State PSCGroup A & B265 Posts (SSE 2025)⏸️ Interview postponed – new dates TBN
CGPSC State Service Exam 2026
The Chhattisgarh Public Service Commission (CGPSC) conducts the State Service Examination to recruit Group A & B officers including Deputy Collectors, DSPs, and Naib Tehsildars. For SSE 2025 (265 posts), the Mains result came on 31 August 2026 and 608 candidates were shortlisted. The interview set for 20 September – 1 October 2026 was postponed; new dates are awaited. The SSE 2026 notification has not been released yet.
Total Posts (SSE 2025)
265 Posts
Interview Date
Postponed – TBN
Group A Salary
₹56,100/month
Min. Qualification
Any Graduate
⏸️
Latest (9 Oct 2026): Interview Postponed — New Dates Awaited
The CGPSC State Service Mains 2025 result was declared on 31 August 2026: 608 candidates were shortlisted for the interview against 265 posts. Document verification and interviews were scheduled for 20 September – 1 October 2026, but CGPSC postponed them by a notice dated 16 September 2026. New dates are TBN ⚠️.
CGPSC exam date 2026: the SSE 2026 notification has not been released as on 9 October 2026, so the next Prelims date and vacancies are not known yet. Check psc.cg.gov.in for official updates.
1What is CGPSC State Service Exam 2026?
The CGPSC State Service Examination (SSE) is Chhattisgarh's most prestigious state-level civil services exam, equivalent to UPSC at the state level. Established after Chhattisgarh became a separate state in 2000, CGPSC operates under Articles 315–323 of the Indian Constitution and is the primary gateway to the administrative backbone of state governance.
The current cycle (SSE 2025) has 265 posts across 20 departments for coveted roles like Deputy Collector, DSP, Naib Tehsildar, Commercial Tax Officer and several other Group A and Group B positions across Chhattisgarh's administrative and enforcement departments.
The three-stage selection process — Prelims (22 Feb 2026, completed), Mains (6–9 June 2026, result 31 Aug 2026), and Interview (postponed, new dates TBN) — tests general knowledge, writing ability, analytical skills, and personality. This is a truly transformative career opportunity for graduates aspiring to serve Chhattisgarh.
Conducting Body
Chhattisgarh PSC (CGPSC)
Official Website
psc.cg.gov.in
Level
State Level
Selection Stages
Prelims + Mains + Interview
Frequency
Annual
Mode
Offline (Pen & Paper)
2Important Dates 2026
| Event | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| CGPSC SSE 2025 Notification Released (Advt. No. 06/2025) | 26 November 2025 | ✅ Done |
| Online Application Opens | 1 December 2025 | ✅ Done |
| Application Last Date | 30 December 2025 | ✅ Done |
| Prelims Admit Card Released | February 2026 | ✅ Done |
| ✅ Prelims Exam Conducted (Paper I & II) | 22 February 2026 | ✅ Done |
| ✅ Prelims Result Declared | 25 March 2026 | ✅ Done |
| Mains Admit Card Released | Late May 2026 | ✅ Done |
| ✅ Mains Exam Conducted (Postponed from 16–19 May) | 6–9 June 2026 | ✅ Done |
| ✅ Mains Result Declared (608 shortlisted for interview) | 31 August 2026 | ✅ Done |
| Document Verification & Interview (was 20 Sep – 1 Oct 2026) | Postponed on 16 Sep 2026 – new dates TBN ⚠️ | ⏳ TBN |
| Final Selection List | TBN ⚠️ (after interviews) | ⏳ TBN |
| CGPSC SSE 2026 Notification (next cycle) | Not released as on 9 Oct 2026 – TBN ⚠️ | ⏳ TBN |
| CGPSC SSE 2026 Prelims Exam Date | TBN ⚠️ (announced in the notification) | ⏳ TBN |
3Eligibility Criteria 2026
🎓Educational Qualification
- • Bachelor's Degree in any stream from a recognised university
- • Degree must be completed by the application deadline
- • Final year students are generally not eligible (confirm from notification)
📋Age Limit (as on 1 Jan 2025)
- • General (Non-CG Domicile): 21–30 years
- • General / OBC (CG Domicile): 21–35 years
- • SC / ST (CG Domicile): 21–40 years
- • PwBD: Additional 10 years relaxation
🪪Nationality
- • Indian citizen
- • Chhattisgarh domicile candidates get age & reservation benefits
- • Some posts have Chhattisgarh domicile as mandatory criterion
📋Other Criteria
- • No limit on number of attempts
- • Some posts (DSP, Police Services) have physical fitness standards
- • Good moral character and no criminal record required
💡 Domicile Advantage: Chhattisgarh domicile candidates have a significant advantage — up to 5 extra years in age limit and access to reserved category seats. Ensure you have a valid Chhattisgarh domicile certificate before applying.
