Can you tell me in detail about the Staff Selection Commission - Combined Graduate Level Examination or SSC CGL as I am planning to take up the exam this time?

Staff Selection Commission - Combined Graduate Level Examination or SSC CGL is an examination conducted to recruit staff to various posts in ministries, departments and organisations of the Government of India.

It is conducted by the Staff Selection Commission for selecting staff for various Group B and Group C posts. The Staff Selection Commission was established in 1975.

Eligibility

One applying for the various posts need to have a bachelor's degree from a recognised university, or must be in the final year of degree studies at the time of applying.

Age must be between 18 and 27 years as of January 1 of the test taking year.

The application fee for 2016 was Rs. 100. All women candidates and candidates belonging to Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, Physically Handicapped, and Ex-Servicemen eligible for reservation are exempted from paying application fee.

Structure
The exam consists of a Preliminary Exam followed by a Main exam. Earlier it also used to have interviews, but now interviews have been dispensed off. A computer proficiency test or a skill test will also be held for some posts.

Preliminary Examination
The preliminary exam will be out of 200 marks. It will have 4 sections, which have to be completed in a total time of 75 minutes.
• General Intelligence and Reasoning
• General Awareness
• Quantitative Aptitude
• English Comprehension

Main Examination
The main examination will also have four sections. Section 1 and 2 will be compulsory for all candidates who have qualified. Section 3 and 4 are only for candidates who have applied for special posts.
• Quantitative Ability
• English Language and Comprehension
• Statistics
• General Studies (Finance and Economics)

SSC has also decided to add a paper based descriptive paper which can be attempted in English or Hindi for Essay, Precis, Letter writing.

In addition, a Data Entry Skill Test or a Computer Proficiency Test will also be held for some positions. This paper replaced the interview of 100 marks.