View source for Combined Graduate Level Examination

{{Short description|Indian examination}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2018}}
{{Infobox examination
| name                = Combined Graduate Level Examination
| image_name          = 
| image_alt           =
| caption             = 
| acronym             = 
| type                = Online standardized test
| test_admin          =
| skills_tested       = [[General knowledge]], [[reasoning]], quantitative aptitude, [[English language|English]] and Basic Computer Knowledge
| purpose             = Securing jobs in government organisations
| year_started        = {{Start date and age|df=yes|paren=yes|1975}}
| year_terminated     = <!-- {{End date|df=yes|YYYY}} -->
| duration      
| score_range         =
| score_validity      =
| offered             = Annually
| attempt_restriction =
| regions             = India
| language            = [[English language|English]]<br />[[Hindi]]
| test_takers         = 3.6million
| prerequisite        = Bachelor's degree
| fee                 = INR 100(Fee Exemption for Women, SC, ST, PwBD and ESM Candidates)
| score_users       =
| qualification_rate  =
| website             = https://ssc.gov.in/
}}

'''Combined Graduated Level Examination''' ('''SSC CGL''' or '''CGLE''') is an examination conducted by the [[Staff Selection Commission]] to recruit Group B and C officers to various posts in ministries, departments and organisations of the [[Government of India]]. The Staff Selection Commission was established in 1975.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/education/story/ssc-cgl/1/589336.html |title=SSC Exam 2016: Eligibility criteria and registration details : Notification | work=[[India Today]] | date=6 February 2016 |access-date=24 December 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/education/ssc-cgl-exam-2016-check-notification-on-feb-13/ |title=SSC exam 2016: Check notification on Feb 13 |newspaper=[[The Indian Express]] |access-date=24 December 2016}}</ref>

==Prerequisites==
Candidates applying for the various posts need to have a bachelor's degree from a recognised university at the time of applying. Applicants must be between 20 and 30 years of age.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/ssc-cgl-2018-notification-expected-today-know-eligibility-criteria-age-limit-pay-scale-selection-process-1739007.html|title=SSC 2018 Notification Expected Today, Know Eligibility Criteria, Age Limit, Pay Scale & Selection Process|editor-first=Puja | editor-last=Menon|date=5 May 2018|website=[[News18]]|access-date=10 September 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/education/news/ssc-cgl-2018-notification-check-here-ssc-cgl-2018-age-limit-salary-selection-procedure-and-more/articleshow/63841521.cms|title=SSC CGL 2018 Notification: Check SSC CGL 2018 age limit, salary, selection procedure and more | work=[[Times of India]] | date=20 April 2018 | access-date=10 September 2018}}</ref> The age limits may vary depending on the position applied. For instance, the position for Inspector of [[Central Bureau of Narcotics]], which originally had an age range from 18 to 27 years, was extended to 30 years in September 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/education/news/ssc-cgl-tier-i-exam-2018-ssc-makes-amendment-in-eligibility-check-details-here/articleshow/65715815.cms|title=SSC CGL Tier I Exam 2018: SSC makes amendment in eligibility, check details here | date=7 September 2018 | work=Times of India | access-date=10 September 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thestatesman.com/india/ssc-cgl-exam-2018-age-limit-inspector-post-increased-check-details-1502682671.html|title=SSC CGL exam 2018: Age limit for Inspector post increased, check details here | date=9 September 2018|work=[[The Statesman (India)|The Statesman]] | access-date=10 September 2018}}</ref> The application fee for 2017 is Rs. 100. All women, people in [[Scheduled Castes]] or [[Scheduled Tribes]], physically disabled people, and ex-servicemen eligible for reservation are exempted from paying the application fee.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/education/ssc-cgl-tier-i-exam-2016-to-held-on-may-8-and-22/ |title=SSC CGL Tier-I exam 2016 to held on May 8 and 22 |newspaper=[[The Indian Express]] |date=13 February 2016 |access-date=24 December 2016}}</ref>

==Structure==
The examination has four major tiers which are conducted over different days, with results posted after each tier. Previous exams also included an interview tier, but following a government order, interviews were removed for all non-gazetted posts in the central government as of 1 January 2016. A computer proficiency test or a skill test was also added as a tier for some posts.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/no-interview-for-non-gazetted-govt-jobs-from-january-1-pm-modi/ |title=No interview for non-gazetted govt jobs from January 1: PM Modi |newspaper=[[The Indian Express]] |access-date=24 December 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/education/story/ssc-cgl-2016/1/625881.html |title=SSC CGL 2016: Registration date extended : Notification |website=Indiatoday.intoday.in |date=23 March 2016 |access-date=24 December 2016}}</ref>

