What Do You Need for SSC CGL?
SSC CGL 2026 at a Glance
The Combined Graduate Level exam is SSC’s biggest graduate-level recruitment, for Group B and Group C posts across the central government.
Fee exempt: women, SC, ST, PwBD and eligible ex-servicemen. Always confirm details on ssc.gov.in.
Posts and Pay Levels
7th Pay Commission pay matrix. Basic pay ranges; allowances are paid in addition.
| Pay Level | Pay Scale (₹) | Example posts |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | 47,600–1,51,100 | Assistant Audit Officer, Assistant Accounts Officer |
| 7 | 44,900–1,42,400 | ASO, Inspector (Income Tax, CGST, Excise), Assistant Enforcement Officer |
| 6 | 35,400–1,12,400 | JSO, Sub-Inspector (CBI/NIA), Divisional Accountant |
| 5 | 29,200–92,300 | Auditor, Accountant, Junior Accountant |
| 4 | 25,500–81,100 | Tax Assistant, Upper Division Clerk |
Post list and levels as per recent notifications; check the current notification for the full post-wise table.
Who Is Eligible for SSC CGL?
1. Age
Depends on the post — mostly 18–27, some up to 30 or 32 years, as per the post-wise table.
2. Qualification
A bachelor’s degree in any subject for most posts, by the cut-off date.
3. JSO and Statistical posts
Graduation with Mathematics (and Statistics as required) — see the notification.
4. Physical standards
Some Inspector and Sub-Inspector posts have physical and medical standards.
Age relaxation: 5 years SC/ST, 3 years OBC, 10 years PwBD (13 OBC-PwBD, 15 SC/ST-PwBD), and others as per rules.
Tier 1 Pattern Qualifying
2 marks for each correct answer, 0.50 deducted for each wrong answer. New for 2026: a 15-minute timer for every section.
| Section | Qs | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 25 | 50 | 15 min |
| General Awareness | 25 | 50 | 15 min |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 50 | 15 min |
| English Comprehension | 25 | 50 | 15 min |
| Total | 100 | 200 | 60 min |
Questions in English and Hindi, except English Comprehension. Scores from different shifts are normalised.
Tier 2 — Paper I
Compulsory for all posts. 3 marks for each correct answer, 1 deducted for each wrong answer in Sections I, II and Computer Knowledge.
| Section / Module | Qs | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| I — Mathematical Abilities | 30 | 90 | 1 h |
| I — Reasoning & General Intelligence | 30 | 90 | |
| II — English Language & Comprehension | 45 | 135 | 1 h |
| II — General Awareness | 25 | 75 | |
| III — Computer Knowledge Qualifying | 20 | 60 | 15 min |
| III — Data Entry Speed Test Qualifying | — | — | 15 min |
| Merit (I + II) | 130 | 390 | 2 h |
Session I: Sections I, II and III (Module I). Session II: Data Entry Speed Test (2,000 key depressions in 15 minutes). Pattern as per recent notifications.
Tier 2 — Papers II and III
Only for candidates applying for these posts. 100 questions in 2 hours each, 0.50 marks deducted per wrong answer.
| Paper | For posts | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| II — Statistics | JSO, Statistical Investigator | 200 |
| III — General Studies (Finance & Economics) | Assistant Audit / Accounts Officer | 200 |
SSC CGL Syllabus
The same four subjects appear in both tiers; Tier 2 is harder and adds computer knowledge. Tap a subject to see its topics.
Quantitative / Mathematical AbilitiesTier 1 · Tier 2
- Number system, HCF and LCM
- Percentage, ratio, averages, mixtures
- Profit and loss, interest
- Time and work, time and distance
- Algebra and geometry
- Mensuration and trigonometry
- Statistics and data interpretation
Reasoning & General IntelligenceTier 1 · Tier 2
- Analogy, classification and series
- Coding-decoding
- Blood relations, directions
- Syllogism and Venn diagrams
- Non-verbal reasoning — figures, mirror images, paper folding
- Puzzles and arrangements
English ComprehensionTier 1 · Tier 2
- Reading comprehension and cloze test
- Error spotting and sentence improvement
- Synonyms, antonyms, one-word substitution
- Idioms and phrases, spellings
- Active/passive and direct/indirect speech
- Para jumbles
General AwarenessTier 1 · Tier 2
- Current affairs
- History and culture
- Geography
- Indian polity and Constitution
- Economy
- General science
- Awards, books, sports and important days
Computer KnowledgeTier 2 · Qualifying
- Computer basics and hardware
- Software and operating systems
- MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint
- Internet, e-mail and networking
- Cyber security
Free SSC CGL Study Material
Notes, practice questions and shortcuts for each subject.
These resources are being added subject by subject. Pages marked “Coming soon” are not published yet.
Quantitative Aptitude
Arithmetic and advanced maths with shortcuts.
Coming soon →Reasoning
Verbal and non-verbal reasoning practice.
Coming soon →English
Grammar, vocabulary and comprehension.
Coming soon →General Awareness
Static GK, science and current affairs.
Coming soon →Statistics (Paper II)
For JSO and Statistical Investigator posts.
Coming soon →SSC CGL Mock Tests
Full-length tests in the 2026 pattern with sectional timers and negative marking.
Under development. The mock tests below are planned and will open here when ready.
Tier 1 Full Mock
Tier 2 Paper I Mock
Statistics Paper Mock
Data Entry Speed Test
SSC CGL Previous-Year Papers
Shift-wise papers with answer keys and solutions.
Coming soon.
How to Prepare for SSC CGL
Tier 1 is under way — keep Tier 2 in view from the start.
Respect the timers
Practise 25 questions in 15 minutes for each section.
Build maths depth
Tier 2 maths includes algebra, geometry and trigonometry at a higher level.
Strengthen English
English carries 135 marks in Tier 2 Paper I — read daily.
Revise GA regularly
Static GK, science and current affairs for both tiers.
Don’t skip computers
Computer Knowledge and the data entry test must be qualified.
Take mocks and analyse
Attempt full mocks weekly and learn from every mistake.
SSC CGL 2026 Dates
Applications ran from 21 May to 22 June 2026. Tier 1 is being held from 30 September to 30 October 2026. Tier 2 dates will be announced later. Always check the official website.
SSC CGL FAQs
What is SSC CGL?
The Combined Graduate Level examination is held by the Staff Selection Commission to recruit graduates to Group B and Group C posts in central government ministries, departments and offices. Official information is on ssc.gov.in.
What is the age limit?
It depends on the post: most posts 18–27 years, some up to 30 or 32 years, and a few with a minimum of 20 years. Check the post-wise table in the notification. Relaxation: 5 years SC/ST, 3 years OBC, 10 years PwBD, and others as per rules.
Do Tier 1 marks count in the final merit?
No. Tier 1 is for shortlisting only. The final merit is based on Tier 2 (Paper I, and Paper II or III where applicable).
Is there negative marking?
Yes. Tier 1: 0.50 marks per wrong answer. Tier 2 Paper I: 1 mark per wrong answer. Papers II and III: 0.50 marks per wrong answer.
Is there an interview?
No. Selection is through Tier 1, Tier 2 and document verification. Some posts also have a physical or medical standard.
What is sectional timing?
From the 2026 Tier 1, each section has its own 15-minute timer — you cannot move to another section until its time ends, as reported.