Get fastest alerts on Results, Admit Cards & Govt Jobs directly on your phone.
The SSC CGL Recruitment 2026 Notification has been officially released by the Staff Selection Commission on 21 May 2026. The online application window is open from 21 May to 22 June 2026 at ssc.gov.in. This year’s recruitment is for 12,256 vacancies across 40 Group B and Group C posts in central government ministries and departments. The Tier-1 exam is scheduled for August–September 2026 and Tier-2 in December 2026.
Overview of SSC CGL Recruitment 2026
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | Staff Selection Commission (SSC) |
| Exam Name | Combined Graduate Level (CGL) Examination 2026 |
| Total Vacancies | ~12,256 |
| Posts | 40 Group B and Group C Posts |
| Notification Released | 21 May 2026 |
| Application Start Date | 21 May 2026 |
| Application Last Date | 22 June 2026 (11 PM) |
| Fee Payment Deadline | 23 June 2026 |
| Correction Window | 29 June – 1 July 2026 |
| Tier-1 Exam Date | August – September 2026 |
| Tier-2 Exam Date | December 2026 |
| Official Website | ssc.gov.in |
What’s New in SSC CGL Recruitment 2026 — Key Changes
SSC has introduced two major structural changes this year that every candidate must know before applying:
1. Sectional Timing Introduced (NEW): Both Tier-1 and Tier-2 Paper-1 now carry a fixed 15-minute time limit per section. After 15 minutes, that section auto-closes and candidates cannot return to it. In CGL 2025, candidates had freedom to move between sections. This change makes time management and sectional speed critical from Day 1 of preparation.
2. AAO Posts Return (NEW): The Assistant Audit Officer (AAO) and Assistant Accounts Officer posts — absent in CGL 2025 — are back in 2026 under a new dual-cadre structure (Central + State). These are Pay Level-8 posts with the highest salary in the CGL universe (₹47,600–₹1,51,100). A third paper (Paper-3: Finance & Economics) has been added to Tier-2 exclusively for AAO applicants.
SSC CGL Recruitment 2026 – Popular Posts and Salary
| Post | Department | Pay Level | Salary Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assistant Audit Officer (AAO) | CAG / State | Level-8 | ₹47,600 – ₹1,51,100 |
| Assistant Section Officer | CSS / MEA / AFHQ | Level-7 | ₹44,900 – ₹1,42,400 |
| Inspector (Income Tax) | CBDT | Level-7 | ₹44,900 – ₹1,42,400 |
| Inspector (Central Excise) | CBIC | Level-7 | ₹44,900 – ₹1,42,400 |
| Sub Inspector | CBI / NIA | Level-6 | ₹35,400 – ₹1,12,400 |
| Auditor | CAG / CGDA | Level-5 | ₹29,200 – ₹92,300 |
| Tax Assistant | CBDT / CBIC | Level-4 | ₹25,500 – ₹81,100 |
| Junior Statistical Officer | M/o Statistics | Level-6 | ₹35,400 – ₹1,12,400 |
Eligibility Criteria – SSC CGL Recruitment 2026
Educational Qualification
- Most posts: Bachelor’s Degree in any discipline from a recognised university
- JSO / Statistical Investigator Gr-II: Graduation with Statistics as a subject
- AAO: Bachelor’s Degree; MBA / CA / CMA / CS / M.Com preferred
- Final year students can apply provisionally (qualification must be complete before DV)
Age Limit (as on 1 August 2026)
| Category | Age Limit |
|---|---|
| Tax Assistant / JSO / Auditor | 18–27 years |
| ASO / Inspector / Executive Asst | 18–30 years |
| AAO / Asst Accounts Officer | 20–30 years |
| DGFT Section Head | 18–32 years |
| SC / ST | +5 years relaxation |
| OBC-NCL | +3 years relaxation |
| PwBD | +10–15 years relaxation |
Application Fee – SSC CGL Recruitment 2026
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS | ₹100 |
| SC / ST / Women / PwBD / ESM | Nil (Exempted) |
How to Apply Online – SSC CGL Recruitment 2026
- Visit the official website — ssc.gov.in
- Complete One-Time Registration (OTR) — mandatory before applying (Aadhaar authentication required)
- Log in with your OTR credentials
- Click on “Apply – Combined Graduate Level Examination 2026”
- Fill in personal, educational, and post preference details
- Upload a live photograph through the application module (pre-existing photos not allowed)
- Choose preferred exam centre city
- Pay the application fee (₹100) online — Credit Card / Debit Card / Net Banking / UPI
- Submit and download the confirmation page
OTR Note: Candidates registered on the old SSC website must create a fresh OTR on the new portal at ssc.gov.in. Old login credentials will not work.
