SSC CGL Exam 2026 | SSC CGL Exam Eligibility | SSC CGL Exam Syllabus | SSC CGL Exam Pattern | PYQ SSC CGL Exam 2026 | Mock Test SSC CGL Exam | SSC CGL Exam Dates | Previous Year Question Papers SSC CGL Exam 2026 | SSC CGL Recruitment 2026 Preparation Strategy & Career Growth
The SSC CGL Exam 2026 (Staff Selection Commission – Combined Graduate Level Examination) is one of the most popular and prestigious government competitive exams in India. Every year, lakhs of graduates appear in this exam to secure Group B and Group C posts in various Central Government Ministries, Departments, and Organizations. SSC CGL offers excellent salary, job security, social status, and growth opportunities, making it a dream exam for aspirants across the country.
Likh Padh will provide a well structured latest test series for SSC CGL exam 2026 along with all SSC exams with free PYQ, sample papers, mock test and previous year question papers bank. Likh Padh free online test series, PYQ for SSC CGL exam based on the trend analysis of SSC updates exam previously asked questions in SSC CGL exam.
In this detailed guide, we will cover everything about SSC CGL Exam 2026, including notification, eligibility criteria, exam pattern, syllabus, posts, salary, selection process, preparation strategy, and FAQs.
What is SSC CGL Exam?
The SSC CGL Exam is conducted by the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) to recruit candidates for various gazetted and non-gazetted posts under the Government of India. These posts are offered in departments such as:
- Income Tax Department
- Central Excise & Customs
- Ministry of External Affairs
- Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)
- Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG)
- Central Secretariat Services
SSC CGL is considered one of the most reliable career options for graduates due to its transparent selection process and stable career growth.
SSC CGL Exam 2026 – Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | SSC Combined Graduate Level (CGL) Exam 2026 |
| Conducting Body | Staff Selection Commission (SSC) |
| Exam Level | National |
| Mode of Exam | Online (CBT) |
| Stages | Tier-I & Tier-II |
| Eligibility | Graduation |
| Job Location | All India |
| Official Website | ssc.gov.in |
SSC CGL Notification 2026
The SSC CGL 2026 Notification is expected to be released in April–May 2026 on the official SSC website. The notification will include details such as:
- Vacancy details
- Important dates
- Eligibility conditions
- Exam pattern & syllabus
- Application process
Candidates are advised to regularly check the official website to avoid missing important updates.
SSC CGL Exam 2026 – Important Dates (Expected)
| Event | Expected Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | April–May 2026 |
| Online Application Start | April–May 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | May–June 2026 |
| Tier-I Exam | July–August 2026 |
| Tier-II Exam | October–November 2026 |
| Final Result | December 2026 |
(Dates are tentative and subject to official notification)
SSC CGL Eligibility Criteria 2026
Educational Qualification
- Candidate must have a Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized university.
- For some posts (like Junior Statistical Officer), specific subject requirements apply (e.g., Mathematics/Statistics).
Age Limit (As on 01-01-2026)
- Minimum Age: 18 years
- Maximum Age: 32 years (varies by post)
Age Relaxation
- OBC: 3 years
- SC/ST: 5 years
- PWBD: 10 years
- Ex-Servicemen: As per rules
SSC CGL Posts List 2026
SSC CGL offers a wide range of posts across various departments:
Group B (Gazetted & Non-Gazetted)
- Assistant Section Officer (ASO)
- Income Tax Inspector
- Central Excise Inspector
- Preventive Officer Inspector
- Examiner Inspector
- Assistant Audit Officer (AAO)
Group C Posts
- Auditor
- Accountant
- Tax Assistant
- Upper Division Clerk (UDC)
- Junior Statistical Officer (JSO)
SSC CGL Salary Structure 2026 (Pay Level)
SSC CGL posts fall under 7th Pay Commission:
| Pay Level | Salary (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Level-8 | ₹47,600 – ₹1,51,100 |
| Level-7 | ₹44,900 – ₹1,42,400 |
| Level-6 | ₹35,400 – ₹1,12,400 |
| Level-5 | ₹29,200 – ₹92,300 |
| Level-4 | ₹25,500 – ₹81,100 |
In addition to basic pay, employees receive DA, HRA, TA, medical benefits, pension, and other allowances.
