The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has rolled out the Combined Graduate Level (CGL) Examination 2026 notification to fill a range of Group B and Group C posts in various central government ministries, departments and offices. The online application window, which had been reopened for a brief period, is now closed as per the official notification, and the recruitment has shifted into its examination phase. Aspirants who have already applied should keep visiting the official website regularly for updates on admit cards, exam city intimation and the detailed schedule.
SSC CGL 2026 Overview
| Recruitment Body | Staff Selection Commission (SSC) |
|---|---|
| Post Name | Combined Graduate Level (Group B & C posts such as Assistant Section Officer, Inspector, Auditor, Tax Assistant, AAO, etc.) |
| Category | Central Government Jobs |
| Total Vacancies | 12,256 (as per the official notification) |
| Job Location | Across India |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Official Website | https://ssc.gov.in |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | 21 May 2026 (as per the official notification) |
| Online Application Start (reopened window) | 23 June 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 25 June 2026 (fee payment till 26 June 2026) |
| Exam Date (Tier 1) | August – September 2026 (tentative) |
| Exam Date (Tier 2) | December 2026 (tentative) |
Please note that the exam dates listed here are tentative and drawn from the official notification. Do confirm the exact schedule on the SSC website, since the Commission may revise it depending on administrative requirements.
Vacancy Details
A total of around 12,256 vacancies have been notified for the SSC CGL 2026 cycle, as per the official notification. The posts are spread across many departments and cover sought-after profiles such as Assistant Audit Officer (AAO), Assistant Section Officer (ASO), Inspector of Income Tax, Inspector (CBIC), Sub Inspector (CBI), Junior Statistical Officer (JSO), Auditor, Accountant and Tax Assistant. The complete category-wise and post-wise break-up is given in the detailed notification, and the count is tentative and may be revised by the Commission later.
Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
To apply, a candidate must hold a Bachelor’s degree in any stream from a recognised university or institution. A few posts carry extra requirements — for instance, the Junior Statistical Officer and Assistant Audit Officer profiles may ask for particular subjects or additional qualifications. It is best to go through the post-wise eligibility in the official notification before filling the form, so that you do not pick a preference for which you are not qualified.
Age Limit
The general age band runs between 18 and 32 years, but the precise lower and upper limits differ from post to post. The cut-off date for working out the age is the one mentioned in the official notification. Upper age relaxation applies to reserved categories as per government rules — broadly 5 years for SC/ST, 3 years for OBC, and 10 years (and above) for PwD candidates, with additional relaxation for Ex-Servicemen. Candidates should cross-check the exact age criteria for their chosen post on the official website.
Application Fee
- General / OBC candidates: Rs. 100/-
- Women candidates: Exempted (Nil)
- SC / ST / PwBD / Ex-Servicemen (eligible for reservation): Exempted (Nil)
The fee can be paid online through net banking, debit card, credit card or UPI, using whichever modes are active on the official portal at the time of applying.
Salary / Pay Scale
As per the official notification, the posts under SSC CGL 2026 sit between Pay Level 4 and Pay Level 8 of the 7th Pay Commission. The basic pay runs roughly from Rs. 25,500 (Level 4) at the lower end up to Rs. 47,600 and above (Level 8), in addition to Dearness Allowance, House Rent Allowance and other admissible benefits as per government norms. The Assistant Audit Officer post (Pay Level 8) is widely regarded as the most lucrative profile offered through this examination.
Selection Process
- Tier 1 – Computer Based Test (CBT), objective in nature and qualifying.
- Tier 2 – Computer Based Test (CBT) made up of multiple papers (Paper 1 common to all candidates; Paper 2 for JSO posts; Paper 3 for AAO posts), counted for the final merit.
- Document Verification, along with a Computer Proficiency Test or Data Entry Skill Test wherever the post demands it.
Documents Required
Keep the following handy in soft-copy form before you sit down to fill the application, so that the process goes smoothly:
- Matriculation (Class 10) certificate as proof of date of birth.
- Graduation degree or provisional certificate and mark sheets.
- Category certificate (SC/ST/OBC/EWS) and PwBD certificate, if claiming relaxation.
- Recent passport-size photograph and scanned signature in the prescribed format and size.
- A valid e-mail ID and active mobile number for receiving all communication.
How to Apply Online
- Open the official SSC website at https://ssc.gov.in.
- Finish the one-time registration (OTR) if you have not already done it, and save your login credentials carefully.
- Sign in and open the SSC CGL 2026 application form link.
- Enter your personal, educational and post-preference details correctly.
- Upload your photograph and signature exactly as per the prescribed format and size.
- Pay the application fee online wherever applicable and submit the completed form.
- Download and retain a printout of the submitted application for your records from https://ssc.gov.in.
Important Links
- Official Notification: https://ssc.gov.in
- Official Website / Apply Online: https://ssc.gov.in
Disclaimer: The details shared in this article, including dates, vacancies, eligibility and fees, are based on information available at the time of writing and are meant only for general guidance. Notifications, schedules and figures are liable to change. Candidates are strongly advised to verify every detail on the official SSC website (https://ssc.gov.in) and read the official notification thoroughly before applying.