SSC CGL Syllabus and Exam pattern is very important for candidates who are preparing for SSC CGL. As we Know every year Staff Selection Commission conducts the SSC CGL (Combined Graduate Level) Exam to recruit candidates for various Group B and Group C posts in different departments of Central Government and Ministries.
The SSC CGL exam is one of the most competitive government exams in India. A clear understanding of the syllabus, marking scheme, subjects, and section-wise topics can significantly improve preparation strategy and exam performance.
SSC CGL Tier-I Exam Pattern
SSC CGL Tier-I exam is a qualifying exam
| Subject | Number of Questions | Total Marks | Duration |
| General Intelligence and Reasoning | 25 | 50 | 60 Minutes |
| General Awareness | 25 | 50 | |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 50 | |
| English Comprehension | 25 | 50 | |
| Total | 100 | 200 |
Important Points
- Total 200 questions in this section of four subjects.
- Each question carry 2 marks.
- Negative marking of 0.50 marks for every wrong answer.
- This is a computer based examination (CBT).
SSC CGL Syllabus 2026 Tier-I
SSC CGL syllabus Tier-I is divided in four subjects general intelligence and reasoning, general awareness, quantitative aptitude, english comprehension. Here we will discuss all subjects in detail.
SSC CGL Syllabus of General Intelligence and Reasoning
It include questions of both verbal and non-verbal type. This component may include questions on analogies, similarities and differences, space visualization, spatial orientation, problem solving, analysis, judgment, decision making, visual memory, discrimination, observation, relationship concepts, arithmetical reasoning and figural classification, arithmetic number series, non-verbal series, coding and decoding, statement conclusion, syllogistic reasoning etc. The topics are, Semantic Analogy, Symbolic/Number Analogy, Figural Analogy, Semantic Classification, Symbolic/Number Classification, Figural Classification, Semantic Series, Number Series, Figural Series, Problem Solving, Word Building, Coding & de-coding, Numerical Operations, symbolic Operations, Trends, Space Orientation, Space Visualization, Venn Diagrams, Drawing inferences, Punched hole/ pattern- folding& un-folding, Figural Pattern-folding and completion, Indexing, Address matching, Date & city matching, Classification of centre codes/roll numbers, Small & Capital letters/numbers coding, decoding and classification, Embedded Figures, Critical thinking, Emotional Intelligence, Social Intelligence.
SSC CGL Syllabus of General Awareness
Questions in this component will be aimed at testing the candidates’ general awareness of the environment around him and its application to society. Questions will also be designed to test knowledge of current events and of such matters of every day observations and experience in their scientific aspect as may be expected of any educated person. The test will also include questions relating to India and its neighboring countries especially pertaining History, Culture, Geography, Economic Scene, General Policy & Scientific Research.
SSC CGL Syllabus of Quantitative Aptitude
The questions will be designed to test the ability of appropriate use of numbers and number sense of the candidate. The scope of the test will be computation of whole numbers, decimals, fractions and relationships between numbers, Percentage. Ratio & Proportion, Square roots, Averages, Interest, Profit and Loss, Discount, Partnership Business, Mixture and Alligation, Time and distance, Time & Work, Basic algebraic identities of School Algebra & Elementary surds, Graphs of Linear Equations, 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, 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, Trigonometric ratio, Degree and Radian Measures, Standard Identities, Complementary angles, Heights and Distances, Histogram, Frequency polygon, Bar diagram & Pie chart.
SSC CGL Syllabus of English Comprehension
Candidates’ ability to understand correct English, his basic comprehension and writing ability, etc. would be tested. The questions in Parts A, B, & D will be of a level commensurate with the essential qualification viz. Graduation and questions in Part-C will be of 10th standard level.
SSC CGL 2026 Tier-II Exam Pattern
Tier-II is the main examination and plays the most important role in final selection. It is divided in two papers, paper-I has 150 questions and total time is given is 2 Hours 30 Minutes where as in Paper-II total questions are 100 and time duration is 2 Hours.
| Paper | Subject | Questions | Marks | Duration |
| Paper-I | Mathematical Abilities | 30 | 90 | 2 Hours 30 Minutes |
| Paper-I | Reasoning & General Intelligence | 30 | 90 | |
| Paper-I | English Language & Comprehension | 45 | 135 | |
| Paper-I | General Awareness | 25 | 75 | |
| Paper-I | Computer Knowledge Test | 20 | 60 | |
| Paper-II | Statistics | 100 | 200 | 2 Hours |
SSC CGL Syllabus 2026 Tier-II
SSC CGL Syllabus 2026 Tier-II is divided in two papers, paper-I has five subjects and paper-II has one subject wise syllabus is given below:
SSC CGL Syllabus of Mathematical Abilities
Number Systems: Computation of Whole Number, Decimal 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 Alligation, Time and distance, Time and work.
