SSC CGL 2026 Tier-1 Exam Dates Confirmed: Check Your City Slip and Admit Card Release Timeline

SSC has fixed Combined Graduate Level Examination 2026 Tier‑1 from September 30 to October 30, 2026, across multiple shifts. The confirmation follows the Commission’s September 12 schedule notice. Candidates should now prioritise city slip tracking and admit card timelines to avoid last‑minute confusion and travel costs.

City information generally appears about two weeks before the exam, though regions vary. In practice, city slips often roll out 7–10 days before your allotted date, while admit cards release 2–7 or 3–4 days prior on regional portals. Plan travel only after checking your region’s update.

SSC CGL 2026 Tier‑1 dates and multi‑shift CBT

The month‑long window enables staggered scheduling nationwide. Tier‑1 will run as computer‑based tests in several daily shifts. SSC applies its published normalisation procedure to equalise difficulty across shifts. Merit will therefore reflect normalised scores, not raw shift performance in a single slot.

City intimation and admit card release window

Expect city slips for early test‑takers around September 20–23, based on past cycles. Releases occur region‑wise and in batches, not always in a single drop. Admit cards follow closer to the exam date. Track the concerned regional website in addition to SSC headquarters updates.

Pattern, marking and normalisation for SSC CGL 2026

Tier‑1 has four sections of 25 questions each, totalling 200 marks in 60 minutes. There is 0.50 negative marking per wrong answer. Tier‑2 retains sectional timers, Computer Knowledge Test, and DEST. Scores across shifts will be normalised and used for merit.

ID checklist, banned items and reporting time

Carry your admit card and one original photo ID: Aadhaar, Passport, Driving Licence, Voter ID, PAN, or equivalent government ID. Electronic gadgets, watches, pens, books, or paper chits are barred. Transparent water bottles are allowed. Follow the admit card’s reporting slot; gates close at the stated time.

PwD and scribe rules to note

Eligible Persons with Benchmark Disabilities receive 20 minutes per hour as compensatory time. If opting for an own scribe, ensure One Time Registration and Aadhaar authentication for the scribe. A candidate cannot act as a scribe. Keep original disability documents ready for verification.

After Tier‑1, expect tentative answer keys with an online objection window, followed by normalised results. Tier‑2 dates will be notified on SSC’s website and regional portals. Keep monitoring your region’s page for city slip batches, admit cards, and post‑exam notices through October.