SSC CGL Syllabus 2026 and Exam Pattern

SSC CGL is a two-tier computer based examination for Group B and Group C posts across central government ministries. Tier-I is a common 100-question screening test; Tier-II carries the whole of the final merit and is split into Paper-I (compulsory for every post) and Paper-II (Statistics, only for Junior Statistical Officer and Statistical Investigator Grade-II applicants).

3 papers 127 topics listed Staff Selection Commission (SSC) SSC CGL previous year papers

SSC CGL exam at a glance

Conducting body	Staff Selection Commission
Level	Graduate
Mode	Computer Based Examination
Tiers	Tier-I and Tier-II
Tier-I	100 questions · 200 marks · 60 minutes
Tier-II Paper-I	150 questions · 450 marks + DEST
Negative marking	0.50 in Tier-I; 1 mark in Paper-I; 0.50 in Paper-II
Medium	English and Hindi, except the English papers
Official website	ssc.gov.in

SSC CGL selection process

Each phase has to be cleared before the next one opens.

1
Phase 1
Tier-I (objective, screening)
2
Phase 2
Tier-II Paper-I (objective + DEST)
3
Phase 3
Tier-II Paper-II (Statistics, post-specific)
4
Phase 4
Document verification

SSC CGL Tier-I syllabus

A common qualifying paper for every post. Scores are normalised across shifts using the Commission's published formula, and normalised scores decide the Tier-II shortlist. Parts A, B and D are set at graduation level; Part C (Quantitative Aptitude) is at Class 10 level.

Tier-I: Objective Paper

Questions: 100
Marks: 200 (4 × 50)
Duration: 60 minutes (80 for scribe-eligible candidates)
Negative marking: 0.50 per wrong answer

Section	Questions	Marks	Duration
A. General Intelligence and Reasoning	25	50	60 minutes for the whole paper
B. General Awareness	25	50	—
C. Quantitative Aptitude	25	50	—
D. English Comprehension	25	50	—
Total	100	200	60 minutes

Questions are set in both English and Hindi except for the English Comprehension section.

General Intelligence and Reasoning

Both verbal and non-verbal questions on analogies, similarities and differences, space visualisation, spatial orientation, problem solving, analysis, judgment, decision making, visual memory, discrimination, observation, relationship concepts, arithmetical reasoning, figural classification, arithmetic number series, non-verbal series, coding and decoding, statement conclusion and syllogistic reasoning.

Semantic Analogy, Symbolic/Number Analogy, Figural Analogy
Semantic Classification, Symbolic/Number Classification, Figural Classification
Semantic Series, Number Series, Figural Series
Problem Solving, Word Building
Coding and de-coding
Numerical Operations, Symbolic Operations
Trends, Space Orientation, Space Visualization
Venn Diagrams, Drawing inferences
Punched hole / pattern folding and un-folding
Figural Pattern folding and completion, Embedded Figures
Indexing, Address matching, Date and city matching
Classification of centre codes / roll numbers
Small and Capital letters/numbers coding, decoding and classification
Critical thinking, Emotional Intelligence, Social Intelligence

General Awareness

Questions test awareness of the environment around the candidate and its application to society, current events, and everyday observation and experience in their scientific aspect.

India and its neighbouring countries — History
Culture
Geography
Economic Scene
General Policy
Scientific Research
Current events of national and international importance

Quantitative Aptitude

Tests the appropriate use of numbers and number sense. Set at Class 10 standard.

Computation of whole numbers, decimals, fractions and relationships between numbers
Percentage, Ratio and Proportion, Square roots, Averages
Interest, Profit and Loss, Discount, Partnership Business
Mixture and Alligation, Time and Distance, Time and Work
Basic algebraic identities of School Algebra and Elementary surds
Graphs of Linear Equations
Triangle and its various kinds of centres; congruence and similarity of triangles
Circle and its chords, tangents, angles subtended by chords, common tangents to two or more circles
Mensuration — Triangle, Quadrilaterals, Regular Polygons, Circle, Right Prism, Right Circular Cone, Right Circular Cylinder, Sphere, Hemispheres, Rectangular Parallelepiped, Regular Right Pyramid with triangular or square base
Trigonometric ratio, Degree and Radian measures, Standard Identities, Complementary angles
Heights and Distances
Histogram, Frequency polygon, Bar diagram, Pie chart

English Comprehension

Tests the candidate's ability to understand correct English, along with basic comprehension and writing ability.

Reading comprehension
Grammar and correct usage
Basic writing ability

SSC CGL Tier-II syllabus

Tier-II runs Paper-I and Paper-II in separate shifts or on separate days. Paper-I is compulsory for all posts and must be qualified section by section. Paper-II (Statistics) is only for candidates who applied for Junior Statistical Officer in the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation or Statistical Investigator Grade-II in the office of the Registrar General of India, and who are shortlisted in Tier-I for those posts.