===Tier I: Preliminary {{anchor|Tier 1}}===
The Tier I exam consists of a computer based objective multiple-choice exam with four sections, covering the subjects of:
* General intelligence and reasoning(25Q)
* General awareness(25Q)
* Quantitative aptitude(25Q)
* English comprehension((25Q)

The exam is consists of 100 Questions and each of 2 marks , for a total of 200 marks.<ref name="ssc 2010">{{Cite web |url=http://ssc.nic.in/SSC_WEBSITE_LATEST/candidates_corner/syllabus/CGL_SYLL.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=29 March 2018 |archive-date=28 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180328160358/http://www.ssc.nic.in/SSC_WEBSITE_LATEST/candidates_corner/syllabus/CGL_SYLL.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="ssc 2016">{{cite web | url=http://ssc.nic.in:80/SSC_WEBSITE_LATEST/notice/notice_pdf/FnlCGLE_07032016.pdf | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160327060322/http://ssc.nic.in/SSC_WEBSITE_LATEST/notice/notice_pdf/FnlCGLE_07032016.pdf | title=Staff Selection Commission – Notice – Combined Graduate Level Examination, 2016 | url-status=dead | archive-date=27 March 2016 | publisher=[[Staff Selection Commission]] | location=India | df=dmy-all }}</ref> Based on results from Tier I, qualified candidates can then take the Tier II.<ref name="firstpost.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.firstpost.com/india/ssc-cgl-2017-tier-1-result-declared-150404-qualify-check-cut-off-marks-online-at-ssc-nic-in-4185165.html|title=SSC CGL 2017 Tier 1 result declared: 1,50,404 qualify; check cut-off marks online at ssc.nic.in - Firstpost|website=www.firstpost.com|date=31 October 2017 |access-date=30 March 2018}}</ref>

===Tier II: Mains Exam {{anchor|Tier 2}}===
Also known as the Mains Exam, the Tier II exam consists of a written multiple-choice exam, in three sections:
* Section 1
** Mathematical abilities
** Reasoning and general intelligence
* Section 2
** English language and comprehension
** General awareness
* Section 3
** Computer knowledge - covers the topics of [[word processing]], [[spreadsheet]]s, and making [[Presentation slide|slides]].
** Data entry speed test - candidates enter data at the rate of 2000 key presses in 15 minutes.  This is mainly for positions such as tax assistants.
* Section 4
** Statistics
* Section 5
** General studies (finance and economics)

Most positions require the candidate to take only the first three sections, but certain positions require the fourth or fifth sections.<ref name="ssc 2010"/><ref name="ssc 2016"/><ref name="firstpost.com"/>

===Other exams===
Other exams are required or were previously required for certain positions.<ref name="ssc 2010"/><ref name="ssc 2016"/> The types include:
* Personality test/interview - discontinued starting 2016
* Physical endurance test/medical examination - required for police applicants

==Logistics==
The 2016 exam was held in 44 batches across 96 cities.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/notification/story/ssc-cgl-2016-tier-ii-results-2016-963165-2017-02-28|title=SSC CGL Tier II Results 2016: Declared at ssc.nic.in|website=[[India Today]]|access-date=24 August 2018}}</ref> There were 3.8 million applicants, of which 1.48 million took the Tier 1 exam. 149,319 candidates passed Tier 1,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/ssc-cgl-2016-tier-1-results-announced-116111700749_1.html|title=SSC CGL 2016 tier-1 results announced|first=Tripti|last=Ramball|date=17 November 2016|access-date=24 August 2018|via=Business Standard}}</ref> and 35,096 candidates passed Tier 2.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.india.com/education/ssc-cgl-tier-ii-exam-2016-results-declared-35906-candidates-shortlisted-for-tier-iii-iv-1881824/|title=SSC CGL Tier II Exam 2016 Results Declared, 35,906 candidates shortlisted for Tier III, IV|first=Kanika|last=Khurana|date=1 March 2017|website=india.com|access-date=24 August 2018}}</ref> The final number of positions for the 2016 exam was estimated to be roughly 10,661.<ref name="pioneer"/>

Candidates were allowed to view their answer sheets and point out errors in the grading of answers for a fee of Rs. 100 per question.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.in/ssc-cgl-results-2016-likely-be-out-friday-how-check-cgl-tier-1-results-698768 |title=SC CGL results 2016 likely to be out on Friday: How to check CGL Tier 1 Results |work=[[International Business Times]] | location=India |access-date=24 December 2016 | first=Raymond | last=Ronamai | date=7 October 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.financialexpress.com/photos/education-gallery/410420/ssc-cgl-tier-1-exam-result-2016-announced-today-check-ssc-nic-in/2/ |title=SSC CGL Tier 1 exam result 2016 set to be declared soon, check ssc.nic.in for latest update |newspaper=[[The Financial Express (India)|The Financial Express]] |date=10 October 2016 |access-date=24 December 2016}}</ref>

