SSC released the CGL Notification 2026 on 21 May 2026 at the official portal ssc.gov.in. Download the SSC CGL Notification 2026 PDF from the site before you start the application — it has the detailed eligibility rules and post-wise instructions.
Quick snapshot: What’s new in SSC CGL Notification 2026
- The Commission has advertised 12,256 vacancies for Group B and Group C posts. Expect heavy competition — the Commission estimates roughly 25 lakh applicants.
- The application is online only on ssc.gov.in. You must complete the One Time Registration (OTR) before applying.
- Key dates opened with the notification; registration started on 21 May 2026 and closes on 22 June 2026 . The final date for fee payment is 23 June 2026 .
- Correction window runs from 29 June 2026 to 01 July 2026 (23:00 hours) . Make careful use of this window.
- If you face portal issues, call the SSC toll-free helpline 1800 309 3063 .
SSC CGL Notification 2026 PDF: Key dates at a glance
| Event | Date/Time |
|---|---|
| Notification published | 21 May 2026 |
| Registration start | 21 May 2026 |
| Registration last date | 22 June 2026 |
| Last date for online fee payment | 23 June 2026 |
| Correction window | 29 June 2026 to 01 July 2026 (23:00 hours) |
| Tentative Tier-I exam window | August–September 2026 |
| Tentative Tier-II exam window | December 2026 |
Save these dates to your phone calendar now and set reminders a week and a day before each deadline. Missing the fee or OTR step is the most common reason applications fail.
Which posts and vacancies are advertised (roles to target)
The notification covers central government posts across Pay Levels 4 to 8. The official PDF on ssc.gov.in is the authority for post names and detailed conditions.
| High-demand post | Typical role notes |
|---|---|
| Assistant Section Officer (ASO) / Assistant | Administrative work in Ministries and Departments; Level 7/8 posts often require good writing and office software skills |
| Income Tax Inspector | Field and desk work in Income Tax Department; post-specific rules may apply |
| Central Excise / Customs Inspector | Enforcement and assessment duties; physical/medical standards apply where noted |
| CBI Sub-Inspector | Investigative role; specific experience/medical standards may be listed in the notification |
| Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) | Requires strong maths/statistics background; subject-specific eligibility applies |
Note: The notification gives the total vacancy count ( 12,256 ) but not the complete post-wise breakup in the summary research we have. Check the official notification PDF for department-wise and category-wise vacancy lists.
Eligibility in simple terms: Education, age and post-specific notes
- Basic educational requirement for most posts is a Bachelor’s degree from a recognised university. Confirm the exact degree requirement for the post you want in the PDF.
- Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) has stricter rules: 60% in 12th standard Mathematics or a degree in Statistics is mandatory.
- Assistant Audit Officer (AAO) desirables include CA/CMA/CS or Master’s in Commerce ; check the notification for whether these are essential or preferable for specific posts.
- Age limits: for most posts the range is 18 to 30 years . JSO age limit extends up to 32 years . Auditor/Accountant posts list 18 to 27 years . Government age-relaxation rules apply to reserved categories — details are in the notification.
- You must have valid ID (Aadhaar or other accepted ID), scanned photograph and signature as per SSC specifications before starting the application.
Always match your qualification and age to the post-specific requirements in the official SSC CGL Notification 2026 PDF on ssc.gov.in.
One Time Registration (OTR) and identity verification — stepwise
OTR is mandatory. Without a complete OTR you cannot submit the CGL form.
- Why OTR: It creates your basic profile on the SSC portal so you don’t have to re-enter core details for every exam.
- Typical OTR steps: register with personal details, verify mobile and email OTPs, upload photo/sign if asked. OTR can take 10–30 minutes if you have documents ready.
- Aadhaar authentication vs alternate ID: SSC prefers Aadhaar for identity verification but accepts other listed ID proofs if Aadhaar is not available. Use the ID you can produce at the time of Document Verification.
- Photo & signature specs: follow the exact dimensions and file size rules in the notification. Wrong formats or poor-quality images cause rejections. Prepare multiple copies of a passport-style photo and a scanned signature to meet requirements.
Checklist before starting OTR: Aadhaar or alternate ID number, scanned passport photo, scanned signature, educational certificate details, active email and phone.
SSC CGL Notification 2026 PDF: How to apply online — step-by-step
- Complete One Time Registration on the SSC portal and keep your OTR number safe.
- Log in with OTR and choose the CGL 2026 application link.
- Fill personal details, category, PwD status, educational qualifications and select exam centres carefully — centre preference affects travel and allocation.
- Upload scanned photograph and signature exactly as specified.
- Review all entries carefully. Mistakes in category or DOB fields are the hardest to correct.
- Make the online fee payment (modes below) and note the transaction ID.
- Submit and download/print the confirmation page and application PDF for future reference.
Do not finalize without reviewing every field. The correction window is limited and some fields may not be editable later.
Payment and fee-related notes (what to expect and what’s missing)
- Accepted payment modes: UPI, netbanking, debit/credit card . Pay online before the 23 June 2026 deadline.
- The research summary does not list the exact application fee or fee-remission details. Check the official notification PDF on ssc.gov.in for the current fee and details about fee waivers for SC/ST/PwD candidates.
- After payment, save the payment confirmation screenshot and note the transaction ID. This helps if a payment fails to reflect immediately.
If the fee amount matters for your application plan, confirm it on the official PDF before paying.
