SSC CGL Syllabus and Exam Pattern 2026- Overview
Tier 1 includes 100 questions for 200 marks, while Tier 2 includes 200 questions for 450 marks. This article gives a complete guide on SSC CGL 2026 Tier 1 and Tier 2 syllabuses subject-by-subject, covering exam patterns, marking schemes, and the special Statistics paper for JSO posts.
| SSC CGL Syllabus and Exam Pattern 2026- Overview | |
| Exam Name | SSC CGL |
| 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 has two examination tiers followed by document verification. There is no interview round — your final selection is based solely on marks scored in Tier 2.
| Tiers | Names | Nature |
| Tier 1 | Tier 1 (Prelims) | Qualifying |
| Tier 2 | Tier 2 (Mains) | Merit-Based |
| Tier 3 | Document Verification | Mandatory |
Important: Tier 1 marks are qualifying in nature and are not counted in the final merit list. However, clearing the Tier 1 cut-off is mandatory to proceed to Tier 2.
SSC CGL Tier 1 Syllabus 2026
The Tier 1 exam consists of 4 subjects with 25 questions each, totalling 100 questions and 200 marks, to be solved in 60 minutes. Each wrong answer deducts 0.5 marks. Focus on the easiest subjects first to build momentum — Reasoning and General Awareness are usually the quickest to score in.
| Subjects | Questions | Marks | Time |
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 25 | 50 | 60 minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 50 | |
| English Language | 25 | 50 | |
| General Awareness | 25 | 50 | |
| Total | 100 | 200 |
General Intelligence and Reasoning Syllabus
- 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
Quantitative Aptitude Syllabus
- 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
English Language Syllabus
- 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
General Awareness Syllabus
- 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
Tier 2 is the merit-determining stage — your performance here decides which post you get. Paper I is compulsory for all candidates and is conducted in two sessions on the same day. Paper II (Statistics) is only for candidates applying for the Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) post.
Session Structure: Session I covers Section 1, Section 2, and Module 1 of Section 3. Session II covers Module 2 of Section 3. There is a negative marking of 1 mark per wrong answer in Section 1, Section 2, and Module 1 of Section 3.
Tier 2 Exam Pattern — Paper I (Compulsory)
| Session | Section/Module | Subject | Questions | Marks |
| Session I | Section 1- Module 1 | Mathematical Abilities | 30 | 180 |
| Section 1- Module 2 | Reasoning & General Intelligence | 30 | ||
| Section 2- Module 1 | English Language & Comprehension | 45 | 180 | |
| Section 2- Module 2 | General Awareness | 25 | ||
| Section 3- Module 1 | Computer Knowledge | 20 | 60 | |
| Session II | Section 3- Module 2 | Data Entry Speed / Typing Test | — | 30 (qualifying) |
Module 1 of Session 1 of Paper I (Mathematical Abilities)
| 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):
- 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)
- 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- Paper II: Statistics (JSO Posts)
Paper II (Statistics) is only for candidates applying for the post of Junior Statistical Officer (JSO). This is an advanced paper that requires conceptual clarity and repeated revision. Focus on getting each chapter’s fundamentals right before moving on to complex topics like sampling theory and statistical inference.
| 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. |
SSC CGL Syllabus PDF Download
The latest syllabus for the SSC CGL Exam has been released along with the previous official notification, and it includes subject-wise topics for both Tier 1 and Tier 2 Exams. Get the official syllabus PDF to keep with your study material and review topic-by-topic progress.
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