Understanding SSC CGL Cut Off 2026: Category-wise Expected Marks

SSC CGL cut offs fluctuate 5-10 marks annually based on exam difficulty and vacancy changes. The 2024 Tier-I General category cut off was 143.50 marks for most posts, while 2023 saw 138.75 marks—a 5-point increase reflecting tougher competition. With approximately 17,000 vacancies announced for SSC CGL 2026 and over 25 lakh expected applicants, predicting accurate category-wise cut offs helps you set realistic score targets.

This article provides data-driven SSC CGL 2026 expected cut off marks for all categories—General, EWS, OBC-NCL, SC, and ST—across Tier-I, Tier-II, and final selection. You'll see how 2023-2024 trends influence 2026 predictions and what scores you need to safely clear each stage.

The predictions factor in three critical elements: previous year cut off patterns from official SSC data, expected exam difficulty based on recent shifts to computer-based formats, and vacancy-to-applicant ratio changes announced in official notifications.

🎯 Quick Answer (30-Second Read)

General Category: Tier-I: 145-155 marks, Tier-II: 380-400 marks (combined Papers I & II)
EWS Category: Tier-I: 135-145 marks, Tier-II: 360-380 marks
OBC-NCL Category: Tier-I: 130-140 marks, Tier-II: 350-370 marks
SC Category: Tier-I: 110-120 marks, Tier-II: 310-330 marks
ST Category: Tier-I: 105-115 marks, Tier-II: 300-320 marks

Source: Analysis based on SSC CGL 2023-2024 official cut off data and PrepGrind's 800+ qualified student performance tracking

SSC CGL 2024 Category-wise Cut Off Analysis

Understanding 2024 actual cut offs is essential for predicting 2026 trends. According to the official SSC CGL 2024 results released on ssc.nic.in, the Tier-I General category cut off ranged from 137.89 (Junior Statistical Officer) to 152.43 (Assistant Audit Officer) depending on post preference.

Tier-I 2024 Cut Off Breakdown:

General

138-152 marks

(varies by post)

EWS

128-142 marks

(10-point relaxation from General)

OBC-NCL

123-137 marks

(15-point relaxation from General)

SC

103-117 marks

(35-point relaxation from General)

ST

98-112 marks

(40-point relaxation from General)

The variance exists because SSC applies separate cut offs for different departments and posts. AAO (Assistant Audit Officer) positions consistently demand highest cut offs, while Tax Assistant and Junior Secretariat Assistant have relatively lower thresholds.

Priya from Jaipur scored 149 marks in Tier-I 2024 and qualified for AAO with General category, while Amit from Lucknow with 141 marks qualified for Tax Assistant in the same category—both cleared Tier-I but had different final post allocations based on preferences and cut offs.

Expected SSC CGL 2026 Tier-I Cut Off Predictions

Based on 2023-2024 trends and PrepGrind's analysis of 800+ qualified students' performance data, we project moderate cut off increases for 2026. The computer-based exam format has stabilized, reducing technical glitches that previously affected scoring patterns. However, rising competition with 10-12% more applicants annually pushes cut offs upward.

General Category: 145-155 Marks

Expect 2-5 marks increase from 2024 due to higher competition density. Safe score target for General candidates should be 155+ marks to comfortably qualify across all posts including AAO.

Students scoring 145-150 will likely qualify for mid-tier posts like Tax Assistant and Statistical Investigator.

EWS Category: 135-145 Marks

EWS cut offs typically stay 10 marks below General category as per SSC's reservation policy. Target 145+ marks for competitive post preferences.

The EWS category had 57,000+ applicants in 2024, making it more competitive than SC/ST categories despite similar relaxation percentages.

OBC-NCL Category: 130-140 Marks

OBC cut offs maintain 12-15 marks gap below General category historically. Safe score is 140+ marks considering OBC comprises 40%+ of total applicants.

Students scoring 130-135 marks should prepare for lower-preference post allocations or consider improving Tier-II performance to compensate.

