SSC Combined Graduate Level (CGL) Examination 2026 – Grade 'B' & 'C' Posts

Quick Summary: Exciting news for all government job aspirants! The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has unfurled its much-anticipated notification for the Combined Graduate Level (CGL) Examination 2026, opening doors to a plethora of prestigious Group 'B' and 'C' posts across various Ministries, Departments, and Organizations of the Government of India. With a massive 7890 vacancies up for grabs, this is your golden opportunity to secure a stable and rewarding career in the central government. From Assistant Section Officers to Inspectors, and from Sub-Inspectors to Junior Statistical Officers, the SSC CGL offers diverse roles with attractive salaries starting from ₹35,400. The online application window is currently active, having commenced on May 15, 2026, and will conclude on June 28, 2026. Don't miss out on this chance to kickstart your career with one of India's most sought-after examinations!

### How to Apply So, you've decided to embark on the exciting journey of a government job! That's fantastic. The application process for the SSC CGL 2026 is entirely online and pretty straightforward, but paying attention to details is key. Here's your step-by-step guide to ensure a smooth application: 1. **One-Time Registration (OTR):** If you're a new user, your first step is to complete the One-Time Registration (OTR) on the SSC's official website, ssc.gov.in. This involves providing basic details like your Aadhaar number, name, father's name, mother's name, date of birth, education board, roll number, year of passing, gender, mobile number, and email ID. Once registered, you'll receive a Registration Number and Password. 2. **Login to Apply:** Already registered? Great! Just log in using your Registration Number and the password you created. New users, complete your OTR and then proceed to log in. 3. **Fill the Application Form:** Navigate to the 'Apply' section and find the 'Combined Graduate Level Examination 2026' link. Click on it. The form will pre-populate some details from your OTR. Carefully fill in the remaining sections, including your preferred examination centers (you can choose three), post preferences (if applicable at this stage), and educational qualifications. Double-check everything! 4. **Upload Photograph & Signature:** This is where many candidates make mistakes! Ensure your photograph is a recent passport-size photo (taken within three months), clearly showing your face against a light background. It should be in JPG format, between 20KB and 50KB. Your signature should be in JPG format as well, between 10KB and 20KB, taken on a white paper with a black pen. *Crucially, do not wear spectacles or caps in the photo that obscure your face.* The image date and your name *are not required* on the photograph for the latest SSC guidelines, but always check the most recent notification for any specific changes. 5. **Pay the Application Fee:** Once your form is complete and uploads are done, proceed to the payment section. General and OBC male candidates are required to pay a nominal fee of ₹100. Women candidates and those belonging to SC, ST, Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD), and Ex-servicemen are exempted from paying the fee – yes, absolutely ₹0! You can pay online using BHIM UPI, Net Banking, or by using Visa, Mastercard, Maestro Credit/Debit cards. 6. **Review and Submit:** Before clicking that final 'Submit' button, take a deep breath and review your entire application form. Any errors could lead to rejection later. Once satisfied, submit the application. 7. **Print Confirmation:** After successful submission, remember to print a copy of your application form for your records. This is your proof of application. ### Detailed Exam Syllabus The SSC CGL exam is a multi-tiered examination designed to test a candidate's comprehensive abilities. Here's a breakdown of what you need to master: **Tier-I: Computer Based Examination (200 Marks, 60 Minutes)** * **General Intelligence & Reasoning (25 Questions, 50 Marks):** This section evaluates your ability to think and solve problems. Topics include Analogies, Similarities and Differences, Space Visualization, Spatial Orientation, Problem Solving, Analysis, Judgment, Decision Making, Visual Memory, Discrimination, Observation, Relationship Concepts, Arithmetical Reasoning, Figural Classification, Arithmetical Number Series, Non-verbal series, Coding and Decoding, Statement-Conclusion, Syllogistic Reasoning. * **General Awareness (25 Questions, 50 Marks):** This tests your general knowledge and awareness of current events. Expect questions on India and its neighboring countries, History, Culture, Geography, Economic Scene, General Policy & Scientific Research. A strong