SSC CGL 2026 – Complete
Preparation Guide
SSC CGL 2026 notification released on 21 May 2026 — 12,256 vacancies announced for Group B & C posts across Central Government. Apply online by 22 June 2026.
📅 Last updated: 29 May 2026
1What is SSC CGL 2026?
The Staff Selection Commission Combined Graduate Level (SSC CGL) 2026 is one of India's most sought-after government recruitment exams. Conducted annually by SSC, it fills Group B and Group C posts across central government ministries, departments, and organizations — from Income Tax Inspector and CBI Sub Inspector to Auditor, Accountant, and Assistant Section Officer.
With over 20 lakh aspirants competing each cycle for Group B & C posts across central ministries, SSC CGL offers unmatched job security, a structured career path, and a competitive salary — making it the dream exam for millions of graduates across India.
2SSC CGL 2026 Important Dates
| Event | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Official Notification Release | 21 May 2026 | Released |
| Online Application Opens | 21 May 2026 | Released |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 22 June 2026 | Upcoming |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | 23 June 2026 | Upcoming |
| Application Correction Window | 29 June – 1 July 2026 | Upcoming |
| Tier 1 Admit Card | To Be Notified (TBN) | TBN |
| Tier 1 Exam Date | August – September 2026 | Upcoming |
| Tier 1 Answer Key Release | To Be Notified (TBN) | TBN |
| Tier 1 Result | To Be Notified (TBN) | TBN |
| Tier 2 Admit Card | To Be Notified (TBN) | TBN |
| Tier 2 Exam Date | December 2026 | Upcoming |
| Tier 2 Result & Final Merit List | To Be Notified (TBN) | TBN |
| Document Verification | To Be Notified (TBN) | TBN |
⚠️ TBN = To Be Notified. Dates are subject to change per official SSC announcements. Always verify on ssc.gov.in.
3SSC CGL 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
Bachelor's Degree in any discipline from a recognized university. Some posts require specific degrees (e.g., Statistics for Statistical Investigator).
Nationality
Must be a citizen of India. Subjects of Nepal/Bhutan and Tibetan refugees who settled before January 1, 1962 may also be eligible. Refer to the official notification for full nationality criteria.
📋Age Limit & Relaxation (as of 01 August 2026)
| Category | Relaxation | Max Age |
|---|---|---|
| General / EWS | None | 32 years |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | +3 years | 35 years |
| SC / ST | +5 years | 37 years |
| PwBD – General | +10 years | 42 years |
| PwBD – OBC | +13 years | 45 years |
| PwBD – SC/ST | +15 years | 47 years |
| Ex-Servicemen (General) | 3 yrs after deducting military service | Varies |
4SSC CGL 2026 Vacancies & Posts
📱 Official mySSC App — Now Live
SSC has launched the official mySSC mobile app. Candidates can now complete their One-Time Registration (OTR), apply for exams directly, and verify identity via Aadhaar-based face/OTP authentication — all within the app. Download from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store and complete your OTR before the notification releases.
✅ Vacancy Update (22 May 2026): SSC has officially announced 12,256 vacancies for SSC CGL 2026 across various ministries and departments of the Central Government. The post-wise and category-wise vacancy breakup will be published separately on ssc.gov.in under "For Candidates → Tentative Vacancy". This figure is tentative and may be revised.
🆕 AAO Cadre Update (2026): Assistant Audit Officer and Assistant Accounts Officer posts — absent in CGL 2025 — return in CGL 2026 with a new dual-cadre structure (Central Cadre and State Cadre). State Cadre AAO candidates must demonstrate proficiency in the local language of the posting state (proof via matriculation certificate). A new Paper III (Finance & Economics) has been added in Tier 2 for these posts.
Vacancy Trend (Last 8 Years)
| 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9,276 | 11,271 | 8,428 | 7,035 | 37,409 | 8,415 | 17,727 | 14,582 | 12,256 |
Popular Posts Available Through SSC CGL
| Post Name | Ministry/Dept | Pay Level | Basic Pay | Group |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assistant Audit Officer / Asst Accounts Officer | C&AG / CGA | Level 8 | ₹47,600 | B (Gazetted) |
| Income Tax Inspector | CBDT | Level 7 | ₹44,900 | C |
| Inspector (Central Excise & Customs) | CBIC | Level 7 | ₹44,900 | C |
| Inspector (Preventive Officer / Examiner) | CBIC | Level 7 | ₹44,900 | C |
| Sub Inspector | CBI / NIA | Level 6 | ₹35,400 | C |
| Assistant Section Officer | MEA / CSS / IB / AFHQ | Level 6 | ₹35,400 | C |
| Statistical Investigator Grade II | RGI | Level 6 | ₹35,400 | C |
| Auditor | CAG / CGDA / CGAE | Level 5 | ₹29,200 | C |
| Accountant / Junior Accountant | C&AG / CGA | Level 5 | ₹29,200 | C |
| Tax Assistant | CBDT / CBIC | Level 4 | ₹25,500 | C |
| Upper Division Clerk (UDC) | Various | Level 4 | ₹25,500 | C |
5SSC CGL 2026 Exam Pattern
Tier 1 Exam Pattern
🆕 New in 2026: Sectional timing introduced — each section has a 15-minute time limit. You cannot switch back to a previous section after time runs out.
