⚠ 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 mentions the SSC CGL ASO Eligibility Criteria in the official notification released on the SSC website. Candidates applying for the Assistant Section Officer (ASO) post must fulfill the required educational qualification, age limit, nationality, and other eligibility conditions before submitting the application form. The Assistant Section Officer post is one of the most preferred posts under SSC CGL because of its Level-7 salary, ministry postings, desk-job profile, and promotion opportunities. Candidates preparing for SSC CGL 2026 should carefully check all eligibility requirements to avoid disqualification during document verification.
SSC CGL ASO Eligibility 2026 Overview
The Assistant Section Officer post is offered in different ministries and departments under the Government of India. The eligibility conditions mainly include graduation qualification, prescribed age limit, and nationality criteria.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|
| Exam Name | SSC CGL 2026 |
| Post Name | Assistant Section Officer (ASO) |
| Conducting Body | Staff Selection Commission |
| Post Category | Group "B" |
| Pay Level | Level-7 |
| Educational Qualification | Bachelor's Degree |
| Age Limit | 18-30 Years / 20-30 Years (Post-wise) |
| Nationality | Indian Citizen and other eligible categories |
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SSC CGL ASO Educational Qualification 2026
Candidates applying for the SSC CGL ASO post must possess a Bachelor's Degree from a recognized university or institution. There is no minimum percentage requirement for ASO posts. Final-year students can also apply for SSC CGL ASO, provided they complete their graduation before the document verification stage.
| Qualification Type | Details |
|---|
| Essential Qualification | Bachelor's Degree from a recognized University or Institute |
| Minimum Percentage | No minimum marks required |
| Stream Requirement | Candidates from any stream can apply |
| Final Year Students | Eligible if graduation is completed before document verification |
SSC CGL ASO Age Limit 2026
The SSC CGL ASO age limit varies depending on the department or ministry. Some ASO posts have an upper age limit of 30 years, while others allow candidates between 18 and 30 years.
| Department/Organization | Age Limit |
|---|
| Central Secretariat Service (CSS) | 20-30 Years |
| Intelligence Bureau (IB) | 18-30 Years |
| Ministry of Railways | 20-30 Years |
| Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) | 20-30 Years |
| Armed Forces Headquarters (AFHQ) | 20-30 Years |
| Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology | 18-30 Years |
| Other Ministries/Departments | 18-30 Years |
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SSC CGL ASO Age Relaxation
SSC provides age relaxation to reserved category candidates as per government rules. Candidates claiming age relaxation must provide valid supporting documents during document verification.
| Category | Age Relaxation |
|---|
| SC/ST | 5 Years |
| OBC | 3 Years |
| PwBD (UR) | 10 Years |
| PwBD (OBC) | 13 Years |
| PwBD (SC/ST) | 15 Years |
| Ex-Servicemen | 3 Years after deduction of military service |
SSC CGL ASO Nationality Criteria
Candidates applying for SSC CGL ASO posts must fulfill the nationality conditions prescribed by SSC.
A candidate must be:
- A citizen of India, or
- A subject of Nepal, or
- A subject of Bhutan, or
- A Tibetan refugee who came to India before 1 January 1962 with the intention of permanently settling in India, or
- A person of Indian origin migrated from specified countries for permanent settlement in India
Candidates belonging to categories other than Indian citizens may need to produce an eligibility certificate issued by the Government of India.
SSC CGL ASO Number of Attempts
There is no fixed limit on the number of attempts for SSC CGL ASO posts. Candidates can appear for the examination multiple times as long as they satisfy the prescribed age limit and eligibility criteria.
SSC CGL ASO Experience Requirement
No prior work experience is required for the Assistant Section Officer post. Fresh graduates can apply directly through the SSC CGL examination.
Important Points Regarding SSC CGL ASO Eligibility
Candidates should keep the following points in mind before applying:
- Candidates must fulfill all eligibility conditions mentioned in the SSC CGL notification.
- All ASO posts carry All India Service Liability.
- Final-year students must complete graduation before document verification.
- Candidates must produce original documents during verification.
- Incorrect information in the application form may lead to cancellation of candidature.
Key Takeaways
- SSC CGL ASO is a Group "B" Level-7 post.
- Graduation is the essential qualification for ASO posts.
- Candidates from any stream can apply.
- The ASO age limit varies between 18-30 years and 20-30 years depending on the department.
- Final-year students can apply if they complete graduation before document verification.
- No prior work experience is required.
- Age relaxation is available for reserved categories.
- There is no limit on the number of attempts within the eligible age limit.
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