{"id":200338,"date":"2026-05-20T15:30:57","date_gmt":"2026-05-20T10:00:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.practicemock.com\/blog\/?p=200338"},"modified":"2026-05-20T15:30:58","modified_gmt":"2026-05-20T10:00:58","slug":"ssc-cgl-exam","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.practicemock.com\/blog\/ssc-cgl-exam\/","title":{"rendered":"What is the SSC CGL Exam? \u2013 Complete Guide for 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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Home<\/a><\/span> \u00bb SSC CGL<\/a><\/span> \u00bb What is SSC CGL Exam?<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n\n\n

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SSC CGL stands for Staff Selection Commission Combined Graduate Level<\/strong>. It is a national-level government exam conducted by the Staff Selection Commission (SSC)<\/strong> to recruit graduates for Group B and Group C posts<\/strong> in different ministries, departments, and organisations under the Government of India. If you are a graduate looking for a central government job with a good salary, job security, career growth, and departmental exposure, the SSC CGL exam is one of the most preferred options. Every year, lakhs of candidates apply for SSC CGL because it opens opportunities in departments such as Income Tax, CBIC, CBI, Enforcement Directorate, CAG, CSS, Ministry of External Affairs, and other central government offices<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Key Information on SSC CGL Exam<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Parameter<\/strong><\/td>Details<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Full Form<\/td>Staff Selection Commission \u2013 Combined Graduate Level<\/td><\/tr>
Conducting Body<\/td>Staff Selection Commission (SSC)<\/td><\/tr>
Exam Level<\/td>National<\/td><\/tr>
Post Type<\/td>Group B and Group C posts<\/td><\/tr>
Minimum Qualification<\/td>Bachelor\u2019s degree from a recognised university<\/td><\/tr>
Age Limit<\/td>18\u201332 years, varies by post<\/td><\/tr>
Mode of Exam<\/td>Computer-Based Test (CBT)<\/td><\/tr>
Number of Tiers<\/td>2: Tier 1 and Tier 2<\/td><\/tr>
Tier 1 Duration<\/td>60 minutes<\/td><\/tr>
Tier 2 Duration<\/td>2 hours 30 minutes<\/td><\/tr>
Selection Process<\/td>Tier 1 \u2192 Tier 2 \u2192 Document Verification<\/td><\/tr>
Official Website<\/td>ssc.gov.in<\/a><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In simple terms, SSC CGL is a recruitment exam for graduates who want to work in central government departments. The exam checks a candidate\u2019s ability in Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning, English, General Awareness, Computer Knowledge, and post-specific subjects<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SSC CGL 2026 Notification<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The SSC CGL 2026 notification<\/strong><\/a> is expected to be released as per the official SSC exam calendar. The notification will confirm the number of vacancies, post-wise eligibility, exam dates, application process, fee details, reservation rules, and selection process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Candidates should regularly check the official SSC website at ssc.gov.in<\/strong> for the latest updates. SSC\u2019s official examination calendar page lists CGL under its 2026 examination schedule, so candidates should treat the official notification as the final source for confirmed dates. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Event<\/strong><\/td>Expected Timeline<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Notification Release<\/td>May\u2013June 2026, tentative<\/td><\/tr>
Application Start Date<\/td>As per official notification<\/td><\/tr>
Last Date to Apply<\/td>As per official notification<\/td><\/tr>
Tier 1 Exam Date<\/td>As per official SSC calendar<\/td><\/tr>
Tier 2 Exam Date<\/td>As per official SSC calendar<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Always refer to the official SSC CGL 2026 notification before filling out the form, choosing post preferences, or planning your final preparation schedule.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SSC CGL 2026 Eligibility Criteria<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Before applying, candidates must check the complete SSC CGL eligibility criteria<\/strong><\/a>. SSC accepts applications provisionally, which means your eligibility is verified later during document verification. If a candidate fails to meet the eligibility conditions, the candidature can be cancelled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Educational Qualification<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The basic SSC CGL qualification is a Bachelor\u2019s degree in any discipline<\/strong> from a recognised university. Candidates from BA, B.Com, B.Sc, B.Tech, BBA, and other graduation streams can apply for most posts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A few posts have specific subject requirements:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Post<\/strong><\/td>Educational Requirement<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Junior Statistical Officer (JSO)<\/td>Bachelor\u2019s degree with at least 60% marks in Mathematics at Class 12 level, OR Statistics as a subject in graduation<\/td><\/tr>
