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SSC MTS (Multi-Tasking Staff) and Havaldar

SSC MTS recruits Class 10 pass candidates as Multi-Tasking Staff in central government offices, and as Havaldar in CBIC and CBN. It is one of the most-applied government exams in India.

At a glance
Conducted by Staff Selection Commission (SSC)
Stages CBE (two sessions, same day) → PET/PST for Havaldar → document verification
Qualification Matriculation (Class 10) pass or equivalent from a recognized Board as on 01-08-2025
Age (as on 01-08-2025) 18–25 years for MTS; 18–27 years for Havaldar (and a few MTS posts)

Official sources

Exam pattern

Computer-based examination: 90 questions, 270 marks, 3 marks per question. Both sessions are held on the same day and both are mandatory. Medium: Hindi, English and 13 regional languages.

Session Subjects Questions Marks Time Negative marking
Session I Numerical and Mathematical Ability; Reasoning Ability and Problem Solving 40 120 45 min None
Session II General Awareness; English Language and Comprehension 50 150 45 min −1 per wrong answer

Session I is evaluated first; Session II is evaluated only for candidates who qualify Session I. Minimum qualifying marks (both sessions): 30% for UR, 25% for OBC/EWS, 20% for all other categories. Final merit is based on normalized scores in Session II only.

Havaldar only: a qualifying Physical Efficiency Test and Physical Standard Test. The walking standard is 1,600 m in 15 minutes for men and 1 km in 20 minutes for women. The notice has the full physical standards (height, chest, weight and relaxations).

Syllabus

  • Numerical and Mathematical Ability: integers, LCM/HCF, decimals and fractions, BODMAS, percentage, ratio and proportion, work and time, averages, simple interest, profit and loss, discount, area and perimeter, distance and time, lines and angles, simple graphs and data, squares and square roots.
  • Reasoning Ability and Problem Solving: alpha-numeric series, coding-decoding, analogy, directions, similarities and differences, jumbling, non-verbal reasoning, age calculations, calendar and clock.
  • General Awareness: Social Studies (history, geography, art and culture, civics, economics), General Science and Environmental studies up to Class 10 level.
  • English Language and Comprehension: basics of vocabulary, grammar, sentence structure, synonyms, antonyms and usage, plus a simple comprehension paragraph.

How to prepare (free, in order)

  1. Session I has no negative marking. Attempt every question there, and build speed on arithmetic and reasoning first.
  2. In Session II guess only when you can eliminate options: each wrong answer costs 1 mark.
  3. Use official SSC answer keys for practice. Havaldar candidates should train the walk from day one.

Free resources