SSC CGL 2026
SSC Combined Graduate Level — Complete Official Handbook: Notification, Syllabus, Age Eligibility, Salary Hierarchy & Cut-Off Analysis.
SSC Multi-Shift Score Normalization Formula Explained: How Raw Marks Transform into Final Merit Scores
How does SSC normalize scores across easy, moderate, and tough shifts? Mohit Verma dissects the official statistical formula, standard deviation adjustments, and shift difficulty metrics.
Official SSC CGL Portals & Candidate Document Preparation
SarkariPaper strictly directs aspirants to primary government commission portals for online registration, fee payment, and official corrigenda. Use our client-side tools below to prepare required photo and signature dimensions before applying.
SSC CGL 2026 Overview
SSC CGL (Staff Selection Commission Combined Graduate Level) is one of India's most competitive government examinations, conducted annually to recruit candidates for Group B and Group C posts across various Central Government Ministries, Departments, and Organisations.
SSC CGL 2026 has announced 17,727 vacancies — one of the highest in recent years. The exam is conducted in two tiers: Tier 1 (Computer Based Test) and Tier 2 (Computer Based Test). The selection process is purely merit-based with no interview round since 2016.
Top posts include Income Tax Inspector, Excise Inspector, Assistant Section Officer in MEA, Inspector (Central Excise), and Statistical Investigator Grade II — all offering strong career growth, perks, and all-India postings. The in-hand salary ranges from ₹35,000 to ₹80,000+ per month depending on post and city.
With 20–25 lakh candidates applying each year, the competition is fierce. However, with the right preparation strategy targeting high-weightage topics in Reasoning, Quant, English, and General Awareness, clearing the cut-off is achievable within 4–6 months of dedicated preparation.
SSC CGL 2026 Important Dates
| Notification Release | 20 August 2026 |
| Application Opens | 20 August 2026 |
| Application Last Date | 15 September 2026 |
| Tier 1 Exam Date | 15 October 2026 |
| Tier 2 Exam Date | 10 December 2026 |
| Official Website | https://ssc.gov.in |
SSC CGL Eligibility Criteria 2026
Educational Qualification
Bachelor's Degree in any discipline from a recognized university
Age Limit
18–32 years (as on 1st January 2026)
OBC: +3 years, SC/ST: +5 years, PwD: +10 years, Ex-Servicemen: as per rules
Nationality
Indian Citizen
Check Your SSC CGL Eligibility
Official Norms: OBC: +3 years, SC/ST: +5 years, PwD: +10 years, Ex-Servicemen: as per rules
SSC CGL Selection Process
Tier 1 — Computer Based Test (CBT): 200 marks, 60 minutes
Tier 2 — Computer Based Test: Papers I, II, III depending on post
Document Verification
Medical Examination (for certain posts)
SSC CGL Exam Pattern 2026
Tier 1
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 25 | 50 |
| General Awareness | 25 | 50 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 50 |
| English Comprehension | 25 | 50 |
| Total | 100 | 200 |
Tier 2 (Paper I — Compulsory)
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematical Abilities | 30 | 90 |
| Reasoning & General Intelligence | 30 | 90 |
| English Language & Comprehension | 45 | 135 |
| General Awareness | 25 | 75 |
| Computer Knowledge | 20 | 60 |
| Total | 150 | 450 |
SSC CGL Syllabus 2026
Full Syllabus →General Intelligence & Reasoning
General Awareness
Quantitative Aptitude
English Language
Download the complete SSC CGL topic-wise syllabus PDF →Premium (₹199/yr)
SSC CGL Posts — Which is Best?
SSC CGL offers 6+ posts across different departments. Here's a comparison to help you decide your target post before filling the form.
| Post | Salary | Promotion |
|---|---|---|
Assistant Section Officer (MEA) Group B Gazetted TOP PICK | ₹44,900 – ₹77,000 | fast |
Income Tax Inspector Group C Non-Gazetted | ₹44,900 – ₹65,000 | fast |
Preventive Officer (Customs) Group C Non-Gazetted | ₹35,400 – ₹60,000 | medium |
Sub-Inspector (CBI) Group C Non-Gazetted | ₹35,400 – ₹60,000 | medium |
Statistical Investigator Gr. II Group B Non-Gazetted | ₹35,400 – ₹60,000 | slow |
Auditor (CAG) Group C Non-Gazetted | ₹29,200 – ₹50,000 | medium |
SSC CGL Salary Structure
Salary varies based on post, city tier (X/Y/Z) for HRA, and DA rate. Figures above are indicative for 2026 DA rates.
SSC CGL Cut-off Marks & Predictor
All Cut-offs →Check Your Selection Probability
Input your raw marks & shift details for instant normalized score estimate and category rank band prediction.
SSC CGL 2025 Tier 1 Cut-off
SSC CGL 2024 Tier 1 Cut-off
Cut-offs vary by post. Detailed post-wise cut-offs (2015–2026) available withSarkariPaper Premium →
SSC CGL Preparation Strategy
Phase 1: Foundation (Month 1–2)
- ›Start with NCERT Mathematics (Class 9-10) for Quant base
- ›Daily vocabulary — 20 new words, revise next day
- ›Reasoning: Coding-Decoding, Analogies, Blood Relations are highest-weightage
- ›GK: Focus on Static GK (History, Geography, Polity) first
Phase 2: Mock Test Mode (Month 3–4)
- ›Attempt 1 full mock daily — timing and accuracy both matter
- ›Analyze errors by topic — hit weakest topic with 2hr targeted practice
- ›Current Affairs: 30 min daily newspaper + monthly digest
- ›Start Tier 2 Computer Knowledge prep from Month 1 — 30 min on alternate days
SSC CGL Frequently Asked Questions
What is the eligibility for SSC CGL 2026?▼
How many vacancies are there in SSC CGL 2026?▼
What is the salary after SSC CGL selection?▼
Is there any interview in SSC CGL?▼
Which is the best post in SSC CGL?▼
How many attempts are allowed for SSC CGL?▼
What is the SSC CGL Tier 1 cut-off for 2025?▼
Mohit Verma
✓ Verified ExpertSSC, Railways & Technical Recruitment Specialist · 8+ Years in Central Recruitment & CBT Analytics
Mohit has tracked over 100+ Staff Selection Commission and Railway Recruitment Board cycles. He focuses on quantitative reasoning strategies, multi-shift CBT score normalization, and defense/police recruitment procedures.