SSC CGL Recruitment 2026 Exam Pattern
Tier-1 (Qualifying — for Tier-2 shortlisting)
| Section | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 25 | 50 | 15 min |
| General Awareness | 25 | 50 | 15 min |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 50 | 15 min |
| English Language | 25 | 50 | 15 min |
| Total | 100 | 200 | 60 min |
- Negative Marking: –0.50 per wrong answer
- No sectional cut-off in Tier-1 — only overall category-wise cut-off applies
Tier-2 (Merit-deciding — December 2026)
| Paper | For | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Paper-1 | All candidates (mandatory) | 390 |
| Paper-2 | JSO / Statistical Investigator applicants | 200 |
| Paper-3 | AAO / Asst. Accounts Officer applicants | 200 |
- Tier-2 Paper-1 also has 15-minute sectional timing per section
- Sectional cut-off applies in Tier-2 Paper-1 (30% UR / 25% OBC-EWS / 20% SC-ST)
SSC CGL Recruitment 2026 – Important Dates at a Glance
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Released | 21 May 2026 |
| Application Opens | 21 May 2026 |
| Application Closes | 22 June 2026 (11 PM) |
| Fee Payment Deadline | 23 June 2026 |
| Correction Window | 29 June – 1 July 2026 |
| Tier-1 Exam | August – September 2026 |
| Tier-2 Exam | December 2026 |
| Document Verification | After Tier-2 |
FAQs About SSC CGL Recruitment 2026
How many vacancies are announced in SSC CGL Recruitment 2026?
SSC has announced approximately 12,256 tentative vacancies for 40 Group B and Group C posts. Post-wise breakdowns will be published separately on ssc.gov.in under “For Candidates → Tentative Vacancy.”
What is the last date to apply for SSC CGL 2026?
The last date to submit the online application is 22 June 2026 at 11 PM. Fee payment deadline is 23 June 2026.
What is the biggest new change in SSC CGL 2026?
The introduction of sectional timing (15 minutes per section) in both Tier-1 and Tier-2 Paper-1 is the biggest change. After 15 minutes, the section auto-closes. This was not present in CGL 2025.
Is OTR mandatory for SSC CGL 2026?
Yes. One-Time Registration (OTR) at ssc.gov.in is mandatory before applying. Candidates on the old SSC portal must create a fresh OTR.
What is the SSC CGL Tier-1 exam date 2026?
Tier-1 is tentatively scheduled for August–September 2026. Exact dates will be announced on ssc.gov.in.
Are AAO posts available in SSC CGL 2026?
Yes. AAO posts return in 2026 after being absent in CGL 2025, under Pay Level-8 with salary up to ₹1,51,100 per month.
Summary
SSC CGL Recruitment 2026 notification is live at ssc.gov.in for 12,256 vacancies across 40 posts. Apply online from 21 May to 22 June 2026. Key changes this year: sectional timing in Tier-1 and Tier-2, and the return of AAO posts at Pay Level-8. Complete OTR at ssc.gov.in before applying. Tier-1 exam in August–September 2026, Tier-2 in December 2026.
Official Website: ssc.gov.in | Correction Window: 29 June – 1 July 2026 | All Exam Updates: JIS Exams