NEELGYAN EXAM GUIDE
SSC Combined Graduate Level Examination Guide
Combined Graduate Level Examination
2026 examination cycle · Staff Selection Commission
Written and source-checked by NeelGyan Team · Last verified 2 August 2026
Checked against the official sources linked below
Current cycle
2026
Current stage
Tier I schedule awaited
Vacancies
About 12,256 tentative
Tier I
100 questions · 200 marks · 1 hour
Conducting body
Staff Selection Commission
Final merit
Tier II and post-preference rules
2026 cycle tracker
- Notification21 May 2026
- ApplicationsClosed 25 June
- Correction windowClosed 3 July
- Tier ITentatively Aug–SepYou are here
- Tier I resultAwaited
- Tier IITentatively December
On This Page
Exam Resources
About SSC CGL
What is SSC CGL?
The Staff Selection Commission Combined Graduate Level Examination is a common recruitment route for various Group B and Group C posts in Government of India ministries, departments, organisations, constitutional and statutory bodies, and tribunals.
Because CGL covers many posts, students must check the qualification, age limit, paper requirements and post-preference rules for the particular post in the latest SSC notice.
Latest SSC CGL Updates
Verified updates, newest first
SSC CGL Highlights
Key verified exam details
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Exam | Combined Graduate Level Examination |
| Posts | Multiple Group B and Group C posts |
| Qualification | Bachelor's degree for most posts |
| Age bands | 18–27, 20–30, 18–30 or 18–32 |
| Tier I negative marking | 0.50 mark per wrong answer |
| Tier II Paper I | Compulsory for all posts |
| Application status | Closed |
| Tier I status | Exact date not yet shown in the source pack |
SSC CGL Vacancy Trend
Vacancy trend · official figures
2024 and 2025 are final vacancies reported in SSC final-result write-ups. The 2026 figure is approximate and tentative in the examination notice.
SSC CGL 2026 Important Dates
Official notification and exam timeline
| Milestone | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Notification published | Published | |
| Reopened application deadline | Closed | |
| Online-fee deadline | Closed | |
| Correction window closed | Closed |
SSC CGL Application Process and Fees
Official application route and fee details
Apply online only through the Staff Selection Commission website after completing the One-Time Registration required on the current SSC portal.
Choose post preferences carefully and use only the current notice and application link shown on ssc.gov.in; old SSC registrations or third-party forms are not substitutes.
The 2026 application window finally closed on 25 June 2026 after SSC's official reopening.
The fee was ₹100. Women, SC, ST, eligible ex-servicemen and PwBD candidates were exempt under the notice.
| Candidate category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General, EWS and OBC candidates | ₹100 |
| Women, SC, ST, eligible ESM and PwBD candidates | Exempt |
- The last payment date became 26 June 2026 at 11:00 PM after the official reopening.
SSC CGL Eligibility Criteria
Qualification, age and other requirements
Most posts
Bachelor's degree
- A recognised bachelor's degree or equivalent is required by the notice's cut-off date.
Age
Post-wise bands
- The 2026 notice uses 18–27, 20–30, 18–30 or 18–32 years as on 1 August 2026.
Statistical posts
Additional subject rules
- JSO and Statistical Investigator Grade II use separate Mathematics, Statistics or specified degree-field conditions.
Attempts
No numerical cap
- Age, qualification and post-specific eligibility determine whether a candidate may apply.
SSC CGL 2026 admit card
Verified current-cycle status
Current status: No exact Tier I date or admit-card release was included in the verified source pack by 2 August 2026.
Check the SSC portal and the relevant regional instructions only after SSC publishes the schedule.
SSC CGL Exam Pattern and Selection Process
Stages, papers and qualifying rules
- Stage ITier I computer-based examination for shortlisting
- Stage IITier II Paper I for all posts and role-specific Papers II or III where applicable
- Post preferencesCandidates submit preferences under the notice and result process
- Final checksTier II merit, post eligibility and document verification by the allotted department
SSC CGL 2026 Tier I pattern
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General Intelligence and Reasoning | 25 | 50 |
| General Awareness | 25 | 50 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 50 |
| English Comprehension | 25 | 50 |
- Total: 100 questions, 200 marks and one hour.
- Each wrong answer loses 0.50 mark; the notice applies 15-minute sectional timers.
