The SSC CGL 2026 syllabus below is taken from the Staff Selection Commission’s own Notice of Advertisement for the Combined Graduate Level Examination, 2026, and was verified against it on 13 September 2026. Nothing here is copied from another coaching site.
One fact is worth knowing before you read any of it. Your rank does not come from Tier-1. The merit list is prepared on Tier-2 performance alone – and within Tier-2, only Sections I and II of Paper-1 count, a total of 390 marks. Tier-1 decides whether you reach that paper, and nothing more. Prepare accordingly.
SSC CGL 2026 at a glance
| Conducting body | Staff Selection Commission (SSC) |
| Vacancies | 12,256 (approximate, as notified) |
| Application window | 21 May 2026 to 22 June 2026 (23:00 hrs) |
| Fee payment closes | 23 June 2026 (23:00 hrs) |
| Correction window | 29 June to 1 July 2026 (23:00 hrs) |
| Tier-1 exam | August–September 2026 (tentative) |
| Tier-2 exam | December 2026 (tentative) |
| Application fee | ₹100 – General. Nil for women, SC, ST, PwBD and ex-servicemen |
| Mode | Computer Based Examination |
| Official website | ssc.gov.in |
Selection runs Tier-1 → Tier-2 → document verification → post allocation. Pay ranges from Level-4 to Level-8 depending on the post; our SSC CGL salary guide breaks down the in-hand figures post by post.
SSC CGL Tier-1 exam pattern 2026
Objective type, multiple choice, computer based. Questions are set in both English and Hindi, except the English Comprehension section.
| Section | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 25 | 50 | 15 min |
| General Awareness | 25 | 50 | 15 min |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 50 | 15 min |
| English Comprehension | 25 | 50 | 15 min |
| Total | 100 | 200 | 60 min |
Negative marking is 0.50 marks per wrong answer. Each question carries 2 marks, so a wrong answer costs a quarter of what a right one earns – which makes a considered guess between two options worth taking, and a blind guess between four not.
Tier-1 is four separate 15-minute exams, not one 60-minute exam.
Each section has its own 15-minute window. You cannot carry unused time forward, and you cannot return to a section once its window closes. This is the single most common thing candidates get wrong in practice: if you rehearse in unbroken 60-minute blocks, you train a pacing instinct the exam software will not allow. Practise section by section, with a hard stop at each boundary.
Minimum qualifying marks – Tier-1
| Category | Minimum |
|---|---|
| UR | 30% |
| OBC / EWS | 25% |
| All other categories | 20% |
Qualifying marks are the floor, not the target – the actual shortlisting score is far higher and moves every year. Our SSC CGL previous year cut-off analysis shows where it has actually landed.
SSC CGL Tier-1 syllabus 2026 (topic-wise)
SSC publishes this syllabus as dense running paragraphs. Below it is broken into topic lists for readability – the scope is SSC’s, the arrangement is ours.
1. General Intelligence & Reasoning (25 questions · 50 marks)
Both verbal and non-verbal questions.
| Area | Topics |
|---|---|
| Analogy & classification | Semantic analogy; symbolic and number analogy; figural analogy. Semantic classification; symbolic and number classification; figural classification. |
| Series | Semantic series; number series; figural series. |
| Coding & operations | Coding and decoding; symbolic operations; number operations; problem solving. |
| Reasoning & judgment | Analysis; judgment; decision making; arithmetical reasoning; statement–conclusion; syllogistic reasoning; drawing inferences; critical thinking. |
| Visual & spatial | Space visualization; spatial orientation; visual memory; discrimination; observation; figural pattern folding and completion; embedded figures; punched hole, pattern folding and unfolding; Venn diagrams. |
| Matching & indexing | Relationship concepts; word building; trends; indexing; address matching; date and city matching; classification of centre codes and roll numbers; small and capital letters and numbers coding, decoding and classification. |
| Intelligence | Emotional intelligence; social intelligence. |
2. General Awareness (25 questions · 50 marks)
Questions test general awareness of the environment and its application to society, current events, and matters of everyday observation and experience in their scientific aspect as expected of an educated person – with reference to India and its neighbouring countries.
| Area | Topics |
|---|---|
| History | Ancient, medieval and modern India; the freedom movement. |
| Culture | Art, architecture, literature, festivals, classical forms. |
| Geography | Physical, economic and social geography of India and the world. |
| Economic scene | The Indian economy, the Budget, banking, key economic indicators. |
| Polity & Constitution | The Constitution, Parliament, the judiciary, panchayati raj. |
| General policy | Government schemes, policies and initiatives. |
| Scientific research | General science; recent developments; space; defence. |
| Current affairs | National and international events, sports, awards, appointments, books and authors. |
3. Quantitative Aptitude (25 questions · 50 marks)
Tests the appropriate use of numbers and number sense.
