SSC CGL Exam Pattern and Syllabus for Tier I & II Exams: Download PDF

Knowing the SSC CGL Syllabus and Exam Pattern is very important for the candidates appearing for the exam. SSC Combined Graduate Level (CGL) Examination is conducted annually by the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) and is divided into Tier I and Tier II stages. This exam is one of the most popular government competitive exams in India, conducted by the SSC, offering opportunities to the eligible candidates to join various Group B and Group C posts across various Indian government ministries, departments, and organizations. 

For the Tier 1 exam, candidates must have good knowledge of the subjects such as Quantitative Aptitude, General Intelligence & Reasoning, English Comprehension, and General Awareness, which form the core of the SSC CGL Syllabus. Tier 2 expands the scope, adding Mathematical Abilities, English Language, General Awareness, Computer Proficiency, and special papers like Statistics for relevant posts.

Since the SSC CGL Exam Date 2025 is approaching, candidates must go through the detailed CGL Syllabus and Exam Pattern for both Tier 1 & Tier 2 to streamline their preparation and manage time for revision simultaneously. To crack the SSC CGL Exam with good scores in both CBT (Tier I and II), students must be familiar with its exam pattern and subject-wise syllabus, as it provides a clear roadmap for structured and effective preparation.  In this blog, we have provided a complete overview of the SSC CGLE Syllabus and Exam Pattern 2025, including detailed subject-wise topics, to help you plan your preparation with clarity and confidence.

SSC CGL Selection Process

The selection process of SSC CGL is divided in two stages: Tier I and Tier II, both are conducted in CBT (Computer-Based Test) mode. Candidates must secure the minimum qualifying marks assigned by the commission in each stage, which are:

• 30% for Unreserved category candidates
• 25% for OBC/EWS candidates
• 20% for all other category candidates.

Candidates are first shortlisted for Tier II on the basis of their performance in Tier I. In Tier II, all candidates are required to appear in all three sections of Paper I, while separate cut-offs are applied for Paper I and Paper II. The evaluation of Section III in Paper I is done only for those who qualify in Sections I and II. It is important to note that Section III is qualifying in nature, and candidates failing to meet its requirements will not be considered for next stage.

We have shared below the selection process for all aspirants appearing in the upcoming SSC CGL exam scheduled to be held from 12 to 26 September 2025. 

Selection Flow:

• Tier I: Computer-based exam; qualifying in nature with category-wise minimum marks.
• Tier II: Computer-based exam; includes Paper I (3 sections) and Paper II with separate cut-offs.
• Evaluation of Section III (Paper I, Tier II): Only for candidates who meet the cut-off in Sections I & II; qualifying in nature.
• Document Verification & Medical Examination: Conducted for candidates who clear Tier II.
• Final Selection: Merit list will be released by the commission for final selection of the candidates based on the marks obtained by them in Tier II and document verification stages.

SSC CGL Exam Pattern - Tier I

Tier I of SSC CGL is the preliminary stage of the examination, conducted in an online Computer-Based Test (CBT) format. This paper is Qualifying in Nature and serves as a screening round. 

• Tier I paper includes questions from General Intelligence & Reasoning, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, and English Comprehension.
• There will be a negative marking of 0.50 marks for each wrong answer. 
• Duration of exam will be 60 minutes (1 hour) and 80 minutes (1 hour and 20 minutes for the candidates eligible for scribe) 

Note: 

• Except for English Comprehension, the questions will be set in both English and Hindi.
• Securing minimum qualifying marks in this stage is important, as it determines the eligibility of candidates to appear for Tier II.

SSC CGL Tier I Syllabus

SSC CGL Tier 1 will be administered online, and the questions will be objective in nature. The detailed SSC CGL Tier I syllabus for all four subjects is listed in the table below. 

SSC CGL Exam Pattern (Revised) - Tier II

Tier II is the most important stage of SSC CGL, as marks obtained by the candidates in this are considered to determine for final merit and cut-off marks. It is also conducted in CBT (computer-based test) mode and consists of two papers:

• Paper I is compulsory for all candidates and
• Paper II is for candidates appearing for specific posts like JSO and AAO. 
• Paper I has three sections, and candidates must attempt all of them. Section III of Paper I is qualifying in nature.
• In Paper I, 1 mark will be deducted for every wrong answer in Section I, Section II, and Module I of Section III. In Paper II, 0.5 marks will be deducted for each wrong answer.

