SSC CGL

COMBINED GRADUATE LEVEL SYLLABUS 2026

SSC CGL Syllabus 2026 — Tier 1 & Tier 2 Complete Subject-wise Topics

10,731 Tentative Vacancies (24.09.2026) Tier 1: 200 Marks Tier 2: 390+ Marks Graduation Required Neg. Marking: –0.50

Official SSC CGL 2026 syllabus and exam pattern for Tier 1 and Tier 2, as set out in paragraphs 13.8 to 13.11 of the SSC Notice of Examination. Tier 1 has 100 questions for 200 marks in 60 minutes, with a 15-minute sectional timer for each of its four subjects. Tier 2 consists of computer-based objective papers plus a qualifying Data Entry Speed Test (DEST); the final merit is based on Tier 2 only. SSC has scheduled Tier 1 from 30 September to 30 October 2026 (notice dated 12.09.2026). SSC's tentative vacancy list as on 24.09.2026 shows 10,731 vacancies.

📄 Download Official SSC CGL 2026 Notice PDF (132 pages, with syllabus) ↓

📌 Source: official SSC PDF — ssc.gov.in/…/Notice_of_adv_cgl_2026.pdf (the download above is an unchanged copy). Last verified 28 September 2026.

Tier 1 Marks

200

Tier 1 Qs

100

Duration

60 Min (15/subject)

Neg. Marking

–0.50

TIER 1 — CBE (Online)100 Questions | 200 Marks | 60 Minutes (15-minute sectional timer per subject; 20 minutes per subject for eligible scribe candidates) | –0.50 Negative Marking

📘 General Intelligence & Reasoning (25 Qs · 50 Marks · 15 Min)

Analogy & Classification
Number Series & Letter Series
Coding – Decoding
Blood Relations
Direction Sense
Sitting Arrangement
Syllogism & Venn Diagrams
Non-Verbal Reasoning (Figures)
Mirror & Water Image
Paper Folding / Cutting
Embedded Figures
Matrix-based Problems

📗 General Awareness (25 Qs · 50 Marks · 15 Min)

Current Affairs — National & International
History of India
Indian Polity & Constitution
Geography — India & World
Indian Economy
General Science — Physics, Chemistry, Bio
Government Schemes & Policies
Sports, Awards & Honours
Books & Authors
Important Days & Events
Environment & Ecology
Science & Technology Developments

📙 Quantitative Aptitude (25 Qs · 50 Marks · 15 Min)

Number System & HCF/LCM
Profit, Loss & Discount
Simple & Compound Interest
Percentage & Ratio/Proportion
Time & Work / Pipes & Cisterns
Speed, Time & Distance — Trains, Boats
Mixture & Alligation
Average & Ages
Mensuration — 2D & 3D
Trigonometry (Basic)
Algebra — Equations, Identities
Data Interpretation — Charts, Tables

📕 English Comprehension (25 Qs · 50 Marks · 15 Min)

Reading Comprehension Passage
Spotting Errors in Sentences
Fill in the Blanks
Synonyms & Antonyms
One Word Substitution
Sentence Improvement
Active & Passive Voice
Direct & Indirect Speech
Idioms & Phrases
Spelling Correction
Cloze Test
Para Jumbles

TIER 2 — CBE (Online)

Tier 2 has computer-based objective papers plus a qualifying Data Entry Speed Test. Paper I is compulsory for all shortlisted candidates. Paper II is only for candidates shortlisted for Junior Statistical Officer and Statistical Investigator Grade-II. Paper III is only for candidates shortlisted for Assistant Audit Officer / Assistant Accounts Officer (paras 13.9 to 13.9.10).

