SSC Exam Overview: Notification, Exam Dates, Eligibility, Syllabus & More

Updated 11 May 2026

Table of Contents

What is the SSC exam?

The SSC examination is a civil service examination conducted by the Staff Selection Commission to fill Group B and Group C positions in central government agencies and departments.

All of the exams listed, including the SSC CGL, CHSL, MTS, GD, CPO, and JE, enable candidates to secure employment in various positions such as Inspectors, Auditors, Clerks and Constables, etc.

The SSC examination is targeted at individuals who have completed their tenth grade or higher, as well as those who have graduated and are seeking employment within the Government of India.

SSC Exam Highlights 2026

Before diving into each exam in detail, here’s a quick overview of all the key information in one place.

Particulars	Details	Particulars	Details
Conducted By	Staff Selection Commission (SSC)	Official Website	ssc.gov.in
Exam Type	National Level Recruitment Exam	Exam Mode	Computer-Based Test (CBT)
Post Category	Group B and Group C (Central Govt.)	Language	Hindi & English
Selection Process	Written Test + Document Verification	Frequency	Multiple exams per year

The Staff Selection Commission takes various government recruitment exams for different posts under central government departments, and not just a single exam.

The exam is for different levels of students, such as CGL for graduates, CHSL for 12th pass students, and GD Constable for 10th pass candidates. These exams provide a wide range of job opportunities all over India.

SSC Exam Vacancy Details

The SSC exams provide a huge number of government job opportunities every year. More than 80,000+ vacancies are released for different posts and departments.

SSC is one of the most popular recruitment bodies in India, as these vacancies are available for 10th, 12th & Graduate level candidates. Candidates need to keep an eye on the official notifications for upcoming vacancies and important dates.

S.No	Exam Name	Posts Offered	Vacancies	Qualification	Age Limit
1	SSC CGL 2026 (Combined Graduate Level)	Inspector, Auditor, Assistant, Tax Asst., JSO, AAO & more	~15,000+	Graduation (Any Stream)	18–32 yrs
2	SSC JE 2026 (Junior Engineer)	Junior Engineer (Civil / Mech. / Electrical)	~1,000+	Diploma / Degree in Engineering	18–32 yrs
3	SSC CPO 2026 (Central Police Org.)	Sub-Inspector in Delhi Police & CAPFs	~3,000+	Graduation (Any Stream)	20–25 yrs
4	SSC JHT 2026 (Junior Hindi Translator)	Jr. Hindi Translator, Sr. Hindi Translator	~200+	PG in Hindi / English	18–30 yrs
5	SSC CHSL 2026 (Combined Higher Secondary)	LDC, DEO, PA/SA, Court Clerk	~5,000+	12th Pass (Any Stream)	18–27 yrs
6	SSC Stenographer 2026 (Grade C & D)	Stenographer Grade C, Stenographer Grade D	~1,500+	12th Pass (Any Stream)	18–27 yrs
7	SSC MTS 2026 (Multi-Tasking Staff)	MTS (Non-Technical), Havaldar (CBIC & CBN)	~10,000+	10th Pass (Matriculation)	18–25 yrs
8	SSC GD Constable 2027	Constable (GD) in CAPFs, SSF & Assam Rifles	~50,000+	10th Pass (Matriculation)	18–23 yrs
9	SSC Selection Post Phase 14 (2026)	Various Posts across Govt Departments	3,003	10th / 12th / Graduation	18–32 yrs

Note: '~' indicates vacancy figures are expected/based on previous year trends. The official number of vacancies will be confirmed with the notification of each exam at www.ssc.gov.in. Age relaxation is applicable as per the Govt. norms for SC/ST/OBC/PWD candidates.

SSC Notification 2026

Staff Selection Commission has released the SSC Selection Post Phase 14 Notification 2026 from April 13, 2026, to May 4, 2026. The exam is expected to be held in June 2026. announcing a total of 3,003 vacancies for 10th, 12th and graduate level candidates.

Candidates are advised to apply online through the official website of SSC. Candidates are advised to keep visiting the official website for the latest notifications.

