SSC CGL Exam 2025 to Be Held in Single Shift, Chairman Announces

The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has initiated a series of significant reforms for the upcoming Combined Graduate Level (CGL) 2025 examination. These changes, announced by SSC Chairman S. Gopalakrishnan, aim to create a more transparent, efficient, and candidate-friendly recruitment process. The most notable reform is the decision to conduct the CGL exam in a single shift, a move that directly addresses the long-standing issue of score normalization.

Key Reforms and Their Impact

The new measures were introduced in response to widespread protests and complaints from aspirants regarding technical glitches, delayed results, and unfair scoring due to varying difficulty levels in multi-shift exams. The reforms aim to resolve these issues and restore faith in the system.

• Single-Shift Examination: By holding the exam in a single session, the SSC will ensure that all candidates receive the same set of questions and are evaluated on an equal footing. This reform will eliminate the need for the complex normalization process that has often caused confusion and dissatisfaction among students. The single-shift approach guarantees fairness and uniformity for all aspirants.
• Nearer Exam Centres: In a major relief for candidates, the SSC has committed to allotting exam centres within a 100 km radius of the candidate’s registered address. This initiative seeks to minimize the travel burden and logistical challenges that many candidates, especially those from remote areas, have faced in previous years. The commission aims to increase the percentage of candidates receiving nearby centres to over 90% in the future.
• Vendor Restructuring: The SSC has adopted a new multi-agency model to enhance security and prevent technical glitches. The responsibilities for the exam process are now divided among four different vendors, each specializing in a particular area: exam centres, security arrangements, online applications, and question paper preparation. This restructuring prevents a single point of failure and ensures greater reliability and integrity of the examination. The SSC itself will directly oversee the question paper creation to ensure quality and prevent leaks.
• Improved Security and Transparency: Aadhaar verification has been made mandatory to curb impersonation and other malpractices. The commission is also leveraging new technology and has enlisted the support of the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (CDAC) to strengthen cybersecurity and monitor private exam centres. These measures are designed to create a tamper-proof and secure environment for the exam.

The SSC CGL Tier-1 exam is scheduled for the first week of September 2025. These reforms, particularly the single-shift model, are expected to significantly reduce candidate anxiety and make the selection process more merit-based. The commission’s proactive steps signal a new, positive direction for government recruitment exams in India.