The SSC CHSL syllabus is set at Class 12 level. Tier 1 has four sections of 25 questions each: English, general intelligence, quantitative aptitude and general awareness. Tier 2 tests the same subjects at greater depth and adds a computer knowledge module and a skill or typing test.
From the 2026 cycle, both tiers have sectional timing. Each Tier 1 section gets 15 minutes, and each Tier 2 module has its own time based on its marks. You cannot go back to a section once its time is over.
SSC CHSL Tier 1 exam pattern
| Section | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| English Language (Basic Knowledge) | 25 | 50 | 15 minutes |
| General Intelligence | 25 | 50 | 15 minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude (Basic Arithmetic Skill) | 25 | 50 | 15 minutes |
| General Awareness | 25 | 50 | 15 minutes |
| Total | 100 | 200 | 60 minutes |
A right answer earns 2 marks and a wrong one loses 0.50 mark. Tier 1 decides who moves to Tier 2.
SSC CHSL Tier 2 exam pattern
| Section and module | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Section I: Mathematical Abilities | 30 | 90 | 30 minutes |
| Section I: Reasoning and General Intelligence | 30 | 90 | 30 minutes |
| Section II: English Language and Comprehension | 40 | 120 | 40 minutes |
| Section II: General Awareness | 20 | 60 | 20 minutes |
| Section III, Module I: Computer Knowledge | 15 | 45 | 15 minutes |
| Section III, Module II: Skill Test or Typing Test | Practical | Qualifying | 15 minutes (DEST), 10 minutes (typing) |
Each question carries 3 marks, and a wrong answer in Sections I, II or the computer module costs 1 mark. The final merit list uses Sections I and II. Section III must be cleared but does not add to merit.
Skill test and typing test
- Data Entry Operator: a Data Entry Speed Test at 8,000 key depressions per hour on a computer.
- DEO in the office of the C&AG: 15,000 key depressions per hour.
- LDC/JSA: a typing test at 35 words per minute in English or 30 words per minute in Hindi.
These speeds have been the same in recent notifications. Candidates with certain disabilities may be exempt or get extra time, as the notice explains.
Topic-wise SSC CHSL syllabus
Quantitative Aptitude and Mathematical Abilities
The SSC CHSL maths syllabus covers number systems and simplification, fractions and decimals, percentages, ratio and proportion, square roots, averages, simple and compound interest, profit and loss, discount, partnership, mixtures, time and distance, time and work. Algebra (basic identities, linear equations), geometry (triangles, circles, tangents), mensuration, trigonometry with heights and distances, and data from tables and charts are also included. Tier 2 adds basic statistics and probability.
General Intelligence and Reasoning
- Semantic, symbolic, number and figural analogy and classification.
- Number, letter and figure series; coding-decoding; numerical and symbolic operations.
- Venn diagrams, drawing inferences, space orientation, embedded figures, punched hole and paper folding.
- Word building, critical thinking, and questions on emotional and social intelligence.
English Language
Spotting errors, fill in the blanks, synonyms, antonyms, homonyms, misspelt words, idioms and phrases, one-word substitution, sentence improvement, active and passive voice, direct and indirect speech, shuffling of sentence parts, cloze passages and comprehension.
General Awareness
Current events, Indian history and culture, geography, the economy, polity and the Constitution, general science and the everyday science around you.
Computer Knowledge (Tier 2)
Computer basics, memory and storage, Windows, word processing, spreadsheets and slides, internet, email, and basic cyber security.
Tier 1 and Tier 2 compared
| Point | Tier 1 | Tier 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Questions | 100 | 135 objective questions plus the skill or typing test |
| Marks per question | 2 | 3 |
| Penalty for a wrong answer | 0.50 | 1 |
| English questions | 25 | 40 |
| General awareness questions | 25 | 20 |
| Counts for final merit | No | Sections I and II |
The shift in weight is clear: general awareness shrinks in Tier 2 while English, maths and reasoning grow. Plan your study hours to match.
Getting the official syllabus PDF
- Visit ssc.gov.in and find the CHSL notice for the current cycle.
- Open the notification PDF; the scheme of examination and the detailed syllabus are inside it.
- Download it free. Older 2024 and 2025 copies do not show the new sectional timing.
A simple 12-week plan
| Weeks | Focus |
|---|---|
| 1 to 4 | Basics of arithmetic and grammar, reasoning types, static GA from NCERT books |
| 5 to 8 | Algebra, geometry, trigonometry; reading passages; current affairs; one sectional test a day |
| 9 to 10 | Full Tier 1 mocks with 15-minute section limits; review every mistake |
| 11 to 12 | Revision, previous papers and daily typing or data entry practice |
Adjust the plan to the time you have until the exam. If you are also working or studying, two focused hours a day spent on weak areas beat five unplanned hours.
How to prepare section by section
- Maths: learn tables, squares and cubes up to 30 to save seconds; with only 15 minutes per section, speed matters.
- Reasoning: practise mixed sets, since one tough series can eat a whole minute.
- English: read one editorial a day and revise grammar rules on voice and narration.
- GA: keep short notes on static topics and revise current affairs every week.
- Typing: practise 15 minutes daily on a standard keyboard, not on a phone.
Ready to sit the exam? Learn how to get your hall ticket with our CHSL admit card guide . The SSC CHSL exam overview explains posts and eligibility. Graduates who share these subjects can compare the CGL Tier 1 and Tier 2 syllabus , and Class 10 level candidates can look at the MTS session-wise syllabus . Our syllabus collection has more exams.
HindiScope is not an official site; confirm the syllabus in the notification on ssc.gov.in.