Are you a fresh graduate or a young professional looking for career guidance and opportunities in India? Well, look no further! In this article, we are going to delve into the world of SSC exams in India, which can open doors to a wide range of exciting career paths.
What is SSC?
The term SSC stands for Staff Selection Commission. It is an organisation under the Government of India that conducts various exams to recruit candidates for various government departments and ministries. The commission was established in 1975 and is headquartered in New Delhi. Its primary purpose is to recruit staff for Group B and Group C posts in different government organisations.
The Staff Selection Commission is crucial in providing employment opportunities to thousands of aspirants every year. SSC exams are highly sought-after due to the numerous benefits associated with government jobs, such as job security, attractive salary packages, fixed working hours, pension schemes, medical facilities, and more.
SSC exams are designed to assess the knowledge and skills of candidates in various fields such as general intelligence, reasoning, numerical aptitude, English language proficiency, and general awareness. The recruitment process consists of multiple stages, including a written examination, followed by skill tests or interviews, depending on the specific exam.
SSC Exam Dates: 2024
Every year, the Staff Selection Commission conducts multiple exams to recruit candidates for different government departments. In 2024, there are seven important exams scheduled to be conducted by the SSC. Let's take a look at each of them along with their respective exam dates:
4. Central Police Organisation Examination (SSC CPO)
Paper-I: To be announced
Physical Standard Test (PST)/Physical Endurance Test (PET): To be announced
Paper-II: To be announced
5. Multi-Tasking Staff Examination (SSC MTS)
Paper-I: To be announced
Paper-II: To be announced
6. Constable Examination (SSC GD)
Computer-Based Examination: To be announced
Physical Efficiency Test (PET)/Physical Standard Test (PST): To be announced
7. SSC Stenographer Exam
Computer-Based Examination: To be announced
Skill Test/Typing Test: To be announced
It is important to note that these dates are subject to change, and candidates are advised to regularly check the official website of SSC for any updates or notifications regarding the exam schedule.
SSC Exams List and Eligibility 2024
The eligibility criteria for various SSC exams may vary depending on the level and nature of the examination. Let's take a detailed look at the eligibility criteria for each exam:
1. Combined Graduate Level Examination (SSC CGL)
Educational Qualification: Bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognised university.
Age Limit: The age limit varies based on the posts applied for, ranging from 18 years to 32 years.
Educational Qualification: Must have completed higher secondary education (10+2) from a recognised board.
Age Limit: The age limit is set between 18 and 27 years.
3. Junior Engineer Examination (SSC JE)
Educational Qualification:some text
For Junior Engineers (Civil/Electrical/Mechanical), a bachelor's degree in engineering or a diploma in the relevant field is required.
For Junior Engineers (Quantity Surveying and Contract), a diploma or equivalent qualification in Civil Engineering is necessary.
Age Limit: The age limit ranges from 18 years to 32 years, depending on the post.
4. Central Police Organisation Examination (SSC CPO)
Educational Qualification: A bachelor's degree from a recognised university or equivalent.
Age Limit: The age limit is set between 20 and 25 years.
5. Multi-Tasking Staff Examination (SSC MTS)
Educational Qualification: Must have passed the matriculation (Class 10) examination from a recognised board.
Age Limit: The age limit for SSC MTS is usually between 18 and 25 years old, but it may vary depending on the specific recruitment year and category.
6. Constable Examination (SSC GD)
Educational Qualification: Must have completed a matriculation (Class 10) examination from a recognised board.
Age Limit: Applicants must be between 18 and 23 years old as of August 1st of the year of examination.
7. SSC Stenographer Exam
Educational Qualification: Applicants should have completed their 12th standard or equivalent from a recognised board or university. It is also essential to have proficiency in stenography in either English or Hindi.
Age Limit: They must be between 18 and 30 years old as of January 1st of the year of examination.
It is important for candidates to carefully review the eligibility criteria before applying for any SSC exam in India. Meeting the prescribed educational qualifications and age limit is crucial to ensuring eligibility for the desired positions. Additionally, candidates must also fulfil other criteria such as nationality, physical standards, and more as specified by SSC.
