Dreaming of a prestigious and secure job in a central government ministry like Foreign Affairs, Income Tax, or the CBI? If you are a graduate, the SSC CGL exam is your golden ticket. It’s often called the “king of all government exams” in India for a reason.
But what exactly is SSC CGL? How can you apply for it? What posts can you get, and what will your salary be?
Welcome to the ultimate master guide by Rojgar Point. In this article, we will cover everything from A to Z about the SSC Combined Graduate Level (CGL) examination. Whether you are a beginner or have started your preparation, this guide will solve all your doubts. Let’s dive in! 🚀
What is the Full Form of SSC CGL?
First things first, let’s get the basics right. The full form of SSC CGL is the Staff Selection Commission – Combined Graduate Level Examination.
- SSC (Staff Selection Commission): The government body that conducts the exam.
- CGL (Combined Graduate Level): This means the exam is for graduates (those who have a bachelor’s degree) and combines recruitment for various posts into a single examination.
In simple terms, SSC CGL is a national-level exam conducted once a year to recruit candidates for prestigious Group ‘B’ and Group ‘C’ posts in different ministries and departments of the Government of India.
Why Choose a Career Through SSC CGL?
Lakhs of students appear for the CGL exam every year. What makes it so attractive? A job through SSC CGL isn’t just a job; it’s a promise of a stable and rewarding life.
- Unmatched Job Security: Central government jobs are the most secure careers in India, free from the ups and downs of the private sector.
- Handsome Salary & Perks: CGL posts offer excellent salaries under the 7th Pay Commission, along with benefits like Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), and Travel Allowance (TA).
- Social Respect and Prestige: Working as an Inspector, Assistant Section Officer, or Sub-Inspector in a central government department carries immense social respect.
- Excellent Career Growth: You get timely promotions, which lead to a significant rise in your position and salary over the years.
- Power and Responsibility: Many posts, like Inspector in CBIC/CBDT or Sub-Inspector in CBI, give you the power to serve the nation and make a real impact.
Complete List of SSC CGL Posts (Categorized by Pay Level)
The SSC CGL exam is a gateway to over 30 different types of posts. These posts are categorized into different Pay Levels, which determine their salary and seniority. Here is a clear breakdown.
| Pay Level | Post Name | Ministry / Department |
| Level 8 (₹47,600 – ₹1,51,100) | Assistant Audit Officer (AAO) | Indian Audit & Accounts Department (C&AG) |
| Assistant Accounts Officer (AAO) | Indian Audit & Accounts Department (C&AG) | |
| Level 7 (₹44,900 – ₹1,42,400) | Assistant Section Officer (ASO) | Central Secretariat Service, IB, MEA, etc. |
| Inspector of Income Tax | CBDT | |
| Inspector (Central Excise / Preventive Officer / Examiner) | CBIC | |
| Assistant Enforcement Officer (AEO) | Directorate of Enforcement (ED) | |
| Sub-Inspector (SI) | Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) / NIA | |
| Inspector | Department of Post | |
| Level 6 (₹35,400 – ₹1,12,400) | Assistant / Superintendent | Various Ministries |
| Divisional Accountant | Offices under C&AG | |
| Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) | Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation | |
| Executive Assistant | CBIC | |
| Level 5 (₹29,200 – ₹92,300) | Auditor | Offices under C&AG, CGDA |
| Accountant | Offices under C&AG | |
| Junior Accountant | Various Ministries | |
| Level 4 (₹25,500 – ₹81,100) | Senior Secretariat Assistant / Upper Division Clerk (UDC) | Various Central Govt. Offices |
| Tax Assistant | CBDT / CBIC | |
| Sub-Inspector | Central Bureau of Narcotics |
SSC CGL Eligibility Criteria (Updated for 2025)
Before you apply, you must ensure you meet the eligibility criteria. Here are the detailed requirements.
1. Nationality
The candidate must be a citizen of India.
2. Educational Qualification
The basic requirement for all posts is a Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized university.
| Post Name | Required Educational Qualification |
| All Posts (Except JSO & AAO) | Bachelor’s Degree in any discipline. |
| Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) | Bachelor’s Degree with at least 60% in Mathematics at 12th standard level OR Bachelor’s Degree in any subject with Statistics as one of the subjects. |
| Assistant Audit Officer / Assistant Accounts Officer (AAO) | Bachelor’s Degree (Essential). Desirable: CA/CS/MBA/Cost & Management Accountant. |
Important Note for Final Year Students: Students in the final year of their graduation can also apply, but they must have their degree certificate before the cut-off date mentioned in the official notification.
3. Age Limit
The age limit for SSC CGL varies depending on the post. It generally ranges from 18 to 32 years.
| Post Name | Age Limit |
| Inspector (CBDT/CBIC), Assistant Enforcement Officer, SI (CBI) | 18 – 30 Years |
| Assistant Section Officer (ASO) | 20 – 30 Years |
| Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) | Up to 32 Years |
| Auditor, Accountant, UDC, Tax Assistant | 18 – 27 Years |
Age Relaxation: There is a relaxation in the upper age limit for reserved categories as per government rules (e.g., 5 years for SC/ST, 3 years for OBC).
