The first step towards a stable career in the government is to crack the Staff Selection Commission Combined Higher Secondary Level exam. The journey begins with SSC CHSL Syllabus that is a roadmap for the entire selection process. Breaking down complex topics into manageable chunks can help you plan your studies effectively for the objective Tier 1 round and the comprehensive Tier 2 round.
This article provides a stage-wise breakdown of the syllabus β what is tested in Tier 1, what changes in Tier 2 and what is expected from you in the Skill/Typing Test β so that you can build a study plan around facts and not guesswork.
SSC CHSL Syllabus and Exam Pattern 2026
The SSC CHSL 2026 exam consists of two major levels, referred to as Tier 1 and Tier 2. Both are conducted online and test your knowledge across different subjects. The first level is a screening/qualifying test, and the second level determines your final merit.
| Stages | Mode | Subject Areas | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Objective (CBT) | English, Quant, Reasoning, GA | 100 | 200 |
| Tier 2 | Objective + Skill Test | Math, Reasoning, English, GA, Computer | 135 | 405 |
Important- Tier 1 marks are NOT counted in the final merit list; selection is based solely on Tier 2 performance
Subject-Wise SSC CHSL Tier 1 Syllabus
General Awareness Syllabus (25 Questions)
This section is broad but very important. It covers history, geography, and polity. You should also be aware of current events from the last 6 to 9 months.
- History
- India and its neighbouring countries
- Culture
- Geography
- Economic Scene
- General Policy
- Scientific Research
- Awards and Honours
- Books and Authors
- Current Affairs
- Sports GK
- Indian GK
- Indian Polity
General Intelligence Syllabus (25 Questions)
Reasoning is like exercising your brain. The SSC CHSL syllabus for this section comprises verbal and non-verbal puzzles β blood relations, seating arrangement, and coding-decoding.
- Semantic Analogy
- Symbolic operations
- Symbolic/ Number Analogy
- Trends
- Figural Analogy
- Space Orientation
- Semantic Classification
- Venn Diagrams
- Number Series
- Embedded figures
- Figural Series
- Critical Thinking
- Problem Solving
- Symbolic/ Number Classification
- Drawing inferences
- Figural Classification
- Punched hole/ pattern folding & unfolding
- Semantic Series
- Figural Pattern-folding and completion
- Emotional Intelligence
- Word Building, Social Intelligence
- Coding and de-coding
- Other sub-topics if any Numerical operations.
π± Free SSC CHSL Tier 1 Live Test (Tue 9AMβWed 10PM)
English Language Syllabus (25 Questions)
This section checks how well you use the English language in daily communication. You'll see questions on grammar, such as spotting errors and filling in the blanks.
- Spot the Error
- Fill in the Blanks
- Synonyms/ Homonyms
- Antonyms
- Spellings/ Detecting misspelt words
- Idioms and Phrases
- One Word Substitution
- Improvement of Sentences
- Active and Passive Voice
- Conversion into Direct/Indirect narration
- Shuffling of Sentence parts
- Shuffling of Sentences in a passage
- Cloze Passage
- Comprehension Passage
Quantitative Aptitude Syllabus (25 Questions)
This is often the most time-consuming part of the SSC CHSL syllabus. It covers basic math like percentages, profit and loss, and time and work. You'll also need to be comfortable with algebra, geometry, and trigonometry at a school level.
- Number Systems: Computation of Whole Numbers, Decimals, 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 Allegation, Time and distance, Time and work.
- 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.
- Algebra: Basic algebraic identities of School Algebra and Elementary surds (simple problems) and 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.
- Trigonometry: Trigonometry, Trigonometric ratios, Complementary angles, Height and distances (simple problems only) Standard Identities like sin2 π + Cos2 π=1 etc.
- Statistical Charts: Use of Tables and Graphs: Histogram, Frequency polygon, Bar-diagram, Pie-chart.
Topic-wise Weightage for SSC CHSL Tier 1
| Subjects | High Weightage Topics | Expected No. of Questions |
| English Language | Reading Comprehension & Cloze Test | 7 to 10 questions |
| Error Spotting & Sentence Improvement | 3 to 5 questions | |
| Synonyms and Antonyms | 3 to 4 questions | |
| Quantitative Aptitude | Data Interpretation (DI) | 3 to 5 questions |
| Percentage, Ratio & Proportion, Profit & Loss | 5 to 7 questions | |
| Combined Algebra & Geometry | 3 to 5 questions | |
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | Number/Alphabet Series & Coding-Decoding | 4 to 6 questions |
| Analogy & Classification | 3 to 4 questions | |
| Blood Relations & Syllogism | 3 to 4 questions | |
| General Awareness | Current Affairs (National and International) | 5 to 7 questions |
| General Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) | 5 to 7 questions | |
| Static GK (Festivals, Dances, Indian History & Polity) | 4 to 6 questions |
SSC CHSL Tier 2 Syllabus
If you clear Tier 1, the SSC CHSL Tier 2 syllabus becomes your primary focus. This stage is more academic and is divided into sessions- it's the most important part because these marks decide your final selection.
