SSC CGL Salary, Posts List, Eligibility and Exam Pattern

The SSC CGL salary starts at Pay Level 4 (₹25,500 basic) and goes up to Pay Level 7 (₹44,900 basic), depending on the post you get. SSC CGL (Combined Graduate Level) is one exam that fills more than 30 kinds of Group B and Group C posts in central ministries, tax departments, audit offices and investigation agencies. If you are a graduate and want a stable sarkari job with good pay, this is one of the best exams to aim for.

I have seen many students from small towns clear CGL on their second or third try with steady, daily study. Below is everything you need: posts, pay, eligibility, exam pattern and how to prepare.

What is SSC CGL exam and which jobs does it give

The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) conducts the CGL exam every year to recruit graduates for central government offices. People often ask "SSC CGL means which job". The answer is: many jobs. Through one form you can get posts like Assistant Section Officer (ASO), Income Tax Inspector, Inspector in CBIC (Central Excise, Preventive Officer, Examiner), Sub Inspector in CBI or NIA, Auditor, Accountant, Tax Assistant, Postal Assistant and Upper Division Clerk.

You fill your post preferences in order. Your final post depends on your marks, your category and your preference list. Some posts are desk jobs in Delhi ministries. Others are field jobs with raids, customs checks or investigations. Read the post list carefully before you fill preferences.

SSC CGL posts list and salary

This table shows the main SSC CGL jobs list with pay levels as given in the latest official notice. Starting basic pay is from the 7th CPC pay matrix.

The post list changes a little in each notification. Always check the latest notice on the SSC website before you fill preferences.

SSC CGL salary per month: basic, DA, HRA and in-hand

Your monthly SSC CGL salary is built from a few pieces. Think of the basic pay as the foundation and the rest as layers on top:

• Basic pay: set by the pay level of your post, ₹25,500 at Level 4, ₹29,200 at Level 5, ₹35,400 at Level 6 and ₹44,900 at Level 7.
• DA: Dearness Allowance, worked out as a percentage of basic. The Centre revises the rate two times a year to match prices.
• HRA: House Rent Allowance, which is highest in X class metros, lower in Y class cities and lowest in Z class towns. Staff living in a government flat do not draw it.
• TA: Transport Allowance, a set amount each month that is bigger in the larger cities.
• Cuts from pay: your NPS pension share (10% of basic and DA together), CGHS and group insurance, and income tax if it applies.

Check the pay box shown at the head of this page for today's gross and take-home figure at each level. To try your own city and level, use this calculator:

This is why the same Level 7 pay feels different in two places. An ASO salary in a Delhi ministry, or an income tax inspector salary in Mumbai, gives more cash in hand than an auditor salary in a Z class town, mostly due to HRA. Our guide to salary allowances explained covers each part in detail.

Post-wise salary at a glance

• Assistant section officer salary (ASO in CSS salary and ASO in MEA salary): Level 7, ₹44,900 basic.
• GST inspector salary and excise inspector salary: the Inspector (Central Excise) post in CBIC handles central GST work. Level 7, ₹44,900 basic.
• Custom officer salary and preventive officer salary: Inspector (Preventive Officer) and Inspector (Examiner) in CBIC are both Level 7.
• Income tax officer salary: CGL does not recruit Income Tax Officers directly. You join as Inspector of Income Tax (Level 7) and reach ITO by promotion, with a higher pay level.
• Auditor salary: Level 5, ₹29,200 basic. Tax assistant salary: Level 4, ₹25,500 basic.

Eligibility: qualification and age limit

Qualification: a bachelor's degree in any subject from a recognised university. Final year students can apply if they hold the degree by the cut-off date in the notice. Two posts need more:

• Junior Statistical Officer: degree with at least 60% marks in Maths in class 12, or a degree with Statistics as a subject.
• Statistical Investigator Grade II: degree with Statistics as a subject in all years or all semesters.

