SSC CGL 2026: What the Exam Is
The Staff Selection Commission Combined Graduate Level (SSC CGL) examination is one of India’s largest government recruitment exams. It selects candidates for Group B and Group C posts across central government ministries, departments and organisations — including Income Tax Inspector, Excise Inspector, Assistant Section Officer (ASS), Sub-Inspector in CBI, Statistical Investigator, and more.
SSC CGL 2026 will be conducted in two stages: Tier 1 (CBT) and Tier 2 (CBT). The earlier Tier 3 (Descriptive) and Tier 4 (Skill Test) have been restructured into the new format.
SSC CGL 2026 New Exam Pattern (Revised Format)
Tier 1 — Computer Based Test (CBT)
| Subject | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 25 | 50 | 60 minutes (80 min for PwD) |
| General Awareness | 25 | 50 | |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 50 | |
| English Comprehension | 25 | 50 | |
| Total | 100 | 200 |
Negative marking: 0.50 marks deducted per wrong answer
Tier 2 — Computer Based Test (CBT, 3 Sessions)
Tier 2 has three sessions/papers, and which papers you attempt depends on the post applied for:
Paper 1 (Mandatory for all)
| Module | Subject | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Section 1 | Mathematical Abilities | 30 | 90 | 1 hour (combined) |
| Section 1 | Reasoning & General Intelligence | 30 | 90 | |
| Section 2 | English Language & Comprehension | 45 | 135 | |
| Section 2 | General Awareness | 25 | 75 | |
| Section 3 | Computer Knowledge Module | 20 | 60 | 15 min |
Paper 2 (for JSO post only)
Statistics — 100 questions, 200 marks, 2 hours
Paper 3 (for AAO post only)
General Studies (Finance & Economics) — 100 questions, 200 marks, 2 hours
SSC CGL Tier 1 Syllabus 2026
1. General Intelligence and Reasoning (50 marks)
- Series: Number Series, Alphabet Series, Analogy
- Coding-Decoding
- Blood Relations
- Direction and Distance
- Syllogism (Venn Diagrams)
- Matrix, Word Formation
- Non-Verbal: Embedded Figures, Figure Completion, Counting of Figures, Dice, Mirror Image
- Odd One Out, Paper Folding
- Sitting Arrangement (basic)
- Mathematical Operations
2. General Awareness (50 marks)
- Current Affairs: Last 6 months — national, international, sports, awards
- Indian History: Ancient, Medieval, Modern — major events, movements, personalities
- Indian Geography: Physical features, climate, rivers, resources, states
- Indian Polity: Constitution, Parliament, Fundamental Rights, Judiciary, Elections
- Indian Economy: GDP, inflation, Five Year Plans, banking basics, recent budget
- General Science: Physics (motion, electricity, optics), Chemistry (elements, reactions), Biology (human body, diseases)
- Static GK: Capitals, currencies, national parks, important dates
3. Quantitative Aptitude (50 marks)
- Number System: LCM, HCF, Simplification
- Ratio, Proportion, Percentage
- Profit and Loss, Discount
- Simple and Compound Interest
- Time and Work, Pipes and Cisterns
- Speed, Distance and Time (Trains, Boats)
- Mensuration: 2D (area, perimeter) and 3D (volume, surface area)
- Geometry: Lines, Angles, Triangles, Circles, Quadrilaterals
- Trigonometry: Ratios, Identities, Heights and Distances
- Data Interpretation: Tables, Bar Graph, Pie Chart
- Algebra: Linear and Quadratic Equations
4. English Comprehension (50 marks)
- Reading Comprehension
- Spot the Error / Sentence Improvement
- Fill in the Blanks
- Synonyms and Antonyms
- Spelling Correction
- Idioms and Phrases
- One-Word Substitution
- Para Jumbles
- Cloze Test
- Active/Passive Voice, Direct/Indirect Speech
SSC CGL Tier 2 Detailed Syllabus 2026
Mathematical Abilities (Paper 1, Section 1)
All Tier 1 Maths topics at higher difficulty, plus:
- Advanced Trigonometry (min/max values, compound angles)
- Coordinate Geometry (distance formula, section formula, locus)
- Advanced DI (caselets, mixed charts, missing data)
English Language & Comprehension (Paper 1, Section 2)
All Tier 1 English topics at higher difficulty, plus:
- Comprehension Passage (3–4 passages with inference-based questions)
- Jumbled Sentences (para jumbles, sentence rearrangement)
- Vocabulary in Context
Statistics (Paper 2 — for JSO aspirants only)
- Collection and Representation of Data
- Measures of Central Tendency: Mean, Median, Mode
- Measures of Dispersion: Standard Deviation, Variance
- Correlation and Regression
- Index Numbers
- Probability: Classical, Binomial, Poisson, Normal Distribution
- Sampling Theory, Hypothesis Testing
- Time Series Analysis
General Studies — Finance & Economics (Paper 3 — for AAO aspirants)
- Indian Economy and financial system
- Money markets, capital markets
- Company law basics
- Cost and Management Accounting
- Micro and Macro Economics principles
- Government Budgeting and Financial Statements
SSC CGL 2026: Posts, Pay Scale and Eligibility
| Post | Department | Pay Level | Gross Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assistant Section Officer (MEA) | Ministry of External Affairs | Level 7 | ₹44,000–₹52,000 |
| Income Tax Inspector | CBDT | Level 7 | ₹44,000–₹52,000 |
| Inspector (Central Excise) | CBIC | Level 7 | ₹44,000–₹52,000 |
| Sub-Inspector (CBI) | CBI | Level 7 | ₹44,000–₹52,000 |
| Assistant Audit Officer | Indian Audit & Accounts Dept | Level 8 | ₹47,600–₹56,000 |
| Statistical Investigator Gr. II | M/o Statistics | Level 7 | ₹44,000–₹52,000 |
| Tax Assistant | CBDT/CBIC | Level 4 | ₹28,000–₹36,000 |
| Upper Division Clerk (UDC) | Various | Level 4 | ₹28,000–₹36,000 |
SSC CGL 2026 Preparation Strategy
For Tier 1 (Qualifying Stage)
- Target: 150+ out of 200 (safe score for all categories)
- Maths: 3 months on arithmetic; start DI in Month 2
- Reasoning: 2 months; focus on series, analogy, coding, non-verbal
- GK/GS: Read 1 newspaper daily; study standard 9-10 NCERT for science and history
- English: 1 month of grammar; vocabulary from Norman Lewis; RC practice
For Tier 2 (Main Qualifying Stage)
- Maths depth: Advanced geometry, trigonometry, coordinate geometry are high-priority
- English: Comprehension passages and vocabulary-in-context are high-weightage
- Computer Knowledge: Easy 60 marks — do not neglect this section
- GK Section 2: Static + current affairs — 75 easy marks for prepared candidates
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum age for SSC CGL 2026?
The minimum age is 18 years. Maximum age varies by post: 18–27 for most Group C posts, 20–30 for Group B posts like Income Tax Inspector and ASO. Age relaxation: 3 years for OBC, 5 years for SC/ST, 10 years for PwD candidates.
How many attempts are there in SSC CGL?
There is no fixed limit on the number of attempts for SSC CGL — you can appear as many times as you remain age-eligible. A 21-year-old General category candidate has 6 attempts (until age 27 for most posts).
Which post is best in SSC CGL?
The most coveted posts are: Assistant Section Officer in MEA (international exposure, Delhi posting, foreign allowances), Income Tax Inspector (field powers, good perquisites), and Assistant Audit Officer (Group B Gazetted, fastest promotion track). The “best” depends on your priorities — salary, power, work type or location.