๐ Note: Subject study material (Maths, Reasoning, English, GA, Computer) is in the separate Common Notes โ the links are on the Tier 1 Syllabus Map and Tier 2 Paper I pages. This page covers only the exam structure.
๐ On this page:
๐ 1. Key dates (CGL 2026)
| Stage | Date | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Online application | 21.05.2026 โ 22.06.2026 | Notice, page 1 |
| Last date for online fee | 23.06.2026 (23:00) | Notice, page 1 |
| Correction window | 29.06.2026 โ 01.07.2026 | Notice, page 1 |
| Tier 1 (CBE) | 30 Sep 2026 โ 30 Oct 2026 | SSC Notice 12.09.2026 |
| Tier 2 (CBE) | December 2026 (tentative) | Notice, page 1 |
| Vacancies | About 12,256 in the Notice; 10,731 in total in the tentative list (24.09.2026) | Tentative Vacancy (24.09.2026) |
Tier 1 is still running (until 30 Oct 2026). Check ssc.gov.in for the answer key, result and the final Tier 2 date. Vacancies are tentative โ the final number may change.
๐ 2. Tier 1 pattern (computer based)
| Part | Subject | Questions | Marks | Sectional timer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | General Intelligence & Reasoning | 25 | 50 | 15 min |
| B | General Awareness | 25 | 50 | 15 min |
| C | Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 50 | 15 min |
| D | English Comprehension | 25 | 50 | 15 min |
| Total | โ | 100 | 200 | 60 min |
- Each correct answer +2, each wrong answer โ0.50. Unanswered = 0.
- Each subject has its own 15-minute sectional timer (20 minutes, 80 minutes in total, for candidates eligible for a scribe). A section closes when its time is up.
- Questions are set in both Hindi and English, except English Comprehension.
- Level: Reasoning, GA and English = graduation level; Quantitative Aptitude = 10th standard level.
- Tier 1 marks are not added to the final merit โ Tier 1 is only for shortlisting for Tier 2 (Notice 16.3, 16.10).
โ ๏ธ Exam Trap
- Older books say "60 minutes, no sectional timing" โ the 2026 Notice has a 15-minute timer for each section. Time left in one section does not carry over to another.
- Normalisation: marks from multiple shifts are normalised by the method in SSC's Notice of 02.06.2025.
๐ 3. Tier 2 pattern (Papers I, II, III)
Tier 2 has three papers. Paper I is compulsory for all; Paper II is only for candidates shortlisted for JSO / Statistical Investigator Gr-II, and Paper III only for those shortlisted for AAO / AAccO.
| Paper / Section | Subject | Questions | Marks | Time | Negative |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I ยท Section I | A: Mathematical Abilities B: Reasoning & General Intelligence | 30 + 30 | 180 | 1 hour (30 + 30 min) | โ1 |
| Paper I ยท Section II | A: English Language & Comprehension B: General Awareness | 45 + 25 | 210 | 1 hour (40 + 20 min) | โ1 |
| Paper I ยท Section III | Computer Knowledge Test (qualifying) | 20 | 60 | 15 min | โ1 |
| Paper I ยท Section IV | Data Entry Speed Test โ DEST (qualifying) | 1 data entry task | โ | 15 min (Session II) | โ |
| Paper II | Statistics (JSO, SI Gr-II) | 100 | 200 | 2 hours | โ0.50 |
| Paper III | General Studies (Finance & Economics) (AAO, AAccO) | 100 | 200 | 2 hours | โ0.50 |
- In Sections IโIII of Paper I each question carries 3 marks; in Papers II and III, 2 marks.
- Paper I is held in two sessions on the same day: Session I = Sections I + II + III (2 hours 15 minutes); Session II = DEST (15 minutes).
- Every section of Paper I must be qualified separately. Sections III and IV are qualifying โ their marks are not added to the merit.
- Level: Mathematical Abilities = matriculation; English = 10+2; Papers II and III = graduation.
