SSC CGL 2026 Syllabus
Staff Selection Commission
SSC CGL 2026 Syllabus — Quick Summary
The SSC CGL 2026 syllabus covers a two-tier computer-based exam. Tier 1 tests Reasoning, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude and English. Tier 2 adds Mathematical Abilities, advanced English, Computer Knowledge, a Data Entry Speed Test and post-specific papers in Statistics and Finance & Economics.
Key Facts at a Glance
Exam Name
SSC Combined Graduate Level 2026
Conducting Body
Staff Selection Commission (SSC)
Exam Mode
Online (Computer-Based Test)
Key Subjects
General Awareness, Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, English
Tier 1 Pattern
100 questions, 200 marks, 60 minutes, 0.50 negative marking
Tier 2 Extras
Computer Knowledge Test, DEST, Statistics and Finance & Economics for specific posts
How to Use This Syllabus
Open the official SSC website, ssc.gov.in.
Go to the notification section and find the CGL 2026 notice.
Download the notification PDF and save it on your device.
Read the exam scheme and syllabus pages, including post-specific papers.
Print the subject-wise topic lists and tick each topic as you finish it.
Plan weekly study targets for Tier 1 and Tier 2 topics.
Take timed mock tests and revisit weak topics from the syllabus.
SSC CGL 2026 Exam Overview
The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) conducts the Combined Graduate Level exam as a two-tier Computer-Based Test (CBT). Tier 1 is the qualifying stage that shortlists candidates for Tier 2. Tier 2 is the scoring stage that decides merit. The number of vacancies, the exam dates and the application fee are not listed in the syllabus source we used, so check the official notification on ssc.gov.in for those details and for how often the exam is held. The source indicates no major syllabus changes for 2026 compared with recent years.
SSC CGL 2026 Exam Pattern
Tier 1 is objective (MCQ) with a total time of 60 minutes and negative marking of 0.50 marks per wrong answer. Tier 2 Paper 1 is compulsory for all posts and runs in sessions and modules on the same day.
| Stage | Paper | Subject | Questions | Marks | Duration | Negative Marking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Single paper | General Intelligence & Reasoning | 25 | 50 | 60 minutes total for all four sections | 0.50 per wrong answer |
| Tier 1 | Single paper | General Awareness | 25 | 50 | Included in 60 minutes | 0.50 per wrong answer |
| Tier 1 | Single paper | Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 50 | Included in 60 minutes | 0.50 per wrong answer |
| Tier 1 | Single paper | English Comprehension | 25 | 50 | Included in 60 minutes | 0.50 per wrong answer |
| Tier 2 | Paper 1, Session I, Section I, Module I | Mathematical Abilities | 30 | 90 | 1 hour for Section I | See official notification |
| Tier 2 | Paper 1, Session I, Section I, Module II | Reasoning and General Intelligence | 30 | 90 | Included in Section I | See official notification |
| Tier 2 | Paper 1, Session I, Section II, Module I | English Language & Comprehension | 45 | 135 | 1 hour for Section II | See official notification |
| Tier 2 | Paper 1, Session I, Section II, Module II | General Awareness | 25 | 75 | Included in Section II | See official notification |
| Tier 2 | Paper 1, Session II, Section III, Module I | Computer Knowledge Test (qualifying) | 20 | 60 | 15 minutes | See official notification |
| Tier 2 | Paper 1, Session II, Section III, Module II | Data Entry Speed Test (qualifying) | 1 task (2000 key depressions) | Qualifying | 15 minutes | Not stated |
| Tier 2 | Paper 2 | Statistics (JSO posts only) | 100 | 200 | See official notification | See official notification |
| Tier 2 | Paper 3 | General Studies, Finance & Economics (AAO/AO posts) | See official notification | See official notification | See official notification | See official notification |
DEST is mandatory for most posts, with exemptions for certain PwBD candidates.
