SSC CGL 2026: Syllabus

SSC CGL 2026: Comprehensive Guide for Aspirants

Embark on a journey towards a prestigious career in the Indian government with the SSC CGL 2026 examination. The Staff Selection Commission’s Combined Graduate Level (CGL) exam is one of the most sought-after national-level recruitment tests, offering unparalleled opportunities for graduates to secure coveted Group ‘B’ and Group ‘C’ positions across various Ministries, Departments, and Organizations of the Government of India. This comprehensive guide provides prospective candidates with all essential information regarding the SSC CGL 2026, covering eligibility, exam pattern, syllabus, and crucial preparation strategies to help aspirants meticulously plan their success. Target aspirants include dedicated graduates aiming for a stable, respectable, and impactful career in public service.

Exam Details – SSC CGL 2026

• Exam Name: Staff Selection Commission Combined Graduate Level Examination 2026 (SSC CGL 2026)
• Conducting Authority: Staff Selection Commission (SSC)
• Exam Level: National Level, Graduate Level Examination
• Mode of Exam: Computer Based Test (CBT)
• Stages: Tier-I (Computer Based Examination), Tier-II (Computer Based Examination)
• Job Type: Group ‘B’ and Group ‘C’ Posts

Important Dates – SSC CGL 2026

The official dates for SSC CGL 2026 will be announced by the Staff Selection Commission. Aspirants are advised to regularly check the official SSC website for the most accurate and updated information.

• Notification Release: To be announced
• Online Application Start Date: To be announced
• Online Application End Date: To be announced
• Last Date for Online Fee Payment: To be announced
• Tier-I Exam Dates (CBT): To be announced
• Tier-II Exam Dates (CBT): To be announced

Eligibility Criteria – SSC CGL 2026

Candidates aspiring for SSC CGL 2026 must fulfill specific eligibility requirements concerning educational qualification, age limit, and nationality.

Educational Qualification

• Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s Degree in any discipline from a recognized University or equivalent.
• For specific posts like Junior Statistical Officer (JSO), Statistical Investigator Grade-II, and Assistant Audit Officer/Assistant Accounts Officer, additional subject-specific qualifications may be required. Detailed post-wise qualifications will be specified in the official SSC CGL 2026 notification.

Age Limit (as on a specified crucial date, to be announced with the notification)

The age limits typically vary for different posts under SSC CGL, generally ranging from 18 to 32 years. Specific age limits for each post will be detailed in the official SSC CGL 2026 notification.

• General Age Range: 18-27 years, 18-30 years, 18-32 years, 20-27 years, 20-30 years (depending on the post)

Category-wise Age Relaxation:

• SC/ST: 5 years
• OBC: 3 years
• Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD):
  • Unreserved: 10 years
  • OBC: 13 years
  • SC/ST: 15 years
• Ex-Servicemen (ESM): 3 years after deduction of the military service rendered from the actual age as on the closing date of receipt of online application.
• Defence Personnel disabled in operation during hostilities with any foreign country or in a disturbed area and released as a consequence thereof:
  • Unreserved: 3 years
  • OBC: 6 years
  • SC/ST: 8 years
• Central Government Civilian Employees:
  • Up to 40 years of age for Unreserved
  • Up to 45 years of age for SC/ST
  • Up to 43 years of age for OBC

Nationality

A candidate must be either:

• a citizen of India, or
• a subject of Nepal, or
• a subject of Bhutan, or
• a Tibetan refugee who came over to India before 1st January 1962 with the intention of permanently settling in India, or
• a person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African Countries of Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania (formerly Tanganyika and Zanzibar), Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia, and Vietnam with the intention of permanently settling in India.

Category-Wise Seats – SSC CGL 2026

The exact number of vacancies for SSC CGL 2026 will be released along with the official notification. The vacancies are determined based on the requisitions from various Ministries/Departments/Organizations.

Tentative Vacancy Distribution (Actual numbers to be announced):

Note: The number of seats mentioned above is purely tentative and subject to change. The final number of vacancies will be notified on the SSC official website.

