Government jobs after graduation start with two large central exams that accept a bachelor's degree in any subject: the Staff Selection Commission's Combined Graduate Level (CGL) exam for Group B and Group C posts, and the UPSC Civil Services Examination for IAS, IPS and other Group A services. Which one fits depends on your age, how many years you can prepare, and the pay level you are aiming for.
Government jobs after graduation: the main routes
Graduation here means a bachelor's degree from a recognised university, in any stream. You do not need to be a commerce or arts graduate to apply for either exam below, though some posts add a desirable qualification. The table compares the two central routes using the 2026 notices.
| Item | SSC CGL 2026 | UPSC Civil Services 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Posts | Group B and Group C posts in ministries, departments and bodies | IAS, IPS, IFS and other Group A and B services; about 933 vacancies in the 2026 notice |
| Qualification | Bachelor's degree from a recognised university (as on 1 August 2026), with desirable qualifications for a few posts | Degree from a recognised university or equivalent qualification |
| Age limit | Mostly 18 to 30 years; Group C posts such as Auditor and Accountant 18 to 27 years | 21 to 32 years on 1 August 2026, with relaxation for reserved categories |
| Attempts | Check the notice for your post | Six attempts, with extra attempts for SC/ST/OBC and PwBD candidates as the rules state |
| Stages | Tier-I and Tier-II computer-based exams | Prelims, Mains and interview |
| Last cycle's application window | 21 May to 22 June 2026 | Notice dated 4 February 2026; applications closed 24 February 2026 |
SSC CGL eligibility, posts and pay levels
The SSC CGL 2026 notice lists posts by pay level. The pay figures are the basic pay range of each level in the pay matrix, so your take-home will differ once allowances and deductions apply. Use our in-hand salary calculator to see how a gross figure turns into monthly pay.
| Pay level | Basic pay range | Example posts in the notice |
|---|---|---|
| Level 8 | 47,600 to 1,51,100 | Assistant Audit Officer |
| Level 7 | 44,900 to 1,42,400 | Assistant Section Officer, Inspector (Income Tax), Assistant Enforcement Officer |
| Level 6 | 35,400 to 1,12,400 | Executive Assistant, Sub Inspector (NIA), Office Superintendent |
| Level 5 | 29,200 to 92,300 | Auditor, Accountant |
| Level 4 | 25,500 to 81,100 | Postal Assistant, Senior Secretariat Assistant, Tax Assistant |
Tier-I is a computer-based test of 100 questions and 200 marks in 60 minutes, split equally across reasoning, general awareness, quantitative aptitude and English comprehension, with 0.50 marks deducted for each wrong answer. Tier-II adds more papers, and the posts that need them are spelt out in the notice. Read the full scheme on the SSC CGL scheme of examination before you plan your preparation.
The notice also lets final-year graduation students apply, as long as they hold the essential qualification on 1 August 2026. One planning point: the age limit changes by post, so a candidate aged 29 can still apply for most Group B posts but is already outside the Group C Auditor and Accountant limit. Check the exact post in the notice before choosing it.
UPSC Civil Services: who can apply after graduation
The UPSC Civil Services Examination 2026 notice sets the age at 21 to 32 on 1 August 2026, allows six attempts for general candidates, and accepts a degree from a recognised university or a qualification the government treats as equivalent. Read its educational qualification section for the exact rule if you are still in your final year.
This is a long route. A first attempt is a good test of whether your preparation is working, and the six-attempt cap means you should plan your years, not leave it open. If you also want a fallback, many aspirants keep an SSC exam or a private job going alongside.
Other government job routes for graduates
Beyond SSC and UPSC, graduates also apply to bank recruitment bodies such as IBPS and the Reserve Bank of India, to railway recruitment boards and to each state's public service commission. Their eligibility and dates change every cycle, so read the current notice on the recruiting body's own website before you commit to a plan. We have left out figures for those exams because we have not read their latest notices for this guide.
Which degree helps, and does an online degree count?
For SSC CGL and the UPSC exam the notice asks for a recognised degree, not a particular subject, so BA, B.Com, BBA, BCA and B.Sc. all qualify at the entry stage. Commerce and accounts graduates have an edge for audit and accounts posts because the notice lists a CA, CMA or master's in commerce as desirable for Assistant Audit Officer. If you are still choosing a degree, our guide on what to do after B.Com covers the commerce routes.
The SSC notice states that degrees awarded through open and distance learning by universities established by an Act of Parliament or a State Legislature, deemed universities and institutions of national importance are recognised for central government employment, provided the programme was approved by the distance education regulator. So check your programme on the UGC-DEB approved list and read whether online degrees are valid in India. For the question at postgraduate level, see is an online MBA valid for government jobs. Working students who want a degree alongside preparation can look at an online MA or the options in our guide on the best master's degree for promotion.
How to choose between SSC CGL and UPSC
You are 22 to 26 and can give one to two focused years: try SSC CGL first, since the exam is a fixed-pattern test and the age window is wide.
You want an administrative or police service and can commit several years: UPSC, with a clear plan for your six attempts.
You are working and can study only evenings: SSC CGL is the easier one to fit around a job, because Tier-I is a short objective test.
You are close to the upper age limit: check each post's limit in the notice before you start, because Group C posts close earlier than Group B.
Whichever you pick, download the notice from the official site, note the age-on date and plan backwards from it. Missing the cut-off by a few weeks costs a full cycle.
Frequently asked questions
Which government jobs can I get after graduation?
Graduates can apply for Group B and Group C posts through SSC CGL and for Group A and B services through the UPSC Civil Services Examination. Banks, railways and state commissions also recruit graduates.
Can I apply for SSC CGL with any degree?
For most posts the 2026 notice asks for a bachelor's degree from a recognised university, without a fixed subject. A few posts list desirable qualifications, so read the post-wise criteria.
What is the age limit for UPSC Civil Services?
In the 2026 notice it is 21 to 32 years on 1 August 2026, with relaxation for reserved categories and six attempts for general candidates.
What is the SSC CGL salary?
The 2026 notice lists basic pay from Rs 25,500 to 81,100 at Level 4 up to Rs 47,600 to 1,51,100 at Level 8. In-hand pay depends on allowances and deductions.
Can I apply for SSC CGL in the final year of graduation?
Yes. The 2026 notice allows final-year students to apply, provided they hold the essential qualification on 1 August 2026.
When does the next SSC CGL notice come out?
As of 2 November 2026, the CGL 2026 cycle has closed for applications. Watch ssc.gov.in for the next notice rather than relying on any date you see elsewhere.
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