SSC CGL Syllabus 2026 (Tier 1 + Tier 2) & Exam Pattern: Official Subject-Wise Topics, Marks, Negative Marking, and Syllabus PDF

SSC CGL 2026 Exam Pattern includes two tiers: Tier-I and Tier-II. Tier-I is a Computer-Based Objective MCQ exam with 100 questions for 200 marks. It has four sections: General Intelligence and Reasoning, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude and English Comprehension. Each section has 25 questions for 50 marks, and SSC has introduced sectional timing of 15 minutes for each subject. The total Tier-I duration is 60 minutes, and there is negative marking of 0.50 marks for every wrong answer. Tier-II is the main score-deciding stage, with Paper-I compulsory for all posts and Paper-II applicable for Statistics-related posts such as Junior Statistical Officer and Statistical Investigator Grade-II. Final selection is based on Tier-II performance, post preference, eligibility and document verification.

The most important update for candidates is that SSC CGL Tier-I 2026 now includes sectional timing. Each section in Tier-I will have a separate time limit of 15 minutes, making speed and accuracy more important than before.

Important: Tier-I is mainly a qualifying stage, while Tier-II plays the major role in final merit preparation. Candidates should therefore prepare for Tier-I and Tier-II together instead of treating them as separate exams.

The SSC CGL 2026 selection process includes the following stages:

The final allotment of posts is made on the basis of merit-cum-preference of posts submitted by the candidate. Candidates must ensure that they meet the educational, physical, medical and other post-specific requirements before giving post preferences.

SSC CGL Tier-I is an objective-type Computer-Based Examination. The questions are asked from four subjects: General Intelligence and Reasoning, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude and English Comprehension.

SSC CGL Tier-I Important Points

SSC’s official notification clearly mentions that Tier-I consists of objective-type multiple-choice questions, questions will be set in English and Hindi except English Comprehension, and there will be negative marking of 0.50 marks for each wrong answer.

SSC CGL Tier-II is the main stage of the examination. Tier-II includes Paper-I for all posts and Paper-II for candidates applying for Statistics-related posts, such as Junior Statistical Officer and Statistical Investigator Grade-II.

SSC CGL Tier-II Overview

Tier-II Paper-I Structure

Note: Computer Knowledge and DEST/proficiency-related components are qualifying in nature wherever specified by SSC. Candidates should check the official notification for post-wise applicability.

The most important message for students is simple: Tier-I helps you enter the competition; Tier-II decides your rank.

SSC Tier 1 has four subjects:

• General Intelligence and Reasoning
• General Awareness
• Quantitative Aptitude
• English Comprehension.

The official SSC syllabus says Tier 1 Reasoning includes both verbal and non-verbal questions. The indicative topics include:

• analogies
• similarities and differences
• space visualization
• 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
• syllogistic reasoning
• semantic analogy
• symbolic/number analogy
• figural analogy
• semantic classification
• symbolic/number classification
• figural classification
• semantic series
• number series
• figural series
• word building
• numerical operations
• symbolic operations
• trends
• Venn diagrams
• drawing inferences
• punched hole/pattern folding and unfolding
• figural pattern folding and completion
• indexing
• address matching
• date and city matching
• classification of centre codes/roll numbers
• small and capital letters/numbers coding, decoding and classification
• embedded figures
• critical thinking
• emotional intelligence
• social intelligence.

How to understand this section

This means SSC does not limit Reasoning to only analogy, series, coding, syllogism, and blood relation. The official list is broader, and students should prepare both standard reasoning topics and pattern-based/non-verbal items.

The official SSC Tier 1 Quant syllabus includes:

• computation of whole numbers
• decimals
• fractions
• 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
• 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 of a circle
• common tangents to two or more circles
• 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.

What students should note

SSC officially mixes arithmetic, algebra, geometry, mensuration, trigonometry, and basic data interpretation/graph reading in this section. So preparation must be balanced, not arithmetic-only.

The official SSC PDF gives a concise description: this section tests the candidate’s ability to understand correct English, basic comprehension, and writing ability. It also notes that the English level is aligned to the required standard of the exam.

In practice, students should prepare:

• vocabulary
• grammar
• sentence correction
• error spotting
• fill in the blanks
• comprehension
• sentence improvement
• synonyms and antonyms
• one-word substitution
• idioms and phrases
• active-passive
• direct-indirect speech

These are consistent with the language testing scope reflected in SSC’s English modules and the way top exam resources map the section.

The official SSC syllabus states that General Awareness questions are designed to test:

• awareness of the environment around the candidate and its application to society
• knowledge of current events
• matters of everyday observation and experience in their scientific aspect
• questions relating to India and its neighbouring countries, especially:
• • History
  • Culture
  • Geography
  • Economic Scene
  • General Policy
  • Scientific Research.

Practical topic coverage for students

That means your preparation should include:

• current affairs
• static GK
• Indian history
• geography
• polity
• economy
• science
• books and authors
• important schemes
• sports
• important days
• people in news

Tier 2 is the main exam and includes:

• Paper 1: compulsory for all posts
• Paper 2: only for specified Statistics-related posts.

SSC CGL Tier 2 Paper 1 Structure

The official SSC scheme says Paper 1 has three sections with two modules each:

Section I

• Module I: Mathematical Abilities
• Module II: Reasoning and General Intelligence

Section II

• Module I: English Language and Comprehension
• Module II: General Awareness

Section III

• Module I: Computer Knowledge Test
• Module II: Data Entry Speed Test.

