SSC CGL Notification 2026: 12,256 Vacancies Released, Apply by 22 June

The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has released the notification for SSC CGL 2026 on its official website. The recruitment drive offers 12,256 vacancies across various Group B and Group C posts in Central Government Ministries, Departments, Constitutional Bodies, Statutory Bodies, and Tribunals.

Candidates can apply online at www.ssc.gov.in until 22 June 2026 (11:00 PM). If you hold a Bachelor's Degree from a recognised university or equivalent qualification, you are eligible to apply for this exam.

Key Changes in SSC CGL 2026

Two major changes have attracted attention this year. First, SSC has reintroduced the Assistant Audit Officer (AAO) post after several years. Second, sectional timing has been introduced in both Tier 1 and Tier 2 exams.

The AAO posts fall under Pay Level 8, which offers a higher salary structure. For these posts, candidates must appear for an additional Paper III (General Studies: Finance & Economics) in Tier 2.

Sectional timing means you get a fixed time for each section. In Tier 1, each of the four sections gets 15 minutes. Once time ends for one section, the system automatically moves to the next. You cannot go back or use extra time from another section.

This change makes balanced preparation more important. You can no longer spend extra time on your strong sections to make up for weaker ones.

Vacancy Details

SSC has released 12,256 vacancies this year. The number is slightly lower than 2025 (14,582) and 2024 (17,727). However, it remains a significant opportunity for job seekers.

The notification includes posts like Assistant Section Officer, Inspector of Income Tax, Junior Statistical Officer, Auditor, Tax Assistant, Upper Division Clerk, and many more. Group B posts include 26 different positions, while Group C offers 11 posts.

Complete post-wise vacancy details will be released soon by SSC. Keep checking the official website for updates.

Important Dates You Should Know

The online application process started on 21 May 2026. The last date to apply is 22 June 2026 (11:00 PM). Fee payment can be done until 23 June 2026 (11:00 PM).

If you make any mistakes in your form, you can correct them during the application correction window from 29 June to 1 July 2026 (11:00 PM).

The Tier 1 exam is scheduled for August to September 2026. Tier 2 will be conducted in December 2026. Admit cards and city intimation will be released later.

Eligibility Criteria

The minimum qualification required is a Bachelor's Degree from a recognised university. Some posts have specific requirements. For example, Statistical Investigator posts now accept candidates from Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Information Technology, and Computer Science streams.

The age limit varies from 18 to 32 years depending on the post you apply for. Age is calculated as of 1 August 2026. Age relaxation applies to reserved categories:

• SC/ST: 5 years
• OBC: 3 years
• PwBD (UR): 10 years
• Ex-Servicemen: 3 years after deduction of military service
• Widows/Divorced Women: Up to 35 years (UR/OBC), 40 years (SC/ST)

Exam Pattern Explained

The selection process has two main stages: Tier 1 and Tier 2. There is no interview.

Tier 1 Exam Pattern:

Tier 1 is a qualifying exam. Your marks here do not count towards the final merit list. The exam has four sections: English Comprehension, General Awareness, General Intelligence and Reasoning, and Quantitative Aptitude.

Each section has 25 questions worth 50 marks. You get 15 minutes for each section. Total exam duration is 60 minutes. Each correct answer gives you 2 marks. Each wrong answer deducts 0.50 marks.

Tier 2 Exam Pattern:

Tier 2 decides your final merit. It consists of multiple papers. Paper I is compulsory for all. It has four sections: Mathematical Abilities (30 questions, 90 marks, 30 minutes), Reasoning and General Intelligence (30 questions, 90 marks, 30 minutes), English Language and Comprehension (45 questions, 135 marks, 40 minutes), and General Awareness (25 questions, 75 marks, 20 minutes).

Paper I also includes a Computer Knowledge Test (20 questions, 60 marks, 15 minutes) and a Data Entry Speed Test (qualifying, 15 minutes).

Paper II is only for Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) posts. It tests Statistics knowledge (100 questions, 200 marks, 2 hours).

Paper III is mandatory for AAO and Assistant Accounts Officer posts. It covers General Studies: Finance and Economics (100 questions, 200 marks, 2 hours).