focus on current affairs is vital. * **Quantitative Aptitude (25 Questions, 50 Marks):** Here, your numerical abilities are scrutinized. Topics cover Whole numbers, Decimals, Fractions, and relationships between numbers, Percentage, Ratio & Proportion, Square roots, Averages, Interest (Simple and Compound), Profit & Loss, Discount, Partnership Business, Mixture and Alligation, Time & Distance, Time & Work. Also includes basic algebraic identities, Geometry (Triangle, Quadrilaterals, Circles), Mensuration (Prism, Cone, Cylinder, Sphere), Trigonometry, and Data Interpretation (Bar-diagram, Pie-chart, etc.). * **English Comprehension (25 Questions, 50 Marks):** This section assesses your understanding of the English language. It includes Spotting Errors, Fill in the Blanks, Synonyms/Antonyms, Spellings, Idioms & Phrases, One-word Substitution, Sentence Improvement, Active/Passive Voice, Direct/Indirect Narration, Shuffling of Sentence parts/Sentences in a passage, Cloze Passage, and Comprehension Passage. * **Negative Marking:** There will be a negative marking of 0.50 for each incorrect answer. **Tier-II: Computer Based Examination (Various Modules)** * **Paper-I (Compulsory for all posts):** * **Module-I (Mathematical Abilities):** 30 Questions, 90 Marks. * **Module-II (Reasoning & General Intelligence):** 30 Questions, 90 Marks. * **Module-I (English Language and Comprehension):** 45 Questions, 135 Marks. * **Module-II (General Awareness):** 25 Questions, 75 Marks. * **Module-I (Computer Knowledge Module):** 20 Questions, 60 Marks (Qualifying Nature). * **Module-II (Data Entry Speed Test Module):** One Data Entry Task (Qualifying Nature). * **Paper-II (For Junior Statistical Officer - JSO):** Statistics (100 Questions, 200 Marks). * **Paper-III (For Assistant Audit Officer/Assistant Accounts Officer):** General Studies (Finance and Economics) (100 Questions, 200 Marks). * **Negative Marking:** For Paper-I, there will be negative marking of 1 mark for each wrong answer. For Paper-II and Paper-III, negative marking of 0.50 for each wrong answer. ### Preparation Tips Cracking the SSC CGL requires a strategic approach, consistent effort, and smart study planning. Here are some actionable tips to help you ace the exam: 1. **Know Your Syllabus Inside Out:** Before anything else, download the official syllabus and break it down. Understand the weightage of each section and identify your strong and weak areas. This will form the backbone of your study plan. 2. **Create a Realistic Study Schedule:** Allocate dedicated time for each subject daily or weekly. Consistency is far more important than intensity. Ensure you include time for revision and mock tests. 3. **Build a Strong Foundation:** For Quantitative Aptitude and English, mastering the basics is non-negotiable. Don't jump to advanced problems if your fundamentals are shaky. Practice calculations, grammar rules, and vocabulary daily. 4. **Stay Updated with Current Affairs:** General Awareness can be tricky. Make it a habit to read newspapers (The Hindu, Indian Express) and monthly current affairs magazines. Focus on national and international news, government schemes, awards, sports, and major economic developments. Jot down important points for quick revision. 5. **Practice, Practice, Practice with Mock Tests:** This is perhaps the most crucial tip. Start taking full-length mock tests regularly, especially as the exam approaches. Analyze your performance after each test – identify where you're losing marks, which questions take too long, and common mistakes. Mock tests improve your speed, accuracy, and time management skills significantly. 6. **Solve Previous Year Papers:** Get your hands on previous year's question papers. Solving them helps you understand the exam pattern, the type of questions asked, and the difficulty level. It's a great way to gauge your preparation. 7. **Smart Revision Techniques:** Don't just re-read notes. Use flashcards for vocabulary and formulas, solve quizzes, and explain concepts to yourself or a study partner. Regular revision helps in better retention. 8. **Recommended Books:** While practice is key, a few standard books can guide you: * **Quantitative Aptitude:** 'Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations' by R.S. Aggarwal or 'Sarvesh K Verma' for advanced practice. * **English:** 'Objective General English' by S.P. Bakshi or 'Plinth to Paramount' by Neetu Singh. * **Reasoning:** 'A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning' by R.S. Aggarwal. * **General Awareness:** 'Lucent's General Knowledge' (must-have), combined with daily current affairs. 9. **Maintain Your Health:** Don't neglect your physical and mental well-being. Get adequate sleep, eat healthy, and take short breaks during study sessions. A fresh mind performs better.