SSC Eligibility Criteria 2026 – Qualification, Age & Nationality for SSC CGL and Other Exams
The SSC Eligibility Criteria 2026 covers three primary components: educational qualification, age limit, and nationality. The Staff Selection Commission sets specific eligibility requirements for each exam and post, and candidates who do not meet these criteria will have their applications rejected. The SSC CGL 2026 notification was officially released on 21 May 2026, announcing 12,256 vacancies for Group B and Group C posts.
This page details the eligibility criteria for SSC CGL 2026 and other major SSC exams including CHSL, MTS, CPO, and Stenographer.
SSC CGL 2026 Eligibility Criteria – Overview
|
Parameter |
Requirement |
|
Nationality |
Indian (or eligible foreign national with GoI certificate) |
|
Educational Qualification |
Graduation in any discipline from a recognised university |
|
Age Limit (General) |
18–27 years (varies by post; up to 32 for JSO) |
|
Age Relaxation |
Available for OBC, SC, ST, PwBD, Ex-Servicemen |
|
Application Mode |
Online at ssc.gov.in |
|
Application Fee |
₹100 (SC/ST/PwBD/Ex-Servicemen/Women: Nil) |
1. Nationality Criteria – SSC CGL 2026
|
Citizenship |
Eligibility |
|
Indian Citizens |
Fully eligible |
|
Subjects of Nepal or Bhutan |
Eligible with Government of India eligibility certificate |
|
Tibetan refugees (settled before 1962) |
Eligible with GoI certificate |
|
PIO from specific countries (Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, etc.) with intention of permanent settlement |
Eligible with GoI certificate |
2. Educational Qualification – SSC CGL 2026
The general requirement is a bachelor's degree from a recognised university. However, some posts have additional or specific requirements:
|
Post |
Educational Qualification |
|
Most posts (AAO, Inspector, Tax Assistant, UDC, etc.) |
Bachelor's Degree in any discipline from a recognised university |
|
Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) |
Bachelor's Degree in any subject with Statistics as one of the subjects at degree level |
|
Statistical Investigator Grade-II |
Bachelor's Degree in any subject with Statistics at 12th standard with at least 60% marks in Maths |
|
Assistant Audit Officer (AAO) |
Bachelor's Degree (CA/CS/MBA/Cost & Management Accountant preferred but not mandatory) |
|
Compiler |
Bachelor's Degree with Economics or Statistics or Mathematics as compulsory or elective subject |
Key Rule: Candidates appearing in the final year of graduation are also eligible to apply, provided they produce proof of passing at the time of document verification.
3. Age Limit – SSC CGL 2026 (Post-Wise)
|
Post |
Age Limit |
|
AAO / ACAO |
18–30 years |
|
ASO (CSS, MEA, AFHQ) |
20–30 years |
|
Inspector (Income Tax, Central Excise) |
18–30 years |
|
Sub-Inspector (CBI) |
20–30 years |
|
Tax Assistant / UDC |
18–27 years |
|
Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) |
18–32 years |
|
Statistical Investigator Grade-II |
18–32 years |
Age Relaxation (General Rules):
|
Category |
Relaxation |
|
OBC |
+3 years |
|
SC/ST |
+5 years |
|
PwBD (General) |
+10 years |
|
Ex-Servicemen (General) |
Deduct military service + 3 years |
SSC Eligibility Criteria 2026 – Exam-Wise Summary
SSC CHSL 2026 Eligibility
|
Parameter |
Requirement |
|
Qualification |
Class 12 (10+2) pass from a recognised board |
|
Age Limit |
18–27 years |
|
Posts |
LDC, JSA, PA, SA, DEO |
|
Typing Speed Required |
Yes — 35 wpm (English) or 30 wpm (Hindi) for LDC/JSA; 8,000 key depressions/hr for DEO |
SSC MTS 2026 Eligibility
|
Parameter |
Requirement |
|
Qualification |
Class 10 (Matric) pass from a recognised board |
|
Age for MTS |
18–25 years |
|
Age for Havaldar |
18–27 years |
|
Physical Standards |
For Havaldar posts, candidates must meet physical requirements |
SSC CPO 2026 Eligibility
|
Parameter |
Requirement |
|
Qualification |
Graduation in any discipline |
|
Age Limit |
20–25 years |
|
Physical Standard Test |
Mandatory (height, chest, vision, physical efficiency) |
|
Posts |
Sub-Inspector in CRPF, BSF, CISF, ITBP, SSB |
SSC Stenographer 2026 Eligibility
|
Parameter |
Requirement |
|
Qualification |
Class 12 (10+2) from a recognised board |
|
Age for Grade D |
18–27 years |
|
Age for Grade C |
18–30 years |
|
Skill Test |
80 wpm stenography in English or Hindi (Grade D: 80 wpm; Grade C: 100 wpm) |
4. Physical Standards – SSC CPO & GD Constable 2026
For posts involving physical duties, additional criteria apply:
|
Parameter |
Male |
Female |
|
Height (General) |
170 cm |
157 cm |
|
Height (ST category) |
162.5 cm |
150 cm |
|
Chest (Male only) |
80 cm (unexpanded) / 85 cm (expanded) |
Not applicable |
|
Vision |
6/6 or 6/9 (with correction) |
6/6 or 6/9 (with correction) |
|
Physical Efficiency Test |
Running, long jump, high jump as prescribed |
As prescribed |
5. Documents Required for SSC CGL 2026 Eligibility Verification
At the time of document verification after final selection:
|
Document |
Purpose |
|
Graduation Degree / Provisional Certificate |
Proof of educational qualification |
|
Class 10 Certificate |
Proof of date of birth |
|
Caste Certificate |
SC/ST/OBC-NCL (from competent authority) |
|
EWS Certificate |
Income and Asset Certificate |
|
PwBD Certificate |
From government medical board |
|
Ex-Serviceman Discharge Certificate |
Proof of military service |
|
Domicile Certificate |
If required for specific posts |
|
Aadhaar Card |
Identity proof |
Common SSC Eligibility Mistakes to Avoid
-
Selecting the wrong category — OBC-NCL certificate must be current (usually issued within 1–3 years)
-
Not checking whether your university/board is recognised by UGC/AIU
-
Assuming graduation appearing status is sufficient — proof of passing is required at document verification
-
Missing the exact cut-off date for age calculation as per the notification
-
Not checking post-specific qualifications (e.g., Statistics subject for JSO post)
Always verify your eligibility from the official SSC CGL 2026 Notification PDF available on ssc.gov.in before completing the application form.
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