NEW DELHI — The Staff Selection Commission has announced a significant modification to the examination structure for the Combined Graduate Level recruitment process scheduled for 2026, implementing sectional timing restrictions across its tier-based assessment system.
The Tier 1 examination, which will continue to be administered through computer-based testing infrastructure, has been divided into four distinct segments covering General Intelligence and Reasoning, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, and English Comprehension. Each section will now operate under independent time constraints, preventing candidates from allocating additional minutes to segments of their choosing, according to reports.
This structural change marks a departure from the previous examination format where candidates enjoyed flexibility in time management across all sections. The SSC CGL examination serves as one of India's most competitive recruitment processes, attracting lakhs of aspirants annually for various Group B and Group C positions across central government ministries and departments.
The sectional timing provision has also been extended to the Tier 2 papers, which typically assess candidates on quantitative abilities, English language proficiency, and statistics depending on the post category. The modification is expected to test candidates' preparedness across all domains equally, eliminating the strategy of compensating weaker areas with additional time from stronger sections.