⚠ 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 has revised the SSC CGL AAO Exam Pattern for 2026 along with the official notification. Candidates applying for the Assistant Audit Officer (AAO) and Assistant Accounts Officer posts must now prepare for an additional Paper-III in Tier 2, making the selection process more specialized than other SSC CGL posts. The SSC CGL AAO exam consists of Tier 1 and Tier 2 examinations conducted in online mode. While Tier 1 is qualifying in nature, the final merit list is prepared on the basis of Tier 2 marks. Candidates aiming for AAO posts must understand the latest paper pattern, sectional timing, marking scheme, and syllabus distribution before starting preparation.
SSC CGL AAO Exam Pattern 2026 Overview
The SSC CGL AAO post is considered one of the highest-paying and most preferred posts under SSC CGL. The exam pattern includes objective-type questions from Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning, English, General Awareness, Computer Knowledge, and Finance & Economics.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|
| Exam Name | SSC CGL AAO Exam 2026 |
| Conducting Body | Staff Selection Commission |
| Post Name | Assistant Audit Officer (AAO) |
| Selection Process | Tier 1 and Tier 2 |
| Mode of Exam | Online |
| Tier 1 Nature | Qualifying |
| Final Merit | Based on Tier 2 |
| Additional Paper | Paper III for AAO Posts |
| Negative Marking | Yes |
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SSC CGL AAO Tier 1 Exam Pattern 2026
Tier 1 is the screening stage of the SSC CGL Exam Pattern. It contains four sections carrying equal weightage. SSC has also introduced sectional timing in Tier 1 from 2026 onwards. The total duration of the exam is 60 minutes.
| 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 |
Important Points for Tier 1
- Mode of Exam: Computer-Based Test (CBT)
- Total Duration: 60 Minutes
- Sectional Timing Introduced
- Negative Marking: 0.50 marks for each wrong answer
- Tier 1 is qualifying in nature
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SSC CGL AAO Tier 2 Exam Pattern 2026
Tier 2 is the most important stage for AAO selection because the final merit list is prepared entirely on the basis of Tier 2 marks. Candidates applying for AAO posts have to appear for Paper-I and Paper-III. Paper-III has been introduced specifically for AAO and Assistant Accounts Officer posts and focuses on Finance and Economics subjects.
| Paper | Subject | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|
| Paper-I | Quant, Reasoning, English, GA, Computer Knowledge & DEST | Multiple Sections | 390 | 2 Hours 15 Minutes |
| Paper-III | General Studies (Finance & Economics) | 100 | 200 | 2 Hours |
SSC CGL AAO Paper 1 Exam Pattern
Paper 1 is compulsory for all SSC CGL candidates. It includes multiple sections and modules.
| 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 |
Important Details
- DEST and Computer Knowledge modules are qualifying in nature.
- Candidates must clear each section separately.
- Sectional timing is applicable in Tier 2 as well.
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SSC CGL AAO Paper 3 Exam Pattern 2026
Paper III is conducted only for candidates who opt for Assistant Audit Officer and Assistant Accounts Officer posts.
The paper evaluates candidates on Finance, Accounting, Economics, Governance, Banking, and Budget-related concepts.
| Subject | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|
| General Studies (Finance & Economics) | 100 | 200 | 2 Hours |
SSC CGL Finance & Economics Syllabus for Paper III
The SSC CGL AAO Paper III syllabus includes topics from Finance, Accounts, Economics, Banking, Governance, and the Indian Economy. This paper is conducted specifically for Assistant Audit Officer (AAO) and Assistant Accounts Officer posts. Candidates preparing for AAO posts should focus on both the SSC CGL Finance Syllabus and SSC CGL Economics Syllabus, as Paper III plays an important role in the final merit list. The questions are generally based on graduation-level concepts from accounting, economics, financial administration, and governance.
| Section | SSC CGL Finance & Economics Syllabus Topics |
|---|
| SSC CGL Finance Syllabus | Accounting Principles, Journal & Ledger, Trial Balance, Profit & Loss Account, Balance Sheet, Depreciation, Bank Reconciliation, Bills of Exchange, Inventory Valuation |
| SSC CGL Economics Syllabus | Indian Economy, Demand & Supply, Market Structures, National Income, RBI & Banking, Fiscal Policy, Budget & FRBM Act, Economic Reforms, Governance & IT |
SSC CGL AAO Negative Marking
Candidates must be careful while attempting questions because negative marking is applicable in both Tier 1 and Tier 2 examinations.
| Exam Stage | Negative Marking |
|---|
| Tier 1 | 0.50 marks |
| Tier 2 Paper 1 | 1 mark |
| Tier 2 Paper 3 | 0.50 marks |
Check Out SSC CGL AAO Syllabus
SSC CGL AAO Minimum Qualifying Marks
Candidates must secure the minimum qualifying marks decided by SSC to move to the next stage.
| Category | Minimum Qualifying Marks |
|---|
| UR | 30% |
| OBC/EWS | 25% |
| Others | 20% |
Why Paper III is Important for AAO?
The introduction of Paper III has made the AAO selection process more specialized. Candidates with backgrounds in Commerce, Finance, Economics, CA, CMA, MBA Finance, or Business Studies may get an advantage in preparation. Paper III plays a major role in deciding the final merit for AAO posts, so candidates should prepare Finance & Economics subjects thoroughly.
Key Takeaways
Below are the key takeaways:
- SSC CGL AAO selection includes Tier 1 and Tier 2 exams.
- Tier 1 is qualifying in nature.
- Final merit is based only on Tier 2 marks.
- Paper III has been introduced specifically for AAO posts in 2026.
- Paper III covers Finance & Economics subjects.
- Tier 2 includes sectional timing and negative marking.
- Computer Knowledge and DEST are qualifying modules.
- AAO is one of the highest-paying SSC CGL posts.
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