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Exams   »   SSC CGL Eligibility Criteria

What is SSC CGL Eligibility Criteria?

The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) conducts the Combined Graduate Level (CGL) Examination annually to recruit candidates for various posts across Central Government departments and offices. To ensure fairness and transparency from candidates, SSC has established specific SSC CGL eligibility criteria that applicants must meet to participate in the examination process. These criteria include age limits, educational qualifications, nationality requirements, category-based relaxations, and physical standards. Read the article for full information on this.

SSC CGL Eligibility Criteria 2025

It is important for candidates to thoroughly understand and fulfil all the eligibility conditions before applying, as failing to meet any one of them may lead to disqualification at later stages. Overall, the SSC CGL eligibility criteria ensure that only suitable candidates get the opportunity to serve in various important roles in the Central Government.

Age Limit (Post-wise)

The SSC CGL exam offers a variety of posts across multiple departments, each with its own age limit. For example, the maximum age for the Junior Statistical Officer is up to 32 years, reflecting the specialised nature of the post and the requirement for technical expertise. On the other hand, posts like Assistant Section Officer in various ministries have an age range of 20 to 30 years.

Age Limit Post Ministry / Department / Office / Cadre
Up to 32 years Junior Statistical Officer Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation
Upto 30 Years Assistant Audit Officer Indian Audit & Accounts Department (C&AG)
Assistant Accounts Officer Indian Audit & Accounts Department (C&AG)
Inspector of Income Tax Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT)
Inspector (Central Excise), Preventive Officer, Examiner Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs (CBIC)
Inspector Central Bureau of Narcotics
Assistant Various Ministries / Departments / Organisations
Assistant/Superintendent Various Ministries / Departments / Organisations
Divisional Accountant Offices under the Comptroller & Auditor General (C&AG)
Sub-Inspector / Junior Intelligence Officer Narcotics Control Bureau (Ministry of Home Affairs)
Assistant Enforcement Officer Directorate of Enforcement, Department of Revenue
Sub-Inspector National Investigation Agency (NIA)
20-30 years Assistant Section Officer Central Secretariat Service, Intelligence Bureau, Ministry of Railways, Ministry of External Affairs, Armed Forces Headquarters (AFHQ)
Sub-Inspector Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)
18-27 years Auditor Offices under C&AG, other Ministries / Departments, Offices under CGDA
Accountant Offices under C&AG
Accountant / Junior Accountant Other Ministries / Departments
Postal Assistant / Sorting Assistant Department of Post, Ministry of Communications
Senior Secretariat Assistant / Upper Division Clerk Central Government Offices
Senior Administrative Assistant Military Engineering Services, Ministry of Defence
Tax Assistant CBDT, CBIC
Sub-Inspector Central Bureau of Narcotics
Upper Division Clerk Directorate General Border Roads Organisation (Ministry of Defence)

Also Check: What Documents are required for SSC CGL Recruitment 2025?  

Age Relaxation

SSC also grants age relaxations to candidates from reserved categories and special backgrounds. For instance, candidates from the OBC category receive a 3-year relaxation, while SC/ST candidates receive a 5-year relaxation. This provision also extends to ex-servicemen, central government employees, and candidates from Jammu & Kashmir, among others.

Category Relaxation
OBC 3 years
SC/ST 5 years
Physically Handicapped (General) 10 years
Physically Handicapped (OBC) 13 years
Physically Handicapped (SC/ST) 15 years
Ex-Servicemen (General) 3 years
Ex-Servicemen (OBC) 6 years
Ex-Servicemen (SC/ST) 8 years
Central Govt. Civilian Employees (General-Group B) 5 years
Central Govt. Civilian Employees (OBC-Group B) 8 years
Central Govt. Civilian Employees (SC/ST-Group B) 10 years
Central Govt. Civilian Employees (General-Group C) Up to 40 years of age
Central Govt. Civilian Employees (OBC-Group C) Up to 43 years of age
Central Govt. Civilian Employees (SC/ST-Group C) Up to 45 years of age
Candidates domiciled in Jammu & Kashmir (General) 5 years
Candidates domiciled in Jammu & Kashmir (OBC) 8 years
Candidates domiciled in Jammu & Kashmir (SC/ST) 10 years
Widows/Divorced Women/Women judicially separated and not remarried (Group C/General) Up to 35 years of age
Widows/Divorced Women/Women judicially separated and not remarried (Group C/OBC) Up to 38 years of age
Widows/Divorced Women/Women judicially separated and not remarried (Group C/SC & ST) Up to 40 years of age
Defence Personnel disabled in hostilities (General) 5 years
Defence Personnel disabled in hostilities (OBC) 8 years
Defence Personnel disabled in hostilities (SC/ST) 10 years

Educational Qualification (Post-wise)

Posts like Assistant Audit Officer (AAO) seek graduates from any stream but prefer candidates with qualifications like CA, CMA, CS, or a master’s degree in commerce or finance-related fields. This reflects the financial responsibilities associated with the position. For full details on the post-wise educational qualification of candidates, check the table.

