SSC CGL 2026: Exam Date, Vacancy, Eligibility & Syllabus
SSC CGL 2026: Notification, Exam Date, Vacancy, Eligibility, Syllabus
The SSC CGL 2026 recruitment is underway for graduates looking for Group B and Group C posts in central government departments and organisations.
The Staff Selection Commission released the CGL 2026 notification on 21 May 2026. The recruitment drive has 12,256 tentative vacancies.
The Tier 1 examination is scheduled to be conducted from 30 September to 30 October 2026 in Computer Based Examination mode.
SSC CGL 2026 overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam name | Combined Graduate Level Examination 2026 |
| Conducting body | Staff Selection Commission |
| Exam level | National |
| Recruitment | Group B and Group C posts |
| Vacancies | 12,256 tentative |
| Tier 1 exam | 30 September to 30 October 2026 |
| Exam mode | Computer Based Examination |
| Qualification | Graduation for most posts |
| Official website | ssc.gov.in |
SSC maintains a dedicated CGL section on its official website where candidates can check examination resources and updates.
SSC CGL 2026 notification
The SSC CGL 2026 notification was released on 21 May 2026.
The application process opened on the same date. The last date to submit the online application was 22 June 2026, while the online fee payment deadline was 23 June 2026.
Candidates who successfully applied for the examination should now focus on the upcoming Tier 1 examination and keep checking SSC for candidate-specific exam information.
SSC CGL 2026 exam date
SSC has announced the Tier 1 examination window.
SSC CGL Tier 1: 30 September to 30 October 2026
The examination will be conducted as a Computer Based Examination.
The overall window doesn’t tell you your individual exam date or shift. Candidates should check SSC’s later city, shift and admit-card information for their personal schedule.
SSC CGL 2026 vacancy
SSC CGL 2026 has 12,256 tentative vacancies.
The vacancies cover different Group B and Group C positions in central government departments and organisations. The final number can change based on requirements reported by the participating departments.
Candidates should check the official vacancy document for post-wise and category-wise figures rather than relying on old vacancy numbers from previous CGL examinations.
SSC CGL 2026 eligibility
Educational and age requirements depend on the post.
For most SSC CGL posts, candidates need a bachelor’s degree from a recognised university or equivalent qualification.
Some posts have additional educational requirements. Candidates should read the official notification carefully before applying for a specific post.
Age limit
The age limit varies by post. Common age bands include 18-27 years, 18-30 years, 18-32 years and 18-30 years, depending on the post.
Age relaxation is available for eligible reserved categories according to government rules.
Always check the age requirement against the specific post you want because one age limit does not apply to every SSC CGL post.
SSC CGL 2026 posts
SSC CGL is used to recruit candidates for several government positions.
Depending on the recruitment year and available vacancies, posts can include positions such as:
- Assistant Section Officer
- Inspector of Income Tax
- Assistant Enforcement Officer
- Inspector in various departments
- Auditor
- Accountant
- Junior Accountant
- Tax Assistant
- Sub-Inspector in applicable departments
- Divisional Accountant
The available posts and vacancies can change from one recruitment cycle to another.
SSC CGL 2026 exam pattern
Tier 1 is a computer-based examination.
The paper has 100 questions carrying 200 marks, with a total duration of 1 hour. There is negative marking for incorrect answers.
The four sections are:
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General Intelligence and Reasoning | 25 | 50 |
| General Awareness | 25 | 50 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 50 |
| English Comprehension | 25 | 50 |
| Total | 100 | 200 |
The Tier 1 paper tests speed as well as accuracy. A few careless mistakes can cost marks because of negative marking.
SSC CGL 2026 syllabus
General Intelligence and Reasoning
Important areas include:
- Analogy
- Classification
- Coding-decoding
- Series
- Blood relations
- Direction sense
- Venn diagrams
- Syllogism
- Statement-based questions
- Mathematical reasoning
- Non-verbal reasoning
- Figure-based questions
General Awareness
This section covers general knowledge and current affairs.