How to Apply for the SSC Exam Application Form 2024
Visit the official website: Start by visiting the official website of the Staff Selection Commission (SSC). Look for the "Apply" or "Application Form" link on the homepage.
Registration: Click on the registration link and provide your basic details, such as name, date of birth, email address, and mobile number. Create a unique username and password for future logins.
Login and Complete Application: After successful registration, log in using your username and password. Fill in all the required details accurately in the application form, including personal information, educational qualifications, and work experience if applicable.
Upload Documents: Upload scanned copies of your photograph and signature according to the specified dimensions and file size mentioned in the guidelines.
Pay Application Fee: Pay the required application fee online through available payment options like credit/debit card, net banking, or UPI. Make sure to keep a copy of the payment receipt for future reference.
Submit Application Form: Review all the entered details carefully before final submission. Once you are satisfied with all the information provided, submit your application form.
Print Application Form: After successfully submitting your application form, take a printout of it for future reference. This will serve as proof of your application.
Combined Graduate Level Examination (SSC CGL)
The Combined Graduate Level Examination (SSC CGL) is one of the most popular exams conducted by SSC and offers opportunities to graduates in various government departments and ministries. Here is an overview of this exam:
Job Roles: Clearing SSC CGL opens up job opportunities in prestigious government departments like the Income Tax Department, Central Secretariat Service, Central Vigilance Commission, Intelligence Bureau, and more. The job roles include Assistant Section Officer, Inspector of Income Tax, Assistant Audit Officer, and Statistical Investigator.
Job Roles
Average Salaries
Income Tax Inspector
₹40,000 to ₹50,000 per month
Assistant Section Officer (ASO)
₹40,000 per month (approx)
Excise Inspector
₹35,000 to ₹45,000 per month
Assistant Audit Officer (AAO)
₹50,000 per month (approx)
Statistical Investigator
₹35,000 to ₹45,000 per month
Exam Pattern:some text
Tier 1 (Preliminary): It is an online objective exam comprising four sections, General Intelligence and Reasoning, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, and English Comprehension. Each section carries an equal weightage of 25 marks. The duration of this exam is one hour.
Tier 2 (Mains): This stage is also conducted online and consists of four papers, Quantitative Abilities, English Language and Comprehension, Statistics (for Statistical Investigator Grade II and Compiler posts), and General Studies (Finance and Economics for Assistant Audit Officer). Each paper has a different time duration ranging from two hours to two hours and forty minutes.
Tier 3 (Descriptive Paper): This is a descriptive paper conducted offline to test the writing skills of candidates. Candidates have to write essays, précis, letters or applications in either English or Hindi within one hour.
Tier 4 (Data Entry Skill Test or Computer Proficiency Test)
The Combined Higher Level Secondary Examination (SSC CHSL) provides opportunities to candidates who have completed their higher secondary education to secure government jobs. Let's take a look at this examination:
Job Roles: Clearing SSC CHSL opens up job opportunities in various government departments as Lower Divisional Clerk (LDC), Data Entry Operator (DEO), Postal Assistant/Sorting Assistant, and Court Clerk.
Job Roles
Average Salaries
Postal Assistant/Sorting Assistant
₹25,000 per month
Lower Division Clerk (LDC)
₹20,000 to ₹25,000 per month
Data Entry Operator (DEO)
₹25,000 per month
Court Clerk
₹20,000 to ₹25,000 per month
Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA)
₹20,000 per month
Exam Pattern:some text
Tier 1: This is an online objective exam comprising four sections: general intelligence, general awareness, quantitative aptitude, and English language. Each section carries an equal weightage of 25 marks. The duration of this exam is one hour.
Tier 2: It is a descriptive paper conducted offline where candidates have to write an essay and a letter or application within one hour.
Tier 3: The skill test or typing test assesses the typing speed and accuracy of candidates. Skill tests are conducted for DEO positions, while typing tests are conducted for LDC, JSA, PA, or SA positions.
