SSC CGL Exam Dates: The Full Yearly Cycle
From notification to final result, a CGL cycle runs across most of a year. Here's the typical month-by-month shape.
An SSC CGL cycle runs across most of a year: notification in autumn, Tier 1 early the next year, Tier 2 in the middle of it, final result near its end. The exact dates change every cycle and only the notification on ssc.gov.in fixes them, but the shape of the calendar is stable enough to plan preparation around.
Here is the typical month-by-month sequence, and what each stage means for when you should start.
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The Typical SSC CGL Cycle
Expected months, based on recent cycles. The current notification is the only binding source.
| Stage | Typical Months |
|---|---|
| Notification release | September-October |
| Application window | October-November |
| Tier 1 exam | January-February |
| Tier 1 result | March-April |
| Tier 2 exam | June-July |
| Final result | November-December |
What the Timeline Means for Your Preparation
Count backwards from Tier 1. If it lands in January-February and a solid preparation run takes four months, starting by September, around when the notification typically drops, is already the late edge. Candidates who begin when the application window opens are giving themselves weeks, not months.
The three-month gap between the Tier 1 result and Tier 2 is not idle time either. Tier 2's English section alone carries 135 marks; the strong candidates treat that window as a second, more focused preparation block.
Whatever the dates, the syllabus is waiting. Start free.
Dates to Track Once the Notification Drops
- checkApplication opening and closing dates, and the fee payment deadline
- checkThe correction window for application edits
- checkExam city intimation and admit card release
- checkTier 1 exam dates and your allotted shift
- checkAnswer key publication and the objection window
Only ssc.gov.in Dates Are Real Dates
Cycle months shift, exams get rescheduled, and vacancy counts get revised after notification. Every specific date for your cycle comes from the official notification and notices on ssc.gov.in. Treat any other source, including this page's typical months, as planning guidance only.
SSC CGL Dates FAQs
When is the SSC CGL notification released?expand_more
Typically in September-October each year, with the application window running October-November. The exact dates are fixed only by the official notification on ssc.gov.in.
How long is the gap between Tier 1 and Tier 2?expand_more
In a typical cycle, Tier 1 runs January-February and Tier 2 June-July, with the Tier 1 result arriving March-April, so candidates get roughly two to three months of confirmed Tier 2 preparation time.
How long does the full SSC CGL selection take?expand_more
From notification to final result, a typical cycle spans about 14 months: notification in September-October and the final result in November-December of the following year.
Next steps
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