SSC CGL Mock Test, Syllabus & Pattern
Prepare online for the SSC CGL Recruitment Exam. Get access to online mock tests, practice papers, full syllabus, and pattern details.
Hired under Staff Selection Commission for the post of Combined Graduate Level.
Recruitment Highlights
- Total Vacancies: 12256
- Applicants Volume: 2,814,604
- Pay Scale / Salary: Rs.25,500 - Rs.142400
- Eligibility Criteria: Graduation
- Last Date to Apply: 2026-06-21
Exam Selection Stages
- Tier I
- Tier II
Detailed Exam Syllabus & Criteria
Overview
The SSC CGL Eligibility Criteria 2026 has been released along with the official SSC CGL Notification 2026. The eligibility criteria consists of key details about the age limit, educational qualifications, nationality etc.Candidates must fulfill the eligibility criteria to fill the SSC CGL Application forms. Those candidates who do not meet the criteria won’t be allowed to fill the application forms and if filled their forms will be rejected.To appear in the SSC CGL 2026 exam, candidates should have completed a Bachelor’s degree from a recognised university before the last date of the application.
For most of the posts candidates between 18 and 32 years of age are allowed, though the exact age limit can change depending on the post. The commission also gives age relaxation to reserved categories like SC, ST, OBC, and PwD as per government rules. Read below to know the SSC CGL Eligibility Criteria in detail. Candidates will clearly know whether they are eligible to apply and how to check their eligibility correctly.
SSC CGL Eligibility 2026
The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has released the notification for various Group B and Group C posts through the SSC CGL 2026 recruitment. Before applying aspirants must ensure they meet the required eligibility conditions set by SSC. These criteria are classified under the following major parameters.
- Educational Qualification – Candidates must have a Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university or institution. Some posts may require specialized subjects such as Statistics, Mathematics or Commerce.
- Nationality / Citizenship – Applicants must be citizens of India or fulfill the nationality conditions prescribed by SSC including subjects of Nepal, Bhutan or Tibetan refugees who settled in India before 1st January 1962.
- Age Limit - The SSC CGL age limit 2026 varies depending on the post. It generally ranges between 18 to 32 years. Age relaxations are also provided for reserved categories as per government norms.
- Physical Standards - For some posts of SSC CGL such as Inspector or Sub-Inspector, candidates need to meet the physical and medical fitness standards including parameters like height, chest measurement and eyesight.
SSC CGL Educational Qualification 2026
To apply for the SSC CGL Exam, the candidate must be a Graduate from a recognized University/ Institution. Go through the educational qualification for SSC CGL various posts and note the qualifications required for applying against these posts. Check the desirable and essential qualifications necessary for the candidates.
| Post | Essential Qualification | Desirable Qualification |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Assistant Audit Officer (Central Cadre) | Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized University/Institute. | CA, CMA, CS, or Masters in Commerce/ Business Studies/ Business Admin (Finance)/ Business Economics. |
| Assistant Audit Officer & Assistant Accounts Officer (State Cadre) | 1. Bachelor’s Degree.<br>2. Proficiency in the Regional/official language of the State at the matriculation level. | CA, CMA, CS, or Masters in Commerce/ Business Studies/ Business Admin (Finance)/ Business Economics. |
| Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) | Bachelor’s Degree in any subject with at least 60% Marks in Mathematics at 12th standard level; OR Bachelor’s Degree with Statistics as one of the subjects. | |
| Not Required | Statistical Investigator Grade-II | |
| Bachelor’s degree in Statistics, Mathematics, Economics, Demography, Population Studies, Operation Research, IT, Computer Science/Engineering/Technology/Application, Data Science, or AI. | Not Required | |
| All other Posts | Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized University or equivalent. | |
| Not Required | | |
You should also check the SSC CGL Preparation Tips to improve your practice.
SSC CGL Nationality
Nationality is one of the important eligibility criteria in SSC CGL exam. Candidates need to check before they apply. To be eligible for the exam, you need to be-
- A Citizen Of India (or)
- A Citizen Of Nepal (or)
- A Citizen Of Bhutan (or)
- A Tibetan refugee who came over to India, before the 1st January 1962 with the intention of permanently settling in India.
- A person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African Countries of Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania (Formerly Tanganyika and Zanzibar), Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia and Vietnam with the intention of permanently settling in India.
Also download the SSC CGL Previous Year Papers in PDF Now!
Junior Statistical Officer Eligibility
One of the most sought-after positions under SSC CGL eligibility 2026 is the Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) post. In the Subordinate Statistical Service (SSS), it is a Group "B" non-gazetted post. For many government projects and surveys, the JSO is indispensable for data collection, compilation, processing, and analysis. The table below shows the full list of SSC CGL JSO eligibility requirements, which includes the minimum age and educational level needed to apply.
Overview
The SSC CGL salary 2026 comes under 7th Pay Commission and the salary varies depending upon the pay scale from Level 4 to Level 8. The base pay of SSC CGL is ₹25,500 to ₹47,600 depending upon the position offered. On adding certain allowances like DA at about 50%+, HRA 8% to 27% and TA, the take-home salary can varies as per post. Positions such as Inspector or ASO get paid more than other positions with good promotions. There is variation in salary according to the classification of cities (X, Y, Z) and department.
SSC CGL Salary 2026
The SSC CGL Salary 2026 is structured under different pay levels as per the 7th Pay Commission. Each level offers a fixed basic pay with added allowances. At Pay Level 8, you will get a pay scale of ₹47,600 to ₹1,51,100 with a basic pay of ₹47,600 and grade pay of ₹4800. At Pay Level 7, the pay scale is ₹44,900 to ₹1,42,400 with a basic pay of ₹44,900 and grade pay of ₹4600. Pay Level 6 offers a pay scale of ₹35,400 to ₹1,12,400 with a basic pay of ₹35,400 and grade pay of ₹4200.
