SSC CGL 2026: Recruitment was initially planned for 12,256 posts; vacancies have now been reduced to 10,731..

SSC CGL 2026 Vacancies: Candidates preparing for the Staff Selection Commission's Combined Graduate Level (CGL) Examination 2026 have faced a major setback. The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has released the final details regarding the vacancies for the CGL Examination 2026. According to the notification issued in May, recruitment was initially planned for 12,256 posts. However, based on vacancy details for Group 'A' and Group 'B' posts provided by various ministries, only 10,731 vacancies remain. Consequently, the number of available posts has decreased by 1,525, intensifying the competition among the more than 30 lakh candidates participating in the recruitment process.

**Vacancies Reduced from 12,256 to 10,731**

The SSC had issued the CGL recruitment notification on May 21, 2026. At that time, the Commission had announced a total of 12,256 vacancies. However, the number of posts has now been revised based on final data received from various central government ministries, departments, and organizations. According to the updated list, recruitment will now take place for a total of 10,731 posts. This means that 1,525 posts have been cut during the recruitment process. The Commission released this final figure based on vacancy details received from the respective departments.

**Over 30 Lakh Candidates Applied**

The SSC CGL 2026 is considered one of the largest government recruitment drives in the country. A total of 3,094,823 candidates have applied online for this recruitment. With the reduction in vacancies, a larger number of candidates will now be competing for each post compared to the initial projections. Therefore, achieving a high score in the Tier-1 examination has become even more critical than before.

Category-wise Vacancy Breakdown
According to the final figures released by the SSC, the category-wise breakdown of the 10,731 posts is as follows:
General (UR) – 4,412
OBC – 2,772
EWS – 1,028
SC – 1,715
ST – 804
Total – 10,731

Highest Number of Vacancies in CBIC and CBDT
The highest number of vacancies in this recruitment drive has been announced for two major central departments: the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) and the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT). CBIC has a total of 3,687 posts. These include 2,366 posts for Inspector (Central Excise), 42 for Inspector (Examiner), 98 for Inspector (Preventive Officer), 340 for Executive Assistant, and 841 for Tax Assistant. Meanwhile, CBDT has a total of 2,421 posts, comprising 595 posts for Income Tax Inspector, 426 for Office Superintendent, and 1,400 for Tax Assistant.

Tier-1 Exam Begins on September 30
The SSC CGL 2026 Tier-1 examination will be conducted from September 30 to October 30, 2026. The exam will be entirely computer-based (CBT) and held across various cities in multiple shifts. According to the Commission, candidates will be able to download their admit cards from the official website four days prior to their exam date. Details regarding the exam center, shift, and reporting time will be provided on the admit card.

Additionally, the Tier-2 examination is proposed to be held in December 2026. The final merit list will be prepared based on performance in the Tier-2 exam and eligibility criteria for the respective posts.

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