SSC CGL Syllabus 2026: Detailed Tier-I, Tier-II & Exam Scheme

SSC CGL Syllabus 2026 and Exam Scheme — Original Acadvik Guide

The Staff Selection Commission Combined Graduate Level (SSC CGL) examination recruits graduates for various Group B and Group C posts in central government ministries, departments and organisations. The most effective way to prepare is to understand both the subjects and the structure of the examination: Tier-I is used for shortlisting, while final merit is based on performance in Tier-II, subject to qualifying the required sections and post-specific tests.

Important: This guide is an original, student-friendly explanation of the official syllabus. Post eligibility, vacancies, dates, qualifying standards and post-specific requirements can change. Always check the latest notice on the official SSC website before applying or making a final study plan.

1. SSC CGL 2026 exam scheme

The 2026 notice provides a two-tier computer-based examination. Tier-II Paper-I is compulsory for all candidates shortlisted to Tier-II. Paper-II is for candidates shortlisted for the Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) / Statistical Investigator Grade-II posts, while Paper-III is for candidates shortlisted for Assistant Audit Officer / Assistant Accounts Officer posts, as specified in the notice.

Stage / paper	Subjects or sections	Questions / task	Marks	Time
Tier-I	Reasoning; General Awareness; Quantitative Aptitude; English Comprehension	25 questions per subject; 100 total	200	60 minutes total; 15-minute sectional timer per subject
Tier-II Paper-I, Section-I	Mathematical Abilities (30) + Reasoning and General Intelligence (30)	60	180	60 minutes; 30 minutes per part
Tier-II Paper-I, Section-II	English Language and Comprehension (45) + General Awareness (25)	70	210	60 minutes; 40 minutes English and 20 minutes GA
Tier-II Paper-I, Section-III	Computer Knowledge Test	20	60	15 minutes
Tier-II Paper-I, Section-IV	Data Entry Speed Test (DEST)	One data-entry task	Qualifying	15 minutes
Tier-II Paper-II	Statistics — for eligible shortlisted candidates	100	200	2 hours
Tier-II Paper-III	General Studies: Finance and Economics — for eligible shortlisted candidates	100	200	2 hours

Tier-I marking: +2 for a correct answer and −0.50 for a wrong answer. Tier-I questions are objective MCQs. Questions are set in English and Hindi except the English Comprehension section.

Tier-II marking: In Paper-I, one mark is deducted for each wrong answer in Sections I, II and III. In Paper-II and Paper-III, 0.50 mark is deducted for each wrong answer. DEST is a skill test, not a scored MCQ paper. Paper-I has two sessions on the same day: Session-I covers Sections I–III (2 hours 15 minutes) and Session-II covers DEST (15 minutes). Sectional timers apply; candidates should practise with those limits.

Qualifying marks: The 2026 notice specifies minimum qualifying marks of 30% for UR, 25% for OBC/EWS and 20% for other categories in Tier-I and the relevant scored sections/papers of Tier-II. These are minimum qualifying standards, not a guarantee of selection. DEST error limits and post-specific higher standards also apply as stated in the notice.

How merit works: Candidates are shortlisted for Tier-II using Tier-I scores and applicable category/post cut-offs. Final merit is prepared from the relevant Tier-II scored components, subject to qualifying the mandatory sections and any applicable computer/DEST standards. The exact merit components differ for JSO/Statistical Investigator, AAO/AAO and other posts. Read the official notice carefully before selecting post preferences.

2. Tier-I syllabus: subject-wise detail

A. General Intelligence and Reasoning

This section tests the ability to identify relationships, patterns, rules and logical conclusions. Practise both verbal and non-verbal questions.

Analogy: word/semantic, number, symbol and figure analogies.
Classification: odd-one-out questions based on words, numbers, symbols or figures.
Series: number, semantic and figural series; identify the rule and the missing term.
Coding and decoding: letter/number coding, symbol operations, word building and coded relationships.
Logical reasoning: syllogism, statement–conclusion, drawing inferences, decision-making, critical thinking and problem-solving.
Relationships and arrangements: relationship concepts, directions/spatial orientation, Venn diagrams and other relationship-based problems.
Visual and non-verbal reasoning: figure classification, embedded figures, paper folding/unfolding, punched-hole patterns, figure completion, space visualisation and visual memory.
Other indicative areas: numerical operations, trends, indexing, address matching, date/city matching, classification of centre codes or roll numbers, emotional intelligence and social intelligence.

Preparation approach: Learn the common pattern families, solve untimed examples first, then practise mixed sets. Record the rule behind each error rather than memorising the answer.

B. General Awareness

General Awareness tests broad understanding of India and neighbouring countries, current events, and everyday scientific knowledge. The official notice highlights History, Culture, Geography, Economic Scene, General Policy and Scientific Research.

