The SSC CGL syllabus has two written stages. Tier 1 is a 100-question screening test on reasoning, general awareness, maths and English. Tier 2 Paper 1 goes deeper into the same four areas and adds computer knowledge and a data entry test, while two extra papers apply only to statistical and audit posts.
The biggest change in the 2026 notification is sectional timing: each part of the paper now has its own fixed time, and you cannot carry spare minutes from one section to another. Plan your practice around that.
SSC CGL syllabus at a glance
| Point | Tier 1 | Tier 2 Paper 1 |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Screening for Tier 2 | Main merit paper |
| Subjects | Reasoning, GA, maths, English | Same four plus computer knowledge and DEST |
| Questions | 100 | 150 objective questions plus the typing task |
| Marks per question | 2 | 3 |
| Penalty per wrong answer | 0.50 | 1 |
| Level | Graduate, mostly Class 10 to 12 concepts | Graduate, deeper and longer questions |
SSC CGL Tier 1 exam pattern
| Section | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Intelligence and Reasoning | 25 | 50 | 15 minutes |
| General Awareness | 25 | 50 | 15 minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 50 | 15 minutes |
| English Comprehension | 25 | 50 | 15 minutes |
| Total | 100 | 200 | 60 minutes |
Each correct answer gives 2 marks and each wrong answer costs 0.50 mark. Scribe candidates get 20 minutes per section. Tier 1 is used to shortlist for Tier 2; its marks do not go into the final merit.
SSC CGL Tier 2 exam pattern
Paper 1 is compulsory for every candidate. It is held in two sessions on the same day.
| Section and module | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Section I, Module I: Mathematical Abilities | 30 | 90 | 30 minutes |
| Section I, Module II: Reasoning and General Intelligence | 30 | 90 | 30 minutes |
| Section II, Module I: English Language and Comprehension | 45 | 135 | 40 minutes |
| Section II, Module II: General Awareness | 25 | 75 | 20 minutes |
| Section III, Module I: Computer Knowledge | 20 | 60 | 15 minutes |
| Section III, Module II: Data Entry Speed Test (Session II) | One passage | Qualifying | 15 minutes |
Each question in Paper 1 carries 3 marks, with a 1-mark deduction for a wrong answer in Sections I, II and the computer module. Section III is qualifying. Sections I and II decide your merit.
- Paper 2 (Statistics): for Junior Statistical Officer and Statistical Investigator Grade II applicants. 100 questions, 200 marks, 2 hours, 0.50 mark negative.
- Paper 3 (General Studies, Finance and Economics): added in 2026 for Assistant Audit Officer and Assistant Accounts Officer applicants. 100 questions, 200 marks, 2 hours, 0.50 mark negative. Its marks count in the merit for those posts.
Sectional timing applies to Paper 1 only; Papers 2 and 3 are single blocks.
Topic-wise syllabus
Quantitative Aptitude and Mathematical Abilities
- Arithmetic: number system, percentage, ratio and proportion, averages, simple and compound interest, profit, loss and discount, partnership, mixture, time and work, time and distance.
- Algebra: basic identities, linear equations, graphs of linear equations.
- Geometry: triangles and their centres, congruence and similarity, circles, chords, tangents.
- Mensuration: area and volume of 2D and 3D shapes.
- Trigonometry: ratios, standard identities, heights and distances.
- Data interpretation: tables, bar graphs, pie charts, histograms. Tier 2 also has basic statistics and probability.
General Intelligence and Reasoning
- Verbal: analogy, classification, series, coding-decoding, blood relations, direction sense, order and ranking, syllogism, statement and conclusion.
- Non-verbal: mirror and water images, paper folding and cutting, embedded figures, figure series, counting figures, dice.
- Others: Venn diagrams, matrix, missing numbers, word building, critical thinking and problem solving.
English Comprehension
The SSC CGL English syllabus covers spotting errors, sentence improvement, fill in the blanks, synonyms and antonyms, spelling, idioms and phrases, one-word substitution, active and passive voice, direct and indirect speech, para jumbles, cloze tests and reading comprehension. Tier 2 has more passages and longer questions, so daily reading helps more than memorising word lists.
General Awareness
History, Indian culture, geography, Indian polity and constitution, economy, general science, and current affairs on India and its neighbours. Tier 2 questions are a little more factual and detailed.
Computer Knowledge
Computer basics and hardware, operating systems, MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint, internet and email, networking basics and cyber security.
Statistics (Paper 2) and Finance and Economics (Paper 3)
Paper 2 covers data collection and display, central tendency, dispersion, correlation and regression, probability, random variables, sampling, statistical inference, time series and index numbers. Paper 3 covers basic accounting and financial accounting, plus economics and governance topics such as the role of the Comptroller and Auditor General, the Finance Commission, demand and supply, and the Indian economy. Read the notification annexure for the full lists.
How to get the official syllabus PDF
- Go to ssc.gov.in and open the CGL notice for the current cycle.
- Download the notification PDF. The scheme of exam and syllabus are inside it, usually as an annexure.
- Save the PDF and mark the sections that apply to the posts you chose.
That PDF is free on the official site, so you do not need to pay any website for a syllabus file. Old 2024 or 2025 PDFs do not show the new sectional timing or Paper 3.
Which topics carry the most weight
SSC does not publish topic-wise weightage, so treat any list of "fixed" question counts with caution. What the official pattern does tell you is useful enough:
- In Tier 2, English has 45 questions against 25 for general awareness, so English is worth 135 marks and GA 75. Strong English pays more than extra GA cramming.
- Maths and reasoning together give 180 marks in Tier 2, the single biggest block.
- Computer knowledge is only qualifying, but a wrong answer still costs 1 mark in that module, so do not guess wildly.
Common syllabus mistakes
- Studying from an old pattern. The 2026 notification added sectional timing and Paper 3, which older books miss.
- Leaving English for the end. It is the largest single module in Tier 2.
- Ignoring the DEST until after Tier 1. Typing speed takes weeks to build.
Smart way to use this syllabus
- Practise every mock with the same 15-minute section limits, so the clock does not surprise you on exam day.
- Decide post preferences early. JSO and AAO applicants need time for their extra paper.
- Do not skip computer knowledge and typing. They are qualifying, and failing them can cost you the post.
When your exam date nears, see the CGL hall ticket download steps for login help, and after the paper use the CGL Tier 1 answer key guide to check your score. The full SSC CGL exam overview explains posts and eligibility. Compare with the CHSL syllabus for Class 12 level if you plan both, or browse other exams on the syllabus hub for more.
HindiScope is not an official site; confirm the syllabus in the notification on ssc.gov.in.