Statistical Investigator Grade II<\/td>Bachelor\u2019s degree with Statistics as a core subject in all years of graduation<\/td><\/tr>
Assistant Audit Officer \/ Assistant Accounts Officer<\/td>Bachelor\u2019s degree required; Commerce or Finance background is desirable but not mandatory<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Final-year graduation students can also apply, but they must complete their degree before the document verification stage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Age Limit<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The SSC CGL age limit depends on the post. Most posts fall between 18 and 32 years<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Age Category<\/strong><\/td>Posts<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
18\u201327 years<\/td>Assistant Section Officer, Inspector posts, Sub-Inspector CBI, and other selected posts<\/td><\/tr>
20\u201330 years<\/td>Sub-Inspector NIA and selected departmental posts<\/td><\/tr>
18\u201330 years<\/td>Tax Assistant, UDC, Statistical Investigator Grade II<\/td><\/tr>
18\u201332 years<\/td>Junior Statistical Officer, Assistant Audit Officer, AAO<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Reserved category candidates get age relaxation as per government rules:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Category<\/strong><\/td>Age Relaxation<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
OBC<\/td>3 years<\/td><\/tr>
SC\/ST<\/td>5 years<\/td><\/tr>
PwBD<\/td>10\u201315 years, depending on category<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Nationality<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Candidates must be Indian citizens. Subjects of Nepal and Bhutan, Tibetan refugees who settled in India before 1962, and persons of Indian origin who migrated from select countries may also be eligible with valid certificates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SSC CGL 2026 Selection Process<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

SSC CGL follows a two-tier selection process<\/a>. Candidates first appear for Tier 1, then shortlisted candidates move to Tier 2. After Tier 2, SSC conducts document verification and post-specific checks wherever required.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stage<\/strong><\/td>Type<\/strong><\/td>Purpose<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Tier 1<\/td>Objective CBT<\/td>Qualifying stage to shortlist candidates for Tier 2<\/td><\/tr>
Tier 2<\/td>Objective + skill\/post-specific components<\/td>Merit-deciding stage<\/td><\/tr>
Document Verification<\/td>Offline\/official verification<\/td>Verifies educational, category, age, and identity documents<\/td><\/tr>
Physical Standards Test<\/td>Offline<\/td>Applicable only for selected Inspector and Sub-Inspector posts<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Tier 1 is qualifying in nature. This means Tier 1 marks are used only to shortlist candidates for Tier 2. Final merit and post allotment are based mainly on Tier 2 performance, post preferences, category, and vacancy availability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SSC CGL 2026 Exam Pattern<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The SSC CGL 2026 exam pattern<\/a> includes Tier 1 and Tier 2 computer-based exams. These stages test candidates on Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning, English, General Awareness, Computer Knowledge, Statistics, and Finance\/Economics<\/strong>, depending on the post.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Understanding the exam pattern is important because it helps candidates plan time management, section-wise preparation, mock test strategy, and revision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SSC CGL Tier 1 \u2014 Qualifying Exam<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Tier 1 is an objective computer-based test. It includes 100 questions for 200 marks, and candidates get 60 minutes to complete the paper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subject<\/strong><\/td>Number of Questions<\/strong><\/td>Maximum Marks<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
General Intelligence & Reasoning<\/td>25<\/td>50<\/td><\/tr>
General Awareness<\/td>25<\/td>50<\/td><\/tr>
Quantitative Aptitude<\/td>25<\/td>50<\/td><\/tr>
English Language & Comprehension<\/td>25<\/td>50<\/td><\/tr>
Total<\/td>100<\/td>200<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Important points:<\/p>\n\n\n\n