As the Staff Selection Commission is set to announce new Group B and C vacancies through the Combined Graduate Level Examination 2026, candidates appearing for the exam for the first time must be aware of the updated exam syllabus. Also, candidates who have been preparing for the past few years should review the latest syllabus to ensure they are not missing any important topics.
SSC CGL Syllabus and Exam Pattern 2026
SSC CGL Tier 1 consists of 4 sections, each with 25 questions, totalling 100 questions and 200 marks, while SSC CGL Tier 2 consists of Paper I (compulsory for all) and Paper II for Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) posts. The mode of exam for both tiers is Computer-Based (CBT). This article covers the SSC CGL Tier 1 and Tier 2 Syllabus along with exam pattern, marking scheme, and frequently asked questions. The exam will be conducted
| SSC CGL Syllabus and Exam Pattern 2026- Overview | |
| Organization | Staff Selection Commission (SSC) |
| Post Name | Group B and C |
| Types of Questions | Objective Type |
| Mode of Exam | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Total Questions | Tier 1- 100 Tier 2- 150 |
| Total Marks | Tier 1- 200 Tier 2- 450 |
| Language | Bilingual — Hindi & English |
| Time Duration | 1 hour 30 minutes |
| Negative Marking | Tier 1- 0.50 Tier 2- Section 1 & 2- 1 mark |
| Selection Process | Tier 1, Tier 2, and Document Verification |
| Exam Level | National Level |
| Official website | www.ssc.gov.in |
SSC CGL Selection Process 2026
The SSC CGL selection process consists of two tiers to evaluate candidates’ eligibility for various government posts. There will be no interview round and the final selection will be based solely on the marks scored in tier 2 exam.
| Stages | Names | Nature |
| 1 | Tier 1 (Prelims) | Qualifying |
| 2 | Tier 2 (Mains) | Merit-Based |
| 3 | Document Verification | Mandatory |
Important: Candidates must note that Tier 1 marks are qualifying in nature and not counted in the final merit list, but clearing the Tier 1 cut-off is mandatory to proceed to Tier 2.
SSC CGL Tier 1 Syllabus 2026
There are 4 subjects included in SSC CGL Tier 1 Exam, namely General Intelligence and Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, English Language, and General Awareness. Candidates must begin with the easiest subject first and then move forward to toughest.
SSC CGL Tier 1 Syllabus for General Intelligence and Reasoning
This section tests your logical and analytical thinking ability. Topics include analogies, coding-decoding, blood relations, series, syllogism, and non-verbal reasoning.
- Analogies
- Similarities and differences
- Space visualization
- Spatial orientation
- Problem-solving
- Analysis
- Judgment
- Blood Relations
- 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
SSC CGL Tier 1 Syllabus for Quantitative Aptitude
This section assesses your numerical ability and mathematical skills. Topics include arithmetic (profit & loss, percentage, time & work), algebra, geometry, trigonometry, mensuration, and data interpretation.
- Computation of whole numbers
- Decimals
- Fractions
- Relationships between numbers
- Profit and Loss
- Discount
- Partnership Business
- Mixture and Alligation
- Time and distance
- Time & Work
- Percentage
- Ratio & Proportion
- Square roots
- Averages
- Interest
- 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
- Triangle
- Quadrilaterals
- Regular Polygons
- Right Prism
- Right Circular Cone
- Right Circular Cylinder
- Sphere
- Heights and Distances
- Histogram
- Frequency polygon
- Bar diagram & Pie chart
- Hemispheres
- Rectangular Parallelepiped
- Regular Right Pyramid with triangular or square base
- Trigonometric ratio
- Degree and Radian Measures
- Standard Identities
- Complementary angles
SSC CGL Tier 1 Syllabus for English Language
This section evaluates your command over the English language and grammar. Topics include reading comprehension, error spotting, synonyms-antonyms, idioms & phrases, cloze test, and sentence improvement.
- Idioms and Phrases
- One Word Substitution
- Sentence Correction
- Error Spotting
- Fill in the Blanks
- Spellings Correction
- Reading Comprehension
- Synonyms-Antonyms
- Active Passive
- Sentence Rearrangement
- Sentence Improvement
- Cloze test
SSC CGL Tier 1 Syllabus for General Awareness
This section tests your knowledge of current events and static GK related to India and the world. Topics include history, geography, polity, economy, science, sports, important days, and current affairs.
- India and its neighbouring countries, especially about History, Culture, Geography, Economic Scene, General Policy & Scientific Research
- Science
- Current Affairs
- Books and Authors
- Sports
- Important Schemes
- Important Days
- Portfolio
- People in the News
- Static GK
SSC CGL Tier 2 Syllabus 2026
SSC CGL Paper I will be conducted in two sessions – Session I & Session II, on the same day and is compulsory for all candidates who qualify in Paper 1. Session I will include conducting Section I, Section II and Module I of Section III. Session II will include conducting Module II of Section III.
