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    SSC CGL vs SSC JE: An In-Depth Comparison

    08 July, 2024
    Priyal Kakaye

    Are you considering a career in the Indian government sector? If so, you’ve likely come across two popular recruitment exams conducted by the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) – the Combined Graduate Level (CGL) examination and the Junior Engineer (JE) examination. Read on to find out everything about the comparison – SSC CGL vs SSC JE.

    SSC CGL vs SSC JE

    While both exams offer opportunities for employment in government departments, they target different educational backgrounds and skill sets. In this blog, we’ll provide SSC CGL vs SSC JE: An In-Depth Comparison to help you understand their differences and choose the one that aligns with your career aspirations.

     

    SSC CGL vs SSC JE: Overview 

    Parameter SSC CGL (Staff Selection Commission Combined Graduate Level) SSC JE (Staff Selection Commission Junior Engineer)
    Full Form Staff Selection Commission Combined Graduate Level Staff Selection Commission Junior Engineer
    Conduction Authority Staff Selection Commission Staff Selection Commission
    Posts Offered Various administrative, tax, and audit services Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, and Quantity Surveying & Contracts Engineers
    Exam Frequency Annually Annually
    Number of Vacancies 2025 7500 968
    Qualification Bachelor’s Degree in Any Field Degree/Diploma in Engineering (specific to the post)
    Department/Organization Various Central Government Departments Public Works Department, Central Water Commission, etc.
    Age Limit 18-32 years, varies by post 18-30 years, generally varies by department
    Selection Stages Tier I: Prelims, Tier II: Mains, Tier III: Descriptive Test, Tier IV: Skill Test (where applicable) Paper I: Objective Type, Paper II: Descriptive Type
    Salary Starting from ₹ 25,000 to ₹ 1,50,000 depending on the post Starting from ₹ 35,000 to ₹ 1,12,400 depending on the post
    Perks and Allowances DA, HRA, TA, etc. DA, HRA, TA, Medical benefits, etc.
    Job Profile Administrative roles, field roles, and public service operations Technical roles specific to engineering disciplines
    Career Growth Promotions through departmental exams and seniority Promotions based on experience and departmental exams
    Form Fees ₹ 100 for general, free for SC/ST/Women/Ex-Servicemen ₹ 100 for general, free for SC/ST/Women/Ex-Servicemen

     

    Know more about: Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) Interview Tips

    SSC CGL vs SSC JE: Educational Qualification 

    • SSC CGL Educational Qualification: To be eligible for SSC CGL, candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree from a recognised university or institution.
    • SSC JE Educational Qualification: Candidates applying for SSC JE must have a degree or diploma in Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or Mechanical Engineering from a recognised university or institution.

    SSC CGL vs SSC JE: Exam 

    •  SSC CGL Exam Tiers: The SSC CGL exam consists of four tiers:

    1. Tier-I: Computer-Based Examination (CBT) comprising sections like General Intelligence & Reasoning, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, and English Comprehension.
    2. Tier-II: CBT with separate papers for Quantitative Abilities, English Language & Comprehension, Statistics, and General Studies (Finance & Economics).
    3. Tier-III: Descriptive Paper (Pen and Paper mode) to assess writing skills in English or Hindi.
    4. Tier-IV: Skill Test/Computer Proficiency Test (where applicable) and Document Verification.

    • SSC JE  Exam Pattern: The SSC JE exam comprises two papers:

    1. Paper-I: Objective-type paper covering General Intelligence & Reasoning, General Awareness, and General Engineering (Civil & Structural/Electrical/Mechanical).
    2. Paper II: Conventional type paper focusing on the specific engineering discipline chosen by the candidate.

    SSC CGL vs SSC JE – Syllabus

    SSC CGL Syllabus:

    1. Tier-I:
      • General Intelligence & Reasoning: Classification, Analogy, Coding-Decoding, etc.
      • General Awareness: History, Geography, Economics, etc.
      • Quantitative Aptitude: Number System, Percentage, Profit & Loss, etc.
      • English Comprehension: Reading Comprehension, Vocabulary, Grammar, etc.
    2. Tier-II:
      • Quantitative Abilities: Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, etc.
      • English Language & Comprehension: Sentence Correction, Fill in the Blanks, etc.
      • Statistics (for Statistical Investigator Gr. II & Compiler): Collection & Representation of Data, Measures of Dispersion, etc.
      • General Studies (Finance & Economics): Economics & Governance, Finance & Accounting, etc.