4CGPSC Vacancy 2026 & SSE 2025 Posts
📢 CGPSC vacancy 2026: the State Service Exam 2026 advertisement has not been released as on 9 October 2026, so its vacancy count is TBN ⚠️. The current cycle, SSE 2025, has 265 posts across 20 departments.
| Group | Post Name | Pay Level | Basic Pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group A | Deputy Collector / SDM | Level 12 | ₹56,100 |
| Group A | Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) | Level 12 | ₹56,100 |
| Group A | State Finance Service Officer | Level 12 | ₹56,100 |
| Group A | Assistant Director (Various Depts.) | Level 11 | ₹44,900 |
| Group A | Commercial Tax Officer | Level 11 | ₹44,900 |
| Group A | District Excise Officer | Level 10 | ₹38,100 |
| Group B | Naib Tehsildar | Level 8 | ₹35,400 |
| Group B | State Tax Inspector | Level 7 | ₹28,700 |
| Group B | Employment Officer | Level 7 | ₹28,700 |
| Group B | Labour Officer | Level 7 | ₹28,700 |
| Group B | Assistant Jail Superintendent | Level 6 | ₹25,300 |
| Group B | Excise Sub-Inspector | Level 6 | ₹25,300 |
* Exact post-wise vacancy breakdowns are in the official notification PDF at psc.cg.gov.in. Total for SSE 2025: 265 posts across 20 departments (Advt. No. 06/2025 dated 26 Nov 2025, as amended by corrigenda dated 3 and 12 Dec 2025).
Historical Vacancy Trend
| Cycle | Vacancies | Prelims | Mains |
|---|---|---|---|
| CGPSC SSE 2021 | 171 | 2021 | 2022 |
| CGPSC SSE 2022 | 210 | 12 Feb 2023 | 15–18 Jun 2023 |
| CGPSC SSE 2023 | 242 | Feb 2024 | 24–27 Jun 2024 |
| CGPSC SSE 2024 | 246 | 9 Feb 2025 | 26–29 Jun 2025 |
| CGPSC SSE 2025 (Current) | 265 | 22 Feb 2026 (Done) | 6–9 Jun 2026 (Done) |
| CGPSC SSE 2026 (Next) | TBN ⚠️ | TBN ⚠️ | TBN ⚠️ |
5Exam Pattern 2026
Stage 1: Preliminary Examination (Completed – 22 Feb 2026)
| Paper | Questions | Marks | Duration | Nature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I – General Studies | 100 | 200 | 2 Hours | Merit Deciding |
| Paper II – Aptitude Test (CSAT) | 100 | 200 | 2 Hours | Qualifying Only |
💡 Key Rule: Paper II (CSAT/Aptitude) is qualifying only — its marks are NOT counted in the Mains shortlist. Only Paper I (GS) marks decide who gets called for Mains. Minimum 33% in each paper required (23% for reserved categories). Negative marking: −1/3 per wrong answer.
Stage 2: Main Examination (Held 6–9 June 2026 · Result 31 Aug 2026)
| Paper | Subject | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | Language (Hindi & English) | 200 | 3 Hours |
| Paper 2 | Essay (National & CG Issues) | 200 | 3 Hours |
| Paper 3 | General Studies I (History, Culture, Geography) | 200 | 3 Hours |
| Paper 4 | General Studies II (Constitution, Polity, Governance) | 200 | 3 Hours |
| Paper 5 | General Studies III (Economy, Agriculture, Science) | 200 | 3 Hours |
| Paper 6 | General Studies IV (Ethics, Aptitude, Case Studies) | 200 | 3 Hours |
| Paper 7 | General Studies V (Chhattisgarh Specific) | 200 | 3 Hours |
| Total Mains Marks | 1,400 | ||
Stage 3: Interview / Personality Test (Postponed – New Dates TBN)
⏸️ SSE 2025 interviews (608 candidates) were set for 20 September – 1 October 2026 but were postponed by CGPSC on 16 September 2026. New dates will be notified on psc.cg.gov.in.
Candidates who qualify Mains are called for the Interview (Personality Test) conducted by CGPSC. It carries 100 marks and assesses overall personality, communication, decision-making ability, awareness of current affairs, and suitability for public service.
Final Merit = Mains (1,400) + Interview (100) = 1,500 marks. Prelims marks are NOT counted in the final merit list.
