SSC CGL Selection Process 2026: Tier 1 & Tier 2 Exam Pattern, Document Verification and Medical Test and Final Selection

SSC CGL Selection Process 2026: Tier 1, Tier 2, DV & Medical Examination

The SSC CGL Selection Process 2026 consists of Tier 1 and Tier 2 computer-based examinations, followed by Document Verification and Medical Examination, wherever applicable. Conducted by the Staff Selection Commission (SSC), the process is used to recruit candidates for various Group 'B' and Group 'C' posts in Central Government departments. Candidates must qualify the prescribed stages to be considered for final selection.

SSC CGL Tier 1

The SSC CGL Tier 1 Exam 2026 is a qualifying Computer-Based Test (CBT) consisting of 100 multiple-choice questions carrying a total of 200 marks. Each correct answer is awarded 2 marks, while 0.50 marks are deducted for every incorrect answer. The exam covers four subjects: General Intelligence & Reasoning, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, and English Comprehension. Candidates who qualify in Tier 1 become eligible to appear for the SSC CGL Tier 2 examination.

SSC CGL Tier 2

Candidates who qualify the SSC CGL Tier 1 Exam 2026 become eligible to appear for the Tier 2 Examination. Tier 2 is conducted in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode and consists of multiple papers based on the post applied for. The detailed SSC CGL Tier 2 Exam Pattern 2026, including papers, subjects, marks, and duration, is provided in the table below.

SSC CGL Document Verification

Candidates who successfully qualify Tier 1 and Tier 2 of the SSC CGL examination are called for the Document Verification (DV) process. During this stage, SSC verifies the original documents and photocopies submitted by the candidates to confirm their eligibility, identity, educational qualifications, category status, and other details provided in the application form.

Documents Required for SSC CGL Document Verification

Candidates must carry the original documents along with self-attested photocopies of the following:

• Aadhaar Card / E-Aadhaar Printout
• Voter ID Card
• PAN Card
• Driving Licence
• Passport
• School / College / University ID Card
• Government or PSU Employee ID Card
• Ex-Serviceman Discharge Book issued by the Ministry of Defence
• Any other valid Photo ID issued by the Central or State Government

Tie-Breaking Criteria in SSC CGL Selection Process

If two or more candidates obtain the same marks in the SSC CGL Tier 2 Examination, the merit order is decided by applying the following tie-breaking criteria in sequence until the tie is resolved:

1. Higher marks in Paper-II (Statistics) for the posts of Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) and Statistical Investigator Grade-II, wherever applicable.
2. Higher marks in Section-I of Paper-I of the Tier 2 Examination.
3. Older candidate (based on the date of birth) will be given preference.
4. Alphabetical order of the candidates' names, if the tie still remains unresolved.

SSC CGL Minimum Qualifying Marks

To qualify for the SSC CGL Selection Process 2026, candidates must secure the minimum qualifying marks prescribed by the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) in both Tier 1 and Tier 2 examinations. These qualifying marks are the minimum scores required to remain eligible and are different from the SSC CGL cut-off marks, which are released separately for shortlisting candidates. The category-wise minimum qualifying marks are provided in the table below.

Minimum Qualifying Marks in Data Entry Speed Test (DEST)

Candidates appearing for the Data Entry Speed Test (DEST) in Section IV of Paper-I (Tier II) must complete the test within the prescribed error limit to qualify. The maximum permissible error percentage varies by category, as shown in the table below.

SSC CGL Physical Test

The SSC CGL Physical Test is required only for certain posts, such as Inspector, Sub-Inspector, and other designated positions. It includes Physical Standard Tests (PST), such as height, chest, and weight measurements, along with Physical Efficiency Tests (PET), including activities like walking and cycling, as prescribed for the respective post. Candidates must meet the required physical standards to be considered for final selection.

SSC CGL Medical Test

The SSC CGL Medical Test is conducted only for specific posts that require prescribed medical standards. During the medical examination, candidates are assessed for overall physical fitness, eyesight, hearing, and other health parameters. To be eligible for final appointment, candidates must satisfy the medical standards prescribed for their respective posts.

Important Points in SSC CGL Selection Process

Keep the following points in mind during the SSC CGL Selection Process 2026:

• Carry a valid photo ID proof that matches the details mentioned on your SSC CGL Admit Card. Failure to produce the required documents may lead to disqualification.
• SSC prepares the final merit list using normalized marks to ensure fairness across different exam shifts.
• The normalization process is applied to balance variations in the difficulty level of different shifts.
• Candidates must qualify each section of Paper-I (Tier II) separately, wherever applicable.
• Submitting the SSC CGL Post Preference on the official website is mandatory for post allocation and final selection.