SSC CGL Tier 2 Exam Date 2026 Announced for January 18 & 19

Published: Saturday, December 20, 2025, 12:43 [IST]

The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has officially announced the SSC CGL Tier 2 Exam Date 2026, bringing clarity to lakhs of candidates awaiting the next stage of the Combined Graduate Level (CGL) examination.

SSC CGL Tier 2 Exam Date 2026 Announced

As per the latest update, the Tier 2 examination will be conducted on January 18 and January 19, 2026, at various examination centres across the country. Candidates who qualified in the Tier 1 stage will be eligible to appear for this crucial phase of the recruitment process.

According to SSC, a total of 1,39,395 candidates have been shortlisted from Tier 1 and will now compete in Tier 2, which plays a decisive role in final selection for Group B and Group C posts under various central government ministries, departments, and organisations.

SSC CGL Tier 1 Result and Shortlisting Status

The SSC CGL Tier 1 Result 2025 was earlier declared on the official website, ssc.gov.in, along with the category-wise cutoff marks and merit list. Candidates who secured the minimum qualifying marks as prescribed by the Commission have been provisionally shortlisted for Tier 2.

The Tier 1 examination primarily served as a screening test, while Tier 2 is a scoring stage, meaning performance in this phase will directly impact final selection, subject to document verification and other eligibility requirements.

SSC CGL Tier 2 Exam 2026: Key Highlights

Events	Details
Exam Dates	January 18 & January 19, 2026
Total Qualified Candidates	1,39,395
Exam Mode	Computer-Based Test (CBT)
Posts Covered	Assistant Section Officer, Inspector, Auditor, Accountant, Junior Statistical Officer (JSO), and other Group B & C posts
Conducting Authority	Staff Selection Commission (SSC)

SSC CGL Tier 2 Exam Pattern Overview

The Tier 2 examination consists of multiple papers conducted in CBT mode:

Paper I: Compulsory for all candidates (Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning, English, General Awareness, Computer Knowledge)

Paper II: For candidates applying for Junior Statistical Officer (JSO)

Paper III: For candidates applying for Assistant Audit Officer (AAO)

Each paper carries significant weight in the final merit calculation, and candidates must qualify both overall and section-wise cutoffs, where applicable.

Admit Card and Exam City Details

SSC is expected to release the SSC CGL Tier 2 Admit Card 2026 around one week before the examination dates. The admit card will contain essential information such as:

Exam date and shift timing

Exam centre address
Candidate details and roll number
Important exam day instructions

Candidates will be required to download their admit cards from the respective SSC regional websites using their registration number and password/date of birth.

Exam Day Guidelines for SSC CGL Tier 2

Candidates appearing for the Tier 2 examination must strictly follow the guidelines issued by SSC:

Carry a printed copy of the admit card and a valid photo ID proof
Reach the examination centre well before the reporting time
Electronic gadgets, calculators, smartwatches, and study material are strictly prohibited
Follow biometric verification and frisking procedures at the centre
Failure to comply with exam rules may lead to disqualification.

What Happens After SSC CGL Tier 2?

After the successful completion of the Tier 2 examination, SSC will release:

Tier 2 Answer Key
Tier 2 Result and Cutoff Marks
Final Merit List based on post preferences

Document Verification (DV) schedule

The final allocation of posts will depend on Tier 2 performance, post preference, category-wise vacancy availability, and verification of documents.

Conclusion

The announcement of the SSC CGL Tier 2 Exam Date 2026 marks a critical phase in the recruitment cycle. With over 1.39 lakh candidates set to appear on January 18 and 19, 2026, aspirants are advised to intensify their preparation and stay updated through the official SSC website. Clearing Tier 2 is essential for securing a coveted position in the central government, making this stage one of the most competitive and decisive in the SSC CGL selection process.