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SSC CGL (Combined Graduate Level)

Evidence status: 🟢 official. Every number below is from the SSC Combined Graduate Level Examination, 2026 notice (F. No. HQ-C11018/1/2026-C-1) and the Important Notice dated 12.09.2026 (F. No. HQ-EC033/7/2025-EC), both fetched from ssc.gov.in on 2026-10-04.

SSC CGL recruits graduates for Group B and C posts in central ministries and departments (for example Assistant Section Officer, Inspector of Income Tax/Customs/GST, Auditor). It is one of the most-attempted graduate exams in India. Its four subjects are the core of almost every SSC, railway and banking exam.

At a glance
Conducted by Staff Selection Commission (SSC)
Stages Tier 1 (CBT, shortlists for Tier 2) → Tier 2 (CBT; final merit on Tier 2 only) → document verification / skill tests as per post
2026 cycle (per notice) Online applications 21.05.2026–22.06.2026 (extended to 25.06.2026); Tier 1 30 Sep – 30 Oct 2026 (CBE); Tier 2 date to be announced
Qualification Graduate degree (some posts need specific subjects; see notice)
Age Depends on the post (see notice)

Official sources

Exam pattern

Tier 1: computer-based, 60 minutes with a 15-minute timer on each section, 100 questions, 200 marks, −0.50 per wrong answer. Objective multiple-choice questions, set in English and Hindi except English Comprehension. Tier 1 shortlists candidates for Tier 2 (category-wise cut-offs); its marks do not count in the final merit.

Section Questions Marks
General Intelligence and Reasoning 25 50
General Awareness 25 50
Quantitative Aptitude 25 50
English Comprehension 25 50

Tier 2, Paper 1 (compulsory for all posts): computer-based, in two sessions on the same day. Every question carries 3 marks; −1 per wrong answer in Sections 1–3. Candidates must qualify each section separately; Sections 3 and 4 are qualifying only, and the merit for most posts is the aggregate of Sections 1 and 2.

Session Section Questions Marks Time
Session 1 (2 h 15 m) 1: Mathematical Abilities (30) + Reasoning and General Intelligence (30) 60 180 1 hour
Session 1 2: English Language and Comprehension (45) + General Awareness (25) 70 210 1 hour
Session 1 3: Computer Knowledge Test 20 60 15 minutes
Session 2 (15 m) 4: Data Entry Speed Test (about 2000 key depressions) one task qualifying 15 minutes

Tier 2, extra papers (only for shortlisted post preferences): Paper 2 Statistics for Junior Statistical Officer / Statistical Investigator Grade 2, and Paper 3 General Studies (Finance and Economics) for Assistant Audit Officer / Assistant Accounts Officer. Each is 100 questions, 200 marks (2 marks each), 2 hours, −0.50 per wrong answer.

Minimum qualifying marks: Tier 1 and Tier 2 Sections 1–3 / Papers 2–3 need 30% (UR), 25% (OBC/EWS), 20% (other categories). For the Data Entry Speed Test the maximum errors allowed are 20% (UR), 25% (OBC/EWS), 30% (other categories).

Syllabus

  • Quantitative Aptitude: arithmetic (percentages, ratio, averages, interest, profit and loss, time and work, speed and distance), algebra, geometry, mensuration, trigonometry, data interpretation.
  • Reasoning: analogies, classification, series, coding-decoding, blood relations, syllogism, non-verbal reasoning.
  • English: comprehension, error spotting, fill in the blanks, synonyms and antonyms, idioms, cloze test.
  • General Awareness: static GK (history, geography, polity, economy, science) and current affairs.

How to prepare (free, in order)

  1. Build Quant and Reasoning first. They are the most practice-heavy and reusable modules (see the overlap map).
  2. Read English daily: a newspaper editorial plus 20 grammar questions.
  3. Static GK from NCERT Class 6–10 social science and science books. Current affairs from PIB.
  4. Official answer keys and question papers from ssc.gov.in for timed mocks. The −0.50 penalty rewards accuracy.

Free resources