What is SSC CGL Exam? - Full Form, Eligibility Criteria, Qualification, Age Limit & Post, Salary and Pattern

SSC CGL (Combined Graduate Level)
SSC CGL (Combined Graduate Level)

What is SSC CGL Exam?

SSC CGL (Staff Selection Commission - Combined Graduate Level) is a national level government recruitment exam, which is conducted by the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) every year. This exam is the second largest government recruitment exam after UPSC. Through this examination, candidates are conducted for the recruitment of Group B and Group C gazetted and non-gazetted posts in various ministries, departments and organizations of the Central Government.

Who can give SSC CGL exam?

If you have completed graduation from a recognized university, then you can apply for this exam. This exam is specially for those students who have completed graduation.

What are Group B and Group C posts?

Government posts in the Government of India are divided into Groups A, B, C and D. This classification is done on the basis of the responsibility of the post, pay scale and powers of the officers.

1. Group B Gazetted Posts

Officers working on Group B Gazetted posts can officially issue orders on behalf of the government. Their names are published in the Government Gazette (Government Notification).

2. Group B Non-Gazetted Posts

Officers working in Group B non-gazetted posts are like office staff who do not have any administrative powers or power to issue orders.

3. Group C Non-Gazetted Posts

Group C posts are completely non-gazetted. Their work is at field or clerical level. They do not have administrative or decision making work.

SSC CGL Exam Summary

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

SSC CGL Eligibility Criteria
Detail Information
Educational Qualification Candidate must have a graduation degree from a recognised university.
Age limit
  • Minimum age 18 years
  • Maximum age 32 years
Nationality (Candidates should be in one of the following categories)
  • Citizens of India
  • Citizens of Nepal or Bhutan
  • Tibetan refugees (who came to India before 1 January 1962)
  • People of Indian origin who came to India permanently from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, or East African countries.
Physical Standard Some posts (eg Central Excise Inspector, CBI, NIA etc.) require physical standards.

SSC CGL Posts & Age limit

There are some select Group B posts through SSC CGL which fall under gazetted category. These posts play important roles in central ministries, departments and offices. The names of these posts and their associated age limits are given in the list below:

1. SSC CGL Group B Posts (Gazetted)

There are some select Group B posts through SSC CGL which fall under gazetted category. These posts play important roles in central ministries, departments and offices. The names of these posts and their associated age limits are given in the list below:

1. 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)

There are some select Group B posts through SSC CGL which fall under gazetted category. These posts play important roles in central ministries, departments and offices. The names of these posts and their associated age limits are given in the list below:

2. 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)

Many Group C posts are recruited through SSC CGL exam. These posts are held in various departments, ministries and organizations of the central government. Below is the list of all major Group C posts and related age limit:

3. 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 Exam Pattern

SSC CGL exam is conducted in two tiers. Each phase has its own importance and it is mandatory to pass both these phases.

  • Tier 1
  • Tier 2

1. Tier 1 (Prelims) Exam Pattern

SSC CGL Tier 1 is the first stage of the exam and candidates only have to pass it. This exam is online computer based and all questions are of multiple choice (MCQ) type.

1. Tire - 1 (Prelims) Exam Pattern
Mode of Exam Computer Based Test (CBT)
Section
  • General Intelligence & Reasoning
  • General Awareness
  • Quantitative Aptitude
  • English Comprehension
Duration of Exam 60 minutes (1 hours)
Type of Question Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ)
Total Question 100
Total Marks 200

1. General Intelligence & Reasoning

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

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

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

4. English Comprehension
Mode of Exam Computer Based Test (CBT)
Type of Question Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ)
Total Question 25
Total Marks 50

2. Tire - 2 (Mains exam) Exam Pattern

SSC CGL Tier 2 exam is the main exam and it is the most important step to prepare the final merit list. There are total 3 papers, out of which Paper-1 is compulsory and Paper-2 and Paper-3 are only for special posts.

  • Paper - 1: (Compulsory for all candidate)
  • Paper - 2: Junior Statistical Officer (JSO)
  • Paper - 3: Assistant Audit Officer / Assistant Account Officer
2. Tire - 2 (Mains exam) Exam Pattern
Mode of Exam Computer Based Test (CBT)
Papers
  • Paper - 1: (Compulsory for all candidate)
  • Paper - 2: Junior Statistical Officer (JSO)
  • Paper - 3: Assistant Audit Officer / Assistant Account Officer
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 and each section has 2 modules.

1. Paper - 1 Exam Pattern
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 This paper is only for those candidates who have applied for the JSO post.

2. Paper - 2 (Junior Statistical Officer (JSO))
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 This paper is only for those candidates who have applied for AAO/AAO (Asst. Audit Officer/Accounts Officer) posts.

3. Paper - 3 (Assistant Audit Officer / Assistant Account Officer)
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 Facts

  • First Recruitment Institute of Independent India: SSC CGL is the first and one of the oldest government recruitment exams of independent India. It was established in 1975 during the reign of Indira Gandhi. Earlier, there were separate procedures for recruitment in different ministries.
  • Biggest Government Exam: SSC CGL is considered to be the second biggest government exam in India after UPSC. Through this, thousands of posts are recruited in central ministries and departments every year.
  • High Competition: Every year more than 20 lakh candidates apply for SSC CGL exam. This makes it one of the most competitive government exams in India.
  • Record Number: A total of more than 30 lakh candidates applied for the SSC CGL exam in the year 2022, which is the largest ever. This number proves that this exam is one of the most popular government exams in India.
  • Exam Structure Update: Earlier, the SSC CGL exam was conducted in four tiers, including Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 3, and Tier 4. However, Tier 3 and Tier 4 have been removed from 2021.

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.