Negative Marking in Tier 2: 1 mark is deducted for each wrong answer in Section 1, Section 2, and Module 1 of Section 3. No negative marking in the Skill/Typing Test.
| Session | Section | Modules | Subjects | No. of Questions | Marks | Time |
| Session-I | Section 1 | Module-1 | Mathematical Abilities | 30 | 90 | 60 min |
| Module-2 | Reasoning and General Intelligence | 30 | 90 | |||
| Section 2 | Module-1 | English Language and Comprehension | 40 | 120 | 60 min | |
| Module-2 | General Awareness | 20 | 60 | |||
| Section 3 | Module-1 | Computer Knowledge Module | 15 | 45 | 15 min | |
| Session-II | Section 3 | Module-2 | Skill Test/ Typing Test Module- Part A- Skill Test for DEOs in Department/ Ministry Part B: Skill Test for DEOs except in Department/ Ministry Part C: Typing Test for LDC/ JSA | -- | -- | 15 min 15 min 10 min |
Module I of Session I (Mathematical Abilities Syllabus)
| Module I of Session I (Mathematical Abilities) | |
| Chapter | Topics |
| Number Systems |
|
| Fundamental arithmetical operations |
|
| Algebra |
|
| Geometry | Familiarity with elementary geometric figures and facts:
|
| Mensuration |
|
| Trigonometry |
|
| Statistics and probability | Use of Tables and Graphs
|
Module II of Section I (Reasoning and General Intelligence Syllabus)
| Module-II of Section-I (Reasoning and General Intelligence): |
Verbal and non-verbal type
|
Module-I of Section-II (English Language And Comprehension Syllabus)
| Module-I of Section-II (English Language And Comprehension) |
|
Module-II of Section-II (General Awareness Syllabus)
| Module-II of Section-II (General Awareness) |
Questions are also designed to test knowledge of current events and of such matters of everyday observation Questions relating to India and its neighbouring countries especially pertaining to
|
Module I of Section III of Paper I (Computer Proficiency Syllabus)
| Module-I of Section-III of Paper-I (Computer Proficiency) | |
| Chapters | Topics |
| Computer Basics |
|
| Software | Windows Operating system including basics of Microsoft Office like MS word, MS Excel and Power Point etc |
| Working with Internet and e-mails |
|
| Basics of networking and cyber security |
|
SSC CHSL Syllabus PDF Download
Download the SSC CHSL Syllabus PDF to keep with your study material and go through it daily until you've memorised the whole syllabus β it helps a great deal in mapping your preparation strategy and identifying subjects that carry lower exam weightage.
Download SSC CHSL Syllabus PDF
SSC CHSL Skill Test & Typing Test
The skill/typing test is a qualifying stageβcandidates must pass it to be considered for their post. It does not contribute marks to the merit list.
| Post | Test Type | Speed Required | Duration |
| DEO (Ministry/Department) | Skill Test (Data Entry) | 15,000 Key Depressions per hour | 15 minutes (~3700β4000 key depressions) |
| DEO (Other Departments) | Skill Test (Data Entry) | 8,000 Key Depressions per hour | 15 minutes (~2000β2200 key depressions) |
| LDC / JSA | Typing Test | English: 35 wpm | Hindi: 30 wpm | 10 minutes |
Tip: Practice on a physical keyboard daily β both speed and accuracy matter in the skill test. Aim to exceed the minimum speed by at least 20% as a buffer.
SSC CHSL Minimum Qualifying Marks
Minimum qualifying marks in Tier-I, Section-I, Section-II & Module-I of Section-III of Tier-II Examination are as follows:
- UR: 30%
- OBC/ EWS: 25%
- All other categories: 20%
Along with syllabus analysis, using the right structured preparation resources can make revision and practice more efficient. CareerPower's free study material and mock tests can support your preparation through organised subject coverage, concept explanations, practice questions, and exam-oriented material.
Study Resources for SSC CHSL 2026 Exam
Choosing the right study material for the 2026 exam makes preparation more structured and effective. Good resources should combine concept building, question practice, revision support, and exam-oriented strategy.
- For real exam-pattern practice, use SSC CHSL Previous Year Question Papers to strengthen accuracy and question-solving confidence.
- Track your preparation against previous trends with SSC CHSL Previous Year Cut-Offs.
- Practice daily with SSC CHSL Mock Tests built on the latest pattern.
- Understand the complete marking structure with SSC CHSL Exam Pattern 2026.
Tips to Prepare for SSC CHSL 2026 Exam
- Gather all key resources β SSC CHSL Syllabus, Previous Year Papers, Mock Tests, and study material β before starting your preparation.
- Use the SSC Calendar to calculate how many months remain and allocate time based on your strengths and weaknesses.
- Focus extra time on English and Quantitative Aptitude β they carry the most weight in Tier 2 and directly impact your final merit.
- Practice as many mock tests as possible. After each test, spend time reviewing what went right and wrong to improve consistently.
- Seek mentorship from experienced teachers or seniors who have cleared the exam and can guide you based on the current pattern.
- Stay consistent and give your 100%. Each chapter you complete takes you closer to a stable government career.
By following the SSC CHSL Syllabus step-by-step, you turn a massive competition into a series of achievable goals. Each chapter you finish brings you one step closer to your goal of a stable government career.
