What is SSC CGL Exam? - Full Form, Eligibility Criteria, Qualification, Age Limit & Post, Salary and Pattern
What is SSC CGL?
The full form of SSC CGL is Staff Selection Commission - Combined Graduate Level Exam. It is a national-level government recruitment exam conducted once a year by the Staff Selection Commission (SSC). This exam is the second largest government recruitment exam after UPSC. Through this exam eligible candidates are recruited for Group B and Group C gazetted and Non-gazetted posts in various central government ministries, departments and organizations.
This exam is specifically for graduate candidates, meaning to appear for this exam a candidate must have a graduation degree approved by any recognized university.
SSC CGL Exam Summary
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | SSC CGL |
| Full Form | Staff Selection Commission Combined Graduate Level (SSC CGL) |
| Conducting Body | Staff Selection Commission (SSC) |
| Purpose | Recruitment to Group B and C posts in central government |
| Target Candidates | Graduates aspiring for government jobs in various central government departments |
| Exam Level | National |
| Frequency | Once year |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Official Website | Website |
SSC CGL Eligibility Criteria
- Education Qualification: Graduate
- Age Limit: Minimum 18 Year and Maximum 32 Year
- Nationality: Indian, Nepal or Bhutan.
- Physical Standard: Physically & Mentally fit
How to Apply SSC CGL?
1. Registration
- To apply for SSC CGL exam visit the official website of SSC.
- After visiting the website the candidate has to click on "New User? Register Now".
- A registration form will open on the candidate screen. In this form the candidate must correctly enter their basic details such as name, email ID, and mobile number, and verify the email ID and mobile number through OTP.
- After successful verification the registration ID and password will be sent to the candidates registered email.
2. Application form
- To fill out the application form, the candidate has to click on the "Apply" tab and select the "CGL" link.
- Next a login form will appear on the candidates screen where they need to log in using their registration ID and password.
- After logging in the application form will open. In this form the candidate must accurately fill in their personal information and educational qualifications (details of 10th, 12th, and graduation).
3. Application fee
After completing the application form the candidate must pay the application fee using one of the available payment modes.
SSC CGL Exam Pattern
SSC CGL exam is conducted in a total of 2 stages.
- Tier 1
- Tier 2
1. Tier 1
Tier 1 is the first stage of SSC CGL exam in this stage the candidate has to just qualify. There are a total of four sections in this stage. all these four sections are of MCQ type and are conducted in a single day.
| Mode of Exam | Computer Based Test (CBT) |
| Section |
|
| Duration of Exam | 60 minutes (1 hours) |
| Type of Question | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) |
| Total Question | 100 |
| Total Marks | 200 |
1. General Intelligence & Reasoning
| Mode of Exam | Computer Based Test (CBT) |
| Type of Question | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) |
| Total Question | 25 |
| Total Marks | 50 |
2. General Awareness
| Mode of Exam | Computer Based Test (CBT) |
| Type of Question | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) |
| Total Question | 25 |
| Total Marks | 50 |
3. Quantitative Aptitude
| Mode of Exam | Computer Based Test (CBT) |
| Type of Question | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) |
| Total Question | 25 |
| Total Marks | 50 |
4. English Comprehension
| Mode of Exam | Computer Based Test (CBT) |
| Type of Question | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) |
| Total Question | 25 |
| Total Marks | 50 |
2. Tier 2
Tier 2 is the second and important stage of SSC CGL exam which is based on merit. There are a total of 3 papers in Tire 2 stage and all the papers are conducted through Computer Based Test (CBT).
- Paper - 1: (Compulsory for all candidate)
- Paper - 2: Junior Statistical Officer (JSO)
- Paper - 3: Assistant Audit Officer / Assistant Account Officer
| Mode of Exam | Computer Based Test (CBT) |
| Papers |
|
| Type of Question | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) |
| Total Marks | 450 |
1. Paper - 1
Paper 1 is compulsory for all candidates, Paper 1 has total 3 sections Section 1, Section 2, and Section 3 and each section has 2 modules.
| Sections | Module | Subject | No of Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Section-1 | Module-1 | Mathematics & Ablity | 30 | 90 | 1 hour |
| Module-2 | Reasioning & General Inteligence | 30 | 90 | ||
| Total Marks for Section-1 | 180 marks | ||||
| Section-2 | Module-1 | English Comprehension | 45 | 135 | 1 hour |
| Module-2 | General Awareness | 25 | 75 | ||
| Total Marks for Section-1 | 210 marks | ||||
| Section-3 | Module-1 | Computer Knowledge Test | 20 | 60 (Qualifying) | 15 minutes |
| Module-2 | Data Entry Test | - | Qualifying | 15 minutes | |
| Total Marks for Section-3 | Qualifying | ||||
2. Paper - 2 - Junior Statistical Officer (JSO)
Paper-2 is for candidates who apply for the post of Junior Statistical Officer (JSO). This paper contains questions related to statistics. It is of a total of 200 marks and 100 MCQ type questions are asked in it. To apply for this post candidates must have statistics as a subject in their bachelor degree or 60% marks in mathematics at the 12th level as eligibility criteria.