At Pay Level 5, the salary ranges from ₹29,200 to ₹92,300 with a basic pay of ₹29,200 and grade pay of ₹2800. Pay Level 4 starts with a pay scale of ₹25,500 to ₹81,100 with a basic pay of ₹25,500 and grade pay of ₹2400. These salary levels help the candidates to understand all the pay structure before selection. Overall, higher pay levels offer better salary, allowances, and career growth opportunities.
SSC CGL Salary 2026: Post-Wise
Different SSC CGL posts receive a salary based on different pay levels. After the 7th Pay Commission, there has been an increment of 3% in the salary of employees appointed to different SSC CGL posts. Check the post-wise SSC CGL pay level and salary scale in the table below:
| Post List | Ministry | Pay Level |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Salary | Assistant Audit Officer | |
| Indian Audit & Accounts Department under CAG | 8 | |
| Rs. 47,600 – 1,51,100 | Assistant Account Officer | |
| Indian Audit & Accounts <br> Department under C&AG | 8 | Assistant Section Officer |
| Central Secretariat Service | 7 | |
| Rs. 44,900 to 1,42,400 | Assistant Section Officer | |
| Intelligence Bureau | 7 | Assistant Section Officer |
| Ministry of External Affairs | 7 | Assistant Section Officer |
| AFHQ | 7 | |
| Inspector of Income Tax | Central Board of Direct Taxation | 7 |
| Inspector (Central Excise) | Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs | 7 |
| Inspector (Preventive Officer) | Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs | 7 |
| Inspector (Examiner) | Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs | 7 |
| Sub Inspector | Central Bureau of Investigation | 7 |
| Inspector of Posts | Department of Post | 7 |
| Inspector | Central Bureau of Narcotics | 7 |
| Sub Inspector | National Investigation Agency | 6 |
| Rs. 35,400 to 1,12,400 | Auditor | |
| Offices under CAG | 5 | |
| Rs. 29,200 to 92,300 | Auditor | |
| Offices under CGDA | 5 | |
| Accountant/ Junior Accountant | Offices under CGA | 5 |
| Senior Secretariat Assistant | Central Government Offices | 4 |
| Rs. 25,500 to 81,100 | Tax Assistant | |
| Central Board of Direct Taxation | 4 | |
| Tax Assistant | Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs | 4 |
| Sub Inspector | Central Bureau of Narcotics | |
| 4 <br> Also read – Which is the Best Post in SSC CGL? <br> SSC CGL Salary for Pay Level 8 (Rs. 47,600 to 1,51,100) <br> Pay Level 8 is applicable to posts that require a higher degree of expertise and responsibility. Pay Level 8 is the eighth level of the Pay Matrix that has been implemented by the Government of India for its employees under the 7th CPC. | Pay Level | |
| SSC CGL Posts | Ministry | |
| Group | Grade Pay | |
| Pay Level 8 (Rs 47600 to 151100) | Assistant Audit Officer | |
| Indian Audit & Accounts Department under CAG | Group B Gazetted (Non-Ministerial) | 4800 |
| Assistant Accounts Officer | Indian Audit & Accounts Department under C & AG | Group B Gazetted (Non-Ministerial) <br> SSC CGL Salary for Pay Level 7 (Rs. 44,900 to 1,42,400) <br> Pay Level 7 generally represents a mid to upper-level range of pay. Candidates can check out the posts that come under Pay Level 7. |
| Pay Level | SSC CGL Posts | Ministry |
| Group | Grade Pay | |
| Pay Level 7 (Rs 44900 to 142400) | Assistant Section Officer | Central Secretariat Service |
| Group B | 4600 | Assistant Section Officer |
| Intelligence Bureau | Group B | 4600 |
| Assistant Section Officer | Ministry of Railway | |
| Group B | 4600 | Assistant Section Officer |
| Ministry of External Affairs | Group B | 4600 |
| Assistant Section Officer | AFHQ | |
| Group B | 4600 | |
| Assistant | Other Ministries/Departments/Organizations | |
| Group B | 4600 | |
| Assistant | Other Ministries/Departments/Organizations | |
| Group B | 4600 | Assistant Section Officer |
| Other Ministries/Departments/Organizations | Group B | 4600 |
| Inspector of Income Tax | CBDT | |
| Group C | 4600 | |
| Inspector (Central Excise) | CBIC | |
| Group B | 4600 | |
| Inspector(Preventive Officer) | Inspector(Examiner) | |
| Assistant Enforcement Officer | Directorate of Enforcement, Department of Revenue | |
| Group B | 4600 | |
| Sub Inspector | Central Bureau of Investigation | |
| Group B | 4600 | |
| Inspector Posts | Department of Post | |
| Group B | 4600 | |
| Inspector | Central Bureau of Narcotics | |
| Group B | 4600 <br> SSC CGL Salary for Pay Level 6 (Rs. 35,400 to 1,12,400) <br> Candidates can check out the posts and details on Pay Level 6 as determined by the 7th CPC below. | |
| Pay Level | SSC CGL Posts | Ministry |
| Group | Grade Pay | |
| Pay Level 6 (Rs 35400 to 112400) | Assistant | Other Ministries/Departments/Organizations |
| Group B | 4200 | |
| Assistant/Superintendent | Other Ministries/Departments/Organizations | |
| Group B | 4200 | |
| Divisional Accountant | Offices under C&AG | |
| Group B | 4200 | |
| Sub Inspector | National Investigation Agency (NIA) | |
| Group B | 4200 | |
| Junior Statistical Officer | M/o Statistics & Program Implementation. | |
| Group B | 4200 | |
| Statistical Investigator Grade-II | Registrar General of India | |
| Group B | 4200 <br> SSC CGL Salary for Pay Level 5 (Rs. 29,200 to 92,300) <br> Candidates can check out the posts and details on Pay Level 5 as determined by the 7th CPC below. | |
| Pay Level | SSC CGL Posts | Ministry |
| Group | Grade Pay | |
| Pay Level 5 (Rs 29200 to 92300) | Auditor | |
| Offices under C&AG | Group C | 2800 |
| Auditor | Other Ministry/Departments | |
| Group C | 2800 | |
| Auditor | Offices under CGDA | |
| Group C | 2800 | |
| Accountant | Offices under C&AG | |
| Group C | 2800 | |
| Accountant/ Junior Accountant | Other Ministries/Departments | |
| Group C | 2800 <br> SSC CGL Salary for Pay Level 4 (Rs 25,500 to 81,100) <br> Candidates can check out the posts and details on Pay Level 4 as determined by the 7th CPC below. | |
| Pay Level | SSC CGL Posts | Ministry |
| Group | Grade Pay | |
| Pay Level 4 (Rs 25500 to 81100) | Senior Secretariat Assistant/ Upper Division Clerks | Central Govt. Offices/ Ministries are other than CSCS cadres. |
| Group C | 2400 | |
| Tax Assistant | CBDT | |
| Group C | 2400 | |
| Tax Assistant | CBIC | |
| Group C | 2400 | |
| Sub-Inspector | Central Bureau of Narcotics | |
| Group C | 2400 | |
| Upper Division Clerks | Date. Gen Border Road Organization (MoD) | |
| Group C | 2400 | |
Check SSC CGL Previous Year Papers Here!
