SSC Combined Graduate Level Examination

Combined Graduated Level Examination (SSC CGL or CGLE) is an examination conducted by the Staff Selection Commission to recruit Group B and C officers to various posts in ministries, departments and organizations of the Government of India. The Staff Selection Commission was established in 1975.

The Staff Selection Commission is expected to release the SSC CGL result 2024 soon on its official website - ssc.gov.in. The Commission released the SSC CGL answer key on October 3, 2024. The last date to send objections was October 8, 2024. The Commission will consider the objections and analyze the representation received from the candidates. The Commission will refund the fee to candidates in case the objection turns out to be valid. The Commission conducted the SSC CGL 2024 from September 9 to 26, 2024.

Prerequisites

Candidates applying for the various posts need to have a bachelor's degree from a recognized university at the time of applying. Applicants must be between 20 and 30 years of age. The age limits may vary depending on the position applied. For instance, the position for Inspector of Central Bureau of Narcotics, which originally had an age range from 18 to 27 years, was extended to 30 years in September 2018. The application fee for 2017 is Rs. 100. All women, people in Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes, physically disabled people, and ex-servicemen eligible for reservation are exempted from paying the application fee.

Structure

The examination has four major tiers which are conducted over different days, with results posted after each tier. Previous exams also included an interview tier, but following a government order, interviews were removed for all non-gazetted posts in the central government as of 1 January 2016. A computer proficiency test or a skill test was also added as a tier for some posts.

Tier I: Preliminary

The Tier I exam consists of a computer based objective multiple-choice exam with four sections, covering the subjects of:
* General intelligence and reasoning(25Q)
* General awareness(25Q)
* Quantitative aptitude(25Q)
* English comprehension((25Q)

The exam consists of 100 Questions and each of 2 marks , for a total of 200 marks with time allocated to this Tier is 60 Mins. Based on results from Tier I (Tier I being the qualifying nature, qualified candidates can then take the Tier II.

Tier II: Mains Exam

Also known as the Mains Exam, the Tier II exam consists of a written multiple-choice exam, in three Paper:
* Paper I: Paper 1 Will have Three section and each section will have two modules
** Section 1
*** Module-I: Mathematical Abilities
*** Module-II: Reasoning and General Intelligence.
** Section 2
*** Module-I: English Language and Comprehension
*** Module-II: General Awareness
** Section 3
*** Module-I: Computer Knowledge Module
*** Module-II: Data Entry Speed Test Module ( To be held on different session of 15 Mins)
* Paper II
** Paper-II will be for only those candidates who apply for the posts of Junior Statistical Officer (JSO)
* Paper III
** Paper-III will be for only those candidates who are shortlisted in Tier-I for Paper-III i.e. for the posts of Assistant Audit Officer/ Assistant Accounts Officer
Paper-I is compulsory for all the posts. Paper-II will be for only those candidates who apply for the posts of Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) in the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation and Statistical Investigator Grade-II in the office of Registrar General of India (M/o Home Affairs) and who are shortlisted in Tier-I for these Posts.
Paper-III will be for only those candidates who are shortlisted in Tier-Ifor Paper-III i.e. for the posts of Assistant Audit Officer/ Assistant Accounts Officer.
Most positions require the candidate to take only the first three sections, but certain positions require the fourth or fifth sections.

Other exams

Other exams are required or were previously required for certain positions. The types include:
* Personality test/interview - discontinued starting 2016
* Physical endurance test/medical examination - required for police applicants

Logistics

The 2016 exam was held in 44 batches across 96 cities. There were 3.8 million applicants, of which 1.48 million took the Tier 1 exam. 149,319 candidates passed Tier 1, and 35,096 candidates passed Tier 2. The final number of positions for the 2016 exam was estimated to be roughly 10,661.

Candidates were allowed to view their answer sheets and point out errors in the grading of answers for a fee of Rs. 100 per question.

For the 2017 exam, 3,026,598 candidates filled in the online application, of which 1,543,418 candidates took the exam. 226,229 candidates passed Tier 1, and 47,003 candidates passed Tier 2.

Controversies

On 21 February 2018, it was reported that the screenshots of the question paper of the 2017 SSC Tier 2 exam appeared on social media before the exam began. This led to massive protests. The authorities canceled the exam and the Central Bureau of Investigation conducted an investigation, releasing a first information report that named several entities including employees at Sify Technologies that allegedly participated in the leak. The Tier 3 exam for that year was also postponed. The 2018 final results were announced in early 2021 after a delay of almost 3 years.

Exam delays

Postponements in exam dates and/or results have been a regular occurrence. In addition to the delays in launching the 2017 Tier 1 exams, the 2016 exam final appointments were delayed. and the 2018 Tier 1 exams are being postponed.

See also

* Combined Higher Secondary Level Examination
* Junior Science Talent Search Examination
* Services Selection Board
* Public service commissions in India

References

{{Standardized tests in India

Government recruitment in India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions