Staff Selection Commission - Combined Graduate Level Examination

The Staff Selection Commission Combined Graduate Level (SSC CGL) Examination is a national-level recruitment exam conducted annually to select Group B and Group C officers for various ministries, departments, and organizations of the Government of India. Exam Structure - Mode: Online Computer-Based Test (CBT) - Stages: Two Tiers (Tier I and Tier II) - Frequency: Annually - Duration: Tier I (60 minutes); Tier II (approx. 150 minutes for Paper I)Tier I (Qualifying) - Structure: 100 multiple-choice questions across four sections: General Intelligence & Reasoning, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, and English Comprehension - Total Marks: 200 (2 marks per correct answer) - Negative Marking: 0.50 marks per wrong answer Tier II (Merit-Deciding) - Paper I (Compulsory): Includes Mathematical Abilities, Reasoning, English Language, General Awareness, and a Computer Knowledge Test - Data Entry Speed Test (DEST): A qualifying 15-minute task requiring 2000 key depressions - Paper II: Specifically for Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) applicants, focusing on Statistics - Negative Marking: 1 mark per wrong answer in most sections Eligibility and Selection - Prerequisites: Bachelor's degree in any discipline (specific posts may require specific subjects) - Age Limit: Generally 18–32 years, depending on the post - Final Selection: Based on performance in Tier II, as Tier I is qualifying in nature; there is no interview round for these posts

Exam Pattern & Syllabus

The Staff Selection Commission Combined Graduate Level (SSC CGL) 2026 is a two-tier competitive exam conducted in a computer-based format. Exam Pattern: - Tier 1: Qualifying exam consisting of 100 objective MCQs (200 marks total) across four sections: General Intelligence and Reasoning, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, and English Comprehension. Each section has 25 questions. The duration is 60 minutes with a negative marking of 0.50 per wrong answer. - Tier 2: Merit-deciding exam consisting of multiple papers. Paper I is compulsory for all posts and includes Mathematical Abilities, Reasoning, English, General Awareness, Computer Knowledge, and a Data Entry Speed Test (DEST). Paper II (Statistics) is required only for JSO/Statistical Investigator positions. Negative marking is 1 mark for Section I, II, and Module I of Section III in Paper I.Syllabus Overview: - Quantitative Aptitude: Number systems, arithmetic (percentages, ratio, profit and loss, interest, time and work), algebra, geometry, mensuration, trigonometry, and data interpretation (charts/graphs). - General Intelligence and Reasoning: Analogies, series, coding-decoding, blood relations, Venn diagrams, syllogisms, non-verbal reasoning, and critical thinking. - English Comprehension: Reading comprehension, error spotting, fill in the blanks, synonyms/antonyms, cloze tests, idioms, and grammar. - General Awareness: Current affairs, Indian history, culture, geography, economics, polity, and general science (up to Class 10). - Computer Knowledge: Basic computer fundamentals and operations. - Statistics (Paper II): Data collection and presentation, measures of central tendency, dispersion, moments, skewness, kurtosis, correlation, regression, and probability theory.

Download Syllabus PDF

Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility criteria for the SSC CGL exam include: - Nationality: Candidates must be a citizen of India, a subject of Nepal or Bhutan, a Tibetan refugee (settled before 1962), or a person of Indian origin from specified countries. - Age Limit: Generally 18 to 32 years, varying by specific post. Age relaxation is provided for reserved categories (e.g., 3 years for OBC, 5 years for SC/ST). - Educational Qualification: A Bachelor's degree from a recognized university is required. Specific posts like Junior Statistical Officer or Assistant Audit Officer may have additional subject-specific requirements. - Physical Standards: Certain posts (e.g., Inspector, Sub-Inspector) require meeting specific physical standards for height, chest measurements, and physical tests like walking or cycling.