6Detailed Syllabus 2026
🇮🇳 General Studies – Paper I (National)
- ›Indian History – Ancient, Medieval, Modern; Freedom Movement
- ›Indian & World Geography – Physical, Human, Economic, CG Geography
- ›Indian Polity & Constitution – Features, Amendments, SC/HC, Elections
- ›Indian Economy – Planning, Budget, Poverty, Agriculture, Industry
- ›General Science – Physics, Chemistry, Biology (Basics)
- ›Environment & Ecology – Biodiversity, Climate Change, Disasters
- ›Current Affairs – National & International (Last 12 months)
- ›Awards, Sports, Important Persons & Places
🌾 Chhattisgarh Specific GK (Heavy Weightage in Prelims & Mains GS V)
- ›History of Chhattisgarh & Freedom Movement contribution
- ›CG Geography – Rivers, Forests, Minerals, Climate, Dams
- ›CG Culture – Tribes (Gond, Baiga, Halba), Festivals, Folk Art, Music
- ›CG Economy – Agriculture, Forest produce, Industries, Minerals
- ›CG Administrative Structure – Divisions, Panchayati Raj
- ›CG Current Affairs – State government schemes & policies
- ›Literature, Language, Proverbs & Idioms of Chhattisgarh
- ›CG Sports, Awards & Personalities
📊 Aptitude Test / CSAT – Paper II (Qualifying)
- ›Reading Comprehension (English & Hindi passages)
- ›Logical Reasoning & Analytical Ability
- ›Data Interpretation – Tables, Graphs, Charts
- ›Decision Making & Problem Solving
- ›Basic Numeracy – Number System, Percentage, Ratio
- ›Mental Ability & General Mental Ability Tests
- ›Communication Skills in Hindi (Chhattisgarhi component)
✍️ Mains – Language Paper (Hindi & English)
- ›Hindi Grammar – Sandhi, Samas, Karak, Vachya, Idioms
- ›Word Vocabulary – Synonyms, Antonyms, One-word substitution
- ›Essay Writing, Summary Writing, Letter Writing (Hindi)
- ›Chhattisgarhi Literature – Major authors, works, traditions
- ›English Grammar & Composition
- ›English Essay, Précis, Letter Writing
- ›Translation (Hindi ↔ English)
📝 Mains – Essay Paper (2 Essays)
- ›Part 1: National/International Issues (2 of 4 given, ~750 words each)
- ›Part 2: Chhattisgarh State-level Issues (2 of 4 given, ~750 words each)
- ›Topics include – Governance, Social issues, Economy, Environment
- ›Clarity, logical structure, factual data, CG-specific solutions expected
🏛️ Mains – GS Papers 3–7 (Including Ethics & CG Specific)
- ›GS III: Indian History, World History, Art & Culture
- ›GS IV: Constitution, Polity, Governance, Social Justice
- ›GS V: Economy, Agriculture, Science & Technology, Environment
- ›GS VI: Ethics, Integrity, Aptitude – Case Studies, Role of Civil Servant
- ›GS VII: Chhattisgarh – History, Geography, Polity, Economy, Culture (Detailed)
7Previous Year Cut-offs (Prelims Paper I)
| Year | General | OBC | SC | ST |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 Prelims (Paper I) | ~115–125 | ~105–115 | ~90–100 | ~80–90 |
| 2022 Prelims (Paper I) | ~118–130 | ~108–118 | ~92–105 | ~82–92 |
* Cut-off figures are approximate and sourced from coaching institutes. Exact official cut-offs are published by CGPSC after result declarations. Out of 200 marks (Paper I).
8Salary & Career Growth 2026
| Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Basic Pay – Deputy Collector / DSP (Level 12) | ₹56,100/month |
| Dearness Allowance (DA) @ 58% of Basic (CG State, w.e.f. 1 January 2026) | ~₹32,538/month |
| House Rent Allowance (HRA) – City Category Dependent | ₹2,800–₹5,600/month |
| Travel Allowance & City Compensatory Allowance | ₹1,000–₹2,000/month |
| Estimated Gross Salary (Group A, Deputy Collector) | ~₹93,000–₹97,000/month (in-hand ≈ ₹85,000 after deductions) |
| ⚠️ 8th Pay Commission: constituted Nov 2025; report expected around mid-2027 — not yet implemented | Salaries currently follow 7th CPC |
Career Progression Path
| Position | Service | Timeline | Pay Band |
|---|---|---|---|
| Naib Tehsildar / Tax Inspector | Group B Entry | 0–3 yrs | ₹25,300–₹38,100 |
| Deputy Collector / DSP (Entry) | Group A Entry | 0–3 yrs (Training) | ₹56,100 |
| Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) | Group A Promotion | 5–8 yrs | ₹67,700+ |
| Additional Collector / SP | Senior Group A | 10–15 yrs | ₹78,800+ |
| District Collector / DIG | IAS Equivalent | 15–20 yrs (Promotion) | ₹1,00,000+ |
| Commissioner / Secretary Level | State Senior Service | 20+ yrs | ₹1,44,200+ |
💰 8th Pay Commission Update (2026): The 8th Central Pay Commission was constituted in November 2025, chaired by Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai, and its report is expected around mid-2027 — it has not been implemented yet. State governments like Chhattisgarh typically adopt pay commission recommendations after the Centre implements them. Until then, CGPSC officer salaries continue under the 7th Pay Commission structure (with DA at 58% since January 2026).
