Computer awareness¶
Used by SSC, banking and RRB JE exams. The overlap map has the full list.
What it covers¶
- Computer basics: organisation of a computer, CPU, input/output devices, memory and its organisation, storage and backup devices, ports, Windows Explorer, keyboard shortcuts.
- Software: Windows operating system (plus Unix/Linux basics for RRB JE); MS Office basics (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
- Internet and email: web browsing and searching, downloading and uploading, managing an email account, websites and browsers, e-banking.
- Networking and cyber-security basics: networking devices and protocols; threats (hacking, virus, worms, Trojan) and preventive measures; data representation (bits and bytes).
Depth by exam family¶
| Family | Emphasis |
|---|---|
| SSC (CGL, CHSL) | Dedicated 15-minute Computer Knowledge Test in Tier-II; mandatory but qualifying, −1 per wrong answer |
| Banking | Computer aptitude inside mains — a standalone Computer Knowledge section or merged with reasoning, under sectional timing; IBPS PO/MT XVI mains has no separate computer section, so check that year's notification |
| RRB JE | 10-mark "Basics of Computers and Applications" section in CBT-2, slightly wider (Unix/Linux, data representation) |
Where it counts¶
| Family | Exams |
|---|---|
| Engineering jobs: GATE, ESE, JE, PSU, state AE/JE | RRB Junior Engineer (JE), Electrical |
| SSC | Delhi Police Constable (conducted by SSC), SSC CGL (Combined Graduate Level), SSC CHSL (Combined Higher Secondary Level) |
| Banking, insurance and regulators | IBPS Clerk, IBPS PO, IBPS RRB (Officer Scale I and Office Assistant), RBI Assistant, SBI Clerk (Junior Associate), SBI PO |
Official syllabi checked¶
- SSC CGL 2026 notice, para 13.11.5, Tier-II Section-III syllabus (fetched 2026-09-28): https://ssc.gov.in/api/attachment/uploads/masterData/NoticeBoards/Notice_of_adv_cgl_2026.pdf
- SSC CHSL 2026 notice, para 13.11.5, Tier-II Section-III syllabus (fetched 2026-09-28): https://ssc.gov.in/api/attachment/uploads/masterData/NoticeBoards/Notice_of_adv_chsl_2026.pdf
- RRB JE CEN 04/2026, CBT-2 "Basics of Computers and Applications", 10 questions of 10 marks (verified 2026-09-28): https://www.rrbapply.gov.in/assets/forms/CEN_04_2026_JE.pdf
Free resources¶
- NIELIT digital-literacy material (official IT-literacy body): https://www.nielit.gov.in
- NIOS study material (free, official): https://www.nios.ac.in
- NCERT textbooks (publisher's site): https://ncert.nic.in/textbook.php
How to practise¶
Learn by doing: perform each Windows, Office and email operation once on a real computer, then drill official previous computer sections under time. Re-revise shortcuts, ports and threat names weekly.