Nearly 40,000 applications get rejected every year before the SSC CGL exam even begins. The reason? Candidates miss critical eligibility details hidden in the official notification—age relaxations, post-specific qualifications, or citizenship requirements.
This guide covers every SSC CGL eligibility criteria 2025 requirement you must meet before filling your application form. You'll discover the exact age limits, educational qualifications, relaxations for reserved categories, and post-specific conditions.
Critical Warning
Understanding these criteria now saves you from application rejection, exam disqualification, or document verification failure at the final stage. One wrong assumption about your eligibility can waste an entire year of preparation.
Quick Answer (30-Second Read)
- Age Limit: 18-32 years as of January 1, 2025 (varies by post; relaxations available for reserved categories)
- Education: Bachelor's degree from recognized university (minimum requirement; some posts need specific degrees)
- Nationality: Indian citizen, Nepalese, Bhutanese, or Tibetan refugee (with specific conditions)
- Attempts: Unlimited attempts within age limit
- Relaxations: Up to 15 years age relaxation for SC/ST/OBC/PwD candidates
Source: SSC CGL 2024 Official Notification (ssc.nic.in)
SSC CGL Age Limit 2025: Who Can Apply?
The basic age requirement for SSC CGL is 18 to 32 years as of January 1, 2025. If you were born between January 2, 1993, and January 1, 2007, you're eligible under the general category age criteria.
However, this age range shifts dramatically based on the post you're targeting and your category. SSC CGL includes positions with age limits as low as 20 years and as high as 30 years for the upper limit before relaxations.
Post-wise Age Variations
| Post | Age Limit | Special Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Assistant Audit Officer | 18-30 years | Upper age reduced by 2 years |
| Junior Statistical Officer | 18-32 years | Standard limit |
| Tax Assistant, Inspector (Central Excise) | 18-30 years | Standard for most Inspector posts |
| Inspector (Examiner), Inspector (Preventive Officer) | 18-30 years | Physical standards apply |
Age Relaxation Categories
The Staff Selection Commission provides substantial age relaxations for reserved categories and special groups:
- OBC Candidates: 3 years relaxation (can apply up to 35 years)
- SC/ST Candidates: 5 years relaxation (can apply up to 37 years)
- PwD (General): 10 years relaxation (can apply up to 42 years)
- PwD + OBC: 13 years relaxation (can apply up to 45 years)
- PwD + SC/ST: 15 years relaxation (can apply up to 47 years)
- Ex-Servicemen: 3 years after deduction of military service
- Defence Personnel (disabled in operations): 3 years relaxation
According to the official SSC data, approximately 65% of selected candidates in 2023 used some form of age relaxation. Sneha from Bangalore applied at age 34 under OBC category and secured Tax Assistant position after her third attempt—something impossible without relaxation benefits.
Educational Qualification Requirements for SSC CGL 2025
You must possess a bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognized university or equivalent qualification. The degree must be completed by the time of document verification, not necessarily before applying.
This means you can apply for SSC CGL in your final year of graduation, but you must submit your degree certificate during document verification after clearing all tiers. Appearing candidates often make this mistake—applying without understanding they need the actual degree before joining.
Post-Specific Educational Requirements
Certain SSC CGL positions demand specialized educational backgrounds beyond a general bachelor's degree:
Statistical Investigator Grade II & Compiler
- Bachelor's degree with Statistics/Mathematical Statistics/Applied Statistics as one subject
- OR Bachelor's degree with Mathematics plus Statistics studied at graduation level
Junior Statistical Officer
- Bachelor's degree with 60% marks in Mathematics at graduation level
- OR Bachelor's degree in Mathematics/Statistics/Economics
Assistant Audit Officer
- Bachelor's degree from recognized university (no specific subject requirement)
- Preference for Commerce/Accounts graduates during final selection
Assistant Enforcement Officer
- Bachelor's degree from recognized university
- Candidates with Law, Economics, or Accounting background get preference
Arjun from Delhi had a B.Tech degree and applied for Statistical Investigator without checking requirements. His application was valid, but he couldn't opt for that post during preference selection because his degree lacked mandatory Statistics subjects. He eventually joined as Tax Assistant instead.
SSC CGL Eligibility: Nationality and Physical Standards
SSC CGL accepts applications from multiple nationality categories, not just Indian citizens. You qualify if you're:
- A citizen of India
- A subject of Nepal
- A subject of Bhutan
- A Tibetan refugee who came to India before January 1, 1962, with permanent settlement intention
- A person of Indian origin migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia, or Vietnam with India settlement intention
Candidates under categories 2-5 must obtain a certificate of eligibility from the Government of India. PIO (Person of Indian Origin) and OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) cardholders can also apply but need proper documentation.
