⚠ 4 Major Changes
What's New in SSC CGL 2026 - Must Know Before You Apply
▶ Paper-III added in Tier-2 for AAO & Assistant Accounts Officer (Finance & Economics)
▶ Sectional timing introduced in Tier-I - 15 min per section for all candidates
▶ Vacancies reduced to 12,256 (down from ~14,582 in 2025) - higher competition ahead
▶ Statistical Investigator eligibility expanded - AI, Data Science, CS & IT graduates now eligible
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Correction Window
Application Correction Window - 29th June to 1st July 2026 (11 PM)
Use this window to fix errors in your submitted form (including fee payment). No changes allowed after 1st July 2026.
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Deadline
Last Date to Apply Online - 22nd June 2026 | Fee Payment by 23rd June
12,256 vacancies | Age: 18-27 yrs (as on 01 Aug 2026) | Fee: Rs. 100/- (SC/ST/Female exempted). Apply at ssc.gov.in.
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Exam Schedule
Tier-I: Aug-Sep 2026 | Tier-II: December 2026 (Tentative)
Tier-I is only a screening test. Final merit is based entirely on Tier-II performance. Tier-II now has Paper-I, II & III.
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New
SSC CGL 2026 Official Notification Released - 21st May 2026
SSC released the CGL 2026 notification with 12,256 vacancies across Group B & C posts. Applications open from 21st May 2026.
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The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) conducts the SSC CGL 2026 Examination to recruit eligible graduates for various Group B and Group C posts in central government departments, ministries, and offices. If you are aspiring for a stable and prestigious government job, understanding the revised SSC CGL 2026 Selection Process, exam pattern, and syllabus is important for success. This article covers everything you need to know about the revised SSC CGL selection procedure, including the exam stages, Tier 1 and Tier 2 patterns, important dates, minimum qualifying marks, and the document verification process.
What is SSC CGL Selection Process?
The SSC CGL Exam 2026 selection process is divided into two tiers or stages i.e. Tier-1 and Tier-2. The candidates who will clear the SSC CGL Tier-1 will be eligible to appear for the SSC CGL Tier-2 Exam. The details about the SSC CGL selection process are as follows:
- Tier-I Examination: A computer-based test for all applicants.
- Tier-II Examination: A computer-based test with two papers: Paper 1 is compulsory for all candidates, while Paper 2 is specifically for Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) applicants.
- Document Verification: Candidates who pass the previous stages must attend document verification, where their original documents and certificates are checked.
Attempt Free SSC CGL Mock Test 2026
Is there an Interview in SSC CGL?
No, there is no interview in the SSC CGL 2026 selection process. Candidates are selected based on their performance in the Tier 1 and Tier 2 exams. After passing these exams, candidates go through document verification and medical checks. Some posts may require a skill test (like Data Entry Speed Test), but there is no interview.
SSC CGL Tier 1 Exam Pattern
The SSC CGL Tier 1 Exam is a qualifying exam, and the score obtained in this exam will not be considered for the final selection. A new change this year is the introduction of sectional timing, where each section must be attempted within a fixed time limit. The details of the SSC CGL Exam Pattern are as follows:
| Subject | Number of Questions | Maximum Marks | Time Allowed |
|---|
| General Intelligence and Reasoning | 25 | 50 | 1 hour (with sectional timer of 15 minutes for each subject) (1 hour and 20 minutes (with sectional timer of 15+5=20 minutes for each subject) for the candidates eligible for scribe |
| General Awareness | 25 | 50 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 50 |
| English Comprehension | 25 | 50 |
| Total | 100 | 200 |
SSC CGL Tier 2 Exam Pattern
The SSC CGL Exam Pattern for Tier 2 is given below with Paper-III introduced specifically for AAO posts, along with key details about merit list preparation, exam duration, and negative marking policy.
| Session | Subject | Questions & Marks | Time |
|---|
Paper 1
Session I | Section I
Module I – Mathematical Abilities
Module II – Reasoning and General Intelligence | 30
30
60 x 30 = 180 | 1. 1 hour (with sectional timer of 30 minutes for each subject) 2. 1 hours and 20 minutes (with sectional timer of 30+10=40 minutes for each subject) for the candidates eligible for scribe |
Section II
Module I – English Language Comprehension
Module II – General Awareness | 45
25
70 x 3 = 210 | 1. 1 hour (with sectional timer of 40 minutes for Subject A i.e. English Language & Comprehension and 20 minutes for Subject B i.e. General Awareness) 2. 1 hours and 20 minutes(with sectional timer of 40+15=55 minutes for Subject A i.e. English Language & Comprehension and 20+5=25 minutes for Subject B i.e. General Awareness) for the candidates eligible for scribe |
Section III
Module – I – Computer Knowledge module | 20 x 3 = 60 | 1. 15 Minutes (For Section-III & IV each) 2. 20 minutes for the candidates eligible for scribe |
| Session II (15 minutes) | Module – II: Data Entry Speed Test | One data entry task |
Paper 2
2 hours | FOR JSO: Paper 2 - Statistics FOR AAO: Paper 3 - General Studies (Finance and Economics) | 100 x 2 = 200 | 1. 2 hours 2. 2 hours and 40 minutes for the candidates eligible for scribe |
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What is SSC CGL Typing Test Speed?
