Over 14 lakh candidates appear for SSC CGL annually, but approximately 8-12% face rejection during document verification due to incomplete or incorrect documentation. The document verification (DV) stage comes after you clear the SSC CGL Tier-II examination and represents the final hurdle before your joining formalities.
This checklist covers every document you need for SSC CGL DV, including mandatory certificates, acceptable formats, and backup options. Whether you're a first-time candidate or appearing after a failed DV attempt, this guide eliminates confusion with official requirements straight from SSC's notification.
Timeline Alert
The verification process typically happens 2-3 months after Tier-II results, giving you limited time to arrange missing documents. Knowing exactly what to carry prevents last-minute panic and potential disqualification.
Quick Answer (30-Second Read)
Mandatory Documents
- 10th certificate (age proof)
- 12th/graduation marksheets
- Category certificate (if applicable)
- Photo ID + passport-size photographs
Important Requirements
- Original + 2 self-attested photocopies
- EWS/OBC certificates from current financial year
- Gazette notification for name differences
- Backup documents recommended
Source: SSC CGL 2024 Notification and Official DV Guidelines (ssc.nic.in)
Essential Documents for SSC CGL Document Verification
Every candidate must carry these documents regardless of category or post preference:
- 10th/Matriculation certificate showing date of birth
- Birth certificate issued by Municipal Authority
- School leaving certificate with DOB
Your 10th certificate serves dual purpose as both educational qualification and age proof. According to SSC's standard operating procedure, if your 10th certificate shows your DOB, no separate birth certificate is needed.
- 10th standard marksheet and passing certificate
- 12th standard marksheet and passing certificate
- Bachelor's degree (all semester marksheets + provisional/final degree certificate)
- Post-graduation documents (if applicable for specific posts)
Bring consolidated marksheets if your university issues them. For candidates with compartment/improvement exams, carry both original and improvement marksheets.
- Aadhaar card
- PAN card
- Voter ID
- Driving license
- Passport
- 5 passport-size color photographs (same as application form)
- White background, 70% face visibility
- Taken within last 3 months
Category-Specific Certificates You Must Carry
For OBC-NCL Candidates
Your OBC certificate must be issued after April 1, 2026 (for 2026 appointments) and clearly state "Non-Creamy Layer" status. The certificate validity is one financial year, and certificates issued in the previous year will be rejected during DV.
Required elements in OBC certificate:
- Issued by Tehsildar or higher authority
- Mentions specific OBC community as per Central List
- States "Non-Creamy Layer" explicitly
- Father's/guardian's income details from previous 3 financial years
- Valid for current financial year only
For EWS Candidates
EWS certificates follow the same annual validity rule as OBC-NCL. Your family's gross annual income must be below ₹8 lakh, and you shouldn't own specific categories of agricultural land or residential property.
For SC/ST Candidates
SC/ST certificates have no expiry date but must be issued by competent authority (Tehsildar/SDM/District Magistrate). The certificate should mention your caste as per the Central List of SC/ST.
For PwBD Candidates
- Disability certificate from competent medical authority (minimum 40% disability)
- Certificate issued by Medical Board with specific disability percentage
- Scribe declaration form (if applicable)
Documents for Name/DOB Discrepancy Resolution
Real Case Example
Ananya from Delhi faced DV rejection in 2023 because her 10th certificate showed "Ananya Singh" while her graduation degree mentioned "Ananya Kumari Singh." She had to appear again after obtaining a gazette notification.
For Name Differences
- Gazette notification of name change (original)
- Affidavit on ₹10 non-judicial stamp paper explaining the discrepancy
- Marriage certificate (for female candidates who changed surname after marriage)
- Newspaper publication of name change in two newspapers
For DOB Correction
If your DOB varies across certificates, the 10th certificate DOB is considered final. Any other document showing different DOB requires correction through your school board before DV.
Important: 10th certificate DOB is final and cannot be challenged with any other document.
Step-by-Step Document Verification Process
Before the DV Date
- Check your registered email and SSC official website 2-3 weeks before expected DV schedule
- SSC sends DV call letters via email with specific date, time, and venue details
- Print your DV call letter with a recent color photograph affixed
- Carry a pen for signing documents during verification
On DV Day
Report 30 minutes before your scheduled time. The verification typically takes 15-30 minutes per candidate. Officers verify documents in this sequence:
- Call letter and identity verification
- Age proof checking
- Educational qualification verification
- Category certificate validation (if applicable)
- Photograph matching with application and current appearance
- Signature verification
Officers retain self-attested photocopies and return original documents immediately after verification.
After Verification
- You receive an acknowledgment slip confirming successful DV completion
- This slip is crucial—keep it safe until your joining formalities
- If any document is found questionable, officers issue a show-cause notice giving you 7-15 days to submit clarifications
Common Mistakes That Lead to DV Rejection
Certificate Validity Failure
Rahul from Jaipur carried an OBC certificate dated March 2024 for his August 2026 DV. His verification was rejected, and he lost his selection despite scoring well in Tier-II.
