SSC Makes a Big Change in 2026: Waiting List & Fix-Float System

SSC Makes a Big Change in 2026: The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) conducts the major SSC recruitment exams like CGL, CHSL, GD, MTS, Steno, and Delhi Police recruitments. However, the authority is facing the issue related to the vacant seats in the past recruitment cycles. The reason is that candidates apply for more preferred posts in the recruitment process. They want only the high-paid jobs.

However, they delay their joining if they get selected in low pay jobs, considering targeting any high-salary job. SSC has decided to bring a big change related to the waiting list and the fixed-float system.

It can help them to select the deserving candidates for the required posts in the recruitment cycle. It can be done by releasing the waiting list. This change will be implemented in the 2026 recruitment cycle. 

Unfilled SSC Recruitment Vacancies in Past Cycles

A major challenge in SSC recruitment has been the number of selected posts that remain unfilled in previous cycles. The issue is in the large-scale exams. 

For example, in Delhi Police Recruitment 2023, out of approximately 7,500 total vacancies, only about 6,800 posts were ultimately filled. Around 700-800 posts remained vacant because an insufficient number of candidates passed the physical tests. No waiting list was available to fill these gaps.

It happened the same in other SSC recruitment exams. However, it is causing an issue with a high number of seats remaining unfitted. SSC has decided to deal with the issue by introducing the waiting list system, including the fix and float mechanism. It can help them to find out the candidates who missed out on the selection chance by a few cutoff marks. The authority can provide them a job as per the cutoff in the waiting list system. 

SSC New Waiting List System in 2026

SSC will implement a new system to prevent posts from remaining vacant at the beginning of 2026. It is an innovative system that incorporates a waiting list and introduces "Fix" and "Float" options for selected candidates. It is the introduction of two distinct cut-offs: one for the final list and another for the waiting list.

 How Does the Fix and Float Mechanism Work?

The waiting list process will fill vacancies arising from candidates who choose the "Float" option. 

1. The Initial Split

Imagine there are 100 jobs available. The top 100 people are picked first. They are given two choices:

• FIX: "I want this job. Lock me in."

• FLOAT: "I’m interested, but I’m holding out for something better (or I'm not ready to commit)."

If 60 people choose Fix, those 60 jobs are done. The 40 people who decided to float leave 40 empty seats behind for the moment.

2. Filling the Gaps (Waiting List 1)

Those 40 seats are now technically empty. The system looks at the merit list and calls the next 40 people (ranks 101 to 140).

• These new candidates are offered the seats vacated by the "Floaters."

3. The Continuous Loop (Subsequent Lists)

The process repeats if those new 40 people don't all stay. For example:

• If 30 of them join, but 10 either don't show up or also choose to Float...

• 10 more seats open up.

• The system calls the next 10 people on the list (ranks 141 to 150).

Benefits of the SSC New Waiting List System

The implementation of the SSC New Waiting List System can help the candidates. 

• Reduced Vacancies: It is to reduce the number of posts that remain unfilled across various SSC examinations.

• Increased Opportunities: The system will create employment opportunities for a larger pool of candidates by ensuring that every position is eventually filled.

• Fairness to Borderline Candidates: Candidates who narrowly miss the initial cut-off marks. They will have a genuine opportunity to be selected through the waiting list.