Where to find the official notification

Visit ssc.gov.in, click on ‘Latest News’ or ‘Notices’
Download the PDF notification for your examination.
Read it carefully before filling in the application form
Check eligibility criteria, age limit and fee details

SSC Exam Calendar

Advance knowledge of exams will allow you to organise your study for the exam day more easily. Each year, the SSC creates an Annual Exam Calendar that contains tentative dates for all major examinations. Here are the tentative dates for the upcoming SSC in 2026:

Name of Examination	Tier / Phase	Date of Notification	Application Closure	Tentative Exam Date
ASO Grade Limited Departmental Competitive Examination, 2025	Paper-I (CBE)*	16 Mar 2026	07 Apr 2026	May 2026
SSC CGL (Combined Graduate Level) Examination, 2026	Tier-I (CBE)*	31 Mar 2026	30 Apr 2026	May–June 2026
SSC JE (Junior Engineer) Examination, 2026	Paper-I (CBE)*	31 Mar 2026	30 Apr 2026	May–June 2026
SSC Selection Post Phase-XIV Examination, 2026	CBE*	31 Mar 2026	30 Apr 2026	May–July 2026
SSC CHSL (Combined Higher Secondary Level) Examination, 2026	Tier-I (CBE)*	30 Apr 2026	31 May 2026	Jul–Sep 2026
SSC Stenographer Grade 'C' & 'D' Examination, 2026	CBE*	30 Apr 2026	31 May 2026	Aug–Sep 2026
SSC Combined Hindi Translators (JHT) Examination, 2026	Paper-I (CBE)*	30 Apr 2026	31 May 2026	Aug–Sep 2026
SSC CPO (Sub-Inspector in Delhi Police & CAPFs) Examination, 2026	Paper-I (CBE)*	31 May 2026	30 June 2026	Oct–Nov 2026
SSC MTS (Multi-Tasking Staff) & Havaldar Examination, 2026	Tier-I (CBE)*	30 June 2026	31 July 2026	Sep–Nov 2026
SSC GD Constable Examination, 2027	CBE*	30 Sep 2026	31 Oct 2026	Jan–Mar 2027
JSA/LDC Grade Limited Departmental Competitive Examination, 2025	Paper-I (CBE)*	TBA	TBA	TBA
SSA/UDC Grade Limited Departmental Competitive Examination, 2025	Paper-I (CBE)*	TBA	TBA	TBA
Delhi Police Constable (Driver) Recruitment, 2026	CBE*	TBA	TBA	TBA
Delhi Police Head Constable (Ministerial) Recruitment, 2026	CBE*	TBA	TBA	TBA
Delhi Police AWO/TPO Recruitment, 2026	CBE*	TBA	TBA	TBA

These dates are according to the official SSC Exam Calendar and are subject to change. It is extremely important to independently verify all dates prior to making any arrangements by referencing the official SSC Exam website (The SSC Exam Dates for each examination also appear on the individual examination notification.)

SSC Eligibility Criteria 2026

The eligibility requirements for the SSC differ for each test. Candidates need to be Indian citizens between 18 and 32 years old and have the required qualifications. Check out our chart below for more information on the eligibility for each of the exams in the SSC.

Exam	Age Limit	Educational Qualification	Nationality
SSC CGL	18 – 32 years	Graduation in any stream	Indian Citizen
SSC CHSL	18 – 27 years	10+2 (12th Pass)	Indian Citizen
SSC GD Constable	18 – 23 years	10th Pass (Matric)	Indian Citizen
SSC MTS	18 – 25 years	10th Pass (Matric)	Indian Citizen
SSC CPO	20 – 25 years	Graduation in any stream	Indian Citizen
SSC JE	18 – 32 years	Diploma or B.E./B.Tech (Engg.)	Indian Citizen
SSC Stenographer	18 – 30 years	12th Pass from a recognised board	Indian Citizen

SSC Age Limit 2026

For most exams, the age is as of 1st August of the recruitment year. The lower limit is 18 years for all exams, while the upper limit differs. The government offers age relaxations to candidates: There is no limit on the number of attempts for the majority of exams. They can apply each year until they reach the age limit.

SC/ST: 5 years age relaxation.
OBC candidates: 3 years of age relaxation.
PwBD (General class): 10 years of age relaxation.
Ex-Servicemen: as per government rules.

SSC Exam Pattern 2026

A key component of developing a strategy to study smart for an exam is knowing how the exam will be structured.

For example, an SSC CGL exam consists of two tiers (or stages): Tier 1 or Prelims and Tier 2 or Mains. Other exams from the SSC (like SSC CHSL and SSC MTS) also have this two-tier exam structure. Below is the exam pattern for Tier 1 for the SSC CGL.

