Published: November 28, 2025 | Last Updated: November 28, 2025
By Ravi Singh – Your Ultimate Guide to Cracking SSC CGL 2026 with 100% Proven Strategies
Are you a graduate dreaming of a secure, high-paying government job? The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) Combined Graduate Level (CGL) Examination is your golden ticket. Every year, lakhs of aspirants battle for prestigious posts like Assistant Audit Officer (AAO), Income Tax Inspector, and Sub-Inspector in CBI. With the 2025 cycle wrapping up with over 17,727 vacancies, all eyes are now on SSC CGL 2026.
SSC CGL 2026 Notification – Expected Release Date and Timeline
The SSC releases its annual exam calendar in November, giving aspirants a heads-up on major recruitments. For 2026, the calendar (released on November 20, 2025) tentatively schedules CGL Tier-1 from August 10 to September 10, 2026. However, based on historical patterns from 2020-2025, the official notification PDF drops much earlier – typically in late June or early July.
SSC CGL Notification Trends (2019-2025)
| Year | Notification Date | Last Date | Tier-1 Exam | Vacancies |
| 2025 | 24 June 2025 | 27 July 2025 | 09-26 Sep 2025 | 17,727 |
| 2024 | 24 June 2024 | 27 July 2024 | 09-26 Sep 2024 | 17,909 |
| 2023 | 03 June 2023 | 03 July 2023 | 14-27 Jul 2023 | 8,415 |
| 2022 | 29 Apr 2022 | 31 May 2022 | 24 Jun – 03 Jul | 36,781 |
| 2021 | 29 Apr 2021 | 31 May 2021 | 13-31 Aug 2021 | 7,621 |
With no major disruptions expected (unlike COVID delays), the notification should release on June 27 to July 8, 2026.
Application fee payment deadline: July 28, 2026.
Tier-2: December 2026 to January 2027.
How to Download SSC CGL 2026 Notification PDF (Step-by-Step)
| Step | Action |
| 1 | Visit official website → ssc.gov.in |
| 2 | Go to “Latest News” or “Notice Board” section on homepage |
| 3 | Search for “Combined Graduate Level Examination 2026” notice |
| 4 | Click on “Download Notification PDF” link (10–15 pages) |
| 5 | PDF will open → Press Ctrl+S or click download icon to save |
| 6 | Take a printout – contains eligibility, posts, syllabus, exam pattern |
Pro Tip: Subscribe to SSC email alerts or enable notifications in UMANG App / SSC Adda to get instant update when the notification is released.
SSC CGL 2026 Expected Vacancies – Post-Wise Breakdown
Vacancies are the heart of any recruitment drive. In 2025, SSC announced 17,727 posts across 30+ ministries and departments. For 2026, experts (from coaching institutes like Paramount and KD Campus) forecast 15,000 to 18,500 vacancies, factoring in retirements and new sanctions.
Key Factors Influencing 2026 Vacancies
- Government Initiatives: Push for digital India and GST enforcement will boost Inspector-level posts.
- Reservation Quota: 15% SC, 7.5% ST, 27% OBC, 10% EWS, plus PwD and Ex-Servicemen.
- Post Categories: Group A/B (prestigious, high competition) vs. Group C (entry-level, easier entry).
Detailed Post-Wise Vacancy Prediction
SSC CGL 2026 Expected Post-wise Vacancies (15,000 – 18,500 Total)
Total Expected Vacancies: 15,000 – 18,500
Here’s a granular breakdown based on 2025 trends + 5% growth projection:
Total Expected: 15,850 (Tentative – Official in Notification).
Hot Tip: Prioritize posts during application based on location preference (e.g., Delhi for ASO, coastal for Preventive Officer).
Latest SSC CGL 2026 Exam Pattern – Key Changes and Analysis
SSC revamped the pattern in 2022, and minor tweaks are expected in 2026 (based on 2025 feedback). Tier-1 remains objective MCQs; Tier-2 is more skill-based with computer proficiency.
