SSC CGL Eligibility Criteria 2026

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The SSC CGL (Combined Graduate Level) Examination 2026, conducted by the Staff Selection Commission (SSC), is a key recruitment exam for Group B and Group C posts in various Indian government ministries and departments. Below is a detailed overview of the eligibility criteria for SSC CGL 2026, based on the latest available information and official guidelines, along with an updated FAQ section to address common queries.

SSC CGL Eligibility Criteria 2026

1. SSC CGL Nationality

Candidates must be:

  • A citizen of India, or
  • A subject of Nepal or Bhutan, or
  • A Tibetan refugee who arrived in India before January 1, 1962, with the intention of permanent settlement, or
  • A person of Indian origin who migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, or specified East African countries (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia, or Vietnam) with the intention of permanently settling in India.
  • Note: Non-Indian candidates (categories b, c, d) must possess a certificate of eligibility issued by the Government of India.

2. SSC CGL Educational Qualification

  • General Requirement: A bachelor’s degree from a recognized university or institution by the application closing date.
  • Post-Specific Qualifications:
    • Assistant Audit Officer/Assistant Accounts Officer:
      • Essential: Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized university.
      • Desirable: Chartered Accountant (CA), Cost & Management Accountant (CMA), Company Secretary (CS), Master’s in Commerce, Business Studies, Business Administration (Finance), or Business Economics.
    • Junior Statistical Officer:
      • Bachelor’s degree with at least 60% marks in Mathematics at the 12th standard level, or
      • Bachelor’s degree with Statistics as a subject from a recognized university.
    • Statistical Investigator Grade-II:
      • Bachelor’s degree with Statistics as a subject in all three years or six semesters of the course.
    • Assistant in National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT):
      • Essential: Bachelor’s degree.
      • Desirable: Degree in Law.
    • Research Assistant in National Human Rights Commission (NHRC):
      • Essential: Bachelor’s degree.
      • Desirable: One-year research experience or a degree in Law or Human Rights.
    • All Other Posts: Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university or equivalent.
  • Note: Candidates must possess the required qualifications by the application deadline (expected around July 2026). Degrees from Open and Distance Learning modes are valid if recognized by the Distance Education Bureau, UGC.

3. SSC CGL Age Limit

  • General Age Range: 18–32 years, varying by post (as of January 1, 2026).
  • Post-Wise Age Limits:
    • 18–27 years: Auditor, Accountant, Junior Accountant, Postal Assistant, Sorting Assistant, Senior Secretariat Assistant, Upper Division Clerk, Senior Administrative Assistant, Tax Assistant, Sub-Inspector (Central Bureau of Narcotics).
    • 18–30 years: Assistant, Assistant Section Officer, Inspector of Income Tax, Inspector (Central Excise/Preventive Officer/Examiner), Assistant Enforcement Officer, Executive Assistant, Research Assistant, Divisional Accountant, Sub-Inspector/Junior Intelligence Officer.
    • 20–30 years: Assistant Section Officer (CSS, Intelligence Bureau, Railways, External Affairs, AFHQ), Sub-Inspector (CBI).
    • Up to 32 years: Junior Statistical Officer.
    • Up to 30 years: Assistant Audit Officer, Assistant Accounts Officer, Sub-Inspector (NIA).
  • Age Relaxation:
    • SC/ST: 5 years
    • OBC: 3 years
    • PwD (Unreserved): 10 years
    • PwD (OBC): 13 years
    • PwD (SC/ST): 15 years
    • Ex-Servicemen: 3 years (after deduction of military service, up to 5 years for specific cases)
    • Central Govt. Civilian Employees (Group C, General): Up to 40 years
    • Central Govt. Civilian Employees (Group C, OBC): Up to 43 years
    • Central Govt. Civilian Employees (Group C, SC/ST): Up to 45 years
    • Widows/Divorced Women (Unremarried, Group C, General): Up to 35 years
    • Widows/Divorced Women (Unremarried, Group C, SC/ST): Up to 40 years
    • Defence Personnel disabled in hostilities (General): 5 years
    • Defence Personnel disabled in hostilities (OBC): 8 years
    • Defence Personnel disabled in hostilities (SC/ST): 10 years
    • Candidates domiciled in Jammu & Kashmir (1980–1989, General): 5 years
    • Candidates domiciled in Jammu & Kashmir (OBC): 8 years
    • Candidates domiciled in Jammu & Kashmir (SC/ST): 10 years