Salary Structure

SSC CGL posts offer attractive salaries. Pay levels range from Level 4 to Level 8:

• Level 8: Rs. 47,600 to Rs. 1,51,100
• Level 7: Rs. 44,900 to Rs. 1,42,400
• Level 6: Rs. 35,400 to Rs. 1,12,400
• Level 5: Rs. 29,200 to Rs. 92,300
• Level 4: Rs. 25,500 to Rs. 81,100

The AAO posts come under Pay Level 8, which is the highest in SSC CGL. Apart from basic pay, you get allowances like DA, HRA, TA, and other benefits depending on your posting location.

How to Apply Online

Applying for SSC CGL 2026 is simple. You can do it from your mobile phone or computer. You need a stable internet connection, valid phone number, email ID, Aadhaar Card, and personal documents.

Visit www.ssc.gov.in. If you are a new user, complete the One-Time Registration process first. After registration, log in to the Candidates' Dashboard using the ID provided by SSC.

Upload your recent photograph, signature, and other required documents. Fill in your name, category, address, qualification, and other details carefully. Select your post preferences wisely.

Pay the application fee. Women, SC, ST, PwBD, and Ex-Servicemen candidates are exempted from the fee. Others need to pay Rs. 100.

Review your form one final time before submitting. Take a printout or screenshot for future reference.

Choosing Your Post Preference

Selecting the right post preference is important. Consider the work profile. Some posts involve office work, while others require field duties.

Check the promotion opportunities for each post. Look at the posting location. Ministry jobs usually offer fixed locations and working hours. Field posts may require transfers.

Think about work-life balance. Administrative posts generally offer better balance compared to field jobs. Also compare the salary and allowances for different posts.

Preparation Tips

With sectional timing introduced this year, you need to prepare all sections equally. You cannot skip any section or rely only on your strong areas.

Practice with mock tests that have sectional timing. This will help you get used to the new pattern. Work on your weak areas. Even a few extra correct answers in each section can make a big difference.

For Tier 2, focus on speed and accuracy. The papers are lengthy and require good time management. Solve previous year papers to understand the difficulty level and question types.

Keep your basics strong in Mathematics and English. These two subjects carry significant weightage in both Tier 1 and Tier 2.

Documents Required for Application

Keep these documents ready before starting your application: a recent passport-size photograph, signature, Aadhaar Card, educational certificates, category certificate (if applicable), PwBD certificate (if applicable), and Ex-Servicemen discharge certificate (if applicable).

Make sure all documents are in the prescribed format and size as mentioned in the notification.

What Happens After You Apply

After submitting your application, SSC will release the city intimation slip before the exam. This tells you the city where your exam will be conducted.

A few days before the exam, you can download your admit card from the SSC website. The admit card contains your roll number, exam centre address, reporting time, and important instructions.

After the Tier 1 exam, SSC releases a provisional answer key. You can raise objections if you find any errors. After considering all objections, SSC publishes the final answer key and results.

Candidates who qualify Tier 1 move to Tier 2. After Tier 2 results, selected candidates are called for Document Verification. SSC verifies your educational certificates, category certificates, ID proof, and other documents.

Based on your Tier 2 performance and document verification, SSC prepares the final merit list. Selected candidates receive their joining letters and posting orders.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I apply for SSC CGL if I am in my final year of graduation?

No, you must have completed your graduation before the application deadline. Final year students are not eligible.

How many posts can I select in my preference list?

You can select as many posts as you want from the list of available posts, but you must meet the eligibility criteria for each post you select.

Is there any negative marking in the exam?

Yes, 0.50 marks are deducted for each wrong answer in both Tier 1 and Tier 2.

Can I change my post preference after submitting the form?

Yes, during the application correction window (29 June to 1 July 2026), you can modify your post preferences.

What happens if I miss the application deadline?

SSC does not accept late applications. Make sure you apply before 22 June 2026 (11:00 PM).

The SSC CGL 2026 notification offers a golden opportunity for graduates looking for stable government jobs. With 12,256 vacancies and diverse posts to choose from, this is your chance to build a solid career. Start your preparation today and apply before the deadline.