| Section | Questions | Marks | Time | Negative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 25 | 50 | 15 min | –0.50 |
| General Awareness | 25 | 50 | 15 min | –0.50 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 50 | 15 min | –0.50 |
| English Language & Comprehension | 25 | 50 | 15 min | –0.50 |
| Total | 100 | 200 | 60 min |
Tier 2 Exam Pattern (Paper I – All Posts)
🆕 New in 2026: Sectional timing introduced in Tier 2 Paper I — Maths 30 min, Reasoning 30 min, English 40 min, GK 20 min. You cannot switch between sections once time runs out.
| Section / Module | Questions | Marks | Session | Negative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maths Abilities (Part A, Section I) | 30 | 90 | Session I | –1 |
| Reasoning & General Intelligence (Part B, Section I) | 30 | 90 | Session I | –1 |
| English Language & Comprehension (Part A, Section II) | 45 | 135 | Session II | –1 |
| General Awareness (Part B, Section II) | 25 | 75 | Session II | –1 |
| Computer Knowledge (Section III, Module A) | 20 | 60 | Session II | –0.50 |
| DEST – Data Entry Speed Test (Section III, Module B) | — | — | Session II | Qualifying only |
| Total (Scoring) | 150 | 450 | ~4.5 hrs |
6SSC CGL 2026 Syllabus
1Quantitative Aptitude
2General Intelligence & Reasoning
3English Language
4General Awareness
7SSC CGL Salary & Job Profile
| Post | Pay Level | Basic Pay | Approx. In-Hand (Metro) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asst. Audit Officer / Asst. Accounts Officer | Level 8 | ₹47,600 | ₹75,000–85,000 |
| Income Tax Inspector / Customs Inspector | Level 7 | ₹44,900 | ₹68,000–78,000 |
| Sub Inspector (CBI/NIA) / ASO (MEA/CSS) | Level 6 | ₹35,400 | ₹58,000–68,000 |
| Statistical Investigator Gr. II | Level 6 | ₹35,400 | ₹58,000–68,000 |
| Auditor / Accountant | Level 5 | ₹29,200 | ₹48,000–58,000 |
| Tax Assistant / UDC | Level 4 | ₹25,500 | ₹42,000–52,000 |
In-hand estimates include DA (60%), HRA (27% for metro cities), and TA. Actual salary varies by posting city, DA revision, and applicable allowances. Last DA revision: January 2026 (increased from 58% to 60%).
86-Month Study Plan for SSC CGL 2026
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.
9Best Books for SSC CGL 2026
| Book | Author | Subject | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Exams | R.S. Aggarwal | Maths | Buy |
| SSC Mathematics (Chapterwise) | Rakesh Yadav | Maths | Buy |
| A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning | R.S. Aggarwal | Reasoning | Buy |
| Objective General English | S.P. Bakshi | English | Buy |
| Word Power Made Easy | Norman Lewis | English Vocabulary | Buy |
| Lucent's General Knowledge | Lucent Publications | General Awareness | Buy |
| SSC CGL Previous Year Papers | Kiran Prakashan | Practice | Free → |
| SSC CGL 12 Years Solved Papers with Theory (2015-2026) | IFAS Publications | Practice (Tier 1 & 2) | Buy |
10Free Preparation 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 Preparation Tips for SSC CGL
Frequently Asked Questions
What posts can I get through SSC CGL 2026?
SSC CGL 2026 offers posts including: Income Tax Inspector (CBDT), Inspector of Central Excise & Customs (CBIC), Sub Inspector (CBI/NIA), Assistant Section Officer (MEA/CSS/IB/AFHQ), Assistant Audit Officer & Assistant Accounts Officer (CAG – Group B Gazetted), Auditor and Accountant (CAG/CGDA/CGA), Tax Assistant, Upper Division Clerk, Statistical Investigator Grade II, and Research Assistant (NIC). Post allocation is based on Tier 2 merit rank and your stated preferences.
Is there an interview in SSC CGL?
No. The interview was removed from SSC CGL in 2016. Your final rank is determined entirely by Tier II marks (Paper I, Sections I–III). The DEST (typing test) is compulsory for all posts but is only qualifying — it does not add to your score.
How many times can I attempt SSC CGL?
There is no limit on the number of attempts. You can appear every year as long as you meet the age criteria. The age is calculated as on August 1 of the exam year. Standard age relaxations apply: OBC +3 years, SC/ST +5 years, PwBD +10 years. Always verify your eligibility at ssc.gov.in before applying.
Is Tier 1 score counted in the final merit?
No. Tier 1 is purely qualifying. Only 15–20 times the number of vacancies are shortlisted from Tier 1 to appear for Tier 2. Your final rank and post allocation are based only on Tier 2 Paper I marks.
What is the SSC CGL 2026 application fee?
The application fee is ₹100 for General/OBC/EWS male candidates. Women candidates, SC, ST, PwBD, and Ex-Servicemen are exempted from the fee. Payment can be made via UPI, net banking, or debit/credit card through the SSC OTR portal.
What is the salary of an Income Tax Inspector (SSC CGL)?
An Income Tax Inspector starts at Pay Level 7 (₹44,900 basic pay). With DA, HRA, TA, and other allowances, the gross in-hand salary is approximately ₹65,000–₹75,000 per month in major cities. Annual increment and promotion opportunities make it one of the most sought-after SSC CGL posts.
Ready to Start Your SSC CGL 2026 Preparation?
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Disclaimer: Information is based on the official SSC CGL notification and trusted educational sources. Exam dates and vacancies may change. Always refer to the official notification at ssc.gov.in before applying.