History: major ancient, medieval and modern Indian developments; freedom movement and important personalities.
Culture: art forms, literature, architecture, festivals, heritage and cultural institutions.
Geography: physical and Indian geography, climate, rivers, resources, agriculture, population and location-based facts.
Polity and general policy: Constitution basics, institutions, governance, rights and duties, public bodies and important policy concepts.
Economy: basic economic terms, sectors, inflation, growth, banking, budget-related concepts and major national economic developments.
General science: core school-level Physics, Chemistry and Biology; human body, health, environment and everyday scientific applications.
Scientific research and current events: significant discoveries, technology developments, awards, sports, important appointments, national/international events and government initiatives relevant to general awareness.

The notice does not prescribe a fixed daily-current-affairs window. Use current affairs as a supplement to static study, and revise facts repeatedly. Do not treat any coaching provider’s topic-frequency estimate as an official SSC rule.

C. Quantitative Aptitude

Tier-I Quantitative Aptitude checks number sense, arithmetic, algebra, geometry, mensuration, trigonometry and interpretation of charts/graphs. The official notice describes the level as consistent with the prescribed educational standard.

Number system: whole numbers, decimals, fractions, relationships between numbers and square roots.
Arithmetic: percentages, ratio and proportion, averages, simple and compound interest, profit and loss, discount, partnership, mixture and alligation, time and distance, and time and work.
Algebra: basic school-algebra identities, elementary surds and graphs of linear equations.
Geometry: triangles and their centres, congruence and similarity, quadrilaterals, circles, chords, tangents, angles subtended by chords and common tangents.
Mensuration: triangles, quadrilaterals, regular polygons, circles, prisms, cones, cylinders, spheres, hemispheres, rectangular parallelepipeds and regular right pyramids.
Trigonometry: trigonometric ratios, complementary angles, standard identities, degree/radian measures and basic heights-and-distances problems.
Data and graphs: histograms, frequency polygons, bar diagrams and pie charts.

Preparation approach: Build arithmetic accuracy first. Maintain a compact formula sheet, but practise applying each formula to varied question wording. In mocks, track calculation time separately from concept errors.

D. English Comprehension

Tier-I tests the ability to understand standard English, recognise correct usage and interpret written material.

Vocabulary and usage; synonyms, antonyms and homonyms.
Spelling and identification of misspelt words.
Grammar, sentence structure and spotting errors.
Fill in the blanks and sentence improvement.
Idioms and phrases; one-word substitutions.
Active and passive voice; direct and indirect speech.
Sentence/part shuffling, ordering sentences in a passage and cloze passages.
Reading comprehension: central idea, factual detail, inference, vocabulary in context and author’s purpose/tone.

Preparation approach: Learn grammar rules through examples, read short passages daily and maintain a personal list of repeated errors. Vocabulary is more useful when revised in context than when memorised once.

3. Tier-II Paper-I syllabus

Paper-I is compulsory for all candidates who reach Tier-II. Its four sections cover Mathematical Abilities, Reasoning and General Intelligence, English Language and Comprehension, General Awareness, Computer Knowledge and DEST. Candidates must qualify all applicable sections.

Section I-A: Mathematical Abilities

Number systems: whole numbers, decimals, fractions and relationships between numbers.
Fundamental arithmetic: percentages, ratio/proportion, square roots, averages, simple/compound interest, profit/loss, discount, partnership, mixture/alligation, time-distance and time-work.
Algebra: basic identities, elementary surds and graphs of linear equations.
Geometry: elementary figures, centres of triangles, congruence/similarity, circles, chords, tangents and related angles.
Mensuration: plane figures and the listed solids—prisms, cones, cylinders, spheres, hemispheres, rectangular parallelepipeds and pyramids.
Trigonometry: ratios, complementary angles, identities and simple heights-and-distances problems.
Statistics and probability: tables/graphs, histograms, frequency polygons, bar charts and pie charts; mean, median, mode, standard deviation and simple probability.

Section I-B: Reasoning and General Intelligence

Expect verbal and non-verbal reasoning, including semantic and symbolic analogies, number/figural analogy, trends, classification, Venn diagrams, inference, series, pattern folding/unfolding, embedded figures, critical thinking, problem-solving, emotional/social intelligence, word building, coding-decoding and numerical/symbolic operations. The official list is indicative and may include related sub-topics.

Section II-A: English Language and Comprehension

Prepare vocabulary, grammar and sentence structure; synonyms, homonyms and antonyms; correct word usage; error spotting; fill-in-the-blanks; spelling; idioms and phrases; one-word substitution; sentence improvement; active/passive voice; direct/indirect narration; shuffling of sentence parts and sentences; cloze passage; and comprehension passages. The notice describes multiple passages, including story/book-based and current-affairs/report/editorial-based passages.

