SSC CGL Syllabus 2026 — Topic-wise Breakdown with Weightage
Before starting SSC CGL preparation, it is useful to understand the syllabus and exam pattern. The syllabus is extensive, but dividing the subjects topic-wise makes preparation easier to manage.
SSC CGL 2026 Tier-I has four sections: General Intelligence & Reasoning, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude and English Comprehension. Tier-II includes Mathematical Abilities, Reasoning, English, General Awareness, Computer Knowledge and the Data Entry Speed Test.
An important point: SSC fixes the number of questions and marks for each subject, but it does not provide an official fixed question count for individual topics such as Percentage, History, Coding-Decoding or Current Affairs.
SSC CGL 2026 Exam Pattern at a Glance
Tier-I Exam Pattern
| Subject | Question | Marks | Time |
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 25 | 50 | 15 minutes |
| General Awareness | 25 | 50 | 15 minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 50 | 15 minutes |
| English Comprehension | 25 | 50 | 15 minutes |
| Total | 100 | 200 | 60 minutes |
SSC CGL Tier-I has a 15-minute sectional timer. Therefore, candidates must attempt the questions within the allotted time for each section. PwBD candidates who are eligible for a scribe receive applicable additional time as specified separately in the SSC notification. Tier-I has 0.50 mark negative marking for every wrong answer.
SSC CGL Tier-I Syllabus 2026
25 Questions | 50 Marks
The Reasoning section includes both verbal and non-verbal questions.
Important Topics
- Analogy
- Similarities and Differences
- Classification
- Number and Figural Series
- Coding-Decoding
- Venn Diagrams
- Space Orientation and Visualization
- Problem Solving
- Drawing Inferences
- Statement and Conclusion
- Syllogistic Reasoning
- Numerical and Symbolic Operations
- Figural Classification
- Embedded Figures
- Pattern Folding
- Word Building
- Decision Making
- Critical Thinking
- Visual Memory
- Observation and Discrimination
- Emotional and Social Intelligence
SSC does not provide a fixed question-wise weightage for individual topics. Therefore, instead of depending only on selected chapters, it is better to cover the complete syllabus.
2. General Awareness
25 Questions | 50 Marks
The General Awareness syllabus is broad. It includes static subjects as well as current events.
Main Areas
History
- Ancient, Medieval and Modern India
- Important events and movements
- Culture and personalities
Geography
- Indian and World Geography
- Rivers, mountains, climate and soils
- Agriculture and natural resources
Polity
- Constitution
- Fundamental Rights and Duties
- Parliament
- President and Prime Minister
- Supreme Court and High Courts
- Constitutional and statutory bodies
Economy
- Basic economic concepts
- Indian economy
- Banking and financial system
- Inflation and national income
- Budget and economic developments
Science
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Biology
- Everyday science
- Scientific research and developments
Current Affairs
- National and international events
- Government schemes
- Awards
- Sports
- Important appointments
- Science and technology
SSC does not announce separate fixed question numbers for History, Geography, Polity, Economy, Science and Current Affairs.
3. Quantitative Aptitude
25 Questions | 50 Marks
According to the SSC notification, the level of Tier-I Mathematics is equivalent to the Matriculation level.
Important Topics
Arithmetic
- Number System
- Decimals and Fractions
- Percentage
- Ratio and Proportion
- Average
- Interest
- Profit and Loss
- Discount
- Partnership
- Mixture and Alligation
- Time and Work
- Time and Distance
- Square Roots
Algebra
- Basic Algebraic Identities
- Elementary Surds
- Linear Equations and Graphs
Geometry
- Triangles
- Congruence and Similarity
- Circles
- Chords
- Tangents
Mensuration
- 2D and 3D Figures
- Prism
- Cone
- Cylinder
- Sphere
- Hemisphere
- Pyramid
Trigonometry
- Trigonometric Ratios
- Complementary Angles
- Heights and Distances
- Standard Identities
Data Interpretation
- Histogram
- Frequency Polygon
- Bar Diagram
- Pie Chart
4. English Comprehension
25 Questions | 50 Marks
The English section mainly tests vocabulary, grammar, sentence understanding and comprehension.