Tier-II Paper-I (compulsory)

Three sections of two modules each, run across two sessions on the same day. Session-I covers Section-I, Section-II and Module-I of Section-III (2 hours 15 minutes). Session-II is the 15-minute Data Entry Speed Test. Each section closes automatically when its hour is up.

Objective questions: 150 (60 + 70 + 20)
Marks: 450 (each question 3 marks)
Session-I duration: 2 hours 15 minutes
Negative marking: 1 mark per wrong answer

Section	Questions	Marks	Duration
Section-I Module-I: Mathematical Abilities	30	180 for the section	1 hour for Section-I
Section-I Module-II: Reasoning and General Intelligence	30	—	—
Section-II Module-I: English Language and Comprehension	45	210 for the section	1 hour for Section-II
Section-II Module-II: General Awareness	25	—	—
Section-III Module-I: Computer Knowledge Test	20	60	15 minutes
Section-III Module-II: Data Entry Speed Test	One data entry task	Qualifying	15 minutes (Session-II)

It is mandatory to qualify every section of Paper-I. The Computer Knowledge Test and DEST are qualifying in nature, but higher qualifying standards are set for posts where computer proficiency or DEST is prescribed. Questions are set in English and Hindi except the English Language and Comprehension module.

Module-I: Mathematical Abilities (Matriculation level)

Number Systems: computation of whole numbers, decimals and fractions, relationship between numbers
Fundamental arithmetical operations: percentages, ratio and proportion, square roots, averages, simple and compound interest, profit and loss, discount, partnership business, mixture and alligation, time and distance, time and work
Algebra: basic algebraic identities of School Algebra, elementary surds (simple problems), graphs of linear equations
Geometry: triangle and its various kinds of centres, congruence and similarity of triangles, circle and its chords, tangents, angles subtended by chords of a circle, common tangents to two or more circles
Mensuration: triangle, quadrilaterals, regular polygons, circle, right prism, right circular cone, right circular cylinder, sphere, hemispheres, rectangular parallelepiped, regular right pyramid with triangular or square base
Trigonometry: trigonometric ratios, complementary angles, height and distances (simple problems), standard identities such as sin²θ + cos²θ = 1
Statistics and probability: tables and graphs — histogram, frequency polygon, bar diagram, pie chart; measures of central tendency — mean, median, mode, standard deviation; calculation of simple probabilities

Module-II: Reasoning and General Intelligence

Both verbal and non-verbal type.

Semantic, Symbolic/Number and Figural Analogy
Semantic, Symbolic/Number and Figural Classification
Semantic, Number and Figural Series
Symbolic operations, Numerical operations, Trends
Space Orientation, Venn Diagrams, Drawing inferences
Punched hole / pattern folding and unfolding
Figural Pattern folding and completion, Embedded figures
Problem Solving, Word Building, Coding and de-coding
Critical Thinking, Emotional Intelligence, Social Intelligence

Module-I of Section-II: English Language and Comprehension

Vocabulary, grammar, sentence structure, synonyms, antonyms and their correct usage
Spot the Error, Fill in the Blanks
Synonyms/Homonyms, Antonyms
Spellings / detecting mis-spelt words
Idioms and Phrases, One word substitution
Improvement of Sentences
Active/Passive Voice of Verbs
Conversion into Direct/Indirect narration
Shuffling of sentence parts, Shuffling of sentences in a passage
Cloze Passage and Comprehension Passage — three or more paragraphs, at least one simple passage from a book or story and two on current affairs based on a report or editorial

Module-II of Section-II: General Awareness

Current events of national and international importance
History, Culture, Geography of India and its neighbouring countries
Economic Scene
General policy
Scientific research
Everyday observation and experience in their scientific aspect

Module-I of Section-III: Computer Proficiency

Computer Basics: organisation of a computer, CPU, input/output devices, computer memory, memory organisation, backup devices, ports, Windows Explorer, keyboard shortcuts
Software: Windows operating system, basics of MS Word, MS Excel and PowerPoint
Working with Internet and e-mails: web browsing and searching, downloading and uploading, managing an e-mail account, e-banking
Basics of networking and cyber security: networking devices and protocols, network and information security threats (hacking, virus, worms, Trojan) and preventive measures

Module-II of Section-III: Data Entry Speed Test (DEST)

A passage of about 2,000 key depressions in 15 minutes
Mandatory for all posts but qualifying in nature
PwBD-OH candidates may claim exemption with a certificate from the competent medical authority (not available for posts where computer proficiency or DEST is prescribed, except Tax Assistant in CBDT)
Scribe-eligible PwBD/PwD candidates get 5 minutes of compensatory time

Tier-II Paper-II: Statistics (JSO / SI Grade-II only)

Graduation-level statistics paper, taken only by candidates who applied for Junior Statistical Officer (MoSPI) or Statistical Investigator Grade-II (Registrar General of India) and who are shortlisted in Tier-I for those posts.

