Staff Selection Commission has released 12,256 vacancies for Combined Graduate Level Examination 2026. Approximate in-hand salary ₹55,000–₹60,000 per month for Assistant Section Officer after standard deductions. Bachelor’s degree holders eligible. Last date to apply: 22 June 2026. Apply via SSC official portal.
Introduction + Quick Snapshot
Candidates waiting for SSC notification, the Combined Graduate Level Examination 2026 has been officially released with 12,256 vacancies. This mega recruitment drive by Staff Selection Commission (SSC) covers Group B and Group C posts including Assistant Section Officer (CSS), Inspector of Income Tax, Auditor, Accountant, and many others. The SSC CGL 2026 in-hand salary for Assistant Section Officer (Pay Level 7) is approximately ₹55,000–₹60,000 per month after deductions like NPS, tax, and professional tax.
| Organisation Name | Staff Selection Commission (SSC) |
|---|---|
| Post Name(s) | Assistant Section Officer, Inspector, Auditor, Accountant, Tax Assistant, UDC, etc. |
| Total Vacancies | Approx. 12,256 (tentative) |
| Application Last Date | 22 June 2026 (23:00 hours) |
| Minimum Qualification | Bachelor’s degree from recognised university |
| Approx. In-Hand Salary | ₹55,000 – ₹60,000 per month (Pay Level 7 example) |
| Selection Process | Tier-I (CBE) → Tier-II (CBE + DEST) → Document Verification |
| Official Portal Name | https://ssc.gov.in |
Based on official notification by Staff Selection Commission. Verified: May 2026.
Quick Eligibility Check
- You hold a Bachelor’s degree from a recognised university (any discipline for most posts).
- You are aged between 18–27 / 20–30 / 18–30 years as on 01-08-2026 (depends on post).
- For Junior Statistical Officer: 60% in Mathematics at 12th level OR Statistics as a subject in degree.
- For Assistant Audit Officer (State Cadre): Proficiency in regional language at matriculation level.
- You have not completed graduation by 01-08-2026 (final year students can appear but must have degree by cut-off).
- You are below 18 years or above maximum age limit without valid relaxation.
- For BRO posts: only male candidates eligible (as per notification).
Expert note: Unlike many recruitments, SSC CGL 2026 allows final year graduation students to apply provisionally, provided they produce degree certificate by 01-08-2026.
📌 Also Read: SBI Apprentice 2026: 7150 Posts | ₹15,000 Stipend
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | 21 May 2026 |
| Application Start | 21 May 2026 |
| Application Last Date | 22 June 2026 (23:00 hours) |
| Fee Payment Last Date | 23 June 2026 (23:00 hours) |
| Correction Window | 29 June – 1 July 2026 (23:00 hours) |
| Tier-I Exam (CBE) | August – September 2026 (tentative) |
| Tier-II Exam (CBE) | December 2026 (tentative) |
Vacancy and Category Analysis
Total tentative vacancies: 12,256. Detailed post-wise and category-wise vacancy breakup has not been released in this notification. SSC will upload updated vacancies on its website (https://ssc.gov.in → For Candidates → Tentative Vacancy).
Competition ratio estimate: With 12,256 vacancies and approximately 24–26 lakh expected applicants (based on SSC CGL 2024-25 trends), the selection ratio stands at roughly 1 in 200. OBC and EWS candidates typically face moderate competition due to reservation quotas, while UR candidates have higher competition. PwBD candidates benefit from horizontal reservation.
Salary and In-Hand Calculation
| Post Level | Example Post | Pay Level | Basic Pay (₹) | Gross Approx (₹) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level-8 | Assistant Audit Officer | 8 | 47,600 | 82,000 |
| Level-7 | Assistant Section Officer (CSS) | 7 | 44,900 | 72,000 |
| Level-6 | Inspector (CBIC) | 6 | 35,400 | 59,000 |
Breakdown for Assistant Section Officer (Pay Level 7, X-city posting):
Basic Pay: ₹44,900
DA (50% assumed): ₹22,450
HRA (27% X-city): ₹12,123
TA (Level 7): ₹3,600
Gross monthly: ~₹83,073
Deductions: NPS (10% of Basic+DA = ₹6,735), Income Tax (~₹5,000-₹6,000), Professional Tax (₹200).
