspector (CBI/NIA), Junior Statistical Officer, Assistant Audit Officer, Tax Assistant, Auditor, Accountant, Postal Assistant, and more |
| Total Vacancies | Approximately 12,256 (tentative) |
| Post Group | Group B (Gazetted & Non-Gazetted) and Group C |
| Pay Scale | Pay Level 4 (₹25,500–₹81,100) to Pay Level 8 (₹47,600–₹1,51,100) |
| Application Mode | Online only at ssc.gov.in or mY SSC mobile app |
| Qualification Required | Bachelor’s Degree from a recognised University |
| Application Start Date | 21 May 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 22 June 2026 (11:00 PM) |
| Official Website | https://ssc.gov.in |
Important Highlights
- SSC CGL 2026 notification officially released on 21 May 2026
- Total 12,256 tentative vacancies across multiple Ministries and Departments
- Online applications accepted from 21 May to 22 June 2026
- Fee payment deadline: 23 June 2026 (11:00 PM)
- Correction window available: 29 June to 01 July 2026
- Age calculated as on 01 August 2026
- Tier-I exam tentatively in August–September 2026, Tier-II in December 2026
- Application fee: ₹100 for General/OBC/EWS males; women, SC/ST, PwBD, and Ex-Servicemen are fully exempted
- Both tiers are Computer Based Examinations (CBE) with negative marking
SSC CGL 2026 – Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release Date | 21 May 2026 |
| Application Start Date | 21 May 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 22 June 2026 (11:00 PM) |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | 23 June 2026 (11:00 PM) |
| Correction Window (with fee) | 29 June – 01 July 2026 (11:00 PM) |
| Age Cut-off Date | 01 August 2026 |
| Qualification Cut-off Date | 01 August 2026 |
| Tier-I CBE (Tentative) | August – September 2026 |
| Tier-II CBE (Tentative) | December 2026 |
SSC CGL 2026 – Vacancy Details
The vacancies span multiple Pay Levels, and the posts are distributed across different Ministries and Central Government bodies. Here’s a structured look:
Your Trusted Source of Truth
Pay Level 8 – Group B Gazetted (₹47,600–₹1,51,100)
| Post Name | Department | Age Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Assistant Audit Officer (Central Cadre) | Indian Audit & Accounts Dept. (C&AG) | 18–30 years |
| Assistant Audit Officer (State Cadre) | Indian Audit & Accounts Dept. (C&AG) | 18–30 years |
| Assistant Accounts Officer (State Cadre) | Indian Audit & Accounts Dept. (C&AG) | 18–30 years |
Pay Level 7 – Group B (₹44,900–₹1,42,400)
Key posts at this level include Assistant Section Officer (Central Secretariat, MEA, Railways, IB, AFHQ, MeitY), Inspector of Income Tax (CBDT), Inspector (Central Excise, Preventive Officer, Examiner) under CBIC, Assistant Enforcement Officer (ED), Sub Inspector (CBI), Inspector (Posts), and Inspector (Central Bureau of Narcotics). Age limit is generally 18–30 years, with Sub Inspector (CBI) and some ASO posts requiring 20–30 years.
Pay Level 6 – Group B (₹35,400–₹1,12,400)
This includes Sub Inspector (NIA), Sub Inspector/Junior Intelligence Officer (NCB), Junior Statistical Officer or JSO (Ministry of Statistics & PI — age 18–32 years), Statistical Investigator Grade-II (MHA), Divisional Accountant (C&AG), Section Head (DGFT), Research Assistant (NHRC), and Executive Assistant (CBIC).
Pay Level 5 – Group C (₹29,200–₹92,300)
Posts here include Auditor and Accountant positions under C&AG, CGDA, and other Ministries/Departments. Age limit is 18–27 years.
Pay Level 4 – Group C (₹25,500–₹81,100)
This is where the highest volume of vacancies typically sits. Posts include Postal Assistant/Sorting Assistant (Dept. of Posts), Senior Secretariat Assistant/Upper Division Clerk (Central Govt. offices), Senior Administrative Assistant (Military Engineering Services), Tax Assistant (CBDT & CBIC), and Sub-Inspector (Central Bureau of Narcotics). Age limit is 18–27 years.
Note: Post-wise and category-wise vacancy breakup will be updated on the SSC website. Detailed state or zone-wise distribution is not collected by SSC — candidates can check with the respective User Departments. Final post allotment is based on merit and candidates’ post preferences.
