Staff Selection Commission has officially released the notification for the Combined Graduate Level (CGL) Examination 2026. According to the official notice, a total of 12,256 vacancies have been announced for recruitment to various posts under central government ministries, departments, and offices. The online application process started on May 21, 2026, and candidates can submit their applications until June 22, 2026 (11:00 PM). The last date for online fee payment is June 23, 2026.
SSC has also opened an application correction window from June 29 to July 1, 2026, allowing candidates to make necessary changes in their submitted forms. As per the tentative exam schedule, the Tier 1 Computer-Based Examination will be conducted between August and September 2026, while the Tier 2 Examination is scheduled for December 2026.
SSC CGL 2026: Important Details
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | SSC Combined Graduate Level Examination 2026 |
| Conducting Authority | Staff Selection Commission (SSC) |
| Total Vacancies | 12,256 |
| Application Start Date | May 21, 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | June 22, 2026 |
| Fee Payment Last Date | June 23, 2026 |
| Correction Window | June 29 to July 1, 2026 |
| Tier 1 Exam | August – September 2026 |
| Tier 2 Exam | December 2026 |
| Exam Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Official Website | ssc.gov.in |
| SSC Helpline Number | 1800 309 3063 |
Candidates who wish to apply for SSC CGL 2026 can complete the registration process through the official SSC website before the deadline.
SSC CGL 2026 Exam Pattern Overview
The SSC CGL exam pattern 2026 explains the structure of the exam, the marking system, and the selection process for both Tier-1 and Tier-2 stages.
Tier-1 Exam Pattern
| Section | Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | General Intelligence & Reasoning | 25 | 50 |
| II | General Awareness | 25 | 50 |
| III | Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 50 |
| IV | English Language & Comprehension | 25 | 50 |
| Total | 100 | 200 | |
Duration: 60 Minutes
Negative Marking: 0.5 mark per wrong answer
Type: Objective (MCQ)
Tier-2 Exam Structure
The SSC CGL Tier-2 exam is considered the most important phase of the recruitment process, as the final merit rank and post allocation are mainly based on Tier-2 scores. While Tier-1 is conducted primarily for shortlisting candidates, Tier-2 is designed to assess in-depth subject understanding along with important qualifying skill tests. The exam also contains mandatory qualifying sections such as computer knowledge and data entry tests, which candidates are required to clear for final selection.
| Session | Section | Module | Subject | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Session I | Section I | Module I | Mathematical Abilities | 30 | 90 | 1 Hour (Total) |
| Module II | Reasoning & General Intelligence | 30 | 90 | |||
| Section II | Module I | English Language & Comprehension | 45 | 135 | 1 Hour (Total) | |
| Module II | General Awareness | 25 | 75 | |||
| Section III | Module I | Computer Knowledge Module (Qualifying) | 20 | 60 | 15 Mins | |
| Session II | Section III | Module II | Data Entry Speed Test (DEST) | 1 Task | Qualifying | 15 Mins |
SSC CGL Tier-2 Paper I will be conducted in two sessions on the same day. The Data Entry Speed Test (DEST) will be held separately in Session II, while Session I will cover Section I, Section II, and the Computer Knowledge Test. Candidates should also be careful while answering, as each incorrect response in Paper I will result in a deduction of 1 mark.
SSC CGL Syllabus 2026
Candidates preparing for the examination are advised to go through the official SSC CGL Syllabus 2026 before starting their preparation. The syllabus includes subject-wise topics for both Tier-1 and Tier-2 examinations, along with details about the Computer Knowledge Test and Data Entry Speed Test (DEST).
Applicants can download the detailed SSC CGL 2026 syllabus PDF directly from the official SSC website: ssc.gov.in
Candidates looking for the complete subject-wise topics and detailed exam pattern can check the SSC CGL Syllabus 2026: Tier-1 & Tier-2 Subject-Wise Syllabus and Exam Pattern article.
FAQ's
Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree from a recognized university. The age limit generally ranges from 18 to 32 years, with relaxation for reserved categories as per SSC rules.
The official website for SSC CGL 2026 registration and updates is ssc.gov.in.
The SSC CGL 2026 Tier-1 exam will be held between August and September 2026, while the Tier-2 exam is scheduled for December 2026 (tentative).
SSC CGL 2026 notification has been released for recruitment to Group B and Group C posts under the central government. A total of 12,256 vacancies have been announced.
The application process started on May 21, 2026, and the last date to apply is June 22, 2026 (11:00 PM). The fee payment deadline is June 23, 2026.