SSC CGL 2025: Notification, Exam Date, Syllabus & Full Details
SSC CGL 2025 Exam Overview
The Staff Selection Commission - Combined Graduate Level (SSC CGL) exam is one of the most sought-after government examinations in India. It is conducted every year to recruit staff for various posts in ministries, departments, and organizations of the Government of India.
If you're aiming for a prestigious government job, the SSC CGL 2025 exam is your golden opportunity. In this blog, you will get a complete overview of SSC CGL, including eligibility, exam pattern, syllabus, important dates, preparation tips, and more.
SSC CGL 2025 Important Dates (Tentative)
The official schedule for the SSC CGL 2025 exam will be released along with the notification. The dates below are tentative, based on the previous year's cycle, to help you plan your preparation.
| Event | Expected Date |
|---|---|
| Official Notification Release | June - July 2025 |
| Online Application Period | June - July 2025 |
| Tier 1 Exam Dates | August - September 2025 |
| Tier 2 Exam Dates | December 2025 - January 2026 |
Note: These are not official dates. Please check the official SSC website for the final schedule.
SSC CGL 2025 Vacancy Details
The total number of vacancies for the SSC CGL 2025 will be announced with the official notification. For reference, here is the breakdown of vacancies from the **SSC CGL 2024 cycle (approx. 17,727 vacancies)** to give you an idea.
Category-wise Vacancy (Based on 2024 Data)
| Category | Vacancies (Approx.) |
|---|---|
| Unreserved (UR) | 8,198 |
| Other Backward Classes (OBC) | 4,599 |
| Scheduled Castes (SC) | 2,779 |
| Scheduled Tribes (ST) | 1,368 |
| Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) | 1,783 |
Post-wise Vacancy Highlights (Based on 2024 Data)
| Post Name | Department/Ministry | Vacancies (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Postal Assistant/Sorting Assistant | Department of Posts | 7,539 |
| Tax Assistant | CBDT & CBIC | 2,500+ |
| Accountant/Junior Accountant | Various Ministries | 1,200+ |
| Auditor | Offices under C&AG, CGDA | 1,000+ |
| Assistant Section Officer (ASO) | CSS, MEA, etc. | 800+ |
| Inspector (Central Excise, PO, Examiner) | CBIC | 500+ |
SSC CGL 2025 Eligibility Criteria
To apply for the SSC CGL Examination 2025, candidates must meet the following eligibility requirements related to nationality, educational qualifications, and age limit.
1. Nationality
A candidate must be a citizen of India, or a subject of Nepal/Bhutan, or a Tibetan refugee who came to India before 1st January 1962. Persons of Indian origin who have migrated from specified countries with the intention of permanently settling in India are also eligible, provided they hold a certificate of eligibility issued by the Govt. of India.
2. Educational Qualification (as per official notification)
Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized university. The required qualifications for specific posts are as follows:
| Post | Educational Qualification |
|---|---|
| Assistant Audit Officer/Assistant Accounts Officer | Bachelor’s Degree. Desirable: CA/CMA/CS/Master in Commerce/MBA (Finance). |
| Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) | Bachelor’s Degree with at least 60% in Maths at 12th standard OR Bachelor’s Degree with Statistics as a subject. |
| Statistical Investigator Grade-II | Bachelor’s Degree with Statistics as one of the subjects. |
| All Other Posts | Bachelor’s Degree in any discipline. |
Candidates in their final year can also apply, provided they complete their degree by the cutoff date mentioned in the notification.
3. Age Limit (as per official notification)
The age limit varies depending on the post. The cutoff date for age calculation will be specified in the official notification.
| Age Limit | Applicable Post Groups |
|---|---|
| 18 to 27 years | Auditor, Accountant, Tax Assistant, etc. |
| 18 to 30 years | ASO in CSS, Inspector Posts (CBIC), etc. |
| 20 to 30 years | ASO in MEA, etc. |
| Up to 32 years | Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) |
4. Age Relaxation
Relaxation in the upper age limit is provided for reserved category candidates as per government norms:
| Category | Age Relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC/ST | 5 years |
| OBC | 3 years |
| Persons with Disabilities (PwD) - Unreserved | 10 years |
| PwD - OBC | 13 years |
| PwD - SC/ST | 15 years |
| Ex-Servicemen | 3 years after deduction of military service |
SSC CGL 2025 Syllabus & Revised Exam Pattern
The SSC CGL selection process now comprises two stages (Tiers). The final merit list is based on Tier 2 scores. The Tier 3 (Descriptive Paper) and Tier 4 (Skill Test) have been discontinued and integrated into the Tier 2 exam itself.