| Area | Topics |
|---|---|
| Arithmetic | Computation of whole numbers, decimals, fractions and relationships between numbers; percentage; 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 and elementary surds; 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; degree and radian measures; standard identities; complementary angles; heights and distances. |
| Data interpretation | Histogram; frequency polygon; bar diagram; pie chart. |
4. English Comprehension (25 questions · 50 marks)
Tests your understanding of correct English, basic comprehension and writing ability.
| Area | Topics |
|---|---|
| Vocabulary | Synonyms and antonyms; one-word substitution; idioms and phrases; spellings and detecting misspelt words. |
| Grammar & usage | Sentence structure; spot the error; sentence improvement; fill in the blanks; active and passive voice; direct and indirect narration; shuffling of sentence parts. |
| Comprehension | Reading comprehension passages; cloze passage; para jumbles. |
SSC sets Parts A, B and D of this section at graduation level and Part C at 10th standard level. In practice the vocabulary can be demanding while the comprehension passages are not – which is why vocabulary, learnt in small daily doses over months, is the highest-return investment in this section.
Know the syllabus? Now build a plan around it
A syllabus tells you what to study, not in what order or for how long. Our 90-day plan turns the pattern below into a dated schedule – section-wise tactics, daily hour allocations and the mistakes that cost selections.
SSC CGL Tier-2 exam pattern 2026
This is the paper that decides your rank. Paper-1 is compulsory for everyone; Paper-2 and Paper-3 apply only to specific posts. Every question in Paper-1 carries 3 marks.
Paper-1 – compulsory for all candidates
| Section | Module | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Section I | I-A Mathematical Abilities | 30 | 90 | 1 hour, 30 min per module |
| Section I | I-B Reasoning & General Intelligence | 30 | 90 | |
| Section II | II-A English Language & Comprehension | 45 | 135 | 1 hour, 40 + 20 min |
| Section II | II-B General Awareness | 25 | 75 | |
| Section III | III-A Computer Knowledge Test | 20 | 60 | 15 min |
| Section IV | IV-A Data Entry Speed Test (DEST) | – | Qualifying | 15 min, separate session |
| Total | Paper-1 | 150 | 450 | 2 hrs 15 min |
Two of the four sections do not score.
Section-III (Computer Knowledge Test) is mandatory for all posts but qualifying in nature, and Section-IV (DEST) is qualifying too. The merit list is prepared on Sections I and II of Paper-1 only – 130 questions and 390 marks. Prepare Sections III and IV to a comfortable pass, then give every remaining hour back to the 390 marks that actually rank you.
What counts towards your rank
| Stage / section | Marks | Counts towards merit? |
|---|---|---|
| Tier-1 (all four sections) | 200 | No – screening only |
| Tier-2 Paper-1, Section I (Maths + Reasoning) | 180 | Yes |
| Tier-2 Paper-1, Section II (English + GA) | 210 | Yes |
| Tier-2 Paper-1, Section III (Computer Knowledge) | 60 | No – qualifying, but mandatory |
| Tier-2 Paper-1, Section IV (DEST) | – | No – qualifying, but mandatory |
| Total counting towards merit | 390 | Sections I and II only |
Negative marking across both tiers
| Paper | Marks per question | Deducted per wrong answer |
|---|---|---|
| Tier-1 (all sections) | 2 | 0.50 |
| Tier-2 Paper-1, Sections I, II and III | 3 | 1.00 |
| Tier-2 Paper-2 (Statistics) | 2 | 0.50 |
| Tier-2 Paper-3 (Finance & Economics) | 2 | 0.50 |
The Tier-2 penalty is double the Tier-1 penalty in absolute terms, on a question worth three marks rather than two. An attempt strategy carried over unchanged from Tier-1 will quietly cost you marks here.
