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 2026 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 2026, 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. There will be 3 Papers in Tier II. In Tier II, all candidates are required to appear in all four sections of Paper I. It will be mandatory for the candidates to qualify all the Sections of Paper-I separately. Paper-II is conducted only for candidates who apply and qualify for the posts of Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) and Statistical Investigator Grade-II after Tier-I. Similarly, Paper-III is held exclusively for candidates shortlisted in Tier-I for the posts of Assistant Audit Officer (AAO) and Assistant Accounts Officer (AAO).

We have shared below the selection process for all aspirants appearing in the upcoming SSC CGL exam scheduled to be held in August & September 2026.

Selection Flow:

Tier I: Computer-based exam; qualifying in nature with category-wise minimum marks.
Tier II: Computer-based exam; includes Paper I (4 sections) and Paper II (JSO/Statistical Investigator)/Paper-III (Assistant Audit Officer/ Assistant Accounts Officer) with separate cut-offs.
Section IV (Paper I, Tier II) Data Entry Speed Test (DEST: Mandatory for all the posts; however, it will be 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) with a sectional timing 15 minutes for each subject and 80 minutes (1 hour and 20 minutes for the candidates eligible for scribe) with sectional timer of 15+5=20 minutes for each subject.

Subject	No. of Questions	Max. Marks	Duration
General Intelligence and Reasoning	25	50	15 Min
General Awareness	25	50	15 Min
Quantitative Aptitude	25	50	15 Min
English Comprehension	25	50	15 Min
Total	100	200	1 Hour (80 Min for 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.

Part A
Subject	Component	Topics
General Intelligence & Reasoning	This section asks questions based on topics such as analogies, differences and similarities, spatial orientation, space visualization, problem-solving, analysis, decision-making, judgment, observation, visual memory, discrimination, and relationship concepts. It may also include arithmetic reasoning, figure classification, number series, non-verbal series, coding–decoding, syllogism, and statement–conclusion type questions.	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/ patternfolding & un-folding, Figural Pattern-folding and completion, Indexing, Address matching, Date & city matching, Classification of numbers coding, decoding and classification/ centre codes/ roll numbers, Small & Capital letters/ Embedded Figures, Critical thinking, Emotional Intelligence, Social Intelligence. etc.
Part B
General Awareness	This section of the paper evaluates the candidate’s general awareness about the surrounding environment and its practical relevance to society.	Current Affairs (National and international) and such matters of everyday observations. India and its 20 neighbouring countries. History Culture Geography Economic Scenario General Policy Scientific Research.
Part C
Quantitative Aptitude	The questions will be designed to test the ability to appropriately use numbers and the number sense of the candidate.	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 and elementary surds, Graphs of Linear Equations, Trigonometric ratio Heights and Distances, Bar diagram & Pie chart.
Part D
English Comprehension	Candidates’ ability to understand correct English	Basic Grammar Reading Comprehension

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.
Paper II is for candidates appearing for specific posts like JSO and Statistical Investigator.
Paper-III is for candidates appearing for specific posts like Assistant Audit Officer and Assistant Accounts Officer.
Paper I has four sections, and candidates must attempt all of them. Section IV of Paper I is qualifying in nature.
In Paper-I, a penalty of 1 mark will be applied for every incorrect answer in Sections I, II, and III. For Paper-II and Paper-III, 0.50 marks will be deducted for each wrong response.

Paper	Session	Section	Subject	No. of Questions	Max. Marks	Exam Duration
Paper-I	Session-I (2 hours and 15 minutes)	Section-I	Module-I: Mathematical Abilities	30	180	60 minutes (1 hour) (1 hour and 20 minutes for the candidates eligible for scribe)
		Section-I	Module-II: Reasoning and General Intelligence.	30	180
		Section-II	Module-I: English Language and Comprehension	45	210	60 minutes (40 minutes for Module 1 & 20 minutes for Module 2) (1 hour and 20 minutes for the candidates eligible for scribe)
		Section-II	Module-II: General Awareness	25	210
		Section-III	Computer Knowledge Module	20	60	15 Minutes (for each module) (20 minutes for the candidates eligible for scribe)
	Session-II (15 minutes)	Section-IV	Data Entry Speed Test Module	One Data Entry Task	-
Paper-II			Statistics	100	200	2 hours (2 hours and 40 minutes for the candidates eligible for scribe)
Paper-III			General Studies (Finance and Economics)	100	200	2 hours (2 hours and 40 minutes for the candidates eligible for scribe)

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.

Module/Paper	Subject	Topics
Module-I of Session-I of Paper-I	Mathematical Ability	Number Systems Algebra Geometry Fundamental arithmetical operations Mensuration Trigonometry Statistics and Probability
Module-II of Section-I of Paper-I	Reasoning and General Intelligence)	Semantic Analogy Symbolic operations, Space Orientation, Semantic Classification Venn Diagrams Symbolic/ Number Classification Drawing inferences Figural Classification Punched hole/ pattern-folding & unfolding Semantic Series Figural Patternfolding and completion Number Series, Problem Solving Coding and de-coding Numerical operations
Module-I of Section-II of Paper-I	English Language and Comprehension	Grammar: Vocabulary Grammar Sentence Structure Synonyms/Homonyms and antonyms and their correct usage Spot the Error Fill in the Blanks 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
Module-I of Section-II of Paper-I	English Language and Comprehension	Comprehension: Comprehension Passage One paragraph should be simple and based on a book or story, while two paragraphs should focus on current events and be based on a report or editorial.
Module-II of Section-II of Paper-I	General Awareness	Questions will also cover current events and everyday observations, especially their scientific aspects, as generally expected from an educated person. General awareness of the environment and its practical use in society. India and its neighboring countries, covering History, Culture, Geography, Economy, Polity, and Scientific Research.
Module-I of Section-III of Paper-I	Computer Proficiency	Computer Basics Working with Internet and e-mails Internet Basics of networking and cyber security
Paper-II	`Statistics	Collection, Classification and Presentation of Statistical Data Measures of Dispersion Measures of Central Tendency Correlation and Regression Random Variable and Probability Distributions Probability Theory Statistical Inference Sampling Theory Analysis of Variance Time Series Analysis Index Numbers
Paper-III	General Studies-Finance and Economics	Part A: Finance and Accounts Fundamental principles and basic concepts of Accounting Financial Accounting Basic concepts of accounting
Paper-III	General Studies-Finance and Economics	Part B: Economics and Governance Comptroller & Auditor General of India Finance Commission Basic Concept of Economics and Introduction to Microeconomics Theory of Demand and Supply Theory of Production and Cost Forms of Market and price determination in different markets Indian Economy Economic Reforms in India Money and Banking Role of Information Technology in Governance.

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 2026 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.

Other Important Links for Exam Preparation
Latest Current Affairs 2026 for Government Exams	International Current Affairs
National Current Affairs	State Current Affairs
Download Previous Year Question Papers	Daily Quiz for Competitive Exams
BookShala - Order Books for Competitive Exams
Download Utkarsh Classes App