SSC CGL Eligibility 2026
Age limit, relaxation, qualification and physical standards.
Updated 22 October 2026
SSC CGL eligibility criteria 2026
To be eligible for SSC CGL 2026, you need a bachelor's degree, must fall within the post-wise age band (18 to 32 years at most) as on 01 August 2026, and must meet the nationality rules in the notification. A few posts also have subject conditions or physical and medical standards.
| Criterion | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Qualification | Graduation from a recognised university |
| Age limit | 18–27, 20–30, 18–30 or 18–32 years, depending on the post |
| Age counted on | 01 August 2026 |
| Physical standards | Only for some Inspector and Sub-Inspector posts |
| Attempts | No limit while you are within the age limit |
Nationality
You must be one of the following:
- a citizen of India
- a subject of Nepal or Bhutan
- a person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma (Myanmar), Sri Lanka, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia or Vietnam to settle permanently in India
Candidates in the Nepal, Bhutan and migrant categories can sit the exam, but they need a certificate of eligibility from the Government of India before they are appointed. Vacancies in the Border Roads Organisation, if any are reported, are open to male candidates only.
SSC CGL age limit 2026 (post-wise)
| Age band | Date of birth range | Example posts |
|---|---|---|
| 18–27 years | 02-08-1999 to 01-08-2008 | Auditor, Accountant, Tax Assistant, Postal/Sorting Assistant, UDC/SSA, Sub-Inspector (CBN) |
| 20–30 years | 02-08-1996 to 01-08-2006 | ASO in CSS, Railways, MEA and AFHQ; Sub-Inspector in CBI |
| 18–30 years | 02-08-1996 to 01-08-2008 | AAO/AAO (Accounts), Income Tax Inspector, CBIC Inspectors, AEO, ASO (IB, MeitY), SI in NIA, Divisional Accountant |
| 18–32 years | 02-08-1994 to 01-08-2008 | Junior Statistical Officer (MoSPI) |
Check the age limit for each post you list as a preference, because a post whose upper age you have crossed will not be allotted to you. Pay levels and departments for every post are on the SSC CGL posts and salary page.
SSC CGL age relaxation
| Category | Relaxation in upper age |
|---|---|
| OBC | 3 years |
| SC / ST | 5 years |
| PwBD (General) | 10 years |
| PwBD (OBC) | 13 years |
| PwBD (SC / ST) | 15 years |
| Ex-Servicemen (General / OBC / SC-ST) | 3 / 6 / 8 years after deducting military service |
| Central Govt civilian employees, Group B (General / OBC / SC-ST) | 5 / 8 / 10 years |
| Central Govt civilian employees, Group C (General / OBC / SC-ST) | Up to 40 / 43 / 45 years of age |
| Domiciled in Jammu & Kashmir (General / OBC / SC-ST) | 5 / 8 / 10 years |
| Widows, divorced or judicially separated women not remarried (General / OBC / SC-ST) | Up to 35 / 38 / 40 years of age |
| Defence personnel disabled in operations (General / OBC / SC-ST) | 3 / 6 / 8 years |
Educational qualification
| Post | Qualification needed |
|---|---|
| All posts except those below | Bachelor's degree in any discipline |
| Junior Statistical Officer | Degree with at least 60% in Mathematics in Class 12, or a degree with Statistics as a subject |
| Statistical Investigator Grade-II | Degree with Statistics, Mathematics or Economics (the 2026 notice also lists related subjects such as Data Science, Computer Science and AI) |
| Research Assistant (NHRC) | Degree plus 1 year of research experience |
Final-year students can apply, but they must have the degree and proof of it on or before 01 August 2026. Without it, the candidature is cancelled at document verification.
Physical and medical standards
Only a few field posts need physical tests: Inspector (Central Excise), Inspector (Preventive Officer), Inspector (Examiner), Sub-Inspector in CBI and NIA, and Inspector/Sub-Inspector in the Central Bureau of Narcotics.
| Standard | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 157.5 cm | 152 cm |
| Chest | 81 cm with 5 cm expansion | Not required |
| Weight | Not specified | 48 kg |
| Walking | 1,600 m in 15 minutes | 1 km in 20 minutes |
| Cycling | 8 km in 30 minutes | 3 km in 25 minutes |
The cycling test does not apply to Sub-Inspector in CBN. Height is relaxed for ST, Garhwali, Gorkha and Assamese candidates, among others. Vision must be 6/6 in one eye and 6/9 in the other for distance, and 0.6 and 0.8 for near vision. Office posts such as ASO, AAO, Income Tax Inspector, Auditor, Accountant, Tax Assistant and JSO only need basic medical fitness.
Documents checked at verification
You will need your Aadhaar, Class 10 certificate (as age proof), graduation certificate, and any category, EWS or PwBD certificate, along with your photograph and signature. Common mistakes that lead to rejection are choosing the wrong category, entering the wrong date of birth, an invalid OBC or EWS certificate, and applying after crossing the age limit. The filing steps are on the SSC CGL application form page.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum qualification for SSC CGL 2026?
A bachelor's degree from a recognised university. JSO and Statistical Investigator Grade-II also need specific subjects such as Mathematics or Statistics.
What is the SSC CGL age limit in 2026?
The minimum age is 18. The upper limit is 27, 30 or 32 years depending on the post, and age is counted as on 01 August 2026.
Can final-year students apply for SSC CGL?
Yes, as long as they finish graduation and hold the degree by 01 August 2026. They must show proof of it at document verification.
How much age relaxation do OBC candidates get in SSC CGL?
OBC candidates get 3 years of relaxation in the upper age limit. SC/ST candidates get 5 years, and PwBD candidates get 10 to 15 years depending on their category.
Do all SSC CGL posts have a physical test?
No. Physical standards only apply to some field posts such as CBIC Inspectors and Sub-Inspectors in CBI, NIA and CBN. Most office posts only need basic medical fitness.
Always check the latest official notification on ssc.gov.in before applying.