Lakhs of graduates preparing for the Staff Selection Commission's Combined Graduate Level exam are back on the clock. After a short pause that followed the October 16 shifts, the SSC CGL 2026 Tier 1 computer-based test resumes on Thursday, October 22, and runs on five more dates until October 28. Admit cards for each date are being released on ssc.gov.in two to three days in advance, so candidates in the last phase should keep checking their login.
SSC CGL 2026 at a glance
This year's CGL recruitment is for 10,731 Group B and Group C posts across central government ministries, departments and offices. Around 28.5 lakh candidates registered, which makes it one of the biggest recruitment exams in the country. Tier 1 began on September 30 and has been held in multiple shifts a day at centres across India.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Exam | SSC Combined Graduate Level (CGL) 2026, Tier 1 |
| Vacancies | 10,731 (Group B and C) |
| Registered candidates | About 28.5 lakh |
| Tier 1 started | September 30, 2026 |
| Remaining exam dates | October 22, 23, 24, 27 and 28 |
| Admit card release | 2 to 3 days before each exam date |
| Mode | Computer-based test, three shifts a day |
| Official website | ssc.gov.in |
Shift timings for the remaining dates
The exam is held in three one-hour shifts every day. Reporting times are earlier, and gates close half an hour before the paper begins, so plan your travel accordingly.
| Shift | Exam time (reporting / gate closing) |
|---|---|
| Shift 1 | 10:00 am to 11:00 am (report 8:30 am, gate closes 9:30 am) |
| Shift 2 | 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm (report 12:00 noon, gate closes 1:00 pm) |
| Shift 3 | 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm (report 3:30 pm, gate closes 4:30 pm) |
How to download the SSC CGL Tier 1 admit card
The admit card is downloaded from your candidate login on the main SSC portal. Keep your registration number and password handy.
- Go to the official website, ssc.gov.in, and click on "Login or Register".
- Enter your registration number (user name), password and the captcha code.
- Open the section for checking the status of your admission certificate.
- Select "Combined Graduate Level Examination, 2026 – Tier 1".
- Your admit card will appear on screen. Check every detail, then download and take a clear printout.
If the page says your admit card is not available, it usually means your exam date is still more than three days away. Try again closer to the date. If you see a mismatch, such as the wrong exam language, download the card again and contact your SSC regional office if the error persists.
Details to check on your hall ticket
Before exam day, verify your name, photograph, signature, roll number, registration number, date of birth, category, exam date, shift, reporting time and full centre address. The city intimation slip that many candidates downloaded earlier only shows the exam city. It is not the admit card and will not get you into the hall.
What to carry on exam day
- A printed copy of the admit card (a phone screenshot is not enough).
- An original, valid photo ID card, plus a photocopy.
- Recent passport-size colour photographs.
- Candidates whose Aadhaar authentication was not completed should carry at least two photos and an original photo ID showing date of birth, and reach the centre well before reporting time.
Mobile phones, smartwatches, earphones, Bluetooth devices, calculators, bags and study material are not allowed inside. There is no formal dress code, but simple clothes with minimal metal accessories make frisking quicker.
Quick recap of the Tier 1 pattern
Tier 1 has 100 objective questions for 200 marks, to be solved in 60 minutes. There are four sections of 25 questions each: General Intelligence and Reasoning, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude and English Comprehension. This year SSC has also introduced sectional timing, so each section has its own fixed window. Candidates who used to spend extra time on maths and rush English should practise mocks with the sectional clock in mind.
What happens after Tier 1
Once all shifts are over, SSC will release provisional answer keys with a window to raise objections, followed by the result and the list of candidates who qualify for Tier 2. Dates for these steps will be announced on ssc.gov.in. For now, the best use of the final few days is revision, mock tests and making sure your admit card and documents are ready.
Comments (0)