Application Process

The SSC CGL application process is conducted entirely online through the official website (ssc.gov.in) or the mySSC mobile app. It consists of two main parts: One-Time Registration (OTR) and the CGL-specific application form. How to Apply: - One-Time Registration (OTR): Visit the official website, click Register Now, and enter basic details including name, date of birth, and contact information. Verify your mobile number and email via OTP to receive a Registration ID and password. - Login: Use your new credentials to log in to the SSC portal. - Fill Application: Under the Latest Notifications tab, find Combined Graduate Level Examination 2026 and click Apply. - Enter Details: Provide educational qualifications, select three preferred exam centers, and indicate post preferences. - Upload Documents: Capture a live photograph or upload a recent one and a scanned signature as per specified dimensions and file sizes. - Fee Payment: Pay the application fee of 100 INR via online modes like BHIM UPI, Net Banking, or Credit/Debit cards (Women, SC, ST, PwD, and Ex-servicemen are exempt). - Submit and Print: Review all details carefully, submit the form, and download the final application PDF for future reference.

Admit Card & Exam Centers

The Staff Selection Commission Combined Graduate Level (SSC CGL) Tier 2 admit card was released on January 15, 2026, for the examinations held on January 18 and 19, 2026. For the 2026 Tier 1 cycle, admit cards are expected to be released 3–7 days before the exam, which is tentatively scheduled for May–June 2026. Admit Card Details - Official Website: ssc.gov.in - Download Method: Candidates must log in to their respective regional SSC websites using their Registration ID/Roll Number and Date of Birth/Password. - Mandatory Documents: A printed copy of the admit card, a valid original photo ID (e.g., Aadhaar, PAN, Voter ID), and at least two passport-size photographs.Exam Center Details - Allotment: Centers are assigned based on the three preferences provided by the candidate during the application process. - Specific Locations: The exact venue address, exam date, and shift timing are printed on the individual admit card. - Regional Coverage: Exams are held across nine regions (NR, SR, WR, CR, ER, KKR, MPR, NER, and NWR) in major cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Patna.

Previous Year Cutoffs & Results

Year	Total	General	OBC	EWS	SC	ST
2025	200	136.4	130.36	127.41	115.02	106.38
2024	200	153.18	146.26	142.01	126.45	111.88
2023	200	150.04	145.93	143.44	126.68	118.16
2022	200	114.27	102.35	114.27	89.08	77.57

Vacancies Filled

Year	Total	General	OBC	EWS	SC	ST
2026		6458	3832	1475	2221	1132

Preparation Tips & Resources

Preparation Tips - Understand the Exam Pattern: Familiarize yourself with the Tier 1 and Tier 2 structures, marking schemes (+2 for correct, -0.5 or -1 for wrong), and syllabus weightage. - Create a Study Plan: Develop a daily timetable (minimum 4-6 hours) focusing on core subjects like Maths, English, Reasoning, and General Awareness. - Focus on Basics: Build strong foundations in concepts before moving to advanced topics, especially for Quantitative Aptitude and English Grammar. - Practice Previous Year Papers (PYQs): Solve daily as they are essential for understanding question trends and difficulty levels. - Take Mock Tests: Attempt 3-4 mocks weekly to improve speed, accuracy, and time management, followed by a thorough analysis of mistakes. - Daily Revision: Maintain an error notebook and revise formulas, vocabulary, grammar rules, and current affairs every day. - Subject Strategies: Prioritize high-weightage topics like Algebra and Geometry for Maths, and reading comprehension for English.Resources - Books: KD/MB or SP Bakshi for English; Kiran, Pinnacle, or PW for Maths; Lucent or PW for General Awareness; Blackbook for English vocabulary. - Online Platforms: Testbook, Oliveboard, Adda247, and Guidely for mock tests and practice sets. - YouTube and Apps: Channels like Simplicrack or VisionQ for guidance; apps like Simplicrack and Testbook for courses and notes. - Study Material: PW preparation books, Adda247 mock test series, and free PDF notes from platforms like Notopedia or Telegram channels.

Contact & Helpdesk

For candidates of the Staff Selection Commission Combined Graduate Level Examination, the primary contact and helpdesk details are: - Headquarters Helpline: 011-24368090 (10 AM to 5 PM on weekdays) - Toll-Free Number: 1800-309-3063 - Helpdesk Email: helpdesk-ssc@ssc.nic.in - Website: www.ssc.gov.in

SSC CGL Previous Year Question Papers

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SSC CGL