SSC CGL 2026 – Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
Most posts require a Bachelor’s Degree from a recognised University as on 01 August 2026. Some specific conditions apply:
- Junior Statistical Officer (JSO): Bachelor’s Degree with at least 60% marks in Mathematics at 12th level, OR a degree with Statistics as one of the subjects.
- Statistical Investigator Grade-II: Degree in Statistics, Mathematics, Economics, Demography, IT, Computer Science, Data Science, AI, or related fields.
- Assistant Audit Officer / Assistant Accounts Officer: Bachelor’s Degree is mandatory. Desirable qualifications include CA, CMA, CS, M.Com, MBA (Finance), or M.B.E.
- Final year candidates may apply, but they must have the degree in hand by 01 August 2026.
- Distance Learning degrees are valid only if the programme was approved by the Distance Education Bureau (DEB), UGC.
Nationality
Candidates must be citizens of India. Subjects/persons of specified neighbouring countries may also be eligible under prescribed Government rules.
Gender Restriction for BRO Posts
Only male candidates are eligible for vacancies reported under Border Roads Organization.
SSC CGL 2026 – Age Limit
Age will be reckoned as on 01 August 2026. Date of birth will be taken from Matriculation/Secondary School Certificate only.
| Age Bracket | Date of Birth Range (Both Inclusive) |
|---|---|
| 18–27 years (Group C posts) | 02 Aug 1999 to 01 Aug 2008 |
| 18–30 years (Most Group B posts) | 02 Aug 1996 to 01 Aug 2008 |
| 20–30 years (ASO, Sub Inspector CBI) | 02 Aug 1996 to 01 Aug 2006 |
| 18–32 years (JSO) | 02 Aug 1994 to 01 Aug 2008 |
Age Relaxation
| Category | Relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC / ST | 5 years |
| OBC | 3 years |
| PwBD (General) | 10 years |
| PwBD (OBC) | 13 years |
| PwBD (SC/ST) | 15 years |
| Ex-Servicemen | 3 years after deduction of military service |
| Central Govt. Employees (3+ years regular service, Group C posts) | Up to 40 years of age |
| Central Govt. Employees SC/ST (3+ years regular service, Group C posts) | Up to 45 years of age |
| Widows / Divorced Women (not remarried) | Up to 35 years |
| Widows / Divorced Women SC/ST (not remarried) | Up to 40 years |
SSC CGL 2026 – Salary Details
One of the biggest attractions of SSC CGL is the pay structure under the 7th Pay Commission. Here is what candidates can look forward to:
| Pay Level | Basic Pay Range | Applicable Posts |
|---|---|---|
| Pay Level 4 | ₹25,500 – ₹81,100 | Tax Assistant, Postal Assistant, UDC, Senior Admin Assistant |
| Pay Level 5 | ₹29,200 – ₹92,300 | Auditor, Accountant |
| Pay Level 6 | ₹35,400 – ₹1,12,400 | JSO, Statistical Investigator, Sub Inspector (NIA/NCB), Divisional Accountant |
| Pay Level 7 | ₹44,900 – ₹1,42,400 | ASO, Inspector IT/CE, AEO, Sub Inspector CBI, Inspector Posts |
| Pay Level 8 | ₹47,600 – ₹1,51,100 | Assistant Audit Officer, Assistant Accounts Officer |
On top of this basic pay, employees also receive House Rent Allowance (HRA), Dearness Allowance (DA), Transport Allowance, medical benefits, and pension — making the total package quite attractive, especially for positions in metro cities.
SSC CGL 2026 – Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS (Male) | ₹100/- (Non-Refundable) |
| Women (All Categories) | NIL – Fully Exempted |
| SC / ST | NIL – Fully Exempted |
| PwBD (Persons with Benchmark Disabilities) | NIL – Fully Exempted |
| Ex-Servicemen eligible for reservation | NIL – Fully Exempted |
Payment must be made online through BHIM UPI, Net Banking, or debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, RuPay). Once paid, the fee will not be refunded under any circumstances.
Correction Window Fee:
- First correction: ₹200/-
- Second correction: ₹500/- This fee applies to all candidates, even those who were originally exempted from the application fee.
SSC CGL 2026 – Selection Process
Selection happens through a two-tier Computer Based Examination (CBE). Scores from multiple shifts will be normalised using the standard SSC procedure. No re-evaluation or re-checking is available at any stage.