Tier-1 Exam Pattern (Qualifying + Merit-Based)
- Mode: Online (CBT)
- Duration: 60 minutes (80 for PwD)
- Total Marks: 200
- Negative Marking: 0.50 per wrong answer
2026 Changes? Possible addition of 5-10 questions on current digital economy in GA.
Tier-2 Exam Pattern (Merit-Deciding)
- Mode: Online
- Duration: Varies by paper
- Negative Marking: 1 mark for Paper-I (Sections I & II), 0.50 for Section III
| Paper | Module | Subject | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper-I (Compulsory for all) | Section-I | Mathematical Abilities + Reasoning | 30 + 30 = 60 | 180 | 1 hour |
| Section-II | English + General Awareness | 45 + 25 = 70 | 210 | 1 hour | |
| Section-III | Computer Knowledge | 20 | 60 | 15 min | |
| Paper-II | Statistics | Statistics (for JSO only) | 100 | 200 | 2 hours |
| Paper-III | Finance & Economics | General Studies (Finance & Economics for AAO) | 100 | 200 | 2 hours |
Total for Tier-2: 650-850 marks (post-dependent).
Normalization: Applied if exams are in multiple shifts. (Word count so far: 1,456)
Detailed SSC CGL 2026 Syllabus – Topic-Wise with Weightage & Difficulty Level
The syllabus hasn’t changed much since 2023, but focus areas shift yearly. Below is a deep dive with previous year weightage (2023-2025 average) and tips.
4.1 Quantitative Aptitude (Tier-1: 25 Qs | Tier-2: 60+ Qs)
High-scoring but time-consuming. Aim for 20/25 in Tier-1.
| Topic | Sub-Topics | Tier-1 Weightage (Qs) | Tier-2 Weightage (Qs) | Difficulty | Tips |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number Systems | HCF/LCM, Decimals, Fractions | 2-3 | 5-7 | Easy | Practice Vedic Maths shortcuts |
| Computation of Whole Numbers | Percentages, Ratio & Proportion | 3-4 | 8-10 | Medium | Memorize tables up to 30 |
| Algebra | Basic Equations, Quadratic | 2-3 | 10-12 | Medium | Solve 50 problems daily |
| Geometry | Triangles, Circles, Congruence | 4-5 | 12-15 | Hard | Draw diagrams for visualization |
| Mensuration | 2D/3D Figures (Area, Volume) | 3-4 | 8-10 | Medium | Formula sheet mandatory |
| Trigonometry | Heights/Distances, Identities | 2-3 | 6-8 | Hard | Learn sin/cos values |
| Data Interpretation | Bar/Pie Charts, Tables | 3-4 | 10-12 | Easy-Medium | Speed drills essential |
Total Weightage: 25% of exam. Best Book: R.S. Aggarwal Quantitative Aptitude (Word count so far: 1,789)
4.2 English Language & Comprehension (Tier-1: 25 Qs | Tier-2: 70+ Qs)
Vocabulary-heavy. Target 22/25 for a edge.
| Topic | Sub-Topics | Tier-1 Weightage | Tier-2 Weightage | Difficulty | Tips |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | Passages (2-3) | 5 | 20-25 | Medium | Read The Hindu editorials |
| Cloze Test | Fill in Blanks | 5 | 15-20 | Easy | Practice 10 daily |
| Spotting Errors | Grammar Rules | 3-4 | 10-15 | Medium | Focus on tenses/articles |
| Sentence Improvement | Phrasing | 3-4 | 10-12 | Easy | Norman Lewis Word Power |
| Synonyms/Antonyms | 10-15 words | 4-5 | 15-20 | Easy | Flashcards app |
| Idioms & Phrases | Common Expressions | 2-3 | 8-10 | Medium | List of 500 idioms |
| One-Word Substitution | Vocabulary | 2-3 | 5-8 | Easy | Quiz yourself |
Pro Tip: For Tier-2, practice para jumbles – they carry 10-15 marks. (Word count so far: 2,112)
4.3 General Intelligence & Reasoning (Tier-1: 25 Qs | Tier-2: 30 Qs)
Logical puzzles dominate. Score 23+ easily.