SSC CGL Salary Per Month
There was an increment in the SSC CGL Salary per month after the 7th Pay Commission was implemented. In 2026, the SSC CGL salary per month falls in the range of Rs. 30,000 to 60,000/– based on the post applied for and the city of posting. Lakhs of candidates from India apply to get shortlisted for the SSC CGL job profile annually, given the prestige and repute associated with Officer scale posts in the Central Govt. departments. The SSC CGL posts and salary are classified into four categories: Group A, Group B, Group C, and Group D. You can check some of the salary details mentioned in the points below –
- For Group A posts, the starting SSC CGL salary per month can be around Rs. 56,100 to Rs. 1,77,500 per month.
- The Group B post can have a starting SSC CGL salary per month of Rs. 35,400 to Rs. 1,12,400 per month.
- For Group C posts, the salary can begin at Rs. 25,500 and go up to Rs. 81,100 per month.
- Finally, for Group D posts, the salary starts from Rs. 19,900 to Rs. 63,200 per month.
- Candidates will be eligible for perks and benefits along with the SSC CGL salary per month.
- In addition to the basic SSC CGL salary, candidates are also eligible for other allowances such as Dearness Allowance, House Rent Allowance, Medical Allowance, and Transport Allowance. These allowances are added to the basic salary to make the SSC CGL salary per month.
| SSC CGL Post List & Department | SSC CGL Grade Pay | SSC CGL Salary in hand (in INR) | Assistant Section Officer - Central Secretariat | 4600 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 61888 (X) <br> 58296 (Y) <br> 54704(Z) | Assistant Section Officer - Intelligence Bureau | 4600 | Assistant Section Officer – Railway | 4600 |
| Assistant Section Officer – Ext. Affairs | 4600 | Assistant Section Officer – AFHQ | 4600 | Assistant – Other Ministries |
| 4600 | Inspector of Income Tax – CBDT | 4600 | Inspector (Central Excise) – CBIC | 4600 |
| Inspector (Preventive Officer) – CBIC | 4600 | Inspector (Examiner) – CBIC | 4600 | |
| Assistant Enforcement Officer – Dept. Of Revenue | 4600 | Sub-Inspector – CBI | 4600 | |
| Inspector of post – Dept. of Post | 4600 | Inspector – Narcotics | 4600 | Assistant – Other Ministries |
| 4200 | 49543 (X) <br> 44636 (Y) <br> 41804 (Z) | Divisional Accountant – Under C & AG | 4200 | |
| Junior Statistical Officer – Statistics | 4200 | Statistical Investigator Grade-II – Registrar General of India | 4200 | |
| Sub-Inspector – NIA | 4200 | Auditor – Under CGDA | 2800 | |
| 41526 (X) <br> 37115 (Y) <br> 34779 (Z) | Auditor – Under C & AG | 2800 | Auditor – Under CGA & Others | 2800 |
| Accountant/Jr. Accountant – Under C & AG | 2800 | Accountant/Jr. Accountant – Under CGA & Others | 2800 | Senior Secretariat Assistant/ UDC – Central govt. offices |
| 2400 | 36742 (X) <br> 32627 (Y) <br> 30587 (Z) | Tax Assistant – CBDT | 2400 | |
| Tax Assistant – CBIC | 2400 | Sub-Inspector Central Bureau of Narcotics | 2400 | |
| Upper Division Clerks – Border Road Org. | 2400 | | | |
SSC CGL Salary After 10 Years
The salary details of SSC CGL after 10 years vary based on the group of the post. The SSC CGL exam is conducted for Group B and Group C posts in various government departments. Here is an estimate of the basic pay structure for some popular posts in the SSC CGL salary after 10 years, assuming regular promotions and increments based on the group.
Also read – Life After Clearing SSC CGL Exam
SSC CGL Salary Allowances and Benefits
The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) Combined Graduate Level (CGL) examination is a highly coveted exam for job aspirants in India. Apart from the prestige of being a government employee, the SSC CGL job also offers several salary allowances and benefits.
The salary structure for the SSC CGL posts varies depending on the post and level of the position. The basic salary for a post starts from Rs. 25,500 and can go up to Rs. 2,15,900. In addition to the basic salary, SSC CGL employees are also eligible for several allowances and benefits such as House Rent Allowance, Dearness Allowance, Travel Allowance, and Medical Benefits.
- House Rent Allowance is provided to SSC CGL employees to cover their rent expenses. The amount of HRA varies depending on the city of the employee's posting.
- Dearness Allowance is provided to employees to account for inflation and the rising cost of living.
- Travel Allowance is provided to employees for travel expenses incurred during official work. Medical benefits include health insurance, reimbursement of medical bills, and sick leave.
