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The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) conducts the SSC CGL 2026 Examination to recruit eligible graduates for various Group B and Group C posts in central government departments, ministries, and offices. If you are aspiring for a stable and prestigious government job, understanding the SSC CGL 2026 Selection Process, exam pattern, and syllabus is importnatfor success. This article covers everything you need to know about the SSC CGL selection procedure, including the exam stages, Tier 1 and Tier 2 patterns, important dates, minimum qualifying marks, and the document verification process.
What is SSC CGL Selection Process?
The SSC CGL 2025 selection process is divided into two tiers or stages i.e. Tier-1 and Tier-2. The candidates who will clear the SSC CGL Tier-1 will be eligible to appear for the SSC CGL Tier-2 Exam. The details about the SSC CGL selection process are as follows:
- Tier-I Examination: A computer-based test for all applicants.
- Tier-II Examination: A computer-based test with two papers: Paper 1 is compulsory for all candidates, while Paper 2 is specifically for Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) applicants.
- Document Verification: Candidates who pass the previous stages must attend document verification, where their original documents and certificates are checked.
What are the important dates for SSC CGL 2026?
The SSC CGL Notification 2026 is expected to be released in March 2026, and all key dates, including the online application window, exam dates, and result announcements, will be shared along with it. For reference, the important dates from the previous cycle are provided below for comparison.
| Particulars | 2025 Cycle | 2026 Cycle (Expected) |
|---|
| Notification Release Date | 9th June 2025 | March 2026 (tentative) |
| Online Application Start Date | 9th June 2025 | March 2026 (tentative) |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 4th July 2025 | TBA |
| Application Form Correction Window | 9th July 2025 | TBA |
| Application Status (Tier 1) | TBA | TBA |
| Admit Card Release (Tier 1) | TBA | TBA |
| SSC CGL Tier 1 Exam Date | 12th to 26th September 2025 | May-June 2026 (tentative) |
| Tier 1 Result Release | TBA | TBA |
| SSC CGL Tier 2 Exam Date | 18th & 19th January 2026 | TBA |
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Is there an Interview in SSC CGL?
No, there is no interview in the SSC CGL 2026 selection process. Candidates are selected based on their performance in the Tier 1 and Tier 2 exams. After passing these exams, candidates go through document verification and medical checks. Some posts may require a skill test (like Data Entry Speed Test), but there is no interview.
What is SSC CGL Tier 1 Exam Pattern?
The SSC CGL Tier 1 Exam is a qualifying exam, and the score obtained in this exam will not be considered for the final selection. The details of the SSC CGL Exam Pattern are as follows:
- Exam Duration: 60 minutes.
- Negative Marking: 0.50 marks per wrong answer.
- Qualification Process: Tier-1 is qualifying; Tier-2 determines final merit.
- Paper 1: Must qualify each section separately.
- Merit List: Based only on Tier-2 performance.
The subject wise weightage for Tier 1 is as follows:
| Subject | Questions | Maximum Marks |
|---|
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 25 | 50 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 50 |
| General English | 25 | 50 |
| General Awareness | 25 | 50 |
What is SSC CGL Tier 2 Exam Pattern?
The SSC CGL Exam has undergone important changes in its evaluation process and time allocation. The key details about the merit list preparation, exam duration, and negative marking policy:
- Merit List: Based only on Tier-2 performance.
- Exam Duration: Paper 1: 2 hours 15 minutes; Paper 2: 2 hours.
- Negative Marking: Paper 1 – 1 mark per wrong answer; Paper 2 – 0.50 marks per wrong answer.
