SSC CGL Recruitment 2026: The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) is all set to release the official notification for the Combined Graduate Level (CGL) Examination 2026. If you are a graduate dreaming of a high-paying government job with power and prestige (like Income Tax Inspector, MEA, CBI), this is your biggest opportunity.
Don't just apply blindly. In this article, we provide a complete breakdown of the Eligibility, Real In-Hand Salary, Exam Pattern, and a smart 80/20 Preparation Strategy to crack the exam in your first attempt.
1. SSC CGL 2026: Exam Overview
| Organization | Staff Selection Commission (SSC) |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Combined Graduate Level (CGL) 2026 |
| Post Details | Group 'B' & Group 'C' Officers |
| Vacancies | 10,000+ (Expected) |
| Selection Process | Tier-1 (Qualifying) + Tier-2 (Selection) |
| Job Location | All India (Ministries & Depts) |
2. Important Dates (Expected)
According to the latest SSC trends, here is the tentative schedule:
| Event | Date (Tentative) |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | January 2026 |
| Application Start | January 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | February 2026 |
| Tier-1 Exam Date | April - May 2026 |
3. Salary Breakdown & Job Profile
Why is SSC CGL so popular? Because of the salary and perks. Here is the REAL In-Hand Salary calculation:
- Basic Pay: ₹44,900
- DA + HRA + TA: Approx ₹40,000+
- Gross Salary: ₹85,000+ per month
- In-Hand Salary: ₹72,000 - ₹75,000 (After Deductions)
Pay Level 4 Posts (Tax Assistant, UDC): Starting In-hand salary is approx ₹42,000 - ₹45,000 per month.
4. Eligibility Criteria (Must Read)
A. Education
You must have a Bachelor’s Degree from any recognized university. Final year students can apply IF they get their result before the cutoff date (usually August 1st, 2026).
B. Age Limit (General)
- For Inspector/ASO: 18-30 Years
- For JSO: Up to 32 Years
- For Auditor/TA: 18-27 Years
Relaxation: OBC +3 Years, SC/ST +5 Years.
5. The 80/20 Preparation Strategy
To crack CGL, you don't need to read everything. Focus on these high-weightage topics (80% Marks come from here):
- Maths: Master Arithmetic (Profit Loss, %, Ratio) and Algebra/Geometry. Ignore complex questions that take 5 minutes.
- English: Focus 60% time on Vocab (Blackbook) and Comprehension, only 40% on Grammar rules.
- Reasoning: Practice Series, Coding-Decoding, and Analogy daily.
- GK: Do not read complete History/Geography. Focus on Current Affairs (Last 6 Months) and Static GK (Arts, Dance, Awards).
6. Important Links & Notification
7. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Can 12th pass apply for SSC CGL?
Ans: No, SSC CGL is strictly for Graduates. For 12th pass, you can apply for SSC CHSL.
Q2: Is there an Interview in SSC CGL?
Ans: No, the Interview was removed years ago. Selection is based only on Computer Based Exams (Tier 1 & 2).
Q3: Is typing compulsory?
Ans: Yes, qualifying the Computer Knowledge and Typing Test is mandatory for almost all posts now.
