SSC CGL 2026: Exam Pattern, Eligibility & Study Plan

The SSC CGL 2026 official notification is expected in March 2026 on ssc.nic.in. Based on the standard annual schedule, the online application window typically opens for 30 days after the notification date. The registration fee is ₹100 for General/OBC male candidates, while Female, SC, ST, and PwD candidates are exempted from fee payment. Aspirants must complete registration, upload documents, pay fees (if applicable), and select exam centers before the deadline — late submissions are rejected automatically. Keep your Aadhaar and educational certificates ready in scanned PDF format (max 1 MB each). Source: ssc.nic.in

Candidates must hold a bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognized university by the closing date of application (typically the notification's last date). Specific posts like Junior Accountant require B.Com, while Statistical Investigator Grade-IV requires B.Statistics or B.A. in Economics with Mathematics/Statistics. The degree must be completed — final-year students are NOT eligible despite appearing in the examination. Post-specific educational requirements are detailed in the detailed vacancy notification published alongside the main advertisement. Check your specific post's requirement before applying to avoid disqualification at verification stage. Source: ssc.gov.in

The age limit varies by post: 18-27 years for Assistant Section Officer (CSS), 18-30 years for Junior Statistical Officer, and 20-32 years for positions like Inspector (Central Excise). Reserved category candidates receive horizontal relaxation: OBC-NC gets 3 years, SC/ST gets 5 years, PwD gets 10 years (UR), 13 years (OBC), 15 years (SC/ST). Age is calculated as of January 1, 2026, meaning candidates born between January 2, 1991, and January 1, 2008, fall within the 32-year upper limit for UR candidates. Candidates claiming age relaxation must present valid category certificates during document verification. Source: ssc.nic.in

SSC CGL Tier-I consists of 100 questions worth 200 marks, to be completed in 60 minutes. Each correct answer earns +2 marks, while each wrong answer deducts -0.50 marks (negative marking applies). The exam covers four sections: General Intelligence & Reasoning (25 questions), General Awareness (25 questions), Quantitative Aptitude (25 questions), and English Comprehension (25 questions). The cumulative qualifying cutoff for UR category in Tier-I is typically 140-150 marks out of 200. PwD candidates get 80 minutes total. Tier-II comprises Paper-I (100 questions, 200 marks, 120 minutes) covering Quantitative Abilities and English, plus Paper-II and Paper-III for specific posts. Source: ssc.gov.in

For Inspector positions (CBEC/CBI/ED), the physical standards are: Male candidates must have at least 157 cm height (152 cm for Scheduled Tribes), chest measurement 81-86 cm (expansion 5 cm). Female candidates must have at least 152 cm height (147 cm for ST). For Delhi Police Constable roles under SSC, height criteria are 170 cm (male) and 157 cm (female) with specific relaxation for border area candidates. These physical measurements are verified at the time of Physical Efficiency Test (PET)/Document Verification stage. Candidates failing to meet the standards are permanently disqualified regardless of written exam performance. There is no re-evaluation of physical standards once declared unfit. Source: ssc.nic.in

Since the 2022 cycle SSC CGL has 2 tiers: Tier 1 — online MCQ (100 questions, 200 marks, 60 minutes, screening); Tier 2 — online MCQ Mains, with Paper-I compulsory for all posts (Section I: Mathematical Abilities & Reasoning; Section II: English & General Awareness; Section III: Computer Knowledge — qualifying — and a Data Entry Speed Test) plus Paper-II/III only for Junior Statistical Officer and AAO posts. The earlier descriptive Tier-3 and skill-test Tier-4 were discontinued. Final selection is based on Tier-2 marks.