Official Notification Summary: The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has officially released the Examination City Intimation Slip for the Combined Graduate Level Examination (Tier-I), 2026 for recruiting 12,256 Group 'B' and Group 'C' posts. The nationwide Tier-I Computer Based Examination will be conducted from 30th September to 30th October 2026 in multiple daily shifts. Registered candidates can now log in to the commission's official website (ssc.gov.in) using their Registration Number and Password to view their allotted exam city and shift date. The final Admission Certificate (Admit Card) with exact venue details will be available for download 2 to 3 days prior to each candidate's exam date. Additionally, candidates using their own scribe must complete fresh scribe registration and OTR mapping by 24th September 2026 (11:00 PM). Check the full schedule, shift timings, Tier-I exam pattern, and guidelines below.
| SSC Combined Graduate Level (CGL) Examination 2026: Key Overview | |
|---|---|
| Recruiting Authority | Staff Selection Commission (SSC), Government of India |
| Examination Name | Combined Graduate Level Examination, 2026 (CGLE 2026) |
| Posts Offered | Group 'B' and Group 'C' Gazetted & Non-Gazetted Posts across Central Ministries |
| Total Tentative Vacancies | 12,256 Posts |
| Current Examination Stage | Tier-I Online Computer Based Examination (CBE) – Qualifying |
| Tier-I Examination Dates | 30th September 2026 to 30th October 2026 |
| City Intimation Slip Status | LIVE NOW (Activated on 21st September 2026) |
| Admit Card (Hall Ticket) Release | 2 to 3 Days Prior to Candidate's Respective Exam Date |
| Own Scribe Mapping Deadline | 24th September 2026 (11:00 PM) |
| Total Questions & Maximum Marks | 100 Questions – 200 Marks (2 Marks per Correct Answer) |
| Exam Duration | 60 Minutes (1 Hour) [80 Minutes for candidates eligible for scribes] |
| Negative Marking | 0.50 Marks deducted for each incorrect answer |
| Mandatory Login Credentials | SSC Registration Number & Password |
| Official SSC Website | ssc.gov.in |
1. SSC CGL Tier-I Exam Pattern 2026 & Detailed Marks Distribution
As outlined in the official notification of CGLE 2026, Tier-I is an objective computer-based screening examination. It comprises 100 multiple-choice questions across four sections, carrying a total of 200 marks with an overall time limit of 60 minutes. Each question awards 2 marks for a correct response and carries a penalty deduction of 0.50 marks for wrong attempts:
- General Intelligence & Reasoning (25 Questions – 50 Marks): Covers analogies, similarities and differences, spatial visualization, spatial orientation, problem solving, analysis, judgment, decision making, visual memory, discriminating observation, relationship concepts, arithmetical reasoning, verbal and figure classification, and arithmetical number series.
- General Awareness (25 Questions – 50 Marks): Tests knowledge of current national and international affairs, everyday science, India and neighboring countries, History, Culture, Geography, Economic Scene, General Policy, and Scientific Research.
- Quantitative Aptitude (25 Questions – 50 Marks): Evaluates whole numbers, decimals, fractions, relationships between numbers, percentages, ratio & proportion, square roots, averages, interest, profit and loss, discount, partnership, mixture and alligation, time & distance, time & work, basic algebraic identities, graphs of linear equations, triangles, circles, tangents, quadrilaterals, right prism, circular cone, sphere, heights & distances, and histograms.
- English Comprehension (25 Questions – 50 Marks): Assesses candidates' ability to understand correct English, basic comprehension, sentence correction, active/passive voice, direct/indirect speech, vocabulary, idioms & phrases, and cloze test/comprehension passages.