SC/ST Categories: 105-120 Marks

SC category cut offs typically range 110-120 marks while ST stays 105-115 marks for SSC CGL 2026.

The wider category-wise relaxation provides SC/ST candidates significant advantage, but competition within these categories has intensified. Target 120+ (SC) and 115+ (ST) for better post options.

SSC CGL 2026 Tier-II Expected Cut Off Marks

Tier-II cut offs are cumulative across Paper-I (Quantitative Abilities) and Paper-II (English Language & Comprehension), each worth 200 marks. The 2024 combined cut off for General category was approximately 385/400 marks for top-tier posts.

Paper-I (Quantitative Abilities) Expected Scores:

General: 155-165/200
EWS: 145-155/200
OBC: 140-150/200
SC: 125-135/200
ST: 120-130/200

Paper-II (English) Expected Scores:

General: 165-175/200
EWS: 155-165/200
OBC: 150-160/200
SC: 135-145/200
ST: 130-140/200

English Paper-II typically sees higher cut offs than Quant Paper-I because negative marking impact is lower in language comprehension questions. Candidates from English-medium educational backgrounds score 170-180 in Paper-II consistently.

Post-Specific Tier-II Cut Off Variations

Assistant Audit Officer (AAO) demands highest Tier-II cut offs at 395-405/400 (General), while Inspector (Central Excise) and Tax Assistant positions accept 375-385/400.

Important: Your Tier-I score doesn't carry forward to Tier-II evaluation—only Tier-II performance determines final selection merit.

Category-wise Cut Off Comparison Table

Category	Tier-I Expected 2026	Tier-II Expected 2026	Final Selection 2024 (Avg)	Relaxation from General
General (UR)	145-155 marks	380-400 marks	510-530 (combined)	Baseline
EWS	135-145 marks	360-380 marks	490-510 (combined)	10-20 marks
OBC-NCL	130-140 marks	350-370 marks	480-500 (combined)	15-30 marks
SC	110-120 marks	310-330 marks	440-460 (combined)	35-70 marks
ST	105-115 marks	300-320 marks	430-450 (combined)	40-80 marks

Source: SSC Official Results 2023-2024 and PrepGrind projected analysis for 2026

Factors Influencing SSC CGL 2026 Cut Off Trends

Three primary factors determine cut off movements: exam difficulty level, total vacancies announced, and normalization methods applied across multiple exam shifts. The SSC CGL 2024 exam conducted across 8-10 shifts used normalization formula to equalize difficulty variations—this can raise or lower your effective score by 2-4 marks.

Vacancy Impact

The 2026 notification mentions approximately 17,000 posts compared to 14,000 in 2023. Higher vacancies typically reduce cut offs by 2-3 marks, but this effect is minimal when applicant numbers increase proportionally.

Monitor the official SSC CGL 2026 notification on ssc.nic.in for exact vacancy distribution.

Difficulty Level Prediction

If 2026 Tier-I difficulty matches 2024 (moderate-to-difficult), expect stable cut offs with 2-3 marks increase. However, if SSC introduces easier paper similar to 2022, cut offs could jump 8-10 marks.

PrepGrind's mock test difficulty analysis suggests 2026 will maintain 2024 difficulty standards.

Normalization Effect

Normalization can impact scores by ±5 marks depending on shift difficulty. Appearing in an easier shift may reduce your normalized score, while harder shift increases it.

Always target 10-15 marks above predicted cut offs for safety margin.

Your Score Target Strategy by Category

For General Category Candidates

Target minimum 160+ in Tier-I to remain competitive for all posts including AAO. Don't settle for predicted cut offs—aim 10-15 marks above to secure preferred department postings.

Focus on zero-error strategy in English and GS sections where accuracy matters more than speed.

For OBC/EWS Category Candidates

Your advantage lies in 10-15 marks relaxation, but competition within these categories is intense. Score 150+ (OBC) or 155+ (EWS) in Tier-I to comfortably qualify.

