SSC CGL Reservation 2026 for OBC, SC/ST, PwD, Women, & Others
SSC CGL Reservation 2026 provides benefits to candidates belonging to OBC, SC, ST, PwD, EWS, ESM, and women categories, including upper-age relaxation, fee exemption, and other concessions. OBC candidates receive 3 years and SC/ST candidates 5 years of age relaxation, applicable equally to men and women. Additional relaxations apply to widows, divorced women, and judicially separated women, subject to valid documents during Document Verification. Male candidates from UR, EWS, and OBC must pay a ₹100 fee, while others are exempt and may receive physical standard relaxations. Thus, candidates must check the detailed SSC CGL Eligibility Criteria along with the following reservation benefits.
SSC CGL Reservation 2026: Relaxation in Age Limit
The upper age limit for reserved categories, physically handicapped candidates, and Ex-Servicemen is given below-
| Category | Age Relaxation |
|---|---|
| OBC | 3 years |
| ST/ SC | 5 years |
| PwD (Unreserved) | 10 years |
| PwD (OBC) | 13 years |
| PwD (SC/ ST) | 15 years |
| Ex-Servicemen (ESM) | 3 years after deduction of the military service rendered from the actual age as on 01.08.2026 |
| Widows/ Divorced Women/ Women judicially separated and who are not remarried | Upto 35 years of age |
| Widows/ Divorced Women/ Women judicially separated and who are not remarried (SC/ ST) | Upto 40 years of age |
SSC CGL Age Limit for Central Government Civilian Employees
Central Government Civilian Employees who have rendered not less than 3 years of regular, continuous service as of the closing date for receipt of application are eligible for age relaxation in SSC CGL-
| Central Govt. Civilian Employees’ Category | Age Relaxation |
|---|---|
|
Central Govt. Civilian Employees |
Up to 40 years of age |
| Central Govt. Civilian Employees (SC/ ST) | Up to 45 years of age |
Upper Age Limit for Defence Personnel
Age relaxation will be applicable for Defence Personnel disabled in operation during hostilities with any foreign country or in a disturbed area and were released as a consequence of the same.
| Categories | Age Relaxation |
|---|---|
| Defence Personnel disabled in hostilities | 3 years |
| Defence Personnel disabled in hostilities (SC/ ST) | 8 years |
SSC CGL Application Fee 2026 Exemption
The candidates eligible for the exemption from the SSC CGL application fee are listed below. They must have the necessary reservation certificates in order to claim the same. They need to upload these documents while filling the application form and also produce them in original during the Document Verification round.
- All Female Candidates
- Male Candidates from SC category
- Male Candidates from ST category
- Male Ex-Servicemen
- Male Candidates from PwD category
The reservation for all the categories of posts/ services will be in accordance with the Govt orders. The reservation of vacancies for ESM categories is applicable only for Group ‘C’ posts. Ex-servicemen who have already availed the reservation benefits and secured employment in civil Group ‘C’ and ‘D’ posts are not eligible for ESM reservations. Also, the ESM benefits are not applicable to the sons/ daughters or any other dependents of Ex-Servicemen.
While availing of Reservation benefits for SSC CGL exam 2026, you must ensure to possess the caste/ community certificate and that you do not fall in the creamy layer. If you fail to procure even a single document, your candidature will be cancelled.
| Relevant Links | ||
|---|---|---|
| SSC CGL Exam Pattern | SSC CGL Syllabus | SSC CGL Books |
| SSC CGL Vacancy | SSC CGL Study Material | SSC CGL Cutoff |
SSC CGL Reservation 2026 FAQs
Ques: What is SSC CGL exam 2026?
Ans: SSC CGL is Combined Graduate Level exam which is conducted by Selection Staff Commission for the recruitment of personnel for Grade-B and C categories posts in various Ministries, Departments and Organisations.
Ques. Is there any state-wise reservation in SSC CGL exam 2026?
Ans: No there will be no state-wise reservation in SSC CGL. The reservation benefits are determined by the Ministries/ Departments/ Offices/ Cadres as per the Government Orders.
Ques: I am an Ex-serviceman and I want to know if there is some reservation for us in SSC CGL 2026?
Ans: Yes, Ex-serviceman candidates also have a reservation for seats in various posts. The reservation of seats depends upon the ministries, government, and department norms.
Ques: What is the age limit to apply for SSC CGL 2026?
Ans: The age limit is different for different posts, you can confirm that from SSC CGL Notification published by the SSC. Generally, the age limit is between 18 to 32 years.
Ques: What are the age relaxations for SC/ST Category in SSC CGL 2026?
Ans: The age relaxation in the upper age limit for SCs/STs is five years, for OBCs it is three years.
Ques: Is there any age relaxation for Ex-serviceman in SSC CGL 2026?
Ans: Yes, there is a relaxation in age to Ex-serviceman candidates, the relaxation varies with duration served, you can check the SSC CGL notification for detailed information.
Ques: Is there any age relaxation for unmarried/married female candidates in SSC CGL 2026?
Ans: No, there is no age relaxation for unmarried and married female candidates.
Ques: Do SC/ST candidates get relaxation in Academic Qualification?
Ans: No, there is no relaxation in terms of academics for any candidates, all must meet the minimum qualification as declared by SSC.
Ques: What factors are taken into account for deciding age relaxation criteria for ex-serviceman candidates?
Ans: Years of work spent in the field, residential region, service offered to the government and other factors are taken into account while deciding the age relaxation.
Ques: Is there any reservation of a Government Civilian Employee?
Ans: No there is no reservation for Government Civilian employees. However, such candidates who rendered not less than 3 years of regular, continuous service as of the closing date for receipt of application are eligible for age relaxation.
Ques: Do Physically Handicapped candidates get reservation and age relaxation?
Ans: Yes, Physically handicapped candidates get the reservation in some of the posts. Physically handicapped candidates in General category gets 10 years, OBC gets 13 years, and SC/ST candidates get 15 years relaxation in upper age limit.
Ques: Do all categories have the same Cutoffs in SSC CGL 2026?
Ans: No, Cutoff for each category is different as per the rules and regulations stipulated by Government of India.
Ques: What is the percentage of seats reserved for Physically Handicapped candidates?
Ans: As per Government of India rule, 3% of the seats will be reserved for the Physically Handicapped candidates.
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