- Apart from the salary allowances and benefits, SSC CGL employees also enjoy job security, pension benefits, and opportunities for promotion and career growth.
To check out the SSC CGL Answer Key visit the link.
SSC CGL Career Growth and Promotion
The candidates recruited in this SSC CGL recruitment will get lots of growth opportunities in their careers. However, the promotion policy for LDC/JSA/PA/SA/DEO posts varies significantly. Hence, it’s important to know its details beforehand. We have listed the SSC CHSL Promotions for each post below.
| Current Post | Promotion Policy |
| --- | --- |
| Will be promoted to- | Assistant Section Officer (ASO) at Central Secretariat Service |
| A ASO in CSS will get a promotion in 5-7 years through an inter-department exam which is held by the UPSC board. Otherwise, it takes around 10-12 years for normal promotion from Assistant Section Officer to Section Officer. | Assistant Section Officer to Section Officer. |
| Assistant Audit Officer | |
| The promotions of AAO are usually a bit slow as it takes around 6 to 10 years for an AAO to become an Audit Officer. | |
| AAO to Audit Officer. | |
| Income Tax Inspector | |
| The 1st promotion will be availed after completing 8 years of service. | |
| Income Tax Officer => Assistant Commissioner => Deputy Commissioner => Commissioner. | Inspector (Examiner) (CBEC) |
| The promotions are fast in comparison to other posts offered through SSC CGL Exam. An Examiner has to qualify a period of 3 years of service to get promoted to the post of Appraiser, in the qualification process, the officer also needs to give a departmental exam for confirmation. Further the promotion depends on zone to zone. | |
| Appraiser => Assistant Commissioner => Deputy Commissioner => Commissioner. | |
| Tax Assistant (CBEC) | |
| 1st promotion after 3 years. | |
| Senior Tax Assistant => Excise Inspector => Superintendent/Appraiser => Assistant Commissioner => Deputy Commissioner => Joint Commissioner => Additional Commissioner of Income Tax | |
| Statistical Investigator | |
| Promotions are very slow | |
| Senior Statistical Officer => Assistant Director => Deputy Director => Joint Director. | Assistant in Ministry of External Affairs |
| 1st promotion in 15-17 years (without clearing departmental exam). <br> 1st promotion in 8 years (if clear departmental exam). | - |
| Assistant Enforcement Officer (AEO) | |
| There is no fixed promotion period for this post. | |
| Enforcement Officer => Assistant Director => Deputy Director => Director. | |
| Sub Inspectors (CBI) | 1st promotion after a minimum of 5 years. |
| Inspector => Deputy Superintendent => Superintendent => Senior Superintendent. | |
| Tax Assistant (CBEC) | |
| 1st promotion after 3 years. | |
| Senior Tax Assistant => Excise Inspector => Superintendent/Appraiser => Assistant Commissioner => Deputy Commissioner => Joint Commissioner => Additional Commissioner of Income Tax | |
| Sub Inspector in National Investigation Agency (NIA) | |
| First promotion will be after 5 years. | |
| Inspector => Deputy Superintendent => Superintendent | Senior Secretariat Assistant |
| 1st promotion after 5 years. | Assistant => Section Officer |
| Lower Divisional Clerk / Junior Secretariat Assistant | |
| Needs at least one year of experience before getting a promotion to the Upper Division Clerk. | Assistant / Upper Division Clerk To Division Clerk To Section Officer |
| Postal Assistant / Sorting Assistant | |
| Needs at least 5 years of experience and must clear the Postmaster Grade I exam. | Supervisor - Lower Section Grade To Senior Supervisor - Higher Selection Grade II To Chief Supervisor - Higher Selection Grade III |
| Data Entry Operator | |
| Needs to clear the departmental exams conducted by the SSC in order to move up the ladder. | |
| Data Entry Operator Grade B To Data Entry Operator Grade C To Data Entry Operator Grade F (System Analyst) | |
SSC CGL Salary Deductions
In case of the SSC CGL salary, there are a few deductions that must be made from the gross salary to get the net salary or take-home salary. They primarily consist of NPS contributions (approximately 10% of the basic salary), TDS, and some other smaller amounts.
| Deduction Type | Details |
| --- | --- |
| NPS (National Pension Scheme) | |
| Approx. 10% of Basic Pay | |
| EPF (Employee Provident Fund) | |
| Around 12% of Basic Pay (if applicable) | |
| TDS (Tax Deducted at Source) | |
| As per income tax rules | |
| Education Cess | |
| Small percentage on tax | |
| Other Deductions | |
| Includes professional tax or insurance (if applicable) | |
SSC CGL Allowances and Benefits
Apart from the basic pay of SSC CGL employees, many other allowances make their salaries attractive. Many perks in SSC CGL positions help ensure that SSC CGL employees have better financial stability.
| Allowance/Benefit | Details |
| --- | --- |
| House Rent Allowance (HRA) | |
| Provided based on city category: X (24%), Y (16%), Z (8%) | |
| Dearness Allowance (DA) | |
| Given to adjust against inflation; revised periodically | |
| Transport Allowance (TA) | |
| Covers daily travel expenses; higher for metro cities | |
| Medical Benefits | |
| Covers treatment costs for employees and dependents | Special Security Allowance (SSA) |
| Up to 20% of basic pay for posts like CBI, IB | |
| Pension (NPS) | |
| Retirement benefit under National Pension System | |
We hope that you could get the desired information from this article on SSC CGL Salary, Posts, and Job Profile. We have mentioned the details of the job profile, the various allowances that the employees are entitled to and the salary of the various posts under SSC CGL after the 7th Pay Commission. Candidates must know these details before applying for the posts. For any information on Government jobs, study materials, and last-minute preparation tips, download the Testbook App
Overview
The Staff Selection Commission has released the SSC CGL exam pattern 2026 at the official website. Applicants appearing in the exam can refer to the exam pattern for their preparation. Referring to the SSC CGL exam pattern and syllabus helps candidates to understand the scheme of the exam. The exam authority has released the exam pattern separately for tier 1 and tier 2 exams. As per the SSC CGL 2026 exam pattern, there will be one paper in the tier 1 exam, while the tier 2 exam will have three papers. The exam pattern comprises a number of questions, a marking scheme, the duration of the exam and others. The SSC CGL 2026 exam is conducted in an online computer-based mode. Along with the exam pattern, applicants can also refer to the SSC CGL syllabus 2026 to check important topics and chapters asked in the exam. Applicants can also go through the SSC CGL Previous Year Question Papers to ace the exam with a good score. For more information, candidates can refer to the article provided below.
