SSC CGL 2026 eligibility — age limit, qualification, relaxation
This page collects who can apply for SSC CGL (SSC Combined Graduate Level Examination (CGL)), conducted by Staff Selection Commission (SSC): the age limit for each group of posts, the educational qualification, nationality rules and the age relaxation for each category. It is built from the same verified data as the SSC CGL guide, which also carries the 2026 cycle status and dates.
In one line: the basic educational requirement is Graduation, and the age limit is set per post group (18–27 years, 18–30 years, 20–30 years, 18–32 years). Age is counted as on 1 January 2026 in the data below. Use the calculator to see your own eligible date-of-birth window.
✓ Data verified 29 Sept 2026
Age eligibility calculator
Enter your date of birth and category to see, for each post group in SSC CGL, whether you are inside the age limit and the exact birth-date window that qualifies. Everything runs in your browser; nothing is stored or sent.
The cut-off date is pre-filled from this page's data: 1 January 2026. If the official notification gives a different date, type it above, and read the notes on this page to see whether this date belongs to the current or the previous cycle.
| Post group | Age limit | Born between |
|---|---|---|
| Auditor, Accountant, Tax Assistant and other Group C posts | 18–27 yrs | 2 January 1999 to 1 January 2008 |
| AAO, Income Tax Inspector, CBIC Inspectors (Excise / Preventive Officer / Examiner) | 18–30 yrs | 2 January 1996 to 1 January 2008 |
| ASO (CSS / MEA and other ministries), Sub-Inspector CBI | 20–30 yrs | 2 January 1996 to 1 January 2006 |
| JSO | 18–32 yrs | 2 January 1994 to 1 January 2008 |
The window is: born on or after (cut-off date minus upper limit minus relaxation, plus one day) and on or before (cut-off date minus minimum age). It matches the "born between" ranges printed in the exam data where they are given.
Not calculated here (these depend on individual circumstances; check the table below and the official notification): Ex-servicemen (ESM) — +3 years after deducting military service; Widows / divorced women (Group C) — up to 35 years (38 for SC/ST).
Age eligibility is only one condition. Check education, nationality and any physical or post-specific requirements too. The official notification overrides this tool.
Age limit
| Posts | Age limit |
|---|---|
| Auditor, Accountant, Tax Assistant and other Group C posts | 18–27 years |
| AAO, Income Tax Inspector, CBIC Inspectors (Excise / Preventive Officer / Examiner) | 18–30 years |
| ASO (CSS / MEA and other ministries), Sub-Inspector CBI | 20–30 years |
| JSO | 18–32 years |
Age relaxation by category
| Category | Relaxation |
|---|---|
| OBC | +3 years |
| SC / ST | +5 years |
| PwD (UR / OBC / SC-ST) | +10 / +13 / +15 years |
| Ex-servicemen (ESM) | +3 years after deducting military service |
| Widows / divorced women (Group C) | up to 35 years (38 for SC/ST) |
Educational qualification
| Posts / situation | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Most posts (ASO, Inspectors, Auditor, Accountant, Tax Assistant, etc.) | Bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognised university |
| JSO (Junior Statistical Officer) | Bachelor's degree with Statistics as one of the subjects in all three years, per the notification's fine print |
| AAO (Assistant Audit Officer) | Bachelor's degree in any discipline (CA/CS/CMA/MBA-Finance/M.Com are desirable, not mandatory) |
| Final-year students | Not eligible for CGL — the degree must be complete by the cut-off date specified in the notification |
Nationality
Citizen of India, or subject of Nepal/Bhutan, or a Tibetan refugee (pre-1962), or a person of Indian origin migrated from listed countries with permanent settlement intent — per the standard SSC eligibility clause.
Important notes on eligibility
Age is computed as on the cut-off date in the notification (01-01-2026 for this cycle). SI in CBI additionally has physical/medical standards checked at appointment. Always read the post-wise age table in the official notification — it overrides any summary, including this one.
How to read these eligibility rules
The cut-off date decides your age. Your age is not measured on the day you apply or the day of the exam. It is measured on one fixed date written in the notification (1 January 2026 in the data used for this page).
Relaxation is added to the upper limit only. A category relaxation raises the maximum age, not the minimum. The calculator adds the number of years for the category you pick and shows the resulting birth-date window per post group.
Your date of birth is taken from your certificate. Age is checked against the date of birth on your Class 10 / matriculation certificate, so use that date rather than the one on any other document.
Education is checked separately. Meeting the age limit does not make you eligible on its own. Check the qualification table above for your post, including any row about final-year students or candidates who are still waiting for a result.
The notification always wins. Where the official notification differs from this page, follow the notification.
Documents that prove age and qualification
At Document Verification you need: matriculation certificate (DOB proof), bachelor's degree marksheets + certificate, category certificate (OBC/EWS/SC/ST in the central-government format, current validity year), PwD/ESM certificate if applicable, photo ID (Aadhaar/PAN/passport), recent passport photographs, and the undertaking/options form for post preference. Name mismatches between documents are the #1 DV headache — carry a gazette affidavit or supporting proof if your name spellings differ. OBC candidates: the certificate must be in the central OBC format with the correct financial-year issue date, or your category is switched to UR on the spot.
SSC CGL eligibility — FAQs
What is the age limit for SSC CGL?
Auditor, Accountant, Tax Assistant and other Group C posts: 18–27 years; AAO, Income Tax Inspector, CBIC Inspectors (Excise / Preventive Officer / Examiner): 18–30 years; ASO (CSS / MEA and other ministries), Sub-Inspector CBI: 20–30 years; JSO: 18–32 years. Age is counted as on 1 January 2026 in this data. The official notification's own age table is final.
What educational qualification is required for SSC CGL?
Most posts (ASO, Inspectors, Auditor, Accountant, Tax Assistant, etc.): Bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognised university; JSO (Junior Statistical Officer): Bachelor's degree with Statistics as one of the subjects in all three years, per the notification's fine print; AAO (Assistant Audit Officer): Bachelor's degree in any discipline (CA/CS/CMA/MBA-Finance/M.Com are desirable, not mandatory); Final-year students: Not eligible for CGL — the degree must be complete by the cut-off date specified in the notification.
How much age relaxation is given in SSC CGL?
OBC: +3 years; SC / ST: +5 years; PwD (UR / OBC / SC-ST): +10 / +13 / +15 years; Ex-servicemen (ESM): +3 years after deducting military service; Widows / divorced women (Group C): up to 35 years (38 for SC/ST). Relaxation is added to the upper age limit; see the notes below the table for the rules that apply to this exam.
Is there any limit on the number of attempts?
No attempt limit exists — you can apply every year until you cross the age limit for the posts you're targeting (18–27 for most, up to 32 for JSO, plus category relaxations).
Can candidates from any state apply for any SSC region?
You choose a region while applying and your exam centres fall within that region. Choose based on where you can realistically travel — centre city options appear in the application form.