The SSC CGL Typing Test which is also known as the Data Entry Speed Test (DEST) requires candidates to type a passage of about 2000 key depressions in 15 minutes and is qualifying in nature.
| Test Name | Details |
|---|
| Test Type | Data Entry Speed Test (DEST) |
| Passage Length | About 2000 key depressions |
| Duration | 15 minutes |
What are the minimum qualifying marks in SSC CGL Tier 1 & Tier 2 CBT Exam?
The minimum qualifying marks in SSC CGL 2026 Tier 1 and Tier 2 i.e. Tier-I, Section-I, Section-II & Module-I of Section-III of Paper-I of Tier-II, Paper-II & Paper-III of Tier-II Exam for all categories:
| Category | Minimum Qualifying Marks |
|---|
| UR | 30% |
| OBC/ EWS | 25% |
| All other categories | 20% |
What are the minimum qualifying marks in Data Entry Speed Test (DEST)?
The SSC CGL minimum error percentage permitted in DEST i.e. Module-II of Section-III of Paper-I of Tier-II Exam is given below.
| Category | Minimum Qualifying Marks |
|---|
| UR | 20% |
| OBC/ EWS | 25% |
| All other categories | 30% |
What are the SSC CGL documents required for verification?
Candidates must bring original documents for verification during the SSC CGL 2026 Selection Process as per the Notification released by the SSC through ssc.gov.in, including a photo ID proof that matches the date of birth on the Admission Certificate. For verification, candidates may present an original copy of one of the following documents:
| Accepted ID Proofs | Details |
|---|
| Aadhar Card / E-Aadhar Printout | Valid proof of identity issued by UIDAI. |
| Voter's ID Card | Identity card issued for electoral purposes. |
| PAN Card | Permanent Account Number issued by Income Tax Department. |
| Driving License | Valid license for driving issued by RTO. |
| Official School/College/University ID Card | ID card issued by the educational institution. |
| Employer ID Card (Govt./PSU) | Identity card issued by government or PSU employers. |
| Ex-Serviceman Discharge Book | Issued by the Ministry of Defence. |
| Any other photo ID by Central/State Government | Government-issued photo identity proof. |
Candidates must ensure that the details on their Photo ID match those on their Admission Certificate. They must bring the original document for verification. Failure to provide the required documents will result in disqualification from the SSC CGL Selection Process.
SSC CGL 2026 Administrative Update
SSC has introduced an important procedural change in the 2026 notification:
| Administrative Area | SSC CGL 2026 Update |
|---|
| Document Preservation | SSC will retain examination-related records for 3 years from the date of declaration of the final result. |
Check out Major Changes in SSC CGL 2026 Exam
What are the other important details about SSC CGL Selection Process 2026?
Candidates must follow these basic key points while appearing for the SSC CGL 2026 Examination:
- Marks Normalization: Ensures fairness across exam shifts and tiers.
- No Re-evaluation: Marks cannot be reviewed or changed.
- Qualification Criteria: Passing Section I & II in Tier II is mandatory for Section III.
- Post Preference: Must be submitted on the SSC website; failure leads to disqualification.
- Answer Key Objections: Can be challenged online with a Rs. 50 fee per question within the deadline.
What are the key takeaways?
Below are the key takeaways:
- SSC CGL 2026 selection is based on Tier 1 (qualifying) and Tier 2 (merit-deciding) exams only.
- No interview is conducted for SSC CGL posts.
- SSC has introduced sectional timing in tier 1 andtTier 2, requiring candidates to attempt each section within the allotted time.
- Tier 2 marks alone decide the final merit list and post allocation.
- DEST (Typing Test) is mandatory for all posts but qualifying in nature.
- Minimum qualifying marks: UR – 30%, OBC/EWS – 25%, Others – 20%.
- Normalization of marks is applied to ensure fairness across shifts.
- Document verification is compulsory; failure leads to disqualification.
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