The cut-off is the minimum normalised score you needed to clear a stage. Looking at the last few years tells you two things: how high the bar is, and how much it moves. Both help you set a realistic target for SSC CGL 2026.
Category-wise Tier 1 cut-offs
The table below shows the Tier 1 cut-offs for "all other posts" — the list most candidates fall under — out of 200 marks. Separate, usually higher, cut-offs apply to Assistant Audit Officer / Assistant Accounts Officer and Junior Statistical Officer posts.
| Category | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| UR (General) | 114.28 | 150.05 | 153.19 |
| OBC | 114.28 | 145.94 | 146.26 |
| EWS | 102.35 | 143.44 | 142.02 |
| SC | 89.09 | 126.68 | 126.46 |
| ST | 77.58 | 118.17 | 111.89 |
Figures are rounded to two decimals; 2024 values are the revised cut-offs. Always check the official result PDFs on ssc.gov.in, which also list cut-offs for PwD and ex-servicemen candidates.
What the trend tells you
- 2022 was an exception. Cut-offs were far lower than usual, so don't use 2022 to set your target.
- 2023 and 2024 are the real benchmark. UR stayed above 150, OBC and EWS in the low-to-mid 140s and SC above 125.
- The gap between categories is fairly stable. OBC and EWS sit about 5–11 marks below UR, SC about 25 below and ST about 30–40 below.
Why cut-offs change every year
- Paper difficulty: an easier paper pushes cut-offs up.
- Vacancies: more posts mean more candidates qualify, which lowers the cut-off.
- Number of candidates: more applicants usually means a higher cut-off.
- Normalisation: scores are adjusted across shifts, so your normalised score can differ from your raw score.
A safe target for SSC CGL 2026
Plan to beat the recent cut-off by a comfortable margin. A practical target is 160+ out of 200 in full-length mocks for UR candidates, and 10–15 marks above your category's 2023–2024 cut-off for others. Remember that clearing Tier 1 only gets you to Tier 2 — your final rank and post depend on Tier 2.
How to reach your target score
- Take a full SSC CGL mock to see where you stand today and what your all-India rank would be.
- Find your weakest section and close the gap with topic-wise practice.
- Track your percentile across mocks — read how to improve your mock test score.
Frequently asked questions
What was the SSC CGL Tier 1 cut-off in 2024?
For "all other posts", the 2024 Tier 1 cut-off was about 153 out of 200 for UR, 146 for OBC, 142 for EWS, 126 for SC and 112 for ST (revised figures). Posts such as AAO and JSO have separate, usually higher, cut-offs.
Why did SSC CGL cut-offs rise so much after 2022?
Cut-offs depend on paper difficulty, the number of vacancies and the number of candidates. The 2022 Tier 1 cut-offs were unusually low; 2023 and 2024 returned to a higher level.
What is a safe score for SSC CGL 2026 Tier 1?
Aim for 160 or more out of 200 in mocks if you are in the UR category, and 10–15 marks above your category's recent cut-off otherwise. Mock scores tend to be a little different from exam-day scores, so build a buffer.
Is the Tier 1 cut-off the final selection cut-off?
No. Tier 1 is qualifying. Final selection depends on Tier 2 marks and on post-wise cut-offs published with the final result.
