SSC CGL 2026 Eligibility Criteria — Age Limit, Education, Nationality & Relaxation
The Staff Selection Commission is expected to release the SSC CGL 2026 Notification between April and May 2026 for recruitment to various Group B and Group C posts in central government ministries and departments. Before applying for the Combined Graduate Level Examination, candidates must thoroughly understand the updated SSC CGL Eligibility Criteria 2026, including age limits, educational qualifications, post-specific requirements, and relaxation rules.
SSC CGL is one of the most competitive graduate-level examinations in India, and eligibility varies by post. Therefore, aspirants must ensure that they meet the prescribed age and qualification criteria as on the crucial date, which is generally 01 August 2026.
Stay updated with the latest SSC CGL 2026 notification, SSC exam calendar, and SSC current recruitment alerts by bookmarking this page. 
What is the SSC CGL Eligibility Criteria 2026?
To apply for SSC CGL 2026, candidates must satisfy the essential conditions related to nationality, age limit, and educational qualification. The minimum qualification required for most posts is a Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized university. Candidates who are in their final year of graduation may also apply, provided they acquire the required degree before the cut-off date mentioned in the official notification.
The nationality criteria require that a candidate be:
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A citizen of India, or
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A subject of Nepal or Bhutan, or
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A Tibetan refugee who came to India before 1 January 1962 with the intention of permanent settlement.
Candidates belonging to categories other than Indian citizens must possess a certificate of eligibility issued by the Government of India.
Candidates preparing for SSC CGL along with SSC CHSL or SSC CPO should regularly check SSC current updates to avoid missing important eligibility announcements. 
SSC CGL Age Limit 2026
The SSC CGL 2026 age limit varies depending on the post. Generally, the minimum age is 18 years, and the maximum age ranges between 27 and 32 years, calculated as on 01 August 2026 (expected).
For clarity, the typical age categories are as follows:
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18–27 years: Usually for Auditor, Accountant, Tax Assistant posts
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20–30 years: Typically for Assistant Section Officer (ASO) posts
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Up to 30 years: Inspector posts such as Income Tax and Central Excise
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Up to 32 years: Junior Statistical Officer (JSO)
Since the upper age limit differs by post, candidates must carefully verify the exact age criteria mentioned in the official 2026 notification before applying.
Age relaxation is provided as per Government rules. The standard relaxation structure includes:
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SC/ST: 5 years
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OBC: 3 years
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PwD (Unreserved): 10 years
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PwD + OBC: 13 years
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PwD + SC/ST: 15 years
Additional relaxations are applicable for Ex-Servicemen and other special categories as notified by the Commission. Candidates claiming relaxation must produce valid certificates during document verification.
Always calculate your age as per the SSC CGL 2026 cut-off date before submitting the online application form.
SSC CGL Educational Qualification 2026
The core educational requirement for SSC CGL 2026 is a Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized university. However, certain posts require specialized qualifications.
For Junior Statistical Officer (JSO), candidates must either have secured at least 60% in Mathematics at the 12th level or possess a Bachelor’s degree with Statistics as one of the subjects.
For Statistical Investigator Grade-II, a Bachelor’s degree in any subject with Statistics as one of the subjects is mandatory.
For Assistant Audit Officer (AAO), the essential qualification is a Bachelor’s degree, while professional qualifications such as CA, CS, CMA, or a Commerce/Finance specialization are considered desirable.
Candidates in their final year of graduation may apply, but they must possess proof of graduation by the specified cut-off date; otherwise, their candidature will be cancelled.
Download and carefully read the SSC CGL 2026 official notification PDF to confirm post-specific educational requirements.
Post-Specific Eligibility Conditions
Certain posts under SSC CGL require additional criteria beyond graduation. For example, Assistant Section Officer posts in some departments may require a Computer Proficiency Test. Inspector and enforcement posts may have distinct age brackets compared to clerical or assistant-level posts.
Because SSC CGL includes multiple departments such as Income Tax, Central Excise, Audit, Accounts, and Statistical Departments, the eligibility requirements must be verified post-wise before applying.
Check SSC current vacancy details and post-wise eligibility before selecting your preference in the CGL 2026 application form.
Important Instructions Regarding SSC CGL 2026 Eligibility
Candidates must ensure that all information provided in the online application is correct and supported by valid documents. The Commission verifies eligibility at multiple stages of the recruitment process, including document verification. Submission of false or fabricated documents may result in immediate cancellation of candidature and permanent debarment from SSC examinations.
All required documents, including graduation certificates, caste certificates, and age proof, must be produced in original format when requested. Eligibility is provisional until final verification by the Commission.
Stay connected for daily SSC CGL 2026 updates, syllabus changes, exam dates, and SSC current job alerts.
Final Summary – SSC CGL Eligibility Criteria 2026
The SSC CGL 2026 eligibility criteria require candidates to:
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Hold a Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university
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Be within the prescribed 18–32 years age range (depending on post)
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Meet nationality conditions
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Fulfill post-specific qualifications such as Statistics or professional certifications (where applicable)
Before applying, candidates must carefully review the official notification to confirm post-wise age and qualification criteria.
For the latest updates on SSC CGL 2026 notification, SSC exam calendar, SSC syllabus, and SSC current recruitment news, bookmark this page and stay regularly updated with official announcements.
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