SSC Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Staff Selection Commission (SSC) is an Indian organization to recruit staff for various posts in the various Ministries and Departments of the Government of India and in Subordinate Offices. This commission is an attached office of the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) which consists of Chairman, two Members and a Secretary-cum-Controller of Examinations. Recently the Commission came in news due to delay in result declaration of Combined Graduate Level Examination, 2013. The commission is also accused of not completing the recruitment processes timely. In the year 2013 the commission conducted various recruitment exams for Prasar Bharati, Food Corporation of India, Junior Engineer and Cabinet Secretariat. The final results of all these exams are still pending as of date.
Once a prestigious commission is now marred with the charges of inactivity and corruption. In the tenure of Mr. A. Bhattacharya, the commission has seen some of its the worst days. Massive surge of protesters has been noticed both online and offline including social networking website like Facebook and Twitter due to alleged mismanagement and insensitivity of the commission.

Questions 1 : What are the posts for which the SSC conducts exams and what are the required qualifications ?
Answer : (i) The SSC conducts open examinations regularly for posts for which large number ofvacancies exist, these are : Graduate Level- Assistants, Auditors/Jr.Accountants/Upper Division Clerks, Divisional Accountants, Inspectors of Income Tax/Central Excise, Sub-Inspectors in Central Police Organisations (CRPF, BSF, CISF, ITBP and SSB) and the CBI, Section Officer (Commercial) and Section Officer (Audit). Matric Level- Stenographer Grade `C`, Stenographer Grade `D`, and Lower Division Clerks.
(ii) Direct interviews are held for some posts, called Selection Posts, after inviting applications through advertisements, as and when such vacancies are reported to the Commission. Some of such posts are Statistical Assistant, Store Keeper, Jr/Sr. Computors, Information Assistant, etc.

Questions 2 : What is the scheme of examinations conducted by the SSC ?
Answer : The Staff Selection Commission conducts Combined (Graduate Level) Examinations every year for various posts the qualification for which is graduation, and Combined (Matric Level) Examinations for posts requiring matriculation or High School. Those candidates who qualify in the prelims are required to appear for the Mains. Candidates qualifying in the Mains have to appear for an Interview (as specified). Those qualifying in the Matric Level Main Exam are required to pass a Skill test (typing or stenography). Some exams such as the Section Officers, Investigators etc. are held seperately and no prelims are held for them.

Questions 3 : What are the age limits and age relaxations for examinations conducted by SSC ?
Answer : The age limits are different for different posts and are to confirmed from the Notice of exam published in the Employment News / Rozgar Samachar. Generally, the age limits are 18 to 27 years on the crucial date. The age concession in the upper age limit for SCs/STs is 5 years, for OBCs it is 3 years and for physically handicapped candidates it is 10 years. For widows, divorced women and judicially seperated women, the agelimit is 35 years for UR category; 40 years for SC/ST women and 38 years for OBC women. The Notice of the Exam may be consulted regarding age relaxations for Ex-servicemen and Departmental candidates.

Questions 4 : Which category of candidates are exempted from examination fees for exams ?
Answer : SC/ST, physically handicapped and Ex-servicemen candidates are exempted from payment of fees.

Questions 5 : What to do when Admission Certificate for exam is not received?
Answer : If you do not receive the Admission Certificate in time, please access the Notice Board of this website for information regarding issue of duplicate admission certificate.

Questions 6 : What is the system for allotting centres and venues for examinations ?
Answer : Candidates are normally allotted the centre of examination opted by them while the venue is allotted according to the Ticket no. of the candidate which is generated by the computer automatically on random number basis. Sometimes when the number of candidates applying from a centre is too large the excess candidates (excepting female and physically handicapped candidates) are shifted to nearby centres.

Questions 7 : What to do when dates of Interview / PET clash with another exam or interview ?
Answer : No change is ordinarily permissible. However, if the interviews / PET are being held at the specified venue for more than one day, the request may be considered if made at least ten days in advance with supporting documents.

Questions 8 : What to do when a name and roll no. figures in the results but the category shown is not correct. ?
Answer : Such candidates are expected to inform the SSC immediately for re-determining their results in the actual category.

Questions 9 : How long does it take to nominate candidates after declaration of the final results of an Examination?
Answer : It generally takes about 30-40 days to process the dossiers of successful candidates. Thereafter, the candidates are nominated to the respective Departments/Ministries to which they have been allocated. The concerned Department/Ministry issues the offer of appointment to the candidates within a few months, after completing the due formalities. Candidates can find out the address of the Ministry/Department to which they have been nominated from the Notice Board of this website.