SSC CGL Syllabus 2026-27 — Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 3 Complete Pattern
Last updated: 9 May 2026
SSC CGL 2026-27 — At a Glance
The Staff Selection Commission Combined Graduate Level (SSC CGL) examination recruits Group B and Group C officers across central government ministries and departments. SSC CGL 2026 has 4 stages: Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 3 (Descriptive), and Tier 4 (Skill Test for selected posts).
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | Staff Selection Commission (SSC) |
| Exam Cycle | Annual |
| Tier 1 Expected | May–June 2026 |
| Tier 2 Expected | October 2026 |
| Vacancies (typical) | ~17,000–20,000 |
| Eligibility | Graduate (any discipline), Age 18–32 |
| Selection | Tier 1 → Tier 2 → Tier 3 → Tier 4 + Document Verification |
SSC CGL Tier 1 — Pattern
Computer-Based Test, 100 MCQs in 60 minutes, 200 marks. Negative marking: -0.50 per wrong answer.
- General Intelligence & Reasoning — 25 Qs, 50 marks
- General Awareness (GK + Current Affairs) — 25 Qs, 50 marks
- Quantitative Aptitude — 25 Qs, 50 marks
- English Comprehension — 25 Qs, 50 marks
SSC CGL Tier 2 — Pattern
Multi-paper Computer-Based Test. Tier 2 has 3 sessions across 1 day.
- Session 1, Paper 1 — Quantitative Aptitude (30 Qs, 60 marks) + Reasoning & General Intelligence (30 Qs, 60 marks) + English Language (45 Qs, 135 marks) + General Awareness (25 Qs, 75 marks) + Computer Knowledge (20 Qs, 60 marks). Total ~150 minutes.
- Session 2, Paper 2 — Statistics (for JSO/SI posts only)
- Session 3, Paper 3 — General Studies — Finance & Economics (for AAO post only)
Negative marking: -1 mark per wrong MCQ in Tier 2 (vs -0.50 in Tier 1).
SSC CGL Tier 3 — Descriptive
Pen-and-paper descriptive test, 100 marks, 60 minutes. Includes letter writing, essay, application, precis. Available in Hindi or English.
SSC CGL Tier 4 — Skill / Computer Proficiency Test
Required for specific posts (DEST, CPT). Qualifying in nature.
Subject-wise Syllabus (Detailed)
General Intelligence & Reasoning
Analogies, similarities & differences, space visualization, spatial orientation, problem solving, analysis, judgement, decision making, visual memory, discrimination, observation, relationship concepts, arithmetical reasoning & figural classification, arithmetical number series, non-verbal series, coding-decoding, statement-conclusion, syllogistic reasoning, semantic analogy, symbolic/number analogy, semantic classification, symbolic/number classification, semantic series, problem solving, word building, coding & de-coding, numerical operations, symbolic operations, trends, space orientation, space visualization, Venn diagrams, drawing inferences, punched hole/pattern-folding & un-folding, figural pattern – folding and completion, indexing, address matching, date & city matching, classification of centre codes/roll numbers, embedded figures, critical thinking, emotional intelligence, social intelligence.
General Awareness
Indian History, Geography, Polity (Indian Constitution), Economy & Banking, General Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology), Sports, Awards & Honours, Important Days, Books & Authors, Static GK, Current Affairs (last 6–8 months focus).
Quantitative Aptitude
Whole numbers, decimal & fractions, ratio & proportion, percentage, profit & loss, discount, simple interest, compound interest, partnership, time & work, time & distance, square roots, averages, ages, mixture & allegation, basic algebraic identities, linear equations, triangle & its various kinds of centres, congruence & similarity of triangles, circle & its chords, tangents, regular polygons, right circular cylinder, right circular cone, sphere, hemispheres, rectangular parallelepiped, regular right pyramid with triangular or square base, trigonometric ratio, complementary angles, heights & distances, histogram, frequency polygon, bar diagram, pie chart.
English Comprehension
Reading comprehension, error spotting, sentence improvement, fill in the blanks, synonyms & antonyms, idioms & phrases, one word substitution, active & passive voice, direct & indirect narration, cloze test, para jumbles, spelling correction.
How to Prepare for SSC CGL 2026 — 6-Month Plan
- Months 1-2: Build foundation in all 4 sections. Daily 30 MCQs per section. Read newspaper for current affairs.
- Months 3-4: Topic-wise practice (1500+ MCQs per subject). Take sectional mocks weekly.
- Months 5-6: 4 full-length Tier 1 mocks per week. Daily revision of weak areas. Last-month strategy: time management drills + GK revision.
Recommended programme: Sankalp 2026 — Year-Long Target Course covers SSC CGL Tier 1 + Tier 2 with daily MCQ practice, weekly mocks, and personalised mentoring.