SSC CGL 2026 Syllabus & Exam Pattern | Tier 1 & 2 (Pre & Mains)

Syllabus: Section-wise weightage

Syllabus: Chapter-wise weightage

1. Quantitative Aptitude (Maths)

Points to note:

• Chapter-wise weightages are derived from an analysis of previous SSC CGL exam papers.
• Coordinate Geometry has been included under Geometry.

2. General Intelligence & Reasoning

Points to note:

• Verbal Reasoning includes Syllogism and Statement–Conclusion type questions.
• Visual Reasoning: Mirror Images, Water Images, Paper Folding & Cutting, Embedded Figures, Figure Analogy, Figure Classification (Odd One Out), Figure Series, Pattern Completion, Counting Figures, Cube & Dice, Venn Diagrams, Matrix-Based Figures, and Figure Rotation/Transformation.

3. English Language & Comprehension

Points to note:

• Grammar: Error Spotting, Sentence Improvement, Active-Passive Voice, Direct-Indirect Speech, grammar-based Fill in the Blanks, and usage-based sentence correction
• Vocabulary: Synonyms, Antonyms, One-Word Substitution, Idioms & Phrases, Spellings, word usage, and vocabulary-based Fill in the Blanks

4. General Awareness

Points to note:

• General Knowledge (Static GK): History, Geography, Polity, Art & Culture, Important Places, Monuments, Books & Authors, Sports, Awards, Organizations, and Miscellaneous static facts
• General Science (GS): Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Human Body, Diseases, Nutrition, Environment & Ecology, Scientific Instruments, and Everyday Science concepts
• Current Affairs (CA): Recent national/international events, government schemes, appointments, summits, reports & indices, economy & banking updates, science & technology developments, sports events, awards, defense, and recent important days/events.

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SSC CGL Exam Pattern

• SSC CGL Exam is conducted in two main stages: Tier 1 and Tier 2.
• Both Tier 1 and Tier 2 are administered as Computer-Based Tests (CBT) with MCQs.
• Tier 1 is qualifying exam, while Tier 2 is the selection round.
• From 2026, SSC CGL has introduced section wise timing, which means now canddiates need to focus on every section in limited time.

Tier 1 (Prelims) Exam Pattern

Tier 1 is the initial stage and serves as a qualifying exam. Although marks from Tier 1 are not included in the final merit list, candidates must clear the cut-off to move on to Tier 2.

• Paper has 100 multiple-choice questions for 200 marks
• Four sections: General Intelligence & Reasoning, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, and English Comprehension.
• Each section contains 25 questions.
• Candidates have decdicated 15 minutes for each section, totalling to 60 minutes for the paper. Section wise time limit has been introduced from 2026.
• There is a penalty of 0.50 marks for every incorrect response.There is no sectional timing.

Tier 2 (Mains) Exam Pattern

• SSC CGL Tier 2 is the final and most important stage of the selection process.
• It consists of Paper I (mandatory for all posts), Paper II (only for candidates applying for Junior Statistical Officer – JSO posts), and Paper III (AAO Posts) .

Paper I Summary

• Total Questions: 150 (including computer proficiency which is qualifying in nature)
• Total Marks: 450
• Computer Proficiency & DEST are qualifying in nature
• Candidates must qualify in all sections

Negative Marking (Paper I)

• 1 mark deducted for each wrong answer in Mathematical Abilities, Reasoning/ General Intelligence and, English Language/ Comprehension
• 0.50 mark deducted for each wrong answer in General Awareness
• No negative marking in Computer Proficiency Test & DEST

Syllabus: Examples of each chapter

Quantitative Aptitude

Geometry: The area of a triangle is 120 cm² and its base is 15 cm. Find its height.

Profit & Loss: A shopkeeper buys an article for ₹800 and sells it for ₹920. Find the profit percentage.

Mensuration: Find the volume of a cylinder with radius 7 cm and height 10 cm.

Ratio: The ratio of boys to girls in a class is 5:3. If there are 40 boys, how many girls are there?

Algebra: Solve for $x$x: 3x + 7 = 25.

Trigonometry: If $\sin \theta = \frac{3}{5}$sinθ=53​, find $\cos \theta$cosθ.

Time and Work: A can complete a work in 12 days and B in 18 days. In how many days can they complete the work together?

Average and Mixture: The average of five numbers is 24. If four numbers are 20, 22, 25, and 28, find the fifth number.

Percentage: A student’s marks increase from 400 to 460. Find the percentage increase.

Simplification: Simplify: (36 ÷ 6) × (15 − 8) + 4.

Number System: Find the HCF of 48 and 72.

Compound Interest: Find the compound interest on ₹10,000 at 10% per annum for 2 years.

Speed, Distance & Time: A train travels 180 km in 3 hours. Find its speed.

Data Interpretation: A company’s sales in January, February, and March are 120, 150, and 180 units respectively. What is the average monthly sales?

Probability: A die is rolled once. What is the probability of getting an even number?

Statistics: Find the median of the data set: 5, 8, 10, 12, 15.

Logical Reasoning

Analogy: Book : Read :: Food : ?

Series: Find the next number in the series: 2, 6, 12, 20, 30, ?

Blood Relation: Pointing to a man, Riya said, “He is the son of my grandfather’s only son.” How is the man related to Riya?

Coding-Decoding: If APPLE is coded as BQQMF, how will MANGO be coded?

Visual Reasoning: Which figure completes the pattern? (Missing figure in a sequence of shapes)

Verbal Reasoning: All roses are flowers. Some flowers are red. Which conclusion definitely follows?

Puzzle: Five friends A, B, C, D, and E are sitting in a row. A is to the left of B, and C is between D and E. Find the seating arrangement.

Direction: Rahul walks 10 m north, then 5 m east, and then 10 m south. In which direction is he from the starting point?

Seating Arrangement: Eight people are sitting around a circular table facing the center. A sits opposite B. C sits immediate right of A. Who sits between A and B?

Verbal Ability

Grammar: Choose the correct sentence: “She don’t like coffee” / “She doesn’t like coffee.”

Vocabulary: What is the synonym of Abundant?

Reading Comprehension (RC): Read the passage and answer: Why did the author decide to change careers?

Parajumble: Rearrange the following sentences to form a meaningful paragraph: A, B, C, D.

Cloze Test: Fill in the blank: “The manager _____ the meeting before noon.” (ended / ending / end / ends)

Word Test: Identify the correctly spelled word: Accomodation, Accommodation, Acommodation, Acomodation.

General Awareness

General Knowledge: What is the capital of Rajasthan?

Current Affairs: Which country hosted the most recent G20 Summit?

General Science: What is the chemical formula of water?

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