Age limit: it depends on the post. Most Level 4 and Level 5 posts are 18 to 27 years. Most Level 6 and Level 7 posts are 18 to 30 years. Some ASO and CBI Sub Inspector posts are 20 to 30 years, and Junior Statistical Officer is 18 to 32 years.

Check your exact age on the cut-off date here:

For more on how relaxation works, see age limit for govt jobs.

SSC CGL exam pattern: Tier 1 and Tier 2

The CGL exam pattern has two computer based tiers. There is no interview.

Tier 1 is only for shortlisting. Final merit is made on Tier 2 marks. Tier 1 and the Tier 2 sections have minimum qualifying marks: 30% for UR, 25% for OBC and EWS, and 20% for others.

The CGL mains exam pattern (Tier 2) has a heavier English section, so strong English gives you an edge.

SSC CGL exam syllabus and exam fee

• Quantitative Aptitude / Maths: percentage, ratio, profit and loss, interest, time and work, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, mensuration, data interpretation.
• Reasoning: analogy, series, coding, puzzles, seating, Venn diagrams, non-verbal figures.
• English: grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, cloze test, sentence improvement.
• General Awareness: history, polity, geography, economy, science and current affairs.
• Computer Knowledge: basics of computers, MS Office type software, internet and email.

SSC CGL exam fee: ₹100. Women, SC, ST, PwBD and eligible Ex-Servicemen candidates do not pay any fee. Payment is online.

Physical standards, training and work life

Most CGL posts have no physical test. But some field posts have physical and medical standards, checked by the department after selection. These include Inspector posts in CBIC, Inspector and Sub Inspector in the Central Bureau of Narcotics, Sub Inspector in NCB, CBI and NIA.

After joining, you go through departmental training. Tax inspectors learn tax laws and procedures. CBI and NIA Sub Inspectors get police style training. ASOs learn office procedure and file work.

Day to day: an ASO handles files and notes in a ministry. An Income Tax Inspector does assessment work, surveys and field verification. A Preventive Officer in customs checks cargo and passengers at ports and airports. An Auditor checks accounts of government offices. Field posts mean more travel and transfers. Desk posts mean fixed hours and more stability.

Promotions and salary growth

Your basic pay rises by about 3% every year through the annual increment. DA also rises over time. When promotions are stuck, the Modified Assured Career Progression (MACP) rule moves you to the next pay level at the 10, 20 and 30 year marks.

• ASO: can move up to Section Officer, then Under Secretary and higher in the Central Secretariat Service.
• Income Tax Inspector: next promotion is Income Tax Officer, then Assistant Commissioner in time.
• CBIC Inspector: can become Superintendent and later move higher.
• Auditor and Accountant: can rise to Senior Auditor, Assistant Audit Officer and Audit Officer through departmental exams and seniority.

Promotion speed differs by department and cadre. That is why many toppers pick ASO in CSS or Inspector posts.

How to prepare for SSC CGL

1. Start with basics of maths and English for 2 to 3 months. These two decide your Tier 2 rank.
2. Read one standard book per subject. Do not collect too many books.
3. Give one full mock test every few days, then daily in the last 2 months. Study your mistakes.
4. Read current affairs for 30 minutes daily.
5. Practise typing for the Data Entry Speed Test well before Tier 2.
6. Solve previous year papers from the SSC website.

Most serious students need 8 to 12 months of steady preparation. Many working graduates clear it in 1 to 2 attempts with 4 to 5 hours of study a day.

Compare other options: SSC CHSL for 12th pass candidates, SSC CPO for Sub Inspector in Delhi Police and CAPFs, and our full list of SSC exams. Also see jobs after graduation.

Official website and where to check updates

The official website is ssc.gov.in. You apply there with a one time registration. Exam dates, vacancy count, cut-offs and results change every cycle, so check them only on the SSC website and the official notice. Do not trust forwarded messages.