Approximate in-hand salary: ₹55,000 – ₹60,000 per month after all standard deductions.
📌 Comparison: Compared to Inspector (CBIC) at Pay Level 6 which offers ~₹48,000 in-hand, the ASO post offers higher take-home due to higher basic pay and TA. Assistant Audit Officer (Level 8) gives ~₹68,000 in-hand but requires CA/CMA or Master’s desirable.
🏙️ City-wise variation: HRA differs – X-class cities (Delhi, Mumbai) get 27% (₹12,123), Y-class get 18% (₹8,082), Z-class get 9% (₹4,041). Candidates in X-city receive ~₹4,000 more per month than Z-city postings – a difference of nearly ₹48,000 annually.
Application Fee
| Category | Fee (₹) | Payment Mode |
|---|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS | 100 | Online (UPI, Net Banking, Debit Card) |
| Women / SC / ST / PwBD / ESM | 0 (Exempted) | — |
⚠️ Fee mistake warning: Ensure fee payment reflects as ‘Received’ in your application status. Incomplete fee = application rejected. Do not use multiple windows during payment.
Age Limit (As on 01-08-2026)
| Category | Min Age | Max Age | Relaxation |
|---|---|---|---|
| General (18-27 posts) | 18 | 27 | — |
| General (20-30 posts) | 20 | 30 | — |
| General (18-30 posts) | 18 | 30 | — |
| OBC | Upper age +3 years | e.g., for 27 → 30 years | |
| SC/ST | Upper age +5 years | e.g., for 27 → 32 years | |
| PwBD (General) | +10 years | e.g., for 27 → 37 years | |
| Ex-Serviceman (ESM) | 3 years after military service deduction | Only for Group C posts | |
Example calculation: For a post with 18-27 age limit (born between 02-08-1999 to 01-08-2008). An OBC candidate born on 10-08-1996 (age 30 on 01-08-2026) gets 3 years relaxation → becomes eligible.
Eligibility Criteria (Educational)
| Post | Qualification | Stream / Subject |
|---|---|---|
| All other posts (Auditor, ASO, Inspector, etc.) | Bachelor’s degree from recognised university | Any discipline |
| Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) | Bachelor’s degree + 60% in Maths at 12th OR Statistics as a subject in degree | Mathematics/Statistics |
| Statistical Investigator Grade-II | Bachelor’s degree in Statistics / Mathematics / Economics / Computer Science / AI, etc. | As per notification |
| Assistant Audit Officer (State Cadre) | Bachelor’s degree + Proficiency in regional language (matric level certificate) | Any + Language |
Common mistake: Candidates with B.Com but without 60% in 12th Maths are NOT eligible for JSO. Final year students can apply but must produce degree certificate by 01-08-2026. Equivalent degrees accepted only with valid equivalence certificate at document verification.
Selection Process
Tier-I Examination (Computer Based)
Objective type, 100 questions (General Intelligence, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, English). Duration 1 hour. Negative marking of 0.50 per wrong answer. Qualifying marks: UR 30%, OBC/EWS 25%, others 20%.
Tier-II Examination (CBE)
Consists of Paper-I (compulsory for all) with 4 sections: Mathematical Abilities, Reasoning, English, General Awareness, Computer Knowledge Test (qualifying), and Data Entry Speed Test (DEST). Paper-II (Statistics) for JSO/SI Grade-II, Paper-III (Finance/Economics) for AAO posts. Negative marking varies.
Your first 7 days after applying:
1. Download and save your application PDF + fee receipt.
2. Calculate your exact age and category relaxation using the last date (22-06-2026).
3. Prepare category certificates (OBC non-creamy layer, EWS income & asset certificate for FY 2026-27).
4. For PwBD: obtain disability certificate as per Annexure I/IA format.
5. Practice DEST (2000 key depressions in 15 minutes) if aiming for Tax Assistant/UDC posts.
📌 Also Read: CMD Kerala Customer Relations Assistant 2026: 40 Posts | ₹1,010/Shift
10. Exam Syllabus
Exam Pattern (Tier-I)
| Subject | Questions | Marks | Duration | Negative Marking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 25 | 50 | 60 min | 0.50 per wrong |
| General Awareness | 25 | 50 | ||
| Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 50 | ||
| English Comprehension | 25 | 50 |
Indicative Syllabus Topics (Tier-I & Tier-II)
Quantitative Aptitude: Number systems, percentage, ratio, profit/loss, simple/compound interest, time & work, algebra (basic identities), geometry (triangles, circles), mensuration (cylinder, cone, sphere), trigonometry (ratios, heights & distances), statistics (mean, median, probability).
