SSC CGL Selection Process 2025 - Tier 1, Tier 2, and Document Verification

SSC CGL Selection Process 2025

The SSC CGL 2025 selection process is conducted by the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) through 2 stages - Tier 1 examination, Tier 2 examination, followed by Document Verification. The SSC CGL Tier 1 Results 2025 are out now, and the results for the Tier 2 exam are awaited.

Candidates who have appeared in Tier 2 are required to submit their Option-cum-Preference for post(s)/department(s) before the declaration of the final result. This can be done via the 'Candidate Login' on ssc.gov.in under the My Application Tab, which will be active from 09 March 2026 (6:00 PM) to 12 March 2026 (6:00 PM). Candidates can go through the below notification for a thorough understanding of the process:

SSC CGL 2025 Option Form – Sample PDF Download

Candidates who have appeared in the SSC CGL Tier 2 examination (held on January 18–20, 2026) and are awaiting their results are required to fill the Option-cum-Preference Form before the final result is declared. This submission is mandatory- candidates who fail to exercise their option within the stipulated period will not be considered for inclusion in the final merit list or final selection. Post allotment is done on a merit-cum-preference basis, and once submitted, the preference order cannot be changed under any circumstances. Testbook Candidates can download the sample PDF below for reference before filling out the form on the official SSC portal.

SSC CGL Selection Criteria 2025

To check out the SSC CGL selection criteria 2025, refer to the table attached below:

SSC CGL 2025 Selection Process Stage 1

The SSC CGL 2025 selection process is conducted through 3 stages. Applicants are required to pass the Tier 1 and Tier 2 examinations to reach the final stage of selection. A student must score the required qualifying marks as per the SSC CGL Cutoffs to become eligible for the next stage of the selection process. Check out the details of Stage 1 of the SSC CGL selection process here:

• Students are shortlisted based on the marks they obtain in SSC CGL Tier 1 (Computer-Based Examination).
• Shortlisting is done categorically.
• Shortlisted students are selected for the Tier-II Examination.

After Specific Cutoffs for Tier 2:

• Different Cutoffs set for various posts in Tier 2:
• Junior Statistical Officer: Paper I & Paper II.
• Statistical Investigator Grade-II: Paper-I & Paper-II.
• Assistant Audit Officer/Assistant Accounts Officer: Paper-I & Paper-III.
• Other posts: Paper I.

• Tier 1 of SSC CGL 2025 will consist of 100 questions of 2 marks each. According to the SSC CGL Exam Pattern 2025, students receive two points for each correctly answered question, while one point is deducted for an incorrect response.
• The total mark for the SSC CGL Tier 1 exam is 200.
• The questions asked in the SSC CGL Tier 1 exam will revolve around topics related to the English language, general awareness, general intelligence & reasoning, and quantitative aptitude.
• Students who pass the CGL Tier 1 test will be eligible to participate in stage 2 of the SSC CGL exam (Tier 2).
• For efficient preparations for the SSC CGL 2025 tier 1 exam, students can review the SSC CGL Previous Year's Question Papers.

SSC CGL 2025 Selection Process Stage 2

The SSC CGL Tier 2 examination will be conducted in the CBT mode (Computer-Based Test). SSC CGL Tier 2 is divided into 3 papers: Paper I, II, and III. These papers will consist of multiple-choice questions, except for Module II of Section III of SSC CGL Paper II 2025.

Tier-II Examination Overview

• Tier-II conducted for all Tier-I qualified applicants.
• Paper-I: All applicants attempt all three sections.
• Paper-II & Paper-III: Required only for specific posts.

Qualification in Paper-I of Tier-II

• Compulsory qualification in all sections of Paper-I.

Shortlisting for Section-III Evaluation

• Based on the performance in Section I & Section-II of Paper-I:
• Applicants shortlisted for Section-III evaluation.
• Applicants not qualifying in Section-I + Section-II are excluded.