SSC CGL Tier-2 syllabus 2026 (topic-wise)
Paper-1, Section I-A – Mathematical Abilities
Largely at matriculation level – but harder, longer and far more time-pressured than Tier-1.
| Area | Topics |
|---|---|
| Number systems | Computation of whole numbers, decimals, fractions and relationships between numbers. |
| Fundamental arithmetic | Percentages; ratio and proportion; square roots; averages; interest; profit and loss; discount; partnership business; mixture and alligation; time and distance; time and work. |
| Algebra | Basic algebraic identities; elementary surds; graphs of linear equations. |
| Geometry | Triangles and their centres; congruence and similarity; circles, chords, tangents; angles subtended by chords. |
| Mensuration | Triangle; quadrilaterals; regular polygons; circle; right prism; right circular cone and cylinder; sphere; hemispheres; rectangular parallelepiped; regular right pyramid. |
| Trigonometry | Trigonometric ratios; degree and radian measures; standard identities; complementary angles; heights and distances. |
| Statistics & probability | Frequency distributions; mean, median and mode; standard deviation; calculation of simple probabilities. |
Paper-1, Section I-B – Reasoning & General Intelligence
Semantic, symbolic, number and figural analogy; semantic, symbolic, number and figural classification; semantic, number and figural series; problem solving; word building; coding and decoding; numerical operations; symbolic operations; trends; space orientation; space visualization; 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 and roll numbers; small and capital letters and numbers coding, decoding and classification; embedded figures; critical thinking; emotional intelligence; social intelligence.
Paper-1, Section II-A – English Language & Comprehension
At 10+2 level.
| Area | Topics |
|---|---|
| Vocabulary | Synonyms and antonyms; spellings and detecting misspelt words; idioms and phrases; one-word substitution. |
| Grammar | Sentence structure; spot the error; fill in the blanks; improvement of sentences; active and passive voice of verbs; conversion into direct and indirect narration. |
| Passage skills | Shuffling of sentence parts; shuffling of sentences in a passage; cloze passage; comprehension passage. |
Paper-1, Section II-B – General Awareness
The same scope as Tier-1: the environment and its application to society, current events, and India and its neighbouring countries with reference to History, Culture, Geography, Economic Scene, General Polity and Scientific Research. Twenty-five questions, 75 marks, and only twenty minutes to answer them – this module rewards recall, not working out. It is the one place in Paper-1 where months of unhurried background reading convert directly into marks per minute.
Paper-1, Section III-A — Computer Knowledge Test
Twenty questions, 60 marks, fifteen minutes – and qualifying rather than scoring. The syllabus is broad but shallow: it asks whether you can use a computer competently, not whether you can build one.
| Area | Topics |
|---|---|
| Computer basics | Organisation of a computer; CPU; input and output devices; computer memory and memory organisation; back-up devices; ports; Windows Explorer; keyboard shortcuts. |
| Software | Windows operating system basics; MS Word; MS Excel; MS PowerPoint; communication – the basics of e-mail, sending and receiving e-mails and related functions. |
| Internet & networking | Internet; World Wide Web; web browsers; searching, downloading and uploading; managing an e-mail account; e-banking; LAN, WAN and network types. |
| Cyber security | Networking devices and protocols; network and information security threats such as hacking, viruses, worms and trojans; preventive measures. |
Paper-1, Section IV-A – Data Entry Speed Test (DEST)
A qualifying skill test: data entry at a speed of approximately 2,000 key depressions in 15 minutes from a given passage. No marks are added to your merit – but failing it ends your candidature for the posts that require it.
| Category | Maximum errors allowed |
|---|---|
| UR | 20% |
| OBC / EWS | 25% |
| All other categories | 30% |
Twenty minutes of typing practice a day for a month is comfortably enough, and it is the cheapest insurance in the entire examination.
Paper-2 – Statistics
Graduation level. Only for candidates applying to Junior Statistical Officer and Statistical Investigator Grade-II. 100 questions, 200 marks, 2 hours, 0.50 negative marking.
- Collection, classification and presentation of statistical data
- Measures of central tendency; measures of dispersion
- Moments; skewness and kurtosis
- Correlation and regression
- Probability theory; random variables and probability distributions
- Sampling theory; statistical inference; analysis of variance
- Time series analysis; index numbers
Paper-3 – General Studies (Finance and Economics)
Only for candidates applying to Assistant Audit Officer and Assistant Accounts Officer. 100 questions, 200 marks, 2 hours, 0.50 negative marking.
Part A – Finance and Accounts (80 marks). Fundamental principles and basic concepts of accounting. Financial accounting: nature and scope; limitations; basic concepts and conventions; generally accepted accounting principles. Basic concepts of accounting: single and double entry; books of original entry; bank reconciliation; journal; ledgers; trial balance; rectification of errors; manufacturing, trading, profit and loss and appropriation accounts; balance sheet; distinction between capital and revenue expenditure; depreciation accounting; valuation of inventories; non-profit organisations’ accounts; receipts and payments and income and expenditure accounts; bills of exchange; self-balancing ledgers.