Tier 1: Preliminary Exam (Qualifying Nature)
This is a computer-based exam to screen candidates for Tier 2. Its marks are not included in the final ranking. There is a negative marking of 0.50 marks for each incorrect answer.
| Subject | No. of Questions | Max Marks | Time Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 25 | 50 | 60 Minutes |
| General Awareness | 25 | 50 | |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 50 | |
| English Comprehension | 25 | 50 | |
| Total | 100 | 200 |
Tier 2: Main Exam (For Merit & Final Selection)
Tier 2 is the final stage for determining merit. It includes Paper-I (compulsory for all), Paper-II (for JSO), and Paper-III (for AAO). Negative marking in Paper-I is 1 mark per wrong answer.
Paper-I (Compulsory for all posts)
| Session | Module | Subject | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Session-I (2h 15m) | Module-I | Mathematical Abilities & Reasoning | 30 + 30 = 60 | 180 | 1 hour |
| Module-II | English Language & General Awareness | 45 + 25 = 70 | 210 | 1 hour | |
| Module-III | Computer Knowledge Test (Qualifying) | 20 | 60 | 15 mins | |
| Session-II | Data Entry Speed Test (DEST) - (Qualifying) | One Task | 15 mins | ||
SSC CGL 2025 Salary & Job Profile
SSC CGL posts offer attractive salaries based on the 7th Pay Commission. The compensation includes Basic Pay, Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), and Transport Allowance (TA).
Salary Structure of SSC CGL Posts
| Pay Level | Grade Pay | Basic Pay | Post Types |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 8 | ₹4,800 | ₹47,600 | Assistant Audit Officer, AAO |
| Level 7 | ₹4,600 | ₹44,900 | Inspector (All Depts), Assistant Section Officer |
| Level 6 | ₹4,200 | ₹35,400 | Sub-Inspector, Assistant, Auditor |
| Level 5 | ₹2,800 | ₹29,200 | Accountant, Junior Accountant |
| Level 4 | ₹2,400 | ₹25,500 | Tax Assistant, Upper Division Clerk (UDC) |
In-Hand Salary Estimates (Approx.)
| Post | Pay Level | In-Hand Salary (Approx. in X City) |
|---|---|---|
| Assistant Audit Officer (AAO) | Level 8 | ₹75,000 – ₹85,000 |
| Inspector (Income Tax, Excise, etc.) | Level 7 | ₹65,000 – ₹75,000 |
| Assistant Section Officer (ASO) | Level 7 | ₹60,000 – ₹70,000 |
| Auditor/Accountant | Level 5 | ₹48,000 – ₹55,000 |
| Tax Assistant | Level 4 | ₹40,000 – ₹48,000 |
Job Profile of Key SSC CGL Posts
- Assistant Audit Officer (AAO): Involves auditing accounts of central/state government departments. It's the only gazetted post via CGL.
- Inspector (Income Tax, Excise, Customs): Field and desk job related to tax assessment, raids, and inspection.
- Assistant Section Officer (ASO): Primarily a desk job involving clerical work like file handling, noting, and drafting in various ministries.
- Sub-Inspector (CBI, NIA): Investigative work involving travel, raids, and evidence collection. Demands physical fitness.
- Tax Assistant: Desk job involving data entry, tax processing, and supporting senior officers in CBDT or CBIC.
Benefits and Allowances
- Dearness Allowance (DA)
- House Rent Allowance (HRA) (Varies by city class: X, Y, Z)
- Transport Allowance (TA)
- Medical Benefits (CGHS)
- Pension under National Pension System (NPS)
- Leave Travel Concession (LTC)
How to Apply for SSC CGL 2025
- Visit the new official SSC website: ssc.gov.in.
- Complete the 'One-Time Registration' (OTR) process.
- Log in and find the "Combined Graduate Level Examination 2025" application link.
- Fill the form with accurate details.
- Upload a recent photograph and signature as per the required format.
- Pay the application fee (₹100 for Gen/OBC males; exempted for others).
- Review and submit the application. Take a printout for your records.
Preparation Tips for SSC CGL 2025
- Understand the revised exam pattern and syllabus thoroughly.
- Make a daily study plan and stick to it.
- Focus on weak areas and improve accuracy.
- Practice previous year papers and mock tests regularly.
- Use trusted study material and platforms like Invictaa Plus for structured preparation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the SSC CGL 2025 notification date?
The official notification is expected around June-July 2025 on ssc.gov.in.
How many vacancies are expected in SSC CGL 2025?
The final count will be in the notification. For reference, the 2024 cycle had approx. 17,727 vacancies.
What is the new exam pattern?
The exam has two tiers: Tier 1 (qualifying) and Tier 2 (for merit). There is no descriptive paper.
Is there a negative marking?
Yes, 0.50 marks are deducted for each wrong answer in Tier 1, and 1 mark for each wrong answer in Tier 2 (Paper-I).
Can final year students apply?
Yes, if you get your degree by the cutoff date mentioned in the official notification.
Is there an interview?
No, there is no interview for any post in SSC CGL.