SSC CGL Syllabus 2026: Tier 1 and Tier 2 Subject-Wise Topics, Exam Pattern and PDF Download

The Staff Selection Commission conducts the Combined Graduate Level Examination in two tiers — Tier-I and Tier-II — under the Notice of Advertisement for Combined Graduate Level Examination 2026 (F. No. HQ-C11018/1/2026-C-1, uploaded on ssc.gov.in on 21 May 2026). Tier-I has 100 questions for 200 marks in 1 hour, with a 15-minute sectional timer for each of its four subjects. Tier-II Paper-I, which is compulsory for all posts, has 150 questions for 450 marks, plus the Data Entry Speed Test. This guide gives the complete subject-wise SSC CGL Syllabus 2026 for Tier-I and Tier-II, the exam pattern with the 2026 sectional timers, and the full syllabus of Paper-II (Statistics) and Paper-III (Finance and Economics) — all taken verbatim from paras 13.8 to 13.11 of the official notification. Candidates can also read our SSC CGL salary per month in hand guide.

SSC CGL Syllabus 2026 – Overview

SSC CGL Tier 1 Exam Pattern 2026

Tier-I is an objective, multiple-choice, computer-based examination. It has four subjects of 25 questions and 50 marks each. The key change in 2026 is the sectional timer: each subject gets 15 minutes, and a candidate cannot move to the next section until the timer for the current one ends. There is negative marking of 0.50 marks for each wrong answer (para 13.8.2).

Level of questions. Questions in General Intelligence and Reasoning, General Awareness and English Comprehension are of graduation level, while Quantitative Aptitude questions are of 10th standard level (para 13.10.5). Scribe-eligible candidates get 1 hour 20 minutes, with a sectional timer of 20 minutes for each subject.

SSC CGL Tier 1 Syllabus 2026 – Subject-Wise Topics

General Intelligence and Reasoning. Questions of both verbal and non-verbal type: analogies, similarities and differences, space visualization, spatial orientation, problem solving, analysis, judgment, decision making, visual memory, discrimination, observation, relationship concepts, arithmetical reasoning and figural classification, arithmetic number series, non-verbal series, coding and decoding, statement conclusion and syllogistic reasoning. The notification lists the topics as 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 and decoding, Numerical Operations, symbolic Operations, Trends, Space Orientation, Space Visualization, Venn Diagrams, Drawing inferences, Punched hole/pattern-folding and unfolding, Figural Pattern-folding and completion, Indexing, Address matching, Date and city matching, Classification of centre codes/roll numbers, Small and Capital letters/numbers coding, decoding and classification, Embedded Figures, Critical thinking, Emotional Intelligence and Social Intelligence.

General Awareness. Questions test general awareness of the environment around the candidate and its application to society, knowledge of current events, and matters of everyday observation and experience in their scientific aspect. The test also includes questions relating to India and its neighbouring countries, especially History, Culture, Geography, Economic Scene, General Policy and Scientific Research.

Quantitative Aptitude. Computation of whole numbers, decimals, fractions and relationships between numbers; Percentage, Ratio and Proportion, Square roots, Averages, Interest, Profit and Loss, Discount, Partnership Business, Mixture and Alligation, Time and distance, Time and Work, Basic algebraic identities of School Algebra and Elementary surds, Graphs of Linear Equations, Triangle and its various kinds of centres, Congruence and similarity of triangles, Circle and its chords, tangents, angles subtended by chords of a circle, common tangents to two or more circles, Triangle, Quadrilaterals, Regular Polygons, Circle, Right Prism, Right Circular Cone, Right Circular Cylinder, Sphere, Hemispheres, Rectangular Parallelepiped, Regular Right Pyramid with triangular or square base, Trigonometric ratio, Degree and Radian Measures, Standard Identities, Complementary angles, Heights and Distances, Histogram, Frequency polygon, Bar diagram and Pie chart.

English Comprehension. The candidate’s ability to understand correct English, basic comprehension and writing ability is tested.

