SSC CGL 2026 Exam Details 2026

SSC published the CGL 2026 notice on 21 May 2026 for approximately 12,256 Group B and Group C vacancies. Online applications closed on 22 June 2026 and the CBE was scheduled tentatively for August-September 2026. Verify post preferences, age limits and pay level in the official SSC notice before applying.

To ace the SSC CGL 2026 exam , candidates make sure they clearly understand the SSC Exam Pattern and Syllabus 2026. The CGL 2026 syllabus helps candidates know all the topics that will be asked in the exam. Check the table below for a brief detail on the SSC Combined Graduate Level Syllabus and Exam Pattern 2026. \n\n| Particulars | Details | Name of the Board | Staff Selection Commission | Post Name |\n| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |\n| Combined Graduate Level | Examination Name | SSC CGL | Mode of Exam | |\n| Online Mode | Nature of Exam | Qualifying | Number of Tiers | |\n| Tier 1, Tier 2 | Number of Questions (Tier 1) | 100 | Number of Marks | |\n| Tier 1: 200 Marks <br> Tier 2: 450 Marks for Paper I, 200 marks each for Paper II & III | Type of Questions | MCQ (Objective Type) | Exam Duration | Tier 1: 1 Hour <br> Tier 2: 2 Hours 30 Minutes for Paper I, 2 hours each for Paper II & III |\n| Exam Language | | | | |\n\n Hindi & English

The SSC CGL exam pattern clearly explains how the exam is conducted including its different stages and the distribution of marks. Since the SSC CGL selection process includes Tier 1 and Tier 2, the exam pattern is made according to each stage. To get a better understanding of the overall exam, candidates should go through both Tier 1 and Tier 2 exam patterns in detail. The complete structure of the exam is provided here.

The SSC CGL Tier 1 is the first stage of the selection process. The exam is conducted online for 60 minutes and consists of objective type questions. A negative marking of 0.5 marks is done for each wrong answer. This stage is qualifying in nature so its marks are not included in the final merit list. However, clearing this stage is necessary for candidates to move to Tier 2. Refer to the table below for a clear understanding of the exam pattern. \n\n| Subject | Number of Questions | Total Marks | Section Timing | Total Time Duration |\n| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |\n| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 25 | 50 | 15 minutes | 60 Minutes |\n| General Awareness | 25 | 50 | 15 minutes | |\n| Quantitative Aptitude (Maths) | 25 | 50 | 15 minutes | |\n| English Comprehension | 25 | 50 | 15 minutes | |\n| Total | 100 | 200 | - | - |

Unlike Tier 1, this stage is merit-based, so candidates need to perform well to be included in the final list. The SSC CGL Tier 2 exam pattern 2026 explains the structure and process of the second stage of the exam. Tier 2 consists of 3 papers i.e. Paper I which is compulsory for all candidates and Paper II for those applying for the Junior Statistical Officer post and Paper III for Assistant Audit Officer.  \n\n In Tier-II, negative marking is 1 mark for each wrong answer in Section-I, Section-II and Section-III of Paper-I. Section-III (Computer) and Section-IV (DEST Typing) are mandatory but qualifying in nature, with higher qualifying standards for some posts. For Paper-II and Paper-III, 0.50 marks will be deducted for each incorrect answer. \n\n| Paper/Session | Section/Module | Subject | Number of Question | Marks |\n| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |\n| Time Allowed | Paper - I (Session-I) | Section-I | A: Mathematical Abilities <br> B: Reasoning & General Intelligence | |\n| 30 each | 180 (3 marks each) | 1 Hour ( Sectional timer: 30 mins per subject) | Section-II | |\n| A: English Language & Comprehension (ELC) <br> B: General Awareness (GA) | ELC: 45 marks <br> GA: 25 | 210 (3 marks each) | 1 Hour ( Sectional timer: 40 mins for English, 20 mins for GA) | Section-III |\n| Computer Knowledge Test | 20 | 60 (3 marks each) | 15 Minutes | |\n| Paper-I <br> (Session-II) | Section-IV | Data Entry Speed Test (DEST) | - | - |\n| 15 Minutes (Passage of ~2000 key depressions) | Paper-II | - | Statistics (Only for JSO/Statistical Investigator) | 100 |\n| 200 (2 marks each) | 2 Hours | Paper-III | - | |\n| General Studies (Finance & Economics) (Only for AAO) | 100 | 200 (2 marks each) | 2 Hours | |

The SSC CGL Syllabus for Tier 1 and Tier 2 includes subjects like General Intelligence & Reasoning, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude and English Comprehension. The syllabus checks candidates’ skills in mathematics, logical reasoning, English language and current affairs. Topics such as Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Grammar and Verbal/Non-Verbal Reasoning are important parts of the exam. Tier 2 also includes Computer Knowledge and Data Entry Skill Test topics.

