SSC CGL

Educational Qualification

A candidate must hold a Bachelor’s degree from a recognised university in any discipline.

Age Limit

The age limit is 18 to 32 years, depending on the post.

Age Relaxation

Nationality

• Candidate must be an Indian citizen

Reservation Notes

SSC CGL follows the reservation policy of the Government of India for central posts.

Tier-I

Tier-II

Skill Test / Physical Test

• Conducted only for applicable posts
• Skill test may include typing or data entry
• Physical test is applicable only for posts that require it

Selection Nature

• Tier-I: Screening
• Tier-II: Main selection stage
• Skill/Physical test: Qualifying, where applicable

The SSC CGL selection process generally includes:

1. Tier-I CBT

2. Tier-II CBT

3. Skill Test / Physical Test for applicable posts

4. Document Verification

5. Final Merit List

The final selection is based on performance in the relevant tiers and post-specific requirements.

Tier-I Syllabus

General Intelligence and Reasoning

• Analogies
• Classification
• Coding-decoding
• Series
• Puzzles
• Direction sense
• Blood relations
• Verbal and non-verbal reasoning

General Awareness

• History
• Polity
• Economy
• Geography
• General Science
• Current Affairs

Quantitative Aptitude

• Arithmetic
• Algebra
• Geometry
• Trigonometry
• Data interpretation
• Number system
• Mensuration

English Comprehension

• Grammar
• Vocabulary
• Synonyms and antonyms
• Sentence improvement
• Error spotting
• Reading comprehension
• Cloze test

Tier-II Syllabus

Paper-I

• Mathematics
• Reasoning
• English Language and Comprehension
• General Studies

Paper-II / Paper-III

• Post-specific papers, wherever applicable

Common posts under SSC CGL include:

• Income Tax Inspector
• Inspector (Excise / Customs)
• Assistant Section Officer
• Auditor
• Tax Assistant
• Accountant
• Junior Statistical Assistant

Group B and Group C Posts

• Group B: Higher responsibility roles such as Inspector and Assistant Section Officer
• Group C: Support and clerical-level central government posts such as Tax Assistant and Accountant

Career Examples by Department

• Income Tax Department
• Central Excise and Customs
• Various ministries and attached offices
• Audit and accounting establishments
• Statistical and administrative offices

SSC CGL posts generally fall in Level 4 to Level 7 of the pay matrix.

Allowances

• Dearness Allowance (DA)
• House Rent Allowance (HRA)
• Transport Allowance (TA)
• Other admissible posting-related allowances

In-Hand Salary

For many SSC CGL posts, the in-hand salary is shaped by pay level, city category, and allowances. Inspector-level posts generally offer a higher take-home amount than clerical or assistant roles.

Common Post Names

• Inspector (IT / Excise / Customs)
• ASO
• Auditor
• Tax Assistant
• Accountant
• Junior Statistical Assistant

Tier-I Cutoff

Trend Notes

• SSC CGL cutoffs vary by category, post, and tier
• Higher vacancies and paper difficulty affect cutoff movement
• Final selection cutoffs are influenced by post preference and category-wise merit

Apply online only through the official SSC portal.

Steps to Apply

1. Complete one-time registration on ssc.gov.in

2. Fill the SSC CGL application form

3. Upload required documents and photograph/signature as per instructions

4. Pay the application fee, if applicable

5. Submit the form and save the confirmation

6. Download the admit card when released

Official Portal

• https://ssc.gov.in" class="inlink">ssc.gov.in

Recent Cycle

Previous Exam Dates

A focused 4–6 month plan works well for Tier-I, followed by Tier-II preparation.

Suggested Strategy

• Build strong basics in Quantitative Aptitude
• Revise reasoning daily
• Read current affairs and static GK regularly
• Practice English comprehension and grammar every day
• Solve previous year papers and mock tests

Subject-wise Focus

Quantitative Aptitude

• Arithmetic
• Algebra basics
• Geometry and mensuration
• DI and speed calculation

Reasoning

• Series
• Puzzles
• Direction sense
• Coding-decoding
• Blood relations

English

• Grammar rules
• Error detection
• Reading comprehension
• Vocabulary

General Awareness

• Polity
• History
• Economy
• Geography
• Science
• Current affairs

Booklist

• Lucent GK
• Rakesh Yadav Quantitative Aptitude
• SP Bakshi English
• SSC previous year papers

Practice Plan

• Daily mock tests
• Timed section practice
• Weekly full-length tests
• Previous year paper revision from the SSC archive

SSC CGL posts offer strong promotion potential.

