Exam Details
SSC CGL Exam 2026: Exam Pattern, Syllabus, Eligibility & Selection Process
SSC CGL Exam 2026 Exam Overview
| Exam Conducting Authority | Staff Selection Commission (SSC) |
Posts Offered | Group B & Group C (ASO, Inspector, Auditor, Accountant, etc.) |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Exam Mode | Computer-Based Test CBT |
| Selection Process | Tier-I → Tier-II |
| Educational Qualification | Graduation in any discipline |
| Age Limit | 18 to 32 years (post-wise variation) |
| Salary Range | ₹25,500 – ₹1,51,100 (Pay Level 4 to Level 8) |
| Official Website | ssc.gov.in |
Eligibility
SSC CGL 2026 Eligibility Criteria: Age Limit, Qualification & Nationality
- An Indian citizen, or
- A subject of Nepal or Bhutan, or
- A Person of Indian Origin (PIO) with eligibility certificate issued by the Government of India.
SSC CGL 2026 Age Limit (Post-wise)
| Age Limit (Years) | Posts |
| 18–27 | ASO (CSS/IB/Railways/MEA/AFHQ), AEO, Inspector (IT/CBIC), Assistant, AAO |
| 18–30 | SI (CBI, NIA), Inspector (CBN) |
| 18–30 | Assistant Audit Officer, Assistant Accounts Officer |
| 18–25 | Auditor, Accountant, Jr. Accountant, UDC, Tax Assistant |
| 18–20 | LDC / JSA |
SSC CGL 2026 Age Relaxation (Category-wise):
In addition to the prescribed age limit, category - wise age relaxation is applicable as per Government of India Rules
| Category | Age Relaxation |
| SC / ST | 5 Years |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 3 Years |
| Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) | 10 Years |
| Ex-Servicemen | 3 Years |
| Candidates affected by 1984 riots | 5 Years |
👉 Check Post-wise SSC CGL Age Limit (Detailed Guide): Here
SSC CGL Exam 2026 Educational Qualification:
Junior Statistical Officer (JSO):
Statistical Investigator Grade-II:
Exam Pattern
SSC CGL 2026 Exam Pattern
The SSC CGL 2026 exam is conducted in two stages: Tier I and Tier II. Candidates must qualify each stage to be considered for the final selection process.
SSC CGL 2026 Tier I Exam Pattern
The SSC CGL Tier I exam is conducted in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode. All questions are objective-type multiple-choice questions (MCQs) with four options.
| Section | No. of Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 25 | 50 |
| General Awareness | 25 | 50 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 50 |
| English Comprehension | 25 | 50 |
| Total | 100 | 200 |
SSC CGL Tier I Time Duration
SSC CGL Tier I now includes sectional/module-wise time limits as per the latest exam pattern update.
Candidates will get separate fixed timings for each section/module, meaning they cannot freely switch between all sections during the exam.
The overall exam duration remains 60 minutes, making time management within each section extremely important.
SSC CGL Tier I Marking Scheme
- Correct Answer: +2 marks
- Wrong Answer: -0.50 marks
- Unattempted Questions: No negative marking
SSC CGL 2026 Tier II Exam Pattern
SSC CGL Tier II is conducted in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode and plays a crucial role in the final merit list.
It consists of the following papers:
- Paper I: Mandatory for all candidates
- Paper II: For candidates applying for Junior Statistical Officer (JSO)
- Paper III: For candidates applying for Assistant Audit Officer/Assistant Accounts Officer (AAO)
All questions are objective-type MCQs except the Data Entry Speed Test (DEST), which is qualifying in nature.
SSC CGL Tier II Paper I Sectional Time Limit
| Session | Sections | Subjects Covered | Time Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session I | Section I | Mathematical Abilities + Reasoning & General Intelligence | 60 Minutes |
| Section II | English Language & Comprehension + General Awareness | 60 Minutes | |
| Section III | Computer Knowledge Test | 15 Minutes | |
| Session II | Section IV | Data Entry Speed Test (DEST) | 15 Minutes |
SSC CGL Tier II Marking Scheme
-
Mathematical Abilities, Reasoning, General Awareness, and English:
- Correct Answer: +3 marks
- Wrong Answer: -1 mark
-
Computer Knowledge Test:
- Correct Answer: +1 mark
- Wrong Answer: -0.50 marks
- DEST: Qualifying in nature only
Minimum Qualifying Marks for Tier I & Tier II
| Category | Minimum Percentage |
|---|---|
| UR | 30% |
| OBC / EWS | 25% |
| All Other Categories | 20% |
Candidates scoring below the minimum qualifying marks will not be considered for further stages.
SSC CGL Tier II DEST: Minimum Qualifying Standards
DEST is qualifying in nature. SSC has defined the maximum permissible error percentage as follows:
| Category | Maximum Errors Allowed |
|---|---|
| UR | 20% |
| OBC / EWS | 25% |
| All Other Categories | 30% |
Selection Process
SSC CGL 2026 Selection Process – Explained by Aptitude360
Let Aptitude360 help you understand the entire SSC CGL selection process through the table below
| Stage | Exam Name | Nature of Exam | Maximum Marks | Counted in Final Merit List |
| Tier I | Preliminary Exam | Qualifying (CBT) | 200 marks | No |
| Tier II | Section I and II | Merit-based (CBT) | 390 marks | Yes |
| Tier II | Section III | Qualifying (CBT) | 60 marks | No |
| Tier II | Data Entry Speed Test | Qualifying (CBT) | 100 marks | No |
Total Marks Considered for Final Merit - 390 marks
However, in cases where the candidate has appeared for Paper-II or Paper-III, the score of that subject will also be considered while creating the merit list.
👉 New to SSC CGL? Start with This Complete Beginner Guide: Here
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