SSC CGL Recruitment 2026 Notification Out – Apply Online for 12256 Group B & Group C Posts

SSC CGL 2026 Important Dates

SSC CGL 2026 – Post-wise Vacancy Details

A total of approximately 12,256 vacancies are available across Group B and Group C posts spread over multiple Pay Levels. Post-wise and category-wise vacancies will be updated on the SSC website. State-wise/Zone-wise vacancies are not collected by the Commission; candidates may approach the concerned User Departments for such details.

Pay Level 8 (Rs. 47,600–1,51,100) – Group B Gazetted (Non-Ministerial)

Pay Level 7 (Rs. 44,900–1,42,400) – Group B

Pay Level 6 (Rs. 35,400–1,12,400) – Group B

Pay Level 5 (Rs. 29,200–92,300) – Group C

Pay Level 4 (Rs. 25,500–81,100) – Group C

Note: Final allotment of posts is made on the basis of merit-cum-preferences given by the candidates. Once a post is allotted, no change will be made due to non-fulfilment of any post-specific physical/medical/educational standard. Some posts (Inspector CE/Examiner/Preventive Officer, Sub Inspector in CBI/NIA/CBN, SI in NCB) have specific Physical Standards, Physical Tests, and Medical Standards as per Annexure-XV & XVI of the notification.

SSC CGL 2026 – Eligibility Criteria

SSC CGL 2026 – Age Limit

Age will be calculated as on 01-08-2026. The date of birth recorded in the Matriculation or Secondary Examination Certificate will be treated as final.

Age Relaxation

SSC CGL 2026 – Application Fee

Fee must be paid online through BHIM UPI, Net Banking, or Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, and RuPay debit cards. Fee once paid will not be refunded, and applications without required fee payment will be rejected.

Correction Window Fee: Rs. 200/- for first correction and Rs. 500/- for second correction. This applies to all candidates, including fee-exempt applicants.

SSC CGL 2026 – Selection Process

Selection is through a two-tier Computer Based Examination (CBE). Marks scored in CBE conducted in multiple shifts will be normalized as per the procedure published by SSC vide Notice dated 02-06-2025. There is no provision for re-evaluation/re-checking of scores at any stage.

Tier-I: Computer Based Examination

Tier-I consists of Objective Type / MCQ questions, set in English and Hindi (except English Comprehension). Negative marking: 0.50 marks per wrong answer.

Tier-II: Computer Based Examination

Tier-II is conducted in Paper-I, Paper-II, and Paper-III in separate shifts/days.

Negative marking in Tier-II: 1 mark per wrong answer in Section-I, II, III of Paper-I; 0.50 marks in Paper-II and Paper-III. Section-III (CKT) and Section-IV (DEST) are qualifying in nature. Candidates must qualify all sections of Paper-I separately. Higher standards of CKT and DEST are set for specific posts (CSS, MEA, AFHQ, SFIO, CBIC, Postal etc.). Compensatory time of 20 minutes per hour is available for PwBD candidates eligible for scribe.

SSC CGL 2026 – Scheme of Examination & Syllabus (Brief)

SSC CGL 2026 – Exam Centres

The examination will be conducted through 9 SSC Regions covering all states and union territories. Candidates must choose three examination centres, in order of priority, within the same region.

Central Region: Agra, Lucknow, Prayagraj, Varanasi, Patna, Gaya Eastern Region: Kolkata, Ranchi, Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Gangtok Karnataka Kerala Region: Bengaluru, Kochi, Kozhikode, Mysuru Madhya Pradesh Region: Bhopal, Indore, Jabalpur, Raipur North Eastern Region: Guwahati, Imphal, Shillong, Aizawl, Agartala Northern Region: Delhi, Jaipur, Dehradun North Western Region: Chandigarh, Shimla, Jammu, Srinagar, Amritsar Southern Region: Chennai, Hyderabad, Vijayawada, Coimbatore, Madurai Western Region: Mumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad, Surat, Nagpur, Panaji

No request for change of centre will be entertained after submission of the application. SSC may add, cancel, or shift candidates to another centre depending on administrative requirements.

Competition Level Analysis for SSC CGL 2026

The overall competition level for SSC CGL 2026 is expected to remain very high because the examination attracts a massive number of graduate applicants every year across India. Even with around 12,256 vacancies, the effective competition ratio remains extremely tough for high-demand posts.

1. Applicant volume is huge: SSC CGL is among the most sought-after central government exams, and premium posts receive intense preference from top scorers.
2. Tier-I acts as the main screening stage: With negative marking and sectional timing, both speed and accuracy matter. Candidates targeting top posts generally need a very strong Tier-I score.
3. Tier-II gets post-specific: Specialized posts like JSO and AAO attract a smaller but more qualified pool, making domain preparation more important than raw competition numbers.
4. DEST and CKT can eliminate candidates: Although qualifying in nature, poor performance in these sections can disqualify otherwise strong candidates for certain posts.
5. Physical standards create an extra filter: Certain Inspector and Sub Inspector posts require physical and medical fitness standards that are checked separately by user departments.

