What is SSC CGL JSO Post? - Full Form, Eligibility, Salary & Qualification

Junior Statistical Officer (JSO)
Junior Statistical Officer (JSO)

What is Junior Statistical Officer?

Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) is a Group B (Non-Gazetted) post under the central government which is recruited through the SSC CGL exam. This post comes under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI). Junior Statistical Officers (JSO) are part of the Subordinate Statistical Service (SSS) cadre. This cadre is an organized group that works for statistical data collection and analysis. The primary role of a JSO is to conduct door-to-door surveys and data collection for various government schemes under different ministries of the Indian government.

The posting of Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) happens in two ways with the primary focus in both cases being data collection and analysis.

  • NSSO (National Sample Survey Office)
  • Various Ministries of GOI

1. NSSO (National Sample Survey Office)

JSO is posted under the National Sample Survey Office at an all-India level across different states.

2. Various Ministries of GOI

JSO is also appointed under central ministries either in the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) or in the statistical wing of other ministries.

Types of Junior Statistical Officer (JSO)

The work of a Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) is divided into two types:

  • FOD (Field Operations Division)
  • Non - FOD (Non - Field Operations Division)

1. FOD (Field Operations Division)

In this role a Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) is assigned 2-3 districts covering the villages or towns within those districts. They are responsible for conducting various surveys such as the Area Level Responsibilities Block (ALRB), Periodic Labor Force Survey (PLFS), Socio-Economic Survey, Urban Frame Survey, Consumer Price Index (CPI), and Rural Price Collection. These surveys involve collecting data by generating estimates and parameters using paper or digital gadgets.

2. Non - FOD (Non - Field Operations Division)

The Non-Field Operations Division role is desk-based and does not involve field visits. In this role the JSO is responsible for feeding and processing the collected data and sending it to the relevant ministries or departments.

SSC CGL Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) Post Summary

SSC CGL Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) Post Summary
Detail Information
Exam Name SSC CGL (Staff Selection Commission Combined Graduate Level)
Post Name Junior Statistical Officer (JSO)
Group B (Non-Gazetted)
Conducting Body Staff Selection Commission (SSC)
Ministry Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI)
Pay Level 6
Basic Salary 35,400
Service Type Central Government
Job Location Nationwide at NSS offices or MoSPI
Job Responsibilities Collecting, analyzing, and interpreting statistical data
Next Promotion Senior Statistical Officer (SSO)
Nature of Work FOD & Non - FOD

SSC CGL Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) Eligibility Criteria

SSC CGL Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) Eligibility Criteria
Detail Information
Educational Qualification A bachelor degree is required
Subject Requirement
  • The candidate must have secured 60% marks in Mathematics subject in their 12th class.
  • The candidate must have Statistics as a subject in their graduation degree.
Age Limit 18 - 32 years

SSC CGL Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) Selection Process

  • Tier 1 Exam: To become a JSO candidates must qualify for the SSC CGL Tier 1 exam.
  • Tier 2 (Paper 1), (Paper 2): After qualifying the Tier 1 exam the candidate must appear for Paper 1 and Paper 2 in the SSC CGL Tier 2 exam. In this tier Paper 1 is compulsory for all and Paper 2 is only for the JSO post.
  • Result: After successfully qualifying both tiers, the result is declared based on the candidate's All India Rank (AIR).
  • Document Verification: The degree certificate, identity proof, and other necessary documents of the selected and successfully qualified candidates are verified.
  • Medical Certificate: The candidate must submit a medical certificate to prove their fitness.
  • Training: After medical clearance selected candidates are given short-term training at the "National Statistical System Training Academy (NSSTA)" Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh. This training includes theory and field training.
  • Post Allotment: Based on the district preferences roles in the FOD (Field Operations Division) or Non-FOD are allotted randomly in alphabetical order based on candidate rank.
  • Joining Letter: After post allotment candidates are given a joining letter for their final posting.

SSC CGL Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) Job Profile

  • Data Collection: JSO is responsible for collecting data in rural or urban areas as part of the FOD, which involves visiting door-to-door, asking allotted survey related questions, and gathering responses.
  • Report Generation and Analysis: After collecting the data from the field the JSO organizes it (by age groups, income categories, employment types, etc.), generates estimates and parameters, verifies the data, performs statistical analysis (using graphs, charts, tables), and submits the report to senior statistical officers, department heads, or government ministries.
  • Supervision: During field operations the JSO guides and supervises the field staff or enumerators.
  • Coordination with Local Authorities: For data collection the JSO coordinates with local authorities such as the Sarpanch, Municipal Corporations, District Collector, and local police stations.

