Staff Selection Commission – Combined Graduate Level (SSC CGL) is the biggest graduate-level recruitment for central government Group B and Group C posts — Inspector in Income Tax, GST and Customs, Assistant Section Officer in ministries, Auditor, Accountant, Sub-Inspector in CBI and NIA, and many more. One exam opens the door to dozens of departments.
The CGL Examination is conducted every year by the SSC to fill posts in central ministries, departments and constitutional bodies. Candidates fill one application, rank their post preferences, and are allotted posts based on their Tier 2 rank, preferences and eligibility.
Since the 2022 restructure, Tier 1 is qualifying and the final merit list is based on Tier 2. Tier 2 includes a Computer Knowledge module and a Data Entry Speed Test, and separate papers for Junior Statistical Officer and Assistant Audit Officer posts.
Bachelor of Arts (BA), BCom, BSc, BTech, Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) and others are all eligible for most posts.
Needed for Junior Statistical Officer (Maths with 60% in Class 12, or Statistics in graduation).
Accountancy and finance knowledge helps for AAO (Paper III) and Accountant posts.
| Criterion | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Indian citizen (or as specified in the notification) |
| Qualification | Bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognised university by the cut-off date |
| Junior Statistical Officer | Graduation with 60% in Maths in Class 12, or graduation with Statistics as a subject |
| Statistical Investigator Gr. II | Graduation with Statistics as a subject in all years |
| Age — many posts | 18–27 years (e.g. Auditor, Accountant, UDC, Tax Assistant) |
| Age — Inspector posts | 18–30 years (Income Tax, CGST, Customs, CBN) |
| Age — ASO (CSS) & CBI SI | 20–30 years |
| Age — JSO and some posts | Up to 32 years |
| Category | Relaxation |
|---|---|
| Other Backward Classes (OBC) (non-creamy layer) | 3 years |
| SC / ST | 5 years |
| PwBD (UR / OBC / SC-ST) | 10 / 13 / 15 years |
| Ex-servicemen | As per government rules (military service deducted from age, plus 3 years) |
| Economically Weaker Section (EWS) | No age relaxation |
Departmental central government employees get additional relaxation for some posts. Exact post-wise limits are in each year's notification.
| Post / standard | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|
| Inspector (CGST, Customs, CBN) — height | 157.5 cm | 152 cm |
| Inspector — chest (men) | 81 cm, 5 cm expansion | Not applicable |
| Inspector — walking | 1600 m in 15 minutes | 1 km in 20 minutes |
| Inspector — cycling | 8 km in 30 minutes | 3 km in 25 minutes |
| Sub-Inspector (CBI) — height | 165 cm | 150 cm |
Physical standards apply only to the posts listed in the notification. Relaxations apply for some categories and regions.
One application covers all CGL posts; preferences are locked at the stage SSC specifies.
A 60-minute objective test on four subjects. Clearing the cut-off takes you to Tier 2.
Maths, Reasoning, English, General Awareness, Computer Knowledge and Data Entry Speed Test.
Statistics for JSO; General Studies (Finance & Economics) for AAO.
Physical tests for Inspector and SI posts; medical for some posts.
Posts allotted by Tier 2 rank, preference and eligibility.
| Section | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 25 | 50 | — |
| General Awareness | 25 | 50 | — |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 50 | — |
| English Comprehension | 25 | 50 | — |
| Total | 100 | 200 | 60 minutes |
| Section / module | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Section I — Mathematical Abilities | 30 | 90 | 1 hour (Section I) |
| Section I — Reasoning & General Intelligence | 30 | 90 | |
| Section II — English Language & Comprehension | 45 | 135 | 1 hour (Section II) |
| Section II — General Awareness | 25 | 75 | |
| Section III — Computer Knowledge (qualifying) | 20 | 60 | 15 minutes |
| Section III — Data Entry Speed Test (qualifying) | 1 passage | — | 15 minutes |
Sections I and II count for merit (390 marks). Computer Knowledge and DEST are qualifying.
| Paper | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper II — Statistics (Junior Statistical Officer) | 100 | 200 | 2 hours |
| Paper III — General Studies: Finance & Economics (AAO) | 100 | 200 | 2 hours |
+2 per correct answer; −0.5 per wrong answer.
+3 per correct answer in Paper I; −1 per wrong answer in Sections I, II and the Computer module.
+2 per correct answer; −0.5 per wrong answer.
English and Hindi (English module in English only); SSC also offers Tier 1 in several regional languages.
Collection and presentation of data, probability, sampling, index numbers (JSO); accounting, auditing, economics and governance (AAO).
Income Tax, GST, Customs Inspector, ASO, CBI SI and similar posts.
With DA, House Rent Allowance (HRA) and allowances, depending on city; before deductions.
The highest-paying CGL post, with strong promotion prospects in audit and accounts.
| Post | Department (examples) | Pay level |
|---|---|---|
| Assistant Audit Officer | Indian Audit & Accounts Department (C&AG) | Level 8 (₹47,600) |
| Assistant Section Officer | Central Secretariat Service, MEA, other ministries | Level 7 (₹44,900) |
| Inspector (Income Tax / CGST / Customs) | CBDT, CBIC | Level 7 (₹44,900) |
| Sub-Inspector | CBI, NIA | Level 7 (₹44,900) |
| Junior Statistical Officer | Ministry of Statistics (MoSPI) | Level 6 (₹35,400) |
| Auditor / Accountant / Junior Accountant | C&AG, CGDA, CGA and others | Level 5 (₹29,200) |
| Upper Division Clerk / Tax Assistant | Various offices, CBDT, CBIC | Level 4 (₹25,500) |
The exact list of posts changes every year — check the notification's post table.
Assessments, surveys, searches and enforcement in income tax, GST or customs.
Policy files, noting and drafting in central ministries in Delhi.
Audit and accounts of government departments and defence establishments.
Pension (NPS/UPS as applicable), medical (CGHS), LTC, government housing and leave benefits.
Typical entry posts at Level 7.
Promotion after several years of service.
Group A ranks through further promotion.
Deputy Commissioner, Deputy Secretary and above over a long career.
A practical, phase-by-phase plan. Adjust the timeline to when the next notification is expected.
Together they carry the most marks in Tier 2.
SSC repeats patterns and question types.
DEST is qualifying — practise 2,000 key depressions in 15 minutes.
General Awareness can be the difference between selection and a near miss.
*Eligibility, age limits, exam pattern and pay figures are based on recent official notifications and the 7th Central Pay Commission structure as of 2026. In-hand salary estimates are indicative and vary with city (HRA) and the current Dearness Allowance rate. Every recruitment cycle can change the details — always confirm in the latest official notification before applying.
Official source: Staff Selection Commission (ssc.gov.in)