SSC CGL Exam Date Out 2026

SSC CGL Exam Date Out 2026

ByVirendr@ | The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has officially announced the exam schedule for the Combined Graduate Level (CGL) Examination 2026. As per the notice released on 12th September 2026, the SSC CGL Tier-1 exam will be conducted in Computer Based Examination (CBE) mode from 30th September 2026 to 30th October 2026. This is one of the most awaited updates for lakhs of graduate candidates across India who have applied for various Group B and Group C posts under different central government departments. Candidates are advised to keep visiting the official SSC website regularly, as admit cards, exam city details, and further instructions will be released closer to the exam dates. With the exam window now confirmed, aspirants have a clear timeline to plan their final revision and mock test practice.

SSC CGL Exam Date Out 2026 | Overview

SSC CGL Exam Date Out 2026 | Exam Date

According to the fresh notice issued by the Under Secretary, Government of India, the Tier-1 examination for SSC CGL 2026 will be held over a one-month window, starting 30th September 2026 and continuing until 30th October 2026. Since this is a large-scale national exam, SSC generally conducts it in multiple shifts across different cities to accommodate the huge number of applicants. Candidates should note that the exact date and shift for their individual exam will be mentioned in their admit card, which is usually released a few days before the test. It is strongly recommended that aspirants regularly check the official SSC portal so that they do not miss any city intimation slip or admit card update.

SSC CGL Exam Date Out 2026 | Educational Qualification

To be eligible for SSC CGL, a candidate must fulfil certain basic educational criteria. While the specific qualification may vary slightly depending on the post applied for, the general requirement remains the same for most positions.

• The candidate must hold a Bachelor’s Degree in any discipline from a recognized university or institute.
• For a few specific posts (such as Statistical Investigator or Compiler), a degree with Mathematics or Statistics as a subject may be required.
• For certain accounts-related posts, a degree involving subjects like Mathematics, Statistics, Commerce, Economics or Business Studies may be preferred.
• Candidates in their final year of graduation are usually allowed to apply provisionally, provided they can furnish proof of passing before the specified date.
• Along with education, candidates must also meet the age criteria, which generally ranges between 18 and 32 years, with the upper limit varying according to the specific post. Reserved category candidates get age relaxation as per government rules.

Since qualification requirements differ post to post, candidates are advised to cross-check the post-wise eligibility conditions in the detailed official notification before applying.

SSC CGL Exam Date Out 2026 | Documents Required

Keeping the right set of documents ready in advance can save candidates from last-minute trouble during registration, exam day, or document verification. Commonly required documents include:

• A valid original photo ID proof such as Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, Voter ID, Passport, or Driving Licence.
• Class 10th certificate and mark sheet, mainly used as proof of date of birth.
• Class 12th mark sheet and certificate.
• Graduation degree/provisional certificate along with final year mark sheets.
• Recent passport-size photograph and signature in the prescribed scanned format for online application.
• Category certificate (SC/ST/OBC-NCL/EWS), if applicable, issued in the prescribed government format.
• PwBD (Persons with Benchmark Disability) certificate, wherever applicable.
• No Objection Certificate (NOC), required only for candidates already working in government departments, PSUs, or autonomous bodies.
• Admit card for the respective tier of the examination.

It is advisable to keep both original documents and self-attested photocopies ready, as originals are usually verified at the Document Verification (DV) stage while photocopies may be needed earlier.

SSC CGL Exam Date Out 2026 | Exam Pattern

SSC CGL 2026 selection process is conducted in two main computer-based stages, followed by document verification.

Tier-1 Exam Pattern

• Total Questions: 100
• Total Marks: 200
• Duration: 60 minutes
• Nature: Qualifying (marks not added to final merit)
• Negative Marking: 0.50 marks deducted for every wrong answer

Tier-2 Exam Pattern

Tier-2 is the stage that actually decides the final merit list and post allocation. It may include up to three papers depending on the post a candidate is shortlisted for:

• Paper-I (Compulsory for all posts): Covers Mathematical Abilities, Reasoning & General Intelligence, English Language & Comprehension, General Awareness, along with a qualifying Computer Knowledge Test and Data Entry Speed Test (DEST). This paper is conducted in two sessions on the same day.
• Paper-II: Applicable for specific posts requiring a Statistics background (such as Junior Statistical Officer).
• Paper-III: Applicable for Assistant Audit Officer/Assistant Accounts Officer posts, covering General Studies related to Finance and Economics.

Negative marking in Tier-2 is generally 1 mark for a wrong answer in the main scoring sections, while it is 0.50 marks in certain other sections. The Computer Knowledge Test and DEST are qualifying in nature, but failing them can still lead to disqualification even with good marks elsewhere.

SSC CGL Exam Date Out 2026 | Exam Syllabus

Tier-1 Syllabus

• General Intelligence & Reasoning: Analogy, similarities and differences, coding-decoding, number and figural series, arithmetical reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, Venn diagrams, statement-conclusion, syllogism, and classification.
• Quantitative Aptitude: Number systems, percentage, ratio and proportion, average, profit and loss, simple and compound interest, time and work, time speed and distance, algebra, geometry, mensuration, trigonometry, and data interpretation.
• English Comprehension: Grammar rules, vocabulary, synonyms-antonyms, sentence correction, fill in the blanks, spotting errors, cloze test, and reading comprehension passages.
• General Awareness: Current affairs, static general knowledge, history, geography, polity, economics, and basic science, with a focus on India and its neighbouring countries.

Tier-2 Syllabus

• Mathematical Abilities: Advanced-level arithmetic, algebra, geometry, mensuration, trigonometry, and data interpretation.
• Reasoning & General Intelligence: Higher-level verbal and non-verbal reasoning concepts.
• English Language & Comprehension: Advanced grammar, vocabulary, comprehension passages, and writing skills.
• General Awareness: In-depth static GK and current affairs relevant to competitive exams.
• Computer Knowledge Test: Basics of computer hardware, software, internet, and MS Office applications (qualifying in nature).
• Statistics (Paper-II) and Finance & Economics (Paper-III): Applicable only to candidates applying for specific posts like Junior Statistical Officer and Assistant Audit/Accounts Officer.

SSC CGL Exam Date Out 2026 | FAQ

Q1. What are the SSC CGL 2026 Tier-1 exam dates? The Tier-1 exam will be conducted from 30th September 2026 to 30th October 2026 in Computer Based Examination mode.

Q2. Is SSC CGL Tier-1 a qualifying exam? Yes, Tier-1 is qualifying in nature. The final merit list and post allocation are decided based on Tier-2 performance.

Q3. What is the minimum educational qualification for SSC CGL? Candidates must hold a Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university. Some specific posts require additional subject-specific qualifications.

Q4. How many questions are there in SSC CGL Tier-1? Tier-1 has 100 questions worth 200 marks, to be attempted in 60 minutes.

Q5. Is there negative marking in SSC CGL? Yes, 0.50 marks are deducted for every wrong answer in Tier-1, while Tier-2 negative marking varies by section.

Q6. Where can candidates check further updates about SSC CGL 2026? Candidates should regularly visit the official SSC website for admit cards, exam city details, and other notifications.

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