The SSC CGL Syllabus for Tier 1 consists of 4 key sections. It tests general aptitude knowledge of the candidates. Knowing the SSC CGL Tier 1 syllabus 2026 will help candidates focus on important topics and prepare effectively for the first stage of the Combined Graduate Level Examination. \n\n SSC CGL Maths Syllabus \n\n- Discount \n\n- Averages \n\n- Circle and its chords \n\n- Trigonometric ratio \n\n- Angles subtended by chords of a circle \n\n- Histogram \n\n- Regular Right Pyramid with triangular or square base \n\n- Interest \n\n- Heights and Distances \n\n- Bar diagram & Pie chart \n\n- Ratio & Proportion \n\n- Percentage \n\n- Triangle, Quadrilaterals \n\n- Standard Identities \n\n- Congruence and similarity of triangles \n\n- Regular Polygons \n\n- Complementary angles \n\n- Degree and Radian Measures \n\n- Graphs of Linear Equations \n\n- Common tangents to two or more circles \n\n- Frequency polygon \n\n- Right circular cone \n\n- Basic algebraic identities of School Algebra & Elementary surds \n\n- Profit & Loss \n\n- Prism \n\n- Rectangular Parallelepiped \n\n- Time & Work \n\n- Partnership Business \n\n- Time and distance \n\n- Triangle and its various kinds of centers \n\n- Sphere \n\n- Square roots \n\n- Mixture and Alligation \n\n- Hemispheres \n\n- Right circular cylinder \n\n SSC CGL Reasoning Syllabus \n\n- Spatial Orientation \n\n- Discrimination \n\n- Problem Solving \n\n- Indexing \n\n- Critical Thinking \n\n- Observation \n\n- Coding and Decoding \n\n- Symbolic/Number Classification \n\n- Word Building \n\n- Space Visualisation \n\n- Statement Conclusion \n\n- Non-Verbal Series \n\n- Semantic Classification \n\n- Address Matching \n\n- Emotional Intelligence \n\n- Social Intelligence \n\n- Relationship Concepts \n\n- Syllogistic Reasoning \n\n- Venn Diagrams \n\n- Date and City Matching \n\n SSC CGL General Awareness \n\n- India and its neighboring countries (History, Culture, Geography, Economic Scene) \n\n- Books and Authors \n\n- Important Days and Events \n\n- Portfolio of Ministers \n\n- Static GK \n\n- Science and Technology \n\n- Indian and World Geography \n\n- Current Affairs \n\n- Sports Affairs and Personalities \n\n- Government Schemes and Policies \n\n- People in News \n\n- Polity and Economy in India \n\n SSC CGL English Syllabus \n\n- Sentence Improvement \n\n- Active and Passive Voice \n\n- Error Spotting \n\n- Reading Comprehension \n\n- Fill in the Blanks \n\n- One Word Substitution \n\n- Cloze Test \n\n- Sentence Rearrangement \n\n- Direct and Indirect Speech \n\n- Synonyms and Antonyms \n\n- Spelling Correction \n\n- Idioms and Phrases \n\n- Sentence Correction

