SSC CGL selection process
- Tier 1 (CBT, for shortlisting)
- Tier 2 (CBT: Paper I for all; Paper II for JSO/Statistical Investigator Gr-II; Paper III for AAO)
- Computer Proficiency Test / Data Entry Skill Test (qualifying, within Tier 2)
- Document verification
SSC CGL exam pattern 2026
Tier 1
| Subject / section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 25 | 50 |
| General Awareness | 25 | 50 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 50 |
| English Comprehension | 25 | 50 |
| Total | 100 | 200 |
Tier 1 only shortlists candidates for Tier 2 and is not added to final merit. Questions come in English and Hindi, except the English section. Scores from different shifts are normalised. (CGL 2026 notice)
Tier 2 - Paper I (all posts)
| Subject / section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Section I, Module 1: Mathematical Abilities | 30 | 90 |
| Section I, Module 2: Reasoning & General Intelligence | 30 | 90 |
| Section II, Module 1: English Language & Comprehension | 45 | 135 |
| Section II, Module 2: General Awareness | 25 | 75 |
| Section III, Module 1: Computer Knowledge (qualifying) | 20 | 60 |
| Section III, Module 2: Data Entry Speed Test (qualifying, Session II) | 1 | 0 |
| Total | 150 | 390 |
Each question carries 3 marks. Sections I and II (180 + 210 = 390 marks) count for merit. Computer Knowledge and DEST are qualifying only. Section I and Section II get 1 hour each, and Computer Knowledge gets 15 minutes. (CGL 2026 notice)
Tier 2 - Paper II (JSO & Statistical Investigator Gr-II only)
| Subject / section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Statistics | 100 | 200 |
| Total | 100 | 200 |
Only for candidates shortlisted in Tier 1 for these posts.
Tier 2 - Paper III (AAO only)
| Subject / section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General Studies (Finance & Economics) | 100 | 200 |
| Total | 100 | 200 |
Only for candidates shortlisted in Tier 1 for Assistant Audit Officer / Assistant Accounts Officer.
SSC CGL syllabus 2026 – topic-wise
Tier 1 & Tier 2 syllabus
General Intelligence & Reasoning
- Analogy
- Classification
- Series (number, letter, figure)
- Coding-decoding
- Blood relations
- Direction sense
- Syllogism
- Venn diagrams
- Mathematical operations
- Paper folding & cutting
- Mirror & water images
- Embedded figures
- Seating & order arrangement
- Missing number
- Statement & conclusion
Quantitative Aptitude / Mathematical Abilities
- Number system
- Simplification
- Percentage
- Ratio & proportion
- Average
- Profit & loss, discount
- Simple & compound interest
- Time & work
- Time, speed & distance
- Mixture & alligation
- Algebra
- Geometry (triangles, circles, polygons)
- Mensuration (2D & 3D)
- Trigonometry, heights & distances
- Data interpretation
- Statistics basics (mean, median, mode)
- Probability basics
English
- Reading comprehension
- Cloze test
- Error spotting
- Sentence improvement
- Fill in the blanks
- Synonyms & antonyms
- One-word substitution
- Idioms & phrases
- Spelling correction
- Active & passive voice
- Direct & indirect speech
- Sentence rearrangement (para jumbles)
General Awareness
- Current affairs
- Indian history
- Indian culture & art
- Geography (India & world)
- Indian polity & constitution
- Economy
- General science (physics, chemistry, biology)
- Static GK (books, awards, sports, days, organisations)
Tier 2 syllabus
Computer Knowledge
- Computer basics & hardware
- Software & operating systems
- MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint
- Internet & email
- Networking basics
- Cyber security basics
Tier 2 Paper II syllabus
Statistics (JSO / SI Gr-II)
- Collection & presentation of data
- Measures of central tendency
- Measures of dispersion
- Moments, skewness & kurtosis
- Correlation & regression
- Probability theory
- Random variables & distributions
- Sampling theory
- Statistical inference
- Analysis of variance
- Time series
- Index numbers
Tier 2 Paper III syllabus
General Studies - Finance & Economics (AAO)
- Fundamental principles & basic accounting concepts
- Financial accounting
- Government accounting & budget
- Finance Commission
- Economics basics (micro & macro)
- Indian economy
- Economic reforms & money/banking
- Role of IT in governance
Tip: solve SSC CGL previous year papers to see which topics are asked most.
Prepare for SSC CGL with RBE
Solve previous year papers, attempt free mock tests with all-India rank, and check your marks the day the answer key comes out.
Official links
- SSC official website
- CGL 2026 notice (official PDF)
- CGL 2026 Tier 1 schedule notice, 12 Sept 2026 (official PDF)
Always confirm dates and rules in the official notice. Information here is compiled by the RBE team from official notices; last updated 27 Sep 2026.