Section	Questions	Marks	Duration
General Intelligence & Reasoning	25	50	60 Minutes (combined)
General Awareness	25	50	—
Quantitative Aptitude	25	50	—
English Language & Comprehension	25	50	—
Total	100	200	60 Minutes

Tier 1 Exam Pattern:

Each correct answer: +2 marks
Each incorrect answer: -0.50 marks (negative marking varies)
No response or blank answers: 0 marks
Tier 1 is only a qualifying stage - only Tier 2 is used for the merit list
Online exam is of a Computer-Based Test (CBT) nature

Tier 2 Exam Pattern

The SSC tier 2 exam pattern is a more in-depth, merit-based test. In SSC CGL tier 2, there are two papers: Paper 1 (which is compulsory for everyone) and Paper 2 (for the post of Junior Statistical Officer).

Paper 1 includes Mathematical Abilities, Reasoning, English Language, General Awareness and Computer Knowledge. Paper 1 is of 2 hours and 15 minutes, Paper 2 is of 2 hours.

SSC Tier 1 exam pattern is more into testing the general aptitude, and Tier 2 is more subject-specific. Students are selected on the basis of their performance in Tier 2.

SSC Exam Syllabus

The syllabus for the Tier 1 exam is nearly the same across all SSC exams - CGL, CHSL, CPO, MTS, and it has four major subjects. Candidates should be clear on the syllabus to avoid confusion.

S.No	Section	Key Topics Covered
1	General Intelligence & Reasoning	> Analogies & Classification > Coding-Decoding > Blood Relations > Direction Sense > Syllogism > Matrix & Number Series > Puzzles & Venn Diagrams > Statement & Conclusions > Non-Verbal Reasoning > Mirror Image & Paper Folding > Embedded Figures
2	General Awareness	> Current Events & News > History (Ancient, Medieval, Modern) > Indian Geography > Indian Polity & Constitution > Economy & Budget > Science & Technology > Static GK (Awards, Sports, Books) > Important Days & Events > Persons in News > Government Schemes
3	Quantitative Aptitude	> Number System & Simplification > Percentage & Ratio-Proportion > Profit, Loss & Discount > Simple & Compound Interest > Time & Work / Pipes & Cisterns > Speed, Distance & Time > Algebra & Linear Equations > Geometry & Mensuration > Trigonometry > Statistics & Data Interpretation
4	English Language & Comprehension	> Reading Comprehension > Cloze Test > Para Jumbles > Error Spotting & Correction > Fill in the Blanks > Synonyms & Antonyms > Idioms & Phrases > One Word Substitution > Sentence Improvement > Vocabulary & Word Usage > Active / Passive Voice (Tier 2)

How to Fill the SSC Application Form 2026

The online process to apply for the SSC is simple and entirely online. Applicants must adhere to the instructions to fill out the form accurately.

Step	Stage	What to Do
Step 1	One-Time Registration.	Visit ssc.gov.in → Click 'Register' → Fill name, DOB, mobile, email → Get Registration ID
Step 2	Login & Fill Form.	Login with Registration ID → Select exam → Fill personal, academic, and category details carefully
Step 3	Upload Documents.	Upload scanned photo (20–50 KB), signature (10–20 KB) in JPG/JPEG format as per specifications
Step 4	Pay Application Fee.	Pay online via Net Banking / Debit Card / UPI. Fee: ₹100 for General/OBC. Women/SC/ST/Ex-SM: Exempt
Step 5	Final Submission.	Review all details → Submit the form → Download and print the confirmation page for future reference

Application Fee Details

General / OBC / EWS candidates: ₹100
Women candidates: Exempt (no fee)
SC / ST candidates: Exempt (no fee)
Ex-Servicemen: Exempt (no fee)
Mode of payment: Debit Card, Credit Card, Net Banking, UPI, SBI Challan

A piece of advice: please make sure to fill in your correct name, date of birth and category details in the form. Any mistakes in these areas can result in your application being rejected, even if you pass the exam.

