SSC CGL: Exam Pattern, Syllabus, Eligibility and Preparation

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SSC CGL, the Combined Graduate Level Examination, is a national recruitment exam conducted by the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) to fill Group B and Group C posts in central government ministries, departments and offices. It is open to graduates and leads to jobs such as Assistant Section Officer, Inspector in income tax, customs or GST, Sub-Inspector in CBI or NIA, Auditor, Accountant and Tax Assistant.

SSC CGL is held once a year in two tiers, both computer-based. Tier 1 is a screening test. Tier 2 decides the final merit list, along with any skill test for your post. This guide explains the SSC CGL exam pattern, syllabus, eligibility and a practical preparation plan.

SSC CGL at a glance

Full name	Combined Graduate Level Examination
Conducted by	Staff Selection Commission (SSC)
Exam level	National
Held	Once a year; Tier 1 in recent years has fallen between June and September
Mode	Computer-based test
Duration	Tier 1: 60 minutes; Tier 2 Paper I: about 2 hours 30 minutes over two sessions
Subjects	Reasoning, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, English Comprehension
Total marks	Tier 1: 200; Tier 2 Paper I: 390 for merit
Negative marking	Tier 1: 0.50 per wrong answer; Tier 2 Paper I: 1 per wrong answer
Languages	Hindi, English and several regional languages in Tier 1; English section in English only
Leads to	Group B and C posts in central government
Official website	ssc.gov.in

SSC CGL important dates

These dates update automatically from Kosuki’s exam calendar. “Announced” dates come from the official notice; “Expected” months are based on past years.

!Dates can change. Always confirm on the official website. Report a wrong date · How we check dates

What is SSC CGL?

SSC CGL is one of the largest graduate-level recruitment exams in India. A single application covers dozens of posts across ministries, the CBI, the Income Tax Department, the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs, the Comptroller and Auditor General and more. You list post preferences, and your final rank and preferences decide which post you get.

Posts carry different pay levels, age limits and job profiles, from desk roles in the central secretariat to field roles as inspectors. Read the post list in the notification before choosing your preferences.

SSC CGL eligibility

• Education: a bachelor’s degree from a recognized university. Final-year students can apply if they graduate by the cut-off date in the notification.
• Junior Statistical Officer: in recent notifications, at least 60 percent in Mathematics in Class 12, or Statistics as a subject in graduation.
• Statistical Investigator Grade II: a degree with Statistics or one of the related subjects listed in the notification; the 2026 notice widened this list.
• Age: usually 18 to 27, 18 to 30 or 18 to 32 years depending on the post, calculated on a fixed date in the notification.
• Age relaxation applies for SC, ST, OBC, PwBD, ex-servicemen and other categories as per government rules.
• Some posts have physical standards or state language requirements, which are listed post by post.

SSC CGL exam pattern

Tier 1 is qualifying: its marks are used to shortlist candidates for Tier 2 but do not count in the final merit. Recent notices have fixed 15-minute sectional timings in Tier 1. Tier 2 Paper I is compulsory for all. Paper II (Statistics) is only for JSO and Statistical Investigator candidates, and the 2026 notice added Paper III (General Studies, Finance and Economics) for Assistant Audit Officer and Assistant Accounts Officer candidates.

Stage and section	Questions	Marks
Tier 1: Reasoning, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, English (25 each)	100	200
Tier 2 Paper I, Session I, Section I: Mathematical Abilities and Reasoning	30 + 30	180
Tier 2 Paper I, Session I, Section II: English and General Awareness	45 + 25	210
Tier 2 Paper I, Section III: Computer Knowledge (qualifying)	20	60
Tier 2 Paper I, Session II: Data Entry Speed Test (qualifying)	One passage	Qualifying
Tier 2 Paper II: Statistics (JSO and SI only)	100	200
Tier 2 Paper III: General Studies (Finance and Economics), for Assistant Audit Officer and Assistant Accounts Officer only	100	200

SSC CGL marking scheme

• Tier 1: +2 for each correct answer, -0.50 for each wrong answer.
• Tier 2 Paper I: +3 for each correct answer, -1 for each wrong answer in Sections I, II and the Computer Knowledge module.
• Tier 2 Papers II and III: +2 per correct answer, -0.50 per wrong answer.
• Computer Knowledge and the Data Entry Speed Test are qualifying; their marks do not add to your merit score.
• SSC normalizes scores across shifts, so your raw marks may differ from your final marks.

SSC CGL syllabus

• Quantitative Aptitude and Mathematical Abilities: number system, percentage, ratio, profit and loss, interest, time and work, speed and distance, algebra, geometry, mensuration, trigonometry and data interpretation.
• Reasoning: analogy, classification, series, coding-decoding, blood relations, syllogism, puzzles, and non-verbal figures.
• English: vocabulary, grammar, error spotting, sentence improvement, cloze tests, voice and narration, and reading comprehension.
• General Awareness: history, geography, polity, economy, general science, static GK and current affairs.
• Computer Knowledge: computer basics, operating systems, MS Office, internet, email and basic cyber security.

SSC CGL result and post allocation

SSC publishes the Tier 1 result as a list of candidates shortlisted for Tier 2, category by category. After Tier 2, the final result is prepared from Tier 2 merit marks, qualifying skill tests, post preferences and vacancies. Some posts need a Computer Proficiency Test, and Tax Assistant posts need the Data Entry Speed Test. Selected candidates then go through document verification before their dossiers are sent to the user departments.

How to prepare for SSC CGL

Since Tier 1 only shortlists, many aspirants rush it. But the Tier 2 syllabus is almost the same, only deeper and with a heavier penalty, so prepare both together from the start. English and Maths carry the most weight in Tier 2 Paper I.

• Master arithmetic shortcuts and advanced maths (algebra, geometry, trigonometry). Aim for speed of about 36 seconds per Tier 1 question.
• Practice English every day: 45 Tier 2 English questions carry 135 marks, the largest single block.
• Use previous SSC CGL papers to learn which static GK topics repeat, and add six months of current affairs.
• With sectional timers, you cannot move time between sections. Practice each section to its own clock.
• In Tier 2, a wrong answer costs a third of a correct one. Attempt only when you are reasonably sure.
• Practice typing for the Data Entry Speed Test and revise basic computer knowledge; failing a qualifying module can end your attempt.
• Take a full mock every week and analyze errors by topic. Kosuki can hold your syllabus checklist and mock score history in one place.

How to apply for SSC CGL

1. Complete One Time Registration (OTR) on the SSC website if you have not already.
2. Log in when the CGL notification is out and open the application form.
3. Fill in your education details, post preferences and exam centers.
4. Upload a live photograph and signature as required by SSC.
5. Pay the fee online, unless you belong to an exempt category.
6. Download the admit card from the SSC portal before each tier.

SSC CGL FAQs

Sources

• ssc.gov.in
• testbook.com/news/ssc-cgl-exam-new-changes
• www.sscdrishti.com/blog/ssc-cgl-new-exam-pattern-2026-whats-changed

Last reviewed September 2026 against the official Staff Selection Commission notice and information brochure. Exam rules can change from year to year, so always confirm details on the official website before you apply. Kosuki is independent and is not connected with any exam body. Spotted something out of date? Write to contact@kosuki.com.