SSC CGL Syllabus 2026
Staff Selection Commission Combined Graduate Level
Conducted By
Staff Selection Commission (SSC)
Eligibility
Graduate in any discipline from a recognized university
Age Limit
18-32 years (varies by post)
Exam Pattern
Tier I (CBE), Tier II (CBE)
The Combined Graduate Level (CGL) exam is the premier recruitment test for Group B and C posts in central government departments. Candidates prepare for roles like Income Tax Inspector, Assistant Section Officer, and CBI Sub-Inspector. The selection process consists of two computer-based tiers (Tier I and Tier II). Tier I is qualifying and tests General Intelligence, GK, Math, and English. Tier II is the main scoring stage. It tests mathematical abilities, reasoning, English comprehension, general awareness, computer basics, and typing skills. Clear conceptual understanding in math and high reading speed in English are essential. Most successful candidates spend one to two years of consistent preparation. Use our checklist below to track your subject-wise progress and check off topics as you master them.
Detailed Topic-wise Syllabus (100 topics)
Tier I - Preliminary
Computer Based Exam | 200 marks | 60 minutes | 100 MCQs (Qualifying)
General Intelligence & Reasoning 50 Marks
- Analogies - Semantic, Figurative, Symbolic, Number, Mixed
- Similarities and Differences
- Space Visualization and Orientation
- Problem Solving and Analysis
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Visual Memory and Discrimination
- Relationship Concepts
- Arithmetical Reasoning and Figural Classification
- Arithmetic Number Series
- Non-Verbal Series
- Coding and Decoding
- Statement and Conclusions, Syllogisms
- Seating Arrangement, Blood Relations
- Direction & Distance
- Series Completion - Alpha-Numeric
- Venn Diagrams
- Dice & Cube, Mirror Image, Paper Folding
- Embedded Figures and Figure Matrix
General Awareness 50 Marks
- Current Affairs - National & International
- Static GK - Awards, Appointments, Sports Events
- History of India - Ancient, Medieval, Modern
- Indian Polity - Constitution, Parliament, Judiciary
- Geography - India & World Physical, Human, Economic
- Economics - Basic Concepts, Budget, Banking
- Science & Technology - Physics, Chemistry, Biology Basics
- Environment & Ecology, Climate Change
- Sports - National and International Events
- Art & Culture - Dances, Music, Festivals
Quantitative Aptitude 50 Marks
- Number Systems - LCM, HCF, Divisibility
- Percentage and Its Applications
- Ratio, Proportion and Alligation
- Profit and Loss, Discount
- Simple and Compound Interest
- Time and Work, Pipes and Cisterns
- Speed, Distance and Time
- Average, Problems on Age
- Mensuration - 2D: Area of Triangle, Circle, Rectangle
- Mensuration - 3D: Volume of Cube, Cylinder, Cone
- Algebra - Identities, Linear Equations
- Geometry - Lines, Angles, Triangles, Circles
- Trigonometry - Ratios, Heights and Distances
- Data Interpretation - Bar, Pie, Line Chart, Table
English Comprehension 50 Marks
- Reading Comprehension - Passage Based Questions
- Fill in the Blanks - Vocabulary & Grammar
- Error Spotting and Sentence Correction
- Synonyms and Antonyms
- One Word Substitution
- Idioms and Phrases
- Sentence Rearrangement (Para Jumbles)
- Cloze Test
- Spelling Errors
Tier II - Mains
Computer Based Exam | Compulsory Paper I (390 Marks) + Post-Specific Papers II & III
Paper I - Sec I: Mathematical Abilities 90 Marks
- Number Systems - LCM, HCF, fractions, decimals & relationships between numbers
- Arithmetical Operations - Percentages, Ratio & Proportion, Square Roots, Averages, Interest, Profit & Loss, Discount, Partnership, Mixture & Alligation, Time & Distance, Time & Work
- Algebra - Basic algebraic identities, graphs of linear equations
- Geometry - Triangles (centres, congruence, similarity), Circles (chords, tangents, angles, common tangents)
- Mensuration - 2D & 3D (Triangles, Quadrilaterals, Polygons, Circle, Prism, Cone, Cylinder, Sphere, Pyramids)
- Trigonometry - Ratios, complementary angles, height & distance, simple identities
- Statistics & Probability - Central tendency (mean, median, mode), standard deviation, simple probability