Nature of Section-III in Paper-I of Tier-II

• Section III is qualifying.
• Two modules: Computer Knowledge Test and DEST.
• Higher cut-off for Computer Proficiency prescribed posts in Module-I.
• Higher standard/cut-off for Computer Proficiency or DEST prescribed posts in Module-II.
• The Tier 2 exam will be conducted in both languages, English and Hindi, whereas the English comprehension section will only be available in English.
• Paper 1 of SSC CGL 2025 is required for all the posts, hence, it has to be taken by every candidate. The applicant has to pass sections I and II of Paper-I to get shortlisted for Section III of Paper-I.
• Candidates who do not qualify for Sections I and II will not be allowed to sit for Section III, and they will be prohibited from participating in the next round of the SSC CGL selection process.
• Candidates who have qualified in sections I and II will appear for the Data Entry Speed Test (DEST).
• Only those applicants who apply for and are shortlisted for Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) positions in the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation will be allowed to take Paper II.
• Paper-III of SSC CGL 2025 will only be available for those applicants who are selected in Tier-I for Paper-III. These candidates are selected for the positions of Assistant Audit Officer/Assistant Accounts Officer.

SSC CGL 2025 Option-cum-Preference Form

Once the Tier 2 examination is completed and before the declaration of the final result, all candidates who have appeared in Tier 2 are required to submit their Option-cum-Preference for post(s)/department(s). This is a mandatory step in the selection process, and candidates who fail to submit their preferences within the stipulated time will not be considered for the final selection. The form can be filled out by logging into the official SSC portal at ssc.gov.in under the 'My Application' tab in the Candidate Login section. For CGLE-2025, the Option-cum-Preference window is open from 09 March 2026 (6:00 PM) to 12 March 2026 (6:00 PM).

SSC CGL 2025 Selection Process Stage 3 - Document Verification

Applicants who qualify for the Tier 1 and Tier 2 examinations will be eligible for the last and final stage of selection, the document verification stage. This is a mandatory step in the SSC CGL 2025 selection process that all applicants must abide by. It is only after this stage that applicants will be selected for different posts and positions. Mentioned below is the list of documents required for the SSC CGL document verification stage:

• 2 recent passport-size colored photographs
• One original photo proof
• Copy of Matriculation/ Secondary Certificate
• Educational Qualification Certificate
• Caste/ Category Certificate (if any)
• A person with Disabilities Certificate (if any)
• Serving Defence Personnel Certificate (if any)
• Undertaking Certificate (Ex-servicemen) (if any)
• Discharge Certificate (if any)
• Relevant Certificate (if seeking age relaxation)
• Certificate by the Central Government Civilian Employees
• No Objection Certificate (if employed in Government/ Government undertakings)
• Documents relevant to the change of name (if any)
• Any other document mentioned in the admission certificate/ call letter of Document Verification

Apart from this, the applicants will also be required to carry one of the following documents for identity proof:

• Aadhar Card
• Voter ID Card
• PAN Card
• Passport
• Driving License
• Government School/ College ID Card
• Employer ID (Govt./ PSU)
• Ex-Serviceman Discharge Book issued by the Ministry of Defence
• Any other photo-bearing ID Card issued by the Central/ State Government

SSC CGL Minimum Qualifying Marks 2025

Students appearing for the SSC CGL examination 2025 are required to obtain marks as specified by the conducting authorities. Aspirants must be aware of the minimum marks required to pass the Tier 1 and Tier 2 examinations. Check out the category-wise minimum qualifying marks for SSC CGL 2025 in the table attached herewith:

Note: The applicants must acquire the minimum qualifying marks in each stage of the SSC CGL selection process to qualify for the next round.

Minimum Qualifying Marks in Data Entry Speed Test (DEST)

Following are the maximum allowable error percentages in Module-II of Section-III of Paper-I of Tier-II (DEST).

SSC CGL 2025 Final Merit List

Mentioned below are the factors based on which the final merit list of the SSC CGL examination will be determined:

• Based on the total score obtained by an applicant in Tier-I and Tier-II examinations, the final merit of the selected applicants will be prepared.
• The All India Merit List will be prepared for each category for various posts by SSC.
• The letter of appointment will be distributed only to the shortlisted applicants.

SSC CGL 2025 Tie-Breaker Policy

In case of a tie in the scores of 2 applicants in the SSC CGL Tier 2 examination, the factors mentioned below will be considered for breaking a tie:

• The total marks obtained in Paper II and III of SSC CGL Tier II are given priority for the posts of JSO and AAO.
• The total marks obtained in Section I of Paper-I of SSC CGL Tier II are considered.
• The date of birth, with the older applicant being preferred.
• The alphabetical order in which the first names of the applicants appear.