SSC CGL Tier 2 Exam Pattern 2026 – Paper I

Tier-II Paper-I is compulsory for all posts and is conducted in two sessions on the same day. Session-I lasts 2 hours 15 minutes and covers Sections I, II and III; Session-II lasts 15 minutes and covers Section-IV, the Data Entry Speed Test. It is mandatory to qualify all sections of Paper-I separately (para 13.9.6). Negative marking is 1 mark for each wrong answer in Sections I, II and III of Paper-I (para 13.9.8).

Computer Knowledge Test. Section-III is mandatory for all posts but qualifying in nature. Higher qualifying standards apply for posts where computer proficiency is prescribed, such as Assistant Section Officer in CSS, MEA and AFHQ, Assistant in the Serious Fraud Investigation Office, Assistant in the Geological Survey of India, Assistant in the India Meteorological Department, Inspector (CGST and Central Excise), Inspector (Preventive Officer), Inspector (Examiner), Executive Assistant in CBIC, and Postal Assistant/Sorting Assistant.

Data Entry Speed Test (DEST). Section-IV is a skill test of about 2,000 key depressions in 15 minutes. It is mandatory for all posts but qualifying in nature. Higher DEST standards apply for Tax Assistant in CBIC, Tax Assistant in CBDT, UDC/SSA in the Central Bureau of Narcotics, and the computer-proficiency posts named above. PwBD-OH candidates can be exempted from DEST with a certificate from the competent medical authority declaring them permanently unfit for the typing test, except for posts where computer proficiency or DEST is prescribed (other than Tax Assistant in CBDT).

SSC CGL Tier 2 Syllabus 2026 – Paper I

Mathematical Abilities (Section-I, Part A). Number Systems (computation of whole numbers, decimals and fractions, relationships between numbers); Fundamental arithmetical operations (percentages, ratio and proportion, square roots, averages, simple and compound interest, profit and loss, discount, partnership business, mixture and alligation, time and distance, time and work); Algebra (basic algebraic identities of School Algebra, elementary surds, graphs of linear equations); Geometry (elementary geometric figures and facts; triangle and its various kinds of centres, congruence and similarity of triangles, circle and its chords, tangents, angles subtended by chords of a circle, common tangents to two or more circles); Mensuration (triangle, quadrilaterals, regular polygons, circle, right prism, right circular cone, right circular cylinder, sphere, hemispheres, rectangular parallelepiped, regular right pyramid with triangular or square base); Trigonometry (trigonometric ratios, complementary angles, heights and distances — simple problems only — standard identities such as sin2θ + cos2θ = 1); Statistics and probability (histogram, frequency polygon, bar-diagram, pie-chart; mean, median, mode and standard deviation; calculation of simple probabilities). Questions in this part are of Matriculation level.

Reasoning and General Intelligence (Section-I, Part B). Questions of both verbal and non-verbal type: Semantic Analogy, Symbolic operations, Symbolic/Number Analogy, Trends, Figural Analogy, Space Orientation, Semantic Classification, Venn Diagrams, Symbolic/Number Classification, Drawing inferences, Figural Classification, Punched hole/pattern-folding and unfolding, Semantic Series, Figural Pattern-folding and completion, Number Series, Embedded figures, Figural Series, Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, Emotional Intelligence, Word Building, Social Intelligence, Coding and decoding, Numerical operations, and other sub-topics if any.

English Language and Comprehension (Section-II, Part A). Vocabulary, grammar, sentence structure, synonyms, antonyms and their correct usage; Spot the Error, Fill in the Blanks, Synonyms/Homonyms, Antonyms, Spellings/Detecting mis-spelt words, Idioms and 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, Comprehension Passage. To test comprehension, three or more paragraphs are given — at least one simple paragraph based on a book or a story, and the other two on current affairs, based on a report or an editorial. Questions in this part are of 10+2 level.

General Awareness (Section-II, Part B). Questions are designed to test general awareness of the environment and its application to society, knowledge of current events, and matters of everyday observation and experience in their scientific aspect. The test also includes questions relating to India and its neighbouring countries, especially History, Culture, Geography, Economic Scene, General policy and scientific research.