| Section / Test Subject | Total Questions | Maximum Marks | Marking Scheme & Penalty |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 25 | 50 | +2.0 Marks | -0.50 deduction |
| General Awareness | 25 | 50 | +2.0 Marks | -0.50 deduction |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 50 | +2.0 Marks | -0.50 deduction |
| English Comprehension | 25 | 50 | +2.0 Marks | -0.50 deduction |
| Total (Tier-I Online Paper) | 100 Questions | 200 Marks | Duration: 60 Minutes (1 Hour) |
2. SSC CGL Tier-I Shift Timings & Gate Closing Schedule (30 Sept to 30 Oct 2026)
The Tier-I examination is organized in 3 daily shifts across authorized test centers throughout India from 30th September to 30th October 2026. Candidates must reach their examination center well in advance of the strict gate closing time. No candidate will be allowed entry inside the examination premises after the gates are locked:
| Exam Shift | Candidate Reporting Time | Strict Gate Closing Time | Exam Timing & Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shift 1 (Morning Shift) | 07:45 AM | 08:30 AM | 09:00 AM – 10:00 AM (60 Mins) |
| Shift 2 (Afternoon Shift) | 11:15 AM | 12:00 PM | 12:30 PM – 01:30 PM (60 Mins) |
| Shift 3 (Evening Shift) | 02:45 PM | 03:30 PM | 04:00 PM – 05:00 PM (60 Mins) |
3. SSC CGL City Intimation Slip & Mandatory Scribe Guidelines
As notified in the official release on 21st September 2026, the city slip enables candidates to verify their testing arrangements in advance:
- Status of City Slip: The link to view the allotted exam city, exam date, and shift is now live directly in the candidate dashboard on the new SSC portal (ssc.gov.in).
- Not an Admission Certificate: The City Intimation slip is purely an informational document for travel planning. It does not grant entry to the exam hall and does not replace the official Admit Card.
- Mandatory Own-Scribe Rule: Candidates who have opted for their own scribe must note that scribe registrations completed prior to 5th November 2025 are invalid. You must complete fresh scribe registration with Aadhaar verification and finalize scribe OTR mapping on the portal latest by 24th September 2026 (11:00 PM).
4. Step-by-Step Guide to Check SSC CGL City Slip & Download Admit Card 2026
Follow these direct steps to check your assigned test city and download your official Admission Certificate:
Step 1: Go to the Official SSC Website
Open your web browser and visit the official SSC portal at https://ssc.gov.in.
Step 2: Log in to Candidate Portal
Click on the "Login or Register" button located at the top-right corner. Enter your Registration Number and Password, solve the Captcha, and log in.
Step 3: Access "Exam City Intimation Slip"
Inside your candidate dashboard, look for the notification reading "Combined Graduate Level Examination, 2026 (Tier-I) – City Intimation Slip" and click it to view your exam city and shift.
Step 4: Download Admit Card (2 to 3 Days Prior)
Exactly 2 to 3 days before your scheduled exam date, the download link for your official Admission Certificate (Admit Card) will be activated under the "Admit Card" section. Download the PDF and print at least 2 copies on clean A4 sheets.
5. Mandatory SSC Exam Day Guidelines, Photo ID & Barred Items
The Staff Selection Commission implements strict frisking and digital verification at all examination venues:
- Printed copy of the official SSC CGL Tier-I Admission Certificate (Admit Card).
- At least two recent passport-size color photographs.
- Original Valid Photo Identity Card having the same Date of Birth as printed on the admit card (Aadhaar Card, e-Aadhaar, Voter ID, Driving License, PAN Card, or Passport). If the ID card does not have the complete date of birth, an additional original certificate (e.g., 10th marksheet) showing the DOB must be carried.
- Scribe documents & approval slip (for PwBD candidates utilizing scribe facility).
Mobile phones, Bluetooth devices, smart watches, digital bands, pen drives, electronic pens, calculators, metallic jewelry, wallets, hand bags, and paper notes are strictly barred inside the examination center. SSC venues do not provide lockers or custody for personal belongings.
6. SSC CGL Selection Process & Category Qualifying Marks
The selection journey for the 12,256 posts under SSC CGL 2026 is conducted across the following stages:
| Selection Stage | Examination Type | Merit Weightage | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tier-I Examination | Computer Based Examination (100 Questions – 200 Marks) | Qualifying Only | Used to shortlist candidates for Tier-II |
| Tier-II Examination | Paper-I (Compulsory for all posts) + Paper-II (for JSO) | 100% Final Merit | Includes Mathematical Abilities, Reasoning, English, GA, Computer & DEST |
| Document Verification (DV) | Verification by User Departments / Ministries | Qualifying | Conducted post-selection by indented departments |
| Minimum Qualifying Cut-Off Marks in Tier-I: UR: 30% (60 Marks) | OBC / EWS: 25% (50 Marks) | All Other Categories (SC/ST/PwD/ESM): 20% (40 Marks) | |||
7. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – SSC CGL Tier-I 2026
Check Your SSC CGL 2026 Exam City Slip Now
Direct access to candidate login and examination city details on ssc.gov.in.
Check Exam City Slip at ssc.gov.in