The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) Combined Graduate Level (CGL) Exam is one of the most prestigious and sought-after examinations in India for graduate-level candidates seeking jobs in various Ministries, Departments, and Organizations of the Government of India. The SSC CGL Recruitment 2025 is expected to witness lakhs of aspirants aiming to secure a stable and prestigious government job.
In this detailed guide, we provide you with comprehensive information about the SSC CGL 2025 including eligibility criteria, exam pattern, syllabus, important dates, application process, and preparation tips.
1. What is SSC CGL?
The SSC Combined Graduate Level (CGL) examination is conducted annually to recruit staff to various Group 'B' and Group 'C' posts in central government departments and ministries. Some of the popular posts under SSC CGL include:
· Assistant Section Officer (ASO)
· Income Tax Inspector
· Excise Inspector
· Preventive Officer
· Assistant Enforcement Officer (AEO)
· Sub-Inspector (CBI/NIA)
· Junior Statistical Officer (JSO)
· Auditor
· Accountant
2. SSC CGL 2025: Overview
Feature |
Details |
Exam Name |
SSC Combined Graduate Level Exam 2025 |
Conducting Authority |
Staff Selection Commission (SSC) |
Mode of Exam |
Online (Computer Based Test) |
Stages |
Tier-I, Tier-II, Document Verification |
Official Website |
www.ssc.nic.in |
Notification Release Date |
Expected in March 2025 |
Application Mode |
Online |
3. Important Dates (Tentative)
Event |
Date
(Tentative) |
Notification Release |
March 2025 |
Online Application Starts |
March 2025 |
Last Date to Apply |
April 2025 |
Tier-I Exam Date |
June 2025 |
Tier-II Exam Date |
September 2025 |
Document Verification |
November/December 2025 |
4. SSC CGL 2025 Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must ensure they meet the eligibility criteria before applying for SSC CGL 2025.
a. Nationality:
· Must be a citizen of India.
· OR a subject of Nepal/Bhutan.
· OR a Tibetan refugee who came to India before 1st January 1962.
b. Educational Qualification (As on 01.01.2025):
· General Posts: Graduation in any stream from a recognized university.
· Junior Statistical Officer (JSO): Bachelor’s Degree with at least 60% in Mathematics at 12th level or Bachelor’s Degree with Statistics as one of the subjects.
· Assistant Audit Officer/Assistant Accounts Officer: Desirable – Chartered Accountant/Cost & Management Accountant/Company Secretary/Master’s in Commerce or Business Studies.
c. Age Limit (As on 01.01.2025):
Age limits vary according to posts:
Post |
Age Limit |
Assistant Section Officer |
20 – 30 years |
Inspector (Income Tax, etc.) |
Up to 30 years |
Auditor, Accountant, UDC |
18 – 27 years |
Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) |
Up to 32 years |
Age Relaxation:
· SC/ST – 5 years
· OBC – 3 years
· PwD – 10 years
· Ex-Servicemen – 3 years after deduction of military service
5. SSC CGL 2025 Exam Pattern
Tier-I: Preliminary Exam
Subject |
Questions |
Marks |
Duration |
General Intelligence |
25 |
50 |
|
General Awareness |
25 |
50 |
|
Quantitative Aptitude |
25 |
50 |
|
English Comprehension |
25 |
50 |
60 minutes |
Negative Marking: 0.50 marks for each wrong answer.
Tier-II: Main Exam
It consists of three papers:
Paper I (Compulsory for all posts):
Module |
Questions |
Marks |
Time |
Mathematical Abilities |
30 |
90 |
|
Reasoning and General Intelligence |
30 |
90 |
|
English Language and Comprehension |
45 |
135 |
|
General Awareness |
25 |
75 |
2 hours |
Paper II (For JSO):
· Statistics – 100 Questions – 200 Marks – 2 Hours
Paper III (For AAO/Assistant Audit Officer):
· General Studies (Finance and Economics) – 100 Questions – 200 Marks – 2 Hours
Negative Marking:
· Paper I: 1 mark for each wrong answer in Section-I, Section-II, and Module-I of Section-III.
· Paper II & III: 0.50 mark for each wrong answer.
6. SSC CGL 2025 Syllabus
Tier-I Syllabus (Important Topics):
a. General Intelligence and Reasoning:
· Analogies
· Coding-Decoding
· Blood Relations
· Puzzle
· Series
· Direction & Distance
b. General Awareness:
· Current Affairs
· Indian History & Polity
· Geography
· Economy
· General Science
c. Quantitative Aptitude:
· Number System
· Algebra
· Geometry
· Mensuration
· Percentage
· Profit & Loss
· Time, Speed & Distance
d. English Comprehension:
· Grammar
· Vocabulary
· Reading Comprehension
· Synonyms/Antonyms
· Cloze Test
Tier-II Syllabus includes advanced math, statistics, and finance concepts depending on the post.