Junior Engineer Examination (SSC JE)
The Junior Engineer Examination, also known as SSC JE, is an important exam conducted by the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) in India. This exam is specifically designed for candidates who are interested in pursuing a career as a junior engineer in various government departments and organizations. It offers immense career opportunities and job stability.
Job Roles: After clearing the SSC JE exam, you can apply for junior engineer positions in civil engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, quantity surveying, and contracts. These roles come with great responsibilities and allow you to work on important projects that contribute to the nation's growth.
Job Roles
Average Salaries
Civil Engineer
₹30,000 to ₹40,000 per month
Mechanical Engineer
₹30,000 to ₹40,000 per month
Electrical Engineer
₹30,000 to ₹40,000 per month
Quantity Surveyor
₹30,000 to ₹40,000 per month
Junior Structural Engineer
₹30,000 per month
Exam Pattern:some text
Paper 1 is an online objective-type test comprising general intelligence and reasoning, general awareness, and general engineering (civil, electrical, or mechanical). Each section carries an equal weightage of 50 marks. You will have 2 hours to complete this stage.
Paper 2 is a conventional written examination that tests your engineering knowledge in the discipline you choose: civil, electrical, or mechanical. This paper carries a total of 300 marks with a duration of 2 hours.
Central Police Organisation Examination (SSC CPO)
The Central Police Organisation Examination, also known as SSC CPO, is a prestigious exam conducted by the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) for recruitment in various Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) and Delhi Police. If you aspire to work in law enforcement or want to be a part of the esteemed police force, SSC CPO provides an excellent opportunity.
Job Roles: Clearing the SSC CPO exam allows you to apply for job roles such as Sub-Inspector (SI) in Delhi Police, Sub-Inspector (SI) in CAPFs like Border Security Force (BSF), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), etc., and Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) in CISF. These positions offer challenging roles where you can actively contribute to maintaining law and order.
Job Roles
Average Salaries
Sub-Inspector (SI) in Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF)
₹35,000 per month
Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) in CISF
₹30,000 to ₹35,000 per month
Sub-Inspector (SI) in Delhi Police
₹35,000 per month
Inspector in Central Bureau of Narcotics
₹40,000 to ₹50,000 per month
Assistant Commandant (AC)
₹50,000 to ₹60,000 per month
Exam Pattern:some text
Paper 1 is conducted online and consists of four sections: general intelligence and reasoning, general knowledge and general awareness, quantitative aptitude, and English comprehension. Each section carries an equal weightage of 50 marks. You will have 2 hours to complete this stage.
Paper 2 is a descriptive-type test that assesses your English language skills, including your writing ability. The duration of Paper 2 is 1 hour.
Multi-Tasking Staff Examination (SSC MTS)
The Multi-Tasking Staff Examination, commonly known as SSC MTS, is conducted by the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) to recruit candidates for various non-technical Group-C posts in different government departments and ministries. This examination provides an excellent opportunity for candidates seeking entry-level positions in government organisations.
Job Roles: Clearing the SSC MTS exam opens doors to job roles such as Peon, Daftary, Junior Gestetner Operator (JGO), Farash, Chowkidar, Garderner, etc., across different government departments, including ministries and departments of the Central Government and Union Territories.
Job Roles
Average Salaries
Peon/Office Attendant
₹15,000 to ₹20,000 per month
Gardener
₹12,000 to ₹15,000 per month
Junior Messenger
₹13,000 to ₹16,000 per month
Cleaner/Sweeper
₹10,000 to ₹12,000 per month
Cook
₹14,000 to ₹18,000 per month
Exam Pattern:some text
Paper 1 is an objective-type test that assesses your general intelligence and reasoning ability, numerical aptitude, general English, and general awareness. Each section carries an equal weightage with 25 questions per section. You will have 90 minutes to complete this stage.
Paper 2 is a descriptive test where you will be required to write a short essay or letter in English or any other language included in the 8th Schedule of the Constitution. The duration for Paper 2 is 30 minutes.