SSC CGL 2026 Tier II papers
| Paper | Who takes it | Pattern |
|---|---|---|
| Paper I | All posts | Session I 2 h 15 min + DEST 15 min |
| Paper II Statistics | JSO and Statistical Investigator Grade II | 100 questions · 200 marks · 2 hours |
| Paper III Finance and Economics | AAO and Assistant Accounts Officer | 100 questions · 200 marks · 2 hours |
- Computer Knowledge and DEST are qualifying modules under the notice.
- Final merit is determined from Tier II, preferences and post-specific eligibility.
SSC CGL Syllabus Overview
Subjects and stages in the official syllabus
- 2026 Tier I — General Intelligence and Reasoning, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, and English Comprehension.
- 2026 Tier II Paper I — Mathematical Abilities; Reasoning and General Intelligence; English Language and Comprehension; General Awareness; Computer Knowledge Test; and Data Entry Speed Test.
- 2026 role-specific papers — Statistics for Paper II and General Studies (Finance and Economics) for Paper III. Use the official notice for the detailed topic list and the posts to which each paper applies.
Reasoning
General Intelligence and Reasoning in Tier I, followed by Reasoning and General Intelligence in Tier II Paper I.
Mathematics
Quantitative Aptitude in Tier I and Mathematical Abilities in Tier II Paper I.
English
English Comprehension in Tier I and English Language and Comprehension in Tier II.
General Awareness
General Awareness is tested in both Tier I and compulsory Tier II Paper I.
Computer and DEST
Computer Knowledge Test and Data Entry Speed Test are qualifying modules in Paper I.
Post-specific papers
Statistics for JSO/Statistical Investigator and Finance and Economics for audit/accounts posts.
SSC CGL 2026 answer key
Verified current-cycle status
Current status: The Tier I answer key cannot be released before the examination is held.
SSC normally opens a time-limited response-sheet and objection process after a computer-based examination.
SSC CGL 2026 result
Verified current-cycle status
Current status: No Tier I result is available before the 2026 Tier I examination.
Tier I shortlists candidates; final merit is determined from Tier II under the notice.
SSC CGL 2026 cut-off
Verified current-cycle status
Current status: The current-cycle cut-off is not available before result publication.
Historical cut-offs should be used only as context because vacancies, difficulty and candidate performance change.
SSC CGL Previous Question Papers
Official question-paper resources
SSC exposes previous-year question-paper and answer-key resources through its official portal, often for a limited login window. Availability can expire, so save only material that SSC permits candidates to download.
SSC CGL Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current status of SSC CGL 2026?
Applications and corrections are closed. Tier I is tentatively scheduled for August–September 2026; no exact date should be shown until SSC publishes it.
Was the SSC CGL 2026 application deadline extended?
SSC reopened applications from 23 June at 11:00 PM to 25 June 2026 at 11:00 PM. Fee payment closed on 26 June and correction ran from 1 to 3 July.
How many SSC CGL 2026 vacancies are there?
The notice stated approximately 12,256 tentative vacancies. Post-wise and category-wise counts can change as user departments report updates.
What qualification is required for SSC CGL?
Most posts require a recognised bachelor's degree. JSO, Statistical Investigator and certain audit/accounts posts have additional subject, marks or language conditions.
What is the SSC CGL age limit?
The 2026 notice uses post-wise bands of 18–27, 20–30, 18–30 and 18–32 years as on 1 August 2026, plus prescribed relaxations.
How many attempts are allowed for SSC CGL?
The notice does not set a numerical attempt cap. A candidate may appear while meeting the post-specific age and eligibility conditions.
Is there negative marking in SSC CGL Tier I?
Yes. Each wrong Tier I answer loses 0.50 mark.
Does Tier I count in SSC CGL final merit?
No. Tier I is used for shortlisting. Final merit is determined from Tier II under the notice's qualifying, preference and post-eligibility rules.
What is the SSC CGL application fee?
The 2026 fee was ₹100. Women, SC, ST, eligible ex-servicemen and PwBD candidates were exempt.
What salary does SSC CGL offer?
Posts span Pay Levels 4 through 8. Basic pay ranges from ₹25,500–81,100 at Level 4 to ₹47,600–1,51,100 at Level 8; the post determines the applicable level.
Official Information and Sources
Primary notice and authority links
Related Exams and Student Routes
More options in Central Government Recruitment
Verify Before You Apply
Eligibility, dates, fees, vacancies, pattern and status can change. Read the latest notice on the official authority’s website before applying. NeelGyan does not collect application fees or guarantee admission or selection.