Tier-I: Computer Based Examination
| Subject | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 25 | 50 | 60 min total (15 min per section) |
| General Awareness | 25 | 50 | — |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 50 | — |
| English Comprehension | 25 | 50 | — |
| Total | 100 | 200 | 60 min (80 min for PwBD with scribe) |
Tier-I uses MCQ/objective-type questions. Paper is set in English and Hindi, except the English Comprehension section. Negative marking: 0.50 marks per wrong answer.
Tier-II: Computer Based Examination
Tier-II runs across separate shifts or days with three Papers:
Paper-I (Compulsory for all posts)
| Section | Topics | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Section-I | Mathematical Abilities + Reasoning & General Intelligence | 30 + 30 = 60 | 180 |
| Section-II | English Language & Comprehension + General Awareness | 45 + 25 = 70 | 210 |
| Section-III | Computer Knowledge Test (qualifying, mandatory) | 20 | 60 |
| Section-IV | Data Entry Speed Test – DEST (qualifying, mandatory) | — | — |
Paper-II – Only for JSO / Statistical Investigator posts (Statistics, 100 questions, 200 marks, 2 hours)
Paper-III – Only for AAO / Assistant Accounts Officer posts (General Studies – Finance & Economics, 100 questions, 200 marks, 2 hours)
Tier-II Negative Marking: 1 mark per wrong answer in Sections I, II, III of Paper-I; 0.50 marks in Paper-II and Paper-III.
Candidates must qualify each section of Paper-I separately. The Computer Knowledge Test (CKT) and Data Entry Speed Test (DEST) are qualifying in nature but eliminating if not cleared — especially for posts in CSS, MEA, CBIC, and Postal departments.
SSC CGL 2026 – Required Documents
Keep the following documents ready for Document Verification after final selection:
- Matriculation/Secondary School Certificate (date of birth proof)
- Graduation mark sheets for all semesters/years + Degree/Provisional Certificate
- SC/ST Certificate in the format prescribed in the notification
- OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) Certificate in prescribed format (valid as on closing date of application)
- EWS Income & Asset Certificate valid for FY 2026–27 (based on FY 2025–26 income)
- PwBD Disability Certificate from a competent authority
- Ex-Serviceman discharge certificate and related documents
- Equivalence certificate (if qualification is other than a standard degree)
- DEB/UGC approval letter (for Distance Learning degree holders)
- Language proficiency certificate (for AAO State Cadre positions)
How to Apply for SSC CGL 2026
The entire application process is online only at ssc.gov.in or via the mY SSC mobile app (available on Google Play Store). No other mode is accepted.
Step 1: Visit the official SSC website at https://ssc.gov.in
Step 2: Generate your One-Time Registration (OTR). If you have not created OTR on the new SSC portal, do this first. Aadhaar-based authentication during OTR is strongly recommended — it offers major benefits like exemption from photo/signature rejection and no photo ID requirement at the exam centre.
Step 3: Complete your OTR profile and lock it after verifying all details.
Step 4: Fill the Common Application Form (CAF). A live photograph will be captured via camera during this stage.
Step 5: Upload your scanned signature (JPEG/JPG format, 10–20 KB, dimensions 6.0 cm × 2.0 cm).
Step 6: Fill the Examination Specific Module — select your post preferences and choose three exam centres in order of priority, all within the same SSC Region.
Step 7: Pay the application fee of ₹100/- online by 23 June 2026 (if applicable to your category).
Step 8: Preview your complete application form carefully before final submission.
Step 9: Use the correction window (29 June – 01 July 2026) to fix any errors, if needed. Corrections are chargeable.
Step 10: Take a printout of the completed application and retain all documents for a minimum of 3 years.
Helpline: Toll-Free Number 1800 309 3063 | Official Website: https://ssc.gov.in
Why SSC CGL 2026 Is a Career-Defining Opportunity
Let’s be real — not many exams in India offer this kind of breadth. SSC CGL opens the door to positions in the Income Tax Department, CBI, Directorate of Enforcement, Central Secretariat, Ministry of External Affairs, and more. These are not just jobs; they are careers with genuine growth, transfers, promotions, and long-term financial security.
Here is why this recruitment matters more than ever in 2026:
Job security is unmatched. Central Government positions are permanent and protected by service rules. You are not getting fired because quarterly targets weren’t met.
Salary grows with time. With DA revisions, Pay Commission upgrades, and annual increments, total compensation increases steadily throughout your career.
Post-wise career paths are diverse. Clearing CGL at Pay Level 4 and working your way to promotions within 10–15 years is realistic. Some Inspector-level posts even have field roles that keep the job dynamic.
