Theory & Concepts
Master Statement & Assumptions for SSC CGL
Get comprehensive theory, expert shortcuts, and hand-picked practice questions for Statement & Assumptions specifically designed for the SSC CGL 2025-26 pattern.
25+
Exams Covered
100+
Study Modules
5K+
Practice Notes
45 min readDifficulty: Medium
Statement & Assumptions is a critical reasoning topic in SSC CGL. You are given a statement and must determine which implicit assumption(s) are necessary for the statement to be logically valid — not what is explicitly stated, but what the speaker must believe to be true.
Learning path
- What is an Assumption?
- Types of Assumptions
- Elimination Techniques
- 20 Practice Questions
1. What is an Assumption?
An assumption is a hidden, unstated premise that must be true for the given statement to hold logically. It is the bridge between what is said and the conclusion implied.
Implicit Assumption
Something not stated but necessary for the statement to make sense.
"Join our coaching for guaranteed success."
→ Assumes: Coaching can lead to success.
Not an Assumption
Restatements, extreme claims, or unrelated facts are NOT assumptions.
"All students will pass" is too extreme.
→ Exaggeration ≠ Assumption
Over-Assumption Trap
Don't assume more than what the statement requires.
"Buy organic food for better health."
→ "Organic food is the ONLY way to be healthy" is over-assumption.
The Negation Test
Negate the assumption. If the statement falls apart, it's a valid assumption.
Negate: "Coaching cannot lead to success."
→ Original statement becomes meaningless → Valid assumption confirmed.
2. Common Types of Assumptions in SSC CGL
Recognizing these patterns will help you quickly identify the correct assumption:
1
Cause-Effect Assumption: The statement implies a cause produces a certain effect. The assumption is that the cause-effect link is valid.
2
Existence/Feasibility Assumption: The statement presumes something exists or is possible. E.g., "Apply online" assumes internet access exists.
3
Advice/Recommendation Assumption: When advice is given, it is assumed the advice is beneficial and the audience can act on it.
4
Comparison Assumption: "X is better than Y" assumes both X and Y are comparable and that the comparison metric is valid.
3. 20 Practice Questions (Solved)
Question 01Exam Pattern
Statement: "The government has decided to make primary education free for all children." Assumptions: I. The government has sufficient funds for this initiative. II. All parents want their children to be educated.
A) Only I is implicit
B) Only II is implicit
C) Both I and II are implicit
D) Neither I nor II is implicit
Correct answer: C) Both I and II are implicit
Solution
Step 1: The government is making education free. For this to happen, it must have funds. Assumption I is implicit.
Step 2: The policy targets 'all children', implying the belief that parents want education for their kids. Assumption II is implicit.
Step 3: Both assumptions are necessary for the statement to hold.
Conclusion: Both I and II are implicit. Option C.
Question 02Exam Pattern
Statement: "If you want to improve your health, start jogging every morning." Assumptions: I. Jogging is beneficial for health. II. Only jogging can improve health.
A) Only I is implicit
B) Only II is implicit
C) Both I and II are implicit
D) Neither I nor II is implicit
Correct answer: A) Only I is implicit
Solution
Step 1: The statement recommends jogging FOR health improvement. So jogging must be beneficial. Assumption I is implicit.
Step 2: The statement says 'start jogging', not 'ONLY jogging'. The word 'only' makes Assumption II an over-assumption. Not implicit.
Conclusion: Only I is implicit. Option A.
Question 03Exam Pattern
Statement: "The company decided to give a bonus to all employees who completed five years of service." Assumptions: I. There are employees who have completed five years. II. Bonus will motivate employees to continue working.
A) Only I is implicit
B) Only II is implicit
C) Both I and II are implicit
D) Neither I nor II is implicit
Correct answer: C) Both I and II are implicit
Solution
Step 1: The company is giving a bonus to those with 5 years service. Such employees must exist. Assumption I is implicit.
Step 2: A bonus is a reward/motivation tool. The company must believe it will encourage loyalty. Assumption II is implicit.
Conclusion: Both are implicit. Option C.
Question 04Exam Pattern
Statement: "Please do not park your vehicle near the main gate." Assumptions: I. There is a parking space elsewhere. II. People may park near the main gate.
A) Only I is implicit
B) Only II is implicit
C) Both I and II are implicit
D) Neither I nor II is implicit
Correct answer: C) Both I and II are implicit
Solution
Step 1: If someone asks you not to park here, there must be an alternative parking area. Assumption I is implicit.
Step 2: The request is made because people might park there. Otherwise, the notice would be pointless. Assumption II is implicit.
Conclusion: Both are implicit. Option C.
Question 05Exam Pattern
Statement: "The school has introduced a new curriculum to improve students' analytical skills." Assumptions: I. The current curriculum does not adequately develop analytical skills. II. Analytical skills are important for students.