Important Topics
- Vocabulary
- Grammar
- Sentence Structure
- Synonyms and Antonyms
- Spot the Error
- Fill in the Blanks
- Spelling
- Idioms and Phrases
- One-word Substitution
- Sentence Improvement
- Active and Passive Voice
- Direct and Indirect Speech
- Sentence Rearrangement
- Cloze Test
- Reading Comprehension
Regular practice is especially useful for English because speed and accuracy improve through repeated question-solving practice.
SSC CGL Tier-II Exam Pattern 2026
Tier-II Paper-I is compulsory for all posts. SSC has divided Paper-I into four sections and conducts it in two sessions on the same day.
| Section | Questions | Marks | Time |
| Mathematical Abilities | 30 | 90 | Part of 60-min Section-I |
| Reasoning & General Intelligence | 30 | 90 | Part of 60-min Section-I |
| English Language & Comprehension | 45 | 135 | Part of 60-min Section-II |
| General Awareness | 25 | 75 | Part of 60-min Section-II |
| Computer Knowledge Test | 20 | 60 | 15 minutes |
| Objective Sections Total | 150 | 450 | ___ |
| Data Entry Speed Test | 1 task | Qualifying | 15 minutes |
Section-I: Mathematical Abilities + Reasoning = 60 questions, 180 marks, 1 hour. There is a sectional timer of 30 minutes for each part.
Section-II: English + General Awareness = 70 questions, 210 marks, 1 hour. English gets 40 minutes and General Awareness gets 20 minutes.
Section-III: The Computer Knowledge Test has 20 questions for 60 marks and a duration of 15 minutes.
Section-IV: DEST is a 15-minute qualifying skill test. SSC specifies a passage of approximately 2,000 key depressions for the test.
There is 1 mark negative marking for each wrong answer in Sections I, II and III of Tier-II Paper-I.
Tier-II Syllabus: What to Prepare?
Mathematical Abilities
The syllabus includes:
- Number System
- Percentage
- Ratio and Proportion
- Average
- Interest
- Profit and Loss
- Discount
- Partnership
- Mixture and Alligation
- Time and Work
- Time and Distance
- Algebra
- Geometry
- Mensuration
- Trigonometry
- Data Interpretation
- Mean, Median and Mode
- Standard Deviation
- Simple Probability
Reasoning & General Intelligence
Tier-II Reasoning broadly covers:
- Analogy
- Classification
- Series
- Coding-Decoding
- Venn Diagrams
- Space Orientation
- Problem Solving
- Drawing Inferences
- Syllogism
- Numerical and Symbolic Operations
- Figural Reasoning
- Embedded Figures
- Pattern Folding
- Critical Thinking
- Emotional and Social Intelligence
English Language & Comprehension
The Tier-II English section includes:
- Vocabulary
- Grammar
- Sentence Structure
- Synonyms and Antonyms
- Error Detection
- Fill in the Blanks
- Homonyms
- Spelling
- Idioms and Phrases
- One-word Substitution
- Sentence Improvement
- Active and Passive Voice
- Direct and Indirect Speech
- Sentence Rearrangement
- Cloze Passage
- Comprehension Passage
With 45 questions and 135 marks, English is the largest objective section of Tier-II Paper-I.
General Awareness
The main areas include:
- Current Events
- History
- Culture
- Geography
- Economic Scene
- General Policy
- Scientific Research
- India and neighbouring countries
- Everyday scientific awareness
Computer Knowledge
Candidates should prepare the following topics:
- Computer Basics
- CPU and Memory
- Input and Output Devices
- Computer Organisation
- Windows
- Keyboard Shortcuts
- MS Word
- MS Excel
- MS PowerPoint
- Internet and Email
- Web Browsing
- E-banking
- Networking
- Cyber Security
The Computer Knowledge Test is mandatory but qualifying in nature. Candidates must qualify in all applicable sections of Tier-II Paper-I separately.
