Last Updated: May 22, 2026
The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has released the official notification for the Combined Graduate Level (CGL) Examination 2026. According to the notification issued in May 2026, approximately 12,256 provisional vacancies are expected to be filled across Group “B” and Group “C” posts in central government ministries, departments, and organisations.
SSC CGL is conducted every year for recruitment to graduate-level posts related to administration, taxation, auditing, investigation, and statistical services. The recruitment process covers vacancies in departments such as the Income Tax Department, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Enforcement Directorate, Ministry of External Affairs, and Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG).
The Commission has introduced several procedural changes for the 2026 recruitment cycle, including Aadhaar-based biometric authentication, mandatory live photograph capture, and a revised score normalisation system for examinations conducted in multiple shifts.
SSC CGL 2026 Important Dates
|
Event |
Status |
Date |
|
Notification Release |
Confirmed |
May 21, 2026 |
|
Online Application Start |
Confirmed |
May 21, 2026 |
|
Last Date to Apply |
Confirmed |
June 22, 2026 |
|
Fee Payment Deadline |
Confirmed |
June 23, 2026 |
|
Application Correction Window |
Confirmed |
June 29 to July 1, 2026 |
|
Tier-1 Examination |
Scheduled |
August–September 2026 |
|
Tier-2 Examination |
Tentative |
December 2026 |
Candidates should check official SSC notices regularly for any revision in examination schedules.
Application Process and Updated Rules
SSC has clarified that registrations created on the earlier recruitment portal are not valid for the 2026 cycle. Candidates must complete One-Time Registration (OTR) through the updated SSC portal or the MySSC mobile application before submitting the application form.
The Commission has introduced Aadhaar-based biometric authentication during registration and application submission. Candidates who do not possess Aadhaar may use alternative identity documents such as PAN Card, Passport, Voter ID, or Driving Licence.
Applicants are also required to capture a live photograph through a webcam or smartphone while completing the application process. According to SSC guidelines, edited or pre-uploaded photographs may result in rejection of the application form.
Application Fee
|
Category |
Application Fee |
|
General/OBC/EWS |
₹100 |
|
Women Candidates |
Exempted |
|
SC/ST Candidates |
Exempted |
|
Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) |
Exempted |
|
Eligible Ex-Servicemen |
Exempted |
Candidates may edit submitted forms during the correction period after paying the prescribed correction fee mentioned in the official notification.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must possess a bachelor’s degree from a recognised university. Final-year candidates may also apply if they complete their degree requirements on or before August 1, 2026.
Certain posts require additional subject-specific qualifications.
|
Post |
Qualification Requirement |
|
Assistant Audit Officer (AAO) |
Bachelor’s degree; finance qualifications desirable |
|
Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) |
60% in Mathematics in Class 12 or Statistics in graduation |
|
Statistical Investigator Grade-II |
Degree in Statistics, Mathematics, Economics, AI, Data Science, or related subjects |
The prescribed age limit varies according to the post and generally ranges between 18 and 32 years. Reserved category candidates are eligible for age relaxation under central government recruitment rules.
Exam Pattern and Major Changes
The SSC CGL 2026 examination will be conducted in two Computer-Based Test (CBT) stages without interviews.
Tier-1 Examination
Tier-1 will contain 100 objective questions carrying 200 marks. The paper will include:
- General Intelligence and Reasoning
- General Awareness
- Quantitative Aptitude
- English Comprehension
SSC has introduced sectional timing for Tier-1 in the 2026 session. Each section will have a fixed duration of 15 minutes. A negative marking of 0.50 marks will apply for every incorrect answer.
Tier-2 Examination
Tier-2 will function as the merit-deciding stage and will include mathematics, reasoning, English language, general awareness, computer knowledge, and Data Entry Speed Test (DEST).
The Commission has replaced the earlier average-based normalisation process with the Equipercentile Method for score standardisation across multiple shifts.
Salary Structure
Selected candidates will be appointed under different pay levels of the 7th Central Pay Commission (7th CPC).
|
Pay Level |
Salary Range |
Example Posts |
|
Level 8 |
₹47,600 – ₹1,51,100 |
Assistant Audit Officer |
|
Level 7 |
₹44,900 – ₹1,42,400 |
Income Tax Inspector, ASO |
|
Level 6 |
₹35,400 – ₹1,12,400 |
JSO, Divisional Accountant |
|
Level 5 |
₹29,200 – ₹92,300 |
Auditor, Accountant |
|
Level 4 |
₹25,500 – ₹81,100 |
Tax Assistant, Postal Assistant |
Apart from the basic pay, employees are eligible for Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), and Transport Allowance under applicable government rules.
Safety Advisory and Disclaimer
Candidates should use only official SSC platforms for registration, fee payment, and application tracking. Applicants are advised not to share OTPs, passwords, Aadhaar details, or banking information with unknown individuals or unofficial agents.
The information in this article is based on the SSC CGL 2026 notification released by the Staff Selection Commission in May 2026. Vacancy figures, examination schedules, and recruitment rules may be revised by SSC. Candidates should verify all updates through official SSC notifications and portal announcements before applying.