| Topic | Sub-Topics | Weightage (Tier-1) | Difficulty | Tips |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Analogies | Semantic/Number | 2-3 | Easy | Pattern recognition |
| Coding-Decoding | Letters/ Numbers | 3-4 | Medium | Practice variations |
| Series | Number/Alphabet | 3-4 | Easy | Online puzzles |
| Non-Verbal | Mirror Images, Paper Folding | 4-5 | Medium | Visual aids |
| Classification | Odd One Out | 2-3 | Easy | Quick elimination |
| Syllogism | Statements & Conclusions | 2-3 | Hard | Venn diagrams |
| Blood Relations | Family Tree | 2-3 | Medium | Sketch charts |
4.4 General Awareness (Tier-1: 25 Qs | Tier-2: 25 Qs)
Current affairs + static GK. 15/25 is good.
| Category | Sub-Topics | Weightage | Tips |
|---|---|---|---|
| History | Modern India, Freedom Struggle | 4-5 | NCERT Class 6-12 |
| Geography | Physical/Indian | 3-4 | Maps practice |
| Polity | Constitution, Articles | 4-5 | Laxmikanth book |
| Economy | Budget, Schemes | 3-4 | The Hindu summaries |
| Science | Biology/Physics/Chem | 4-5 | Lucent GK |
| Current Affairs | Last 6-12 months | 5-6 | Monthly magazines |
2026 Focus: Cyber security, AI in governance (5 Qs expected). (Word count so far: 2,567)
4.5 Computer Proficiency (Tier-2 Section-III: 20 Qs)
New addition – basic knowledge test.
4.6 Statistics (Paper-II for JSO: 100 Qs)
For Maths/Stats grads only.
4.7 General Studies (Finance & Economics) (Paper-III for AAO: 100 Qs)
Commerce-focused.
| Topic | Weightage | Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Finance (Comptroller & Auditor General) | 40 | CAG reports |
| Economics (Basic Concepts, Growth) | 60 | Ramesh Singh book |
SSC CGL Salary Structure 2026 – Post-Wise with Allowances
Under 7th Pay Commission (fitment factor 2.57), salaries are attractive with perks like HRA (24% in X cities), DA (50% as of 2025, rising to 55% by 2026), TA, and pension.
Gross vs. In-Hand Salary Breakdown
Assumptions: X-Class City (Delhi/Mumbai), Married, No Children.
SSC CGL 2026 Salary (X City – After 7th Pay)
X City rates | Y/Z cities mein HRA/TA kam hoga
Career Growth: Promotions every 5-8 years; AAO can reach ₹1,18,500 basic in 10 years.
Perks: Medical (CGHS), Leave Travel Concession, Loans at low interest.
SSC CGL Previous Year Question Papers 2016-2025 – Free PDF Downloads
Practice makes perfect. Solving PYQs boosts speed by 30%. Below are direct, virus-free links (hosted on Google Drive – updated Nov 2025).
Tier-1 PYQs (All Shifts)
SSC CGL Previous Year Papers FREE PDF
Direct Google Drive & Server Links (2016-2024)
| Year | Shift 1 PDF | Shift 2 PDF | All Shifts | Solution |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Download ⬇️ | Download ⬇️ | View All 📂 | Solved 💡 |
| 2023 | Download ⬇️ | Download ⬇️ | View All 📂 | Solved 💡 |
| 2022 | Download ⬇️ | Download ⬇️ | View All 📂 | Solved 💡 |
| 2021 | Download ⬇️ | Download ⬇️ | View All 📂 | Solved 💡 |
| 2020 | Download ⬇️ | Download ⬇️ | View All 📂 | Solved 💡 |
| 2019 | Download ⬇️ | Download ⬇️ | View All 📂 | Solved 💡 |
| 2018 | Download ⬇️ | Download ⬇️ | View All 📂 | Solved 💡 |
| 2017 | Download ⬇️ | Download ⬇️ | View All 📂 | Solved 💡 |
| 2016 | Download ⬇️ | Download ⬇️ | View All 📂 | Solved 💡 |
Tier-2 PYQs (Paper-I, II, III)
Similar table for Tier-2 – 20+ PDFs per year, totaling 100+ files. (Links follow same pattern; full folder: Master PYQ Drive).
How to Use PYQs: Solve one paper daily, analyze errors, track scores. (Word count so far: 3,789)
Best Books & Study Materials for SSC CGL 2026
Curated list from toppers (AIR 1-10, 2025).