Topics can include:
- Indian history
- Geography
- Indian polity
- Economics
- General science
- Current affairs
- Important organisations
- Awards and honours
- Sports
- Books and authors
Current affairs preparation should include important national and international events from the relevant period.
Quantitative Aptitude
Important topics include:
- Number system
- Percentage
- Ratio and proportion
- Average
- Profit and loss
- Simple and compound interest
- Time and work
- Time, speed and distance
- Algebra
- Geometry
- Mensuration
- Trigonometry
- Data interpretation
Practising questions regularly matters here because calculation speed can make a big difference during the exam.
English Comprehension
Topics generally include:
- Reading comprehension
- Vocabulary
- Grammar
- Synonyms
- Antonyms
- Sentence correction
- Fill in the blanks
- One-word substitution
- Idioms and phrases
- Spelling
- Active and passive voice
- Direct and indirect speech
SSC CGL selection process
SSC CGL recruitment uses multiple stages.
The examination structure includes Tier 1 and Tier 2, followed by document verification and other requirements applicable to specific posts.
Some posts can have additional physical or skill requirements.
Candidates should check the official notification for the exact requirements attached to their preferred post.
How to prepare for SSC CGL Tier 1
Start with the topics where you are losing marks.
For Quantitative Aptitude and Reasoning, solve questions with a timer. This helps you identify whether the problem is lack of knowledge or simply slow calculation.
For English, read regularly and practise grammar and vocabulary questions.
For General Awareness, revise static topics along with current affairs.
Take mock tests
Mock tests are useful for checking your actual exam speed.
After every mock, check:
- Questions you got wrong
- Questions you guessed
- Questions that took too long
- Topics where accuracy is low
- Questions you left unanswered
Don’t just record your score and move to the next test. The mistakes are where most of the useful information is.
SSC CGL admit card 2026
Candidates should download their admit card from the official SSC regional website when it becomes available.
The admit card contains important details such as:
- Examination date
- Shift
- Reporting time
- Examination centre
- Candidate details
- Exam-day instructions
Candidates should carefully check all details before travelling to the examination centre.
SSC’s official website should be treated as the final source for admit-card and examination instructions.
Important documents for the exam
Candidates should follow the documents and identification requirements mentioned in their official exam instructions.
Keep your admit card and valid photo identification ready before the examination day.
Don’t wait until the morning of the exam to search for documents.
SSC CGL 2026 official website
The official website of the Staff Selection Commission is:
Candidates should use the official SSC website for notifications, application information, examination schedules, admit cards, results and other official updates.
Frequently asked questions
What is SSC CGL 2026?
SSC CGL 2026 is the Combined Graduate Level examination conducted by the Staff Selection Commission to recruit candidates for various Group B and Group C government posts.
How many vacancies are there in SSC CGL 2026?
There are 12,256 tentative vacancies in SSC CGL 2026.
When will SSC CGL Tier 1 2026 be conducted?
SSC CGL Tier 1 is scheduled from 30 September to 30 October 2026.
What is the qualification for SSC CGL?
A bachelor’s degree is required for most SSC CGL posts. Some posts have additional educational requirements.
Is SSC CGL conducted online?
Yes. Tier 1 is conducted as a Computer Based Examination.
How many questions are there in SSC CGL Tier 1?
Tier 1 has 100 questions carrying 200 marks.
Is there negative marking in SSC CGL Tier 1?
Yes. Incorrect answers carry negative marks, so candidates should balance speed with accuracy.
Where can I check SSC CGL 2026 updates?
Check the official Staff Selection Commission website for the latest notification, exam schedule, admit card and result updates.
Conclusion
SSC CGL 2026 is a major recruitment examination for graduates targeting central government jobs.
With 12,256 tentative vacancies and Tier 1 scheduled from 30 September to 30 October 2026, candidates who have already applied should focus on revision, mock tests and accuracy.
Exam dates, vacancies and other details can change through official SSC notices. Keep the SSC website bookmarked and check it regularly instead of relying on old social media posts or outdated job articles.