This guide provides a comprehensive breakdown of the SSC MTS 2026 exam pattern, covering Session I and Session II. Discover the updated syllabus, essential preparation books, and critical scoring criteria to ace your exam.
SSC MTS Syllabus 2026
The SSC MTS 2026 selection process consists of a computer-based examination and a Physical Efficiency Test (PET)/Physical Standard Test (PST) exclusively for Havaldar positions. While the exam difficulty is typically moderate, success requires a strategic approach, a deep understanding of the syllabus, and consistent practice with previous year papers.
SSC MTS Syllabus and Exam Pattern 2026
Review the high-level summary of the exam structure and syllabus provided in the table below before exploring our in-depth subject-wise breakdown.
| SSC MTS Syllabus: Overview | |
| Conducting Body | Staff Selection Commission |
| Post | MTS/Havaldar Post |
| Category | Syllabus |
| Selection Process |
|
| Negative Marking |
|
| No. of Questions | 90 |
| Maximum Marks | 270 |
| Official website | www.ssc.gov.in |
SSC MTS Exam Pattern 2026
The SSC MTS exam is conducted in 15 regional languages and is divided into two distinct sessions. Attendance for both Session I and Session II is mandatory, and failing to appear for either will lead to immediate disqualification.
Session I features no negative marking, whereas Session II imposes a penalty of 1 mark for every incorrect answer. Given recent adjustments to the question distribution, candidates are strongly advised to align their study plan with the latest revised exam pattern detailed below.
| SSC MTS Exam Pattern- Session 1 | |||
| Subject | No of Questions | Marks | Duration |
| Numerical and Mathematical Ability | 20 | 60 | 45 minutes
|
| Reasoning Ability and Problem-Solving | 20 | 60 | |
| Total | 40 | 120 | |
Refer to the Session II structure below. This phase consists of two sections, totaling 50 questions worth 150 marks.
| SSC MTS Exam Pattern – Session 2 | |||
| Subject | No of Questions | Marks | Duration |
| General Awareness | 25 | 75 | 45 minutes
|
| English Language and Comprehension | 25 | 75 | |
| Total | 50 | 150 | |
Q. What is the total marks for the SSC MTS Exam?
Ans. The total maximum marks for the SSC MTS exam is 270, with 120 marks allocated to Session I and 150 to Session II.
SSC MTS Paper 1 Syllabus
The SSC MTS examination is structured into two sessions. Session I focuses on Numerical & Mathematical Ability and Reasoning & Problem-Solving, while Session II evaluates candidates on their English Language proficiency and General Awareness.
General Intelligence and Reasoning Syllabus
- Number & Alphabetical Series
- Coding-Decoding
- Analogy
- Odd one Out
- Syllogism
- Directions Sense
- Ranking
- Non-verbal: Paper Folding & Cutting
- Mirror Image
- Embedded or Completing the Image
- Counting Figure
- Blood relations
- Matrix
- Mathematical Calculations
- Word order according to the dictionary
Numerical Aptitude Syllabus
- Number System
- HCF & LCM
- Percentage
- Average
- Time & Work
- Profit & Loss
- Ratio & Proportion
- Mixture & Allegation
- Time, Speed & Distance
- Simple Interest (SI) & Compound Interest (CI)
- Geometry
- Mensuration
- Trigonometry
- Data Interpretation (DI)
- Algebra
English Language Syllabus
- Spot the Error
- Fill in the Blanks
- Synonyms
- Antonyms
- Spelling / Detecting Misspelt Words
- Idioms & Phrases
- One Word Substitution
- Sentence Improvement
- Reading Comprehension Passage
General Awareness Syllabus
- Indian Constitution
- Award-Winning Books
- Indian History & Culture
- Awards and Honours
- Indian Economy & Polity
- Current Affairs
- Science: Inventions & Discoveries
- Important Financial Awareness Topics
SSC MTS Syllabus PDF Download
Download the official SSC MTS Syllabus PDF using the link below. We recommend printing this document to keep it handy as a quick reference guide during your daily study sessions.
SSC MTS Passing Marks
Refer to the table provided below for the category-wise minimum qualifying marks required to successfully clear the SSC MTS examination.
| Category | Minimum Passing Percentage (Out of Total) |
| UR | 30% |
| OBC/EWS | 25% |
| All Other Categories | 20% |
SSC MTS Exam Medium
To ensure accessibility for students across India, the SSC MTS Computer-Based Test (CBT) is conducted in English, Hindi, and a variety of regional languages.
- English
- Hindi
- Assamese
- Bengali
- Gujarati
- Kannada
- Konkani
- Malayalam
- Manipuri (also Meitei or Meithei)
- Marathi
- Odia (Oriya)
- Punjabi
- Tamil
- Telugu
- Urdu
SSC MTS Topic-wise Weightage
While the SSC does not publish official weightage per topic, the analysis below is based on trends observed in previous years' question papers and expert evaluations.