For the 2017 exam, 3,026,598 candidates filled in the online application,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/jobs/ssc-cgl-2017-commission-receives-over-30-26-lakh-applications/|title=SSC CGL 2017: Commission receives over 30.26 lakh applications|date=19 June 2017|website=indianexpress.com|access-date=10 September 2018}}</ref> of which 1,543,418 candidates took the exam. 226,229 candidates passed Tier 1,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/jobs/staff-selection-commission-ssc/ssc-cgl-2017-revised-results-declared-cut-off-goes-down-at-ssc-nic-in-5020367/|title=SSC CGL Tier I exam 2017: Revised results, cut-off released at ssc.nic.in, 2,26, 299 qualify for Tier II|date=11 January 2018|work=[[The Indian Express]] |access-date=24 August 2018}}</ref> and 47,003 candidates passed Tier 2.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/ssc-cgl-tier-ii-result-2017-out-on-ssc-nic-in-47003-candidates-qualify-tier-iii-exam-on-8th-july-2018-1771721.html|title=SSC CGL Tier II Result 2017 out on ssc.nic.in; 47,003 Candidates Qualify, Tier-III Exam on 8th July 2018|date=7 June 2018 | work=[[News18]]|access-date=24 August 2018}}</ref>

==Controversies==
On 21 February 2018, it was reported that the screenshots of the question paper of the 2017 SSC Tier 2 exam appeared on social media before the exam began.<ref name=quint_explain>{{cite web|url=https://www.thequint.com/explainers/what-is-ssc-scam-explained|title=What Is the SSC 'Scam' & Why Did it Lead to Massive Protests?|date=6 March 2018 | work=[[The Quint]]|access-date=30 March 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/notification/story/-malpractices-lead-to-cancellation-of-ssc-cgl-tier-ii-2017-important-notice-released-at-ssc-nic-in-1172608-2018-02-19|title='Malpractices' lead to cancellation of SSC CGL Tier II 2017: Important notice released at ssc.nic.in|website=India Today|access-date=24 August 2018}}</ref> This led to massive protests.<ref name=quint_explain /> The authorities canceled the exam and the [[Central Bureau of Investigation]] conducted an investigation, releasing a [[first information report]] that named several entities including employees at [[Sify|Sify Technologies]] that allegedly participated in the leak.<ref name=quint_explain /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.livemint.com/Politics/ZcbCRbJaBc1ucyndksQnVK/CBI-files-case-against-17-people-on-SSC-paper-leak.html|title = CBI files case against 17 people on SSC paper leak|date = 23 May 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://indianexpress.com/article/education/cbi-questions-sify-coo-in-ssc-paper-leak-case-5191471/ | title= CBI questions Sify COO in SSC paper leak case | date=26 May 2018 | newspaper=The Indian Express | access-date=31 August 2019 }}</ref> The Tier 3 exam for that year was also postponed. The 2018 final results were announced in early 2021 after a delay of almost 3 years.

==Exam delays==
Postponements in exam dates and/or results have been a regular occurrence. In addition to the delays in launching the 2017 Tier 1 exams,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/notification/story/ssc-cgl-2017-967473-2017-03-24|title=SSC CGL Official Notification 2017 delayed: Expected to be out soon at ssc.nic.in|website=India Today|access-date=24 August 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.livemint.com/Education/7wZ5rWddt4pcu8AnXDVeDO/SSC-CGL-2017-exam-dates-postponed-says-notofication-on-ssc.html|title=SSC CGL 2017 tier 1 exam dates postponed, says notification on ssc.nic.in|last=Livemint|date=19 July 2017|website=livemint.com|access-date=24 August 2018}}</ref> the 2016 exam final appointments were delayed.<ref name="pioneer">{{cite web|url=https://www.dailypioneer.com/impact/speed-up-the-appointment-process-of-10661-ssc-qualified-candidates-says-staff-selection-commission-to-the-government.html|title="Speed Up the Appointment Process of 10,661 SSC Qualified Candidates" Says Staff Selection Commission to the Government|first=The|last=Pioneer|website=dailypioneer.com|access-date=24 August 2018}}</ref> and the 2018 Tier 1 exams are being postponed.<ref name="SSC_Delays">{{cite web |date=27 April 2024 |title=SSC CGL Notification 2024: Check Application Dates |url=https://testbook.com/ssc-cgl-exam |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ssc.gov.in/ |archive-date=28 August 2017 |access-date=27 April 2024 |website=www.testbook.com}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Combined Higher Secondary Level Examination]]
* [[Junior Science Talent Search Examination]]
* [[Services Selection Board]]
* [[Public service commissions in India]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Standardized tests in India}}
{{Public Service Commissions in India}}
{{Public Services of India}}
{{Civil service}}
{{Indian military academies and colleges}}

[[Category:Civil service tests in India]]
[[Category:Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions]]