    SSC JE Syllabus:

    1. Paper-I:
      • General Intelligence & Reasoning: Analogies, Decision Making, Visual Memory, etc.
      • General Awareness: Current Affairs, Scientific Research, Sports, etc.
      • General Engineering (Civil & Structural/Electrical/Mechanical): Basics of respective disciplines.
    2. Paper-II:
      • Conventional type paper focusing on specific engineering disciplines chosen by the candidate.

    SSC CGL vs SSC JE – Exam Pattern 

    SSC CGL Exam Pattern:

    • Tier-I: Computer-Based Examination (CBT) with multiple-choice questions.
    • Tier II: CBT with separate papers for various subjects.
    • Tier-III: Descriptive Paper in pen-and-paper mode.
    • Tier-IV: Skill Test/Computer Proficiency Test (where applicable).

    Know more about: What After GATE Exam- A Comprehensive Guide to the Available Opportunities After Clearing GATE Exam

    SSC JE Exam Pattern:

    • Paper-I: Objective-type paper with General Intelligence & Reasoning, General Awareness, and General Engineering sections.
    • Paper II: Conventional type paper focusing on specific engineering disciplines.

    SSC CGL vs SSC JE – Selection Process Steps

    SSC CGL Selection Process:

    1. Clear Tier-I, II, and III examinations.
    2. Qualify for Tier-IV (if applicable).
    3. Document Verification.

    SSC JE Selection Process:

    1. Clear Paper-I and Paper-II examinations.
    2. Document Verification.

    10 Preparation Tips with AE/JE Online Coaching

    1. Understand the Exam Pattern and Syllabus thoroughly.
    2. Create a Study Schedule and stick to it.
    3. Practice Previous Year’s Question Papers regularly.
    4. Focus on Weak Areas and improve them.
    5. Join a Reputable Online Coaching Platform like AE/JE for structured guidance.
    6. Take Mock Tests to assess your preparation level.
    7. Stay Updated with Current Affairs for the General Awareness section.
    8. Work on Time Management during the exam.
    9. Revise Regularly to retain what you’ve learned.
    10. Stay Calm and Confident on Exam Day.

    SSC CGL vs SSC JE: Career Opportunities

    SSC CGL and SSC JE offer promising career prospects in the government sector.

    • SSC CGL: Successful candidates can secure positions in departments such as the Central Secretariat Service, Central Bureau of Investigation, and the Income Tax Department, among others. Experience and promotions increase opportunities for higher-level administrative positions, providing a stable and rewarding career path.
    • SSC JE: Junior Engineers are recruited in departments like CPWD, MES, and Central Water Commission, where they work on infrastructure projects, maintenance, and development. With experience and specialisation, JE’s can advance to higher positions such as Executive Engineer, Chief Engineer, or even undertake consultancy or entrepreneurship roles in engineering.

    Know more about: SSC JE Answer Key 2025, Paper 1 Response Sheet PDF, Objection Link

    SSC CGL vs SSC JE: Job Profile

    SSC CGL                     SSC JE
    An SSC JE employee is responsible for Administrative work in the department. An SSC JE employee has to look after all the maintenance and repair work in the respective departments.
    This person is in charge of answering RTI queries. This person is in charge of estimating and costing all departmental repair work. With the promotion, this person must also deliver and plan projects at a higher level.
    This job may require you to travel to places depending upon the demand for the job. An SSC JE engineer’s responsibilities include supervising and helping the seniors with various project hurdles.
    Shaping the National Policies and looking at the backend work at an office. An SSC JE’s job is to maintain a proper record of all the work being done in the department, and this person is responsible for paying the small contractors for their work.
    An SSC CGL employee is also responsible for conducting raids and inspections in some emergencies. The government drafts many policies yearly; hence, an SSC JE engineer must ensure everyone follows these policies.
    This concerned person is also doing administrative work like filing reports and preparing summary. This person is also responsible for dealing with mishappenings in the project and additional changes needed.

    Conclusion

    SSC CGL and SSC JE are both prestigious examinations conducted by the Staff Selection Commission, offering opportunities for employment in the Indian government sector. Your choice between the two exams depends primarily on your educational background, career goals, and interests. Whether you aspire to pursue a career in administration or engineering, thorough preparation and dedication are crucial to success in either exam. So, assess your strengths, explore your options, and your aspirations for a fulfilling career in the Indian government.