SSC CGL (Staff Selection Commission - Combined Graduate Level) is one of the most sought-after government exams in India. Every year, lakhs of graduates compete for posts in various central government ministries and departments.
What is SSC CGL?
SSC CGL selects candidates for Group B and Group C posts in the Central Government. Popular posts include:
- Inspector (Income Tax, Central Excise, Customs)
- Assistant Section Officer (CSS, MEA, AFHQ)
- Sub-Inspector (CBI)
- Junior Statistical Officer
- Auditor / Accountant
- Upper Division Clerk (UDC)
SSC CGL 2026 Eligibility
Age Limit: 18-32 years (varies by post). Check age relaxation rules.
Educational Qualification: Bachelor’s degree from any recognized university in any discipline. Some posts (e.g., JSO) require Statistics as a subject.
Nationality: Indian citizen
SSC CGL Exam Pattern 2026
The exam has two tiers:
Tier 1 (CBT - Computer Based Test)
- Duration: 60 minutes
- Questions: 100 (25 each in 4 sections)
- Sections: General Intelligence, GK/GS, Quantitative Aptitude, English
- Negative marking: -0.5 per wrong answer
Tier 2 (CBT)
- Paper 1 (Compulsory): Maths + Reasoning + English + GK - 390 questions, 3 hours
- Paper 2 (for JSO): Statistics - 100 questions
- Paper 3 (for AAO): Finance & Economics - 100 questions
SSC CGL Syllabus Highlights
Quantitative Aptitude: Number Systems, Percentage, Ratio, Algebra, Geometry, Mensuration, Trigonometry, Data Interpretation
English: Reading Comprehension, Cloze Test, Para Jumbles, Fill in the Blanks, Error Detection, Vocabulary
General Awareness: History, Geography, Polity, Economy, Science, Current Affairs
Reasoning: Series, Analogy, Classification, Matrix, Coding-Decoding, Blood Relations, Direction Test
For full preparation strategy, see our government exam preparation guide.
SSC CGL Salary 2026
| Post | Pay Level | Gross Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Inspector (IT/CE/Customs) | Level 7 | ₹44,900 - ₹1,42,400 |
| ASO (CSS) | Level 6 | ₹35,400 - ₹1,12,400 |
| Sub-Inspector (CBI) | Level 6 | ₹35,400 - ₹1,12,400 |
| JSO | Level 5 | ₹29,200 - ₹92,300 |
| UDC | Level 4 | ₹25,500 - ₹81,100 |
For complete salary structure, read our 7th Pay Commission salary guide.
How to Apply for SSC CGL
Applications are submitted on the official SSC portal. For step-by-step instructions, see our how to apply for government job online guide.
Check our latest SSC job notifications for application dates.
SSC CGL Cut-Off (Previous Years)
Cut-offs vary by category and post. General guidance:
- Tier 1 cut-off: ~130-150 (General), ~110-130 (OBC), ~95-115 (SC/ST)
- Final selection cut-offs are post-specific and higher
See also: SSC CHSL Guide | How to Prepare for Govt Exam | Latest SSC Jobs