SSC CGL Exam Pattern (Latest Tier-wise Structure)
The SSC CGL selection process is conducted in two main stages, called “Tiers.”
Tier-I Examination
This is the first stage. It is a computer-based objective test that is qualifying in nature. The marks scored here are not added to the final merit list, but you must clear the cut-off to be eligible for Tier-II.
| Subject | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Duration |
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 25 | 50 | 1 Hour (60 Minutes) |
| General Awareness | 25 | 50 | |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 50 | |
| English Comprehension | 25 | 50 | |
| Total | 100 | 200 |
Negative Marking: There is a negative marking of 0.50 for each wrong answer.
Tier-II Examination
This is the main stage, and your final selection depends entirely on the marks scored here. It is also a computer-based exam.
| Paper | Session | Subject / Module | No. of Questions | Max Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper-I (For all posts) | Session-I | Section-I: – Module-I: Mathematical Abilities – Module-II: Reasoning | 30 30 Total: 60 | 180 | 1 Hour |
| Section-II: – Module-I: English Language – Module-II: General Awareness | 45 25 Total: 70 | 210 | 1 Hour | ||
| Section-III: – Module-I: Computer Knowledge (Qualifying) – Module-II: DEST (Qualifying) | 20 One Task | 60 – | 15 Mins 15 Mins | ||
| Paper-II | (For JSO posts) | Statistics | 100 | 200 | 2 Hours |
| Paper-III | (For AAO posts) | General Studies (Finance & Economics) | 100 | 200 | 2 Hours |
Negative Marking: In Paper-I, there is a negative marking of 1 mark for each wrong answer. In Paper-II and Paper-III, it is 0.50 marks.
SSC CGL Syllabus: What to Study for Each Subject
Here is a brief overview of the topics you need to cover for the Tier-I exam. The syllabus for Tier-II is similar but more advanced.
- General Intelligence & Reasoning: Analogy, Classification, Coding-Decoding, Puzzles, Series, Venn Diagrams, Blood Relations, Syllogism.
- General Awareness: History, Geography, Polity, Economics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Current Affairs (last 6-8 months), Static GK (Books, Dances, Awards).
- Quantitative Aptitude: Percentage, Profit & Loss, Ratio, Time & Work, Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Mensuration, Data Interpretation.
- English Comprehension: Reading Comprehension, Cloze Test, Vocabulary (Synonyms/Antonyms, One-word Substitution, Idioms), Grammar (Error Spotting, Sentence Improvement), Para Jumbles.
SSC CGL Salary Structure: The Best Part!
The salary is one of the biggest motivators for SSC CGL aspirants. The in-hand salary depends on the Pay Level and the city of posting (X, Y, Z cities).
| Pay Level | Basic Pay | City X (Approx. Gross Salary) | City Y (Approx. Gross Salary) | City Z (Approx. Gross Salary) |
| Level 8 | ₹47,600 | ₹85,000+ | ₹78,000+ | ₹72,000+ |
| Level 7 | ₹44,900 | ₹77,000+ | ₹70,000+ | ₹65,000+ |
| Level 6 | ₹35,400 | ₹62,000+ | ₹57,000+ | ₹53,000+ |
| Level 5 | ₹29,200 | ₹51,000+ | ₹46,000+ | ₹42,000+ |
| Level 4 | ₹25,500 | ₹44,000+ | ₹39,000+ | ₹36,000+ |
Note: This is the approximate gross salary. The in-hand salary will be slightly less after deductions like NPS and taxes.
Step-by-Step SSC CGL Selection Process
- Fill the Application Form: When the official notification is released, fill out the application form on the official SSC website (ssc.gov.in).
- Appear for Tier-I Exam: Download your admit card and appear for the Tier-I computer-based exam.
- Qualify for Tier-II Exam: If you clear the Tier-I cut-off, you will be eligible for the Tier-II exam.
- Final Merit List: Based on your performance in the Tier-II examination, a final merit list is prepared.
- Document Verification: Shortlisted candidates are called for document verification to check their original documents.
- Final Allotment: Based on your rank in the merit list and the post preferences you filled, you are finally allotted a post and a department.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Is the SSC CGL exam very tough?
Ans: The competition is high, but with a consistent preparation strategy, it is definitely possible to crack the exam. Millions of average students clear it every year.
Q2: Is there an interview for SSC CGL posts?
Ans: No, the interview process for all SSC CGL posts has been discontinued. Selection is based only on the exam performance.
Q3: Which is the highest paying post in SSC CGL?
Ans: The Assistant Audit Officer (AAO) and Assistant Accounts Officer (AAO) posts at Pay Level 8 offer the highest salary.
Q4: How many attempts are allowed for SSC CGL?
Ans: There is no limit on the number of attempts. You can appear for the exam as long as you fulfill the age criteria.
Q5: Is Maths compulsory for SSC CGL?
Ans: Yes, Quantitative Aptitude (Maths) is a compulsory subject in both Tier-I and Tier-II.
We hope this master guide from Rojgar Point has cleared all your doubts about the SSC CGL examination. Your dream job is just a few steps away. Start your preparation today! For the latest updates, notifications, and study strategies, stay connected with us.
