SSC CGL 2026 · Age limit & eligibility
SSC CGL Age Limit 2026: Relaxation, Qualification and Eligibility
Age limit, the date on which age is counted, category-wise relaxation and the educational qualification, as printed in the official notice.
SSC CGL age limit and relaxation
Age limit
Varies by post: 18–27, 18–30, 20–30 or 18–32 years (as on 1 August 2026)
Educational qualification
- Bachelor's degree from a recognised university for most posts
- Junior Statistical Officer: 60% in 12th-level Mathematics, or Statistics as a degree subject; Statistical Investigator Gr-II: degree in a listed subject
- Qualification must be held as on 1 August 2026
Upper age relaxation
| SC / ST | 5 years |
| OBC | 3 years |
| PwBD (Unreserved) | 10 years |
| PwBD (OBC) | 13 years |
| PwBD (SC/ST) | 15 years |
| Ex-Servicemen | 3 years after deducting military service |
Application fee
₹100. Women, SC, ST, PwBD and Ex-Servicemen eligible for reservation are exempted from the fee.
Source: Combined Graduate Level Examination, 2026 — Notice (published 21 May 2026). Confirm in the official notice before applying.
Age limit, relaxation and qualification in detail
Age is counted on 1 August 2026, and each post has one of four age bands. Check the band of every post you intend to prefer: a candidate who is 28 can still compete for Level-6 to Level-8 posts but not for the Level-4 and Level-5 posts, which stop at 27.
For category benefits such as reservation and age relaxation, the crucial date is the closing date of the application, 22 June 2026.
Almost every post needs a bachelor's degree from a recognised university. Junior Statistical Officer needs a degree in any subject with at least 60% marks in Mathematics at 12th level, or a degree with Statistics as one of the subjects. Statistical Investigator Grade-II needs a degree in Statistics, Mathematics, Economics, Demography, Population Studies, Operations Research, IT, Computer Science or a related computing field, Data Science or AI. For Assistant Audit Officer, CA, CMA, CS, M.Com, Master's in Business Studies, MBA (Finance) or Master's in Business Economics are listed as desirable, not essential.
The essential qualification must be held on 1 August 2026. Final-year students may apply, but their result must actually be declared by that date; a result still being processed does not count. Degrees through open or distance learning must be recognised by the Distance Education Bureau.
Date-of-birth range by age band
| Age band | Born not before | Born not after |
|---|---|---|
| 18–27 years | 2 August 1999 | 1 August 2008 |
| 20–30 years | 2 August 1996 | 1 August 2006 |
| 18–30 years | 2 August 1996 | 1 August 2008 |
| 18–32 years | 2 August 1994 | 1 August 2008 |
Upper age relaxation
| Code | Category | Relaxation |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | SC / ST | 5 years |
| 02 | OBC | 3 years |
| 03 | PwBD (Unreserved) | 10 years |
| 04 | PwBD (OBC) | 13 years |
| 05 | PwBD (SC/ST) | 15 years |
| 06 | Ex-servicemen | 3 years after deducting military service from actual age on 1 August 2026 |
| 08 | Defence personnel disabled in operations | 3 years |
| 09 | Defence personnel disabled in operations (SC/ST) | 8 years |
| 10 | Central Govt. civilian employees with at least 3 years' regular, continuous service (Group 'C' posts) | Up to 40 years |
| 11 | Central Govt. civilian employees as above (SC/ST) | Up to 45 years |
| 12 | Widows / divorced / judicially separated women, not remarried | Up to 35 years |
| 13 | Widows / divorced / judicially separated women, not remarried (SC/ST) | Up to 40 years |
Posts with physical and medical standards
Most CGL posts are desk posts with no physical test, but the notice names a set of posts that carry their own physical standards, physical tests and medical standards. If you prefer any of these, you must meet those standards in addition to clearing the written tiers. The detailed figures are printed in the notice's annexures on physical and medical standards; read them before choosing these posts.
- Inspector (Central Excise), Inspector (Examiner) and Inspector (Preventive Officer) in CBIC
- Inspector and Sub-Inspector in the Central Bureau of Narcotics
- Sub-Inspector / Junior Intelligence Officer in NCB
- Sub-Inspector in CBI and Sub-Inspector in NIA
- Posts in BRO
Frequently asked questions
What is the age limit for SSC CGL?
Varies by post: 18–27, 18–30, 20–30 or 18–32 years, counted as on 1 August 2026, as per the Combined Graduate Level Examination, 2026 — Notice. Category-wise upper age relaxation is given in the notice.
What qualification is needed for SSC CGL?
Bachelor's degree from a recognised university for most posts. Junior Statistical Officer: 60% in 12th-level Mathematics, or Statistics as a degree subject; Statistical Investigator Gr-II: degree in a listed subject. Qualification must be held as on 1 August 2026.
What is the age limit for SSC CGL 2026?
It depends on the post: 18–27, 20–30, 18–30 or 18–32 years, counted on 1 August 2026. Junior Statistical Officer has the widest band, 18–32.
Can final-year students apply for SSC CGL?
Yes, but the degree result must be declared by 1 August 2026.
What qualification is needed for Junior Statistical Officer?
A degree in any subject with at least 60% in Mathematics at 12th level, or a degree with Statistics as one of the subjects.
Which SSC CGL posts have physical standards?
CBIC Inspectors (Central Excise, Examiner, Preventive Officer), Inspector and Sub-Inspector in CBN, SI/JIO in NCB, SI in CBI and NIA, and posts in BRO.