Exam Fees – SSC CGL 2026

The application fees for SSC CGL 2026 are as follows:

• General/OBC Male Candidates: ₹100/-
• Women Candidates: Exempted from fee payment
• SC/ST/PwBD/Ex-Servicemen Candidates: Exempted from fee payment

Mode of Payment: The fee can be paid online through BHIM UPI, Net Banking, or by using Visa, Mastercard, Maestro RuPay Credit or Debit cards. Candidates can also pay the fee offline through SBI Challan during working hours of SBI.

Exam Pattern – SSC CGL 2026

The SSC CGL 2026 examination will be conducted in two tiers: Tier-I and Tier-II. Both tiers will be Computer Based Examinations (CBE).

Tier-I Exam Pattern (Objective Type)

• Negative Marking: There will be a negative marking of 0.50 marks for each incorrect answer in Tier-I.
• Tier-I is qualifying in nature. Marks obtained in Tier-I will not be counted for final merit but are essential for shortlisting candidates for Tier-II.

Tier-II Exam Pattern (Computer Based Examination)

Tier-II consists of three Papers, with Paper-I being compulsory for all posts. Paper-II and Paper-III are for specific posts only.

Paper-I (Compulsory for all posts)

Paper-I will be conducted in two Sessions (Session-I and Session-II) on the same day.

Session-I (2 hours and 15 minutes)

Session-II (15 minutes)

• Negative Marking in Tier-II (Paper-I, Paper-II & Paper-III): There will be a negative marking of 1 mark for each incorrect answer.
• Module-I of Section-III (Computer Knowledge Module) is mandatory but qualifying in nature.
• Module-II of Section-III (Data Entry Speed Test Module) is also mandatory and qualifying in nature.

Paper-II (For Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) in the Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation and Statistical Investigator Grade-II)

Paper-III (For Assistant Audit Officer/Assistant Accounts Officer)

Note: Merit for selection will be based on the aggregate marks scored in Paper-I of Tier-II Examination only. However, candidates must qualify all sections of Paper-I, including the Computer Knowledge Test and Data Entry Speed Test Module.

Detailed Syllabus – SSC CGL 2026

A thorough understanding of the SSC CGL 2026 syllabus is crucial for effective preparation.

Tier-I Syllabus

• General Intelligence & Reasoning:
  • Analogies, Similarities and differences, Space visualization, Spatial orientation, Problem-solving, Analysis, Judgment, Decision making, Visual memory, Discrimination, Observation, Relationship concepts, Arithmetical reasoning and figural classification, Arithmetic number series, Non-verbal series, Coding and decoding, Statement conclusion, Syllogistic reasoning.
• General Awareness:
  • Questions designed to test the candidate’s general awareness of the environment around him/her and its application to society. Questions will also be designed to test knowledge of current events and of such matters of everyday observations and experience in their scientific aspect as may be expected of any educated person. The test will also include questions relating to India and its neighboring countries especially pertaining to History, Culture, Geography, Economic Scene, General Policy & Scientific Research.
• Quantitative Aptitude:
  • Whole numbers, Decimals, Fractions, Relationships between numbers, Percentage, Ratio & Proportion, Square roots, Averages, Interest (Simple and Compound), Profit & Loss, Discount, Partnership Business, Mixture and Alligation, Time & distance, Time & Work, Basic algebraic identities, Graphs of Linear Equations, Triangle and its various kinds of centres, Congruence and similarity of triangles, Circle and its chords, tangents, angles subtended by chords of a circle, common tangents to two or more circles, Mensuration, Trigonometry, Statistical Charts.
• English Comprehension:
  • Candidates’ ability to understand correct English, their basic comprehension and writing ability, etc. would be tested. Vocabulary, grammar, sentence structure, synonyms, antonyms, spot the error, fill in the blanks, cloze test, comprehension passage.

Tier-II Syllabus

Paper-I:

• Module-I: Mathematical Abilities (Section-I)
  • Number Systems, Fundamental arithmetical operations, Algebra, Geometry, Mensuration, Trigonometry, Statistical Charts. The topics will be similar to Tier-I Quantitative Aptitude but with a higher level of difficulty and application.
• Module-II: Reasoning and General Intelligence (Section-I)
  • Semantic Analogy, Symbolic operations, Symbolic/Number Analogy, Trends, Figural Analogy, Space Orientation, Semantic Classification, Venn Diagrams, Symbolic/Number Classification, Drawing inferences, Figural Classification, Punched hole/pattern-folding & unfolding, Semantic Series, Figural Pattern-folding and completion, Number Series, Embedded figures, Figural Series, Critical thinking, Problem Solving, Emotional Intelligence, Word Building, Social Intelligence, Coding and de-coding, Numerical operations, Other sub-topics.
• Module-I: English Language and Comprehension (Section-II)
  • Vocabulary, Grammar, Sentence structure, Synonyms, Antonyms, Spot the Error, Fill in the Blanks, Idioms & Phrases, One-word substitution, Spelling Correction, Active/Passive Voice, Narration, Cloze Passage, Comprehension Passages. Focus on detailed comprehension and advanced grammar.
• Module-II: General Awareness (Section-II)
  • Current events, History, Culture, Geography, Economic Scene, General Policy and Scientific Research. Broader and more in-depth coverage than Tier-I, with emphasis on analytical understanding.
• Module-I: Computer Knowledge Module (Section-III)
  • Computer Basics: Organization of a computer, Central Processing Unit (CPU), input/ output devices, computer memory, memory organization, back-up devices, PORTs, Windows Explorer, Keyboard shortcuts.
  • Software: Windows Operating system including basics of Microsoft Office like MS Word, MS Excel and Power Point etc.
  • Working with Internet and E-mails: Web Browsing & Searching, Downloading & Uploading, Managing an E-mail Account, E-Banking.
  • Basics of Networking and Cyber Security: Networking devices and protocols, Network and information security threats (like hacking, virus, worms, Trojan etc.) and preventive measures.
• Module-II: Data Entry Speed Test Module (Section-III)
  • Candidates will be required to type a passage of approximately 2000 key depressions in 15 minutes.

Paper-II: Statistics (for JSO and Statistical Investigator Grade-II)

• Collection, Classification and Presentation of Statistical Data, Measures of Central Tendency, Measures of Dispersion, Moments, Skewness and Kurtosis, Correlation and Regression, Probability Theory, Random Variable and Probability Distributions, Sampling Theory, Statistical Inference, Analysis of Variance, Time Series Analysis, Index Numbers.

Paper-III: General Studies (Finance and Economics) (for AAO/AO)

• Part A: Finance and Accounts (80 marks)
  • Financial Accounting: Nature and scope, Limitations of Financial Accounting, Basic concepts and conventions, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Single and Double Entry, Books of Original Entry, Bank Reconciliation, Ledgers, Trial Balance, Rectification of Errors, Manufacturing, Trading, Profit & Loss Appropriation Accounts, Balance Sheet, Distinction between Capital and Revenue Expenditure, Depreciation Accounting.
  • Budgeting and Budgetary Control.
• Part B: Economics and Governance (120 marks)
  • Theory of Demand and Supply, Theory of Production and Cost, Forms of Market and Price Determination.
  • Indian Economy: Economic reforms, Monetary and Fiscal policy, Role of RBI, National Income, Public Finance, Taxation, Inflation, External Sector (BOP, Forex), International Economic Organizations (IMF, World Bank, WTO).
  • Governance: Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG), Finance Commission, Basic concepts of economics and public finance.

Exam Centers – SSC CGL 2026

The SSC CGL 2026 examination will be conducted at various centers across the country. Candidates will be given the option to choose their preferred exam centers during the online application process. The exact list of cities will be provided in the official notification.

Aspirants can typically choose three preferences for their exam centers within the same SSC Region.

Illustrative List of States/UTs and Exam Cities (subject to change):

Candidates must carefully select their preferred centers as changes are generally not permitted after submission of the application form.

How to Apply for SSC CGL 2026

Applying for the SSC CGL 2026 examination is an online process. Candidates must ensure they meet all eligibility criteria before applying.

