SSC CGL Syllabus 2026 (Official)
Tier 1 & Tier 2 Subject-Wise Topics
SSC CGL Tier 1 Syllabus Subjects
Tier 1 is a qualifying-only online computer-based test comprising 100 questions of 2 marks each. There is a strict 15-minute sectional timing rule with no backward switching.
- Quantitative Aptitude (25 Qs / 50 Marks)
- General Intelligence & Reasoning (25 Qs / 50 Marks)
- English Language & Comprehension (25 Qs / 50 Marks)
- General Awareness (25 Qs / 50 Marks)
The SSC CGL syllabus 2026 covers two computer-based stages: Tier 1, a qualifying-only paper testing Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, English, and General Awareness; and Tier 2, the scoring stage that decides your final merit and post allocation. Tier 2 has expanded this cycle to three papers — Paper I (compulsory for everyone), Paper II (Statistics, only for JSO and Statistical Investigator Grade-II aspirants), and Paper III (Finance & Economics, only for AAO/AAcO aspirants). The topics themselves haven't changed much from previous years, but SSC has introduced strict sectional timing in both tiers, which changes how you should sequence your attempts. Below is the complete subject-wise syllabus, straight from the official notification.
SSC CGL Syllabus & Pattern — Quick Overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Tier 1 | 100 questions, 200 marks, 60 min (15-min sectional lock per section) |
| Tier 1 Nature | Qualifying only — not counted in final merit |
| Tier 2 Paper I | 150 questions, 450 marks — compulsory for all posts |
| Tier 2 Paper II | 100 questions, 200 marks — Statistics, JSO & SI Gr. II only |
| Tier 2 Paper III | 100 questions, 200 marks — Finance & Economics, AAO/AAcO only |
| Negative Marking (Tier 1) | −0.50 per wrong answer |
| Negative Marking (Tier 2 Paper I, Sections I & II + Module I of Section III) | −1 per wrong answer |
| Negative Marking (Tier 2 Paper II & III) | −0.50 per wrong answer |
| Language | Bilingual (Hindi & English), except the English module |
| Final Merit Based On | Tier 2 only |
Syllabus Explorer
Subject-Wise Weightage & Priority
To build a strategic layer for your preparation, you should not treat every subject equally. Use the priority signals below to budget your daily study hours effectively.
| Subject | Tier | Priority Signal |
|---|---|---|
| Quantitative Aptitude | Tier 1 & 2 | Most scoring — answers are definitive, less ambiguity than GA |
| General Awareness | Tier 1 & 2 | Highest ceiling but hardest to predict — build via daily current affairs, not last-minute cramming |
| Reasoning | Tier 1 & 2 | Fully practice-driven — pattern recognition improves fastest with volume |
| English | Tier 1 & 2 | Fastest to finish if grammar basics are strong — frees up time for other sections in Tier 2 |
| Computer Knowledge | Tier 2 only | Qualifying, but a low cut-off here can disqualify an otherwise strong candidate — don't skip it |
| Statistics (Paper II) | Tier 2 (JSO/SI only) | Needs 2–3 months dedicated prep; not a "read once" subject |
| Finance & Economics (Paper III) | Tier 2 (AAO only) | New paper — treat static Finance/Accounts concepts as scoring, Economics theory as conceptual |
How to Use This Syllabus
- 1Print or bookmark this page and treat it as a checklist — tick off each topic as you complete it.
- 2Cross-reference every topic against Prepgrind's sectional tests, so you're practicing exactly what's listed here, not generic question banks.
- 3Once a subject is "syllabus-complete," move to previous year papers to see how SSC has actually framed questions from that topic.
- 4Because Tier 1 now locks each section after 15 minutes, practice subject-wise sectional mocks before attempting full-length papers — full mocks alone won't train the lock-and-move discipline this format demands.
Official Syllabus PDF
Download the official notice published by the Staff Selection Commission. This PDF contains the complete exam instructions, eligibility criteria, and detailed syllabus guidelines.