SSC CGL Recruitment 2026: 12,256 Vacancies, Eligibility, Exam Date & Selection Process
The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has announced the Combined Graduate Level (CGL) Examination 2026 for recruitment to various Group B and Group C posts in the Central Government. SSC CGL is one of India’s most popular graduate-level government examinations and provides opportunities to work in ministries, departments and other government organisations.
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For SSC CGL 2026, the Commission initially announced approximately 12,256 tentative vacancies. The recruitment includes popular posts such as Assistant Section Officer, Income Tax Inspector, Assistant Enforcement Officer, Auditor, Accountant, Tax Assistant and several other positions.
The official notification was released on May 21, 2026. The online application window was subsequently extended, with applications closing on June 25, 2026. Therefore, candidates who have already applied should now focus on preparation for Tier-I rather than looking for a fresh application link.
According to SSC’s notification, Tier-I is scheduled for August–September 2026, while Tier-II is tentatively scheduled for December 2026.
SSC CGL Recruitment 2026 – Overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Recruiting Organisation | Staff Selection Commission |
| Examination Name | Combined Graduate Level Examination 2026 |
| Total Vacancies | Approximately 12,256 |
| Posts | Group B & Group C Posts |
| Qualification | Graduation |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Notification Date | May 21, 2026 |
| Application Start Date | May 21, 2026 |
| Application Last Date | June 25, 2026 |
| Tier-I Exam | August–September 2026 |
| Tier-II Exam | December 2026 |
| Official Website | ssc.gov.in |
The vacancy figure is tentative and can be revised by the Commission based on vacancies reported by participating departments.
SSC CGL Vacancy 2026
SSC CGL 2026 is expected to fill around 12,256 vacancies across different Group B and Group C posts.
Some of the major posts available through the examination include:
- Assistant Section Officer
- Assistant Audit Officer
- Assistant Accounts Officer
- Income Tax Inspector
- Assistant Enforcement Officer
- Sub-Inspector in CBI
- Sub-Inspector in NIA
- Inspector of Central Excise
- Inspector of Preventive Officer
- Inspector of Examiner
- Auditor
- Accountant
- Junior Accountant
- Tax Assistant
- Postal Assistant/Sorting Assistant
- Junior Statistical Officer
- Statistical Investigator Grade-II
The exact vacancies for individual posts and categories are subject to updates by SSC and the concerned departments.
2026 Vacancy vs 2025 Vacancy
Candidates should not confuse the two recruitment cycles.
| Recruitment Year | Vacancy Figure |
|---|---|
| SSC CGL 2025 | 15,130 final vacancies |
| SSC CGL 2026 | 12,256 tentative vacancies |
The 15,130 figure belongs to the 2025 recruitment, not the 2026 notification.
SSC CGL Eligibility Criteria 2026
The educational qualification depends on the post selected by the candidate.
Educational Qualification
For most SSC CGL posts, candidates must have a Bachelor’s degree from a recognised university or equivalent institution.
However, certain posts have additional requirements.
For example, candidates applying for statistical posts may need specific subjects or marks in Mathematics/Statistics at the graduation level.
Therefore, candidates should carefully check the qualification requirements for their preferred post before considering it as an option.
SSC CGL Age Limit 2026
The age limit varies according to the post.
Generally, the prescribed age limits include:
- 18–27 years
- 18–30 years
- 18–32 years
- 20–30 years
The exact age requirement depends on the post.
Age relaxation is available to eligible candidates belonging to reserved categories according to Government of India rules.
Candidates should therefore check the post-specific age requirement instead of assuming that one age limit applies to every SSC CGL post.
SSC CGL Salary 2026
SSC CGL offers several posts across different pay levels.
The salary structure varies depending on the post and department.
The major pay levels include:
| Pay Level | Basic Pay Range |
|---|---|
| Level 4 | ₹25,500 – ₹81,100 |
| Level 5 | ₹29,200 – ₹92,300 |
| Level 6 | ₹35,400 – ₹1,12,400 |
| Level 7 | ₹44,900 – ₹1,42,400 |
| Level 8 | ₹47,600 – ₹1,51,100 |
Apart from basic salary, selected employees receive applicable government allowances and benefits.
Depending on the post, department and place of posting, the actual monthly salary can be considerably higher than the basic pay.
SSC CGL Important Dates 2026
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Released | May 21, 2026 |
| Application Begins | May 21, 2026 |
| Original Application Deadline | June 22, 2026 |
| Extended Application Deadline | June 25, 2026 |
| Fee Payment Deadline | June 26, 2026 |
| Correction Window | July 1–3, 2026 |
| Tier-I Examination | August–September 2026 |
| Tier-II Examination | December 2026 |
The official notification originally specified June 22 as the application deadline, while the application window was later extended.
As of September 2026, the SSC CGL 2026 application process is closed.
SSC CGL Selection Process 2026
SSC CGL recruitment is conducted through computer-based examinations.
The major stages are:
Tier-I Examination
Tier-I is the first computer-based examination.
