The SSC Combined Graduate Level (CGL) 2026 notification is live on ssc.gov.in, opening the door to 12,256 Group B and Group C vacancies across more than 40 ministries and departments of the Government of India. The notice was uploaded on the Staff Selection Commission’s website on 21 May 2026 and the application window closes on 22 June 2026. If you are a graduate aged between 18 and 32 years, this is the single biggest central-government recruitment door open today — and the form is straightforward enough that you should not wait until the last week.
SSC CGL 2026 — Important Dates (Official)
- Notification release date: 21 May 2026
- Online application start: 21 May 2026
- Last date to apply online: 22 June 2026 (up to 23:00)
- Last date for fee payment: 23 June 2026
- Application correction window: 29 June – 1 July 2026
- Tier-1 (Computer Based) Exam: August – September 2026
- Tier-2 Exam: December 2026
Vacancies — 12,256 Posts Across Group B and Group C
The 12,256 vacancies span more than 40 designations. The single biggest pools this year are Tax Assistant (CBIC & CBDT), Junior Statistical Officer, Upper Division Clerk, Income Tax Inspector, Sub-Inspector (CBI & NIA), Assistant Section Officer in various ministries, and Auditor / Accountant in CAG & CGDA. Pay bands range from Level-4 (Rs. 25,500–81,100) up to Level-7 (Rs. 44,900–1,42,400) of the 7th CPC, plus DA, HRA and TA.
Eligibility — Who Can Apply
- Nationality: Indian (or as specified for certain posts).
- Age (as on 01 August 2026): 18–32 years for most posts. Some posts have 18–27 or 20–30 windows. Standard age relaxation applies — SC/ST +5 years, OBC +3 years, PwBD up to 10 additional years, Ex-Servicemen as per rules.
- Educational qualification: Bachelor’s degree from a recognised university (any discipline) by the cut-off date. Junior Statistical Officer requires Mathematics in Class 12 with at least 60% OR a degree with Statistics as a subject. Statistical Investigator Gr-II requires a degree with Statistics as one of the subjects.
Application Fee
- General / OBC / EWS: Rs. 100
- SC / ST / PwBD / Ex-Servicemen / Women: NIL (fee exempt)
- Payment mode: BHIM UPI, Net Banking, Credit / Debit card (RuPay, Visa, Mastercard, Maestro)
Selection Process — Tier 1 & Tier 2 (New Pattern)
From CGL 2026, the Commission has introduced sectional timings in both Tier-1 and Tier-2 papers — you can no longer pool time across sections, so practice with a clock.
- Tier-1 (CBT): 100 questions / 200 marks / 60 minutes. Four sections of 25 questions each — General Intelligence & Reasoning, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, English Comprehension. Negative marking 0.50 per wrong answer.
- Tier-2 (CBT): Three papers. Paper 1 (compulsory for all) has three sections — Mathematical Abilities & Reasoning, English & Comprehension, Computer Knowledge & DEST. Paper 2 (only Statistics posts) and Paper 3 (only ASO Gr-II in M/o Statistics & P.I.) follow.
- Document Verification & Skill Test (DEST / CPT) as applicable per post.
How to Apply — Step-by-Step on ssc.gov.in
- Visit the official portal at ssc.gov.in and click on New User? Register if you have not already created a One Time Registration (OTR) account.
- Complete OTR with your Aadhaar / Voter ID, scanned photo (20–50 KB JPEG, 3.5cm × 4.5cm, taken not earlier than three months from application date) and signature (10–20 KB JPEG).
- Log in, select Combined Graduate Level Examination 2026, and fill the post-preference list carefully — preferences are final once submitted.
- Upload documents, pay the fee (or claim exemption), preview the form, and submit.
- Download the confirmation page and save it as a PDF — you will need it for any future correspondence.
Documents You Should Keep Ready Before Sitting at the Form
- Class 10 marksheet / certificate (for date of birth proof).
- Class 12 marksheet (Mathematics %, if applying for JSO).
- Graduation degree / final-year marksheet.
- Caste / EWS / PwBD certificate in Government of India prescribed format, if claiming reservation.
- Aadhaar number, active mobile, and a valid personal email ID.
- Recent passport-size photograph (the SSC has fresh photo-quality requirements for 2026 — do not reuse old scans).
Test Your SSC CGL 2026 Readiness
Before you sit at the form, take this quick 10-question diagnostic on the latest pattern, key dates, and Tier-1 sections. It will tell you exactly which area — Reasoning, Quant, English, or GA — needs your first study sprint.
Quiz data error: Syntax error
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Can I apply for SSC CGL 2026 if I am in my final year of graduation?
Yes. Candidates who are in the final year of their degree on the cut-off date are eligible to apply, but you must have acquired the essential qualification on or before 01 August 2026 (the cut-off mentioned in the notice). Keep documentary proof ready for verification.
Q2. How many times can I attempt SSC CGL?
There is no cap on the number of attempts — you can apply as many times as your age limit permits.
Q3. Is there an interview in SSC CGL 2026?
No. The interview was discontinued for SSC CGL (Group B non-gazetted and below) several years ago. Selection is based on Tier-1, Tier-2, Skill Test / DEST (where applicable) and Document Verification.
Q4. What is the salary of an SSC CGL officer?
Starting in-hand salary ranges from roughly Rs. 30,000 (Level-4) to roughly Rs. 60,000+ (Level-7) per month inclusive of DA and HRA in metropolitan cities, plus government perks — LTC, CGHS, NPS contribution and CGEGIS.
Q5. Where is the official notification PDF?
The 132-page Notice of Advertisement dated 21 May 2026 is available on the Staff Selection Commission portal at ssc.gov.in under Notice Board → Combined Graduate Level Examination 2026.
Final Word
Twelve thousand two hundred and fifty-six vacancies — the highest SSC CGL count in three years — will not stay on the table forever. Sit at the form before 22 June, lock your post preferences carefully, and pivot your study plan around the new sectional-timing pattern. The August Tier-1 window leaves you roughly 10 weeks of focused preparation. Use them.
Sources: Official notice (ssc.gov.in — Notice_of_adv_cgl_2026.pdf, 21 May 2026); Press Information Bureau.