- Full structure and syllabus links for each section: Tier 2 Paper I, Paper II (Statistics), Paper III (Finance & Economics).
โ ๏ธ Exam Trap
- Negative marking in Tier 2 is double that of Tier 1 (โ1, i.e. one-third of the marks per wrong answer) โ guessing is costly.
๐ 4. Qualifying marks & final merit
| Category | Minimum qualifying marks (Tier 1; Paper I Sections IโIII; Papers II, III) | Maximum errors allowed in DEST |
|---|---|---|
| UR | 30% | 20% |
| OBC / EWS | 25% | 25% |
| All other categories | 20% | 30% |
- The final merit is made from Tier 2 only: for most posts it is the total of Sections I + II of Paper I (subject to qualifying Sections III and IV).
- JSO / SI Gr-II: Paper I (Sections I + II) + Paper II. AAO / AAccO: Paper I (Sections I + II) + Paper III.
- Posts with Computer Proficiency (e.g. ASO in CSS, MEA, AFHQ; Inspectors in CBIC; Postal / Sorting Assistant) and posts with DEST (e.g. Tax Assistant in CBIC, CBDT) have a higher cut-off in Section III / IV.
- Posts are allotted by merit plus your post preference; a preference cannot be changed once submitted.
๐ 5. Posts, pay levels & age limits
| Pay level | Main posts (examples) | Age limit |
|---|---|---|
| Level 8 (โน47,600โ1,51,100) | Assistant Audit Officer, Assistant Accounts Officer (C&AG) | 18โ30 |
| Level 7 (โน44,900โ1,42,400) | ASO (CSS, MEA, Railways, AFHQ, IB etc.), Income Tax Inspector, CBIC Inspector (Central Excise / Preventive Officer / Examiner), Assistant Enforcement Officer (ED), CBI Sub Inspector, Inspector Posts, CBN Inspector | 18โ30 (ASO in CSS, MEA, Railways, AFHQ and CBI SI: 20โ30) |
| Level 6 (โน35,400โ1,12,400) | Assistant / ASO (other ministries), Executive Assistant (CBIC), Research Assistant (NHRC), Divisional Accountant, NIA Sub Inspector, NCB SI/JIO, Junior Statistical Officer, Statistical Investigator Gr-II, Office Superintendent (CBDT), Section Head (DGFT) | 18โ30 (JSO: 18โ32) |
| Level 5 (โน29,200โ92,300) | Auditor (C&AG, CGDA etc.), Accountant / Junior Accountant | 18โ27 |
| Level 4 (โน25,500โ81,100) | Postal / Sorting Assistant, UDC / SSA, Senior Administrative Assistant (MES), Tax Assistant (CBDT, CBIC), CBN Sub-Inspector | 18โ27 |
- Age is counted on 01.08.2026. Example: for 18โ30 posts, the date of birth must be between 02.08.1996 and 01.08.2008.
- Reserved categories get relaxation in the upper age limit (SC/ST 5 years, OBC 3 years etc. โ see Notice para 5.2).
- Some posts (CBIC/CBN Inspector, CBI/NIA SI, NCB SI/JIO etc.) have physical standards and medical tests โ read Annexures XVโXVI before giving preferences.
๐ 6. Qualification & fee
| Post | Essential qualification (by 01.08.2026) |
|---|---|
| Most posts | Bachelor's degree from a recognised university |
| Junior Statistical Officer | Bachelor's degree + at least 60% in Mathematics at 12th level; or a degree with Statistics as one of the subjects |
| Statistical Investigator Gr-II | Bachelor's degree in Statistics / Mathematics / Economics / Demography / Population Studies / Operation Research / IT / Computer Science etc. |
| AAO / AAccO | Bachelor's degree (State cadre also needs 10th-level proficiency in the state's language); CA / CMA / CS / M.Com etc. desirable |
- Final-year students could apply, but must hold the qualification by 01.08.2026.
- Fee: โน100; women, SC, ST, PwBD and ESM eligible for reservation are exempt.
- Full details: SSC CGL 2026 Notice (PDF).