📋 Paper I — Compulsory for ALL Posts (Session I: 2 hours 15 minutes; Session II: 15 minutes, same day)

Section	Subject	Questions	Marks	Time
Section I — A	Mathematical Abilities	30	90	1 hour (30 min each)
Section I — B	Reasoning & General Intelligence	30	90	1 hour (30 min each)
Section II — A	English Language & Comprehension	45	135	1 hour (40 + 20 min)
Section II — B	General Awareness	25	75	1 hour (40 + 20 min)
Section III	Computer Knowledge Test (qualifying)	20	60	15 minutes
Section IV (Session II)	Data Entry Speed Test (qualifying)	1 task	—	15 minutes
Merit marks — Sections I & II		130	390	2 hours

Negative marking: 1 mark per wrong answer in Sections I, II and III. Every section of Paper I must be qualified separately. Scribe-eligible candidates get extra time as per para 13.9. DEST is a passage of about 2,000 key depressions in 15 minutes.

📊 Paper II — Statistics (only JSO and Statistical Investigator Grade-II)

100 questions, 200 marks, 2 hours, –0.50 per wrong answer — Probability, Statistics, Correlation and Regression, Index Numbers, Time Series, Sampling Theory (para 13.11.6).

📈 Paper III — General Studies (Finance and Economics) (only AAO / Assistant Accounts Officer)

100 questions, 200 marks, 2 hours, –0.50 per wrong answer — Part A: Finance and Accounts (80 marks); Part B: Economics and Governance (120 marks) (para 13.11.7).

Tier	Mode	Questions	Marks	Duration	Neg. Marking
Tier 1 — CBE	Online (Objective)	100	200	60 Min (15 min per subject)	–0.50 per wrong
Tier 2 — Paper I	Online (Objective) + DEST	130 + 20 (CKT) + DEST task	390 + 60 (CKT, qualifying)	2 h 15 min + 15 min DEST	–1 per wrong (Sections I–III)
Tier 2 — Paper II (JSO / SI Gr-II only)	Online (Objective)	100	200	2 Hours	–0.50 per wrong
Tier 2 — Paper III (AAO / Asst Accounts Officer only)	Online (Objective)	100	200	2 Hours	–0.50 per wrong

⚠️ Final merit is based on Tier 2 only (para 16.10). Tier 1 is used for shortlisting candidates for Tier 2. CKT and DEST are qualifying.

Post Name	Ministry / Dept	Pay Level	Salary (approx)
Assistant Section Officer (MEA)	Ministry of External Affairs	Level 7	₹44,900 – ₹1,42,400
Income Tax Inspector	CBDT	Level 7	₹44,900 – ₹1,42,400
Central Excise Inspector	CBIC	Level 7	₹44,900 – ₹1,42,400
Preventive Officer (Customs)	CBIC	Level 7	₹44,900 – ₹1,42,400
Sub-Inspector (CBI)	CBI	Level 7	₹44,900 – ₹1,42,400
Junior Statistical Officer	M/o Statistics	Level 6	₹35,400 – ₹1,12,400
Auditor / Accountant	C&AG / CGA / CGDA	Level 5	₹29,200 – ₹92,300
Tax Assistant (CBDT)	CBDT	Level 4	₹25,500 – ₹81,100

* Ranges are the Pay Matrix levels given in the SSC notice (para 2); allowances are paid extra as per rules. See the notice for the complete post list.

🗓 Tier 1 Revision Checklist (30 September – 30 October 2026)

Editorial advice from SarkariResultAlertInfo, not an official SSC schedule.

Revise each of the four official Tier 1 subjects: Reasoning, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude and English Comprehension.
Practise full mocks with a 15-minute timer for each subject; unused time does not carry over.
Review every wrong answer after a mock: each one costs 0.50 mark.
Confirm your own exam city, date and Admission Certificate through your SSC login before travelling.

For later Tier 2 preparation, see our SSC CGL preparation strategy guide.

📚 Best Books for SSC CGL 2026:

Maths: R.S. Aggarwal, Rakesh Yadav · English: SP Bakshi, Plinth to Paramount · GK: Lucent's GK, Current Affairs Monthly · Reasoning: Kiran's SSC Reasoning · Previous Papers: Kiran's SSC CGL

A. Tier 1 has four subjects: General Intelligence and Reasoning, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude and English Comprehension. Each has 25 questions worth 50 marks, for a total of 100 questions and 200 marks in one hour (para 13.8 of the official notice).