SSC CGL Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) Survey Example

Socio-Economic Survey

Household Income Data

  • What is the monthly income of each household?
  • How many family members are working?
  • What are the main sources of income?
  • How many people receive financial support from government schemes (PM Kisan, Pension, etc.)?

SSC CGL Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) Promotion

  • Junior Statistical Officer (JSO)
  • Senior Statistical Officer (SSO)
  • Assistant Director
  • Deputy Director (Max promotion)
  • Joint Director
  • Director
  • Deputy Director General (DDG)
  • Additional Director General (ADG)
  • Director General (DG)

SSC CGL Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) Salary

The basic salary of a JSO is according to Pay Level 6 and Grade Pay 4200 which amounts to up to ₹35,400. Including all benefits and allowances the gross salary can be up to ₹70,000. After deductions from the gross salary the in-hand salary ranges from ₹50,000 to ₹60,000. This salary depends on the posting city, whether it is in the X, Y, or Z category.

Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) Salary
Rank Pay level Grade pay Basic salary Gross salary
Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) 6 4200 ₹35,400 ₹50,000 - ₹55,000
Senior Statistical Officer (SSO) 7 4600 ₹44,900 ₹60,000 - ₹70,000
Assistant Director 10 5400 ₹56,100 ₹75,000 - ₹90,000
Deputy Director 11 6600 ₹67,700 ₹90,000 - ₹1,00,000
Joint Director 12 7600 ₹78,800 ₹1,00,000 - ₹1,20,000
Director 13 8700 ₹1,23,100 ₹1,50,000 - ₹1,60,000
Deputy Director General (DDG) 13A 8900 ₹1,31,100 ₹1,60,000 - ₹1,70,000
Additional Director General (ADG) 14 10000 ₹1,44,200 ₹1,90,000 - ₹2,00,000
Director General (DG) 15 Higher Administrative Grade ₹1,82,200 ₹2,25,000+

Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) Benifits & allowence

  • Government resedence quarter or HRA
  • LTC
  • CGHS
  • NPS
  • TA (only for FOD)
  • DA

SSC CGL Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) Power

  • Collection of Official Data (Collection of Statistics Act 2008): JSO has the legal authority to collect data under the Collection of Statistics Act 2008. Through this act they have the right to demand required data from individuals, organizations, and businesses for surveys.
  • Penalty for Non-compliance: If an individual or organization does not cooperate with the JSO's survey or data collection process a penalty can be imposed under the Collection of Statistics Act 2008. However the JSO does not have the authority to impose the penalty themselves; it is done through higher authorities based on the JSO's recommendation.

SSC CGL Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) Advantages

  • Data Collection Authority: JSO has the authority to collect data for government-authorized surveys.
  • Low Workload: Generally the job of a Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) involves low work pressure, which includes tasks like data collection, data analysis, and preparing survey reports. The work is mainly organized and scheduled with little pressure on regular daily workload.
  • No Department Exam for Promotion: JSOs do not have to appear for a departmental exam for promotion to higher positions like Senior Statistical Officer (SSO) or other posts.

Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) Disadvantages

  • Field Operations Division (FOD: 85% to 95% of JSOs are assigned work in the Field Operations Division (FOD), while 5% to 15% are assigned desk-based work.
  • Non-Supportive work: During fieldwork JSOs often face non-supportive individuals who do not cooperate as expected.
  • Language Barrier: When posted in multilingual regions JSOs have to interact directly with local people for surveys and data collection as the responses of these people are crucial. The lack of understanding of the local language can pose a language problem for JSOs.
  • Extra Exam to Become JSO: To become a Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) candidates have to appear for an extra Paper 2 in the SSC CGL exam, which is specific to this post unlike other posts.
  • Low Salary: The work of a JSO mainly revolves around data collection and surveys with no role in decision-making or policy implementation. As a result the workload and responsibility are predefined and repetitive leading to a lower salary compared to other posts.
  • Stressful Work: JSOs often have to travel from one village to another and across different areas for surveys. During these surveys they need to ask questions to many households, which can lead to daily tiredness and stress.