The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has implemented several significant changes in the upcoming SSC Combined Graduate Level (CGL) Examination 2026. The commission released the SSC CGL Notification 2026 on May 21, 2026, introducing sectional timing in both Tier 1 and Tier 2 papers. Under the revised SSC CGL Exam 2026 pattern, each section in the question paper will now have a fixed sectional timing. Candidates will not be able to answer the questions once the allotted time for that section ends. The exam will automatically move to the next section.
The SSC CGL Exam 2026 for Tier 1 is scheduled to be held in August-September 2026, while the Tier 2 will be conducted in December, 2026. The SSC CGL Application 2026 has started on the official website – ssc.gov.in from May 21, 2026 and will be closed by June 22, 2026. After the application process, the commission will open the window for SSC CGL Application Form Correction from June 29, 2026, to July 1, 2026. The exam is conducted to recruit aspiring candidates for government positions such as Assistant Audit Officer, Income‑Tax Inspector, Section‑Officer, Tax Assistant etc.
SSC CGL Exam 2026: Know the revised exam pattern for Tier 1 and Tier 2
Candidates who are planning to appear for the upcoming SSC CGL Exam 2026 can refer to the following tables to know the new exam pattern introduced this year.
SSC CGL Tier 1 Exam 2026 Pattern
| Section | Questions | Marks | Time Limit |
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 25 | 50 | 15 Minutes |
| General Awareness | 25 | 50 | 15 Minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 50 | 15 Minutes |
| English Comprehension | 25 | 50 | 15 Minutes |
| Total | 100 | 200 | 60 Minutes |
SSC CGL Tier 2 Exam 2026 Pattern
| Section | Subject | Time Limit |
| Section I | Mathematical Abilities | 30 Minutes |
| Section I | Reasoning & General Intelligence | 30 Minutes |
| Section II | English Language & Comprehension | 40 Minutes |
| Section II | General Awareness | 20 Minutes |
| Section III | Computer Knowledge Test | 15 Minutes |
| Section IV | Data Entry Speed Test (DEST) | 15 Minutes |
Also Read: SSC CGL 2026 Detailed Exam Pattern
SSC CGL Notification 2026: Check the complete exam schedule here
As the SSC CGL Registration Process 2026 has started, students who want to appear for the exam should start applying without wasting any time. Prospective candidates can check the complete exam schedule below:
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| SSC CGL Application Form 2026 Dates | 21.05.2026 to 22.06.2026 |
| Last date and time for candidates to apply | 22.06.2026 (23:00 hours) |
| Last date and time for online fee payment | 23.06.2026 (23:00 hours) |
| Application Form Correction Window Dates 2026 | 29.06.2026 to 01.07.2026 (23:00 hours) |
| Schedule of Tier-I (Tentative) | August–September, 2026 |
| Tentative Schedule of Tier-II (Tentative) | December, 2026 |
Candidates who have already registered for the upcoming SSC CGL Exam 2026 can also check the official SSC Syllabus 2026 and exam pattern on the online portal of the commission mentioned above.