9How to Apply
⚠️ Application Closed: The online application window for CGPSC SSE 2025-26 was open from 1–30 December 2025 and is now closed. The SSE 2026 advertisement has not been released as on 9 October 2026; the steps below apply when it opens.
- 1Visit the official CGPSC website at psc.cg.gov.in
- 2Click on "State Service Examination – Apply Online" link on the homepage
- 3Register with your mobile number and email ID to create a candidate profile
- 4Fill in the application form with personal details, academic qualifications, and category
- 5Upload required documents: photograph, signature, and certificates as specified
- 6Pay the application fee (₹400 for General/OBC; ₹300 for SC/ST/PwBD – check official notification for 2026-27)
- 7Submit the form and download the confirmation receipt for future reference
108-Month Study Plan
1
Months 1–2Foundation & CG GK
- ›Read Chhattisgarh GK book cover to cover
- ›Cover Indian Polity (Laxmikanth) + Indian History basics
- ›Follow state newspaper (Navabharat / Haribhoomi) daily for CG Current Affairs
- ›Solve CGPSC Prelims PYQs (Paper I) to understand question pattern
2
Months 3–4National GK + Economy + Geography
- ›Complete Indian Economy (Ramesh Singh) + budget notes
- ›Cover World & Indian Geography (G.C. Leong + NCERT)
- ›Revise CG-specific topics – tribes, minerals, rivers, festivals
- ›Start daily 20-question mock tests on GS topics
3
Months 5–6Mains Answer Writing Focus
- ›Read Laxmikanth for Polity + Constitution amendments
- ›Start answer writing for Mains GS papers (200-word answers daily)
- ›Cover Environment & Ecology, Science & Technology current topics
- ›Practice 2 full-length Prelims mocks per week
4
Months 7–8Essay + Ethics + Final Revision
- ›Write 2 essays per week on national & CG issues
- ›Cover Ethics case studies – case studies from UPSC perspective
- ›Revise all CG-specific content thoroughly
- ›Full syllabus revision + 3–4 full Prelims + Mains mocks
Advertisement
11Best Books for CGPSC 2026
| Book | Author | Subject | Find Book |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chhattisgarh Samanya Gyan | Yugantar Prakashan / CG Guruji | CG GK | — |
| India's Struggle for Independence | Bipan Chandra | Indian History | Find on Amazon |
| Indian Polity (English/Hindi) | M. Laxmikanth | Indian Polity | Find on Amazon |
| Indian Economy | Ramesh Singh | Indian Economy | Find on Amazon |
| Certificate Physical & Human Geography | G.C. Leong | Geography | Find on Amazon |
| Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude | G. Subba Rao / P.N. Roy Chaudhary | Ethics (GS VI) | — |
| Environment & Ecology | Majid Husain / Shankar IAS | Environment | Find on Amazon |
| Mains Essay & Answer Writing Practice | Drishti IAS / CGPSC Guruji | Essay | — |
Links marked (paid link) are Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This costs you nothing extra, and books are chosen on merit only — no publisher pays us to recommend a title.
12Free Resources
🌐
CGPSC Official Website
Notifications, admit cards, results, official syllabus PDF
📺
Study IQ – CGPSC Channel
Free video lectures for CG GK, CGPSC Prelims & Mains strategy
📺
CGPSC Guruji YouTube
Dedicated CG-specific content, PYQs analysis, shortcuts
📱
CG Vyapam / CGPSC Telegram Groups
Daily current affairs, free notes, CG GK updates
📄
CGPSC Previous Year Papers
Download official PYQs from psc.cg.gov.in for Prelims & Mains
🌐
NCERT eBooks (Free)
History, Geography, Polity, Economy – Class 6–12 free PDFs
13Expert Preparation Tips
1💡 CGPSC Paper I (GS) decides your Mains call – Paper II (CSAT) is only qualifying. Put 80% of your effort into Paper I.
