SSC CGL 2026 Notification: 12,256 Vacancies, Eligibility, Syllabus, Exam Pattern & Signature Size

A complete, plain-English guide to the Staff Selection Commission Combined Graduate Level 2026 recruitment — with the exact signature size you need to upload (and why you don't upload a photo).

SSC CGL 2026 — key facts

Figures are taken from the official SSC CGL 2026 notice (uploaded 21-05-2026 on ssc.gov.in). Vacancies are tentative and will be updated by the Commission. Always confirm on the official notice.

Important dates

Vacancies

Approximately 12,256 tentative vacancies across Group “B” and Group “C” posts in various ministries, departments and organisations. The Commission notes that the vacancies are still being collected; updated post-wise and category-wise vacancies will be published later.

Eligibility

Educational qualification

A Bachelor's degree from a recognised university is the general requirement. Some posts have specific requirements — for example, Assistant Audit/Accounts Officer (AAO) values CA/CS/MBA/M.Com/Economics or Statistics, and Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) requires a degree with Statistics/Mathematics as specified. Check the post-wise table in the official notice.

Age limit (post-wise)

• Generally 18–32 years, but it varies by post (commonly 18–27, 18–30, 20–30 or 18–32).
• Relaxation: SC/ST +5 years, OBC +3 years, PwBD +10 to +15 years, ex-servicemen as applicable.

Application fee

• ₹100/- (Rupees one hundred only).
• Exempt: Women candidates, and candidates belonging to SC, ST, PwBD and eligible Ex-servicemen (ESM).

Selection process

SSC CGL 2026 is a Computer Based Examination conducted in two tiers:

• Tier-I: objective screening test (qualifying for Tier-II).
• Tier-II: Paper-I (for all posts) plus Paper-II (Statistics — for JSO) and Paper-III (General Studies: Finance & Economics — for AAO), where applicable. Paper-I also includes a Computer Knowledge Test and a Data Entry Speed Test (DEST).

Document Verification follows, and final merit is based on Tier-II.

Exam pattern

Tier-I — 100 questions, 200 marks, 1 hour

New in 2026: a sectional timer of 15 minutes per subject. Negative marking is 0.50 mark per wrong answer. Questions are set in English & Hindi (except English Comprehension).

Tier-II — Paper-I (objective)

Each question carries 3 marks; negative marking of 1 mark per wrong answer in the objective sections. Sectional timing applies. Paper-II (Statistics) and Paper-III (Finance & Economics) apply only to specific posts.

Syllabus in brief

• General Intelligence & Reasoning: analogies, classification, series, coding-decoding, puzzles, syllogism, non-verbal reasoning, matrices.
• General Awareness: current affairs, history, geography, polity, economics, general science, static GK.
• Quantitative Aptitude / Mathematical Abilities: number systems, percentage, ratio, average, interest, profit & loss, time-work, mensuration, trigonometry, algebra, geometry, data interpretation.
• English: reading comprehension, fill in the blanks, synonyms/antonyms, error spotting, sentence improvement, cloze test, para jumbles, idioms.
• Computer Knowledge (Tier-II): computer basics, software, internet, MS Office, networking.

Photo & signature for SSC CGL 2026

This trips a lot of candidates, so here it is exactly as the official notice states:

Because the module captures your photo while you fill the form, you only need to prepare a clean signature scan. Sign on white paper with black/blue ink, scan or photograph it, then size it to the exact spec below. Blurred or miniature signatures are rejected.

How to apply for SSC CGL 2026

• Create a fresh One-Time Registration (OTR) on the new SSC website ssc.gov.in (the old ssc.nic.in OTR no longer works).
• Opt for Aadhaar-based authentication if you can — applications then aren't rejected for photo/signature format issues.
• Fill the application; the module will capture your photo via camera and ask you to upload your signature.
• Pay the ₹100 fee (if applicable) by 23 June 2026 and submit before 22 June 2026. Use the correction window (29 June – 1 July) if needed.

FAQ

PRISA is an independent free tool and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the Staff Selection Commission (SSC). Details above are summarised from the official SSC CGL 2026 notice (uploaded 21-05-2026) and may change — always verify on the official notice before applying. Source: ssc.gov.in.