SSC Admit Card 2026

The SSC admit card (hall ticket) is available to be downloaded from the official website around 10-15 days before the exam. The admit card is compulsory; you won't be allowed in the exam hall without it. Here's how to download your admit card:

Step 1: Go to ssc.gov.in → Click on 'Admit Card'
Step 2: Click on the appropriate exam
Step 3: Input your Registration Number, Date of Birth
Step 4: Hit 'Submit', the admit card will be displayed
Step 5: Print at least 2 copies on A4 paper

Carry the following documents to the exam centre on exam day:

Printout of SSC Admit Card (hall ticket)
One Government Photo ID card (Aadhaar / Voter ID / Passport / Driving Licence)
One recent passport-sized photograph (as used in the application)

SSC Answer Key 2026

The SSC uploads a provisional answer key to its website after each exam, typically 2-3 days after the last shift. It includes the correct responses to every question from all shifts.

Students can use the answer key to match their answers and calculate their marks. In case of any mismatch or error, you can submit an objection online, within the given period, by paying a nominal fee for each question.

In case of a successful objection, the final answer key is revised, and marks are allocated to the candidates.

How to Download the SSC Answer Key

Go to ssc.gov.in → Click on 'Answer Keys'
Select your examination and click on the appropriate link
Enter your Registration ID and password
Check provisional answer key (PDF)

SSC Exam Result 2026

The SSC results are published on the website (ssc.gov.in) after each stage. Generally, the Tier 1 result is declared as a merit list PDF with the roll numbers of successful candidates and the final result is declared after the Tier 2 exam and document verification.

How to Check Your SSC Result

Go to ssc.gov.in - Click on 'Results'
Select the name of the exam
Download the result PDF
Search using Ctrl+F and enter your roll number
If your name/roll number is there, you are selected

The SSC CGL examination is conducted in several shifts and dates, so the SSC employs normalisation. This process is done before preparing the final merit list.

SSC Cut-Off Trends (2022–2024)

SSC exam criteria for final selection include passing the written exam cut-off and passing each stage of the selection process.

Cut-off is the minimum marks obtained to get selected at each stage. It is different each year, depending on the number of vacancies, the number of candidates and the difficulty of the exam.

All the exams conducted by the SSC are normalised. Cut-offs are written in decimals - not whole numbers. The table below shows the official latest cut-off scores for the most common post.

SSC GD Constable - CBT Paper 1 Cut Off (Male, All-India, Normalised Scores out of 160)

Exam	Year	UR	OBC	EWS	SC	ST
SSC GD Constable	2022	153.56	152.28	—	138.45	127.34
	2023	160.44	158.12	156.78	144.22	133.56
	2024	153.56	152.28	150.91	137.51	133.12

SSC CPO SI - Paper 1 Cut Off (Male Candidates, Normalised Scores out of 200)

Exam	Year	UR	OBC	EWS	SC	ST
SSC CPO SI	2022	126.84	112.43	121.56	97.34	87.12
	2023	128.96	114.82	123.14	99.21	89.44
	2024	119.80	113.50	111.43	89.85	82.65

SSC CGL - Tier 1 Cut Off (Posts other than JSO/SI Grade II, Normalised Scores out of 200)

Exam	Year	UR	OBC	EWS	SC	ST
SSC CGL Tier 1	2022	162.28	155.34	158.12	140.22	129.44
	2023	164.50	157.82	161.23	143.18	132.67
	2024	153.18	146.23	142.01	114.97	106.36

SSC CHSL – Tier 1 Cut Off (Normalised Scores out of 200)

Exam	Year	UR	OBC	EWS	SC	ST
SSC CHSL Tier 1	2022	181.50	173.25	176.50	158.75	148.25
	2023	183.00	175.50	178.00	161.25	151.00
	2024	186.50	178.75	181.25	164.50	154.25

SSC MTS – Cut Off (Normalised Scores out of 150)

Exam	Year	UR	OBC	EWS	SC	ST
SSC MTS	2022	110.50	103.25	106.75	94.50	86.25
	2023	112.75	105.50	109.00	96.75	88.50
	2024	115.25	108.00	111.50	99.25	91.00

Important Notes:

SSC cut-offs depend on the normalisation process
Tier 1 is qualifying; Tier 2 is final merit (for CGL/CHSL)
Cut-offs differ each year due to:
Vacancies
Difficulty level
Number of candidates

SSC Salary Structure: Post-Wise Breakdown

The SSC recruitment results in central government jobs with a pay scale as per the 7th Pay Commission.

