Overview
The Tier-I computer-based exam of the SSC Combined Graduate Level Examination 2026 (CGL) runs from 30 September to 30 October 2026. In a notice on its website, the Staff Selection Commission said candidates can see their allotted exam city through their login on ssc.gov.in, and that the admit card (SSC calls it the Admission Certificate) can be downloaded two to three days before each candidate’s own exam date.
This matters to a very large group: the CGL 2026 notice lists about 12,256 tentative vacancies in Group B and Group C posts across central ministries and departments. Because the exam is spread over a whole month, admit cards are not released for everyone on a single day. Your card appears only when your own exam date is two or three days away.
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Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Tier-I exam window | 30 September to 30 October 2026 |
| Admit card download | 2 to 3 days before your own exam date |
| Tier-II exam (tentative, as per original notice) | December 2026 |
Vacancy Details
The CGL 2026 notice gives about 12,256 tentative vacancies. They cover Group B and Group C posts such as Assistant Audit Officer, Assistant Section Officer, various Inspector posts and several clerical and accounts posts, at pay levels 4 to 8. Final numbers are decided by SSC and the hiring departments later.
Eligibility, Age Limit and Application Fee
The application window for CGL 2026 closed in June 2026, so this update is only for candidates who have already applied. Eligibility, age limits and the fee (Rs 100, with exemptions for women, SC, ST, PwBD and ex-servicemen candidates) were fixed in the original notice and are not changing at this stage.
Selection Process
- Tier-I: 100 objective questions for 200 marks in four equal sections (General Intelligence and Reasoning, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, English Comprehension). The total time is one hour, and each section has its own 15-minute timer.
- Every wrong answer in Tier-I costs 0.50 marks, so random guessing can pull your score down.
- Tier-I is used for shortlisting candidates, category-wise, for Tier-II. The final merit is prepared from Tier-II marks.
- Tier-II has a main paper for all shortlisted candidates, plus a Statistics paper and a Finance and Economics paper only for candidates of the specific posts that need them.
- Selected candidates then go through document verification.
How to Download the Admit Card
- Visit https://ssc.gov.in and click on the login option.
- Sign in with your registration number (OTR) and password.
- In your dashboard, look for the CGL 2026 Tier-I exam city details first, so you know where you will be travelling.
- Two or three days before your exam date, check the dashboard again and download the admit card.
- Read the card carefully: exam date, shift, reporting time, gate closing time and centre address.
- Take a clear printout. Keep a second printout in your bag in case one gets damaged.
Documents Needed on Exam Day
- A printout of the admit card. Follow the exact list of documents printed on your own admit card, as it is the final instruction for your centre.
- An original photo ID that shows your date of birth, for example Aadhaar or e-Aadhaar printout, voter ID, driving licence, PAN card, passport, or an ID card issued by your college or government employer.
- If your photo ID does not show your date of birth, carry an original document that does, such as your Class 10 certificate or birth certificate.
- Two recent passport-size colour photographs.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Waiting for an all-India release date. Cards are issued in batches, based on each exam date.
- Trusting a shift time from social media or friends. Timings can differ by shift and centre, so follow only what is printed on your own admit card.
- Reaching the centre close to the gate closing time. Visit the centre a day earlier if it is in an unfamiliar area.
- Carrying a photocopy instead of the original ID.
- Attempting every question by guesswork. With 0.50 negative marks per wrong answer, leaving doubtful questions blank is often safer.
What Happens Next
Once Tier-I is over, SSC will put the tentative answer keys on its website. Candidates can raise objections online within the time allowed by paying the per-question fee stated in SSC’s answer key notice. After checking the objections, SSC will announce the Tier-I result and the list of candidates shortlisted for Tier-II, which was tentatively planned for December 2026 in the original notice. Final answer keys are shared only after the result.
Official Links
- Official website and login: https://ssc.gov.in
- Exam city and admit card notice: https://ssc.gov.in/api/attachment/uploads/masterData/NoticeBoards/cgle_2026_city_live_21092026.pdf
- CGL 2026 notice (PDF): https://ssc.gov.in/api/attachment/uploads/masterData/NoticeBoards/Notice_of_adv_cgl_2025.pdf
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