Section II-B: General Awareness

The broad areas remain current events and general awareness of the environment and society, with particular reference to India and neighbouring countries. Revise History, Culture, Geography, Economic Scene, General Policy and Scientific Research, along with everyday scientific observations. Prioritise understanding and spaced revision over unstructured fact collection.

Section III: Computer Knowledge Test

This section is mandatory but qualifying in nature; higher standards may apply to posts requiring computer proficiency.

Computer basics: organisation of a computer, CPU, input/output devices, memory and memory organisation, backup devices, ports, Windows Explorer and keyboard shortcuts.
Software and operating systems: Windows basics and common office applications such as word processing, spreadsheets and presentations.
Internet and e-mail: web browsing/searching, downloads/uploads, managing an e-mail account and e-banking.
Networking and cyber security: networking devices/protocols, information-security threats such as hacking, viruses, worms and Trojans, and preventive measures.

Practise both definitions and applied examples—for example, identifying the purpose of a spreadsheet formula, recognising a phishing attempt or distinguishing memory from storage.

Section IV: Data Entry Speed Test (DEST)

DEST is a qualifying skill test. The 2026 notice describes a data-entry passage of approximately 2,000 key depressions in 15 minutes. Higher qualifying standards apply to specified posts. Practise accurate typing, posture, keyboard familiarity and error control; speed without accuracy can be counterproductive. Check the notice for exemptions and post-specific conditions.

4. Tier-II Paper-II: Statistics syllabus

Paper-II is for candidates who meet the notice’s eligibility/shortlisting conditions for JSO and Statistical Investigator Grade-II posts. It contains 100 questions for 200 marks and has a two-hour duration, with negative marking of 0.50 mark per wrong answer. The syllabus is at graduation level.

Collection, classification and presentation of statistical data: primary/secondary data, collection methods, tabulation, graphs/charts, frequency distributions and diagrammatic presentation.
Measures of central tendency: mean, median, mode, quartiles, deciles and percentiles.
Measures of dispersion: range, quartile deviation, mean deviation, standard deviation and relative dispersion.
Moments, skewness and kurtosis: types and relationships of moments; meaning and measures of skewness and kurtosis.
Correlation and regression: scatter diagrams, simple correlation coefficient, regression lines, Spearman rank correlation, association of attributes, and multiple/partial correlation as prescribed.
Probability theory: definitions of probability, conditional and compound probability, independent events and Bayes’ theorem.
Random variables and distributions: probability functions, expectation, variance, higher moments, binomial, Poisson, normal and exponential distributions, and joint distribution of two discrete random variables.
Sampling theory: population and sample, parameter/statistic, sampling and non-sampling errors, probability and non-probability sampling methods, sampling distributions and sample-size decisions.
Statistical inference: point/interval estimation, properties of estimators, method of moments, maximum likelihood, least squares, hypothesis testing, small/large sample tests using Z, t, chi-square and F statistics, and confidence intervals.
Analysis of variance: one-way and two-way classified data.
Time-series analysis: components, trend determination and seasonal variation.
Index numbers: construction issues, types and formulae, base shifting/splicing, cost-of-living indices and uses.

Study tip: For every method, learn the definition, assumptions, formula, interpretation and one worked example. Do not rely only on formula memorisation; practise choosing the correct method for a given data problem.

5. Tier-II Paper-III: General Studies (Finance and Economics)

Paper-III is for candidates shortlisted for Assistant Audit Officer / Assistant Accounts Officer posts under the 2026 notice. It contains 100 questions for 200 marks and lasts two hours, with 0.50 mark deducted for each wrong answer. The official syllabus divides it into Finance and Accounts (80 marks) and Economics and Governance (120 marks).

Part A: Finance and Accounts — 80 marks

Financial accounting: nature, scope and limitations; accounting concepts, conventions and generally accepted accounting principles.
Accounting systems and records: single/double entry, books of original entry, journals, ledgers and trial balance.
Reconciliation and errors: bank reconciliation and rectification of errors.
Preparation of accounts: manufacturing, trading, profit and loss accounts, appropriation accounts and balance sheet.
Accounting treatment: capital versus revenue expenditure, depreciation, inventory valuation, bills of exchange and self-balancing ledgers.
Not-for-profit entities: receipts and payments accounts and income and expenditure accounts.

Part B: Economics and Governance — 120 marks

Comptroller and Auditor General of India: constitutional provisions, role and responsibilities.
Finance Commission: role and functions.
Basic economics and microeconomics: definition, scope, methods of economic study, central problems and production possibility curve.
Demand and supply: determinants, laws and elasticities; consumer behaviour using Marshallian and indifference-curve approaches; supply and elasticity of supply.
Production and cost: factors of production, law of variable proportions and returns to scale.
Market forms and price determination: perfect competition, monopoly, monopolistic competition and oligopoly.
Indian economy: roles and issues of agriculture, industry and services; national income concepts and measurement; population and growth; poverty; unemployment; and infrastructure including energy, transport and communication.
Economic reforms: reforms since 1991, liberalisation, privatisation, globalisation and disinvestment.
Money and banking: monetary and fiscal policy; RBI; commercial banks, Regional Rural Banks and payment banks; budget and fiscal deficits; balance of payments; Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act, 2003.
Technology in governance: role of information technology in governance.

