SSC Combined Graduate Level (CGL)
SSC CGL is one of India's most popular graduate-level competitive exams. It recruits for various Group B and Group C posts across central government ministries, departments, and organizations. Posts include Inspector (Income Tax/CBI/Customs), Auditor (CAG/CGDA), Statistical Investigator, Sub Inspector (NIA/CBI), Assistant (MEA/IB/CSS), and many more.
Official Website →1Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
Bachelor's Degree in any discipline from a recognized university. Some posts require specific degrees (e.g., Statistics for Statistical Investigator).
Age Limit & Relaxation
| Category | Age Relaxation / Attempts |
|---|---|
| General | No relaxation |
| OBC | +3 years |
| SC/ST | +5 years |
| PwBD | +10 years (General), +13 (OBC), +15 (SC/ST) |
| Ex-Servicemen | +3 years after deduction of military service |
2Exam Pattern
Tier I (Computer Based)
MCQ (Objective) – Negative marking 0.50Tier II (Computer Based)
MCQ (Objective) – Negative marking 1.0 for 3-mark Qs, 0.50 for 2-mark Qs3Detailed Syllabus
1Quantitative Aptitude
2General Intelligence & Reasoning
3English Language
4General Awareness
46-Month Study Plan
Month 1: Foundation – Start with Maths basics (Number System, Percentage, Ratio). Read Lucent GK 1 hour daily.
Month 2: Build on Maths (Algebra, Geometry, Mensuration). Start Reasoning – Series, Analogies, Coding-Decoding.
Month 3: English Grammar – Error spotting, sentence improvement. Continue Maths advanced topics (Trigonometry, DI).
Month 4: Complete all Reasoning topics. Start English vocabulary building (learn 20 words daily from Norman Lewis).
Month 5: Full-length mock tests – 1 per day. Analyze mistakes and revise weak areas. Current affairs revision.
Month 6: Intensive revision of all subjects. Solve previous 5 years papers. 2 mock tests daily. Speed improvement.
5Best Books
| Book Title | Author | Subject | Free Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Exams | R.S. Aggarwal | Maths | Buy online |
| SSC Mathematics (Chapterwise) | Rakesh Yadav | Maths | Buy online |
| A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning | R.S. Aggarwal | Reasoning | Buy online |
| Objective General English | S.P. Bakshi | English | Buy online |
| Word Power Made Easy | Norman Lewis | English Vocabulary | Buy online |
| Lucent's General Knowledge | Lucent Publications | General Awareness | Buy online |
| SSC CGL Previous Year Papers | Kiran Prakashan | Practice | Free → |
6Free Resources
SSC Official Previous Papers
Official question papers and answer keys from SSC website
Adda247 (SSC CGL Free)
Free video lectures for all SSC CGL subjects
Unacademy SSC
Free SSC preparation classes by top educators
Testbook Free Mocks
Free mock tests and practice questions
Rakesh Yadav Maths (YouTube)
Mathematics shortcuts and problem solving
Pinnacle SSC
Free study material and mock tests
💡Expert Tips
?Frequently Asked Questions
What posts can I get through SSC CGL?
SSC CGL covers various posts including Income Tax Inspector, CBI Sub Inspector, Assistant Audit Officer, Customs Inspector, Preventive Officer, Assistant in MEA/CSS, and Statistical Investigator among others. Posts are allocated based on your rank and preference.
Is there an interview in SSC CGL?
No, the interview has been removed from SSC CGL since 2016. Selection is based purely on Tier I and Tier II exam scores. This makes it a completely transparent and merit-based selection process.
How many times can I attempt SSC CGL?
There is no limit on the number of attempts for SSC CGL as long as you meet the age criteria. You can keep appearing until you cross the upper age limit for your category.
What is the cut-off range for SSC CGL?
Cut-offs vary by year and category. For General category, the Tier I cut-off usually ranges between 140-160 out of 200. The final cut-off for top posts like Income Tax Inspector typically ranges from 600-700 out of 980 combined.