A) Only I is implicit
B) Only II is implicit
C) Both I and II are implicit
D) Neither I nor II is implicit
Correct answer: C) Both I and II are implicit
Solution
Step 1: A new curriculum was introduced to 'improve' analytical skills, implying the old one was insufficient. Assumption I is implicit.
Step 2: The school is investing effort in analytical skills, so they must consider it important. Assumption II is implicit.
Conclusion: Both are implicit. Option C.
Question 06Exam Pattern
Statement: "Buy our product — it is the cheapest in the market." Assumptions: I. People prefer cheaper products. II. No other product is as cheap.
A) Only I is implicit
B) Only II is implicit
C) Both I and II are implicit
D) Neither I nor II is implicit
Correct answer: C) Both I and II are implicit
Solution
Step 1: The ad uses price as the selling point. This assumes price matters to buyers. Assumption I is implicit.
Step 2: Claiming 'cheapest' assumes no other product matches its price. Assumption II is implicit.
Conclusion: Both are implicit. Option C.
Question 07Exam Pattern
Statement: "The airline has cancelled all flights to City X due to heavy fog." Assumptions: I. Fog affects flight operations. II. No other mode of transport is available to City X.
A) Only I is implicit
B) Only II is implicit
C) Both I and II are implicit
D) Neither I nor II is implicit
Correct answer: A) Only I is implicit
Solution
Step 1: Flights are cancelled 'due to heavy fog'. So fog affects flight operations. Assumption I is implicit.
Step 2: The statement only talks about flights. It says nothing about other transport modes. Assumption II is not implicit — it's an over-assumption.
Conclusion: Only I is implicit. Option A.
Question 08Exam Pattern
Statement: "The manager asked all team members to attend the meeting without fail." Assumptions: I. The meeting is important. II. Team members may not attend if not instructed.
A) Only I is implicit
B) Only II is implicit
C) Both I and II are implicit
D) Neither I nor II is implicit
Correct answer: C) Both I and II are implicit
Solution
Step 1: 'Without fail' indicates high importance. Assumption I is implicit.
Step 2: The manager explicitly asked everyone to attend, implying some might skip otherwise. Assumption II is implicit.
Conclusion: Both are implicit. Option C.
Question 09Exam Pattern
Statement: "Drink boiled water to avoid waterborne diseases." Assumptions: I. Boiling water kills germs. II. Waterborne diseases are caused by contaminated water.
A) Only I is implicit
B) Only II is implicit
C) Both I and II are implicit
D) Neither I nor II is implicit
Correct answer: C) Both I and II are implicit
Solution
Step 1: The advice to boil water assumes boiling is effective at killing germs. Assumption I is implicit.
Step 2: 'Waterborne diseases' inherently means diseases caused by contaminated water. Assumption II is implicit.
Conclusion: Both are implicit. Option C.
Question 10Exam Pattern
Statement: "The institute offers weekend courses for working professionals." Assumptions: I. Working professionals cannot attend courses on weekdays. II. There are working professionals interested in such courses.
A) Only I is implicit
B) Only II is implicit
C) Both I and II are implicit
D) Neither I nor II is implicit
Correct answer: C) Both I and II are implicit
Solution
Step 1: Weekend courses are specifically for working professionals, implying they can't attend on weekdays. Assumption I is implicit.
Step 2: The institute won't offer courses unless there is demand. Assumption II is implicit.
Conclusion: Both are implicit. Option C.
Question 11Exam Pattern
Statement: "The hospital has installed air purifiers in all wards." Assumptions: I. Air purifiers improve air quality. II. The hospital's air quality was poor before.
A) Only I is implicit
B) Only II is implicit
C) Both I and II are implicit
D) Neither I nor II is implicit
Correct answer: A) Only I is implicit
Solution
Step 1: Installing purifiers only makes sense if they actually improve air quality. Assumption I is implicit.
Step 2: The hospital might want to maintain already good air quality, not necessarily fix poor quality. Assumption II is not necessarily implicit.
Conclusion: Only I is implicit. Option A.
Question 12Exam Pattern
Statement: "The teacher punished the student for not completing homework." Assumptions: I. Homework was assigned to the student. II. Punishment will make the student complete homework in the future.
A) Only I is implicit
B) Only II is implicit
C) Both I and II are implicit
D) Neither I nor II is implicit
Correct answer: C) Both I and II are implicit
Solution
Step 1: A student can only be punished for 'not completing' homework if homework was assigned. Assumption I is implicit.
Step 2: The purpose of punishment is corrective — the teacher believes it will change behavior. Assumption II is implicit.
Conclusion: Both are implicit. Option C.
Question 13Exam Pattern
Statement: "The government has banned the use of plastic bags in the city." Assumptions: I. Plastic bags are harmful to the environment. II. People will follow the ban.
A) Only I is implicit
B) Only II is implicit
C) Both I and II are implicit
D) Neither I nor II is implicit
Correct answer: C) Both I and II are implicit
Solution
Step 1: A ban implies the banned item is harmful. Assumption I is implicit.