Constable Examination (SSC GD)
The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) conducts the Constable Examination, also known as SSC GD, for recruitment in various paramilitary forces and armed police organizations. This examination is a great opportunity for individuals seeking a career in law enforcement and security.
Job Roles: After clearing the SSC GD exam, you can apply for job roles such as constable in the Border Security Force (BSF), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), National Investigation Agency (NIA), and Secretariat Security Force (SSF). These job roles come with a sense of responsibility and the chance to serve the nation.
Job Roles
Average Salaries
BSF Constable
₹25,000 to ₹30,000 per month
CISF Constable
₹25,000 to ₹30,000 per month
CRPF Constable
₹25,000 to ₹30,000 per month
SSB Constable
₹25,000 to ₹30,000 per month
ITBP Constable
₹25,000 to ₹30,000 per month
Exam Pattern: The examination consists of four stages: computer-based examination (CBE), physical efficiency test (PET) or physical standard test (PST), detailed medical examination (DME), and document verification.some text
In the computer-based examination, you will be assessed on four subjects: general intelligence and reasoning, general knowledge and general awareness, elementary mathematics, and English or Hindi language skills. Each section carries 25 questions, with one mark awarded for each correct answer. You will have 90 minutes to complete this stage.
The PET/PST stage evaluates your physical fitness through tasks such as running, long jumps, high jumps, and measurements of height and chest (for male candidates) parameters. The duration of this stage varies based on gender.
Unlock your superpowers with a bunch of exciting games!
If you have excellent typing skills and a knack for maintaining confidentiality, the SSC Stenographer Exam is an ideal choice for you. This examination opens doors to exciting job opportunities as stenographers in various government departments, ministries, and subordinate offices.
Job Roles: Clearing the SSC Stenographer Exam allows you to apply for job roles such as stenographer Grade 'C' and Grade 'D'. These roles involve transcribing dictated matter in English or Hindi at a designated speed using a stenography machine. The work requires accuracy, good listening skills, and proficiency in shorthand writing.
Job Roles
Average Salaries
Stenographer Grade C
₹35,000 per month
Stenographer Grade D
₹25,000 per month
Personal Assistant
₹30,000 to ₹40,000 per month
Office Assistant
₹25,000 per month
Court Stenographer
₹30,000 to ₹40,000 per month
Exam Pattern: The examination consists of two stages: a computer-based examination (CBE) and a skill/typing test.some text
The CBE assesses your knowledge in three sections: general intelligence and reasoning, general awareness, and English language and comprehension. Each section carries 50 questions, with one mark awarded for each correct answer. You will have 2 hours to complete this stage.
The Skill Test/Typing Test evaluates your stenography skills by dictating a passage at a prescribed speed that needs to be typed accurately within a given time frame. For Grade 'C', candidates are required to have a typing speed of 100 words per minute, while Grade 'D' requires 80 words per minute.
FAQs
1. Can I apply for multiple SSC exams at once?
Yes, you can apply for multiple SSC exams as long as you meet the eligibility criteria specified for each exam. However, make sure to carefully manage your preparation time and prioritise your preferred exams.
2. What are some popular job profiles that can be pursued after clearing the SSC exams?
Clearing the SSC exams opens up various job opportunities, such as becoming an income tax inspector, assistant section officer in ministries, junior engineer in various departments, sub-inspector in police forces, or stenographer in government departments, among others.
3. Is it necessary to join coaching classes, or can I prepare on my own?
Joining coaching classes is not mandatory but can be beneficial for structured preparation. You can also opt for self-study with reliable study materials and online resources available on platforms like WiZR.
4. How long does it take to prepare for SSC exams?
The preparation duration varies depending on individual capabilities and prior knowledge. It is recommended to dedicate at least 4-6 months of focused preparation.
5. How many times can I attempt the SSC exams?
You can attempt the SSC exams as many times as you want until you reach the maximum age limit specified by the conducting authority.