Computer Knowledge (Section-III). Computer Basics (organisation of a computer, Central Processing Unit, input/output devices, computer memory, memory organisation, back-up devices, PORTs, Windows Explorer, keyboard shortcuts); Software (Windows operating system, basics of Microsoft Office — MS Word, MS Excel and PowerPoint); Working with Internet and e-mails (web browsing and searching, downloading and uploading, managing an e-mail account, e-banking); Basics of networking and cyber security (networking devices and protocols, network and information security threats such as hacking, virus, worms and Trojan, and preventive measures).

SSC CGL Tier 2 Syllabus 2026 – Paper II and Paper III

Paper-II (Statistics) — 100 questions, 200 marks, 2 hours, negative marking 0.50. Paper-II is only for candidates who applied and were shortlisted for the posts of Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) in the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation and Statistical Investigator Grade-II in the office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India. The syllabus covers Collection, Classification and Presentation of Statistical Data; Measures of Central Tendency; Measures of Dispersion; Moments, Skewness and Kurtosis; Correlation and Regression; Probability Theory; Random Variable and Probability Distributions; Sampling Theory; Statistical Inference; Analysis of Variance; Time Series Analysis; and Index Numbers. Questions are of Graduation level.

Paper-III (General Studies – Finance and Economics) — 100 questions, 200 marks, 2 hours, negative marking 0.50. Paper-III is only for candidates shortlisted in Tier-I for the posts of Assistant Audit Officer and Assistant Accounts Officer. Part A, Finance and Accounts (80 marks), covers fundamental principles and basic concepts of accounting, financial accounting (nature and scope, limitations, basic concepts and conventions, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles), and basic concepts of accounting (single and double entry, books of original entry, bank reconciliation, journal, ledgers, trial balance, rectification of errors, manufacturing, trading, profit and loss appropriation accounts, balance sheet, distinction between capital and revenue expenditure, depreciation accounting, valuation of inventories, non-profit organisations accounts, bills of exchange, self-balancing ledgers). Part B, Economics and Governance (120 marks), covers the Comptroller and Auditor General of India; the Finance Commission; basic concepts of economics and micro economics; theory of demand and supply; theory of production and cost; forms of market and price determination; the Indian economy (nature, role of agriculture, industry and services, national income, population, poverty and unemployment, infrastructure); economic reforms in India since 1991 (liberalisation, privatisation, globalisation, disinvestment); money and banking (monetary/fiscal policy, role of the Reserve Bank of India, functions of commercial banks, RRBs and payment banks, budget and fiscal deficits, balance of payments, FRBM Act 2003); and the role of information technology in governance. Questions are of Graduation level.

How to Download the SSC CGL Syllabus 2026 PDF

Follow these steps for the ssc cgl syllabus 2026 pdf download from the official SSC website.

1. Visit the official SSC website at ssc.gov.in.
2. Open the Notice Board and find the Notice of Advertisement for Combined Graduate Level Examination 2026.
3. Download the notification PDF — the direct link is https://ssc.gov.in/api/attachment/uploads/masterData/NoticeBoards/Notice_of_adv_cgl_2026.pdf.
4. Go to paras 13.8 to 13.11 for the complete Tier-I and Tier-II exam pattern and syllabus.

Exam dates. The notification gives the tentative schedule as Tier-I in August–September 2026 and Tier-II in December 2026. The exact dates are announced separately on ssc.gov.in. Candidates can also read our SSC CGL answer key 2026 update and the SSC GD syllabus 2027 guide.

Important Links

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the SSC CGL Syllabus 2026 for Tier 1?

Tier-I has four subjects of 25 questions and 50 marks each: General Intelligence and Reasoning, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude and English Comprehension. The paper has 100 questions for 200 marks in 1 hour, with a 15-minute sectional timer for each subject and negative marking of 0.50 marks per wrong answer.

What is the SSC CGL Tier 2 exam pattern 2026?

