SSC conducts multiple exams for government job recruitment in India. You can apply after the 10th, 12th, and after graduation, along with preparation strategies.
SSC Exams After 12th
After Class 12 (10+2), you are eligible for the following SSC exams:
- SSC CHSL (Combined Higher Secondary Level)
- Eligibility: 12th pass (Any Stream)
- Age Limit: 18-27 years
- Posts: Lower Division Clerk (LDC), Postal Assistant, Data Entry Operator
- Exam Pattern:
- Tier 1 (Objective MCQ Test): English, General Intelligence, Quantitative Aptitude, General Awareness
- Tier 2 (Descriptive Paper): Essay and Letter Writing
- Tier 3 (Skill Test/Typing Test)
- SSC MTS (Multi-Tasking Staff)
- Eligibility: 10th pass (Matriculation)
- Age Limit: 18-25 years
- Posts: Peon, Gardener, Clerk, Chowkidar, etc.
- Exam Pattern:
- Paper 1 (Objective Test): Reasoning, Maths, General Awareness, English
- Paper 2 (Descriptive): Short Essay/Letter Writing
- SSC GD Constable (General Duty Constable)
- Eligibility: 10th pass (Matriculation)
- Age Limit: 18-23 years
- Posts: Constable in BSF, CISF, ITBP, CRPF, etc.
- Exam Pattern:
- Written Test: General Intelligence, Maths, General Awareness, English/Hindi
- Physical Efficiency Test (PET) & Medical Examination
- SSC Stenographer (Grade C & D)
- Eligibility: 12th pass
- Age Limit: 18-30 years
- Posts: Stenographer in government offices
- Exam Pattern:
- Tier 1: English, Reasoning, General Awareness
- Skill Test: Typing/Stenography Speed Test
SSC Exams After Graduation
If you have completed a graduation, you are eligible for these SSC exams:
- SSC CGL (Combined Graduate Level Exam)
- Eligibility: Graduation in any discipline
- Age Limit: 18-32 years (varies by post)
- Posts: Inspector (Income Tax, Excise, CBI), Assistant, Auditor, Accountant, etc.
- Exam Pattern:
- Tier 1 (Objective): Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning, English, General Awareness
- Tier 2 (Objective): Quantitative Aptitude & English
- Tier 3 (Descriptive): Essay/Letter Writing
- Tier 4 (Skill Test/Computer Proficiency Test)
- SSC CPO (Central Police Organization – SI in Delhi Police, CAPF, CISF)
- Eligibility: Graduation in any stream
- Age Limit: 20-25 years
- Exam Pattern:
- Paper 1: Quantitative Aptitude, English, Reasoning, General Awareness
- Physical Test: Running, Long Jump, Push-ups, etc.
- Paper 2: English Language
- SSC JSO (Junior Statistical Officer) & AAO (Assistant Audit Officer)
Eligibility:
Preparation Strategy for SSC Exams
1. Understand the Syllabus
- Read the official syllabus from the SSC notification.
- Identify key subjects: Quantitative Aptitude, English, Reasoning, and General Awareness.
2. Follow a Study Plan
Daily:
- 1-2 hours: Maths Practice
- 1 hour: Reasoning Practice
- 1 hour: English (Grammar, Vocabulary, Reading)
- 1 hour: General Awareness (Current Affairs, History, Polity)
3. Best Books for SSC Preparation
Best Books
- Maths Quantitative Aptitude by R.S. Aggarwal
- Reasoning A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning by R.S. Aggarwal
- English Objective General English by S.P. Bakshi
- General Awareness Lucent’s General Knowledge
4. Solve Previous Year Papers
- SSC repeats many questions.
- 5 years’ previous papers to understand patterns.
5. Take Mock Tests
- Practice online mock tests weekly.
- Analyze mistakes and improve speed.
6. Stay Updated on Current Affairs
- Read newspapers like The Hindu and Times of India.
- Follow monthly current affairs magazines.
7. Improve Speed & Accuracy
- Time management is key.
- Focus on shortcuts & tricks for Maths and Reasoning.
Which SSC Exam Should You Choose?
- If you just passed 12th: Start with SSC CHSL, MTS, or GD Constable.
- If you completed graduation: Target SSC CGL or CPO for better salary and career growth.
- If you want a technical post: Try JSO or AAO in SSC CGL.