1. Visit the Official Website: Go to the official website of the Staff Selection Commission: ssc.nic.in.
2. One-Time Registration: If you are a new user, you must first complete the One-Time Registration (OTR) process. This involves providing basic details like name, father’s name, mother’s name, date of birth, educational qualification, mobile number, and email ID. Upload scanned photograph and signature as per specifications.
3. Login: After successful registration, log in using your Registration Number and Password.
4. Find “Apply” Section: Navigate to the “Apply” section and click on the “CGL” tab.
5. Fill Application Form: The system will auto-populate some details from your OTR. Fill in the remaining required information accurately, including educational qualifications, preferred exam centers, and post preferences (if applicable at this stage).
6. Upload Documents: Upload your recent photograph and signature in the prescribed format and size. Ensure the photograph is clear and taken within three months.
7. Preview and Verify: Carefully review all the details filled in the application form before final submission. Make sure there are no errors.
8. Pay Application Fee: Proceed to pay the application fee online (if applicable) using the available payment options (BHIM UPI, Net Banking, Credit/Debit Cards).
9. Submit Application: After successful payment (or if exempted), click on the “Final Submit” button.
10. Print Application Form: Take a printout of the submitted application form for your records.

Candidates are strongly advised to complete their applications well before the closing date to avoid any last-minute technical issues.

Preparation Tips for SSC CGL 2026

Success in SSC CGL 2026 demands a structured approach and consistent effort. Here are some effective preparation tips:

• Understand the Syllabus and Exam Pattern: Thoroughly analyze the SSC CGL 2026 syllabus and exam pattern for both Tier-I and Tier-II. Identify your strengths and weaknesses.
• Create a Study Plan: Develop a realistic and comprehensive study schedule. Allocate sufficient time to each subject and topic, giving more attention to weaker areas.
• Master Basics: For Quantitative Aptitude and English, ensure your fundamental concepts are crystal clear. Practice regularly to improve speed and accuracy.
• Focus on General Awareness: Stay updated with current affairs by reading newspapers, magazines, and reliable online sources daily. Cover static GK comprehensively (History, Geography, Polity, Science, Economics).
• Practice Reasoning: Reasoning ability requires consistent practice. Solve a variety of puzzles, series, coding-decoding, and analogy questions to enhance your logical thinking.
• Regular Revision: Consistent revision is key to retaining information. Make short notes for quick review.
• Solve Previous Year Papers: Practice with previous years’ SSC CGL question papers to understand the exam’s difficulty level, frequently asked topics, and time management.
• Attempt Mock Tests: Take full-length mock tests regularly to simulate exam conditions, evaluate your performance, identify areas for improvement, and manage time effectively.
• Computer Proficiency: For Tier-II, dedicate time to learning basic computer knowledge and practicing data entry for the qualifying modules.
• Maintain Health: Ensure a balanced diet, adequate sleep, and regular exercise to stay focused and stress-free throughout your preparation.
• Stay Positive and Persistent: The journey to cracking SSC CGL 2026 can be long. Maintain a positive attitude, learn from failures, and stay persistent in your efforts.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – SSC CGL 2026

Q1: When will the official notification for SSC CGL 2026 be released?

A1: The official notification for SSC CGL 2026 is expected to be released as per the annual calendar of the Staff Selection Commission. The exact date will be announced by SSC on its official website, ssc.nic.in. Aspirants should regularly check for updates.

Q2: Is there negative marking in SSC CGL 2026?

A2: Yes, there is negative marking in both Tier-I and Tier-II of the SSC CGL 2026 examination. In Tier-I, 0.50 marks are deducted for each incorrect answer. In Tier-II (Paper-I, Paper-II & Paper-III), 1 mark is deducted for each incorrect answer.

Q3: What are the age limits for SSC CGL 2026 posts?

A3: The age limits for SSC CGL 2026 posts generally vary from 18-27 years, 18-30 years, 18-32 years, 20-27 years, or 20-30 years, depending on the specific post. Age relaxations are applicable for reserved categories (SC/ST/OBC/PwBD/Ex-Servicemen) as per government rules. Detailed age criteria will be specified in the official notification.

Q4: Is the Computer Knowledge Test (CKT) in Tier-II compulsory and does it affect the merit list?

A4: Yes, the Computer Knowledge Module (CKM) in Section-III of Paper-I (Tier-II) is mandatory and qualifying in nature for all posts. However, the marks obtained in CKM are not counted for the final merit list. Candidates must score above the prescribed cut-off in CKM to be considered for selection.

Q5: Can I change my exam center after submitting the SSC CGL 2026 application form?

A5: Generally, the Staff Selection Commission does not allow candidates to change their exam centers once the application form for SSC CGL 2026 has been submitted. Candidates are advised to carefully select their preferred centers during the application process.