Staff Selection Commission (SSC) Combined Graduate Level Examination (SSC CGL) 2026 has become more competitive than ever this time. More than 30 lakh 66 thousand candidates from across the country have applied for recruitment to 12,256 posts in various ministries and departments of the Central Government.
Of these, more than 7 lakh applications have been received from Bihar alone, which means on an average around 250 candidates are in the fray for one post. Meanwhile, the Commission has also made major changes in the examination pattern. Sectional timing has been implemented for the first time and the process of correction window in the application form is also going to start from July 1.
More than 30 lakh applications, Bihar is at the forefront
The online application process for SSC CGL 2026 recruitment ran from 21 May to 22 June 2026. During this period, more than 30.66 lakh candidates applied from all over the country. Maximum applications have come from Bihar where more than 7 lakh candidates have filled the form. If we talk about previous years, about 28.15 lakh applications were received for SSC CGL 2025 and about 36.73 lakh applications were received for 2024 recruitment. This time the competition is going to be very tough considering the number of applications against a total of 12,256 vacancies.
On which posts will there be recruitment?
Through SSC CGL, appointments will be made to important posts in many ministries, departments and institutions of the Central Government. These include the posts of Assistant Section Officer (ASO), Income Tax Inspector, GST Inspector, Assistant Enforcement Officer, Statistics Department and many other Group-B and Group-C posts.
Correction window will open from July 1
Those candidates who have made any mistake while filling the application will get one more chance to correct the form. SSC has decided to open the correction window from July 1 to July 7, 2026. During this time, candidates will be able to make necessary changes in their application. The Commission has advised that before making amendments, check all the information thoroughly because there will be no chance for correction later.
Major change in exam pattern for the first time
The biggest feature of SSC CGL 2026 is its new exam pattern. The Commission has implemented sectional timing for the first time. Now candidates will not be able to spend much time in any section as per their convenience. There will be a total of 100 questions in Tier-1 exam and the duration of the exam will be 60 minutes. There will be 25-25 questions in all four sections and only 15 minutes will be given for each section. As soon as the stipulated time is over, the screen will automatically move to the next section. The purpose of this change is to evaluate the equal preparation and ability of the candidates in all subjects.
From which subjects will the questions come in Tier-1?
Tier-1 examination will be completely computer based (CBT). In this, a total of 100 questions will be asked from General Intelligence and Reasoning, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude (Mathematics) and English Comprehension. There will be 15 minutes time for each section. Negative marking of half mark (0.50) will also be applicable on each wrong answer.
Sectional timing will be applicable in Tier-2 also
SSC has fixed the time limit not only for the preliminary exam but also for the Tier-2 exam. In Section-1 of Paper-1, you will get 30 minutes to solve 30 questions of Mathematics and 30 minutes for 30 questions of Reasoning. 40 minutes have been fixed for 45 questions of English Language and Comprehension. You will get 20 minutes time to solve 25 questions of General Awareness. 15 minutes will be given for 20 questions of Computer Knowledge section. Earlier candidates could spend time in any section as per their convenience but now this will not be possible.
When will the exam be held?
According to the tentative schedule released by SSC, Tier-1 computer based examination will be conducted in August-September 2026. After this, Tier-2 examination for successful candidates will be conducted in December 2026.
How will the selection process be?
The recruitment process will be completed in two phases. First of all the candidates will have to appear in Tier-1 examination. On the basis of marks obtained in this, category wise candidates will be shortlisted for Tier-2. Final merit will be prepared on the basis of performance of successful candidates in Tier-2.
How will the final merit be prepared?
SSC has clarified that the final selection will be based only on the performance in Tier-2 examination. For general posts, marks obtained in Section-1 and Section-2 of Paper-1 will form the basis of merit. However, it will be mandatory for the candidates to qualify Computer Knowledge Test and Data Entry Speed Test. For posts like Junior Statistical Assistant (JSA) and Statistical Inspector, marks of Paper-2 (Statistics) will also be added. While Assistant Audit The marks of Paper-3 (General Accounts, Finance and Accounting) will also be included in the final merit for the posts of Accounts Officer (AAO) and Assistant Accounts Officer (AAO).
Priority of posts will also be important
Before the final result is declared, the Commission will ask the candidates for their preference for various departments and posts through online medium. The preference of the posts once entered by the candidate will be considered final. After this, no changes will be allowed in it. Therefore, candidates will have to take utmost care while filling their preferences.
Appointment will be done after document verification
After the release of the final merit list, the document verification of the candidates who will be selected will be done by the concerned ministry or department. The appointment process of the candidates will be completed only after the document verification is successful. This time, considering the record number of applications and the new exam pattern, SSC CGL 2026 is being considered as one of the most challenging recruitment exams in recent years. In such a situation, candidates will now have to prepare not only according to the syllabus but also according to the sectional timing.