Reasoning: Analogies, coding-decoding, series, classification, Venn diagrams, syllogism, puzzles, embedded figures, emotional & social intelligence.
General Awareness: Current events, history, geography, polity, economics, science, environment – up to graduation level.
English: Grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, cloze test, error spotting, sentence rearrangement, synonyms/antonyms.
Computer Knowledge (qualifying): Basics of CPU, memory, MS Office, internet, email, cybersecurity (virus, hacking), networking.
How to Apply
- Visit https://ssc.gov.in and click ‘Login or Register’ for One-Time Registration (OTR).
- Complete OTR with personal details (name as per 10th certificate, DOB, father/mother name).
- Use Aadhaar-based authentication for faster processing (face/OTP).
- After OTR, login and click ‘Apply’ for Combined Graduate Level Examination 2026.
- Fill application: choose region & three centre preferences in same region.
- Capture live photograph (no cap/spectacles, plain background) and upload signature (10-20 KB, 6cm x 2cm).
- Pay fee ₹100 (if applicable) via UPI / Net Banking / Debit Card.
- Preview, verify all details, submit, and download final application PDF.
- ✔ Valid email and mobile number (OTP verification)
- ✔ Passport photo – live capture (no old photo)
- ✔ Signature scan – black ink, white paper
- ✔ 10th certificate (for DOB and name proof)
- ✔ Bachelor’s degree & mark sheets (or final year appearing proof)
- ✔ Category certificate (SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwBD) if claiming reservation
- ✔ Aadhaar Card / Voter ID / Passport for ID proof
- ✔ Payment method ready (UPI/Debit/Net Banking)
1. Using pre-existing photograph instead of live capture → application rejected.
2. Blurred/miniature signature → rejected unless Aadhaar authenticated.
3. Mismatch in name/DOB with matriculation certificate → cancellation at DV stage.
FAQ
- What is approximate in-hand salary for SSC CGL 2026 Assistant Section Officer?
- Approximately ₹55,000 – ₹60,000 per month after NPS, tax, and professional tax deductions. Based on Pay Level 7 (Basic ₹44,900) with 50% DA and 27% HRA (X-city).
- What is the last date to apply for SSC CGL 2026?
- 22 June 2026 (23:00 hours). Fee payment allowed until 23 June 2026. Correction window 29 June – 1 July 2026 (with additional fee).
- How many total vacancies are there in SSC CGL 2026?
- Approximately 12,256 tentative vacancies across Group B & C posts. Post-wise and category-wise numbers will be updated on SSC website.
- What is the minimum educational qualification for SSC CGL 2026?
- Bachelor’s degree from a recognised university for most posts. JSO requires 60% in Maths at 12th or Statistics at degree level. Statistical Investigator requires degree in Statistics/Maths/Economics/Computer Science.
- What is the age limit and relaxation for OBC/SC/ST?
- General: 18-27 / 20-30 / 18-30 depending on post. OBC gets +3 years, SC/ST gets +5 years, PwBD gets +10 years. Example: For 18-27 post, OBC max age 30, SC/ST max 32.
- Is CA/CMA mandatory for Assistant Audit Officer?
- No, CA/CMA/CS/Master’s in Commerce are desirable qualifications, not mandatory. Bachelor’s degree is essential. Candidates without desirable qualifications can still apply but may be allocated to non-commercial streams.
- Can final year graduation students apply?
- Yes, they can apply provisionally. However, they must possess the essential qualification (Bachelor’s degree) by 01-08-2026, and result must be declared on or before that date.
- What documents are required for document verification?
- Matriculation certificate (DOB proof), Bachelor’s degree & marksheets, category certificates (if applicable), PwBD certificate (if claiming scribe/relaxation), ESM discharge book, and two passport size photographs.
- Is there negative marking in SSC CGL 2026?
- Yes. Tier-I: 0.50 mark deducted per wrong answer. Tier-II Paper-I (Sections I,II,III): 1 mark per wrong answer. Tier-II Paper-II & III: 0.50 mark per wrong answer.
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