The SSC CGL post list and salary is the first thing most aspirants want to know. Through the Combined Graduate Level exam, the Staff Selection Commission fills many Group B and Group C posts in central ministries, departments and offices. These posts are placed at different pay levels of the 7th Pay Commission, from Level 4 to Level 8.
This page lists the main SSC CGL posts level by level, explains what makes up the salary, and helps you decide your post preference. The list of posts and vacancies changes every year, so always check the current notification.
- SSC CGL posts range from Level 4 (₹25,500 basic) to Level 8 (₹47,600 basic).
- Assistant Audit Officer and Assistant Accounts Officer are the highest-paid posts at Level 8.
- Most Inspector and Assistant Section Officer posts are at Level 7.
- Take-home pay also depends on DA, HRA and the city of posting.
SSC CGL pay levels at a glance
| Pay level | Basic pay (starting) | Pay range |
|---|---|---|
| Level 8 | ₹47,600 | ₹47,600 - ₹1,51,100 |
| Level 7 | ₹44,900 | ₹44,900 - ₹1,42,400 |
| Level 6 | ₹35,400 | ₹35,400 - ₹1,12,400 |
| Level 5 | ₹29,200 | ₹29,200 - ₹92,300 |
| Level 4 | ₹25,500 | ₹25,500 - ₹81,100 |
These are the pay ranges of the 7th Pay Commission pay matrix. Basic pay rises each year with the annual increment and with promotions.
SSC CGL post list level-wise
| Level | Main posts in recent notices |
|---|---|
| Level 8 | Assistant Audit Officer and Assistant Accounts Officer (Indian Audit and Accounts Department, under the C&AG) |
| Level 7 | Assistant Section Officer (Central Secretariat Service, Ministry of External Affairs, Intelligence Bureau, Railways, Armed Forces HQ and others); Inspector of Income Tax; Inspector (Central Excise / CGST), Inspector (Preventive Officer) and Inspector (Examiner) under CBIC; Assistant Enforcement Officer (Enforcement Directorate); Sub-Inspector (CBI); Inspector of Posts; Inspector (Central Bureau of Narcotics) |
| Level 6 | Junior Statistical Officer (MoSPI); Divisional Accountant; Sub-Inspector (NIA); Research Assistant; Statistical Investigator Grade II |
| Level 5 | Auditor (C&AG, CGDA and other offices); Accountant / Junior Accountant |
| Level 4 | Upper Division Clerk / Senior Secretariat Assistant; Tax Assistant (CBDT and CBIC) |
Some posts, like Junior Statistical Officer and Statistical Investigator, need statistics or mathematics in graduation and have a separate statistics paper in Tier 2. Check the post-wise qualification and age table in the notice.
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What makes up the salary
- Basic pay - fixed by the pay level, as in the table above.
- Dearness Allowance (DA) - a percentage of basic pay, revised twice a year by the central government.
- House Rent Allowance (HRA) - depends on the city of posting. It has recently been 30%, 20% or 10% of basic pay for X, Y and Z class cities, if government housing is not taken.
- Transport Allowance - a fixed monthly amount that depends on the pay level and city.
- Deductions - mainly the employee's pension contribution (NPS, with an option for the Unified Pension Scheme), CGHS and income tax where it applies.
So two people at the same level can get different take-home pay, depending on the city. The 8th Pay Commission has been set up by the government; when its recommendations are put in place, all these figures will change.
Job profile of popular posts
- Assistant Audit Officer (AAO) - audits the accounts of government departments and public bodies under the C&AG. Office-based work with some audit tours.
- Assistant Section Officer (ASO) - handles files, drafts notes and helps in policy work in central ministries, mostly in Delhi. Good for those who want a stable desk job in the capital.
- Inspector (Income Tax / CGST / Customs) - field and office work on tax assessment, verification, searches and checks. Often posted in different cities of a zone.
- Assistant Enforcement Officer - helps investigate money laundering and foreign exchange cases in the Enforcement Directorate.
- Sub-Inspector (CBI / NIA) - investigation work; involves travel and irregular hours.