Paper I - Sec I: Reasoning & General Intelligence 90 Marks
- Analogies - Semantic, Symbolic, Number, Figural
- Classifications - Semantic, Symbolic, Number, Figural
- Series - Semantic, Number, Figural series
- Coding & Decoding - Word building, numerical operations, symbolic operations
- Space Orientation & Visualization - Venn Diagrams, Paper Folding/Unfolding, Pattern completion
- Logical & Critical Reasoning - Address/date matching, roll numbers, emotional & social intelligence
Paper I - Sec II: English Language & Comprehension 135 Marks
- Vocabulary - Synonyms, Antonyms, Spellings, Idioms & Phrases, One Word Substitution
- Grammar - Error Spotting, Fill in the Blanks, Sentence Improvement, Active/Passive Voice
- Direct and Indirect Speech (Narration)
- Sentence Rearrangement (Para Jumbles, shuffling of sentence parts)
- Reading Comprehension - Simple/Complex passages, Cloze Test
Paper I - Sec II: General Awareness 75 Marks
- History & Culture - Ancient, Medieval, Modern India & Neighbouring Countries
- Geography & Environment - Physical, Human, Economic Geography
- Indian Polity - Constitution, Parliament, Judiciary & Governance
- Indian Economy - Basic Economic Concepts & Reforms
- General Science & Tech - Everyday Physics, Chemistry, Biology
- Current Affairs - National and International events & Sports
Paper I - Sec III: Computer Knowledge Module 60 Marks
- Computer Basics - CPU, organization, input/output devices, memory, keyboard shortcuts
- Software - Windows OS, MS Word, MS Excel, PowerPoint
- Internet & Emails - Web browsing, searching, downloading/uploading, managing email account
- Basics of Networking & Cyber Security - Devices, protocols, threats (viruses, hacking) & prevention
Paper I - Sec III: Data Entry Speed Test (DEST) 0 Marks
- Data Entry Task - Typing speed of ~2000 key depressions in 15 minutes (Qualifying)
Paper II: Statistics (JSO Post Only) 200 Marks
- Collection, Classification and Presentation of Statistical Data
- Measures of Central Tendency - Mean, Median, Mode, Partition values
- Measures of Dispersion - Range, Quartile/Mean/Standard Deviation, Variance
- Moments, Skewness and Kurtosis - Shephard's corrections
- Correlation and Regression - Scatter diagram, product-moment correlation coefficient
- Probability Theory - Classical, relative frequency, axiomatic, Bayes' theorem
- Random Variables and Probability Distributions - Binomial, Poisson, Normal distributions
- Sampling Theory - Parameter, statistic, sampling distribution, standard error
- Statistical Inference - Point & interval estimation, testing of hypotheses
- Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) - One-way & two-way classification
- Time Series Analysis - Secular trend, seasonal/cyclical fluctuations
- Index Numbers - Price, quantity index numbers, consumer price index
Paper III: General Studies (Finance & Economics) (AAO Post Only) 200 Marks
- Financial Accounting - Principles, GAAP, journal, ledger, trial balance, P&L, balance sheet
- Governance - Role of CAG, Constitutional provisions, Finance Commission
- Microeconomics - Demand & Supply, Elasticity, Consumer equilibrium, Price determination
- Production & Cost Analysis - Laws of returns, short-run/long-run cost curves, market forms
- Indian Economy - National Income concepts, Economic reforms (LPG), inflation
- Money & Banking - Commercial banks, RBI monetary policy instruments
- Fiscal Policy & Budget - Union Budget, government spending, GST, fiscal deficit
- IT in Governance - Digital initiatives, e-governance, role of technology in administration
Recommended Reference Books
| Subject | Book Title | Author / Publisher |
|---|---|---|
| English | Objective General English | S.P. Bakshi |
| Quantitative Aptitude | Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations | R.S. Aggarwal |
| General Intelligence | A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning | R.S. Aggarwal |
| General Awareness | Lucent's General Knowledge | Lucent |
| Statistics | Statistics for Economics | T.R. Jain & V.K. Ohri |
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