Understand the exam
Exam overview
SSC recruitment examination for notified graduate-level Group B and Group C posts.
SSC-CGL
Recruitment
Professional
National
SSC Combined Graduate Level Examination
Last updated · Confirm dates, fees and eligibility on the official website before you apply.
SSC recruitment examination for notified graduate-level Group B and Group C posts.
Who can appear
Eligibility to appear
Graduation
A recognised bachelor degree; specified posts can require particular subjects or statistical study. Age, nationality, post preference, physical standards and post-specific qualifications follow the current SSC CGL notice.
Eligibility to appear is not the same as eligibility to be admitted. Individual institutions add their own criteria on top of the exam's rules.
Overview
What this exam is
The Staff Selection Commission's recruitment examination for graduate-level Group B and Group C posts across central government departments. It is one of the highest-volume recruitment routes in the country, which makes the realistic chance of selection considerably better than the prestige services.
Subjects
What the paper tests
Tier one covers general intelligence and reasoning, general awareness, quantitative aptitude and English comprehension. Tier two goes deeper on quantitative ability and English, with statistics or finance papers for the posts that require them. Some posts add a skill or computer proficiency test. Post allocation depends on your rank and your stated preferences.
PreparationPlan
How to prepare
This is a speed and accuracy examination, not a knowledge one - quantitative aptitude and reasoning respond to daily timed practice more than to new theory. Negative marking makes disciplined question selection as important as ability. Study the post list carefully before filling preferences, because departments and work profiles differ enormously and you will be assigned largely on what you asked for.
AdmissionProcess
Who can take it, and how it runs
Who can appear. Bachelor's degree in any discipline.
How often. Once a year.
Format. Computer-based.
Conducted by. Staff Selection Commission.
Dates, eligibility and the paper pattern change from year to year. Check the current official notification before you plan around any of this.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Which posts can I actually get?
A range across central government departments, from assistant and inspector grades to auditing and statistical posts. Which one you receive depends on your rank and the preference order you submitted, so research the work profiles before filling the form.
How much does negative marking affect the outcome?
Considerably. Because the questions are not individually difficult, most candidates cluster at similar knowledge levels and accuracy separates them. Disciplined question selection is worth more than attempting everything.
Is a specific degree subject required?
A bachelor's degree in any discipline is enough for most posts. A few specify subjects such as Statistics or Economics. Check the post-wise requirement in the current notice rather than assuming your degree qualifies you for everything.
How long does the whole process take?
The cycle from notification to joining runs across multiple tiers, document verification and sometimes litigation, and has historically taken a long time. Plan your finances and any parallel work around a long wait rather than a quick result.
What is SSC Combined Graduate Level Examination used for?
Group B and C posts across central government departments.
Who is eligible to appear for SSC Combined Graduate Level Examination?
Bachelor's degree in any discipline. Confirm this against the current official notification, because eligibility rules are revised between sessions.
How often is SSC Combined Graduate Level Examination held, and in what format?
Once a year. Computer-based.
Who conducts SSC Combined Graduate Level Examination?
Staff Selection Commission.