SSC CGL Tier 2 Syllabus 2026 tests skills in analysis, statistics, and finance. Paper I is compulsory for all and covers Math Abilities, Reasoning, English, General Awareness and Computer Knowledge. Paper II is for Junior Statistical Officer applicants (advanced Statistics) while Paper III is for Audit/Accounts Officer posts (Finance & Economics studies). Candidates can check complete subject wise topics for Tier 2 below. \n\n SSC CGL Mathematical Abilities Syllabus \n\n- Computation of Whole Numbers \n\n- Decimals and Fractions \n\n- Relationship between Numbers \n\n- Percentages \n\n- Ratio and Proportion \n\n- Square Roots \n\n- Averages \n\n- Interest (Simple and Compound) \n\n- Profit and Loss \n\n- Discount \n\n- Partnership Business \n\n- Mixture and Alligation \n\n- Time and Distance \n\n- Time and Work \n\n- Basic Algebraic Identities of School Algebra \n\n- Elementary Surds (Simple Problems) \n\n- Graphs of Linear Equations \n\n- Familiarity with Elementary Geometric Figures and Facts \n\n- Triangle and its Various Kinds of Centres \n\n- Congruence and Similarity of Triangles \n\n- Circle and its Chords, Tangents, and Angles Subtended by Chords \n\n- Common Tangents to Two or More Circles \n\n- Triangle, Quadrilaterals, Regular Polygons, and Circle \n\n- Right Prism, Right Circular Cone, Right Circular Cylinder, Sphere, and Hemispheres \n\n SSC CGL General Intelligence and Reasoning Syllabus \n\n- Symbolic/Number Analogy \n\n- Punched Hole/Pattern Folding & Unfolding \n\n- Numerical Operations \n\n- Semantic Series \n\n- Figural Series \n\n- Embedded Figures \n\n- Venn Diagrams \n\n- Puzzles \n\n- Emotional Intelligence \n\n- Symbolic/Number Classification \n\n- Word Building \n\n- Figural Pattern Folding and Completion \n\n SSC CGL English Syllabus \n\n- Active and Passive Voice \n\n- Sentence Structure \n\n- One-word Substitution \n\n- Synonyms and Antonyms \n\n- Shuffling of Sentence Parts \n\n- Cloze Passage \n\n- Homonyms \n\n- Idioms and Phrases \n\n- Grammar \n\n- Improvement of Sentences \n\n- Comprehension Passage \n\n- Fill in the Blanks \n\n- Shuffling of Sentences in a Passage \n\n- Spot the Error \n\n- Direct and Indirect Speech \n\n- Spelling/Detecting Misspelled Words \n\n SSC CGL Paper II Syllabus \n\n- Primary and Secondary data, Methods of data collection  \n\n- Tabulation of data \n\n- Graphs and charts \n\n- Frequency distributions \n\n- Diagrammatic presentation of frequency distributions. \n\n- Common measures of central tendency: mean, median and mode \n\n- Partition values: quartiles, deciles, percentiles \n\n- Common measures of dispersion: range, quartile deviation, mean deviation and standard deviation \n\n- Measures of relative dispersion. \n\n- Types of moments and their relationship; meaning of skewness and kurtosis \n\n- Measures of skewness and kurtosis \n\n- Scatter diagram \n\n- simple correlation coefficient \n\n- simple regression lines \n\n- Spearman’s rank correlation \n\n- Measures of association of attributes \n\n- Multiple regression \n\n- Multiple and partial correlation (for three variables only). \n\n- Meaning and different definitions of probability \n\n- Conditional probability \n\n- Compound probability \n\n- Independent events \n\n- Bayes’ theorem. \n\n- Random variable \n\n- Probability functions \n\n- Expectation and variance \n\n- Higher moments \n\n- Binomial, Poisson, normal and exponential distributions \n\n- Joint distribution of two random variables (discrete). \n\n- Concept of population and sample \n\n- Parameter and statistic \n\n- Sampling and non-sampling errors \n\n- Probability and non-probability sampling techniques \n\n- Point and interval estimation \n\n- Properties of a good estimator \n\n- Methods of estimation (moments, maximum likelihood, least squares) \n\n- Hypothesis testing \n\n- Z, t, chi-square and F tests \n\n SSC CGL Tier 2 Paper 3 Syllabus \n\n Below are the complete details of Part A - Finance and Accounts for SSC CGL Tier 2. \n\n- Fundamental principles and basic concepts of accounting. \n\n- Nature and scope, limitations, basic concepts and conventions and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) \n\n- Single and double entry system, books of original entry, bank reconciliation, journal, ledger, trial balance and rectification of errors. \n\n- Manufacturing account, trading account, profit and loss appropriation account and balance sheet. \n\n- Capital and revenue expenditure, depreciation accounting and valuation of inventories. \n\n- Non-profit organisation accounts, receipts and payments account, income and expenditure account, bills of exchange and self-balancing ledgers. \n\n The table below contains Part B syllabus of SSC CGL Tier 2 Paper 3 Exam. \n\n- Constitutional provisions, role and responsibilities. \n\n- Finance Commission – Role and functions. \n\n- Basic Concept of Economics and Microeconomics – Definition, scope, and nature of economics; methods of economic study; central problems of an economy; production possibility curve. \n\n- Theory of Demand and Supply – Meaning and determinants of demand, law of demand; elasticity of demand (price, income, and cross elasticity), consumer behaviour (Marshallian and indifference curve approach), meaning and determinants of supply, law of supply, elasticity of supply. \n\n- Theory of Production and Cost – Meaning and factors of production, law of variable proportions, laws of returns to scale. \n\n- Forms of Market and Price Determination – Perfect competition, monopoly, monopolistic competition, oligopoly and price determination in these markets. \n\n- Indian Economy – Role of agriculture, industry, and services, national income concepts and measurement methods, population size and growth, poverty and unemployment, infrastructure (energy, transport, communication). \n\n- Economic Reforms in India – Liberalisation, privatisation, globalisation, and disinvestment since 1991. \n\n- Money and Banking – Role and functions of RBI, functions of commercial banks, RRBs, and payment banks, monetary and fiscal policy; budget, fiscal deficits, balance of payments; FRBM Act, 2003.

CGL is a computer-based recruitment examination with Tier-I and Tier-II stages. Preparation should balance quantitative aptitude, reasoning, English, general awareness, computer awareness and post-specific modules where applicable.

The core education requirement is a Bachelor's Degree from a recognized University or equivalent. Some posts may have additional age, physical, statistical or subject requirements, so candidates should match eligibility post by post.