The SSC CGL stands for the Staff Selection Commission Combined Graduate Level Examination. It is one of the premium entrance exams in India for the recruitment of graduates into various government positions. SSC CGL is one of the top choices for fresh graduates looking for government jobs in India. In this blog, we will be discussing the SSC CGL Full Form, its significance, and exam pattern.
SSC CGL Full Form
The full form of SSC CGL is Staff Selection Commission Combined Graduate Level. It is a national-level exam conducted by SSC to recruit graduates for Group B and Group C posts in various central government departments and ministries. The SSC CGL 2025 Notification has been released, and candidates who have completed graduation or are in their final year can apply. The last date to submit the SSC CGL 2025 online application form is 4th July 2025.
SSC CGL 2025 Exam – Overview
Check out the basic details of the SSC CGL exam from the table below:
| Particulars | Details |
| Exam Name | SSC CGL |
| SSC CGL Full Form | Staff Selection Commission Combined Graduate Level Examination |
| Exam Conducting Authority | Staff Selection Commission (SSC) |
| SSC Official Website | ssc.gov.in |
| SSC Eligibility Criteria | Age Limit – 18 to 32 years (varies by post) Educational Qualification – Graduate |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Application Fee | ₹100 (UR/OBC); No fee for SC/ST/Female/Ex-Servicemen |
| Selection Process | – Tier 1 (CBT) – Tier 2 (CBT) – Document Verification – Medical Examination |
| Exam Mode | Online (Computer-Based) |
SSC Full Form
The full form of SSC is Staff Selection Commission. It is a central government organization established in 1975 under the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT). The main role of SSC is to recruit eligible candidates for various Group B and Group C posts in the Ministries, Departments, and Subordinate Offices of the Government of India.
SSC conducts several national-level recruitment exams every year for different educational levels and job roles. Some of the major exams conducted by SSC include:
- SSC CGL – Combined Graduate Level
- SSC CHSL – Combined Higher Secondary Level
- SSC MTS – Multi-Tasking Staff
- SSC JE – Junior Engineer
- SSC GD – General Duty Constable
- SSC Stenographer – Grade C and D
- SSC Selection Post
- SSC JHT – Junior Hindi Translator
What is SSC CGL?
SSC CGL stands for Staff Selection Commission Combined Graduate Level Examination. It is a national-level exam conducted by the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) to recruit graduates for various Group B and Group C posts in different ministries, departments, and government offices across India.
The SSC CGL selection process tests candidates on subjects like Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning, General Awareness, and English Language. Every year, more than 20 lakh candidates apply for the exam, but only about 5% clear all stages and get selected.
- Assistant Audit Officer
- Assistant Accounts Officer
- Inspector of Income Tax
- Assistant Section Officer (ASO)
- Central Excise Inspector
- Assistant Enforcement Officer
- Junior Statistical Officer (JSO)
- Upper Division Clerk (UDC)
- Tax Assistant
- Postal Inspector
SSC CGL Exam Pattern 2025
The SSC CGL 2025 Exam consists of two main stages Tier 1 and Tier 2. Tier 1 is qualifying in nature. The final merit list is prepared based on performance in Tier 2 only. Candidates also need to clear qualifying tests like DEST and Computer Proficiency, wherever applicable.
- Tier-I (Qualifying Only): Computer-Based Test for all candidates.
- Tier-II:
- Paper 1: Compulsory for all candidates.
- Paper 2: Only for candidates applying for the Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) post.
- Module I of Section III (Computer Knowledge) and Module II (DEST) in Paper 1 are qualifying in nature.
- Document Verification: Required for all shortlisted candidates before final appointment.
SSC CGL Tier 1 Exam Pattern 2025
The SSC CGL Tier 1 Exam 2025 is the first stage of the selection process and is qualifying in nature. It tests candidates on General Intelligence, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, and English Comprehension through a computer-based test.
| Subject | No. of Questions | Total Marks |
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 25 | 50 |
| General Awareness | 25 | 50 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 50 |
| English Comprehension | 25 | 50 |
| Total | 100 | 200 |
- Mode: Computer-Based
- Duration: 1 hour (1 hr 20 mins for scribe-eligible candidates)
- Marking: +2 for correct answer, –0.50 for incorrect answer
- Language: English & Hindi (except English section)
SSC CGL Tier 2 Exam Pattern 2025:
Tier 2 is the main stage of the SSC CGL 2025 selection process and is mandatory for all posts. It includes objective-type questions across different sections and also contains qualifying modules like Computer Knowledge and DEST.
Tier 2 – Paper 1:
Paper 1 is compulsory for all candidates and is divided into three sections—Mathematical Abilities, Reasoning, English, General Awareness, Computer Knowledge, and DEST. It is conducted in two sessions on the same day.
| Section | Module | Questions | Marks |
| Section I | Mathematical Abilities | 30 | 90 |
| Reasoning and General Intelligence | 30 | 90 | |
| Section II | English Language Comprehension | 45 | 135 |
| General Awareness | 25 | 75 | |
| Section III | Module I – Computer Knowledge Test | 20 | 60 (Qualifying Only) |
| Module II – DEST | 1 Task | Qualifying Only |
- Total Duration: 2 hrs 15 mins + 30 mins for qualifying modules
- DEST: 2000 key depressions in 15 mins
Negative Marking:
- –1 mark for each wrong answer in Sections I, II, and Module I of Section III
- Module I & II of Section III are not counted in the final merit.
Tier 2 – Paper 2 (Only for JSO Post)
This paper is only for candidates applying for the Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) post. It checks your understanding of Statistics and is counted in the final selection for JSO
| Subject | No. of Questions | Total Marks |
| Statistics | 100 | 200 |
- Duration: 2 hours
- Marking: +2 per correct answer, –0.50 per wrong answer
- Applicable Only For: Junior Statistical Officer (JSO)
SSC CGL Eligibility Criteria 2025
To apply for the SSC CGL 2025 exam, candidates must meet certain eligibility conditions related to education, age, nationality, and documentation. These criteria are essential for being considered for various Group B and Group C posts in central government departments.
| Criteria | Details |
| Nationality / Citizenship | Candidate must be: – A citizen of India, or – A subject of Nepal/Bhutan, or – A Tibetan refugee who came to India before 1st Jan 1962 |
| Educational Qualification | A graduation degree from a recognized university is mandatory. Final year students can apply, but they must have their result before document verification. |
| Post-wise Educational Requirement | – For JSO: Bachelor’s Degree with at least 60% in Maths in 12th OR Bachelor’s in any subject with Statistics as one subject in Graduation. – For AAO: Bachelor’s Degree in any subject + CA/CS/MBA (Finance)/Cost & Management Accountant/M.Com/MBA. – For other posts: Bachelor’s Degree in any discipline. |
| Minimum Age | 18 years (for all posts) |
| Age Limit (General) | Depends on post: – Most posts: 18 to 32 years – Some posts: 20 to 30 years, or 18 to 27 years |
| Age Calculation Date | Age will be calculated as on 1st August 2025 |
| Age Relaxation | As per government rules: – SC/ST: 5 years – OBC: 3 years – PwD: 10–15 years (as per category) |
| Required Documents | Candidates must produce valid proof of: – Date of birth – Educational qualification – Category (if applicable) during document verification |
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SSC CGL Full Form – FAQs
Ans. SSC CGL Full form is Staff Selection Commission Combined Graduate Level Examination.
Ans. SSC Full form is Staff Selection Commission.
Ans. SSC was established in the year 1975.
Ans. SSC CGL is conducted in 2 tiers which are: Tier 1 and Tier 2.
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