– General: 18–27 / 18–30 / up to 32 (post-wise)
– OBC: +3 years
– SC/ST: +5 years
– Cutoff Date: 1 Aug 2026
The SSC CGL age limit looks simple on the surface — 18 to 32 years. But that number alone has misled thousands of aspirants into applying for posts they are ineligible for, or worse, assuming they are too old when they are not. The actual rules are post-wise, category-wise, and in some cases gender-specific. This guide breaks down every condition so you know exactly where you stand before the application portal opens.
Also Read — SSC CGL 2026 Complete GuideWhat Is the Age Limit for SSC CGL 2026?
There is no single age limit for SSC CGL — the exam fills 36+ different posts across multiple ministries, and each post carries its own age band. The table below groups them clearly:
| Age Band | Posts Covered | Date of Birth Range (for 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| 18 – 27 years | Auditor, Accountant, Junior Accountant, Postal/Sorting Assistant, UDC, Senior Secretariat Assistant, Tax Assistant (CBDT/CBIC), Sub-Inspector (CBN) | 02-Aug-1999 to 01-Aug-2008 |
| 18 – 30 years | Inspector IT (CBDT), Inspector CE/Preventive/Examiner (CBIC), Inspector Posts, ASO (IB, MEA, Railways, AFHQ, MeitY), Assistant Enforcement Officer (DEA), Sub-Inspector NIA, Divisional Accountant, Statistical Investigator Gr-II, Research Assistant | 02-Aug-1996 to 01-Aug-2008 |
| 20 – 30 years | ASO (CSS), Sub-Inspector CBI | 02-Aug-1996 to 01-Aug-2006 |
| Up to 32 years | Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) | 02-Aug-1994 to 01-Aug-2008 |
Important 2026 Update — Tax Assistant Age Change
SSC CGL Age Limit for General Category — What Most Guides Get Wrong
Most articles say “General: 32 years maximum” — that is wrong and dangerous. A general category candidate applying for UDC or Tax Assistant at age 28 will be rejected. The post-wise table above applies to General category as the baseline. No relaxation, no exceptions.
The Mistake That Gets People Rejected
SSC CGL Age Limit for OBC — What “3 Years Relaxation” Actually Means
The OBC age limit for SSC CGL is applied post-wise — not as a flat “you can apply till 35.” Here is how it actually works:
| Post Age Cap (General) | OBC Effective Age Limit | Example Posts |
|---|---|---|
| 27 years | 30 years | UDC, Tax Assistant, Auditor, Accountant |
| 30 years | 33 years | Inspector IT, ASO, AEO, Sub-Inspector NIA |
| 30 years (20–30) | 33 years (min 20 still applies) | ASO CSS, Sub-Inspector CBI |
| 32 years (JSO) | 35 years | Junior Statistical Officer |
OBC-NCL Certificate is Mandatory
SSC CGL Age Limit for SC and ST Categories
| Post Age Cap (General) | SC Age Limit | ST Age Limit |
|---|---|---|
| 27 years | 32 years | 32 years |
| 30 years | 35 years | 35 years |
| 32 years (JSO) | 37 years | 37 years |
SC and ST candidates do not get relaxation in educational qualification — only age. The minimum age of 18 years remains unchanged for all categories including SC and ST.
SSC CGL Age Limit for Female Candidates — The Rule Nobody Explains Clearly
This is the most searched question with the most misleading answers online. Let’s be direct:
- Unmarried female (General/OBC/SC/ST): Same age limit as male candidates of the same category. No additional relaxation.
- Married female (General/OBC/SC/ST): Same age limit as male candidates. Marriage does not grant any relaxation.
- Widow / Divorced / Judicially separated (not remarried): Special relaxation applies — explained below.
