SSC CGL 2026 Notification in March & Tier 2 Exam Dates Confirmed

New Delhi: The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has started the new year with a massive “double bonanza” for government job aspirants across India. Whether you are a candidate who has already cleared the first round of the 2025 exam or a fresh graduate looking to start your journey in 2026, there is big news for everyone.

The commission has officially confirmed the dates for the SSC CGL 2025 Tier 2 Exam, which is scheduled for mid-January 2026. At the same time, the SSC Exam Calendar 2026-27 has been released, giving future aspirants a clear target for the next few months.

This article provides a complete, detailed guide on everything happening right now in the world of SSC CGL. We will cover the immediate updates for the January exam, the schedule for the upcoming March notification, the salary structure, and the exact exam pattern you need to master.

Part 1: Immediate Alert – SSC CGL 2025 Tier 2 Exam (January 2026)

If you are one of the lakhs of students who qualified the Tier 1 exam declared in December 2025, your final battle is here. The Tier 2 exam is the most critical stage because your final selection depends entirely on the marks you score here.

Exam Dates and Schedule

The SSC has officially announced that the Tier 2 (Mains) Exam will be conducted on two specific dates:

• January 18, 2026
• January 19, 2026

Unlike Tier 1, which happens over several weeks, Tier 2 is wrapped up quickly. This means you will face tough competition on these two days.

Admit Card and City Intimation

As of the second week of January, the commission has already activated the City Intimation Slip links on the new website (ssc.gov.in).

• What is the City Slip? It tells you which city your exam is in, so you can book your train or bus tickets. It does NOT tell you the school or college name.
• When will the Admit Card come? The final Admit Card, which contains the exact center address and shift timing, is usually released 3 to 4 days before the exam. You should expect it around January 14 or 15.

Important Warning: Scorecards are Available

The commission has uploaded the Final Answer Keys and Scorecards for Tier 1. You can check your normalized marks on the official portal until February 8, 2026. After this date, the link will be deactivated, and you will not be able to see your marks.

Part 2: Future Plan – SSC CGL 2026 Notification (March 2026)

For those who did not clear the 2025 exam or are just finishing their college graduation, the new calendar brings new hope. The SSC CGL 2026 cycle is starting very soon.

Key Dates for 2026 Cycle

According to the tentative calendar released by the commission:

• Notification Release Date: March 2026
• Online Application Window: March to April 2026
• Tier 1 Exam Month: May – June 2026

This timeline is crucial. It gives you roughly 4 to 5 months to prepare for the Tier 1 exam. Since the notification is coming in March, you must be ready with your documents (like EWS/OBC certificates and degree proofs) beforehand.

Part 3: What is SSC CGL? (For Beginners)

SSC CGL stands for Staff Selection Commission – Combined Graduate Level. It is often called the “mini-IAS” exam of India because it recruits officers for the most powerful ministries in the central government.

Popular Posts Under CGL:

1. Assistant Section Officer (ASO): In ministries like External Affairs (MEA), Railways, and the Central Secretariat (CSS). ASO in MEA often gets opportunities for foreign postings.
2. Income Tax Inspector (ITI): A highly respected post in the CBDT.
3. GST Inspector: Formerly known as Excise Inspector, working under CBIC.
4. Sub-Inspector in CBI: A field job involving investigations.
5. Auditor/Accountant: In departments like CAG (Comptroller and Auditor General).

These are Group ‘B’ and Group ‘C’ gazetted and non-gazetted posts. They offer job security, government quarters, and a respectable social status.

Part 4: Detailed Exam Pattern (The Real Game)

To crack this exam, you must understand the pattern. SSC changed the pattern a few years ago, and the new format focuses heavily on speed and computer knowledge.

Stage 1: Tier 1 (Qualifying Only)

This is just a screening round. The marks you score here are NOT added to the final merit list. You just need to clear the cutoff.

• Subjects: Reasoning, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude (Maths), English Comprehension.
• Questions: 25 questions in each section (Total 100 questions).
• Marks: 200 Marks.
• Time: 60 Minutes (1 Hour).
• Negative Marking: 0.50 marks for every wrong answer.

Stage 2: Tier 2 (The Decision Maker)

This is the main exam. It is conducted on a single day and includes three sections.

Section 1: Mathematical Abilities & Reasoning

• 30 Questions of Maths + 30 Questions of Reasoning.
• Total 60 Questions × 3 Marks = 180 Marks.
• Time: 1 Hour.

Section 2: English Language & General Awareness

• 45 Questions of English + 25 Questions of GK.
• Total 70 Questions × 3 Marks = 210 Marks.
• Time: 1 Hour.

Section 3: Computer Knowledge & Typing (DEST)

• Computer Test: 20 Questions (Qualifying nature, but mandatory). If you fail this, you fail the whole exam.
• Typing Test (DEST): You must type around 2000 key depressions in 15 minutes. This is also qualifying but mandatory for almost all posts.

Why is Tier 2 Difficult? The negative marking in Tier 2 is very dangerous. For every wrong answer, 1 mark is deducted. This is much higher than Tier 1. Accuracy is more important than speed here.

Part 5: Salary Structure and Perks

Why do millions of Indians apply for CGL? The answer is the salary and the 7th Pay Commission benefits.

Pay Level 7 (Top Posts like ASO, IT Inspector)

• Basic Pay: ₹44,900.
• Gross Salary: In X-category cities (like Delhi, Mumbai), the gross salary includes HRA (27-30%), DA (Dearness Allowance), and TA.
• In-Hand Salary: Approximately ₹75,000 to ₹85,000 per month (depending on current DA rates).

Pay Level 6 (Divisional Accountant, SI in NIA)

• Basic Pay: ₹35,400.
• In-Hand Salary: Approximately ₹55,000 to ₹65,000 per month.

Pay Level 4 (Tax Assistant, UDC)

• Basic Pay: ₹25,500.
• In-Hand Salary: Approximately ₹40,000 to ₹45,000 per month.

Besides the salary, employees get medical facilities (CGHS) for their family and Leave Travel Concession (LTC) to travel across India.

Part 6: Important Instructions for Aspirants

1. The New Website Rule

SSC has shifted from its old website (ssc.nic.in) to the new domain ssc.gov.in. All candidates must create a One Time Registration (OTR) on the new site.

• If you have not done OTR yet, do it now. Do not wait for the notification.
• While applying, you will need to capture a “Live Photo” using your webcam or mobile app. Passport photos are no longer scanned and uploaded.

2. Eligibility Criteria

• Age Limit: Generally 18 to 27 years for most posts. Some posts like ASO and Inspector allow up to 30 years. The post of JSO allows up to 32 years.
• Education: You must have a Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized university. Final year students can apply provisionally, provided they get their result before the cutoff date mentioned in the notification.

3. Preparation Strategy for Next 5 Months

• For Tier 2 (Jan Exam): Stop learning new topics. Focus on typing practice daily for 30 minutes. Revise Current Affairs of the last 6 months.
• For 2026 Cycle (May Exam): Start with Maths and English grammar. These two subjects form the base. Read the newspaper daily to improve English reading speed and General Awareness simultaneously.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)