SSC CGL Eligibility: Who Can Apply
A degree in any discipline and the right age band. That's most of it, but the details decide edge cases.
SSC CGL eligibility is short on paper: a bachelor's degree in any discipline, Indian citizenship, and an age between 18 and 27 for most posts. The complications live in the edges, in age relaxations by category, in posts with their own age bands, and in what final-year students are allowed to do.
This page walks each rule, then answers the edge cases the rules create.
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Who Is Eligible for SSC CGL?
An Indian citizen with a bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognised university, aged 18 to 27 years for most posts as of January 1 of the application year. SC/ST candidates get 5 years of age relaxation, OBC 3 years, and PwD 10 years. Some posts carry different upper age limits.
The Three Core Requirements
| Requirement | Rule |
|---|---|
| Education | Bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognised university |
| Age | 18-27 years for most posts, with relaxation for SC/ST/OBC/PwD/Ex-Servicemen as per government norms |
| Nationality | Citizen of India |
Age Relaxation by Category
Counted as of January 1 of the application year.
- check_circleSC/ST: 5 years above the upper limit
- check_circleOBC: 3 years
- check_circlePwD: 10 years
- check_circleSome posts have different upper age bands altogether, such as 20-30 or 20-32, so check the post-wise annexure in the notification before assuming 27 is your ceiling.
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Final-Year Students Can Apply
If you are in the final year of graduation, you can apply. The degree proof is not needed at the application stage; it must be produced at document verification, which happens after the final merit list. In practice that gives most final-year candidates a full exam cycle to graduate.
The risk sits with delayed results. If your university has not issued proof of graduation by the time document verification arrives, the candidature fails at the last step. Apply in your final year only if your degree timeline comfortably beats the CGL cycle.
No Attempt Limit
SSC CGL has no cap on attempts. You can apply every year for as long as you meet the age and eligibility criteria. The age band is therefore the real constraint: a general-category candidate who starts at 22 has roughly five cycles available, and each cycle is nearly a year long.
How to Apply
Applications are online only, on the SSC portal.
- 1
Register on ssc.gov.in
Complete one-time candidate registration with your basic details, photo and signature.
- 2
Fill Part I and Part II of the application
Personal details, post preferences and exam city choices.
- 3
Upload documents
Photo and signature in the prescribed format.
- 4
Pay the fee and submit
₹100 for General category; SC/ST, Ex-Servicemen and female candidates are exempted. Submit and keep the confirmation.
Verify Against the Current Notification
Age cut-off dates, post-wise age bands and fee exemptions are set per notification and can shift between cycles. Before applying, confirm every figure on this page against the current SSC CGL notification on ssc.gov.in.
SSC CGL Eligibility FAQs
What is the age limit for SSC CGL?expand_more
18-27 years for most posts, counted as of January 1 of the application year. SC/ST candidates get 5 extra years, OBC 3, PwD 10. Some posts have different bands such as 20-30 or 20-32.
Can a final-year student apply for SSC CGL?expand_more
Yes. Final-year graduation students can apply, but proof of graduation must be submitted at document verification after the final merit list.
How many attempts are allowed in SSC CGL?expand_more
There is no attempt limit. You can apply every year as long as you meet the age and eligibility criteria.
Does SSC CGL require a specific degree subject?expand_more
No. A bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognised university qualifies for most posts. A few specialist posts add subject conditions, such as Statistical Investigator requiring Statistics in graduation.
What is the SSC CGL application fee?expand_more
₹100 for General category candidates. SC/ST, Ex-Servicemen and female candidates are exempted from the fee.
Next steps
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