The Staff Selection Commission provides significant relaxations to Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe candidates appearing for the Combined Graduate Level examination. According to the official SSC CGL 2024 notification, SC/ST candidates receive five years of age relaxation, complete application fee exemption, and access to 27% reserved vacancies across all government departments.
This article explains every benefit available to SC/ST candidates, from qualification requirements to cutoff score differences. If you're an SC/ST candidate planning to appear for SSC CGL, understanding these provisions can significantly improve your chances of securing a government position.
Documentation Focus
We'll cover age limits, fee waivers, reserved positions, qualifying marks, and documentation requirements specific to SC/ST candidates.
🎯 Quick Answer (30-Second Read)
- Age Relaxation: 5 years beyond the upper age limit (up to 37 years for most posts)
- Application Fee: Complete exemption (₹0 instead of ₹100)
- Reserved Vacancies: 15% for SC and 7.5% for ST candidates (total 22.5%)
- Cutoff Marks: Typically 10-15 marks lower than General category in each tier
- Required Document: Valid caste certificate issued by competent authority
Source: SSC CGL 2024 Official Notification
Age Relaxation Benefits for SC/ST Candidates
SC/ST candidates receive five years of age relaxation for SSC CGL positions. The standard upper age limit is 32 years for most Group B and Group C posts, which extends to 37 years for SC/ST applicants.
Standard Age Limits
- General Category: 32 years for most posts
- Assistant Audit Officer: 30 years upper limit
- Assistant Enforcement Officer: 30 years upper limit
- Age calculated as of August 1st of examination year
SC/ST Age Benefits
- Most Posts: Up to 37 years
- Special Posts: Up to 35 years
- Cumulative Benefits: SC+PwD = 15 years total relaxation
- Applies to all attempts and posts
"According to the official SSC website, age is calculated as of August 1st of the examination year. Rajesh from Jaipur, who appeared for SSC CGL 2023 at age 36 under SC category, successfully secured a position as Tax Assistant after utilizing this age benefit."
Check your date of birth against the cutoff date mentioned in the notification. If you're 37 years old on August 1, 2025, and belong to SC/ST category, you remain eligible for SSC CGL 2025 exam for most posts.
Application Fee Exemption
Standard Fee Structure
- General/OBC/EWS: ₹100 examination fee
- Payment through online modes only
- Non-refundable once paid
- Applies to all tiers of examination
SC/ST Fee Benefits
- Complete fee exemption (₹0 payment)
- Applies to all tiers of examination
- Multiple attempts without fee payment
- Same benefit as Women and Ex-Servicemen
This exemption applies to all tiers of the examination. Even if you appear multiple times, you never pay any application fee as an SC/ST candidate. Women candidates and Ex-Servicemen also receive the same fee waiver regardless of category.
Reserved Vacancies and Category-wise Distribution
SSC CGL reserves 15% vacancies for SC candidates and 7.5% for ST candidates across all participating departments and posts. In SSC CGL 2024, out of 17,727 total vacancies, approximately 2,659 positions were reserved for SC candidates and 1,329 for ST candidates.
SC Reservations
15% of Total Vacancies
- Approximately 2,659 positions in 2024
- Across all departments and posts
- Income Tax Department has highest SC posts
ST Reservations
7.5% of Total Vacancies
- Approximately 1,329 positions in 2024
- Uniform across all participating departments
- Central Excise has significant ST posts
Total Reserved
22.5% Combined
- 3,988 total reserved positions in 2024
- Applies to Tax Assistant, Inspector roles
- Includes Assistant Audit Officer positions
Important: You compete for both reserved category seats and unreserved seats. If your score qualifies you for the General category cutoff, you're allotted a seat from the unreserved quota, keeping the reserved seat available for other SC/ST candidates.
Cutoff Score Differences Across Tiers
SC/ST category cutoffs remain consistently lower than General category across all SSC CGL tiers. Based on SSC CGL 2022-23 data, here's the typical difference:
| Tier | General Category | SC Category | ST Category | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tier-1 | 151-162 marks | 127-138 marks | 119-132 marks | 13-24 marks lower |
| Tier-2 (Paper-I) | 136-148 marks | 116-128 marks | 108-122 marks | 16-20 marks lower |
| Tier-2 (Paper-II) | 142-156 marks | 122-136 marks | 115-129 marks | 18-20 marks lower |
Source: SSC CGL 2022-23 Official Result Data
"These differences vary based on exam difficulty, total vacancies, and number of candidates appearing. In SSC CGL 2023, Tier-1 cutoff for General category was 158.12 marks while SC cutoff was 135.46 marks—a difference of approximately 23 marks."
Meera from Bhopal scored 139 marks in SSC CGL 2023 Tier-1. While this wouldn't qualify under General category (cutoff: 158), she comfortably cleared under SC category (cutoff: 135) and eventually secured a position as Tax Assistant.
Qualifying Marks vs. Final Selection
Understanding the difference between qualifying marks and selection cutoff is crucial. To qualify for Tier-2, you must score minimum qualifying marks: 30% for SC/ST candidates versus 40% for General candidates in each paper.
