SSC Calendar 2026: CGL Exam Dates & Deadlines
📅 Schedule & Key Deadlines
Official Notification Release:
21st May 2026
Online Application Window:
21 May – 22 June 2026
Application Fee Deadline:
23rd June 2026 (23:00 Hrs)
Form Correction Window:
29th June – 1st July 2026
⏰ Examination Timeframes
Tier-I CBT Exam Date:
August – September 2026
Tier-II Main Exam Date:
December 2026 (Expected)
Admit Card Release:
August 2026 (Region-wise)
Result Declaration:
To Be Notified
SSC CGL Posts & Total Vacancies 2026
💼 Overall Vacancy Matrix
Total Declared Vacancies:
12,256 Posts
Post Categories:
Group ‘B’ & Group ‘C’
Departments Involved:
CBDT, CBIC, MEA, CSS, CAG
Sliding Scheme (New):
Waiting-List mechanism proposed
👑 Major Recruitment Posts
Top Group B (Gazetted):
Assistant Audit Officer (AAO)
Top Group B (Non-Gazetted):
Inspector (Income Tax/Customs)
Clerical Group C Posts:
Auditor, Tax Assistant (TA)
AAO Cadre Change 2026:
Divided into Central & State Cadre
Latest SSC CGL Exam Pattern 2026 Changes
⏳ Sectional Timing & Tech Updates
Tier-I Sectional Timing:
15 Minutes Per Section (New)
Section Switching:
Auto-switches once time ends
Authentication Standard:
Voluntary Aadhaar Auth (3 Stages)
Tier-I Qualification:
Marks do not count in final merit
📝 Tier-II Main Exam Upgrades
New Paper-III Added:
General Studies (Finance/Economics)
Who takes Paper-III?:
Only AAO Candidates
Who takes Paper-II?:
Only Junior Statistical Officers (JSO)
Selection Criteria Focus:
Speed, Adaptability & Accuracy
Detailed Candidate Eligibility Criteria
👤 Age Limit (As on 01/08/2026)
Group C (Auditor, TA, Clerk):
18 to 27 Years
Group B (Inspector, ASO, AEO):
18 to 30 Years (JSO up to 32 Yrs)
OBC Category Age Relaxation:
+3 Years
SC / ST Category Relaxation:
+5 Years
PwBD Category Relaxation:
+10 to +15 Years
🎓 Degree & Special Qualifications
Basic Required Qualification:
Bachelor’s Degree in Any Discipline
For JSO Post:
Degree with 60% Math in 12th Std.
For Statistical Investigator:
Degree with Statistics subject
For AAO Post (Desirable):
CA, CS, MBA, or M.Com
For NHRC Research Asst:
Degree + 1 Year Research Exp.
SSC CGL Form Filling: Signature Size & Photo Rules
✍️ SSC CGL Signature Size 2026
Mandatory File Format:
JPEG or JPG only
SSC CGL Signature Size:
10 KB to 20 KB
Image Dimensions:
6.0 cm (Width) x 2.0 cm (Height)
Image Resizer Tool:
Free Image Resizer
Rejection Reasons:
Blurry, Miniature, or Cropped Uploads
📸 Live Photo Capture Standard
Standard Upload Process:
Scanned/Old Photos Banned
New 2026 Process:
Live Photo via Webcam/Mobile
Lighting & Background:
Plain Background, Even Lighting
Accessories Prohibited:
No Caps, Hats, or Dark Glasses
SSC CGL Salary 2026: Post-Wise Pay Scale Breakdown
💰 Top Tier Pay Levels (7 & 8)
Level 8 (AAO) Basic Pay:
₹47,600 – ₹1,51,100
Level 8 Approx. In-Hand:
₹75,000+ (In Metro / X Cities)
Level 7 (Inspectors, ASO) Basic:
₹44,900 – ₹1,42,400
Level 7 Approx. In-Hand:
₹65,000 to ₹72,000 (Based on DA/HRA)
💵 Mid-Level Pay Scales (4, 5, 6)
Level 6 (Sub Inspectors) Basic:
₹35,400 – ₹1,12,400
Level 6 Approx. In-Hand:
₹55,000 – ₹60,000
Level 5 (Auditors) Basic Pay:
₹29,200 – ₹92,300
Level 4 (Tax Assistants) Basic:
₹25,500 – ₹81,100 (In-Hand ₹40,000+)
Comprehensive SSC CGL Syllabus & Exam Pattern
📝 Tier-1 Computer Based Test (CBT)
Total Question Count:
100 Objective Questions (MCQs)
Total Marks & Duration:
200 Marks / 60 Minutes
Negative Marking Penalties:
0.50 Mark Deducted per Error
Level of Difficulty:
Graduate Standard
📚 Core Syllabus Subjects (Tier 1 & 2)
Ensure you take high-quality examping.com mock tests to excel in these primary fields:
General Intelligence & Reasoning
Quantitative Aptitude (Maths)
English Language & Comprehension
General Awareness & Current Affairs
Statistics & Data Interpretation (JSO)
Finance & Economics (AAO Paper 3)
Computer Knowledge Proficiency
Data Entry Speed Test (DEST)
SSC CGL Cut Off 2026: Tier-1 Safe Score & Past Trends
🎯 Target Safe Score (Out of 200)
General (UR) Safe Target:
135 – 145+ Marks
OBC / EWS Safe Target:
130 – 140+ Marks
SC Category Safe Target:
115 – 125+ Marks
ST Category Safe Target:
105 – 115+ Marks
📊 Factors Affecting Merit List
Normalization Process:
Applied across multiple shifts
Total Applicants vs Vacancies:
High competition for 12,256 posts
AAO & JSO Cut-Offs:
Always 15-20 marks higher than normal
Tier-1 Qualifying Nature:
Marks not added to final selection
SSC CGL Typing Test (DEST) Rules & Error Margin
⌨️ Data Entry Speed Test Details
Mandatory For:
All Posts (Qualifying Nature)
Key Depressions Required:
2000 Key Depressions
Time Allotted:
15 Minutes
Equivalent Typing Speed:
Approx. 27 Words Per Minute (WPM)
❌ Maximum Permissible Errors
General (UR) Category:
Maximum 20% Errors Allowed
OBC / EWS Categories:
Maximum 25% Errors Allowed
SC / ST / PwBD Categories:
Maximum 30% Errors Allowed
CPT Posts (ASO, Inspector):
Stricter Error Margin (Usually 5%)
SSC CGL Document Verification & Post Preference 2026
📁 Crucial Date & Certificate Rules
Crucial Date for Certificates:
22nd June 2026 (Closing Date)
OBC/EWS Validity:
Must be valid for FY 2026-27
Format of Certificates:
Strictly as per Annexures in Notice
Who conducts DV?:
Respective Indenting Departments
🏢 Post Preference Submission
When to submit preference?:
Before final Tier-II result declaration
Submission Mode:
Online via SSC Candidate Dashboard
Medical Standards:
Strict for Inspector/CBI/NIA posts
Final Allocation Basis:
Merit-cum-Preference