Post Educational Qualification
Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) Bachelor’s degree in any subject from a recognised University or Institute with at least 60% marks in Mathematics at the 12th standard level, or a Bachelor’s degree with Statistics as a subject at degree level.
Assistant Audit Officer/ Assistant Accounts Officer (AAO) Essential: Bachelor’s degree in any subject from a recognised University.

Desirable: Chartered Accountant, Cost & Management Accountant, Company Secretary, Master’s in Commerce, Business Studies, Business Administration (Finance), or Business Economics.

Statistical Investigator Grade-II Bachelor’s degree in any subject with Statistics as one of the subjects from a recognised University or Institute. Candidates must have studied Statistics in all three years of the graduation course.
Assistant in the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) Essential: Bachelor’s degree from a recognised University or Institute.

Desirable: Degree in Law from a recognised University.

Research Assistant in the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Essential: Bachelor’s degree from a recognised University or Institute.

Desirable: Minimum one-year research experience in any recognised university or research institution, or a degree in Law or Human Rights from a recognised University.

Other Posts Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognised University or equivalent.

Nationality

  • A Citizen of India,
  • A Citizen of Nepal,
  • A Citizen of Bhutan,
  • A Tibetan refugee who came to India before 1 January 1962, intending to live here permanently,
  • A person of Indian origin who moved to India from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, or from East African countries like Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania (which was once Tanganyika and Zanzibar), Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia, or Vietnam, planning to stay in India for good.

Also Check: SSC CGL Section Head Salary 2025, Job Profile, Promotion Opportunities

SSC CGL Eligibility Criteria for People with Disabilities (PwD)

SSC also accommodates candidates with disabilities. For the candidate’s convenience, the list has been shared below.

Ministry/Department Post Name SSC CGL Eligibility Criteria
C&AG Asstt. Audit/ Accounts Officer (AAO) Deaf/Hard of hearing; Locomotor disability, dwarfism, leprosy cured, acid attack victims; Multiple disabilities (above)
Auditor Same as above
Accountant Same as above
CSS Assistant Section Officer Locomotor disability (includes dwarfism, leprosy cured, acid attack victims; excludes muscular dystrophy & cerebral palsy)
MEA Assistant Section Officer Locomotor (OAL, OL, OA, BL), dwarfism, cerebral palsy, leprosy cured, acid attack victims, muscular dystrophy; blind/low vision; deaf/HH; specific learning disability
AFHQ Assistant Section Officer Cerebral palsy, deaf, leprosy cured, acid attack victims, dwarfism, muscular dystrophy, specific learning disability, multiple disabilities except deaf
MoEIT ASO Locomotor disability (OAL, OL, OA, BLOA, BL), including cerebral palsy, leprosy cured, dwarfism, acid attack victims, muscular dystrophy; blind/low vision; deaf/HH; autism, mental illness, specific learning disability
SSA/UDC Same as above
Ministry of Home Affairs Tax Assistant & Inspector of Income Tax Locomotor, visual, hearing impairment; multiple disabilities
MoSPI JSO Low vision (correctable), hearing impairment (with aids), locomotor (OA, OL, OAL, BL), mobility unaffected
Statistical Investigator Low vision, hearing impairment, locomotor disabilities (OA, OL, OAL, BL), leprosy cured, dwarfism, cerebral palsy, acid attack victims, mobility unaffected
Auditor Deaf/HH; locomotor (OA, OL, BL) including leprosy cured, dwarfism, acid attack victims, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy; specific learning disability, multiple disabilities

SSC CGL Eligibility Criteria: Physical Standards

Certain SSC CGL posts, especially in enforcement and inspection roles, require candidates to meet specific physical standards to ensure they can handle field duties effectively. Check the physical standards required by male and female candidates to follow the SSC CGL eligibility criteria pattern.

For Male Candidates

Criteria Details
Height 157.5 cm (Height relaxable by 5 cm for Garwalis, Assamese, Gorkhas, and STs)
Chest 81 cm (fully expanded), with a minimum expansion of 5 cm
Weight
Walking Test 1600 metres in 15 minutes
Cycling Test 8 km in 30 minutes

For Female Candidates

Criteria Details
Height 152 cm (Height relaxable by 2.5 cm for Garwalis, Assamese, Gorkhas, and STs)
Weight 48 kg (Weight relaxable by 2 kg for Garwalis, Assamese, Gorkhas, and STs)
Walking Test 1 km in 20 minutes
Cycling Test 3 km in 25 minutes

What is SSC CGL Eligibility Criteria?_4.1

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FAQs

Why is it important to check the eligibility criteria before applying?

To avoid disqualification and ensure all required conditions are met.

What are the main components of SSC CGL eligibility?

Age limit, educational qualifications, nationality, category relaxations, and physical standards.

Are there age relaxations for reserved categories?

Yes, SSC grants age relaxations to OBC, SC/ST, ex-servicemen, and others.

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