The Staff Selection Commission has officially opened applications for SSC CGL 2026, offering 12,256 vacancies across 40 Group B and Group C posts in central government ministries, departments, and organisations. The notification was released on May 21, 2026, and the online application window closes on June 22, 2026 at 11:00 PM at ssc.gov.in.
This is the largest graduate-level government recruitment notification of the year and one of the most sought-after exams in India, attracting over 25 lakh applicants every year.
Who Can Apply for SSC CGL 2026
- Must hold a graduation degree from any recognized university
- Age: 18 to 32 years as of August 1, 2026 (with category relaxation for OBC, SC, ST, PwD, Ex-Servicemen as per government rules)
- There is no limit on the number of attempts as long as the age limit is met
Popular Posts Under SSC CGL 2026
- Income Tax Inspector under CBDT
- Inspector in CBIC (Customs and Central Excise)
- Sub-Inspector in CBI
- Assistant Enforcement Officer
- Assistant Section Officer in various ministries
- Auditor, Accountant, Tax Assistant, Upper Division Clerk
New Changes in SSC CGL 2026 — What Candidates Must Know
1. Sectional Timing in Tier 1 (New This Year) For the first time, Tier 1 will have fixed time per section. Each of the four sections — Reasoning, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, and English — will have exactly 15 minutes. Once time ends, the system automatically moves to the next section.
2. New Paper III Added in Tier 2 A new Paper III has been added specifically for Assistant Audit Officer (AAO) and Assistant Accounts Officer posts. This paper covers General Studies in Finance and Economics.
SSC CGL 2026 Exam Schedule
- Tier 1 Exam: August to September 2026
- Tier 2 Exam: December 2026
Candidates must complete SSC One-Time Registration (OTR) on the SSC portal before filling the application. The full notification PDF with detailed post-wise eligibility and salary details is available at ssc.gov.in.
