Everything you should know before preparing or applying for SSC Combined Graduate Level (CGL) Examination. This page summarizes all important information from the latest official SSC CGL Notification in a simple and structured manner.
Important details about SSC CGL at a glance.
Staff Selection Commission
Bachelor's Degree
18–32 Years
(Depends on Post)
Tier-I
Tier-II
Computer Based Test
English & Hindi
Across India
₹25,500 – ₹1,51,100
General information regarding SSC Combined Graduate Level Examination.
| Full Name | Combined Graduate Level Examination (SSC CGL) |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | Staff Selection Commission (SSC) |
| Exam Level | National Level |
| Qualification | Bachelor's Degree from a Recognized University |
| Age Limit | 18–32 Years (Varies according to Post) |
| Selection Process | Tier-I + Tier-II + Document Verification |
| Mode of Examination | Computer Based Test (CBT) |
| Job Type | Central Government (Group 'B' & Group 'C') |
| Job Location | Across India |
| Official Website | https://ssc.gov.in |
SSC CGL recruits candidates for various prestigious Group 'B' and Group 'C' posts in Central Government Ministries, Departments and Organizations.
Indian Audit & Accounts Department under C&AG. Pay Level-8 Gazetted post.
Indian Audit & Accounts Department. Finance and Accounts related responsibilities.
Posted in CSS, Railways, MEA, AFHQ, IB and various Ministries.
Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT).
Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs (CBIC).
Preventive Officer under CBIC.
Customs Examiner under CBIC.
Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Department of Revenue.
Central Bureau of Investigation.
Department of Posts, Ministry of Communications.
Central Bureau of Narcotics, Ministry of Finance.
Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation.
Statistical Investigation and Data Analysis work.
Offices under Comptroller & Auditor General.
C&AG, CGDA and various Government Departments.
Controller General of Accounts and other Ministries.
CBDT and CBIC.
Department of Posts.
Approximate Pay Level and Salary according to the latest SSC CGL Notification.
| Post | Pay Level | Pay Scale |
|---|---|---|
| Assistant Audit Officer / Assistant Accounts Officer | Level-8 | ₹47,600 – ₹1,51,100 |
|
Assistant Section Officer Inspector of Income Tax Inspector (Central Excise) Inspector (Preventive Officer) Inspector (Examiner) Assistant Enforcement Officer Sub Inspector (CBI) Inspector Posts |
Level-7 | ₹44,900 – ₹1,42,400 |
|
Divisional Accountant Junior Statistical Officer Statistical Investigator Grade-II Research Assistant Executive Assistant Sub Inspector (NIA) |
Level-6 | ₹35,400 – ₹1,12,400 |
|
Auditor Accountant Junior Accountant |
Level-5 | ₹29,200 – ₹92,300 |
|
Tax Assistant Postal Assistant Sorting Assistant Senior Secretariat Assistant Upper Division Clerk |
Level-4 | ₹25,500 – ₹81,100 |
Bachelor's Degree from a recognized University or Institution.
Indian Citizen or other eligible categories as specified by SSC.
18–32 Years
(Depends on Post)
Candidates must satisfy the Physical, Medical and Eligibility standards wherever applicable.
Candidates must possess a Bachelor's Degree from a recognized University or equivalent on or before the prescribed cut-off date.
Bachelor's Degree in any subject with at least 60% marks in Mathematics at 12th Standard OR Bachelor's Degree with Statistics as one of the subjects at Graduation level.
Bachelor's Degree with Statistics as one of the subjects in all three years or all six semesters of Graduation.
Bachelor's Degree from a recognized University.
Desirable Qualification: CA / CMA / CS / M.Com / MBA (Finance) / Master's in Business Economics.
The age limit varies according to the post. Most posts fall under 18–27, 18–30, 20–30 or 18–32 years. Age is calculated according to the cut-off date mentioned in the official SSC CGL Notification. Candidates belonging to reserved categories are eligible for age relaxation as per Government of India rules.
| Age Limit | Major Posts |
|---|---|
| 18 – 27 Years |
Auditor Accountant Postal Assistant Tax Assistant Senior Secretariat Assistant |
| 18 – 30 Years |
Inspector of Income Tax Inspector (Central Excise) Inspector (Examiner) Assistant Enforcement Officer JSO Divisional Accountant |
| 20 – 30 Years |
Assistant Section Officer (CSS) Assistant Section Officer (MEA) Assistant Section Officer (Railways) Sub Inspector (CBI) |
| 18 – 32 Years | Junior Statistical Officer (Specified Posts) |
Bachelor's Degree from a recognized University or Institution.
Indian Citizen or other eligible categories as specified by SSC.
18–32 Years
(Depends on Post)
Candidates must satisfy the Physical, Medical and Eligibility standards wherever applicable.
Candidates must possess a Bachelor's Degree from a recognized University or equivalent on or before the prescribed cut-off date.