| Post | Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) |
| Subject | Statistics |
| Type of Question | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) |
| Total Question | 100 |
| Total Marks | 200 |
| Duration | 120 minutes (2 hours) |
3. Paper - 3 - Assistant Audit Officer / Assistant Account Officer
Paper-3 is for aspirants who want to apply for the posts of Assistant Audit Officer (AAO) or Assistant Accounts Officer (AAO). This paper includes questions related to finance, economics, and accounting. Paper-3 is also of a total of 200 marks and 100 MCQ type questions are asked in it.
| Post | Assistant Audit Officer / Assistant Account Officer |
| Subject | General Study (Finance & Economics) |
| Type of Question | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) |
| Total Question | 100 |
| Total Marks | 200 |
| Duration | 120 minutes (2 hours) |
SSC CGL Posts & Age limit
1. SSC CGL Group B Posts (Gazetted)
| Sr.No | Post Name | Age limit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Assistant Audit Officer (AAO) | 18 - 30 years |
| 2 | Assistant Accounts Officer (AAO) | 18 - 30 years |
2. SSC CGL Group B Posts (Non-Gazetted)
| Sr.No | Post Name | Age limit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Assistant Section Officer in MEA | 20 - 30 years |
| 2 | Assistant Section Officer in CSS | 20 - 30 years |
| 3 | Assistant Section Officer in Ministry of Railway | 20 - 30 years |
| 4 | Assistant Section Officer in Intelligence Bureau | 18 - 30 years |
| 5 | Assistant Section Officer in AFHQ | 20 - 30 years |
| 6 | Assistant Section Officer in Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology | 18 - 30 years |
| 7 | Assistant / Assistant Section Officer in (Other Ministries/ Departments/ Organizations) | 18 - 30 years |
| 8 | Inspector (Central Excise) | 18 - 30 years |
| 9 | Inspector (Preventive Officer) | 18 - 30 years |
| 10 | Inspector (Examiner) | 18 - 30 years |
| 11 | Assistant Enforcement Officer (AEO) | 18 - 30 years |
| 12 | Sub Inspector (CBI) | 20 - 30 years |
| 13 | Sub Inspector (NIA) | 18 - 30 years |
| 14 | Inspector Posts | 18 - 30 years |
| 15 | Inspector (CBN) | 18 - 30 years |
| 16 | Divisional Accountant (C&AG) | 18 - 30 years |
| 17 | Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) | 18 - 32 years |
3. SSC CGL Group C Posts (Non-Gazetted)
| Sr.No | Post Name | Age limit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Inspector of Income Tax | 18 - 30 years |
| 2 | Auditor (C&AG) | 18 - 27 years |
| 3 | Auditor (CGDA) | 18 - 27 years |
| 4 | Auditor (Other Ministry/ Departments) | 18 - 27 years |
| 5 | Accountant (C&AG) | 18 - 27 years |
| 6 | Accountant (CGA) | 18 - 27 years |
| 7 | Accountant/ Junior Accountant (Other Ministry/ Departments) | 18 - 27 years |
| 8 | Senior Secretariat Assistant/ Upper Division Clerk – Various Ministries/Departments | 18 - 27 years |
| 9 | Tax Assistant (CBDT) | 18 - 27 years |
| 10 | Tax Assistant (CBIC) | 18 - 27 years |
| 11 | Sub-Inspector (CBN) | 18 - 27 years |
SSC CGL Facts
- Oldest Recruitment Body: Apart from UPSC CGL under SSC is one of the first and oldest government recruitment exams in Independent India which was established in 1975 during the reign of Indira Gandhi.
- High Competition: Every year more than 20 lakh candidates apply for the SSC CGL exam.
- Largest Government Exam: SSC CGL is the second biggest government exam in India after UPSC.
- Record: The biggest record till date in SSC CGL is of 2022 in which a total of more than 30 lakh candidates had applied.
SSC CGL Advantages
- Top Group Officer: Through SSC CGL exam officers are recruited for various government posts of B and C category of Government of India.
- Second Largest Government Service: CGL exam recruits the second and largest number of government servants in India.
SSC CGL Disadvantages
- Limited Posts: Every year a few thousand posts are released for CGL lakhs of candidates apply for this limited post.
- Long Syllabus: The syllabus of CGL is very long and difficult.
- Job Location: The service obtained from CGL is not on the choice of the candidate but on All India basis.
- High Workload: The officer in the role of law enforcement or audit has high responsibility and workload.