It tests candidates in areas such as:
- General Intelligence and Reasoning
- General Awareness
- Quantitative Aptitude
- English Comprehension
Candidates who meet the required criteria are shortlisted for the next stage.
Tier-II Examination
Tier-II is an important stage of the SSC CGL recruitment process.
Depending on the post, candidates may have to appear for the applicable papers/modules prescribed by SSC.
Tier-II plays a major role in determining the final selection and allocation of posts.
Document Verification
Candidates shortlisted after the examination stages are required to undergo document verification.
Documents generally include:
- Educational certificates
- Matriculation certificate
- Category certificate, if applicable
- Valid identity proof
- Relevant qualification documents
- Other documents required for the selected post
Final Selection
Final selection is based on the applicable examination performance, preferences, eligibility and vacancies.
Candidates should carefully submit their post preferences because allocation depends on merit, preferences and other applicable conditions.
SSC CGL Exam Pattern 2026
Tier-I
Tier-I consists of four sections:
| Subject | Number of Questions | Maximum Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 25 | 50 |
| General Awareness | 25 | 50 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 50 |
| English Comprehension | 25 | 50 |
| Total | 100 | 200 |
Tier-I is conducted as a computer-based examination.
Candidates should also remember that SSC uses normalization where examinations are conducted in multiple shifts, as applicable under the Commission’s prescribed procedure.
SSC CGL Tier-II
Tier-II is more important from the final-selection perspective.
The examination includes different papers/modules depending on the post.
For example, candidates applying for Junior Statistical Officer and certain other specialised positions may have additional requirements.
Similarly, the Finance and Economics paper is applicable to the relevant posts where prescribed by SSC.
Candidates should therefore prepare according to the exact post and paper combination applicable to them.
SSC CGL Application Fee
The application fee for SSC CGL is generally ₹100.
Women candidates and candidates belonging to SC, ST, PwBD and eligible Ex-Servicemen categories are exempt from paying the examination fee, subject to the conditions specified by SSC.
Since the 2026 application window has already closed, candidates who successfully submitted their forms should retain their application and payment details.
How to Apply for SSC CGL 2026
The application window has already closed, but the process followed by candidates was broadly as follows:
Step 1: Visit the SSC Website
Visit the official Staff Selection Commission website.
Step 2: Complete One-Time Registration
Candidates who did not already have an SSC account were required to complete the One-Time Registration process.
SSC states that registration is mandatory before applying for its examinations.
Step 3: Login
Use the registered credentials to access the SSC application dashboard.
Step 4: Select SSC CGL
Choose the Combined Graduate Level Examination 2026 application.
Step 5: Enter Details
Fill in:
- Personal details
- Educational qualifications
- Category
- Examination centre preferences
- Other required information
Step 6: Upload Documents
Upload the required photograph, signature and other information/documents according to SSC instructions.
Step 7: Pay the Fee
Pay the applicable examination fee.
Step 8: Submit the Application
Review all information carefully before final submission and save a copy of the completed application for future reference.
What Candidates Should Do Now
Since the application process is closed, new candidates cannot submit a fresh SSC CGL 2026 application at this stage.
Candidates who have already applied should focus on:
- Tier-I preparation
- Previous-year question papers
- Mock tests
- Current affairs
- Quantitative Aptitude
- Reasoning
- English
- General Awareness
- Time management
SSC’s official website remains the primary source for examination notices, admission certificates, city information and other updates. The Commission’s website was carrying fresh examination advisories as of September 7, 2026.
SSC CGL 2026 – FAQs
How many vacancies are there in SSC CGL 2026?
SSC initially announced approximately 12,256 tentative vacancies for SSC CGL 2026.
Is SSC CGL 2026 application form still open?
No. The application process has already closed. The application deadline was extended to June 25, 2026.
When will SSC CGL Tier-I 2026 be conducted?
The official notification scheduled Tier-I for August–September 2026.
When will SSC CGL Tier-II 2026 be conducted?
Tier-II is tentatively scheduled for December 2026.
What qualification is required for SSC CGL?
For most SSC CGL posts, candidates need a Bachelor’s degree from a recognised university. Certain posts have additional educational requirements.
What is the SSC CGL application fee?
The standard application fee is ₹100, with exemptions for eligible categories specified by SSC.
What is the age limit for SSC CGL?
The age limit varies according to the post, with different posts generally carrying upper age limits such as 27, 30 or 32 years.
Is SSC CGL a Central Government job?
Yes. SSC CGL recruits candidates for various Group B and Group C positions in Central Government ministries, departments and organisations.
Conclusion
SSC CGL Recruitment 2026 is one of the major Central Government recruitment examinations for graduates. The 2026 notification initially announced approximately 12,256 vacancies across various Group B and Group C positions.
Candidates who have already submitted their applications should now concentrate on Tier-I preparation and regularly check the official SSC website for examination-related announcements.
One important point is that the 15,130 vacancy figure should not be used for SSC CGL 2026. That figure relates to the 2025 final vacancies, whereas the 2026 notification initially announced 12,256 tentative vacancies.