The total in-hand salary is Basic Pay + Dearness Allowance (DA) + House Rent Allowance (HRA) + Transport Allowance + other allowances. Here's the salary table for each post:

Post	Exam	Pay Level	Basic Pay	In-Hand Salary (approx.)
Inspector (IT/Customs)	SSC CGL	Pay Level 7	₹44,900/month	₹65,000 – ₹75,000+
Assistant Section Officer	SSC CGL	Pay Level 6	₹35,400/month	₹55,000 – ₹65,000
Tax Assistant	SSC CGL	Pay Level 4	₹25,500/month	₹38,000 – ₹48,000
LDC / JSA	SSC CHSL	Pay Level 2	₹19,900/month	₹30,000 – ₹38,000
GD Constable	SSC GD	Pay Level 3	₹21,700/month	₹32,000 – ₹40,000
Multi-Tasking Staff	SSC MTS	Pay Level 1	₹18,000/month	₹26,000 – ₹32,000
Sub-Inspector (CAPF)	SSC CPO	Pay Level 6	₹35,400/month	₹54,000 – ₹64,000
Junior Engineer	SSC JE	Pay Level 6	₹35,400/month	₹54,000 – ₹66,000

Other Benefits & Perks

CGHS Medical benefits for self & family
Leave Travel Concession (LTC) twice in a block of 4 years
Government accommodation or HRA (8% to 27% of basic salary, depending on city)
Contribution to National Pension System (NPS)
Group Insurance through CGEGIS
Study leave and sponsorship for higher education

Career growth is one of the most appealing features of an SSC job. Employees are eligible for increments annually after the probation period and can appear for departmental examinations and promotions every 4-8 years.

For example, a Tax Assistant (Pay Level 4) can be promoted to Income Tax Officer (Pay Level 7).

SSC Study Material & Best Books

Picking the right study material is equally important as actually studying. If you use the wrong books, you will waste time and cause more confusion than assistance to yourself!

Below you will find a list of the most recommended books by toppers/coaching experts for each subject area.

Subject-Wise Best Books for SSC CGL / CHSL Preparation

Reasoning: A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning, R.S. Aggarwal
Quantitative Aptitude: Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations, R.S. Aggarwal
English: Objective General English, S.P. Bakshi (Arihant); Word Power Made Easy, Norman Lewis
General Awareness: Lucent's General Knowledge; NCERT Books (Class 6–10)
SSC CGL Complete Guide: SSC CGL Tier 1 & Tier 2 Guide, Disha Experts
Previous Year Papers: 20 Practice Sets for SSC CGL / CHSL, Arihant / Kiran

The best way to prepare for the SSC exam is to practice regularly by taking mock tests. Mock tests help you manage your time, identify any weaknesses you may have, and allow you to gain experience with taking real tests.

SSC Exam Preparation Tips 2026

A Smart way to prepare for an Exam is through consistent effort, having appropriate study Materials, and regularly checking your progress through self-assessments.

Below is a systematic approach that has been successful for many students in passing their Exams:

Step One: Understand the Exam

Find out what to study by checking the syllabus, pattern, and cutoffs for the test.

Step Two: Create a Study Plan

Plan to study 4–5 hours per day, and give extra attention to areas that you are weak in.

Step Three: Start with the Basics

Before moving on to more complex material, focus on the basics first.

Step Four: Use Previous Years' Question Papers

Using previous years' question papers to help you understand what types of questions might show up on the actual test.

Step Five: Use Mock Tests

Develop a schedule of weekly mock tests and understand any mistakes you may have made.

Step Six: Study Current Affairs

For 20–30 minutes per day, study current affairs that may impact society at all levels in your location.

FAQ’s About the SSC Exam

It is a central job recruitment examination by the government. Applicants should have passed 10th, 12 th or graduation and should meet the age restriction.

SSC conducts 8+ major exams every year, such as CGL, CHSL, GD Constable, MTS, CPO, JE, Stenographer, and Selection Post.

The minimum age is 18 years. The maximum age varies by exam (23–32 years), with relaxation for SC/ST, OBC, and PwBD candidates.

Salary varies according to the post, with a general range of 26,000 to 75,000 per month, along with allowances.

A majority of the exams are online (CBT), with a few descriptive papers being offline.

The number of attempts is unlimited. All qualified applicants have the opportunity to apply in any given year.

It is an exam taken by graduates to secure Group B and C officer-level jobs in the government departments.