SSC CGL Age Limit for Widows and Divorced Women
This is the only gender-specific age relaxation in SSC CGL, and it applies exclusively to Group C posts:
| Category | Maximum Age Limit (Group C posts) |
|---|---|
| Widows / Divorced / Judicially separated — General | 35 years |
| Widows / Divorced / Judicially separated — OBC | 38 years |
| Widows / Divorced / Judicially separated — SC/ST | 40 years |
Document Required at DV
Complete SSC CGL Age Relaxation Table 2026 — All Categories
| Category | Age Relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC / ST | +5 years |
| OBC (NCL) | +3 years |
| PwD — General | +10 years |
| PwD — OBC | +13 years |
| PwD — SC/ST | +15 years |
| Ex-Servicemen — Group C posts | +3 years (after deducting military service from actual age) |
| Ex-Servicemen — Group B gazetted posts (5+ yrs service) | +5 years |
| J&K domicile (1 Jan 1980 – 31 Dec 1989) | +5 years |
| Central Govt. Civilian Employees — Group C (3+ yrs continuous service) | Up to 40 years (45 for SC/ST) |
| Widows / Divorced / Judicially separated — General (Group C) | Up to 35 years |
| Widows / Divorced / Judicially separated — OBC (Group C) | Up to 38 years |
| Widows / Divorced / Judicially separated — SC/ST (Group C) | Up to 40 years |
Ex-Servicemen — How the Calculation Works
How Is SSC CGL Age Calculated? — With a Worked Example
SSC calculates age based on the date of birth recorded in your Matriculation (Class 10) certificate. The cutoff date for SSC CGL 2026 is 1st August 2026. Your age on that date determines eligibility — not the date of application or exam.
Age Calculation Formula: Age = Cutoff Date (01-Aug-2026) minus Date of Birth from Class 10 certificateWorked Examples
| Scenario | DOB | Age on 01-Aug-2026 | Eligible For |
|---|---|---|---|
| General — applying for Tax Assistant | 15-Mar-2000 | 26 years |  Yes (cap: 27) |
| General — applying for Tax Assistant | 10-Jun-1998 | 28 years |  No (cap: 27) |
| OBC — applying for Inspector IT | 20-May-1993 | 33 years | Yes (cap: 30+3=33) |
| SC — applying for UDC | 05-Jan-1994 | 32 years | Yes (cap: 27+5=32) |
| General — applying for JSO | 01-Aug-1994 | 32 years exactly | Yes (cap: 32, this date is the boundary) |
| General — applying for JSO | 31-Jul-1994 | 32 years + 1 day | No (one day over — rejected) |
Even One Day Over = Rejection
SSC CGL Age Limit Post-Wise — Self-Check Before You Apply
Use this before submitting your preferences in the application form:
- I have calculated my age as on 1st August 2026 using my Class 10 date of birth — not my Aadhaar or passport.
- I have checked the age limit of each specific post I am selecting — not just the overall maximum.
- If I am OBC: my OBC-NCL certificate is current (issued in the same financial year as the application).
- If I am claiming widow/divorced relaxation: I have a valid legal document (death certificate or court order) ready for DV.
- If I am an ex-serviceman: I have calculated my effective age after deducting military service years.
- I have not confused “SSC CGL maximum age 32” with the age limit for the specific post I want.
People Also Ask — SSC CGL Age Limit 2026
For general category candidates, the SSC CGL age limit is post-dependent: 18–27 years for clerical posts (UDC, Tax Assistant, Auditor), 18–30 or 20–30 years for most Group B posts like Inspector and ASO, and up to 32 years for Junior Statistical Officer. There is no blanket "32 years" limit for all posts.
OBC candidates get 3 years added to the upper age limit of whichever post they apply for. So a post capped at 27 becomes 30, a post capped at 30 becomes 33, and JSO (32) becomes 35. OBC relaxation requires a valid OBC-NCL certificate issued in the current financial year.
Both SC and ST candidates receive 5 years of age relaxation added to the upper limit of each post. A post capped at 27 becomes 32 for SC/ST, a post capped at 30 becomes 35, and JSO (32) becomes 37. The minimum age of 18 remains unchanged.
No. Regular female candidates — married or unmarried — follow the same age limit as male candidates of the same category. Special age relaxation for women applies only to widows, divorced women, and judicially separated women who have not remarried, and only for Group C posts (up to 35 years for General, 38 for OBC, 40 for SC/ST).
The absolute maximum age in SSC CGL 2026 for a general category candidate is 32 years — applicable only to the JSO post. For most other posts it is 27 or 30 years. With SC/ST relaxation, the maximum can go up to 37 years for JSO.
SSC uses only the Matriculation (Class 10) certificate to verify date of birth. Aadhaar card, passport, or birth certificate are not accepted as primary DOB proof. If your Class 10 certificate has a different date from your Aadhaar, SSC will use the Class 10 date.
