SSC Exam Calendar 2025‑26: Shift for CGL, CHSL, MTS & Delhi Police

When Staff Selection Commission (SSC) announced its revised SSC Exam Calendar 2025‑26 on May 9, 2025, aspirants across India got a fresh timeline for a slew of recruitment drives. The update, posted on the official portal ssc.gov.in, shifted the flagship SSC CGL 2025New Delhi from its original August window to the first week of September, while pushing back the CHSL and MTS schedules as well. The move touches over 14,582 Group B and C vacancies in ministries, plus 3,131 slots for 10+2 candidates, meaning lakhs of job‑seekers will need to rejig their study plans.

Key Dates and Shifts

Here’s a quick snapshot of the new tentative windows:

• SSC CGL Tier‑1: First week of September 2025 (now expected around 2‑8 Sept)
• SSC CHSL: Deferred – new dates to be announced (originally 8‑18 Sept)
• SSC MTS: Postponed – awaiting fresh slot (originally from 20 Sept)
• Delhi Police Sub‑Inspector (SI) & CAPF: 1‑6 Sept 2025
• Selection Post Phase‑XIII: 24 July – 4 Aug 2025 (unchanged)

These adjustments were detailed in the commission’s notification released on June 9, 2025, with applications for CGL closing on July 4.

Exam‑wise Breakdown

Each recruitment stream carries its own format:

• SSC CGL: 1,100 marks total, 600 questions across four stages, 240 minutes per paper, offered in both CBT and pen‑paper modes.
• SSC CHSL: 100 marks, 200 questions, 60 minutes, computer‑based only.
• SSC MTS: 200 marks, 200 questions, 150 minutes, mixed CBT & written.
• Delhi Police SI & CAPF: 400 marks, 400 questions, four‑hour CBT.
• Selection Post Phase‑XIII: 200 marks, 200 questions, spread over ten days of computer‑based testing.

The calendar also lists junior engineer, junior Hindi translator, stenographer and other specialist posts, each with its own marks‑question mix.

Impact on Candidates

For most aspirants, the ripple effect is tangible. A student who penciled in August for CGL now faces a tight turn‑around to prep for the September SI exam. Moreover, the delay compresses the offline preparation window for CHSL, traditionally a quick‑fire test. “We understand the anxiety the shifts cause,” said G. C. V. Rao, Chairman of the Staff Selection Commission. “Our priority is to give candidates adequate time while ensuring logistical smoothness.”

Career counsellor Ritika Sharma of Delhi’s Future Pathways hub adds, “The postponement actually helps many who were juggling college finals. It’s a chance to revise strategies, especially for the tougher CGL Tier‑2 which follows soon after.”

Expert Opinions and Preparation Tips

Education analyst Dr. Ajay Kumar Mishra, Senior Fellow, Indian Institute of Public Administration notes that the SSC’s calendar revision aligns with recent trends of shifting exam windows to avoid clashes with festive seasons and university exams. He suggests candidates focus on:

1. Re‑reading the detailed syllabus for each post.
2. Taking full‑length mock tests in the newly announced time slots.
3. Prioritising quantitative aptitude for CGL, and reasoning for CHSL.

He also warns that further changes may arise if the commission encounters logistical hurdles, so staying plugged into the official site is non‑negotiable.

What to Watch Next

Looking ahead, the SSC has hinted at a possible release of updated CHSL dates by late August. Meanwhile, the MTS board is expected to issue a fresh calendar in early September, likely syncing with the SI exam to streamline logistics. Candidates should also keep an eye on any alteration in the number of vacancies – the commission occasionally revises post counts based on departmental needs.

In short, the revised SSC Exam Calendar 2025‑26 is more than a timetable; it’s a roadmap for millions seeking stable government careers. Regular monitoring, adaptive study plans, and leveraging expert guidance will be key to turning the new dates into job offers.