SSC CGL Exam Guide 2026
SSC CGL 2026 notification updates and complete exam guide. Check exam dates, vacancies, eligibility criteria, selection process, syllabus, and application details.
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📊 Exam Pattern & Marking Scheme
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Name of the Board | Staff Selection Commission (SSC) |
| Exam Name | SSC Combined Graduate Level (CGL) 2026 |
| Total Vacancies | 12,256 (tentative) |
| Mode of Exam | Online Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Number of Tiers | Tier 1 (Qualifying) and Tier 2 (Merit-Based) |
| Total Questions | Tier 1: 100 | Tier 2 Paper I: 150 | Paper II: 100 |
| Total Marks | Tier 1: 200 | Tier 2 Paper I: 450 | Paper II: 200 |
| Exam Language | Hindi & English (English section in English only) |
| Application Window | 21 May 2026 to 22 June 2026 |
| Tier 1 Exam Date | August-September 2026 (tentative) |
| Tier 2 Exam Date | December 2026 (tentative) |
| Official Website | www.ssc.gov.in |
📊 Exam Pattern & Marking Scheme
| Section | No. of Questions | Total Marks | Time Allotted | Each Question |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 25 | 50 | 15 min | 2 marks |
| General Awareness | 25 | 50 | 15 min | 2 marks |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 50 | 15 min | 2 marks |
| English Comprehension | 25 | 50 | 15 min | 2 marks |
| TOTAL | 100 | 200 | 60 min | — |
📊 Exam Pattern & Marking Scheme
| Paper | Applicable To | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Paper I | All candidates (Compulsory) | 2 hours 30 minutes |
| Paper II | JSO (Junior Statistical Officer) & Statistical Investigator Grade-II only | 2 hours |
| Paper III | AAO (Assistant Audit Officer / Assistant Accounts Officer) only [NEW 2026] | 2 hours |
📊 Exam Pattern & Marking Scheme
| Session | Section | Subject / Module | Questions | Marks | Timing | Nature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Session I | Section I | Mathematical Abilities | 30 | 180 | 30 min | Scored |
| Reasoning & General Intelligence | 30 | 30 min | Scored | |||
| Section II | English Language & Comprehension | 45 | 210 | 40 min | Scored | |
| General Awareness | 25 | 20 min | Scored | |||
| Section III | Computer Knowledge Test | 20 | 60 | 15 min | Qualifying | |
| Session II | Section IV | Data Entry Speed Test (DEST) | 1 Task | 15 min | Qualifying | |
| TOTAL | Paper I (Scored Sections) | 150 | 450 | 2h 30m | Merit |
📊 Exam Pattern & Marking Scheme
| Subject | Questions | Max Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statistics | 100 | 200 | 2 hours |
📊 Exam Pattern & Marking Scheme
| Subject | Questions | Max Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Studies (Finance & Economics) | 100 | 200 | 2 hours |
📊 Exam Pattern & Marking Scheme
| Exam Stage | Penalty per Wrong Answer |
|---|---|
| Tier 1 | -0.50 marks for each incorrect response |
| Tier 2 — Paper I (Section I, II, III) | -1 mark for wrong answers in Sections I, II & Section III (Computer Knowledge) |
| Tier 2 — Paper II (Statistics/JSO) | -0.50 marks for each wrong answer |
| Tier 2 — Paper III (Finance & Economics/AAO) | -0.50 marks for each wrong answer |
| DEST & Computer Knowledge (Qualifying) | −1 for MCQs; no penalty for DEST only |
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❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q1.Is SSC CGL Tier 2 compulsory for all?
As per the revised SSC CGL Exam Pattern for Tier 2, Paper I is compulsory for all posts. Paper II will be only for candidates who apply for the Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) posts in the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.
Q2.Is there any negative marking for SSC CGL 2026?
Yes, there is a negative marking for each wrong answer in SSC CGL Exam. It varies as per different posts.
Q3.Is SSC CGL Tier 1 Exam qualifying or scoring?
SSC CGL Tier 1 Exam is qualifying and marks scored will not be considered in the final selection.
Q4.Is SSC CGL online or offline?
The SSC CGL is conducted in online mode, also known as the Computer-Based Test (CBT). In this mode, candidates have to appear for the exam on a computer at the designated exam center.
Q5.What is the SSC CGL Exam Pattern 2026?
As per the SSC CGL pattern the exam comprises two levels Tier I (200 marks), and Tier 2 (450 marks).
Q6.What are the SSC CGL total marks for Paper I?
The Paper I is conducted for 200 marks.
Q7.What is the SSC CGL Tier 2 total marks?
The SSC CGL Tier 2 marks are 450.
Q8.What is the SSC CGL marking scheme?
As per the SSC CGL marking scheme, for every wrong answer in Tier 1, one mark will be deducted. In Tier 2 there is a negative marking of 1 mark for each wrong answer in Section-I, Section-II and Module-I of Section-III of Paper-I and ½ marks for each wrong answer in Paper-II and Paper-III.
Q9.What is the SSC CGL Mains Pattern?
As per the SSC CGL Mains Exam Pattern, the exam is conducted for 450 marks. The computer proficiency test and data entry test are qualifying.
Q10.Is there negative marking in the SSC CGL exam?
Yes, there is negative marking in the exam. The SSC CGL negative marking scheme is different for paper 1 and paper 2.
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