SSC CGL 2026: Application Dates, Tier-I Schedule, Pattern and Eligibility
SSC CGL 2026 is the Staff Selection Commission's Combined Graduate Level Examination for Group B and Group C posts across central ministries and departments. The official Notice of Examination fixed online applications from 21 May to 22 June 2026, with Tier-I originally listed as tentative in August-September 2026 and Tier-II in December 2026. A later Commission notice dated 12 September 2026 scheduled Tier-I as a computer-based exam from 30 September to 30 October 2026. This guide sticks to those official notices for dates, eligibility, fees, how to apply and the exam pattern. It does not invent vacancy totals or cut-offs.
SSC CGL 2026 key dates
From the Notice of Combined Graduate Level Examination, 2026 on ssc.gov.in:
- Online applications: 21.05.2026 to 22.06.2026 (last receipt 22.06.2026 at 23:00 hours).
- Last date for online fee payment: 23.06.2026 (23:00 hours).
- Application form correction window: 29.06.2026 to 01.07.2026 (23:00 hours), including online payment for corrections.
- Tier-I (tentative in the Notice): August-September 2026.
- Tier-II (tentative in the Notice): December 2026.
- Helpline for application difficulty: 1800 309 3063 (toll free).
The Important Notice dated 12.09.2026 then fixed Tier-I (CBE) from 30 September 2026 to 30 October 2026. As of early November 2026, candidates should watch ssc.gov.in for Tier-I results, Tier-II city slips and admit cards. The Notice itself says the published schedule is tentative and that changes are communicated only through the Commission website.
What posts does CGL fill?
The Notice lists likely Group B and Group C posts in different pay levels, including Assistant Audit Officer and Assistant Accounts Officer cadres under C&AG, Assistant Section Officer posts in several services, Inspectors, Auditors, Junior Statistical Officer and other roles. Age bands on the post tables include 18-27, 18-30, 18-32 and 20-30 years depending on the post, counted as on 01.08.2026. Exact vacancies are notified by the Commission; this article does not invent a vacancy total.
Eligibility in brief
Nationality
A candidate must be a citizen of India, or a subject of Nepal or Bhutan, or a person of Indian origin in the categories listed in the Notice, subject to an eligibility certificate from the Government of India where required. Only male candidates are eligible for vacancies, if any, reported in the Border Roads Organization.
Age
Age is calculated as on 01.08.2026. The Notice gives date-of-birth windows for each age band (for example, 18-27 years means born not earlier than 02.08.1999 and not later than 01.08.2008). Relaxations apply for SC/ST (5 years), OBC (3 years), PwBD and other categories listed in the Notice.
Education
Essential educational qualifications are post-specific and must be held as on 01.08.2026. For many posts the baseline is a bachelor's degree from a recognised university or institute. Some posts add desirable qualifications (for example CA/CMA/CS or specified master's degrees for certain audit/accounts posts) or language proficiency rules for state cadres. Final-year students should read the Notice carefully: graduation must be possessed by the cut-off date stated there.
Application fee and how to apply
Fee payable is ₹100. Women candidates and candidates belonging to SC, ST, PwBD and eligible ESM categories are exempt. Fee can be paid online through BHIM UPI, net banking, or Visa / Mastercard / Maestro / RuPay debit cards, up to 23.06.2026 (23:00 hours). Fee once paid is not refunded.
Applications were accepted only online at https://ssc.gov.in or through the mySSC mobile app. Candidates needed One-Time Registration on the new SSC website; older OTRs from ssc.nic.in do not work on the new site. The Commission advised Aadhaar-based authentication during OTR. The application window is now closed; use the correction history only as background if you are tracking document trail issues for later stages.
Exam pattern
Tier-I
Tier-I is an objective computer-based test with four subjects of 25 questions and 50 marks each: General Intelligence and Reasoning, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, and English Comprehension. Time allowed is 1 hour, with a sectional timer of 15 minutes per subject (longer for scribe-eligible candidates as per the Notice). Questions are in English and Hindi except English Comprehension. There is negative marking of 0.50 marks for each wrong answer.
Tier-II
Tier-II is also computer-based and includes Paper-I, Paper-II and Paper-III in separate shifts or days. Paper-I is compulsory for all posts. Paper-II is for candidates shortlisted for Junior Statistical Officer / Statistical Investigator Grade-II posts. Paper-III is for candidates shortlisted for Assistant Audit Officer / Assistant Accounts Officer posts. Paper-I has multiple sections covering mathematical abilities, reasoning, English, general awareness, computer knowledge and a DEST typing module, with the detailed structure and timers set out in para 13.9 of the Notice.
Minimum qualifying marks
Minimum qualifying marks in Tier-I and in the specified Tier-II papers/sections are 30% for UR, 25% for OBC/EWS and 20% for all other categories, as printed in the Notice. Separate DEST error limits apply. Final merit rules are based on Tier-II performance as described in the Notice after candidates qualify the required modules. Normalized scores are used when an exam runs in multiple shifts.
Documents and exam-day basics
Keep the same photo and signature standards used in the application, your admission certificate when issued, and original photo ID. The Notice warns that incomplete fee payment leaves an application incomplete. For Tier-II DEST and computer modules, follow the Commission's latest instructions on keyboards and qualifying standards. There is no re-evaluation of scores.
Related exams worth tracking
Graduates comparing central recruitment calendars should also read our guides to RRB NTPC 2026, GATE 2027, UGC NET December 2026, CTET December 2026, CAT 2026 and the PM Internship Scheme 2026. For vocational skilling pathways outside exam cycles, see Skill India at 10 years.
Frequently asked questions
What are the SSC CGL 2026 application dates?
Online applications were open from 21.05.2026 to 22.06.2026 (23:00), with fee payment until 23.06.2026 and a correction window from 29.06.2026 to 01.07.2026.
When is Tier-I?
The original Notice listed Tier-I as tentative in August-September 2026. The Important Notice of 12.09.2026 scheduled Tier-I from 30 September to 30 October 2026.
When is Tier-II?
The Notice lists Tier-II as tentative in December 2026. Confirm the final dates on ssc.gov.in.
What is the application fee?
₹100, with exemption for women and for SC, ST, PwBD and eligible ESM candidates.
Where do I get official updates?
Only on ssc.gov.in. Helpline: 1800 309 3063.
Sources: SSC Notice of Combined Graduate Level Examination, 2026, and SSC Important Notice dated 12.09.2026. Vacancy counts and cut-offs are not invented here; rely on future official results notices for those figures.
Featured image: Biswarup Ganguly / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0 (resized). Generic exam-centre photograph; not an SSC venue.
