If a central government job is on your wish-list, the clock is loud today. The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) had reopened the application window for its biggest exam — Combined Graduate Level (CGL) 2026 — and that window closes tonight, 25 June 2026, at 11:00 PM.
This is for 12,256 vacancies across about 40 different Group B and Group C posts in central ministries and departments. It is one of the largest single doors into the central government for graduates this year.
The dates you cannot miss
- Apply online: by 25 June 2026, 11:00 PM (today).
- Pay the fee: by 26 June 2026 (tomorrow). The form is only complete once the fee is paid, so don’t leave it for later.
- Correction window: 1–3 July 2026 — to fix small mistakes in your form.
- Tier 1 exam (CBT): expected in August–September 2026.
If you have started a form but not submitted it, finish and pay now. SSC servers get jammed in the final hours, so applying early today is the safe move.
Who can apply
- Education: a bachelor’s degree in any stream from a recognised university (a few posts have extra requirements).
- Age: broadly 18 to 32 years, but the exact band depends on the post — some posts cap at 27 or 30. Check the post-wise age in the notification.
- Age relaxation: the usual rules apply — extra years for OBC, SC/ST, PwD and ex-servicemen candidates.
What it costs
The application fee is just ₹100 for General and OBC male candidates. Women, and SC, ST, PwD and ex-servicemen candidates pay nothing — they are fully exempt.
The pay you’re actually chasing
SSC CGL posts sit mostly in Pay Level 6 to Level 8 of the 7th Pay Commission matrix — think roles like Inspector, Assistant Section Officer, Auditor and Tax Assistant. Depending on the level and city, the starting in-hand works out to roughly ₹45,000 to ₹85,000 a month once Dearness Allowance (DA) and House Rent Allowance (HRA) are added.
Want the exact figure for the post you’re eyeing? Open our Pay Matrix and pick the level — it shows the basic pay, and you can run the full in-hand on our salary calculator.
Bottom line
12,256 posts, a ₹100 fee for most, and a degree is the main gate. The only thing standing between you and a shot at a central government job is the clock. Submit your form today and pay the fee by tomorrow — don’t let a closed window decide your year.