SSC CGL Selection Process 2026
The SSC CGL selection process consists of two stages:
Tier-I (Qualifying)
- Objective type (CBT)
- Qualifying in nature
Tier-II (Merit Deciding)
- Multiple papers
- Final merit is based on Tier-II marks
SSC CGL Exam Pattern 2026
SSC CGL Tier-I Exam Pattern
| Subject | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 25 | 50 | |
| General Awareness | 25 | 50 | |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 50 | |
| English Comprehension | 25 | 50 | |
| Total | 100 | 200 | 60 minutes |
- Negative Marking: 0.50 marks
- Mode: Online
SSC CGL Tier-II Exam Pattern
Paper-I (Compulsory for All Posts)
| Section | Subjects |
|---|---|
| Section-I | Reasoning, Maths |
| Section-II | English, General Awareness |
| Section-III | Computer Knowledge, Data Entry Speed Test |
Paper-II
- Statistics (for JSO)
Paper-III
- General Studies (Finance & Economics) for AAO
SSC CGL Syllabus 2026
General Intelligence & Reasoning
- Analogy
- Coding-Decoding
- Blood Relations
- Syllogism
- Series
- Non-verbal reasoning
Quantitative Aptitude
- Number System
- Percentage
- Profit & Loss
- Ratio & Proportion
- Time & Work
- Geometry
- Trigonometry
- Mensuration
- Data Interpretation
English Language
- Reading Comprehension
- Vocabulary
- Error Detection
- Fill in the Blanks
- Active & Passive Voice
- Direct & Indirect Speech
General Awareness
- History
- Geography
- Polity
- Economy
- Science
- Current Affairs
Computer Knowledge
- Basics of Computer
- MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint
- Internet & Email
- Cyber Security
SSC CGL Preparation Strategy 2026
The Likh Padh mobile test App provides everything which we have discussed above. Likh Padh test App provides free CBT mock papers for SSC CGL exam 2026 along with detailed explanation and solution. The Likh Padh Test App also provide SSC CGL exam 2026 free PYQ question papers that are asked in the previous years papers for SSC exams. Likh Padh also provides free previous year question paper PDF download for SSC CGL exam 2026.
1. Understand Syllabus & Exam Pattern
Start preparation only after thoroughly understanding the latest syllabus and pattern.
2. Make a Realistic Study Plan
- Allocate daily time to all subjects
- Focus more on weak areas
- Revise regularly
3. Practice Mock Tests
- Attempt full-length mocks
- Analyze mistakes
- Improve speed & accuracy
4. Previous Year Question Papers
Solving SSC CGL previous year papers helps in understanding question trends and difficulty level.
5. Current Affairs Preparation
- Read daily current affairs
- Focus on last 6–8 months
Best Books for SSC CGL 2026 Preparation
- Quantitative Aptitude – R.S. Aggarwal
- English – Plinth to Paramount (Neetu Singh)
- Reasoning – Lucent Reasoning
- General Awareness – Lucent GK
- Previous Year Papers – Kiran / Pinnacle
SSC CGL Cut Off (Expected)
SSC CGL cut off varies every year based on:
- Number of vacancies
- Difficulty level
- Candidate performance
General category Tier-I cut off usually ranges between 130–150 marks.
Why Choose SSC CGL?
- Central Government Job
- Attractive Salary & Allowances
- Job Security
- Work-Life Balance
- All India Posting
- Promotion & Career Growth
SSC CGL Exam 2026 – FAQs
Q1. Is SSC CGL conducted every year?
Yes, SSC CGL is conducted annually.
Q2. Is Tier-I qualifying in SSC CGL?
Yes, Tier-I is qualifying in nature.
Q3. Can final year students apply for SSC CGL 2026?
Yes, provided they complete graduation before the cut-off date.
Q4. Is there interview in SSC CGL?
No, interview has been removed from SSC CGL.
Conclusion
The SSC CGL Exam 2026 is a golden opportunity for graduates who aspire to secure a prestigious central government job. With proper planning, disciplined study, and consistent practice, cracking SSC CGL is absolutely achievable. Start your preparation early, follow the syllabus strictly, and focus on accuracy and speed.
Likh Padh online mobile app free online test series, PYQ, mock test, previous year question papers to crack SSC CGL exam 2026. It is designed for SSC CGL exam 2026 and is developed according to the latest pattern of SSC exams. These online test series are best for the exam preparation as it also covers the previous years asked questions of SSC CGL exam.
If you are serious about a secure and respectable government career, SSC CGL 2026 should definitely be on your target list.