| Particulars | Details |
| --- | --- |
| Name of the Board | |
| Staff Selection Commission (SSC) | |
| Exam Name | |
| SSC Combined Graduate Level (CGL) 2026 | |
| Total Vacancies | |
| 12,256 (tentative) | |
| Mode of Exam | |
| Online Computer-Based Test (CBT) | |
| Number of Tiers | |
| Tier 1 (Qualifying) and Tier 2 (Merit-Based) | |
| Total Questions | |
| Tier 1: 100 \| Tier 2 Paper I: 150 \| Paper II: 100 | |
| Total Marks | |
| Tier 1: 200 \| Tier 2 Paper I: 450 \| Paper II: 200 | |
| Exam Language | Hindi & English (English section in English only) |
| Application Window | |
| 21 May 2026 to 22 June 2026 | |
| Tier 1 Exam Date | |
| August-September 2026 (tentative) | |
| Tier 2 Exam Date | |
| December 2026 (tentative) | |
| Official Website | |
| www.ssc.gov.in | |
SSC CGL Tier 1 Exam Pattern 2026
SSC CGL Tier 1 is only for qualifying, so its marks are not added to the final merit list. Students must pass Tier 1 to give Tier 2. In SSC CGL 2026, each section has 15 minutes and once time ends, that section closes automatically. The exam authority has mentioned the tier 1 exam pattern on the official website. There will be four sections in the SSC CGL 2026 exam: General Intelligence & Reasoning, English Language & Comprehension, Quantitative Aptitude and General Awareness. There will be a total of 100 questions for 200 marks in the SSC CGL tier 1 exam. The paper will be conducted for a duration of 60 minutes.
| Section | No. of Questions | Total Marks | Time Allotted | Each Question |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 25 | 50 | 15 min | |
| 2 marks | General Awareness | 25 | 50 | 15 min |
| 2 marks | Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 50 | 15 min |
| 2 marks | English Comprehension | 25 | 50 | 15 min |
| 2 marks | TOTAL | 100 | 200 | 60 min |
| — | | | | |
SSC CGL Tier 2 Exam Pattern 2026
Staff Selection Commission has released the SSC CGL exam pattern in the official notification. There will be two papers in the tier 2 exam. SSC CGL Tier 2 decides the final selection because only Tier 2 marks are counted in merit. Now Tier 2 has 3 papers. In 2026, sectional timing is added in Paper I, and students must pass every section separately. Paper III is for AAO posts. According to the SSC CGL Pattern 2026, the Tier 2 exam is conducted in multiple stages. Paper I will be conducted in 2 sessions – Session I and Session II on the same day in two shifts. The detailed SSC CGL Exam Pattern tier 2 has been provided here.
| Paper | Applicable To |
| --- | --- |
| Duration | |
| Paper I | |
| All candidates (Compulsory) | 2 hours 30 minutes |
| Paper II | |
| JSO (Junior Statistical Officer) & Statistical Investigator Grade-II only | 2 hours |
| Paper III | |
| AAO (Assistant Audit Officer / Assistant Accounts Officer) only [NEW 2026] | 2 hours <br> SSC CGL Tier 2 Paper 1 Exam Pattern 2026 <br> Paper I is the core examination of Tier 2 and is mandatory for all SSC CGL 2026 applicants regardless of the post applied for. It is conducted in two sessions on the same day. Candidates must clear each section individually; poor performance in any single section can result in disqualification from the final merit list even if overall marks are high. |
| Session | Section |
| Subject / Module | |
| Questions | |
| Marks | Timing |
| Nature | |
| Session I | Section I |
| Mathematical Abilities | 30 |
| 180 | 30 min |
| Scored | |
| Reasoning & General Intelligence | 30 |
| 30 min | |
| Scored | Section II |
| English Language & Comprehension | 45 |
| 210 | 40 min |
| Scored | |
| General Awareness | 25 |
| 20 min | |
| Scored | Section III |
| Computer Knowledge Test | 20 |
| 60 | 15 min |
| Qualifying | |
| Session II | Section IV |
| Data Entry Speed Test (DEST) | |
| 1 Task | 15 min |
| Qualifying | |
| TOTAL | Paper I (Scored Sections) |
| 150 | 450 |
| 2h 30m | |
| Merit <br> SSC CGL Tier 2 Paper II Statistics (JSO Posts Only) <br> Paper II is only for students who apply for JSO or Statistical Investigator Grade-II posts. This paper checks how well candidates understand statistics and maths concepts. If a student gives a wrong answer, 0.50 marks are cut as negative marking in the exam. | |
| Subject | |
| Questions | |
| Max Marks | |
| Duration | |
| Statistics | 100 |
| 200 | 2 hours <br> Negative marking: -0.50 marks per wrong answer in Paper II. <br> SSC CGL Tier 2 Paper III: Finance & Economics (AAO Posts Only) <br> Paper III is in SSC CGL 2026 for students applying for Assistant Audit Officer and Assistant Accounts Officer posts. This paper checks knowledge of finance, accounts, and economics. Its marks are important because they are counted in the final merit list for AAO jobs. |
| Subject | |
| Questions | |
| Max Marks | |
| Duration | |
| General Studies (Finance & Economics) | 100 |
| 200 | 2 hours |
Paper III is newly introduced in 2026 for AAO posts (Assistant Audit Officer / Assistant Accounts Officer).