Tier 2 Paper 1 question and marks distribution

Session I duration is 2 hours 15 minutes and Session II includes the DEST qualifying module. SSC states Paper 1 is conducted in two sessions on the same day.

Very important Tier 2 points

• Paper 1 is compulsory for all posts
• Candidates must qualify all sections of Paper 1
• Computer Knowledge Test and DEST are qualifying in nature as per the SSC scheme structure
• Questions are bilingual except the English module.

Paper 2 is only for candidates applying for the Statistics-related posts specified by SSC.

The SSC scheme explicitly says this paper is only for candidates who apply for Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) and Statistical Investigator Grade-II related posts and are shortlisted for those posts.

The official SSC syllabus includes:

Number Systems

• computation of whole number
• decimal and fractions
• relationship between numbers

Fundamental arithmetical operations

• percentages
• ratio and proportion
• square roots
• averages
• interest (simple and compound)
• 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

• familiarity with elementary geometric figures and facts
• 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

• trigonometry
• trigonometric ratios
• complementary angles
• height and distances (simple problems)
• standard identities

Statistics and Probability

• use of tables and graphs
• histogram
• frequency polygon
• bar diagram
• pie chart
• measures of central tendency: mean, median, mode, standard deviation
• calculation of simple probabilities.

The official SSC syllabus includes:

• semantic analogy
• symbolic operations
• symbolic/number analogy
• trends
• figural analogy
• space orientation
• semantic classification
• Venn diagrams
• symbolic/number classification
• drawing inferences
• figural classification
• punched hole/pattern-folding and unfolding
• semantic series
• figural pattern-folding and completion
• number series
• embedded figures
• figural series
• critical thinking
• problem solving
• emotional intelligence
• word building
• social intelligence
• coding and decoding
• numerical operations
• other sub-topics, if any.

The official SSC syllabus includes:

• vocabulary
• grammar
• sentence structure
• synonyms
• antonyms and correct usage
• spot the error
• fill in the blanks
• synonyms/homonyms
• spellings/detecting misspelt 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
• comprehension passage

SSC also states that for comprehension, three or more paragraphs may be given, with at least:

• one simple passage based on a book or story
• two passages on current affairs, reports, or editorials.

The official SSC syllabus says this section tests:

• general awareness of the environment around the candidate and its application to society
• current events
• everyday observation and scientific awareness
• India and its neighbouring countries, especially:
• • History
  • Culture
  • Geography
  • Economic Scene
  • General Policy
  • Scientific Research.

The official SSC syllabus includes:

Computer Basics

• organization of a computer
• central processing unit (CPU)
• input/output devices
• computer memory
• memory organization
• back-up devices
• PORTs
• Windows Explorer
• keyboard shortcuts

Software

• Windows operating system
• basics of Microsoft Office like:
• • MS Word
  • MS Excel
  • 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 such as:
• • hacking
  • virus
  • worms
  • Trojan
• preventive measures.

For Statistics-related posts, the official SSC syllabus includes:

1. Collection, Classification and Presentation of Statistical Data
2. Measures of Central Tendency
3. Measures of Dispersion
4. Moments, Skewness and Kurtosis
5. Correlation and Regression
6. Probability Theory
7. Random Variable and Probability Distributions
8. Sampling Theory
9. Statistical Inference
10. Analysis of Variance
11. Time Series Analysis
12. Index Numbers.

This is a specialized paper and should only be prepared by candidates targeting those specific posts.

Tier 1

• 0.50 marks deducted for each wrong answer.

Tier 2

SSC’s official scheme confirms negative marking in Tier 2 and the currently used competitive summaries map it as:

• 1 mark negative in certain Paper 1/Paper 2 objective sections
• qualifying modules handled separately by scheme.

For students, the key takeaway is simple: accuracy matters heavily in both tiers.

The official SSC CGL syllabus PDF available on SSC is here:

• Official SSC CGL Syllabus PDF

Other useful official pages:

• SSC Official Website
• SSC Examination Calendar
• SSC Notice Board

A good SSC CGL strategy should follow the actual exam structure.

First priority

Prepare both tiers together because:

• Tier 1 is qualifying
• Tier 2 decides selection.

Subject priority

For most candidates:

• Mathematical Abilities / Quantitative Aptitude
• English
• Reasoning
• General Awareness
• Computer Knowledge for Tier 2 qualifying module

Suggested preparation flow

• build concepts first
• solve chapter-wise questions
• practice previous year papers
• take full-length mocks
• revise weak areas
• keep one separate notebook for formulas, grammar rules, and current affairs

• Tier 1 has 100 questions for 200 marks
• Tier 1 duration is 60 minutes
• Tier 1 negative marking is 0.50
• Tier 2 Paper 1 is compulsory for all posts
• Tier 2 Paper 2 is only for specified Statistics-related posts
• Paper 1 includes Mathematics, Reasoning, English, General Awareness, Computer Knowledge, and DEST
• SSC follows a two-tier computer-based structure for CGL.

SSC CGL 2026 preparation should be based on the official SSC syllabus and exam scheme, not random topic lists. The current official structure shows:

• Tier 1 with four subjects
• Tier 2 Paper 1 compulsory for all posts
• Tier 2 Paper 2 only for specified Statistics-related posts
• objective computer-based pattern
• negative marking in both stages as applicable.

Candidates who study according to this exact framework will prepare more efficiently and avoid wasting time on irrelevant topics.