A. Yes. The one-hour paper has a sectional timer of 15 minutes for each subject. Candidates eligible for a scribe get 1 hour 20 minutes, with 20 minutes for each subject (para 13.8).

A. Tier 1: 0.50 mark for each wrong answer. Tier 2: 1 mark for each wrong answer in Sections I, II and III of Paper I, and 0.50 mark for each wrong answer in Paper II and Paper III (paras 13.8.2 and 13.9.8).

A. Paper I is compulsory for all posts. Section I: Mathematical Abilities and Reasoning & General Intelligence (60 questions, 180 marks, 1 hour). Section II: English Language & Comprehension and General Awareness (70 questions, 210 marks, 1 hour). Section III: Computer Knowledge Test (20 questions, 60 marks, 15 minutes). Section IV: Data Entry Speed Test (15 minutes). All sections must be qualified separately (paras 13.9.4 to 13.9.6).

A. Paper II (Statistics) is only for candidates shortlisted for Junior Statistical Officer and Statistical Investigator Grade-II. Paper III (General Studies - Finance and Economics) is only for candidates shortlisted for Assistant Audit Officer and Assistant Accounts Officer (para 13.9.3).

A. No. The Computer Knowledge Test and the Data Entry Speed Test are qualifying. Higher qualifying standards apply for posts where Computer Proficiency or DEST is prescribed (paras 13.9.9, 13.9.10 and 16.6).

A. No. Tier 1 is used for shortlisting candidates for Tier 2. The final merit list is prepared on the basis of overall performance in the Tier 2 examination only (paras 16.3 and 16.10).

Career Growth, Cut-Offs and Post-Specific Selection

Career growth & work profile: CGL posts fall into broad families — audit and accounts (Auditor, Accountant, Assistant Audit/Accounts Officer), administration (Assistant Section Officer, Assistant), taxation (Inspector of Income Tax, Inspector in CBIC, Tax Assistant), statistics (Junior Statistical Officer, Statistical Investigator Grade-II) and enforcement (Sub-Inspector in CBI/NIA/NCB, Assistant Enforcement Officer, Inspector in CBN). The notice says all posts carry All India Service Liability and candidates may be allotted a State/UT/Zone (paras 16.22–16.23). Promotion and posting depend on each department's rules.

Historical cut-off trends: No earlier-year cut-offs are shown here, because no official SSC result PDF with historical cut-off data has been checked yet.

Post-specific selection nuances:

Tier 1 cut-offs are separate for JSO/SI Grade-II (Paper I + II), for AAO/AAccO (Paper I + III) and for all other posts (Paper I) — para 16.3.
CKT and DEST are qualifying, but higher standards apply for posts with Computer Proficiency (e.g. ASO in CSS/MEA/AFHQ, CBIC Inspectors, Postal/Sorting Assistant) and for DEST posts (e.g. Tax Assistant in CBIC/CBDT) — paras 13.9.9, 13.9.10.4 and 16.6.
Physical standards, physical tests and medical standards apply to Inspector (Central Excise/Examiner/Preventive Officer) in CBIC, Inspector and Sub-Inspector in CBN, Sub-Inspector/JIO in NCB, Sub-Inspector in CBI and NIA, and posts in BRO. They are checked by the user department after final selection — paras 15.7–15.9 and Annexures XV–XVI.
Allotment is merit-cum-preference; preferences once submitted are final — paras 16.15–16.16.

Important Links

SSC CGL 2026 Notice of Examination (official PDF)	ssc.gov.in PDF ↗ · Download copy ↓
SSC Tentative Vacancy List as on 24.09.2026 (10,731)	ssc.gov.in PDF ↗
SSC CGL Preparation Strategy	View →
SSC CGL 2026 Full Job Page	View →
SSC GD Syllabus 2026	View →
CRPF Constable Syllabus 2026	View →