SSC Exam Calendar 2026-27: All Exam Dates, Application Windows
Complete SSC exam calendar for 2026-27 with dates for CGL, CHSL, MTS, GD, CPO, JE, Stenographer. Application windows and result timelines included.
SSC releases an annual exam calendar that outlines tentative dates for all its examinations. For candidates juggling multiple SSC exams — and many of you are preparing for CGL, CHSL, and MTS simultaneously — this calendar is your planning bible. It tells you when to apply, when to expect the exam, and how much preparation time you actually have.
I have compiled the SSC exam calendar for 2026-27 based on the official notification and historical patterns. Keep in mind that SSC dates are "tentative" even when officially published. Delays of 2-8 weeks are common, but the relative sequence usually holds.
SSC Exam Calendar 2026-27: Complete Schedule
Tier I / CBT / Paper I Examinations
| Exam | Notification Date | Application Window | Exam Date (Tentative) |
|---|---|---|---|
| CGL 2026 | April 2026 | April-May 2026 | July 2026 |
| CHSL 2026 | May 2026 | May-June 2026 | August-September 2026 |
| MTS 2026 | June 2026 | June-July 2026 | October-November 2026 |
| GD Constable 2026 | July 2026 | July-August 2026 | November-December 2026 |
| CPO 2026 | August 2026 | August-September 2026 | December 2026-January 2027 |
| JE 2026 | September 2026 | September-October 2026 | January-February 2027 |
| Stenographer 2026 | October 2026 | October-November 2026 | February-March 2027 |
| Selection Post Phase XIV | November 2026 | November-December 2026 | March 2027 |
Tier II / Paper II / Subsequent Stages
| Exam | Expected Tier II Date |
|---|---|
| CGL 2026 Tier II | October-November 2026 |
| CHSL 2026 Tier II | December 2026-January 2027 |
| CPO 2026 Paper II | March-April 2027 |
| JE 2026 Paper II | April-May 2027 |
| Stenographer 2026 Skill Test | May-June 2027 |
Understanding SSC's Exam Cycle
SSC follows a reasonably predictable annual pattern. Here is how a typical exam cycle flows:
- Notification — SSC publishes the exam notification with vacancies, eligibility, and application link
- Application window — Usually 3-4 weeks to submit online applications
- Admit card release — 7-15 days before the exam
- Tier I exam — Conducted over multiple days/shifts
- Answer key — Released 10-15 days after exam completion
- Tier I result — 2-4 months after the exam (SSC's biggest bottleneck)
- Tier II exam — 2-3 months after Tier I result
- Final result — 3-6 months after Tier II
Application Fee Structure
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS (Male) | Rs 100 |
| SC / ST / PwD / ESM | Exempt (Rs 0) |
| All Women candidates | Exempt (Rs 0) |
Key Dates to Watch
CGL 2026 — The Most Anticipated Exam
SSC CGL notification is expected in April 2026. If you are targeting CGL, here is your preparation timeline:
| Month | Action |
|---|---|
| Now (March 2026) | Foundation building — Maths, English, Reasoning basics |
| April 2026 | Apply immediately when notification drops |
| May-June 2026 | Intensive subject-wise preparation |
| July 2026 | Full mock test mode — 2-3 mocks per week |
| July (last week) | Tier I exam expected |
| August-September | Wait for result + start Tier II prep |
| October-November | Tier II exam expected |
CHSL 2026 — Preparation Overlap with CGL
If you are appearing for both CGL and CHSL, the good news is significant syllabus overlap. About 70% of the Tier I syllabus is common. The key differences:
- CHSL has lower difficulty level in Maths and Reasoning
- CHSL Tier II has a descriptive component (essay/letter) that CGL does not
- CHSL cut-offs are lower than CGL
MTS 2026 — Entry-Level Opportunity
MTS notification usually comes in June-July. If you are a 10th-pass candidate, start preparing now. MTS syllabus is more basic than CGL/CHSL, but the competition is intense due to the massive applicant pool.
How SSC Dates Have Shifted Over the Years
SSC's published calendar and actual exam dates often diverge. Here is a reality check:
| Exam | Calendar Date | Actual Date | Delay |
|---|---|---|---|
| CGL 2024 Tier I | June 2024 | September 2024 | ~3 months |
| CHSL 2024 Tier I | August 2024 | October 2024 | ~2 months |
| CGL 2025 Tier I | July 2025 | July 2025 | On time |
| CHSL 2025 Tier I | August 2025 | September 2025 | ~1 month |
Multi-Exam Strategy
Many candidates appear for 3-4 SSC exams in the same year. Here is how to manage that:
CGL + CHSL combo: The most natural pairing. Prepare for CGL (higher difficulty) and you are automatically prepared for CHSL. Just add descriptive writing practice for CHSL Tier II. CGL + GD Constable combo: Very different profiles — CGL is for graduates, GD is for 10+2. But if you are eligible for both, the Reasoning and GK syllabus overlaps substantially. CHSL + MTS combo: For 12th-pass candidates. CHSL is the primary target, MTS is the backup. The preparation for CHSL covers MTS syllabus entirely. The timing advantage: SSC exams are scheduled sequentially. CGL Tier I in July, CHSL in August-September, MTS in October-November. This means you get multiple shots without exam date conflicts (usually).Result and Cut-Off Timeline
| Exam | Expected Result Timeline |
|---|---|
| CGL 2026 Tier I | September-October 2026 |
| CHSL 2026 Tier I | November-December 2026 |
| CGL 2026 Final | March-April 2027 |
| CHSL 2026 Final | May-June 2027 |
| MTS 2026 Final | June-July 2027 |
Staying Updated with Changes
SSC sometimes revises its calendar mid-year. When that happens, updated schedules are published on ssc.gov.in and we cover them on sarkarinaukri.in with analysis of what changed and why.
Three things to watch for:- Vacancy count — announced with the notification. Higher vacancies mean lower cut-offs.
- Exam pattern changes — SSC restructured CGL in 2022 and could make further tweaks.
- Age limit modifications — any changes to upper age limit affect eligibility.
Practical Planning Advice
Do not wait for the notification to start preparing. If you are targeting CGL 2026 and the notification is expected in April, you should already be 2-3 months into your preparation by now. The notification only triggers the application process — preparation should start much earlier. Block your calendar for exam weeks. Tell your employer, college, or family that you are unavailable during the expected exam window. Last-minute leave requests add unnecessary stress. Set up notification alerts. SSC does not send personalised reminders. Rely on sarkarinaukri.in or the official SSC mobile app (if functional) for timely updates on notifications, admit cards, and results.The SSC exam calendar is your roadmap for the year ahead. Use it to plan backwards from exam dates, set weekly preparation targets, and ensure you are not caught off guard when the notification drops.