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.
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.
Trigonometry: Trigonometry, Trigonometric ratios, Complementary angles, Height and distances (simple problems only)
Statistics and probability: Use of Tables and Graphs: Histogram, Frequency polygon, Bardiagram, Pie-chart; Measures of central tendency: mean, median, mode, standard deviation; calculation of simple probabilities.
SSC CGL Syllabus of Reasoning and General Intelligence
The verbal and non-verbal type questions will be asked from this section. These will include questions on Semantic Analogy, Symbolic operations, Symbolic/ Number Analogy, Trends, Figural Analogy, Space Orientation, Semantic Classification, Venn Diagrams, Symbolic/ Number Classification, Drawing inferences, Figural Classification, Punched hole/ pattern-folding & unfolding, Semantic Series, Figural Pattern-folding and completion, Number Series, Embedded figures, Figural Series, Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, Emotional Intelligence, Word Building, Social Intelligence, Coding and de-coding, Numerical operations.
SSC CGL Syllabus of English Language and Comprehension
Vocabulary, grammar, sentence structure, synonyms, antonyms and their correct usage; Spot the Error, Fill in the Blanks, Synonyms/ Homonyms, Antonyms, Spellings/ Detecting mis-spelt words, Idioms & Phrases, One word substitution, Improvement of Sentences, Active/ Passive Voice of Verbs, Conversion into Direct/ Indirect narration, Shuffling of Sentence parts, Shuffling of Sentences in a passage, Cloze Passage, Comprehension Passage. To test comprehension, three or more paragraphs will be given and questions based on those will be asked. At least one paragraph should be a simple one based on a book or a story and the other two paragraphs should be on current affairs, based on a report or an editorial.
SSC CGL Syllabus of General Awareness
Questions are designed to test the candidates’ general awareness of the environment around them and its application to society. Questions are also designed to test knowledge of current events and of such matters of everyday observation and experience in their scientific aspect as may be expected of an educated person. The test will also include questions relating to India and its neighboring countries especially pertaining to History, Culture, Geography, Economic Scene, General policy and scientific research.
SSC CGL Syllabus of Computer Proficiency
Computer Basics: Organization of a computer, Central Processing Unit (CPU), input/ output devices, computer memory, memory organization, back up devices, PORTs, Windows Explorer. Keyboard shortcuts.
Software: Windows Operating system including basics of Microsoft Office like MS word, MS Excel and Power Point etc.
Working with Internet and e-mails: Web Browsing & Searching, Downloading & Uploading, Managing an E-mail Account, e-Banking.
Basics of networking and cyber security: Networking devices and protocols, Network and information security threats (like hacking, virus, worms, Trojan etc.) and preventive measures.
SSC CGL Syllabus of Statistics
Collection, Classification and Presentation of Statistical 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, Time Series Analysis, Index Numbers.
FAQs of SSC CGL Syllabus 2026
Q1. What is the SSC CGL Tier 1 exam pattern?
Ans: SSC CGL Tier 1 consists of four sections:
- English
- Reasoning
- General Awareness
- Quantitative Aptitude
Each section having 25 question each question carry 2marks. there is a negative marking of 0.5marks for each wrong answer.
Q2. Which subject is most important in SSC CGL preparation?
Ans: Quantitative Aptitude and English Language are considered highly important because they carry significant weightage in both tiers.
Q3. What are the best books for SSC CGL preparation?
Ans: Some popular books are:
- Lucent Reasoning
- R.S. Aggarwal for Quant
- Lucent GK
- Plinth to Paramount for English
Q4. How should beginners start SSC CGL preparation?
Ans: Beginners should follow the below mentioned point for SSC CGL preparation :
- Solve previous year papers
- Understand the syllabus
- Make a study timetable
- Start with basic concepts
- Practice mock tests regularly