Pension and post-retirement benefits. The National Pension System (NPS) provides structured retirement savings — something missing from most private sector jobs for younger employees.
Transferable posting across India. If you enjoy travelling and living in different cities, central government transfers are a legitimate perk for many.
SSC CGL 2026 – Preparation Tips
Getting into SSC CGL with 12,256 seats sounds comfortable until you realise lakhs of candidates are competing. Here is how to approach preparation smartly:
For Tier-I:
- Quantitative Aptitude and Reasoning are the high-scoring sections — practice speed and accuracy together, not separately.
- The sectional timer (15 minutes per section) in Tier-I is a game-changer. Practice timed mock tests with this exact format.
- General Awareness is memory-based. Dedicate 30–40 minutes daily to current affairs, focusing on the last 6 months before the exam.
- English Comprehension is where many candidates lose marks. Read editorials regularly and work on grammar rules.
For Tier-II:
- Paper-I is where real differentiation happens. Math and English sections carry combined 390 marks — these need consistent daily practice.
- If you are targeting JSO or AAO, Paper-II and Paper-III require deep subject knowledge. Do not leave them for the last moment.
- The Computer Knowledge Test (CKT) and DEST are often underestimated. Practice typing speed and basic computer concepts — they can disqualify candidates who ignore them.
General Advice:
- Start mock tests from the first week of preparation, not after finishing the syllabus.
- Analyse each mock test carefully. Wrong answers in a negative-marking exam are doubly costly.
- Prefer posts based on your strengths and document eligibility — many candidates choose posts they cannot qualify for physically or medically, which leads to disqualification post-allotment.
SSC CGL Recruitment 2026 (FAQs)
Q : What is the last date to apply for SSC CGL 2026?
Ans : The last date for online application submission is 22 June 2026 (11:00 PM). Fee payment can be done up to 23 June 2026 (11:00 PM).
Q : How many vacancies are available in SSC CGL 2026?
Ans : There are approximately 12,256 tentative vacancies for Group B and Group C posts across Central Government Ministries and Departments. Final numbers will be updated on ssc.gov.in.
Q : What is the educational qualification required?
Ans : A Bachelor’s Degree from a recognised university is the minimum requirement for most posts, as on 01 August 2026. JSO requires either 60% marks in Mathematics at 12th standard or a degree with Statistics. Statistical Investigator Grade-II needs a degree in Statistics, Maths, Economics, or related fields.
Q : Can final year students apply for SSC CGL 2026?
Ans : es, candidates in the final year of graduation can apply. However, they must possess the qualifying degree on or before 01 August 2026. If the university declares results after this date, the candidature becomes invalid.
Q : What is the age limit for SSC CGL 2026?
Ans : Age limits vary by post: 18–27 years for Group C, 18–30 or 20–30 years for most Group B posts, and 18–32 years specifically for Junior Statistical Officer. Age is calculated as on 01 August 2026.
Q : What is the application fee?
Ans : General, OBC, and EWS male candidates pay ₹100/- (non-refundable). Women (all categories), SC/ST, PwBD, and Ex-Servicemen eligible for reservation are fully exempted.
Q : What is the selection process for SSC CGL 2026?
Ans : There are two stages: Tier-I (100 questions, 200 marks, 1 hour) and Tier-II (Papers I, II, and III depending on post preference). Both are Computer Based Examinations with negative marking.
Q : When will the SSC CGL 2026 Tier-I exam be held?
Ans : The Tier-I CBE is tentatively scheduled for August–September 2026, and Tier-II is expected in December 2026. Exact dates will be published on the official SSC website.
Q : Is there a correction window after submission?
Ans : Yes, the correction window is open from 29 June to 01 July 2026 (11:00 PM). The first correction costs ₹200/- and the second costs ₹500/-, applicable to all candidates.
Final Words
SSC CGL 2026 is out, and it is one of the biggest central government recruitment drives of the year. With around 12,256 Group B and Group C posts on offer across respected departments like CBDT, CBI, Enforcement Directorate, Ministry of External Affairs, and Indian Audit & Accounts — there is genuinely something for every graduate here.
Before you hit apply, check your eligibility carefully — age, educational qualification, category certificates, and post-specific requirements. Read the official notification PDF from ssc.gov.in at least once in full. Do not rely only on job portal summaries (not even this one) for critical decisions.
Applications close on 22 June 2026 at 11:00 PM. Submit early, because waiting for the last day only invites technical trouble. Prepare smart, stay consistent, and give yourself the best shot at a stable and respected central government career.
