The Staff Selection Commission Combined Graduate Level (SSC CGL) examination is one of the most competitive and popular government exams in India. Conducted by the Staff Selection Commission, it recruits graduates for Group B and Group C posts across dozens of central government ministries and departments. This guide covers everything you need to know to start your SSC CGL preparation.
Posts Offered Through SSC CGL 2026
SSC CGL offers recruitment to over 20 different posts. The most sought-after include:
- Income Tax Inspector (CBDT): Level 7, ₹44,900 basic pay
- Central Excise Inspector (CBIC): Level 7, ₹44,900 basic pay
- Assistant Section Officer (MEA, CSS, AFHQ): Level 7
- Assistant Audit Officer / Accounts Officer (CAG): Level 8, ₹47,600 basic pay
- Junior Statistical Officer (M/o Statistics): Level 6, requires Statistics in graduation
- Statistical Investigator Grade-II (RGI): Level 6
- Sub-Inspector (CBI): Level 7
- Inspector of Posts (Department of Posts): Level 7
Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification: Bachelor's degree from any recognized university in any subject. For the Junior Statistical Officer post, graduation with Statistics as one of the subjects is mandatory. For certain posts, specific degree requirements apply.
Age Limit: 18–27 years for most posts as on the cutoff date. Age relaxation is applicable: OBC candidates get 3 years, SC/ST candidates get 5 years, persons with disabilities get 10 years, and ex-servicemen get relaxation as per government rules.
Nationality: Indian citizen (some posts require domicile in specific states).
SSC CGL Exam Pattern 2026
Tier I — Computer Based Test
- Total questions: 100 MCQs
- Total marks: 200
- Duration: 60 minutes
- Sections: General Intelligence & Reasoning (25Q/50M), General Awareness (25Q/50M), Quantitative Aptitude (25Q/50M), English Language (25Q/50M)
- Negative marking: 0.5 marks per wrong answer
Tier II — Computer Based Test
- Paper I (All candidates): Mathematical Abilities + Reasoning & General Intelligence — 3 hours, 390 marks
- Paper II (JSO post candidates): Statistics — 2 hours, 200 marks
- Paper III (AAO post candidates): General Studies (Finance & Economics) — 2 hours, 200 marks
- English Language & Comprehension module within Paper I: 60 minutes, 200 marks
Salary Structure
| Post | Level | Basic Pay | Approx. In-hand (with DA+HRA) |
|---|---|---|---|
| LDC / DEO | Level 4 | ₹25,500 | ₹35,000–40,000 |
| Postal Inspector / SI | Level 6 | ₹35,400 | ₹50,000–58,000 |
| Income Tax / Excise Inspector | Level 7 | ₹44,900 | ₹62,000–72,000 |
| Assistant Audit Officer | Level 8 | ₹47,600 | ₹67,000–78,000 |
Preparation Strategy
Month 1–2: Foundation Building
Cover all basic concepts in Quantitative Aptitude (percentages, ratio, algebra, geometry, trigonometry), Reasoning (analogies, series, coding-decoding, blood relations), and English Grammar (tenses, subject-verb agreement, vocabulary).
Month 3–4: Practice Phase
Solve chapter-wise previous year questions. Target 50–100 questions per subject daily. Identify weak areas and spend extra time on them.
Month 5: Mock Test Phase
Attempt full-length Tier I mock tests at least twice a week. After each test, analyse every wrong answer — this is where real improvement happens.
Month 6: Revision & Final Push
Revise all formulas, important GK facts, and vocabulary lists. Attempt daily mocks and focus on time management.
Recommended Books
- Quantitative Aptitude: Rakesh Yadav 7300 (chapter-wise), R.S. Aggarwal
- Reasoning: M.K. Pandey (BSC Publication)
- English: SP Bakshi (Arihant), Word Power Made Easy (Norman Lewis)
- General Awareness: Lucent's GK + monthly current affairs magazine
Key Tips
- The cutoff for popular posts like Income Tax Inspector is very high — aim for 90%+ accuracy
- Negative marking in Tier I is significant — do not guess randomly
- Solve at least 10 previous year papers for Tier I to understand question patterns
- General Awareness can be the differentiator — review current affairs from the last 6 months before the exam
- Check the official SSC website ssc.nic.in regularly for notification updates