SSC CGL Negative Marking Scheme 2026
Candidates preparing for SSC CGL 2026 should know that there is negative marking for different tiers. The SSC CGL exam format penalizes incorrect answers differently in Tier‑1 and Tier‑2, so understanding this is important to avoid losing scores. Here’s an easy reference to help you plan your attempt wisely:
| Exam Stage | Penalty per Wrong Answer |
| --- | --- |
| Tier 1 | |
| -0.50 marks for each incorrect response | Tier 2 — Paper I (Section I, II, III) |
| -1 mark for wrong answers in Sections I, II & Section III (Computer Knowledge) | |
| Tier 2 — Paper II (Statistics/JSO) | |
| -0.50 marks for each wrong answer | |
| Tier 2 — Paper III (Finance & Economics/AAO) | |
| -0.50 marks for each wrong answer | |
| DEST & Computer Knowledge (Qualifying) | |
| −1 for MCQs; no penalty for DEST only | |
SSC CGL Syllabus 2026
Staff Selection Commission has released the SSC CGL 2026 syllabus on the official website. Candidates appearing in the exam are advised to refer to the syllabus PDF for their preparation. It is crucial to know the subject-wise important topics in the SSC CGL Syllabus. Knowing the syllabus not only ensures that the candidates are familiar with the important topics and concepts which applicants need to cover, but will also help them to devise a systematic preparation plan that will allow them to divide their time in order to cover all these topics. Candidates must refer to the revised syllabus for the SSC CGL exam and the updated exam pattern in order to prepare effectively.
We hope that this article could provide you with the detailed information on the official SSC CGL Exam Pattern 2026. We have provided the detailed SSC CGL paper pattern for Tier 1 and Tier 2 for your easy reference. Now download the Testbook App to access similar exam resources for SSC CGL and other competitive government exams.
Overview
The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) conducts the SSC CGL exam every year to recruit graduates for various Group B and Group C posts in different government departments. The selection process includes a two-tier Computer-Based Test i.e.Tier 1 and Tier 2. Candidates must clear each stage to be selected for the final posts. People who qualify both stage will go through the document verification process before the final merit list is released. Let's delve into the core aspects of the SSC CGL Selection Process 2026 through this article.
- SSC CGL Selection Process 2026 involves two tiers exam now. Earlier, the selection process consist of four-tier structure.
- The SSC CGL exam process begins with the Tier-1 Exam. It is an objective-based computer based test that checks candidates' general intelligence, awareness, quantitative aptitude and english comprehension.
- Candidates who qualify the Tier 1 will be called for Tier-2 Exam. It consists of three papers i.e. Paper 1 (compulsory for all), Paper 2 (for Junior Statistical Officer) and Paper 3 (for Assistant Audit Officer/Assistant Accounts Officer).
- Document Verification is the last step for candidates who clear both Tier 1 and Tier 2.
- The final merit list is prepared based on performance in Tier 1 and Tier 2.
This simple selection process helps choose the most suitable candidates for different government jobs. So it is important for aspirants to understand it well and prepare properly
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| Download SSC CGL Maths Questions Free PDF! Click Here! |
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What ID Proof is Required for Photo Verification?
In the SSC CGL selection process, candidates must bring original documents for verification. They also need to carry a valid photo ID that matches the date of birth mentioned on the admit card. Any one of the following original documents can be shown for verification.
- Aadhar Card/E-Aadhar printout
- Voter’s ID Card
- PAN Card
- Driving License
- Passport
- Official ID Card of your School/College/University
- Employer ID Card (Govt./ PSU)
- Ex-Serviceman Discharge Book issued by the Ministry of Defence
- Any other photo ID Card issued by the Central/ State Government
SSC CGL Minimum Qualifying Marks
Candidates must score the minimum qualifying marks in both Tier 1 and Tier 2 exams to qualify the SSC CGL Exam 2026. These are different from the cut off marks released after each stage. While the minimum marks remain fixed, the cut offs change every year. Candidates will only proceed further into the SSC CGL Selection Process if they score equal to or more than the prescribed category-wise cut-offs.
It is important for candidates to check the minimum qualifying marks for the SSC CGL Tier 1 and Tier 2 exams and the cut-offs for each cycle to ensure that they meet the necessary requirements for the SSC CGL Selection Process.
The table below shows the minimum qualifying marks for Tier-I, Section-I, Section-II & Module-I of Section-III of Paper-I of Tier-II, Paper-II & Paper-III of Tier-II Exam for all categories -
| Category | Minimum Qualifying Marks |
| --- | --- |
| UR | |
| 30% | |
| OBC/ EWS | |
| 25% | |
| All other categories | 20% <br> Minimum Qualifying Marks in Data Entry Speed Test <br> Maximum percentage of errors allowed (i.e. minimum qualifying standards) in <br> Module-II of Section-III of Paper-I of Tier-II Examination i.e. DEST of the SSC CGL procedure for selection are as follows: |
| Category | Minimum Qualifying Marks |
| UR | |
| 20% | |
| OBC/ EWS | |
| 25% | |
| All other categories | |
| 30% | |
Check out SSC CGL Previous Year Papers for better preparation.
It's important for candidates to ensure that the information on the Photo ID proof matches the information provided on the Admission Certificate, and to bring the original copy of the document for verification. Failure to produce the required documents will lead to disqualification from the SSC CGL Selection Process.