Study tip: Finance and Accounts needs practice with accounting entries and statements. Economics is better learned through concept maps: definition → principle → example → implication. Keep a separate list of confusing pairs such as fiscal/monetary policy, revenue/capital expenditure and deficit measures.

6. How to turn this syllabus into a study system

A syllabus is useful only when it changes what you do each week. Build a tracker with five statuses: Not Started, Learning, Practising, Weak and Test-Ready. A topic should not be marked complete merely because you read it once.

Phase	What to do	Evidence of progress
Phase 1: Map	Break every subject into the topic groups listed above. Identify post-specific papers, if applicable.	A complete checklist and realistic weekly targets.
Phase 2: Learn	Study one concept at a time; solve examples immediately after learning.	You can explain the method without looking at notes.
Phase 3: Practise	Move from topic-wise questions to mixed sets and previous-year questions.	Improved accuracy and fewer repeated errors.
Phase 4: Time	Use sectional practice with the actual sectional timers.	You finish sections without rushing the final questions.
Phase 5: Analyse	Classify each error as concept gap, forgotten fact, misread question, calculation, guess or time-management issue.	Every mock produces a short corrective action list.
Phase 6: Retest	Re-solve wrong questions after a gap and revise weak topics.	Previously wrong question types become reliable.

A balanced weekly practice model

Quantitative Aptitude/Mathematical Abilities: concepts, arithmetic drills and geometry/algebra rotation.
Reasoning: one focused pattern set plus a mixed set.
English: grammar practice, vocabulary revision and comprehension.
General Awareness: static topic revision plus a short current-affairs review.
Computer/DEST: scheduled short practice sessions rather than leaving them until the final week.
Statistics or Finance/Economics: include only if your target post requires the additional paper, and start early because the content is specialised.
Weekly review: take a timed test, review every error and plan the next week around the weakest areas.

How to use mock tests correctly

Attempt the paper under the relevant time limits.
Record score, attempts, accuracy and time spent—not score alone.
Review wrong answers and correct answers obtained by guessing.
Tag each error by topic and cause.
Reattempt the same questions after a few days, then take a fresh mixed set.

7. Official resources and useful Acadvik links

SSC official website — notices, candidate instructions and updates.
SSC CGL 2026 official notice (PDF) — scheme, indicative syllabus, rules and post-specific requirements.
SSC CGL preparation roadmap — convert the syllabus into a study routine.
SSC CGL 30-day revision strategy — final-stage consolidation.
SSC CGL final-phase revision strategy — focus on accuracy and exam readiness.
SSC CGL full-length Practice Center 3 and Practice Center 4 — timed practice.
Previous-year paper resources — use past papers to understand question styles and difficulty.
Acadvik Exam Preparation Hub — find other exam-specific learning paths.

8. Frequently asked questions

Is Tier-I the final merit stage?

No. Tier-I is used to shortlist candidates for Tier-II. Final merit is based on the relevant scored components of Tier-II, subject to mandatory qualifying sections and post-specific requirements.

Is Tier-II Paper-I compulsory?

Yes. Paper-I is compulsory for all candidates appearing in Tier-II. Paper-II and Paper-III are additional papers for the specific posts and candidates identified in the notice.

Are Computer Knowledge and DEST scored?

They are qualifying components under the 2026 notice, but higher standards may apply for certain posts. Candidates must read the current notice for the exact requirements.

Does every candidate need to take Statistics?

No. Paper-II is for candidates who applied and are shortlisted for the specified JSO / Statistical Investigator Grade-II posts, subject to the notification’s conditions.

Does every candidate need Finance and Economics?

No. Paper-III is for candidates shortlisted for Assistant Audit Officer / Assistant Accounts Officer posts as specified in the notice.

Can I prepare from this page alone?

Use this page as a structured checklist, not as a substitute for learning the concepts, solving questions and reviewing official instructions. Use the official notification for the exact rules and use practice material to test understanding.

Final advice

Do not treat SSC CGL as four subjects to be read once. Treat it as a cycle: understand the topic → practise accurately → solve mixed questions → work within the timer → analyse mistakes → revise → retest. Keep the official syllabus visible while planning, and prioritise consistency over collecting too many resources.

Content note: Acadvik’s explanations and preparation framework are original educational content. The examination scheme and syllabus headings are summarised from the official SSC CGL 2026 notice; the Commission’s notification remains authoritative.