Typical Growth Paths

• Inspector → Superintendent
• Assistant → Section Officer
• Tax Assistant / Accountant → higher administrative roles through service progression

Long-Term Progression

• Departmental examinations
• Seniority-based promotions
• Movement into Group B gazetted roles in suitable cadres

• https://ssc.gov.in" class="inlink">SSC official website
• https://ssc.nic.in" class="inlink">Old SSC website
• https://ssc.gov.in/for-candidates/syllabus" class="inlink">SSC syllabus page

1. What is SSC CGL and what does it recruit for?

SSC CGL is the Combined Graduate Level Examination conducted for recruiting graduates into Group B and Group C posts in central government departments and offices.

2. Who conducts the SSC CGL examination?

The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) conducts the SSC CGL examination.

3. Is SSC CGL open to candidates from all over India?

Yes. SSC CGL is a central exam open to eligible candidates from across India.

4. What is the full form of SSC CGL?

SSC CGL stands for Staff Selection Commission — Combined Graduate Level Examination.

5. What is the minimum educational qualification for SSC CGL?

The minimum educational qualification is a Bachelor’s degree from a recognised university.

6. What is the age limit for SSC CGL?

The age limit is 18 to 32 years, depending on the post.

7. Are there age relaxations for reserved categories in SSC CGL?

Yes. Age relaxations are provided as per Government of India rules for categories such as OBC, SC, ST, PwBD, and Ex-servicemen.

8. What are the main stages of the SSC CGL exam?

The main stages are Tier-I, Tier-II, and Skill Test or Physical Test, wherever applicable.

9. What is the exam pattern of SSC CGL Tier-I?

Tier-I is a computer-based test with four sections: General Intelligence & Reasoning, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, and English Comprehension.

10. What is the exam pattern of SSC CGL Tier-II?

Tier-II includes Paper-I covering Mathematics, Reasoning, English, and General Studies, along with Paper-II or Paper-III for specific posts.

11. Is there negative marking in SSC CGL?

Yes. Tier-I has 0.5 marks negative marking per wrong answer, and Tier-II has 1 mark negative marking per wrong answer.

12. What subjects are included in the SSC CGL syllabus?

The syllabus includes General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning, and English Comprehension, along with post-specific Tier-II papers where applicable.

13. What are the common posts offered through SSC CGL?

Common posts include Income Tax Inspector, Assistant Section Officer, Auditor, Tax Assistant, Accountant, and Junior Statistical Assistant.

14. What is the salary range in SSC CGL jobs?

SSC CGL jobs generally fall in Level 4 to Level 7 of the pay matrix, with salaries ranging from about ₹25,500 to ₹44,900 and above, plus allowances.

15. Which SSC CGL posts are considered Group B?

Posts such as Inspector and Assistant Section Officer are commonly considered Group B posts under SSC CGL.

16. How can I apply for SSC CGL online?

You can apply online at the official SSC portal by completing one-time registration, filling the application form, paying the fee if applicable, and submitting the form.

17. What is the application fee for SSC CGL?

The application fee is ₹100 for General and OBC candidates. SC, ST, Women, and PwBD candidates are exempt.

18. Is there reservation for SC, ST, OBC, EWS and PwBD candidates in SSC CGL?

Yes. SSC CGL follows the Government of India reservation policy, including vertical and horizontal reservations.

19. How can I prepare for SSC CGL Tier-I effectively?

Prepare through daily practice in Quant, Reasoning, English, and General Awareness, and solve mock tests and previous year papers regularly.

20. Where can I find the official SSC CGL notification and syllabus?

You can find both on the official SSC website: https://ssc.gov.in" class="inlink">ssc.gov.in