Who Should NOT Apply for SSC CGL 2026?

1. Candidates who will not possess a Bachelor’s Degree by 01-08-2026.
2. Candidates who fall outside the age limit for all eligible posts even after applicable relaxation.
3. OBC Creamy Layer candidates intending to claim OBC reservation.
4. Candidates who cannot meet post-specific physical or medical standards for the posts they plan to prefer.
5. Non-matriculate Ex-Servicemen or those who have not completed the required length of service.
6. Candidates applying for JSO without the required Mathematics or Statistics qualification.
7. Female candidates applying specifically for BRO vacancies, where only male candidates are eligible.
8. Distance-learning degree holders without valid UGC-DEB approval for the relevant period.

Common Mistakes / What to Check Before Applying SSC CGL 2026

1. Not generating a fresh OTR on the new SSC website.
2. Using a pre-existing photograph instead of live photo capture where required.
3. Uploading blurred or wrongly sized signature files.
4. Selecting the wrong reservation category without valid supporting certificate.
5. Ignoring post-specific standards before locking post preferences.
6. Choosing JSO or AAO related preferences without being ready for Paper-II or Paper-III.
7. Skipping Aadhaar-based authentication even when eligible.
8. Waiting until the final date for application submission.
9. Missing the answer key objection window after examination.
10. Confusing the correction window fee structure.

How to Apply for SSC CGL 2026

Candidates must apply online only at https://ssc.gov.in or through the mY SSC mobile application (available on Google Play Store). No other mode of application is accepted. Candidates who have not generated OTR on the new website must do so first. Once OTR is generated on the new website, it remains valid for all future examinations on that portal.

Candidates are advised to opt for Aadhaar-based authentication during OTR. Aadhaar-authenticated candidates get significant exemptions: their applications are not rejected for photograph/signature standards, and they need not carry photo ID at the examination venue.

Steps to Apply:

1. Generate One-Time Registration (OTR) at https://ssc.gov.in (mandatory; use Aadhaar-based authentication if possible)
2. Complete OTR profile and lock it
3. Fill the Common Application Form (CAF) including live photograph capture via camera
4. Upload scanned signature (JPEG/JPG, 10–20 KB, 6.0 cm × 2.0 cm)
5. Fill the Examination Specific Module (post preferences, exam centre choices – 3 centres within same region in order of priority)
6. Pay application fee of Rs. 100/- online (if applicable) by 23-06-2026
7. Preview/Print the application to verify all details before final submission
8. Use the correction window (29-06 to 01-07-2026) if any correction is needed (chargeable)
9. Keep printout of application and all documents for at least 3 years

Documents to Keep Ready for Document Verification (after final selection):

• Matriculation/Secondary School Certificate (proof of date of birth)
• Mark sheets for all years/semesters of Graduation + Provisional/Degree Certificate
• SC/ST Certificate in prescribed format (Annexure of the notification)
• OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) Certificate in prescribed format (Annexure-X); must be valid as on closing date of application
• EWS Income & Asset Certificate valid for FY 2026–27 (issued based on income for FY 2025–26) in prescribed format (Annexure-XI)
• PwBD Disability Certificate from competent authority specifying type of disability (as per Annexure-XII to XIII)
• Ex-Serviceman discharge certificate and other relevant ESM documents
• Equivalence certificate (for equivalent qualifications other than standard degrees)
• DEB/UGC approval letter (for Distance Learning degree holders)
• Certificate of proficiency in State Regional/official language (for AAO/Assistant Audit Officer State Cadre)

Apply Online at: https://ssc.gov.in | Toll Free Helpline: 1800 309 3063

Important Instructions for SSC CGL 2026 Candidates

• Final allotment is based on merit-cum-preference, and no alternate post will be offered if a candidate fails post-specific standards after allotment.
• OBC candidates claiming reservation must not belong to the creamy layer as on the closing date of application.
• EWS certificate must be valid for FY 2026–27 and should be based on income for FY 2025–26.
• PwBD candidates must choose the correct sub-category in the application form because no later change is allowed.
• Scribe rules are strict: the scribe must complete OTR, be Aadhaar-authenticated, and cannot assist more than one candidate.
• Compensatory time of 20 minutes per hour is available to eligible PwBD candidates.
• Tentative answer keys can be challenged online by paying Rs. 100 per question within the specified period only.
• No re-evaluation or re-checking of scores is available at any stage.
• Candidates should preserve the application form and related documents for at least 3 years.
• Candidature remains provisional until certificates and documents are verified by the Appointing Authority.
• Fraudulent claims of reservation status may lead to debarment from all SSC examinations.
• Any update in exam schedule or process will be communicated through the SSC website only.
• Applications without the required fee, unless exempted, or incomplete applications will be summarily rejected.

SSC CGL 2026 – Important Links

• Apply Online: Click here
• Download: SSC CGL 2026 Notification PDF
• Official Website: ssc.gov.in/ 

SSC CGL Group B & Group C Online Form 2026 – FAQs