The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has officially released the flagship notification for the SSC Multi-Tasking (Non-Technical) Staff and Havaldar (CBIC & CBN) Examination 2026 on 23 October 2026. With a massive total of 9,583 confirmed vacancies spread across central government ministries, departments, and offices, this recruitment drive stands as one of the most significant employment opportunities for candidates who have completed their Class 10th (Matriculation).
As a public service career advisory initiative, PerfectRank.in presents a comprehensive analysis of the SSC MTS & Havaldar 2026 examination syllabus, physical test criteria, department allocations, pay scales, and step-by-step registration instructions through the new SSC portal (ssc.gov.in). Candidates are advised to carefully examine the operational guidelines and eligibility benchmarks detailed below before submitting their online applications.
SSC MTS & Havaldar Recruitment 2026: Official Overview
The recruitment process is conducted under the aegis of the Staff Selection Commission to fill Group 'C' Non-Gazetted, Non-Ministerial posts across various Ministries, Departments, and Attached/Subordinate Offices of the Government of India, as well as Constitutional Bodies and Tribunals. Additionally, the drive recruits Havaldars in Pay Level 1 for the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) and the Central Bureau of Narcotics (CBN) under the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance.
Important Dates & Exam Schedule
Candidates must adhere strictly to the schedule issued by the Commission. The application process is executed entirely through the new SSC One-Time Registration (OTR) module. Candidates who registered on the old portal (ssc.nic.in) must create a fresh OTR account on ssc.gov.in before filling out the form.
Category-Wise Application Fee Structure
Application fee payment must be completed through online modes such as BHIM UPI, Net Banking, or by using Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, or RuPay Credit/Debit Cards. Fee exemption is granted to protected categories as per Government of India guidelines.
Eligibility Criteria & Age Relaxations
Applicants must satisfy the educational, nationality, and age criteria as on the crucial cut-off date specified in the official notification (1 August 2026).
1. Nationality / Citizenship
A candidate must be either a citizen of India, a subject of Nepal, a subject of Bhutan, or a Tibetan refugee who came over to India before 1st January 1962 with the intention of permanently settling in India.
2. Educational Qualification
Candidates must have passed the Matriculation (10th Standard) Examination or equivalent from a recognized Board/University as on or before the crucial educational cut-off date.
3. Age Limit & Category-Wise Relaxation
The age limits for the posts as per the recruitment rules of various user departments are as follows:
Category-Wise & Cadre-Wise Vacancy Breakdown
The 9,583 vacancies announced by the Commission are distributed across MTS and Havaldar cadres. The tentative breakdown provided in the official notification is as follows:
Note: Horizontal reservations for Ex-Servicemen (ESM) and Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) are applied as per central government norms across designated sub-categories.
Salary Structure, Pay Level Matrix & Allowances
The Multi-Tasking Staff and Havaldar positions fall under Pay Level 1 of the 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC) Pay Matrix. Employees are entitled to Basic Pay, Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), Transport Allowance (TA), and healthcare benefits under CGHS.
Selection Process & Exam Pattern
The recruitment process for MTS consists of a single-stage Computer Based Examination (CBE). For the post of Havaldar, candidates must qualify in the CBE, followed by a Physical Efficiency Test (PET) and Physical Standard Test (PST).
1. Computer Based Examination (CBE) Structure
The CBE is conducted in two mandatory Sessions held on the same day. Session-I and Session-II are both mandatory to attempt.
Crucial Note: Session-I performance is qualifying in nature for shortlisted candidates. The final Merit List for MTS and shortlist for Havaldar PET/PST is prepared strictly based on performance in Session-II. To excel in General Awareness, candidates can attempt our Daily Current Affairs Quiz (25 MCQs) and evaluate their baseline standard through our curated Free Mock Test Series.
2. Physical Standards & Efficiency Test (PET/PST) for Havaldar
Candidates shortlisted for the post of Havaldar in CBIC and CBN must meet the following mandatory physical parameters:
Step-by-Step Online Application Guide
The Staff Selection Commission operates exclusively through its new portal. Candidates must complete their application process carefully by adhering to the standard operating protocol outlined below:
Step 1: One-Time Registration (OTR)
- Navigate to the official portal: https://ssc.gov.in.
- Click on the 'Register Now' button under the Login/Register section.
- Provide basic personal details: Aadhaar Number/Government Photo ID, Full Name, Father's Name, Mother's Name, Date of Birth, and Class 10th Board Roll Number.
- Verify your mobile number and email ID through OTP validation.
- Upon generation of your Registration Number and Password, log back into the system and set a new password.
Step 2: Live Photo Capture & Document Upload Guidelines
Unlike previous years where static photo uploads were used, the new SSC portal mandates a Live Photo Capture process during application submission.
- Live Photo Requirements: Use a webcam or the official SSC Mobile App to capture a live photograph. Ensure clean lighting, a plain background, straight head posture, and visible ears. Glasses, caps, or face masks are strictly prohibited.
- Signature Upload: Upload a scanned copy of your signature executed on white paper with black or blue ink.
- Image format: JPG / JPEG
- File size: 10 KB to 20 KB
- Dimensions: 4.0 cm (width) x 2.0 cm (height)
Step 3: Post Preferences & Form Submission
- Log in to your account on ssc.gov.in and select "Apply" under Multi-Tasking Staff and Havaldar Examination 2026.
- Fill in your State/UT post preferences for MTS and Cadre preferences for Havaldar in numerical order. It is recommended to select all state codes to maximize candidate selection probability across regions.
- Verify all details carefully in the Preview mode.
- Proceed to the online payment gateway (₹100 for UR/OBC/EWS Male candidates; Exempted for Females/SC/ST/PwBD/ESM).
- Download and print the final computer-generated application form for record purposes.
Official Documents & Portal Links
Access authenticated notification sources and directly apply for the exam using the official links below:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Can candidates currently appearing in Class 10th apply for SSC MTS 2026?
Answer: Candidates must have acquired the essential educational qualification (10th Pass / Matriculation) on or before the crucial cut-off date specified in the notification. Candidates whose results are not declared by the cut-off date are not eligible.
Q2: Is there any negative marking in Session-I of the Computer Based Examination?
Answer: No, there is no negative marking in Session-I (Numerical & Mathematical Ability and Reasoning Ability). However, in Session-II (General Awareness and English Language), there is a negative marking of 1 mark for each wrong answer.
Q3: What happens if a candidate fails the Physical Efficiency Test (PET) for the post of Havaldar?
Answer: If a candidate opts for both MTS and Havaldar posts and fails the PET/PST for Havaldar, their candidacy for the Havaldar post will be disqualified. However, they will remain fully eligible for the MTS post based on their performance in Session-II of the CBE.
Q4: How does the new live photograph capture system work on the new SSC portal?
Answer: The new portal (ssc.gov.in) captures a live image through a desktop webcam or mobile camera via the official SSC app. Ensure good lighting and a simple, uncluttered background during application filling. Pre-uploaded studio photographs are no longer accepted.
Q5: What is the career progression path for an candidate selected as an SSC MTS employee?
Answer: Candidates appointed as MTS in Central Ministries can advance through departmental promotional examinations (LDCE) to Lower Division Clerk (LDC), Assistant Section Officer (ASO), and beyond, based on service tenure and educational qualifications.