SSC EXAM CALENDAR FOR THE YEAR 2025-2026
| S.No. | Name of Examination | Tier/Phase | Date of Advertisement | Closing Date | Month of Exam |
| 1. | JSA/ LDC Grade Limited Departmental Competitive Examination, 2024 (only for DoPT) | Paper-I (CBE)* | 28-Feb-2025 | (Friday) 20-Mar-2025 | (Thursday) Apr-May, 2025 |
| 2 | SSA/ UDCGrade Limited Departmental Competitive Examination, 2024 (only for DoPT) | Paper-I (CBE)* | 06-Mar-2025 | (Thursday) 26-Mar-2025 | (Wednesday) Apr-May, 2025 |
| 3. | ASO Grade Limited Departmental Competitive Examination, 2022-2024 | Paper-I (CBE)* | 20-Mar-2025 | (Thursday) 09-Apr-2025 | (Wednesday) Apr-May, 2025 |
| 4. | Selection Post Examination, Phase-XIII , 2025 | CBE* | 16-Apr-2025 | (Wednesday) 15-May-2025 | (Thursday) Jun-Jul, 2025 |
| 5. | Combined Graduate Level Examination, 2025 | Tier-I (CBE)* | 22-Apr-2025 | (Tuesday) 21-May-2025 | (Wednesday) Jun-Jul, 2025 |
| 6. | Sub-Inspector in Delhi Police and Central Armed Police Forces Examination, 2025 | Paper-I (CBE)* | 16-May-2025 | (Saturday) Jul-Aug, 2025 | |
| 7. | Combined Higher Secondary (10+2) Level Examination, 2025 | Tier-I (CBE)* | 27-May-2025 | (Tuesday) 25-Jun-2025 | (Wednesday) Jul-Aug, 2025 |
| 8. | Multi Tasking (Non-Technical) Staff, and Havaldar (CBIC & CBN) Examination, 2025 | CBE* | 26-Jun-2025 | (Thursday) 25-Jul-2025 | (Friday) Sep-Oct, 2025 |
| 9. | Stenographer Grade ‘C’ & ‘D’ Examination, 2025 | CBE* | 29-Jul-2025 | (Tuesday) 21-Aug-2025 | (Thursday) Oct-Nov, 2025 |
| 10. | Junior Engineer (Civil, Mechanical, Electrical) Examination, 2025 | Paper-I (CBE)* | 05-Aug-2025 | (Tuesday) 28-Aug-2025 | (Thursday) Oct-Nov, 2025 |
| 11. | Combined Hindi Translators Examination, 2025 | Paper-I (CBE)* | 26-Aug-2025 | (Tuesday) 18-Sep-2025 | (Thursday) Oct-Nov, 2025 |
| 12. | Constable (Executive) Male and Female in Delhi Police Examination, 2025 | CBE* | 02-Sep-2025 | (Tuesday) 01-Oct-2025 | (Wednesday) Nov-Dec, 2025 |
| 13. | Constable (Driver)-Male in Delhi Police Examination, 2025 | CBE* | 19-Sep-2025 | (Friday) 12-Oct-2025 | (Sunday) Nov-Dec, 2025 |
| 14. | Head Constable (Ministerial) in Delhi Police Examination, 2025 | CBE* | 07-Oct-2025 | (Tuesday) 05-Nov-2025 | (Wednesday) Dec, 2025 – Jan, 2026 |
| 15. | Head Constable {Assistant Wireless Operator (AWO)/Tele-Printer Operator (TPO)} in Delhi Police Examination, 2025 | CBE* | 14-Oct-2025 | (Tuesday) 06-Nov-2025 | (Thursday) Dec, 2025 – Jan, 2026 |
| 16. | Grade ‘C’ Stenographer Limited Departmental Competitive Examination, 2025 | Paper-I (CBE)* | 30-Oct-2025 | (Thursday) 19-Nov-2025 | (Wednesday) Jan-Feb, 2026 |
| Constables (GD) in Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), NIA, SSF, and Rifleman (GD) in Assam Rifles Examination, 2026 | CBE* | 11-Nov-2025 | (Tuesday) 15-Dec-2025 | (Monday) Mar-Apr, 2026 | |
| 18. | JSA/ LDC Grade Limited Departmental Competitive Examination, 2025 | Paper-I (CBE)* | 16-Dec-2025 | (Tuesday) 05-Jan-2026 | (Monday) Jan-Feb, 2026 |
| 19. | SSA/ UDC Grade Limited Departmental Competitive Examination, 2025 | Paper-I (CBE)* | 23-Dec-2025 | (Tuesday) 12-Jan-2026 | (Monday) Jan-Feb, 2026 |
| 20. | ASO Grade Limited Departmental Competitive Examination, 2025 Paper-I | (CBE)* | 15-Jan-2026 | (Thursday) 04-Feb-2026 | (Wednesday) Mar-Apr, 2026 |
Basic Tips
- Focus on time management in exam.
- Early preparation matters (6-12 months before the exam).
- Consistent with daily practice.
- Keep checking the official SSC website (https://ssc.nic.in/) for notifications.