Numerical and Mathematical Ability
| Topic |
No. of Questions
|
| Number System | 3-4 |
| Time & Work | 2-3 |
| Profit & Loss | 2-3 |
| Simple & Compound Interest | 2-3 |
| Data Interpretation | 2-3 |
| Problems on Ages | 2-3 |
| Percentage | 1-2 |
| Ratio & Proportion | 1-2 |
| Average | 1-2 |
| Speed, Time & Distance | 1-2 |
| Mensuration | 1-2 |
| HCF & LCM | 1-2 |
| Mixture & Alligation | 1-2 |
| Number Series | 1-2 |
| Geometry | 1 |
| Square & Square Root | 1 |
Reasoning Ability and Problem Solving
| Topic |
No of Questions
|
| Non-Verbal Reasoning | 4-5 |
| Classification | 3-4 |
| Analogy | 2-3 |
| Series | 2-3 |
| Missing Number | 2-3 |
| Simplification | 2-3 |
| Direction & Distance | 2-3 |
| Coding-Decoding | 1-2 |
| Word Formation | 1-2 |
| Matrix | 1 |
| Blood Relation | 1 |
| Verbal Reasoning | 0-1 |
English Language and Comprehension
| Topic |
No. of Questions
|
| Reading Comprehension | 5 |
| Error Spotting | 2-3 |
| Sentence Improvement | 2-3 |
| Fill in the Blanks | 2-3 |
| Synonyms & Antonyms | 2-3 |
| Idioms & Phrases | 2-3 |
| One Word Substitution | 2-3 |
| Spelling Correction | 1-2 |
General Awareness
| Topic |
No of Questions
|
| General Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) | 6-7 |
| Current Affairs | 4-6 |
| Static GK | 4-5 |
| History | 2-4 |
| Geography | 2-3 |
| Polity | 2-3 |
| Economics | 1-2 |
| Computer Awareness | 1-2 |
Subject-wise Preparation Strategy and Tips
Begin your preparation by mastering the SSC MTS Preparation Tips, specifically focusing on General Intelligence, Numerical Aptitude, General English, and General Awareness.
- General Intelligence and Reasoning: Practice puzzles, analogies, coding-decoding, and classification questions to enhance logical thinking and problem-solving skills.
- Numerical Aptitude: Focus on arithmetic topics like percentages, ratios and proportions, number systems, and basic algebra. Regular practice of mock tests and previous years’ papers can be beneficial.
- General English: Improve vocabulary, grammar, and comprehension skills by reading newspapers, books, and practising language exercises.
- General Awareness: Stay updated with current affairs and important events, and read standard GK books.
SSC MTS Preparation Books
For effective preparation, we recommend using the curated book list below. It is best to stick to one reliable source to avoid confusion and ensure depth of knowledge.
Recommended Books for Quantitative Aptitude
| Name of Book | Author | Publisher |
|---|---|---|
| Objective Arithmetic | Rajesh Verma | Arihant Publication |
| Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations | R.S. Aggarwal | S.Chand |
| SSC Mathematics Solved Papers | – | Kiran Publication |
Recommended Books for Reasoning
| Name of Book | Author | Publisher |
|---|---|---|
| A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning (Revised Edition) | R.S. Aggarwal | S. Chand Publication |
Recommended Books for English Language
| Name of Book | Author | Publisher |
|---|---|---|
| Word Power Made Easy | Norman Lewis | – |
| Objective General English | S.P. Bakshi | Arihant Publication |
| Objective English For Competitive Examinations (5th Edition) | Hari Mohan Prasad, Uma Rani Sinha | McGraw-Hill Education |
Recommended Books for Books for GA/GS
| Name of Book | Author | Publisher |
|---|---|---|
| 14000+ Questions on GS | – | Arihant Publication |
| General Knowledge | – | Lucent |
SSC Havaldar Physical Standard Test for Male and Female Candidates
Candidates aspiring for Havaldar posts under CBIC and CBN must meet specific physical standards. The table below outlines the mandatory physical requirements for both male and female candidates.
| Particulars | Male | Female |
| Height | 157.5 cms
(Note: Requirements are relaxable by 5 cm for Garhwalis, Assamese, Gorkhas, and Scheduled Tribes.) |
152 cms
(Note: Requirements are relaxable by 2.5 cm for Garhwalis, Assamese, Gorkhas, and Scheduled Tribes.) |
| Chest | 76 cms (unexpanded)
Minimum chest expansion: 5 cm |
— |
| Weight | — | 48 kg
(Note: Weight requirements are relaxable by 2 kg for Garhwalis, Assamese, Gorkhas, and Scheduled Tribes.) |
FAQs
Remember: There is no negative marking in Session I, but Session II carries a penalty of 1 mark for every incorrect answer.
The SSC MTS exam syllabus encompasses four primary sections: General English, General Intelligence & Reasoning, Numerical Aptitude, and General Awareness.
The SSC MTS examination is conducted entirely in an online, MCQ-based format.
To crack the exam, treat each subject with equal importance. Many candidates find the English and Reasoning sections highly scoring, while Math and General Awareness may require more intensive study time.
With disciplined practice and the right study resources, it is absolutely possible to qualify for the SSC MTS exam in 2 months. Havaldar aspirants should additionally focus on their physical fitness for the PET/PST round.
While specific questions are rarely repeated directly, the underlying logic, question formats, and conceptual frameworks are frequently mirrored in subsequent exams.
The total number of questions can vary slightly by year, but the exam typically consists of 100 questions in total.
The General Awareness section covers a wide array of topics, including Indian History, Geography, Culture, Polity, Economics, Scientific Research, and static GK.
Succeeding in the SSC MTS & Havaldar 2026 exams requires a structured study plan and persistent effort. Stay updated on eligibility criteria, leverage quality resources, and maintain a consistent revision schedule to maximize your success. Best of luck with your preparations!