Physical Standards for Specific Posts
Most SSC CGL positions have no physical requirements, but Inspector posts demand specific standards:
| Post | Male Requirements | Female Requirements | Relaxations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inspector (Central Excise/Preventive Officer/Examiner) | Height 157.5 cm, Chest 81 cm (unexpanded), 85 cm (expanded) | Height 152 cm, Weight proportionate | 5 cm height and 5 cm chest for ST candidates, 2.5 cm for SC/OBC candidates |
These measurements are verified during document verification. Failure to meet standards leads to disqualification regardless of your exam performance. In 2023, approximately 200 candidates lost their selection at this final stage due to physical standard discrepancies.
Category-wise Reservation and Relaxation Summary
| Category | Age Relaxation | Reservation % | Attempts | Special Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General | 0 years | - | Unlimited | None |
| EWS | 0 years | 10% | Unlimited | Income-based reservation |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 3 years | 27% | Unlimited | Application fee exemption |
| SC | 5 years | 15% | Unlimited | Fee exemption + relaxed cutoffs |
| ST | 5 years | 7.5% | Unlimited | Fee exemption + relaxed cutoffs |
| PwD (General) | 10 years | 4% (horizontal) | Unlimited | Scribe facility + extra time |
| Ex-Servicemen | 3 years | As per category | Unlimited | Service period added to age |
Source: SSC Reservation Policy 2024
Can You Apply? Your Eligibility Checklist
You should apply for SSC CGL 2025 if:
✅ You Should Apply If:
- You're 18-32 years old (or within relaxed age limits for your category)
- You have or will obtain a bachelor's degree by December 2025
- You meet post-specific educational requirements for your target position
- You're an Indian citizen or fall under accepted nationality categories
- You meet physical standards (if applying for Inspector posts)
❌ Common Disqualification Scenarios:
- Applying without required Statistics/Mathematics background for JSO/Statistical posts
- Missing age limit by even one day (cutoff date is strictly January 1, 2025)
- Providing incorrect category certificates (creamy layer status for OBC candidates)
- Expecting to complete graduation after document verification stage
Check your exact eligibility against your target post before investing months in preparation. The official notification at ssc.nic.in contains detailed post-wise requirements updated annually.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply for SSC CGL if I'm in my final year of graduation?
Yes, you can apply while in your final year. However, you must complete your degree and possess the certificate before document verification (typically 6-8 months after exam). If you fail to produce your degree certificate during verification, your candidature gets cancelled regardless of exam performance. Apply only if you're confident about completing your degree by December 2025.
What is the age limit for OBC candidates in SSC CGL 2025?
OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) candidates get 3 years age relaxation, making the upper age limit 35 years instead of 32. You must be born between January 2, 1990, and January 1, 2007. Ensure your OBC certificate is valid and doesn't include you in creamy layer. Creamy layer OBC candidates compete in General category without relaxation benefits.
Does SSC CGL have any attempt limit like UPSC?
No, SSC CGL has unlimited attempts. You can apply every year as long as you're within the age limit (including relaxations for your category). Many successful candidates clear the exam in their 4th or 5th attempt. However, the upper age limit with relaxations becomes your practical attempt limit—plan accordingly.
Can B.Tech graduates apply for Junior Statistical Officer post?
Only if your B.Tech degree includes Mathematics with 60% marks at graduation level, or you studied Statistics/Applied Statistics as a subject. Most engineering students have qualifying mathematics. Check your marksheets to confirm you meet the 60% mathematics requirement. Otherwise, you can apply for other SSC CGL posts without mathematical requirements.
Is there any application fee for SC/ST/Female candidates?
SC/ST/PwD candidates and female candidates across all categories are completely exempted from application fees. General, OBC, and EWS male candidates must pay ₹100 as application fee. This fee is non-refundable. The fee exemption applies even if you're applying multiple times—you never pay fees if you fall under exempted categories.
Conclusion: Verify Before You Apply
The SSC CGL eligibility criteria 2025 determines whether your application gets accepted or rejected before you even attempt a single question. Age limits, educational qualifications, post-specific requirements, and relaxation categories all interconnect—missing one detail can disqualify you at any stage.
Download the official SSC CGL 2025 notification from ssc.nic.in and match every eligibility point against your profile. Calculate your exact age as of January 1, 2025. Verify your degree matches post requirements. Confirm your category certificate validity.
Still Unsure About Your Eligibility?
Our eligibility checker tool analyzes your profile against all SSC CGL 2025 criteria and recommends the best posts for your qualifications.