SSC CGL 2026: Over 31 lakh aspirants for 12,256 posts; when will the exam be held?

SSC CGL 2026: Significant information has emerged regarding the Combined Graduate Level (SSC CGL) 2026 examination, one of the Staff Selection Commission's (SSC) most popular and major recruitment drives. Approximately 31 lakh candidates have applied for this recruitment, which covers various central government jobs. According to information provided by the Commission in response to an RTI query, 3,094,823 candidates submitted online applications. This recruitment drive aims to fill 12,256 Group ‘B’ and Group ‘C’ posts across various central government ministries, departments, and organizations. From Bihar alone, over seven lakh candidates have applied. Candidates are now looking forward to the Tier-1 examination scheduled for August-September.

**Posts to be filled**
The SSC CGL 2026 recruitment drive will facilitate appointments to several prestigious central government positions. These include Assistant Section Officer (ASO), Income Tax Inspector, Central Excise Inspector, Auditor, Sub-Inspector in the CBI, Junior Accountant, and Senior Clerk, among other Group ‘B’ and Group ‘C’ roles. This is why lakhs of candidates participate in this examination every year.

**Application window open until June 25**
The Commission had invited applications for this recruitment until June 25, 2026. With the application process now concluded, preparations for the examination have begun. According to the Commission's schedule, the Tier-1 Computer-Based Test (CBT) will be conducted in August-September 2026. Subsequently, successful candidates will be required to appear for the Tier-2 examination, scheduled for December 2026.

**Lakhs of candidates apply every year**

SSC CGL recruitment consistently remains a top choice for government jobs among the youth. Data from recent years clearly demonstrates its popularity. In 2022, 34.80 lakh applications were received for 36,016 posts. In 2023, 24.74 lakh candidates applied for 8,440 posts. In 2024, 36.73 lakh applications were submitted for the recruitment of 17,727 posts. In 2025, 28.15 lakh candidates applied for 14,582 posts. Now, for 2026, 30.94 lakh candidates have applied for 12,256 posts. This clearly indicates that competition for government jobs is steadily increasing.
**Major Change in the Exam This Time**

The most significant change in the SSC CGL 2026 exam is the introduction of sectional timing. Previously, candidates could allocate more or less time to any subject according to their preference during the full one-hour duration, but this will no longer be the case. Now, specific time limits will be set for each section during the exam. Once the allotted time expires, the computer system will automatically move to the next section; this means no candidate will have the opportunity to spend extra time on any single subject.

**Understand the New Tier-1 Exam Pattern**

The first stage of the exam will be entirely computer-based. It will consist of a total of 100 questions, with each question carrying 2 marks. The exam will feature 25 questions each from General Intelligence & Reasoning, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude (Mathematics), and English Comprehension. Candidates will now have only 15 minutes to solve each section, meaning they must complete all 25 questions of a specific subject within that 15-minute window. Additionally, there will be negative marking of 0.50 marks for every incorrect answer.

**Changes to Tier-2 Exam Rules**
Subject-wise time limits will now apply to the second-stage examination as well. In Section-1, candidates will be allotted 30 minutes each for Mathematics and Reasoning. In Section-2, 40 minutes are allocated for solving 45 questions on English Language, and 20 minutes for 25 questions on General Awareness. In Section-3, 15 minutes will be provided to solve 20 questions on Computer Knowledge. Previously, candidates could devote more time to any subject according to their preference, but now the time for each section is fixed.

**How ​​will the selection process be conducted? ****
The SSC CGL recruitment process will be completed in two stages. First, candidates must appear for the Tier-1 examination. Those who qualify will be called for the Tier-2 examination. Following the Tier-2 exam, the Commission will seek post preferences from candidates for various departments and positions via an online mode. The order of preference submitted by the candidate will be considered final, and no changes can be made to it later.

**How ​​will the final merit list be prepared?**
Final selection will be based solely on the candidates' performance in the Tier-2 examination and the post preferences they have submitted. For general posts, the merit list will be prepared based on marks obtained in Paper-I (Section-I and Section-II) and Paper-III; however, candidates must also mandatorily qualify in the Computer Knowledge Test and the Data Entry Speed ​​Test. For the posts of Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) and those at the Statistical Institute, the merit list will be prepared based on Paper-I and Paper-II (Statistics).

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