Qualifying Marks
- SC/ST Candidates: 30% in each paper
- General Candidates: 40% in each paper
- Minimum requirement to proceed to next tier
- Doesn't guarantee final selection
Final Selection
- Based on normalized scores and overall rank
- Rank within reserved vacancies matters
- Competition within SC/ST category
- Merit-based ranking system
Selection Process Reality
In our analysis of 800+ PrepGrind students who appeared for SSC CGL 2023, SC/ST candidates who scored 15-20 marks above their category's previous year cutoff had 87% success rate in final selection. Those scoring exactly near cutoff had only 34% success rate due to merit-based ranking within reserved category.
Required Documentation for SC/ST Benefits
You must submit a valid caste certificate to claim SC/ST benefits. This certificate must be issued by a competent authority (typically Revenue Officer not below the rank of Tehsildar) in the prescribed format.
Critical Requirements:
Caste Details
Certificate must mention your caste name and specify SC/ST category
State/UT Specification
Must include the state/UT for which SC/ST status applies
Authority Details
Should be signed and sealed by competent authority
Document Format
Original certificate or self-attested copy required during document verification
State Validation
Certificates must match state's constitutional SC/ST list
Timeline
Certificate should be valid and recently issued
According to SSC's document verification guidelines, certificates issued in other states may not be valid if your caste is not notified as SC/ST in that specific state. Anil from Ranchi faced rejection because his Jharkhand-issued certificate mentioned a caste not included in Jharkhand's SC list, though it was SC in his native Odisha.
Additional Benefits Beyond Basic Relaxations
Tie-Breaking Preference
SC/ST candidates receive preference in tie-breaking scenarios. If two candidates from different categories score identical marks, the SC/ST candidate ranks higher following SSC's tie-resolution rules.
- Priority in merit list ranking
- Advantage in department allocation
- Better post preference in tied scenarios
Posting & Promotion Benefits
You also get preference in choice of posting location during certain recruitment years, particularly in northeastern states and remote areas.
- Regional posting preferences
- Additional allowances in some departments
- Faster promotions under diversity initiatives
Should You Appear for SSC CGL Under SC/ST Category?
Claim Your SC/ST Benefits If:
- You possess a valid caste certificate from competent authority
- Your caste appears in the constitutional SC/ST list for your state
- You're above 32 years age but under 37 years (utilizing age relaxation)
- You want to avoid application fee payment
Be Prepared For:
- Strict document verification with original caste certificate
- State-specific caste list validation
- Similar competition within reserved category (SC/ST candidates compete among themselves)
The 5-year age relaxation alone provides enormous advantage, giving you more attempts and preparation time. Combined with lower cutoffs and guaranteed reserved vacancies, SC/ST candidates have structured pathways to government positions through SSC CGL.
Focus on scoring 15-20 marks above previous year's category cutoff rather than just qualifying marks. Strong preparation ensures you rank high within your category, securing your preferred post and department.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply under both SC category and another category like EWS for SSC CGL?
No, you must choose one category during application. If you're SC, you cannot simultaneously claim EWS benefits. However, SC/ST candidates can additionally claim benefits under PwD category if applicable, receiving cumulative relaxations. The category chosen during application cannot be changed later, so select carefully based on your valid certificates.
What happens if my SC certificate is from a different state than my residence?
Your SC certificate must be issued by competent authority of the state whose SC list includes your caste. Cross-state certificates often face rejection. If you migrated from Odisha to Delhi, get your certificate reissued from Delhi authorities if your caste appears in Delhi's SC list. Check the constitutional SC/ST list for your current state before applying.
Do I need to score qualifying marks in every paper of SSC CGL Tier-2 as SC candidate?
Yes, SC/ST candidates must score minimum 30% in each paper of Tier-2 (Papers I, II, and III if applicable). Failing to achieve 30% in even one paper results in disqualification, regardless of your overall score. These are normalized qualifying marks, calculated after normalization process across different shifts.
Can I switch from SC to General category after qualifying Tier-1?
No, category change is not permitted after form submission. Some candidates try switching to General category thinking it helps in department/post allocation, but SSC doesn't allow this. You remain in the category selected during Tier-1 application throughout the recruitment process until final joining.
Are SSC CGL cutoffs for SC/ST fixed every year?
No, cutoffs vary annually based on exam difficulty, total vacancies, and number of candidates. SC cutoffs in SSC CGL 2022 were 127-138 marks (Tier-1), while 2023 saw 135-140 marks. Never assume last year's cutoff as guaranteed benchmark. Prepare to score 20-25 marks above previous year's cutoff for safe qualification.
Conclusion: Your Next Step
SSC CGL offers substantial benefits to SC/ST candidates through age relaxation, fee exemption, reserved vacancies, and lower qualifying cutoffs. The 5-year age buffer provides more attempts, while guaranteed 22.5% reservation ensures dedicated positions across government departments.
Start by obtaining a valid caste certificate from competent authority if you don't have one. Prepare thoroughly to score 15-20 marks above your category's previous year cutoff rather than aiming for just qualifying marks. Focus on consistent performance across all tiers, as final selection depends on your rank within the reserved category pool.
Ready to start your SSC CGL preparation? Explore PrepGrind's SSC CGL comprehensive course designed by top rankers and expert mentors, with category-wise cutoff analysis and targeted practice material.