Selection process and exam pattern: Tier-wise breakdown
The SSC CGL selection includes Tier-I and Tier-II. The notification clarifies which papers count towards final merit.
| Stage | Purpose | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tier-I (CBT) | Shortlisting/Qualifying | Conducted in August–September 2026 (tentative) . Used to shortlist candidates for Tier-II. Subjects: Quant, Reasoning, English, GA (confirm exact sections in the PDF). |
| Tier-II (CBT) | Main exam | Tentatively December 2026 . Marks from Tier-II are considered for final selection along with post-specific papers. |
| Document Verification (DV) | Final eligibility check | Documents, caste/ disability proofs, and educational certificates verified before appointment. |
Check the official syllabus and paper-wise marks distribution in the SSC CGL Notification 2026 PDF for the exact pattern and negative marking rules.
Practical preparation plan for busy students (12-week roadmap)
If Tier-I is tentatively in August–September, you have a clear 12-week window to build a disciplined plan.
Week 1–4: Strengthen basics
- Focus on Quantitative Aptitude fundamentals and high-frequency topics in Reasoning.
- Start daily 30–45 minute English practice: grammar, reading comprehension, cloze tests.
Week 5–8: Timed practice and sectional tests
- Attempt sectional mocks twice a week.
- Build speed in arithmetic topics; practice shortcuts but don’t skip concepts.
Week 9–11: Full-length mocks and analysis
- Take one full-length Tier-I mock every 4–5 days.
- Analyse mistakes and maintain an error log to avoid repeat errors.
Week 12: Revision and exam strategy
- Focus on high-yield topics, formula sheet, and fastest problem types.
- Sleep and diet management in the last week — exam stamina matters.
Resources checklist: official syllabus (download from ssc.gov.in), past year papers, sectional practice tests, reliable mock series. Aim to solve past papers under timed conditions at least 6–8 times before Tier-I.
Application correction window, helpline and common fixes
- Correction window: 29 June 2026 to 01 July 2026 (23:00 hours) . Use it to fix spelling errors, upload corrections, or rectify some choices depending on SSC rules.
- What you cannot change in some exams: once submitted, certain core fields (like DOB or category) may need formal requests or may not be editable. Read the notification’s correction instructions before assuming everything can be changed.
- If you encounter portal errors or payment issues, call SSC helpline 1800 309 3063 . Keep your OTR number, application ID, payment transaction ID, and registered mobile/email handy when calling.
Plan corrections early in the window. Waiting until the last hours risks server slowdowns.
Pre-joining steps: admit card, document verification and joining checklist
| Item | What to expect/Action |
|---|---|
| Admit card | SSC issues admit cards online. Download from ssc.gov.in using your credentials. Admit card will mention exam city, date, and reporting time. |
| Documents for DV | Original degree, birth certificate, caste certificate (if applicable), PwD certificate (if applicable), Aadhaar or accepted ID, and photocopies. Bring attested copies as per DV instructions. |
| Medical/Physical standards | Certain posts (like Inspector/sub-inspector) may require medical/physical standards. Check the post-specific clauses in the notification. |
Follow the document checklist in the notification exactly. Missing or improperly attested certificates can delay appointment.
Where the notification leaves gaps (what to watch for on ssc.gov.in)
The official notification gives the framework, but some operational details are published separately. Watch for:
- Exact application fee amounts and refund/remission rules.
- Full post-wise and category-wise vacancy breakup.
- Detailed exam centre list and city codes.
- Full syllabus PDF with paper-wise marks, negative marking and sectional timing.
SSC typically releases these details on the official website or through corrigenda. Bookmark the official PDF and check ssc.gov.in regularly for downloads and updates.
Quick checklist before you hit submit
| Action | Done? |
|---|---|
| Complete OTR and note OTR number | [ ] |
| Match your educational qualification to the post requirement | [ ] |
| Check age limit for your post | [ ] |
| Scan and verify photograph and signature specs | [ ] |
| Keep Aadhaar/alternate ID and supporting certificates ready | [ ] |
| Make online payment and save transaction ID | [ ] |
| Download and print application confirmation | [ ] |
| Note correction window dates: 29 June to 01 July 2026 (23:00 hours) | [ ] |
A short dos and don’ts: Do verify category and DOB fields twice. Don’t wait until the last day to upload documents or pay — server load causes avoidable errors.
Final tips for conversion: from call letter to joining
- Treat document verification seriously — documents must match what you uploaded in the application.
- Keep multiple attested copies of your educational certificates and caste/PwD proofs ready.
- If selected, check the appointment letter carefully for reporting dates, training instructions and probation clauses.
A timely, clean document set and punctuality at every stage are as important as exam performance.
FAQs
Q1: Where can I download the SSC CGL Notification 2026 PDF? A1: Download it from the official website ssc.gov.in. The notification was published on 21 May 2026 .
Q2: How many vacancies are announced in SSC CGL 2026? A2: The Commission has advertised 12,256 vacancies for Group B and Group C posts.
Q3: What are the registration dates and last date for fee payment? A3: Registration opened on 21 May 2026 and closes on 22 June 2026 . The last date for online fee payment is 23 June 2026 .
Q4: When is the correction window and what is the cut-off time? A4: The correction window is from 29 June 2026 to 01 July 2026 , ending at 23:00 hours on 01 July 2026.
Q5: When are Tier-I and Tier-II exams scheduled? A5: Tier-I is tentatively scheduled in August–September 2026 and Tier-II is tentatively in December 2026 .
Q6: Who should I call for help if I face issues with the application? A6: Call the SSC toll-free helpline at 1800 309 3063 and keep your OTR and payment details ready.