SSC CGL 2026 Syllabus & Exam Pattern: Tier 1 and Tier 2
Complete SSC CGL 2026 syllabus and exam pattern. Tier 1 has 100 questions for 200 marks (qualifying) with sectional timing; Tier 2 decides the final merit. Subjects: Reasoning, GK, Quantitative Aptitude and English.
Overview
| Organization | Staff Selection Commission (SSC) |
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SSC CGL 2026 is a two-tier computer-based examination. Tier 1 is qualifying; the final merit is based on Tier 2.
Tier 1 Exam Pattern
100 questions, 200 marks, 60 minutes total, with 15-minute sectional timing and 0.50 negative marking per wrong answer.
- General Intelligence & Reasoning — 25 questions / 50 marks
- General Awareness — 25 questions / 50 marks
- Quantitative Aptitude — 25 questions / 50 marks
- English Comprehension — 25 questions / 50 marks
Tier 2 Exam Pattern
Paper 1 is compulsory for all posts (conducted in two sessions, including Module on Computer Knowledge and a qualifying Data Entry Speed Test). Paper 2 is only for Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) / Statistical Investigator posts. Negative marking is 1 mark in the main sections of Paper 1 and 0.50 in Paper 2. Always confirm the exact paper structure in the official notification.
Key Topics
Quantitative Aptitude: percentage, ratio & proportion, profit & loss, SI & CI, time & work, speed-time-distance, geometry, mensuration, algebra, trigonometry and data interpretation.
Reasoning: analogy, coding-decoding, series, syllogism, blood relations, direction sense, Venn diagrams, seating arrangement and non-verbal reasoning.
English: reading comprehension, grammar, vocabulary, synonyms/antonyms, error spotting and sentence improvement.
General Awareness: history, geography, polity, economics, general science and current affairs.
Important Links
Frequently Asked Questions
Is SSC CGL Tier 1 counted in the final merit?
No. Tier 1 is qualifying only; the final merit is prepared on the basis of Tier 2 marks.
What is the negative marking in SSC CGL Tier 1?
0.50 marks are deducted for each wrong answer in Tier 1.
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