SSC CGL Syllabus 2026 and Exam Pattern: Overview
To ace the SSC CGL 2026 exam , candidates make sure they clearly understand the SSC Exam Pattern and Syllabus 2026. The CGL 2026 syllabus helps candidates know all the topics that will be asked in the exam. Check the table below for a brief detail on the SSC Combined Graduate Level Syllabus and Exam Pattern 2026.
| Particulars | Details | Name of the Board | Staff Selection Commission | Post Name |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Combined Graduate Level | Examination Name | SSC CGL | Mode of Exam | |
| Online Mode | Nature of Exam | Qualifying | Number of Tiers | |
| Tier 1, Tier 2 | Number of Questions (Tier 1) | 100 | Number of Marks | |
| Tier 1: 200 Marks <br> Tier 2: 450 Marks for Paper I, 200 marks each for Paper II & III | Type of Questions | MCQ (Objective Type) | Exam Duration | Tier 1: 1 Hour <br> Tier 2: 2 Hours 30 Minutes for Paper I, 2 hours each for Paper II & III |
| Exam Language | | | | |
Hindi & English
SSC CGL Exam Pattern 2026
The SSC CGL exam pattern clearly explains how the exam is conducted including its different stages and the distribution of marks. Since the SSC CGL selection process includes Tier 1 and Tier 2, the exam pattern is made according to each stage. To get a better understanding of the overall exam, candidates should go through both Tier 1 and Tier 2 exam patterns in detail. The complete structure of the exam is provided here.
SSC CGL Tier 1 Exam Pattern
The SSC CGL Tier 1 is the first stage of the selection process. The exam is conducted online for 60 minutes and consists of objective type questions. A negative marking of 0.5 marks is done for each wrong answer. This stage is qualifying in nature so its marks are not included in the final merit list. However, clearing this stage is necessary for candidates to move to Tier 2. Refer to the table below for a clear understanding of the exam pattern.
| Subject | Number of Questions | Total Marks | Section Timing | Total Time Duration |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 25 | 50 | 15 minutes | 60 Minutes |
| General Awareness | 25 | 50 | 15 minutes | |
| Quantitative Aptitude (Maths) | 25 | 50 | 15 minutes | |
| English Comprehension | 25 | 50 | 15 minutes | |
| Total | 100 | 200 | - | - |
SSC CGL Tier 2 Exam Pattern
Unlike Tier 1, this stage is merit-based, so candidates need to perform well to be included in the final list. The SSC CGL Tier 2 exam pattern 2026 explains the structure and process of the second stage of the exam. Tier 2 consists of 3 papers i.e. Paper I which is compulsory for all candidates and Paper II for those applying for the Junior Statistical Officer post and Paper III for Assistant Audit Officer.
In Tier-II, negative marking is 1 mark for each wrong answer in Section-I, Section-II and Section-III of Paper-I. Section-III (Computer) and Section-IV (DEST Typing) are mandatory but qualifying in nature, with higher qualifying standards for some posts. For Paper-II and Paper-III, 0.50 marks will be deducted for each incorrect answer.
| Paper/Session | Section/Module | Subject | Number of Question | Marks |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Time Allowed | Paper - I (Session-I) | Section-I | A: Mathematical Abilities <br> B: Reasoning & General Intelligence | |
| 30 each | 180 (3 marks each) | 1 Hour ( Sectional timer: 30 mins per subject) | Section-II | |
| A: English Language & Comprehension (ELC) <br> B: General Awareness (GA) | ELC: 45 marks <br> GA: 25 | 210 (3 marks each) | 1 Hour ( Sectional timer: 40 mins for English, 20 mins for GA) | Section-III |
| Computer Knowledge Test | 20 | 60 (3 marks each) | 15 Minutes | |
| Paper-I <br> (Session-II) | Section-IV | Data Entry Speed Test (DEST) | - | - |
| 15 Minutes (Passage of ~2000 key depressions) | Paper-II | - | Statistics (Only for JSO/Statistical Investigator) | 100 |
| 200 (2 marks each) | 2 Hours | Paper-III | - | |
| General Studies (Finance & Economics) (Only for AAO) | 100 | 200 (2 marks each) | 2 Hours | |
SSC CGL Syllabus 2026
The SSC CGL Syllabus for Tier 1 and Tier 2 includes subjects like General Intelligence & Reasoning, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude and English Comprehension. The syllabus checks candidates’ skills in mathematics, logical reasoning, English language and current affairs. Topics such as Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Grammar and Verbal/Non-Verbal Reasoning are important parts of the exam. Tier 2 also includes Computer Knowledge and Data Entry Skill Test topics.
SSC CGL Tier 1 Syllabus
The SSC CGL Syllabus for Tier 1 consists of 4 key sections. It tests general aptitude knowledge of the candidates. Knowing the SSC CGL Tier 1 syllabus 2026 will help candidates focus on important topics and prepare effectively for the first stage of the Combined Graduate Level Examination.
SSC CGL Maths Syllabus
- Discount
- Averages
- Circle and its chords
- Trigonometric ratio
- Angles subtended by chords of a circle
- Histogram
- Regular Right Pyramid with triangular or square base
- Interest
- Heights and Distances
- Bar diagram & Pie chart
- Ratio & Proportion
- Percentage
- Triangle, Quadrilaterals
- Standard Identities
- Congruence and similarity of triangles
- Regular Polygons
- Complementary angles
- Degree and Radian Measures
- Graphs of Linear Equations
- Common tangents to two or more circles
- Frequency polygon
- Right circular cone
- Basic algebraic identities of School Algebra & Elementary surds
- Profit & Loss
- Prism
- Rectangular Parallelepiped
- Time & Work
- Partnership Business
- Time and distance
- Triangle and its various kinds of centers
- Sphere
- Square roots
- Mixture and Alligation
- Hemispheres
- Right circular cylinder
SSC CGL Reasoning Syllabus
- Spatial Orientation
- Discrimination
- Problem Solving
- Indexing
- Critical Thinking
- Observation
- Coding and Decoding
- Symbolic/Number Classification
- Word Building
- Space Visualisation
- Statement Conclusion
- Non-Verbal Series
- Semantic Classification
- Address Matching
- Emotional Intelligence
- Social Intelligence
- Relationship Concepts
- Syllogistic Reasoning
- Venn Diagrams
- Date and City Matching
SSC CGL General Awareness
- India and its neighboring countries (History, Culture, Geography, Economic Scene)
- Books and Authors
- Important Days and Events
- Portfolio of Ministers
- Static GK
- Science and Technology
- Indian and World Geography
- Current Affairs
- Sports Affairs and Personalities
- Government Schemes and Policies
- People in News
- Polity and Economy in India
SSC CGL English Syllabus
- Sentence Improvement
- Active and Passive Voice
- Error Spotting
- Reading Comprehension
- Fill in the Blanks
- One Word Substitution
- Cloze Test
- Sentence Rearrangement
- Direct and Indirect Speech
- Synonyms and Antonyms
- Spelling Correction
- Idioms and Phrases
- Sentence Correction
SSC CGL Tier 2 Syllabus
SSC CGL Tier 2 Syllabus 2026 tests skills in analysis, statistics, and finance. Paper I is compulsory for all and covers Math Abilities, Reasoning, English, General Awareness and Computer Knowledge. Paper II is for Junior Statistical Officer applicants (advanced Statistics) while Paper III is for Audit/Accounts Officer posts (Finance & Economics studies). Candidates can check complete subject wise topics for Tier 2 below.