7. Application Process
Step-by-Step Guide:
1. Visit the official website: ssc.nic.in
2. Click on “Apply” → “CGL 2025”.
3. Complete One-Time Registration.
4. Fill the Application Form with academic and personal details.
5. Upload Photo & Signature in the prescribed format.
6. Pay the application fee.
7. Submit the form and save a printout for future use.
Application Fee:
Category |
Fee |
General/OBC |
₹100 |
SC/ST/PwD/ExSM/Females |
Nil |
8. Documents Required
· Scanned Passport Size Photo
· Scanned Signature
· Educational Qualification Certificates
· Category Certificate (if applicable)
· PwD Certificate (if applicable)
· Valid ID Proof
9. Preparation Tips
Here are some expert tips to crack SSC CGL 2025:
a. Understand the Syllabus & Exam Pattern:
Familiarize yourself thoroughly with each topic and section weightage.
b. Make a Study Plan:
Divide the syllabus by week and assign time for revision and mock tests.
c. Practice with Mock Tests & Previous Papers:
Attempt regular mocks and analyze your performance to identify weak areas.
d. Focus on Accuracy & Speed:
Negative marking makes accuracy crucial. Solve questions quickly and correctly.
e. Read Newspapers & Stay Updated:
Stay informed about current events, especially for the General Awareness section.
10. SSC CGL 2025: Career Opportunities & Salary
SSC CGL posts offer:
· Attractive salary (Initial gross salary ranging from ₹40,000 to ₹65,000/month depending on post & city)
· Job Security
· Promotions & Career Growth
· Government Housing, Medical Benefits & Retirement Perks
SSC CGL 2025 – Tentative Timeline
· Notification Release: Usually around May–June. Registered candidates should receive the official PDF from ssc.nic.in.
· Online Application Period: Typically runs for 3–4 weeks right after notification release.
· Tier-I Exam (Prelims): Typically scheduled within 8–10 weeks post notification.
· Tier-II (Mains), Tier-III (Skill/Descriptive), and interview stages follow over the next few months, with final results usually out by year-end.
Likely Important Dates (Based on Past Trends)
Stage |
Approximate
Timeline |
Notification |
May–June 2025 |
Application Window |
Late May to July 04-2025 |
Tier-I Exam |
July–August 2025 |
Tier-II & III |
September–November 2025 |
Final Results |
November–December 2025 |
Eligibility & Exam Pattern
· Education: Bachelor’s degree from a recognized Indian university.
· Age Range: Generally 18–32 years, with age relaxations for reserved categories.
· Nationality: Indian citizens, and in some cases, candidates from Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet (pre-1962), etc.
Exam Structure:
Tier-I (Prelims)
· Mode: Computer-Based Test
· Questions: 100 Multiple-Choice Questions
· Subjects: General Intelligence & Reasoning, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, English Comprehension
· Marks: 200 (2 marks per Ques), −0.50 negative marking
Tier-II (Mains)
· Paper-I: Quantitative Abilities (200 marks)
· Paper-II: English Language & Comprehension (200 marks)
· Papers III & IV for optional statistics and economics (where applicable)
· Tier-III
· Descriptive writing test in English or Hindi (ESSAY, LETTER, etc.) – 100 marks
· Tier-IV
· Data Entry Skill Test (DEST)/Computer Proficiency Test (CPT) for some posts
How to Prepare & Stay Updated
· Official SSC Website: ssc.nic.in — keep an eye on the “Notices” section.
· Online Mock Tests & Materials: Use trusted portals or coaching resources for Tier-I & II.
· Practice Previous Year Papers: Strong strategy to understand question patterns and exam difficulty.
· Current Affairs: Regularly read newspapers or use short monthly/current affairs capsules.
What to Do Next
· Bookmark and regularly check the SSC official site for the 2025 notification.
· Gather documents—degree certificate, scanned photo/signature, caste/relief certificates if applicable.
· Begin early preparation—especially focusing on General Awareness and Quantitative Aptitude, which carry high weight.
Conclusion
The SSC CGL 2025 presents an excellent opportunity for graduates to secure a stable and prestigious government job. With increasing competition every year, it is essential to start your preparation early, follow a disciplined study plan, and remain consistent.
Stay updated with the official SSC website for notifications, and don’t miss deadlines. Remember, with the right strategy and dedication, cracking the SSC CGL exam is absolutely achievable.
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