Note:

• The Data Entry Speed Test is mandatory for all posts, but it is only qualifying in nature.

SSC CGL Tier II Syllabus

The Tier II syllabus of SSC CGL is more advanced and in-depth, focusing on skills that determine the final selection of the eligible candidate. It includes core concepts of the Mathematical Abilities, Reasoning & General Intelligence, English Language & Comprehension, General Awareness subjects, and additional papers like Statistics or Finance & Economics for specific posts. Familiarity with the detailed syllabus for each paper and section helps candidates prioritize topics and allocate study time efficiently to maximize their scores.

Level of questions in each paper:

• In Paper I, Module I of Section I (Mathematical Abilities) will have questions of Matriculation level, while Module I of Section II (English Language and Comprehension) will have questions of 10+2 level.
• Questions in Paper-II will be of the Graduation Level.

Download SSC CGL Syllabus PDF in English

The official SSC CGL Syllabus PDF gives a complete outline of all the subjects included in the exam, such as Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning, English Language, and General Awareness. It helps candidates to understand the weightage of each section and identify the important topics for both Tier I and Tier II papers. By downloading the free CGL Syllabus PDF in English, candidates can organize their study plan efficiently and concentrate on important areas. The SSC CGL 2025 Syllabus PDF is available here for free download.

 Download SSC CGL Syllabus PDF in English for Free

Preparation Strategy for SSC CGL Exam

Preparing for the SSC CGL Exam covering the complete SSC CGL Syllabus requires a systematic approach to balance the conceptual knowledge, daily practice, and revision of what you have learned. A smart study plan, daily practice schedule, and routine can make the SSC CGL Preparation more organized and effective.

Preparation Strategy for Tier I & Tier II exams:

Since the exam covers subjects like Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning, English Language, General Awareness, also the post-specific papers such as Statistics or Finance & Economics, candidates must plan a smart study schedule.

• Start by carefully analysing the syllabus and noting down the weightage of each topic to prioritize the high-scoring topics.
• Divide your daily study time between Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning, English, and General Awareness smartly, as consistency is more important than a long, irregular study schedule.
• Practice questions on reasoning (both verbal and non-verbal) and maths problems daily. Include previous year papers (PYQs) solving, as this will help in improving speed and accuracy.
• Focus on English grammar, vocabulary, and comprehension exercises to strengthen the language section.
• Stay updated with current affairs and general knowledge by reading daily Current affairs from the Utkarsh Classes website and downloading the free PDFs for revision.
• For post-specific papers like Statistics or Finance & Economics, devote separate time for topic-wise preparation.
• Attempt online mock tests and full-length practice tests in exam-like conditions, like setting a timer and sitting at a quiet place without distractions, to manage your time effectively.
• Prepare short notes of formulas, important facts, definitions, and concepts for quick revision before the exam.

Study Material based on SSC CGL Syllabus by Utkarsh

Preparing for SSC CGL becomes easier with the SSC study resources provided by the Utkarsh Classes through the Website and App. These resources will cover every aspect of preparation, from concept clarity to practice and revision.

• Download Current Affairs PDFs: Daily, one-liner, and monthly Current Affairs PDFs help you understand and learn all important GK and current events questions. It will save your time on note-taking and will be helpful for quick revision.
• Download SSC CGL Previous Year Papers (PYQs): Solving PYQs helps you understand the exam pattern, difficulty level of the questions, and frequently asked topics. These PYQs are available with their solution.
• Practice Daily Quizzes: Short topic-wise quizzes test your preparation and improve speed and accuracy.
• SSC CGL Online Test Series: Full-length mock tests and Free SSC topic-wise tests enhance time management, speed, and exam readiness.

Notes & Study Material: Buy reference books, notes magazine, and topic-wise study material from Utkarsh Bookshala for understanding the difficult concepts and quick revision.