2🌾 Chhattisgarh-specific GK is your biggest differentiator. It appears in Prelims Paper I AND Mains Paper 7. Read state-level news daily – most toppers credit this as their edge.
3⚠️ Negative marking in Prelims is 1/3. Attempt only those questions you're confident about. Skip doubtful ones; an unanswered question loses 0, a wrong answer costs 0.67 marks.
4📝 Mains carries 1,400 marks. Start answer writing from day one – clarity, structure, and CG-specific examples in answers significantly improve your score.
5🎯 Paper I merit list is based on your GS score. Even 3–5 extra correct answers can move you up 500–800 ranks. Focus on completing CGPSC PYQs first.
6📅 CGPSC releases the State Service notification once a year — the last two came in late November (2024 and 2025). The SSE 2025 cycle is now at the interview stage and the SSE 2026 notification is awaited, so start Prelims preparation now rather than waiting for the exam date.
14Frequently Asked Questions
What is the CGPSC exam date 2026?
As on 9 October 2026, CGPSC has not released the State Service Examination 2026 notification, so the SSE 2026 Prelims exam date is not announced yet (TBN). For reference, the SSE 2025 notification came on 26 November 2025 and its Prelims was held on 22 February 2026; the SSE 2024 Prelims was held on 9 February 2025. Watch psc.cg.gov.in for the official advertisement.
When is the CGPSC interview date 2026?
CGPSC had scheduled document verification and interviews for SSE 2025 from 20 September to 1 October 2026, but postponed them by a notice dated 16 September 2026 citing unavoidable reasons. The new interview dates have not been announced yet (TBN) and will be published on psc.cg.gov.in.
How many vacancies are there in CGPSC 2026?
The current cycle, CGPSC State Service Exam 2025 (Advt. No. 06/2025 dated 26 November 2025, with corrigenda dated 3 and 12 December 2025), has 265 posts across 20 departments. Vacancies for the next cycle (SSE 2026) will be known only when its notification is released; it had not been released as on 9 October 2026.
When was the CGPSC Mains 2025 result declared?
The CGPSC State Service Mains 2025 result was declared on 31 August 2026. A total of 608 candidates were shortlisted for the interview. CGPSC said in its 3 September 2026 press note that only candidates who met the minimum qualifying marks were shortlisted, which is why the number is below three times the 265 posts. The Mains itself was held on 6–9 June 2026 (rescheduled from 16–19 May 2026).
What is the age limit for CGPSC State Service 2026?
The general age limit is 21 to 30 years (as on 1 January 2025 for the 2025-26 cycle). Candidates domiciled in Chhattisgarh get additional relaxation – up to 35 years for General/OBC CG residents. SC/ST and other reserved categories get further relaxation as per CG government norms. Check the official notification PDF at psc.cg.gov.in for post-wise age details.
Does CGPSC Prelims have negative marking?
Yes. In the CGPSC Prelims, 1/3 of the marks allotted for a question is deducted for each wrong answer. For Paper I (200 marks, 100 questions), each correct answer gives 2 marks and each wrong answer deducts 0.67 marks. Paper II (CSAT) is qualifying only and its marks are not counted in the merit list for Mains shortlisting.
What is the CGPSC Deputy Collector salary in 2026?
A Deputy Collector in Chhattisgarh is placed at Pay Level 12 under the 7th Pay Commission with a basic pay of ₹56,100/month. Dearness Allowance for Chhattisgarh state employees is 58% of basic pay with effect from 1 January 2026 (the central government rate is 60%), which adds about ₹32,500/month. With HRA and other allowances, the gross salary works out to roughly ₹93,000–₹97,000/month, with in-hand around ₹85,000 after deductions. The 8th Pay Commission was constituted in November 2025 but its report is expected only around mid-2027, so current salaries continue under the 7th CPC.
Disclaimer: Dates, posts and status on this page are taken from Chhattisgarh Public Service Commission notices on psc.cg.gov.in (SSE 2025 Advt. No. 06/2025 and corrigenda, Mains result of 31 Aug 2026, press note of 3 Sep 2026, and interview postponement notice of 16 Sep 2026), cross-checked with news reports. Salary figures use the 7th CPC pay matrix with Chhattisgarh state DA at 58% (w.e.f. 1 Jan 2026); the 8th Pay Commission is not implemented. Items marked TBN have not been officially announced. TaiyarHo is not affiliated with CGPSC. Last updated: 9 October 2026. Always verify on psc.cg.gov.in.