Subject-wise SSC CGL Syllabus
General Intelligence & Reasoning
- Analogies, similarities and differences
- Space visualization and spatial orientation
- Problem solving, analysis, judgment and decision making
- Blood relations and direction sense
- Coding-decoding, number and alphabet series
- Syllogism and statement-conclusion
- Tier 2 level: semantic, symbolic and figural analogy, Venn diagrams, drawing inferences, puzzles, critical thinking, embedded figures, pattern folding
Quantitative Aptitude / Mathematical Abilities
- Number systems, percentages, ratio, interest, profit and loss
- Algebra: identities, surds, graphs of equations
- Geometry: triangle congruence and similarity, circles, polygons
- Mensuration: prism, cylinder, cone, sphere, pyramid
- Trigonometry: ratios, identities, heights and distances
- Statistics and probability: mean, median, mode, graphs, basic probability
English Language & Comprehension
- Reading comprehension (inference-based in Tier 2)
- Error spotting, sentence improvement and correction
- Fill in the blanks and cloze test
- Synonyms, antonyms, idioms and phrases, one-word substitution
- Active-passive voice, direct-indirect speech, tenses
- Para jumbles and spelling errors
General Awareness
- Current affairs, with a focus on the last 12 to 18 months
- Static GK: history, geography and general knowledge topics
- Polity: articles of the Constitution and constitutional bodies
- Economy: growth, inflation and policies
- Government schemes, important reports and indices
- Science and technology, environment
Computer Knowledge and DEST
- Computer basics: hardware, software, operating systems
- MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and shortcuts
- Internet, email, networking, cyber security (viruses, phishing)
- DEST: a typing speed and accuracy task of 2000 key depressions in 15 minutes
Statistics and Finance & Economics
For Paper 2 and Paper 3, the specialised topic lists are given in the official SSC notification. Read them there before planning for JSO or AAO/AO posts.
How Cut-offs Are Decided
No verified cut-off mark is listed in our source, so we do not quote one here. SSC cut-offs move with the number of vacancies, the difficulty of the paper, the number of candidates who appear, and the category-wise relaxation. The real figures appear in the official result PDF and in your individual score card on ssc.gov.in after each stage.
Recommended Books
- Quantitative Aptitude: R.S. Aggarwal; Advanced Maths by Rakesh Yadav
- Reasoning: Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning by R.S. Aggarwal
- English: Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis; High School English Grammar by Wren and Martin; Objective General English by S.P. Bakshi
- Polity: Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth
- Economy: Indian Economy by Ramesh Singh
- Static GK: Lucent's General Knowledge and NCERT books for history, geography and science
Preparation Strategy
Plan for four to six months of steady work, with five to six hours of study each day. Split the time between Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning, English and General Awareness, and give extra hours to your weakest section. Since Tier 2 carries the merit marks, move to Tier 2 level Mathematics and English early. Stay updated with current affairs and revise static GK and schemes regularly.
- First two months: finish the syllabus topic by topic.
- Next two months: take sectional tests and solve previous year papers.
- Final weeks: take timed full-length mocks several times a week and analyse every error.
- Practise typing daily if your post requires DEST.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
- Ignoring Tier 2: treat Tier 1 as qualifying but prepare for Tier 2 from the start.
- Skipping mocks: timed practice builds speed and accuracy.
- Guessing blindly: Tier 1 deducts 0.50 marks per wrong answer, so attempt only questions you can reason out.
- Neglecting English and GA: these carry 135 and 75 marks in Tier 2 Paper 1.
- Forgetting the qualifying tests: Computer Knowledge and DEST need regular practice.
- Not reading the notification: post-specific papers and negative marking rules for Tier 2 are given there.
Frequently Asked Questions — SSC CGL 2026 Syllabus
Tier 1 covers General Intelligence & Reasoning, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude and English Comprehension. Tier 2 includes Mathematical Abilities, Reasoning and General Intelligence, English Language & Comprehension, General Awareness, Computer Knowledge and a Data Entry Speed Test. Statistics (for JSO) and Finance & Economics (for AAO) apply to specific posts.
Tier 1 has four sections of 25 questions and 50 marks each, giving 100 questions and 200 marks in 60 minutes. Tier 2 Paper 1 has Mathematical Abilities (30 questions, 90 marks), Reasoning (30, 90), English (45, 135), General Awareness (25, 75) and a Computer Knowledge Test (20, 60). The Statistics paper has 100 questions and 200 marks. Check the official notification for the remaining durations.
Yes. Tier 1 deducts 0.50 marks for each wrong answer. Tier 2 also has negative marking, but the deduction for each module is not given in our source. Read the official notification and look for the module-wise negative marking details.
The exam follows a two-tier Computer-Based Test pattern. Tier 1 is the qualifying stage and Tier 2 is the scoring stage, which includes the qualifying Computer Knowledge Test and Data Entry Speed Test for relevant posts. For any later steps such as document verification, check the official notification.