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

Section-wise weightage

Chapter-wise weightage

1. Quantitative Aptitude (Maths)

Points to note:

• 0% weightage indicates that the topic has been rarely tested in previous papers.
• 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 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 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

Normalization Process

Since SSC CGL is conducted in multiple shifts on different days, the difficulty level of question papers may vary slightly. To ensure fairness, SSC follows a normalization process before declaring results.

Why Normalization is Applied ?

• Exam is conducted in multiple shifts
• Difficulty level may differ across shifts
• Ensures no candidate is disadvantaged due to a tougher shift

How Normalization Works

• Raw marks obtained by candidates are converted into normalized scores
• Statistical formula is used by SSC
• Final merit and cut-off are decided based on normalized marks
• Candidates are ranked according to normalized scores, not raw marks

Important Points

• Normalization applies to both Tier 1 and Tier 2
• The exact formula is decided and applied by SSC
• Final scorecard shows normalized marks

Minimum Qualifying Marks

Candidates must secure the minimum qualifying marks prescribed by SSC to move to the next stage of the examination.

Minimum Qualifying Marks (Category-wise)

Important Points

• These qualifying marks apply to Tier 1 and Tier 2.
• In Tier 2 Paper I, candidates must clear each section separately.
• Merely securing minimum qualifying marks does not guarantee selection.
• Final selection depends on:
  • Cut-off marks
  • Normalized scores
  • Number of vacancies
  • Category-wise merit

Check Cut Off Trends

Final Merit & Post Allocation Process

The final selection in SSC CGL is based primarily on performance in Tier 2.

Preparation of Final Merit List

• Tier 1 is qualifying in nature; its marks are not included in final merit.
• Final merit is prepared based on:
  • Tier 2 Paper I marks (for all candidates)
  • Tier 2 Paper II marks (only for JSO candidates)
• Computer Proficiency Test and DEST are qualifying in nature.
• Candidates must clear all required sections and qualifying tests.
• Merit list is prepared using normalized scores.

Post Allocation Process

Post allocation is done after the final result based on the following factors:

• Candidate’s rank in the final merit list
• Category (UR/OBC/SC/ST/EWS/PwBD)
• Post preferences filled during application
• Availability of vacancies in each post

Important Points About Post Preference

• Candidates must carefully fill post preferences during the application process.
• Higher-ranked candidates get preference for top posts.
• Once a post is allotted and accepted, it cannot be changed.
• Document verification is conducted before final appointment.

Salary Structure & Career Growth

SSC CGL offers attractive salary packages along with job stability, allowances, and regular promotions under the 7th Pay Commission.

Salary Structure (As per 7th Pay Commission)

Salary Components

SSC CGL salary includes:

• Basic Pay
• Dearness Allowance (DA)
• House Rent Allowance (HRA)
• Transport Allowance (TA)
• Medical Benefits
• Pension & Other Government Benefits

Approximate In-Hand Salary

(In-hand salary may vary depending on city classification: X, Y, or Z city.)

Career Growth & Promotion

SSC CGL posts offer structured promotions and departmental exams for career advancement.

Income Tax Inspector

• Income Tax Inspector
• Income Tax Officer
• Assistant Commissioner
• Deputy Commissioner

Assistant Section Officer (ASO)

• Assistant Section Officer
• Section Officer
• Under Secretary
• Deputy Secretary

Auditor

• Auditor
• Senior Auditor
• Audit Officer
• Senior Audit Officer

Key Benefits of SSC CGL Jobs

• Regular promotions
• Salary increments
• Government accommodation (in some posts)
• Job security
• Work-life balance (varies by department)
• Pension benefits

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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