Tier-1 Focused
| Subject | Book 1 | Book 2 | Online Resource |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quant | Quantum CAT (Sarvesh Verma) | Magical Book on Quicker Maths (M Tyra) | Unacademy free videos |
| English | Objective General English (SP Bakshi) | Word Power Made Easy (Norman Lewis) | BYJU’s quizzes |
| Reasoning | A Modern Approach (RS Aggarwal) | Analytical Reasoning (MK Pandey) | Testbook mocks |
| GA | Lucent’s General Knowledge | Manorama Yearbook 2026 | Adda247 current affairs PDF |
Tier-2 Advanced
- Statistics: Fundamentals of Mathematical Statistics (SC Gupta)
- Finance: Indian Economy (Ramesh Singh) + Financial Accounting (TS Grewal)
Free Materials: SSC Adda YouTube (500+ hours), Gradeup app (daily quizzes). Budget: ₹2,000-3,000 for books. (Word count so far: 4,023)
100% Success Preparation Strategy for SSC CGL 2026
From Jan 2026 to Sep 2026 – a 9-month roadmap.
Phase 1: Foundation (Jan-Mar 2026 | 3 Months)
- Daily: 8 hours – 3 hrs Quant, 2 hrs English, 1.5 hrs Reasoning, 1.5 hrs GA.
- Goal: Cover 100% syllabus.
- Weekly: 2 full mocks + error log.
Phase 2: Intensive Practice (Apr-Jun 2026 | 3 Months)
- Daily: 10 hours – 50 PYQs + topic revision.
- Focus: Weak areas (use analytics from mocks).
- Monthly: 20 full-length tests (Oliveboard/Testbook).
Phase 3: Revision & Mocks (Jul-Aug 2026 | 2 Months)
- Daily: 6 hours – Current affairs + formula revision.
- Simulate exam: 3 mocks/week, review same day.
Phase 4: Final Sprint (Sep 2026 | 1 Month)
- Light study: Only high-yield topics.
- Health: 7-8 hours sleep, yoga for stress.
Common Mistakes to Avoid: Over-relying on coaching, ignoring English, skipping Tier-2 prep.
Topper’s Secret: Consistency > Intensity. Track progress in a journal. (Word count so far: 4,378)
SSC CGL 2026 Eligibility Criteria – Full Details
Age: 18–32 years (Relaxation: OBC +3, SC/ST +5, PwD +10–15 yrs)
Education: Bachelor’s Degree from recognized university
JSO Post: 60% in Maths/Statistics required
Attempts: No limit (till age permits)
Fee: ₹100 | FREE for Female/SC/ST/PwD/Ex-Servicemen
Direct link: https://ssc.gov.in (Always working)
How to Apply Online for SSC CGL 2026 – Step by Step
Important: Application online mode se hi hogi. Official website par jaakar apply karein.
- Step 1: Official website ssc.nic.in par jaayein aur “New User? Register Now” par click karein.
- Step 2: One-Time Registration (OTR) complete karein – Name, DOB, Mobile, Email daalein.
- Step 3: Login karein aur “Apply” menu mein “Combined Graduate Level Examination 2026” select karein.
- Step 4: Part-I fill karein: Personal details, Educational qualification, Category etc.
- Step 5: Part-II fill karein: Post preferences choose karein, Photo/Signature upload karein.
- Step 6: Application fee pay karein (₹100 for General/OBC) – UPI/Net Banking/Card se. Female/SC/ST/PwD: Free
- Step 7: Preview karein, submit karein aur printout le lein.
Documents Required:
| Document | Size/Format |
| Recent Color Photo | 20-30 KB (JPG) |
| Signature (Black/Blue Ink) | 10-20 KB (JPG) |
| Matric Certificate (DOB Proof) | Scan as PDF/JPG |
Last Date: Expected 31 July 2026 | Check official notification for exact dates.
SSC CGL 2026 – Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion: Your Path to SSC CGL 2026 Success Starts Now
With 15,000+ opportunities, SSC CGL 2026 is more competitive than ever, but preparation is key. Download the PDFs, follow the strategy, and stay consistent. You’ve got this!
Internal Links: UPSC CSE 2026 Guide | SSC CHSL 2026 | Best GK PDFs
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