Bachelor's Degree in any subject with at least 60% marks in Mathematics at 12th Standard OR Bachelor's Degree with Statistics as one of the subjects at Graduation level.
Bachelor's Degree with Statistics as one of the subjects in all three years or all six semesters of Graduation.
Bachelor's Degree from a recognized University.
Desirable Qualification: CA / CMA / CS / M.Com / MBA (Finance) / Master's in Business Economics.
The age limit varies according to the post. Most posts fall under 18–27, 18–30, 20–30 or 18–32 years. Age is calculated according to the cut-off date mentioned in the official SSC CGL Notification. Candidates belonging to reserved categories are eligible for age relaxation as per Government of India rules.
| Age Limit | Major Posts |
|---|---|
| 18 – 27 Years |
Auditor Accountant Postal Assistant Tax Assistant Senior Secretariat Assistant |
| 18 – 30 Years |
Inspector of Income Tax Inspector (Central Excise) Inspector (Examiner) Assistant Enforcement Officer JSO Divisional Accountant |
| 20 – 30 Years |
Assistant Section Officer (CSS) Assistant Section Officer (MEA) Assistant Section Officer (Railways) Sub Inspector (CBI) |
| 18 – 32 Years | Junior Statistical Officer (Specified Posts) |
SSC CGL examination is conducted in two stages: Tier-I and Tier-II.
Tier-I is a Computer Based Examination consisting of Objective Type Multiple Choice Questions.
| Mode of Exam | Computer Based Examination (CBT) |
|---|---|
| Question Type | Objective Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) |
| Total Questions | 100 |
| Total Marks | 200 |
| Duration | 60 Minutes |
| Language | English & Hindi (Except English Section) |
| Negative Marking | 0.50 Mark for each wrong answer. |
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 25 | 50 |
| General Awareness | 25 | 50 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 50 |
| English Comprehension | 25 | 50 |
| Total | 100 | 200 |
Tier-I is conducted completely in Computer Based Mode.
Equal weightage is given to all four subjects.
Candidates get one hour to complete the examination.
0.50 marks are deducted for every incorrect answer.
Paper-I is compulsory for all candidates shortlisted in Tier-I.
| Session | Module | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| Session-I | Module-I |
Mathematical Abilities Reasoning & General Intelligence |
| Module-II |
English Language & Comprehension General Awareness |
|
| Session-II | Module-I |
Computer Knowledge Test Data Entry Speed Test (DEST) |
| Section | Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Section-I | Mathematical Abilities | 30 | 90 |
| Reasoning & General Intelligence | 30 | 90 | |
| Section-II | English Language & Comprehension | 45 | 135 |
| General Awareness | 25 | 75 | |
| Total | 130 | 390 | |
20 Questions
60 Marks
Data Entry Speed Test
Qualifying Nature
Conducted after Session-I as per SSC schedule.
Paper-I is compulsory for every candidate.
Certain posts require additional papers or specific educational qualifications as prescribed in the official notification.
| Paper | Applicable For | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Paper-I | All Candidates | Compulsory |
| Paper-II | Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) | Only for candidates who have applied for JSO. |
| Paper-III* | As notified by SSC | Applicable only if prescribed in the current recruitment notification. |
| Examination | Negative Marking |
|---|---|
| Tier-I | 0.50 Mark for every incorrect answer. |
| Tier-II (Sections I & II) | 1 Mark for every incorrect answer. |
| Computer Knowledge Test | As prescribed by SSC. |
| DEST | No Negative Marking (Qualifying Test). |
Most questions are available in both English and Hindi.
English Language & Comprehension questions are available only in English.
The entire examination is conducted online.
Conducted on computer for applicable posts.
SSC CGL is one of India's most competitive graduate-level examinations. Candidates should prepare all subjects thoroughly, understand the examination pattern, practice mock tests regularly and carefully fill post preferences during the selection process.
Keep the following documents ready while filling the online application form and during Document Verification.
Aadhaar Card, Passport, Voter ID, PAN Card or Driving Licence.
Degree Certificate or Provisional Certificate issued by a recognized University.
Graduation mark sheets as required by SSC.
Recent colour photograph as per SSC specifications.
Scanned signature in the prescribed format.
SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwBD/ESM certificates wherever applicable.
Understand every topic before starting preparation.
Allocate sufficient time for each subject daily.
Attempt full-length mock tests regularly.
Revise formulas, vocabulary and current affairs consistently.
No. SSC CGL selection does not include an interview.
Only if they fulfil the educational qualification by the prescribed cut-off date.
Yes. Negative marking is applicable as prescribed for Tier-I and Tier-II.
No. Examination centre changes are generally not permitted after final submission.
Candidates should follow the identity proof requirements mentioned in the official notification.
There is no fixed attempt limit. Candidates can apply until they exceed the maximum age limit.