The highly anticipated official notification for SSC CGL Recruitment 2026 has been formally released by the Staff Selection Commission on May 21, 2026. This year, the Commission has announced approximately 12,256 tentative vacancies for prestigious Group 'B' and Group 'C' posts across various central ministries, departments, and statutory bodies.
The SSC CGL Application Form 2026 link is actively open on the new official portal (ssc.gov.in). Eligible graduates looking to secure a career in the central government must complete their registrations and submit their applications before the closing deadline on June 22, 2026 (23:00 Hrs).
SSC CGL Recruitment 2026: Key Overview
The Combined Graduate Level (CGL) examination is a premier competitive gateway in India, drawing over 25 to 28 lakh registrations annually. This recruitment cycle will assign successful candidates into administrative, financial, and investigative tracks such as Assistant Section Officers (ASO), Income Tax Inspectors, Central Excise Inspectors, and Junior Statistical Officers (JSO).
| Recruitment Attribute | Official Update / Specification |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Combined Graduate Level Examination (CGLE) 2026 |
| Conducting Authority | Staff Selection Commission (SSC) |
| Total Tentative Vacancies | 12,256 Posts |
| Classification | Group “B” and Group “C” (Gazetted & Non-Gazetted) |
| Application Window | May 21, 2026, to June 22, 2026 |
| Tier-I Exam Timeline | August – September 2026 |
| Tier-II Exam Timeline | December 2026 |
| Official Registration Portal | https://ssc.gov.in |
Important Dates & Deadlines
To avoid last-minute server congestion or electronic payment failures, candidates are strongly urged to submit their registration profiles well before the final hour.
- Release of Official Notification: May 21, 2026
- Commencement of Online Applications: May 21, 2026
- Last Date to Submit SSC CGL Application Form: June 22, 2026 (Up to 11:00 PM)
- Last Date for Online Fee Payment: June 23, 2026 (Up to 11:00 PM)
- Application Correction Window: June 29 to July 1, 2026 (Up to 11:00 PM)
- Tier-I Exam Window (Computer-Based Test): August – September 2026
- Tier-II Exam Window (Tentative): December 2026
SSC CGL Recruitment Post-Wise Eligibility and Age Criteria
The general eligibility benchmark requires a candidate to hold a Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized university or institute. Final-year graduation students are also permitted to apply conditionally, provided their qualifying results are declared and established before the absolute cut-off date of August 1, 2026.
| Post Category | Age Limits (As of Aug 1, 2026) | Minimum Qualification |
|---|---|---|
| General Posts | 18 to 30 Years | Bachelor's Degree (Any Discipline) |
| CBI Sub-Inspector | 20 to 30 Years | Bachelor's Degree (Any Discipline) |
| JSO | Up to 32 Years | Graduation with 60% in 12th Math OR Bachelor's Degree in Statistics |
| Statistical Inv. | 18 to 30 Years | Degree with Statistics/CS/IT/Data Science |
Statutory Age Relaxations
Standard constitutional age concessions apply over the upper limits:
OBC (Non-Creamy Layer): 3 Years
SC / ST: 5 Years
PwBD (Unreserved/EWS): 10 Years
Step-by-Step Guide to Apply the SSC CGL Application Form 2026
The Commission mandates that all applications must be routed through the new Unified Portal. If you have not registered on the new site yet, you must first clear the One-Time Registration (OTR) phase.
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1. Complete One-Time Registration (OTR): Prerequisite Phase.
Navigate to the official portal at ssc.gov.in. Click on 'New User? Register Now' and enter your primary credentials, working mobile number, and active email address to generate your unique OTR number and permanent password. -
2. Aadhaar-Based Authentication: Identity Verification.
Perform the mandatory Aadhaar-based authentication within the dashboard. Candidates without a valid Aadhaar card must upload an alternative government-approved identification card (such as a Passport, PAN, or Voter ID) for security screening. -
3. Fill Out the Core Application Form: Academic & Preference Details.
Log in using your OTR credentials. Locate the "Combined Graduate Level Examination 2026" under the active notifications tab and select 'Apply'. Input your specific educational aggregates, post-specific qualifications, and choose your preferred regional examination centers. -
4. Live Photograph Capture & Document Upload: Biometric Protocol.
The system requires a clear, live photograph captured directly through your webcam or via the official 'mySSC' mobile application. Ensure the background is plain light-colored, your eyes are visible, and you are not wearing spectacles, masks, or caps. Upload a clear digital copy of your signature matching the prescribed dimensions. -
5. Process the Fee Payment: Final Step - Rs. 100.
Review the complete application layout using the preview panel to verify spelling and data fields. Submit the form and proceed to pay the application fee of Rs. 100 via net banking, UPI, or credit/debit cards. (Note: Women candidates, SC, ST, PwBD, and Ex-Servicemen are entirely exempted from the fee payment).
Examination Pattern Structure
The evaluation process retains a multi-tier format, but final merit ranks will be decided exclusively based on normalized marks obtained in the Tier-II Computer-Based Examination. Tier-I remains purely qualifying in nature.
Tier-I Framework (Qualifying)
Comprises 100 objective type questions totaling 200 marks to be solved within a strictly timed duration of 60 minutes. A negative marking penalty of 0.50 marks is applied for every wrong response.
- General Intelligence and Reasoning: 25 Questions / 50 Marks
- General Awareness: 25 Questions / 50 Marks
- Quantitative Aptitude: 25 Questions / 50 Marks
- English Comprehension: 25 Questions / 50 Marks
Tier-II Framework (Merit-Driven)
- Paper-I (Compulsory for all posts): Consists of Mathematical Abilities, Reasoning, English Language, General Awareness, Computer Knowledge, and a mandatory Data Entry Speed Test (DEST) module.
- Paper-II: Post-specific paper strictly covering advanced Statistics for JSO and Statistical Investigator aspirants.
- Paper-III: Post-specific evaluation on General Studies focusing heavily on Finance and Economics tailored for AAO designations.
Candidates are strongly advised to keep a scanned backup copy of their submitted application form and generated fee receipt. For continuous updates regarding the city intimation slips, admit card release dates, or official mock panels, track the primary notification portal at ssc.gov.in.