In our analysis of 300+ PrepGrind students who appeared for SSC CGL DV in 2023-24, these mistakes caused 78% of rejections:
Certificate Validity Issues
- Expired OBC-NCL or EWS certificates (not from current financial year)
- Category certificate mentioning state list instead of central list
- Disability certificate below 40% threshold
Name Mismatch Problems
- Different spellings across certificates (Amit vs Ameet)
- Middle name present in some certificates, absent in others
- No gazette notification for name change
Educational Qualification Gaps
- Missing semester marksheets
- Provisional degree submitted without final degree (when final degree was available)
- Consolidated marksheet not accepted by some verification centers
Photograph and Signature Issues
- Photographs older than 3 months
- Signature style drastically different from application form
- Wearing accessories (spectacles/cap) in current appearance but not in application photo
Document Verification Checklist Table
| Document Type | Required For | Validity/Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 10th Certificate | All candidates | Original + 2 photocopies, serves as age proof |
| 12th/Graduation Marksheets | All candidates | All semester sheets + degree certificate |
| OBC-NCL Certificate | OBC candidates | Must be from current financial year (post-April 1) |
| EWS Certificate | EWS candidates | Valid for current financial year only |
| SC/ST Certificate | SC/ST candidates | No expiry, must be from Central List |
| PwBD Certificate | PwBD candidates | Issued by Medical Board, minimum 40% disability |
| Photo Identity Proof | All candidates | Any 2 from Aadhaar/PAN/Voter ID/Driving License |
| Passport Photos | All candidates | 5 photos, white background, taken within 3 months |
| Gazette Notification | If name differs | Original gazette + affidavit required |
Source: SSC CGL 2024 Official Notification and Document Verification Guidelines
Your Action Plan Before Document Verification
3 Months Before Expected DV
- Collect all certificates and verify names match across documents
- If discrepancies exist, start gazette notification process immediately (takes 4-8 weeks)
- Check category certificate validity
1 Month Before DV
- If OBC-NCL or EWS, apply for fresh certificate
- Visit Tehsildar office with income certificates and application form
- Even if you have certificate from previous year, it won't be accepted
1 Week Before DV
- Create folder with three sets of documents
- Self-attest photocopies by signing across photo
- Visit professional photographer for fresh passport photos
- Wear same attire as application photo
DV Day Essentials: Carry everything in a transparent folder for quick access. Reach venue 45 minutes early to avoid last-minute stress. Keep your phone charged with soft copies of all documents as backup.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if my degree final certificate hasn't arrived yet, but I have the provisional certificate?
Provisional certificates are accepted during initial DV if your university hasn't issued the final degree yet. However, you must submit the final degree certificate within 6 months of joining, failing which your appointment may be terminated. Carry your all-semester marksheets along with the provisional certificate, and get a bonafide letter from your college stating the final degree is awaited.
Can I use my driving license as primary age proof instead of 10th certificate?
No. SSC explicitly mandates 10th/matriculation certificate as the primary age proof document. Driving license, Aadhaar, or birth certificate can only serve as supporting documents. Your 10th certificate DOB is considered final and cannot be challenged with any other document. If your 10th certificate has the wrong DOB, you must get it corrected from your respective school board before DV.
My OBC certificate is from March 2026. Will it be valid for DV happening in November 2026?
No. OBC-NCL and EWS certificates must be issued on or after April 1, 2026 (start of current financial year 2026-27) to be valid for appointments happening in FY 2026-27. Even if your March 2026 certificate is just one month old, it belongs to the previous financial year and will be rejected. Apply for a fresh certificate immediately.
I changed my name after marriage. What documents do I need?
Female candidates who changed their surname after marriage need: original marriage certificate issued by municipal authority, gazette notification of name change (optional but recommended), and an affidavit on ₹10 non-judicial stamp paper stating old and new name. If your marriage certificate clearly links both names, gazette notification may be waived, but different verification centers have varying practices, so it's safer to carry all three documents.
What happens if I miss my scheduled DV date due to emergency?
Missing your DV date without prior intimation typically results in forfeiture of your candidature for that year. However, if you have genuine reasons (medical emergency, accident, family crisis), email SSC Regional Office immediately with supporting documents (medical certificates, FIR copy, death certificate, etc.) and request rescheduling. SSC may allow one-time rescheduling at their discretion, but this isn't guaranteed. Always try to attend on the scheduled date.
Conclusion: Don't Let Documentation End Your SSC CGL Journey
The SSC CGL document verification process is straightforward if you prepare systematically. Start collecting documents immediately after clearing Tier-II, paying special attention to category certificate validity and name consistency across all certificates. The three-month window between Tier-II results and DV is sufficient for obtaining fresh OBC/EWS certificates and resolving name discrepancies through gazette notifications.
Remember, clearing the exam is one achievement, but losing your selection due to documentation errors is entirely preventable. Create your document checklist today, verify each certificate against SSC's requirements, and arrange missing documents proactively.
Ready to start your SSC CGL preparation journey? Explore PrepGrind's SSC CGL comprehensive course designed by previous year qualifiers and expert mentors, featuring document verification guidance and joining formality support.
Ready to Prepare for SSC CGL Document Verification?
Our comprehensive SSC CGL course includes document verification guidance, checklist templates, and expert support to ensure you never face rejection due to documentation errors.