Tier-II Paper-I is compulsory for all posts and has 150 questions for 450 marks: Section-I (Mathematical Abilities and Reasoning) 60 questions and 180 marks in 1 hour, Section-II (English and General Awareness) 70 questions and 210 marks in 1 hour, Section-III (Computer Knowledge) 20 questions and 60 marks in 15 minutes, and Section-IV (Data Entry Speed Test) in 15 minutes. Paper-II (Statistics) and Paper-III (Finance and Economics) are for JSO and AAO posts only, with 100 questions and 200 marks each in 2 hours.

How can I download the SSC CGL Syllabus 2026 PDF?

For the ssc cgl syllabus 2026 pdf download, open the official SSC website at ssc.gov.in, go to the Notice Board, and download the Notice of Advertisement for Combined Graduate Level Examination 2026. The syllabus and exam pattern are at paras 13.8 to 13.11 of the notification PDF.

Is there negative marking in SSC CGL 2026?

Yes. In Tier-I, 0.50 marks are deducted for each wrong answer. In Tier-II, 1 mark is deducted for each wrong answer in Sections I, II and III of Paper-I, and 0.50 marks for each wrong answer in Paper-II and Paper-III. There is no negative marking in the Data Entry Speed Test.

What is the DEST in SSC CGL Tier 2?

DEST is the Data Entry Speed Test, Section-IV of Tier-II Paper-I. It is a skill test of about 2,000 key depressions in 15 minutes, conducted in Session-II on the same day as Session-I. It is mandatory for all posts but qualifying in nature, and higher standards apply for Tax Assistant and computer-proficiency posts.

How many vacancies are there in SSC CGL 2026?

The notification lists approximately 12,256 tentative vacancies for Group B and Group C posts across ministries, departments and organisations of the Government of India. Updated post-wise and category-wise vacancies are published on the SSC website under Tentative Vacancy.

What is Paper 2 and Paper 3 in SSC CGL Tier 2?

Paper-II (Statistics) is only for candidates shortlisted for Junior Statistical Officer and Statistical Investigator Grade-II posts, and Paper-III (General Studies – Finance and Economics) is only for candidates shortlisted for Assistant Audit Officer and Assistant Accounts Officer posts. Both papers have 100 questions for 200 marks in 2 hours, with negative marking of 0.50 marks.

What is the time duration of SSC CGL Tier 1 and Tier 2?

Tier-I lasts 1 hour, with a 15-minute sectional timer for each of the four subjects. Tier-II Paper-I Session-I lasts 2 hours 15 minutes (Section-I 1 hour, Section-II 1 hour, Section-III 15 minutes) and Session-II (DEST) lasts 15 minutes. Paper-II and Paper-III each last 2 hours.

What is the age limit and qualification for SSC CGL 2026?

Candidates need a Bachelor’s degree from a recognised university. The age limit is mostly 18 to 30 years, with post-wise variations: 18 to 32 years for Junior Statistical Officer, 18 to 27 years for Auditor, Accountant, Tax Assistant and other Group C posts, and 20 to 30 years for Assistant Section Officer in CSS, MEA, Railways and AFHQ. Category-wise age relaxation applies as per government rules.

When will the SSC CGL 2026 Tier 1 and Tier 2 exams be held?

The notification gives the tentative schedule as Tier-I in August–September 2026 and Tier-II in December 2026. The exact dates are announced separately on the SSC website at ssc.gov.in.

For more government jobs and daily updates, browse the Latest Jobs section of New Sarkari Results, and always verify the syllabus and exam pattern in the official SSC CGL 2026 notification on ssc.gov.in.

Written by Ravi Singh

Ravi Singh is the Editor (Government Jobs) at New Sarkari Results, an independent information portal for Sarkari Result, Sarkari Naukri, admit card, answer key, syllabus and admission updates. He has 10+ years of experience covering Government Jobs, Railway Jobs, SSC, Banking, Teaching, Police, Defence and state recruitment boards. Every update on this site is verified directly from the official notification PDF issued by the commission or board — never from third-party aggregators.