Aspirants preparing for the upcoming national-level recruitment examination can now review the comprehensive details of the SSC CGL 2026 curriculum and evaluation framework. The official SSC CGL syllabus is released annually by the Staff Selection Commission along with the exam notification. Understanding the structured format and weightage for Tier 1, Tier 2 (Papers I, II, and III), sectional timings, and marking schemes is crucial for clearing the merit lists.
The stages in the SSC CGL Examination process include Tier 1 (CBT), Tier 2 (CBT + Skill/Typing Test), and Document Verification. The Tier 1 exam is qualifying only for Tier 2.
Particular
Details
Conducting Body
Staff Selection Commission
Exam Name
SSC CGL 2026
Selection Process
Tier 1 and Tier 2
Total Questions
Tier 1: 100
Tier 2: 150
Total Marks
Tier 1: 200
Tier 2: 450
Questions Type
MCQ-based
Exam Medium
Hindi and English
Negative Marking
Tier 1: 0.50 mark
Tier 2: 1 Mark
SSC CGL Tier 1 Exam Pattern & Checklist
The preliminary stage serves as a screening test. Review the specific parameters below:
Total Duration: 1 hour (15 Mins each section)
Total Marks: 200
Total Questions: 100
Question Type: Objective type MCQ based
Negative marking of 0.50 marks for every wrong answer
Section
No. of Questions
Marks
Duration
English Comprehension
25
25×2 = 50
15 Mins
General Awareness
25
25×2 = 50
15 Mins
General Intelligence & Reasoning
25
25×2 = 50
15 Mins
Quantitative Aptitude
25
25×2 = 50
15 Mins
Total
100
200
1 hour
SSC CGL Tier 2 Exam Pattern & Checklist
Tier 2 is the decisive stage determining final placement. It features multiple papers including Paper I (compulsory for all posts), Paper II for Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) posts only covering Statistics (100 questions, 200 marks), and Paper III for Assistant Audit Officer (AAO) posts only covering General Studies: Finance & Economics (100 questions, 200 marks).
Total Marks: 450
Duration: 2 Hours 30 Mins
Total Questions: 150
Question Type: Objective Type MCQs
Negative Marking: 1 mark for each incorrect answer
Note that Tier 2 negative marking is 1 mark for each incorrect answer in Sections I and II, and 0.50 marks for Computer Knowledge.
Sessions
Section
Subject
No. of Questions
Marks
Duration
Tier 2 Paper I, II, and III Exam Pattern (Compulsory for All Posts)
Paper I Session 1 (2 Hours 15 Mins)
Section I
A: Mathematical Abilities
30
30×3=90
30 Mins
B: Reasoning and General Intelligence
30
30×3=90
30 Mins
Section II
A: English Language & Comprehension
45
45×3=135
40 Mins
B: General Awareness
25
25×3=75
20 Mins
Section III
Computer Knowledge Test
20
20×3=60
15 Minutes
Paper I Session 2
Section IV
Data Entry Speed Test
1 Task
–
15 Minutes
Total
150
450
2 Hours 30 Mins
Paper II
For JSO Only
Statistics
100
100×2=200
2 Hours (2 hours and 40 minutes for the candidates eligible)
Paper III
For AAO Only
General Studies
(Finance and Economics)
100
100×2=200
2 Hours (2 hours and 40 minutes for the candidates eligible)
Skill Test Guidelines (DEST)
The Data Entry Speed Test (DEST) is mandatory for all candidates, qualifying in nature, requiring candidates to type around 2,000 key depressions in 15 minutes. Note that OH-category PwBD candidates may receive an exemption from DEST upon providing a medical certificate from a Government Civil Surgeon. Furthermore, candidates eligible for a scribe receive 5 minutes of extra time in the DEST, and visually handicapped candidates who used a scribe in the written exam are provided a passage reader during the typing test.
Particulars
Tier 1 Exam Pattern
Tier 2 Exam Pattern
Exam Mode
Computer-Based Test (CBT)
Computer-Based Test (CBT)
Nature of Exam
Qualifying
Merit-Based
Total Questions
100
135 (Paper-I) + Skill Test/Typing Test
Total Marks
200
405 (Paper-I)
Duration
60 Minutes
2 Hours 15 Minutes + Skill Test
Subjects Covered
General Intelligence & Reasoning, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, English Comprehension
Mathematical Abilities, Reasoning & General Intelligence, English Language & Comprehension, General Awareness, Computer Knowledge, DEST/Typing Test
Negative Marking
0.50 Mark per wrong answer
1 Mark (Sections I & II), 0.50 Mark (Computer Knowledge)
Difficulty Level
Moderate
Moderate to Difficult
Detailed Syllabus Checklists
To maximize scores, aspirants must thoroughly master each subject area. Review the checklists below for core topics.
Information Security Threats (Viruses, Worms, Trojans, etc.)
Prevention Measures
SSC CGL Tier 2 Paper II Statistics Syllabus (JSO)
Collection, Classification and Presentation of Data
Measures of Central Tendency
Measures of Dispersion
Moments, Skewness and Kurtosis
Correlation and Regression
Probability Theory
Random Variable and Probability Distributions
Sampling Theory
Statistical Inference
Analysis of Variance (ANOVA)
Time Series Analysis
Index Numbers
SSC CGL Tier 2 Paper III General Studies: Finance & Economics (AAO)
Part A: Finance and Accounts (Nature and scope, Limitations, Basic concepts, Accounting Principles, Single/double entry, Trial Balance, Rectification of Errors, Balance Sheet, Depreciation, etc.)
Part B: Economics and Governance (CAG of India, Finance Commission, Microeconomics, Demand and Supply, Production and Cost, Forms of Market, Indian Economy, Economic Reforms, Money and Banking, IT in Governance)
Question Weightage Analysis Tables
Review the expected question distributions across different subjects to optimize your study plan.
Since many topics overlap between Tier 1 and Tier 2, candidates are advised to prepare for both stages simultaneously. To gauge your readiness and build strong time-management skills, you should SSC CGL Mock Test 2026 – Attempt now!. Furthermore, structured mentorship can significantly accelerate your learning curve; consider enrolling in SSC CGL Online Coaching to receive expert guidance and practice high-yield problem sets.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The core subjects remain the same, but Tier 2 is more advanced in level and also includes Computer Knowledge and a Skill Test (DEST).
The SSC CGL Syllabus 2026 includes topics from Quantitative Aptitude, General Intelligence & Reasoning, English Language & Comprehension, General Awareness, and Computer Knowledge. The syllabus is divided into Tier 1 and Tier 2 stages.
No, SSC CGL does not include a descriptive paper. The exam is conducted in objective CBT mode, except for the Data Entry Speed Test which is qualifying.
SSC CGL Tier 1 comprises 100 questions carrying 200 marks. Candidates get 60 minutes to complete the exam, and each incorrect answer attracts a negative marking of 0.50 marks.
Yes. In Tier 1, 0.50 marks are deducted for every wrong answer. In Tier 2, the negative marking is 1 mark for certain sections.