Module 1 of Session 1 of Paper I (Mathematical Abilities)
The main focus of this section is to assess the candidate’s knowledge of the appropriate use of numbers and number sense. Although the section is also asked in the Tier-1 Exam, the level and type of questions will be different and slightly more moderate than in the 1st stage. So candidates must buckle up their preparation with the topics listed below-
| Topics | Sub-topics |
| Number Systems |
|
| Fundamental arithmetical operations |
|
| Algebra |
|
| Geometry |
|
| Mensuration | |
| Trigonometry |
|
| Statistics and probability |
|
Module 2 of Session-1 of Paper-1 (Reasoning and General Intelligence):
Questions of both verbal and non-verbal types. These will include questions on
- 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 & unfolding
- Semantic Series
- Figural Patternfolding 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.
Module-1 of Session-2 of Paper-2 (English Language And Comprehension):
Fluency in the English Language will be tested based on this section of the SSC CGL Tier-2 Syllabus. Basic knowledge of the English language in terms of the following topics is necessary to get good marks in this section of the Tier-2 Exam. The syllabus for reading comprehension is not specific and is added in the syllabus to check candidates’ quick responses to the situations.
- Vocabulary
- English Grammar
- Sentence structure
- Spot the Error
- Fill in the Blanks,
- Synonyms/Homonyms
- Antonyms
- Spellings/ Detecting misspelt words
- Idioms & 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 — Three or more paragraphs (at least one literary/story-based, others current affairs/editorial-based)
Module-I of Section-III of Paper-I (Computer Proficiency)
- Computer Basics- Organisation of a computer, CPU, Input/Output Devices, Memory, Backup Devices, Ports, Windows Explorer, Keyboard Shortcuts
- Software- Windows OS basics, MS Word, MS Excel, PowerPoint
- Internet and e-mails- Web Browsing & Searching, Downloading & Uploading, Managing an E-mail Account, e-Banking
- Networking and cyber security-Networking devices and protocols, Network and information security threats (like hacking, virus, worms, Trojan etc.) and preventive measures
Module-II of Section-II of Paper-I (General Awareness)
Questions are designed to test the candidates’ general awareness of the environment around them and its application to society. Questions are also designed to test knowledge of current events and of such matters of everyday observation and experience in their scientific aspect as may be expected of an educated person. The test will also include questions relating
- India and its neighbouring countries especially pertaining to History, Culture,
Geography, Economic Scene, General Policy & Scientific Research - Science
- Current Affairs
- Books and Authors
- Sports
- Important Schemes
- Important Days & Dates
- Portfolio
- People in News
SSC CGL Tier 2 Syllabus- Paper 2 (Statistics)
For some candidates, this section might be tough & difficult to understand. The basic tip is to get the concept clear, and repetitive revision of the concepts would be beneficial to grab good marks in this section too. The SSC CGL Tier-2 Syllabus for Statistics is described as follows-
| Subjects | Topics |
| 1. 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. |
| 2. Measures of Central Tendency | Common measures of central tendency – mean median and mode; Partition values- quartiles, deciles, percentiles. |
| 3. Measures of Dispersion- Common measures of Dispersion | range, quartile deviations, mean deviation and standard deviation; Measures of relative dispersion. |
| 4. Moments, Skewness and Kurtosis | Different types of moments and their relationship; the meaning of skewness and kurtosis; different measures of skewness and kurtosis. |
| 5. 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 (For three variables only). |
| 6. Probability Theory | Meaning of probability; Different definitions of probability; Conditional probability; Compound probability; Independent events; Bayes‟ theorem. |
| 7. 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 variable (discrete). |
| 8. Sampling Theory | Concept of population and sample; Parameter and statistic, Sampling and non-sampling errors; Probability and nonprobability sampling techniques(simple random sampling, stratified sampling, multistage sampling, multiphase sampling, cluster sampling, systematic sampling, purposive sampling, convenience sampling and quota sampling); Sampling distribution(statement only); Sample size decisions. |
| 9. Statistical Inference | Point estimation and interval estimation, Properties of a good estimator, Methods of estimation (Moments method, Maximum likelihood method, Least squares method), 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. |
| 10. Analysis of Variance | Analysis of one-way classified data and two-way classified data. |
| 11. Time Series Analysis | Components of time series, Determination of trend component by different methods, Measurement of seasonal variation by different methods. |
| 12. Index Numbers | Meaning of Index Numbers, Problems in the construction of index numbers, Types of index number, Different formulae, Base shifting and splicing of index numbers, Cost of living Index Numbers, Uses of Index Numbers. |
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