Students often want Government Jobs in India due to job security, salary, perks, and career growth. SSC CGL and State PSC jobs two very popular among them, but aspirants often wonder which one is better. This blog provides a detailed comparison on multiple aspects including exam pattern, salary, work-life balance, eligibility, and career growth.
What is SSC CGL?
The SSC CGL Exam known as Combined Graduate Level Exam is a national-level exam for candidates recruiting into Group B and Group C posts under various central government ministries, departments, and organizations. Popular SSC CGL posts include:
| Post Name | Department / Organization | Pay Level (7th CPC) |
| Assistant Audit Officer (AAO) | CAG / Ministry of Finance | Level 8 |
| Inspector | CBI / Income Tax Department | Level 7 |
| Sub-Inspector | CBI / NIA / CBN | Level 6 |
| Assistant Section Officer (ASO) | Various Ministries / Departments | Level 7 |
| Divisional Accountant | Various Ministries / Departments | Level 7 |
What are State PSC Jobs?
State PSCs (Public Service Commissions) are state-level recruitment bodies conducting exams to fill administrative and civil service positions in their respective states. Popular State PSC posts include:
| Post Name | Department / Service | Typical Pay Level / Grade Pay |
| Deputy Collector / Deputy Magistrate | State Administrative Services | ₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500 (Level 10/11, varies by state) |
| State Civil Services Officer | State Civil/Administrative Services | ₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500 (Level 10/11) |
| Police Sub-Inspector (SI) | State Police Services | ₹35,400 – ₹1,12,400 (Level 6/7, varies by state) |
| Revenue Officer | Revenue Department | ₹44,900 – ₹1,42,400 (Level 7/8, varies by state) |
| Excise Inspector | State Excise Department | ₹35,400 – ₹1,12,400 (Level 6/7) |
Exam Pattern Comparison
It is important to understand the SSC CGL Exam Pattern and State PSC’s Exam Pattern, . The table below summarizes the number of stages, subjects, mode, and difficulty level for both exams.
| Parameter | SSC CGL | State PSC |
| Number of Tiers | 2 (Tier-I: Objective, Tier-II: Objective (Paper 1-Compulsory for all candidates, Paper 2- Only for JSO), Skill/Computer Test) | 2-3 stages (Preliminary, Main, Interview) |
| Mode | CBT | Mostly Offline/Online (depends on state) |
| Subjects | Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning, English, General Awareness | General Studies, Optional Subject, Reasoning, English, State-specific topics |
| Duration | Tier I – 1 hour, Tier II, Paper 1– 2 hours 15 minutes, Tier II, Paper 2- 15 minutes | Prelims – 2 hr, Mains – 3 hr per paper |
| Marking Scheme | +2 for correct, -0.5 for wrong (Tier I) +3 for correct, -1 for wrong (Paper 1, Tier II) +2 for correct, -0.5 for wrong (Paper 2, Tier II) | Varies by state; negative marking in some states |
| Difficulty Level | Moderate to High | Moderate to High (depends on state and post) |
Notifications & Exam Dates
SSC CGL and State PSC exams differ in frequency and timelines. The table below compares notification release, application mode, result timelines and SSC CGL Exam Date & Other State PSCs details.
| Parameter | SSC CGL | State PSC |
| Notification Release | Usually once a year (May–June) | Once or twice a year (varies by state) |
| Application Mode | Online via SSC website | Online/offline via State PSC website |
| Exam Dates | Tier I: 12th to 26th September; Tier II: December (Tentative) | Prelims: April-June; Mains: August–October (varies by state) |
| Result Declaration | Within 4-6 months post-exam | Varies by state; usually within 3–6 months |
Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility rules for education, age, and nationality vary between SSC CGL and State PSC posts. The following table provides a side-by-side comparison of the SSC CGL Eligibility criteria with State PSCs.
| Parameter | SSC CGL | State PSC |
| Education | Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university | Bachelor’s degree or as per state requirements |
| Age Limit | 18–32 years (post-wise; relaxation for reserved categories) | Usually 21–35 years (varies by state and post) |
| Nationality | Indian | Indian, some posts allow domicile restrictions |
| Physical Standards | Required for posts like SI, CBI | Required for police/defense posts only |
Salary Comparison
Salary is one of the most important considerations for any aspirant. The table below compares starting SSC CGL Salary, in-hand pay, allowances, and perks with State PSC jobs.
