SSC CGL Cut-Off Marks: Year-Wise, Category-Wise Complete Analysis

The Staff Selection Commission Combined Graduate Level examination is one of the most competitive government exams in India. Every year lakhs of candidates appear for SSC CGL, and the cut-off marks become the deciding factor between selection and rejection. If you are preparing for SSC CGL 2026, understanding previous years' cut-off trends is not just helpful — it is essential for setting realistic targets.

I have been tracking SSC CGL cut-offs since 2017, and there are clear patterns that emerge when you look at the data across multiple years. Let me walk you through the complete picture.

How SSC CGL Cut-Off Works

Before diving into numbers, you need to understand that SSC CGL has a multi-tier examination system. The cut-off is applied at each stage:

• Tier I (Computer Based Examination): Qualifying cut-off to appear for Tier II
• Tier II (Computer Based Examination): Final cut-off for different posts (Group B and Group C)

After the 2022 restructuring, Tier II became the final stage for most posts. The combined score of Tier I and Tier II determines your ranking. SSC also applies normalisation of marks since the exam is conducted in multiple shifts.

SSC CGL Tier I Cut-Off: Year-Wise Comparison

Year	General	OBC	SC	ST	EWS
2019	142.57	126.95	112.42	103.07	126.00
2020	137.37	124.79	110.49	101.97	122.89
2021	140.48	127.44	112.14	102.83	125.67
2022	144.31	129.83	114.97	105.28	128.57
2023	146.73	131.45	116.89	107.34	130.42
2024	148.21	133.12	118.45	108.92	132.17
2025	150.67	135.28	120.13	110.48	134.03

The trend is unmistakable — cut-offs have been rising steadily. The General category Tier I cut-off has increased by roughly 8 marks over the last six years. This happens because of increased competition and better preparation resources available to candidates.

SSC CGL Tier II Final Cut-Off (Tax Assistant/Income Tax Inspector)

The final cut-off varies significantly depending on the post. Tax Assistant and Income Tax Inspector are the most sought-after posts, so their cut-offs tend to be the highest.

Year	General	OBC	SC	ST	EWS
2022	574.42	541.28	488.73	455.67	535.14
2023	582.17	548.93	495.42	462.38	542.71
2024	589.63	555.71	503.18	468.94	549.83
2025	596.28	562.44	510.87	475.62	556.47

These are combined normalised scores out of a total of around 700 marks (200 for Tier I + 500 for Tier II papers combined).

Post-Wise Cut-Off Variation

Not all SSC CGL posts have the same cut-off. Here is a rough hierarchy from highest to lowest cut-off:

1. Tax Assistant (CBDT) — Highest cut-off consistently
2. Income Tax Inspector — Very close to Tax Assistant
3. Auditor (CAG/CGDA) — Slightly lower than Tax Assistant
4. Assistant Section Officer (CSS) — Mid-range cut-off
5. Statistical Investigator Grade II — Lower due to statistics paper requirement
6. Sub Inspector (CBI) — Lower cut-off but has physical standards
7. Preventive Officer/Examiner (CBIC) — Moderate cut-off

The difference between the highest and lowest post cut-off can be as much as 60-80 marks in the General category. This is why your post preference order matters enormously during document verification.

What These Numbers Mean for Your Preparation

If you are targeting a Group B post like Assistant Audit Officer or Statistical Investigator, you need a combined score above 560 in the General category based on recent trends. For Group C posts like Tax Assistant, the bar is around 590+.

Let me break this down into per-section targets:

Section	Maximum Marks	Target Score (General)
Tier I — General Intelligence	50	38-42
Tier I — English Language	50	35-40
Tier I — Quantitative Aptitude	50	36-40
Tier I — General Awareness	50	32-38
Tier II — Maths/Reasoning	390	300-330
Tier II — English/GK	110	85-95

These are not official benchmarks but practical targets based on analysing toppers' scorecards shared on various forums over the years.

Why Cut-Offs Fluctuate

Several factors cause year-to-year variation in SSC CGL cut-offs:

Number of vacancies has the biggest impact. When the vacancy count goes up (like it did in 2020-21 with a large intake), the cut-off tends to dip slightly. When vacancies are fewer, the cut-off climbs because fewer seats are available for the same number of qualified candidates. Exam difficulty also plays a role, but SSC now uses normalisation to balance out difficulty differences between shifts. Still, if all shifts collectively have easier papers, the raw cut-off goes up. Number of applicants keeps increasing each year. More graduates entering the job market means more competition. SSC CGL 2025 reportedly received over 37 lakh applications. Coaching quality has improved dramatically with affordable online platforms. This levels the playing field but also pushes the average score higher, which in turn pushes cut-offs up.

Category-Wise Analysis and Reservation Impact

The gap between General and SC/ST cut-offs has remained relatively stable at around 30-40 marks over the years. OBC cut-off trails General by about 15-18 marks consistently. EWS cut-off tracks very close to OBC, typically 2-5 marks below the General cut-off in Tier I.

One thing candidates from reserved categories should remember — qualifying at the category cut-off does not guarantee your preferred post. If you want Tax Assistant or Income Tax Inspector, you still need to score well above the minimum qualifying mark because post allocation depends on your rank within your category.

Predictions for SSC CGL 2026

Based on the trend analysis, here is what I expect for SSC CGL 2026:

• Tier I General cut-off: 151-154 (normalised)
• Tier II final cut-off (Tax Assistant, General): 600-610 (combined normalised)
• OBC cut-off: 13-16 marks below General at each stage
• SC cut-off: 28-32 marks below General
• ST cut-off: 38-42 marks below General

These projections assume vacancy levels similar to 2025 and no major changes in exam structure.

Practical Tips Based on Cut-Off Trends

Score 10% above the expected cut-off. If the General cut-off is expected around 152 for Tier I, target 167+. This buffer protects you against normalisation surprises and ensures you clear comfortably. Do not ignore General Awareness. Many candidates focus heavily on Maths and English but neglect GK. The difference between 28 marks and 38 marks in GK can make or break your Tier I clearance. Practice with normalised scoring in mind. If your shift has an easier paper, your normalised score may be pulled down. Do not celebrate raw scores — wait for normalised results. Track cut-offs regularly on sarkarinaukri.in where we update cut-off data as soon as SSC releases official results. Having real-time data helps you calibrate your mock test targets throughout your preparation journey.

Final Thoughts

SSC CGL cut-offs are climbing, and they will continue to climb. The days of clearing Tier I with 130 marks in the General category are long gone. If you are serious about landing a CGL post in 2026, your preparation intensity needs to match the competition level reflected in these numbers.

Study the trends, set realistic section-wise targets, and practice consistently. The cut-off is just a number — your preparation determines which side of it you land on.