Many OBC candidates scoring at predicted cut offs (130-140) end up missing final selection due to Tier-II underperformance.

For SC/ST Category Candidates

While cut offs are 30-40 marks lower, don't fall into complacency. Target 130+ (SC) and 125+ (ST) in Tier-I for strong post preferences.

Rajesh from Bhopal scored 128 marks (SC category) in Tier-I 2024 and secured Inspector position by scoring 345/400 in Tier-II—Tier-II performance significantly determines final outcomes.

Safe Strategy Across All Categories

Always target 15-20 marks above predicted cut offs. Cut off predictions are estimates based on trends, not guarantees.

Students targeting exact predicted scores often miss qualification by 1-3 marks due to normalization effects or unexpectedly higher competition.

People also search for

What is the expected SSC CGL 2026 cut off for General category in Tier-I?

The expected SSC CGL 2026 Tier-I cut off for General category ranges between 145-155 marks out of 200, with post-specific variations. Assistant Audit Officer positions typically demand upper range (150-155 marks) while Tax Assistant accepts lower range (145-150 marks). Target 160+ marks to safely qualify for all post preferences. This prediction assumes moderate exam difficulty similar to 2024 and approximately 17,000 total vacancies based on preliminary notifications.

How much lower are SC/ST cut offs compared to General category in SSC CGL?

SC category cut offs are typically 35-40 marks lower than General category, while ST cut offs are 40-45 marks lower. For 2026, if General cut off is 150 marks, SC candidates need approximately 110-115 marks and ST candidates need 105-110 marks for Tier-I qualification. However, this gap narrows in final selection where merit-based competition becomes intense. The relaxation percentage remains consistent across Tier-I and Tier-II stages.

Does SSC CGL have separate cut offs for different posts?

Yes, SSC applies post-specific cut offs after Tier-II based on vacancies and preferences. Assistant Audit Officer (AAO) consistently has highest cut offs at 10-15 marks above average, while Tax Assistant and Junior Secretariat Assistant have lower thresholds. Your Tier-I score determines qualification, but final post allocation depends on combined Tier-I + Tier-II performance ranked against vacancies for each specific post. Choose post preferences carefully during application.

How does normalization affect my SSC CGL cut off chances?

Normalization can increase or decrease your raw score by 2-5 marks depending on your exam shift's difficulty relative to other shifts. If you appeared in an easier shift, your normalized score will be lower than raw score; harder shift gets upward normalization. SSC uses a statistical formula comparing shift-wise average scores. This unpredictability means targeting 10-15 marks above predicted cut offs provides safety margin against normalization surprises.

What should I do if my mock test scores are below expected cut offs?

If scoring 10+ marks below predicted cut offs in mocks, focus on accuracy improvement over attempting more questions. Analyze error patterns—most students lose 15-20 marks through silly mistakes and negative marking. Implement section-wise time limits, skip confusing questions immediately, and strengthen 2-3 weak topics contributing maximum errors. With 2-3 months focused preparation, 20-25 marks improvement is achievable as shown by 300+ PrepGrind students who improved from below-cutoff to qualified status.

Conclusion: Your Next Step

SSC CGL 2026 cut offs will likely see marginal 2-5 marks increase across all categories based on competition trends and stable exam difficulty. Target scores 15-20 marks above predicted cut offs to account for normalization effects and post-preference competition. Remember that Tier-I qualification is just the first milestone—Tier-II performance ultimately determines your final post allocation.

Start by taking baseline mock tests to assess your current standing against predicted cut offs. If below target, identify weak sections consuming maximum time with minimum accuracy. Focus the next 60-90 days on high-weightage topics and error reduction rather than attempting complete syllabus coverage.

Ready to target scores above SSC CGL 2026 cut offs? Explore PrepGrind's SSC CGL Test Series with 50+ full-length mocks, detailed performance analytics, and cut off prediction tools designed by previous year qualifiers and expert mentors.

SSC CGL Expected Cutoff 2026: Category Wise Analysis