| Parameter | SSC CGL Jobs | State PSC Jobs |
| Starting Salary | ₹35,000 – ₹44,900 (Pay Level 7-8) | ₹40,000 – ₹50,000 (varies by state & post) |
| In-hand Salary | ₹30,000 – ₹40,000 | ₹35,000 – ₹45,000 |
| Allowances | DA, HRA, TA, Special Allowances | DA, HRA, TA, State-specific allowances |
| Salary Growth | Annual increments + promotions | Annual increments + promotions within state services |
| Perks & Benefits | Pension (NPS), medical, housing loan, transport, leave travel concession | Pension schemes, medical, housing, state-specific perks |
Work-Life Balance Comparison
Work-life balance is important for long term career association. The table below shows working hours, field work requirements, transfers, and job stress.
| Factor | SSC CGL Jobs | State PSC Jobs |
| Working Hours | 9:30 AM – 6 PM, Mon–Fri | 9 AM – 5 PM, Mon–Fri (may vary in field posts) |
| Field Work Requirement | Minimal; mostly desk jobs | High in administrative/police/revenue posts |
| Transfers/Postings | Central postings; occasional transfer | State-specific; frequent transfers possible |
| Job Stress | Moderate | Moderate to High |
Career Growth Comparison
Career growth depends on promotions, recognition, and influence in the job. The table below compares long-term opportunities in SSC CGL and State PSC jobs.
| Aspect | SSC CGL Jobs | State PSC Jobs |
| Promotion Opportunities | Group B → Group A posts; Officer roles in ministries | Class II → Class I officer roles within the state |
| Recognition | National-level central service recognition | State-level administrative recognition |
| Influence | Desk-based policy/administrative roles | Higher field influence in state administration |
Difficulty Level
The table below compares the competition and SSC CGL Syllabus with State PSC Jobs to help aspirants understand the difficulty of exams.
| Parameter | SSC CGL | State PSC |
| Competition | National-level; lakhs of candidates | State-level; depends on population and post |
| Syllabus Coverage | Standardized across India | State-specific, includes local history, language, and state policies |
| Exam Toughness | Moderate to High | Moderate to High (varies by state) |
Summary Table, Comparison Between SSC CGL & State PSCs
While the article provides a detailed comparison, below is a quick summary of SSC CGL vs State PSC jobs to help candidates know the differences easily:
| Feature | SSC CGL | State PSC |
|---|---|---|
| Recruiting Body | Staff Selection Commission (SSC) | State Public Service Commission (e.g., UPPSC, MPPSC) |
| Government Level | Central Government | State Government |
| Posts | Group ‘B’ and ‘C’ posts, primarily non-gazetted | Group ‘A’ and ‘B’ gazetted and non-gazetted posts |
| Posting | Anywhere in India | Within the respective state |
| Competition | Higher number of applicants, national level | Fewer applicants, state level, but still very competitive |
| Job Profile | Generally desk-based, less public interaction | More diverse, administrative, and public-facing roles |
| Promotion | More regular and transparent policies, faster progression | Can be slower, varies by state, possible promotion to IAS |
| Salary and Perks | Central pay scale often offers higher overall compensation and benefits | Pay and perks vary by state, may include government vehicle and residence |
| Exam Pattern | Focused on English, Maths, Reasoning, and General Awareness | Broader syllabus, including state-specific topics |
| Exam Cycle | Generally more regular and predictable | Can be irregular or delayed depending on the state |
FAQs
A: SSC CGL recruits for central government posts with national postings, while State PSC exams recruit for state government posts limited to a specific state. The job profiles, promotion scope, and work responsibilities also differ.
A: SSC CGL is highly competitive at the national level, attracting lakhs of candidates. State PSC exams are state-level competitive, with fewer applicants but often broader and state-specific syllabus.
A: SSC CGL jobs are mostly desk-based with limited public interaction. State PSC roles involve executive responsibilities, fieldwork, and direct public interaction, e.g., Deputy Collector or DSP.
A: SSC CGL offers regular promotions within central ministries. State PSC promotions are possible but can be slower, with some posts offering eventual elevation to IAS or other senior state-level positions.
A: State PSC jobs are ideal for candidates wanting to remain within their state, while SSC CGL jobs can require relocation anywhere in India.
- SSC CGL vs State PSC, Which Government Job is Better in 2025?
- SSC CGL 2025 Exam Postponed To September, New Dates Out
- SSC CGL 2025, Last 5 Days Revision Strategy to Improve Your Score
- Will There Be SSC CHSL Exam in September 2025?
- Women in Intelligence, Opportunities, Challenges & Growth
- IB vs Other Security Agencies (RAW, CBI, NIA, etc.)
I’m Mahima Khurana, a writer with a strong passion for creating meaningful, learner-focused content especially in the field of competitive exam preparation. From authoring books and developing thousands of practice questions to crafting articles and study material, I specialize in transforming complex exam-related topics into clear, engaging, and accessible content. I have first hand experience of 5+ months in SSC Exams. Writing, for me, is not just a skill but a way to support and guide aspirants through their preparation journey one well-written explanation at a time.