Questions: 100
Marks: 200 (each question 2 marks)
Duration: 2 hours (2 hours 40 minutes for scribe-eligible candidates)
Negative marking: 0.50 per wrong answer

Collection, Classification and Presentation of Statistical Data

Primary and secondary data
Methods of data collection
Tabulation of data
Graphs and charts
Frequency distributions
Diagrammatic presentation of frequency distributions

Measures of Central Tendency

Mean, median and mode
Partition values — quartiles, deciles, percentiles

Measures of Dispersion

Range, quartile deviations, mean deviation and standard deviation
Measures of relative dispersion

Moments, Skewness and Kurtosis

Different types of moments and their relationship
Meaning of skewness and kurtosis
Different measures of skewness and kurtosis

Correlation and Regression

Scatter diagram
Simple correlation coefficient
Simple regression lines
Spearman's rank correlation
Measures of association of attributes
Multiple regression; multiple and partial correlation (three variables only)

Probability Theory

Meaning of probability and its different definitions
Conditional probability, compound probability
Independent events
Bayes' theorem

Random Variable and Probability Distributions

Random variable; probability functions
Expectation and variance of a random variable
Higher moments of a random variable
Binomial, Poisson, Normal and Exponential distributions
Joint distribution of two random variables (discrete)

Sampling Theory

Concept of population and sample; parameter and statistic
Sampling and non-sampling errors
Probability and non-probability sampling techniques — simple random, stratified, multistage, multiphase, cluster, systematic, purposive, convenience and quota sampling
Sampling distribution (statement only)
Sample size decisions

Statistical Inference

Point estimation and interval estimation
Properties of a good estimator
Methods of estimation — moments, maximum likelihood, least squares
Testing of hypothesis; basic concept of testing
Small sample and large sample tests
Tests based on Z, t, Chi-square and F statistic
Confidence intervals

Analysis of Variance

Analysis of one-way classified data
Analysis of two-way classified data

Time Series Analysis

Components of time series
Determination of trend component by different methods
Measurement of seasonal variation by different methods

Index Numbers

Meaning of index numbers
Problems in the construction of index numbers
Types of index number and different formulae
Base shifting and splicing of index numbers
Cost of living index numbers
Uses of index numbers

Practise the SSC CGL syllabus, section by section

Reading the syllabus tells you what is examinable; previous year papers tell you how it is actually asked. Every SSC CGL paper on AI Test Planet runs in a real exam interface with worked solutions and a topic-wise breakdown of where you lost marks.

SSC CGL previous year papers Browse all exams NCERT source books

SSC CGL syllabus — frequently asked questions

How many tiers does SSC CGL have?+

Two. Tier-I is a 100-question computer based screening test, and Tier-II consists of Paper-I (compulsory for every post) and Paper-II in Statistics (only for Junior Statistical Officer and Statistical Investigator Grade-II applicants).

What is the negative marking in SSC CGL?+

Tier-I deducts 0.50 marks per wrong answer. In Tier-II Paper-I, Section-I, Section-II and Module-I of Section-III deduct 1 mark per wrong answer; Paper-II deducts 0.50.

Is the Computer Knowledge Test counted in the merit list?+

Module-I of Section-III (Computer Knowledge Test) is mandatory but qualifying in nature. Higher qualifying standards are applied for posts where computer proficiency is prescribed, such as Assistant Section Officer in CSS and Inspector posts in CBIC.

What is the difficulty level of each SSC CGL section?+

In Tier-I, Parts A, B and D are at graduation level and Part C (Quantitative Aptitude) is at Class 10 level. In Tier-II, Mathematical Abilities is at matriculation level, English Language and Comprehension is at 10+2 level, and Paper-II (Statistics) is at graduation level.

Are SSC CGL question papers bilingual?+

Yes. Questions are set in both English and Hindi, except for the English Comprehension section in Tier-I and the English Language and Comprehension module in Tier-II Paper-I.

Syllabus of exams SSC CGL aspirants also write

SBI PO Syllabus

Banking aspirants reuse CGL quant and reasoning almost wholesale.

View syllabus

Where this syllabus comes from

Staff Selection Commission, “Scheme and Syllabus of the Examination for Combined Graduate Level Examination”, published as an annexure to the CGL Notice of Examination.

Last verified on 13 August 2026.Commissions revise patterns between cycles — confirm anything decisive against the current notification on ssc.gov.in.