Step 2: Any law or ban assumes compliance. Otherwise, making the ban is pointless. Assumption II is implicit.
Conclusion: Both are implicit. Option C.
Question 14Exam Pattern
Statement: "The company has hired a security agency to guard its premises at night." Assumptions: I. The premises may be unsafe at night. II. The security agency is capable of providing adequate security.
A) Only I is implicit
B) Only II is implicit
C) Both I and II are implicit
D) Neither I nor II is implicit
Correct answer: C) Both I and II are implicit
Solution
Step 1: Night security was hired, suggesting the premises need protection at night. Assumption I is implicit.
Step 2: The company chose this agency, meaning they trust its capability. Assumption II is implicit.
Conclusion: Both are implicit. Option C.
Question 15Exam Pattern
Statement: "Walk 30 minutes daily and you won't need medicine for diabetes." Assumptions: I. Walking has health benefits. II. Walking alone can cure diabetes completely.
A) Only I is implicit
B) Only II is implicit
C) Both I and II are implicit
D) Neither I nor II is implicit
Correct answer: A) Only I is implicit
Solution
Step 1: The statement recommends walking for health, assuming it has benefits. Assumption I is implicit.
Step 2: 'Won't need medicine' is a claim within the statement, not a hidden assumption. Also, saying 'cure completely' goes beyond what the statement implies — it's about not needing medicine, not curing entirely. Assumption II is an over-assumption. Not implicit.
Conclusion: Only I is implicit. Option A.
Question 16Exam Pattern
Statement: "An advertisement: 'Enroll your child in our school — we guarantee 100% placement assistance after graduation.'" Assumptions: I. Parents want their children to get jobs after education. II. The school has a placement cell.
A) Only I is implicit
B) Only II is implicit
C) Both I and II are implicit
D) Neither I nor II is implicit
Correct answer: C) Both I and II are implicit
Solution
Step 1: The ad uses 'placement assistance' as a selling point, meaning parents value job prospects. Assumption I is implicit.
Step 2: Guaranteeing placement assistance requires the infrastructure to deliver it. Assumption II is implicit.
Conclusion: Both are implicit. Option C.
Question 17Exam Pattern
Statement: "The railway department has decided to increase the frequency of trains on the Delhi-Mumbai route." Assumptions: I. There is increased demand for travel on this route. II. The railway department has enough trains.
A) Only I is implicit
B) Only II is implicit
C) Both I and II are implicit
D) Neither I nor II is implicit
Correct answer: C) Both I and II are implicit
Solution
Step 1: Increasing frequency only makes sense if there is more demand. Assumption I is implicit.
Step 2: To increase frequency, the department must have the resources (trains). Assumption II is implicit.
Conclusion: Both are implicit. Option C.
Question 18Exam Pattern
Statement: "The company has launched a new product and placed ads in all major newspapers." Assumptions: I. People read newspapers. II. The product will definitely become successful.
A) Only I is implicit
B) Only II is implicit
C) Both I and II are implicit
D) Neither I nor II is implicit
Correct answer: A) Only I is implicit
Solution
Step 1: Advertising in newspapers only makes sense if people read them. Assumption I is implicit.
Step 2: The word 'definitely' makes Assumption II an extreme/over-assumption. Success is hoped for, not guaranteed by ads. Not implicit.
Conclusion: Only I is implicit. Option A.
Question 19Exam Pattern
Statement: "If it rains tomorrow, the cricket match will be postponed." Assumptions: I. Rain affects cricket matches. II. It may rain tomorrow.
A) Only I is implicit
B) Only II is implicit
C) Both I and II are implicit
D) Neither I nor II is implicit
Correct answer: C) Both I and II are implicit
Solution
Step 1: The statement links rain to postponement, meaning rain disrupts cricket. Assumption I is implicit.
Step 2: 'If it rains' implies rain is a possibility. Assumption II is implicit.
Conclusion: Both are implicit. Option C.
Question 20Exam Pattern
Statement: "The municipality has asked citizens to segregate wet and dry waste before disposal." Assumptions: I. Citizens are currently not segregating waste. II. Waste segregation helps in proper disposal.
A) Only I is implicit
B) Only II is implicit
C) Both I and II are implicit
D) Neither I nor II is implicit
Correct answer: C) Both I and II are implicit
Solution
Step 1: The municipality issued this directive because citizens aren't already doing it. Assumption I is implicit.
Step 2: The purpose of the directive is to improve disposal, so segregation must help. Assumption II is implicit.
Conclusion: Both are implicit. Option C.
Strategy errors to avoid
!
Over-Assumption
Don't pick an assumption that goes beyond what is required. Words like "only", "always", "never", "definitely" in an assumption option are red flags — they usually indicate over-assumption.
!
Confusing Assumption with Conclusion
An assumption is what the speaker BELIEVES before making the statement. A conclusion is what FOLLOWS from the statement. Don't mix the two — look for the hidden premise, not the result.