SSC CGL Mathematical Abilities Syllabus
- Computation of Whole Numbers
- Decimals and Fractions
- Relationship between Numbers
- Percentages
- Ratio and Proportion
- Square Roots
- Averages
- Interest (Simple and Compound)
- Profit and Loss
- Discount
- Partnership Business
- Mixture and Alligation
- Time and Distance
- Time and Work
- Basic Algebraic Identities of School Algebra
- Elementary Surds (Simple Problems)
- Graphs of Linear Equations
- Familiarity with Elementary Geometric Figures and Facts
- Triangle and its Various Kinds of Centres
- Congruence and Similarity of Triangles
- Circle and its Chords, Tangents, and Angles Subtended by Chords
- Common Tangents to Two or More Circles
- Triangle, Quadrilaterals, Regular Polygons, and Circle
- Right Prism, Right Circular Cone, Right Circular Cylinder, Sphere, and Hemispheres
SSC CGL General Intelligence and Reasoning Syllabus
- Symbolic/Number Analogy
- Punched Hole/Pattern Folding & Unfolding
- Numerical Operations
- Semantic Series
- Figural Series
- Embedded Figures
- Venn Diagrams
- Puzzles
- Emotional Intelligence
- Symbolic/Number Classification
- Word Building
- Figural Pattern Folding and Completion
SSC CGL English Syllabus
- Active and Passive Voice
- Sentence Structure
- One-word Substitution
- Synonyms and Antonyms
- Shuffling of Sentence Parts
- Cloze Passage
- Homonyms
- Idioms and Phrases
- Grammar
- Improvement of Sentences
- Comprehension Passage
- Fill in the Blanks
- Shuffling of Sentences in a Passage
- Spot the Error
- Direct and Indirect Speech
- Spelling/Detecting Misspelled Words
SSC CGL Paper II Syllabus
- Primary and Secondary data, Methods of data collection
- Tabulation of data
- Graphs and charts
- Frequency distributions
- Diagrammatic presentation of frequency distributions.
- Common measures of central tendency: mean, median and mode
- Partition values: quartiles, deciles, percentiles
- Common measures of dispersion: range, quartile deviation, mean deviation and standard deviation
- Measures of relative dispersion.
- Types of moments and their relationship; meaning of skewness and kurtosis
- Measures of skewness and kurtosis
- Scatter diagram
- simple correlation coefficient
- simple regression lines
- Spearman’s rank correlation
- Measures of association of attributes
- Multiple regression
- Multiple and partial correlation (for three variables only).
- Meaning and different definitions of probability
- Conditional probability
- Compound probability
- Independent events
- Bayes’ theorem.
- Random variable
- Probability functions
- Expectation and variance
- Higher moments
- Binomial, Poisson, normal and exponential distributions
- Joint distribution of two random variables (discrete).
- Concept of population and sample
- Parameter and statistic
- Sampling and non-sampling errors
- Probability and non-probability sampling techniques
- Point and interval estimation
- Properties of a good estimator
- Methods of estimation (moments, maximum likelihood, least squares)
- Hypothesis testing
- Z, t, chi-square and F tests
SSC CGL Tier 2 Paper 3 Syllabus
Below are the complete details of Part A - Finance and Accounts for SSC CGL Tier 2.
- Fundamental principles and basic concepts of accounting.
- Nature and scope, limitations, basic concepts and conventions and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
- Single and double entry system, books of original entry, bank reconciliation, journal, ledger, trial balance and rectification of errors.
- Manufacturing account, trading account, profit and loss appropriation account and balance sheet.
- Capital and revenue expenditure, depreciation accounting and valuation of inventories.
- Non-profit organisation accounts, receipts and payments account, income and expenditure account, bills of exchange and self-balancing ledgers.
The table below contains Part B syllabus of SSC CGL Tier 2 Paper 3 Exam.
- Constitutional provisions, role and responsibilities.
- Finance Commission – Role and functions.
- Basic Concept of Economics and Microeconomics – Definition, scope, and nature of economics; methods of economic study; central problems of an economy; production possibility curve.
- Theory of Demand and Supply – Meaning and determinants of demand, law of demand; elasticity of demand (price, income, and cross elasticity), consumer behaviour (Marshallian and indifference curve approach), meaning and determinants of supply, law of supply, elasticity of supply.
- Theory of Production and Cost – Meaning and factors of production, law of variable proportions, laws of returns to scale.
- Forms of Market and Price Determination – Perfect competition, monopoly, monopolistic competition, oligopoly and price determination in these markets.
- Indian Economy – Role of agriculture, industry, and services, national income concepts and measurement methods, population size and growth, poverty and unemployment, infrastructure (energy, transport, communication).
- Economic Reforms in India – Liberalisation, privatisation, globalisation, and disinvestment since 1991.
- Money and Banking – Role and functions of RBI, functions of commercial banks, RRBs, and payment banks, monetary and fiscal policy; budget, fiscal deficits, balance of payments; FRBM Act, 2003.