4. SSC CGL Physical Standards (For Specific Posts)

  • Inspector (Central Excise/Examiner/Preventive Officer, Sub-Inspector in CBN):
    • Male:
      • Height: 157.5 cm (relaxable by 5 cm for Garwalis, Assamese, Gorkhas, ST)
      • Chest: 81 cm (expanded, minimum 5 cm expansion)
      • Physical Test: Walking 1600 meters in 15 minutes, cycling 8 km in 30 minutes.
    • Female:
      • Height: 152 cm (relaxable by 2.5 cm for Garwalis, Assamese, Gorkhas, ST)
      • Weight: 48 kg (relaxable by 2 kg for specified categories)
      • Physical Test: Walking 1 km in 20 minutes, cycling 3 km in 25 minutes.
  • Sub-Inspector (CBI):
    • Male: Height 165 cm, chest 76 cm (expanded), vision (6/6 in one eye, 6/9 in other, near vision 0.6/0.8).
    • Female: Height 150 cm, no chest requirement, same vision standards.
    • Height relaxable by 5 cm for Hillsmen and Tribals.
  • Sub-Inspector/Junior Intelligence Officer (NCB):
    • Male: Height 165 cm, chest 76 cm (expanded), same vision standards.
    • Female: Height 152 cm, no chest requirement, same vision standards.
    • Height relaxable by 5 cm for Hillsmen and Tribals.

5. SSC CGL Eligibility for Persons with Disabilities (PwD)

  • Specific posts accommodate PwD candidates with disabilities such as:
    • Assistant Audit Officer/Auditor/Accountant (C&AG): Deaf/hard of hearing, locomotor disability (dwarfism, leprosy cured, acid attack victims), multiple disabilities.
    • Assistant Section Officer (CSS, MEA, AFHQ): Locomotor disabilities (excluding muscular dystrophy in some cases), cerebral palsy, blind/low vision, deaf/hard of hearing, specific learning disability.
    • Junior Statistical Officer/Statistical Investigator: Low vision (correctable), hearing impairment (with aids), locomotor disabilities (mobility unaffected).
    • Tax Assistant/Inspector of Income Tax: Locomotor, visual, hearing impairments, multiple disabilities.

6. SSC CGL Number of Attempts

  • There is no limit on the number of attempts for SSC CGL, provided candidates meet the age and other eligibility criteria.

Key Notes

  • Candidates must verify eligibility details in the official SSC CGL 2026 notification, expected in May/June 2026, on ssc.gov.in.
  • Providing false information may lead to disqualification at any stage.
  • Physical measurements and tests are conducted by the respective departments, and candidates failing to meet standards may not be reassigned to other posts.
  • Recent posts on X indicate concerns about exam management (e.g., technical issues, vendor selection), but these
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    do not directly affect eligibility criteria. Candidates should stay updated via official SSC channels.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1. Can final-year students apply for SSC CGL 2026?
Yes, final-year students can apply if they complete their bachelor’s degree by the application closing date (expected July 2026). Proof of qualification must be submitted during document verification.

Q2. Is there a limit on the number of attempts for SSC CGL?
No, candidates can attempt the exam multiple times as long as they are within the age limit and meet other eligibility criteria.

Q3. What is the age relaxation for OBC candidates?
OBC candidates receive a 3-year age relaxation on the upper age limit for their respective posts.

Q4. Are physical tests mandatory for all SSC CGL posts?
No, physical tests are required only for specific posts like Inspector (Central Excise/Examiner/Preventive Officer), Sub-Inspector (CBI/NCB), and similar roles.

Q5. Can candidates with a diploma apply for SSC CGL?
No, a bachelor’s degree from a recognized university is mandatory for all posts.

Q6. What documents are required to prove eligibility?
Candidates must produce mark sheets, degree certificates, or provisional certificates for their bachelor’s degree, and a certificate of eligibility (for non-Indian nationals) during document verification.

For the latest updates, always refer to the official SSC website (ssc.nic.in). Start preparing early and ensure you meet all eligibility criteria to ace the SSC CGL exam!

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