SSC Age Limit 2026 – Eligibility Age Criteria for SSC CGL, CHSL, MTS & Other Exams
The SSC age limit 2026 varies by exam and post. The Staff Selection Commission prescribes different minimum and maximum age limits for each recruitment exam, and age relaxation is available for reserved categories as per Government of India norms. Understanding the correct age criteria before applying is essential, as incorrect category selection cannot be changed once the application is submitted.
SSC CGL 2026 Age Limit – Post-Wise Details
For SSC CGL 2026, the age limit varies depending on the post you are applying for:
|
Post / Post Group |
Minimum Age |
Maximum Age |
|
Assistant Audit Officer (AAO) |
18 years |
30 years |
|
Assistant Accounts Officer (ACAO) |
18 years |
30 years |
|
Assistant Section Officer (ASO) |
20 years |
30 years |
|
Income Tax Inspector |
18 years |
30 years |
|
Central Excise Inspector |
18 years |
30 years |
|
Sub-Inspector (CBI) |
20 years |
30 years |
|
Inspector (CBN) |
18 years |
30 years |
|
Tax Assistant |
18 years |
27 years |
|
Upper Division Clerk (UDC) |
18 years |
27 years |
|
Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) |
18 years |
32 years |
|
Statistical Investigator Grade-II |
18 years |
32 years |
Age is calculated as of 1 January 2026 for SSC CGL 2026. The exact cut-off date will be mentioned in the official notification released on 21 May 2026 on ssc.gov.in.
SSC CGL 2026 Age Relaxation
Reserved category candidates and specific groups receive age relaxation as per Government of India rules:
|
Category |
Age Relaxation |
|
OBC (Other Backward Classes) |
3 years |
|
SC (Scheduled Caste) |
5 years |
|
ST (Scheduled Tribe) |
5 years |
|
PwBD – UR (Persons with Benchmark Disabilities) |
10 years |
|
PwBD – OBC |
13 years |
|
PwBD – SC/ST |
15 years |
|
Ex-Servicemen (ESM) – General |
3 years after deducting military service period |
|
Ex-Servicemen – OBC |
6 years |
|
Ex-Servicemen – SC/ST |
8 years |
|
Central Government Employees (for Group B/C posts) |
Up to 5 years (for permanent employees) |
|
Victims of 1984 Riots – General |
5 years |
|
Victims of 1984 Riots – SC |
10 years |
SSC Age Limit 2026 – Exam-Wise Summary
|
SSC Exam |
Minimum Age |
Maximum Age (General) |
|
SSC CGL (most posts) |
18 years |
27–32 years |
|
SSC CHSL (LDC/JSA/PA/SA) |
18 years |
27 years |
|
SSC MTS (Havaldar included) |
18 years |
25–27 years |
|
SSC CPO (Sub-Inspector) |
20 years |
25 years |
|
SSC Stenographer (Grade C & D) |
18 years |
27–30 years |
|
SSC JE (Junior Engineer) |
18 years |
32 years |
|
SSC GD Constable |
18 years |
23 years |
|
SSC JHT (Junior Hindi Translator) |
18 years |
30 years |
SSC CHSL 2026 Age Limit
SSC CHSL (Combined Higher Secondary Level) 2026 recruits candidates for LDC, JSA, PA, SA, and DEO posts:
|
Post |
Minimum Age |
Maximum Age |
|
Lower Division Clerk (LDC) |
18 years |
27 years |
|
Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA) |
18 years |
27 years |
|
Postal Assistant (PA) |
18 years |
27 years |
|
Sorting Assistant (SA) |
18 years |
27 years |
|
Data Entry Operator (DEO) |
18 years |
27 years |
SSC MTS 2026 Age Limit
|
Post |
Minimum Age |
Maximum Age |
|
Multi-Tasking Staff (MTS) |
18 years |
25 years |
|
Havaldar (CBIC/CBN) |
18 years |
27 years |
How to Calculate Age for SSC 2026
SSC calculates a candidate's age as on a specific cut-off date mentioned in the notification (typically 1 January of the exam year):
|
Step |
Calculation |
|
1 |
Note the cut-off date given in the official notification |
|
2 |
Subtract your date of birth from the cut-off date |
|
3 |
The result is your age for eligibility purposes |
|
4 |
If you belong to a reserved category, add the applicable relaxation |
Example: Cut-off date is 1 January 2026. If you were born on 15 March 2000, your age is 25 years (as of 1 Jan 2026). For a post with a maximum age limit of 27 years (General), you are eligible.
Age Limit for Ex-Servicemen – SSC 2026
Ex-servicemen candidates benefit from a special calculation method:
|
Calculation Method |
|
Age = (Age on cut-off date) minus (total period of military service) + 3 years relaxation |
|
The resultant age must not exceed the upper limit by more than 3 years (General) |
Documents to Prove Age for SSC 2026
Candidates must submit valid proof of date of birth during document verification:
|
Accepted Document |
Issuing Authority |
|
Class 10 Certificate / Marksheet |
CBSE / State Board |
|
Birth Certificate |
Municipal Corporation |
|
Aadhaar Card (as secondary proof) |
UIDAI |
Note: Self-declaration of age or Aadhaar card alone is generally not accepted as primary proof. The Class 10 certificate or equivalent board document is the standard primary proof.
Key Points on SSC Exam Age Limit 2026
-
Age relaxation benefits are non-cumulative — candidates can claim only one category of relaxation unless specifically noted
-
OBC NCL (Non-Creamy Layer) candidates must submit a valid and recent OBC certificate to avail age relaxation
-
Candidates must not have crossed the maximum age limit as on the cut-off date mentioned in the respective notification
-
Age criteria differ for different posts even within the same exam (e.g., JSO vs Tax Assistant in SSC CGL)
-
Always verify exact age limits from the official notification PDF on ssc.gov.in, as SSC may revise age limits year to year
For SSC CGL 2026, the notification with exact post-wise age limits was released on 21 May 2026. Download the full PDF from the official SSC website for complete details.
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