The subject wise weightage for Tier 2 is as follows:
| Session | Subject | Questions |
|---|
Paper 1
Session I
(2 hours and 15 minutes) | Section I (1 hour )
Module I – Mathematical Abilities
Module II – Reasoning and General Intelligence | 30
30
60 x 30 = 180 |
Section II (1 hour )
Module I – English Language Comprehension
Module II – General Awareness | 45
25
70 x 3 = 210 |
Section III (15 minutes)
Module – I – Computer Knowledge module | 20 x 3 = 60 |
| Session II (15 minutes) | Module – II: Data Entry Speed Test | One data entry task |
Paper 2
2 hours | FOR JSO: Statistics (Paper I & II as above) | 100 x 2 = 200 |
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What is SSC CGL Typing Test Speed?
The SSC CGL Typing Test which is also known as the Data Entry Speed Test (DEST) requires candidates to type a passage of about 2000 key depressions in 15 minutes and is qualifying in nature.
| Test Name | Details |
|---|
| Test Type | Data Entry Speed Test (DEST) |
| Passage Length | About 2000 key depressions |
| Duration | 15 minutes |
What are the minimum qualifying marks in SSC CGL Tier 1 & Tier 2 CBT Exam?
The minimum qualifying marks in SSC CGL 2026 Tier 1 and Tier 2 i.e. Tier-I, Section-I, Section-II & Module-I of Section-III of Paper-I of Tier-II, Paper-II & Paper-III of Tier-II Exam for all categories:
| Category | Minimum Qualifying Marks |
|---|
| UR | 30% |
| OBC/ EWS | 25% |
| All other categories | 20% |
What are the minimum qualifying marks in Data Entry Speed Test (DEST)?
The SSC CGL minimum error percentage permitted in DEST i.e. Module-II of Section-III of Paper-I of Tier-II Exam is given below.
| Category | Minimum Qualifying Marks |
|---|
| UR | 20% |
| OBC/ EWS | 25% |
| All other categories | 30% |
What are the SSC CGL documents required for verification?
Candidates must bring original documents for verification during the SSC CGL 2026 Selection Process as per the Notification released by the SSC through ssc.gov.in, including a photo ID proof that matches the date of birth on the Admission Certificate. For verification, candidates may present an original copy of one of the following documents:
| Accepted ID Proofs | Details |
|---|
| Aadhar Card / E-Aadhar Printout | Valid proof of identity issued by UIDAI. |
| Voter's ID Card | Identity card issued for electoral purposes. |
| PAN Card | Permanent Account Number issued by Income Tax Department. |
| Driving License | Valid license for driving issued by RTO. |
| Official School/College/University ID Card | ID card issued by the educational institution. |
| Employer ID Card (Govt./PSU) | Identity card issued by government or PSU employers. |
| Ex-Serviceman Discharge Book | Issued by the Ministry of Defence. |
| Any other photo ID by Central/State Government | Government-issued photo identity proof. |
Candidates must ensure that the details on their Photo ID match those on their Admission Certificate. They must bring the original document for verification. Failure to provide the required documents will result in disqualification from the SSC CGL Selection Process.
What are the other important details about SSC CGL Selection Process 2026?
Candidates must follow these basic key points while appearing for the SSC CGL 2026 Examination:
- Marks Normalization: Ensures fairness across exam shifts and tiers.
- No Re-evaluation: Marks cannot be reviewed or changed.
- Qualification Criteria: Passing Section I & II in Tier II is mandatory for Section III.
- Post Preference: Must be submitted on the SSC website; failure leads to disqualification.
- Answer Key Objections: Can be challenged online with a Rs. 50 fee per question within the deadline.
What are the key takeaways?
Below are the key takeaways:
- SSC CGL 2026 selection is based on Tier 1 (qualifying) and Tier 2 (merit-deciding) exams only.
- No interview is conducted for SSC CGL posts.
- Tier 2 marks alone decide the final merit list and post allocation.
- DEST (Typing Test) is mandatory for all posts but qualifying in nature.
- SSC CGL 2026 notification is expected in March 2026.
- Minimum qualifying marks: UR – 30%, OBC/EWS – 25%, Others – 20%.
- Normalization of marks is applied to ensure fairness across shifts.
- Document verification is compulsory; failure leads to disqualification.
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