Part B – Economics and Governance (120 marks).
| Area | Topics |
|---|---|
| Constitutional bodies | Comptroller & Auditor General of India – constitutional provisions, role and responsibility. Finance Commission – role and functions. |
| Microeconomics | Basic concepts of economics and introduction to micro-economics; theory of demand and supply; theory of production and cost; forms of market and price determination in different markets. |
| Indian economy | Nature of the Indian economy; national income; the agriculture, industry and services sectors; economic reforms since 1991. |
| Money and banking | Monetary and fiscal policy; role and functions of the Reserve Bank of India. |
| Governance | The role of information technology in governance. |
How to use this syllabus
A syllabus tells you what to study; it does not tell you in what order or for how long. Three things follow directly from the pattern above:
- Build Tier-2 depth from week one. Merit comes from Tier-2 alone, so preparation aimed at Tier-1 prepares you thoroughly for a screening test and barely at all for the paper that produces your rank. Tier-1 readiness arrives as a by-product; the reverse is not true.
- Practise Tier-1 in 15-minute blocks. Never in one 60-minute block. Train the pacing the software will actually enforce.
- Set your risk threshold separately for each tier. 0.50 off a 2-mark question and 1.00 off a 3-mark question are different games.
We have turned that into a dated schedule in our SSC CGL preparation strategy 2026: 90-day plan, with section-wise tactics and daily hour allocations.
Frequently asked questions
Do Tier-1 marks count towards the final merit list?
No. The notification states that the merit list is prepared on the basis of performance in the Tier-2 examination only. Tier-1 decides whether you proceed; it does not decide where you rank.
How many marks is SSC CGL Tier-2 Paper-1 out of?
450 marks in total – 150 questions at 3 marks each. But only 390 of those marks count towards merit, because Section-III (Computer Knowledge) and Section-IV (DEST) are qualifying rather than scoring.
Is there negative marking in SSC CGL 2026?
Yes, in every objective paper. Tier-1 deducts 0.50 marks per wrong answer on 2-mark questions. Tier-2 Paper-1 deducts 1.00 mark per wrong answer on 3-mark questions. Papers 2 and 3 deduct 0.50.
Can I move time from one Tier-1 section to another?
No. Each of the four Tier-1 sections has its own 15-minute window. Unused time is not carried forward, and a closed section cannot be reopened.
Does the Computer Knowledge Test add to my marks?
No. Section-III is mandatory for all posts but qualifying in nature, and DEST is likewise qualifying. Merit comes from Sections I and II of Paper-1 – 390 marks.
Do I have to take Paper-2 and Paper-3?
Only if you applied for the posts they attach to. Paper-2 (Statistics) is for Junior Statistical Officer and Statistical Investigator Grade-II. Paper-3 (Finance and Economics) is for Assistant Audit Officer and Assistant Accounts Officer.
In which languages is the SSC CGL paper set?
Tier-1 questions are set in both English and Hindi, except the English Comprehension section, which is in English only.
Has the SSC CGL syllabus changed for 2026?
The scheme of examination and syllabus in this page are those published in the CGL 2026 Notice of Advertisement. SSC can issue a corrigendum at any time, so check the Notice Board at ssc.gov.in before you act on any detail.
How much typing speed do I need for DEST?
Approximately 2,000 key depressions in 15 minutes from a given passage, with a maximum error percentage of 20% for UR, 25% for OBC and EWS, and 30% for all other categories.
Where can I find the official SSC CGL syllabus?
On ssc.gov.in, under For Candidates → Syllabus, and in the Scheme of Examination annexure inside the CGL 2026 Notice of Advertisement on the Notice Board. Everything on this page is taken from those two documents. It is worth reading the notification yourself at least once – it takes an hour and it is the only version that is binding.
Source and verification
| Conducting body | Staff Selection Commission (SSC) |
| Primary source | Notice of Advertisement – Combined Graduate Level Examination, 2026 |
| Official website | ssc.gov.in |
| Verified on | 13 September 2026 |
| Next review | On any SSC corrigendum, or within 3 months |
This page is not an official publication.
JobShouter.com is an independent information website and is not affiliated with, endorsed by or authorised by the Staff Selection Commission. Where this page and the official notification differ, the official notification prevails. Verify eligibility, dates, fees and pattern on ssc.gov.in before you apply.
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