- Auditor and Accountant - accounts and audit work in central offices; lighter workload, steady hours.
- Tax Assistant / UDC - office support work; often the starting point for faster departmental exams.
Promotion and career growth
| Entry post | Typical promotion path |
|---|---|
| Assistant Audit Officer | Audit Officer → Senior Audit Officer → higher posts in the department |
| Assistant Section Officer (CSS) | Section Officer → Under Secretary → Deputy Secretary |
| Inspector (CBIC / CBDT) | Superintendent / Income Tax Officer → Assistant Commissioner |
| Auditor / Accountant | Senior Auditor → Assistant Audit/Accounts Officer through departmental exams |
The speed of promotion differs from cadre to cadre, depending on vacancies. Departmental exams can speed up growth in audit and accounts cadres.
How to choose post preference
In SSC CGL, you fill a post preference list, and posts are allotted by your rank, category and preference. Think about:
- Pay level - a higher level means higher starting pay and faster growth.
- Nature of work - desk job (ASO, Auditor) or field job (Inspector, Sub-Inspector).
- Place of posting - ASO posts are mostly in Delhi; Inspector posts are spread across zones.
- Physical standards - some posts, like Inspector (CBIC, CBN) and Sub-Inspector (CBI, NIA), need physical and medical standards.
- Work-life balance - audit and accounts posts usually have fixed hours.
Many toppers choose AAO, ASO (MEA/CSS) or Income Tax Inspector, but the best post is the one that fits your goals.
Probation and benefits
- New recruits are usually on probation for about two years.
- Benefits include leave, Leave Travel Concession, CGHS medical facility, government housing where available, and a pension scheme.
- Many departments offer training at their academies before or after joining.
Eligibility in brief
SSC CGL needs a bachelor's degree from a recognised university. The age limit differs by post - it has been 18-27, 18-30 or 20-30 years for different posts, and up to 32 for some, with relaxation for reserved categories. Some posts need specific subjects, such as statistics for Junior Statistical Officer. See our SSC CGL exam guide for the full pattern and syllabus.
Documents to keep ready
- Class 10 certificate for date of birth.
- Marksheets and certificates of the qualifying exam (Class 12 or graduation).
- Caste, EWS, non-creamy layer or disability certificate in the central government format, where relevant.
- Photo identity proof and recent photographs, as asked at document verification.
Make sure your name and date of birth match across all documents. Mismatches are a common cause of delay after selection.
Common mistakes
- Choosing posts only by pay level without thinking of the work and place of posting.
- Not checking physical standards for Inspector and Sub-Inspector posts.
- Ignoring the age limit of each post - some posts have a lower upper age limit.
- Using an old post list. Posts and departments change each year.
For other SSC exams, see the SSC CHSL post list and salary, SSC MTS and SSC Selection Post guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the highest salary post in SSC CGL?
Assistant Audit Officer and Assistant Accounts Officer are the highest-paid SSC CGL posts, at Level 8 of the pay matrix with a starting basic pay of ₹47,600.
What is the salary of an Income Tax Inspector through SSC CGL?
Inspector of Income Tax is a Level 7 post with a starting basic pay of ₹44,900. DA, HRA and other allowances are added, so take-home pay depends on the city of posting.
Which SSC CGL posts are at Level 7?
Level 7 includes Assistant Section Officer, Inspector of Income Tax, Inspector posts under CBIC, Assistant Enforcement Officer, Sub-Inspector (CBI), Inspector of Posts and Inspector (Central Bureau of Narcotics), as per recent notices.
What is the lowest pay level in SSC CGL?
The lowest is Level 4, with a starting basic pay of ₹25,500, for posts such as Upper Division Clerk and Tax Assistant.
Is in-hand salary the same for all SSC CGL posts at one level?
No. Basic pay is the same at a level, but HRA and transport allowance depend on the city, so take-home pay differs between cities.
Which SSC CGL posts need physical standards?
Posts such as Inspector under CBIC and CBN and Sub-Inspector in CBI and NIA have physical and medical standards. Check the notice for details.