Tier-II Paper-II and Paper-III
These papers are not required for every SSC CGL candidate.
Paper-II — Statistics
This paper is for candidates who have applied for and are shortlisted for relevant posts such as Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) and Statistical Investigator Grade-II, as specified by SSC.
- 100 Questions
- 200 Marks
- 2 Hours
Paper-III — General Studies (Finance & Economics)
This paper is for candidates shortlisted for Assistant Audit Officer/Assistant Accounts Officer posts.
- 100 Questions
- 200 Marks
- 2 Hours
SSC clearly states that Paper-II and Paper-III are applicable only to candidates shortlisted for the relevant posts.
Is There Official Topic-wise Weightage in SSC CGL?
No. SSC provides an official subject-wise distribution, but it does not announce a fixed number of questions for individual chapters.
For example, SSC tells candidates that Tier-I Quantitative Aptitude has 25 questions, but it does not officially state that Percentage will have two questions or Geometry will have three.
Therefore, websites or coaching sources that show “topic-wise weightage” should be understood as previous-year paper analysis or expected weightage, not as an official SSC distribution.
How to Prepare the SSC CGL Syllabus
A practical preparation plan is simple:
- Start with the basic concepts of Mathematics, Reasoning and English.
- Study General Awareness regularly instead of leaving it for the end.
- Solve topic-wise questions after completing each chapter.
- Maintain a short notebook of mistakes and difficult questions.
- Move to mixed practice sets once the basics are clear.
- Start mock tests with proper sectional timing.
- Prepare Computer Knowledge and DEST alongside Tier-II preparation.
Most importantly, practise according to the actual exam timing. In SSC CGL 2026, sectional timers make time management even more important.
SSC CGL Syllabus 2026: Quick Summary
Tier-I: 100 Questions | 200 Marks | 60 Minutes
Tier-I Sections: Reasoning, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, English
Tier-I Negative Marking: 0.50 mark per wrong answer
Tier-II Paper-I: 150 Objective Questions | 450 Marks
Section-I: Mathematics + Reasoning — 60 minutes
Section-II: English + General Awareness — 60 minutes
Computer Knowledge: 20 Questions | 60 Marks | 15 Minutes
DEST: 15 Minutes | Qualifying
Paper-II and Paper-III are applicable only to candidates shortlisted for the relevant posts.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How many questions are there in SSC CGL Tier-I?
Tier-I has 100 questions—25 each from Reasoning, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude and English.
2. What is the total time for SSC CGL Tier-I?
The total time is 60 minutes, with a 15-minute sectional timer for each subject.
3. Is there negative marking in SSC CGL 2026?
Yes. Tier-I has 0.50 mark negative marking for every wrong answer. Tier-II Paper-I has 1 mark negative marking for wrong answers in Sections I, II and III.
4. Does SSC provide chapter-wise weightage?
No. SSC provides subject-wise questions and marks but does not fix the number of questions from individual chapters.
5. How much time is given for Tier-II Paper-I?
Section-I gets 1 hour, Section-II gets 1 hour, Computer Knowledge gets 15 minutes, and DEST gets 15 minutes.
6. Is Computer Knowledge compulsory?
Yes. The Computer Knowledge Test is mandatory for Tier-II Paper-I, although it is qualifying in nature.
7. Do all candidates need to appear for Paper-II and Paper-III?
No. These papers are only for candidates shortlisted for the relevant posts.
Final Note
The SSC CGL syllabus is extensive, but it becomes much more manageable when divided according to subjects and topics. First, complete the official syllabus, then use previous-year questions and mock tests to improve your speed and accuracy.
Since SSC can issue updates during the recruitment cycle, candidates should always check the latest notice on the official Staff Selection Commission website before relying on exam dates or other changing details.
Official source: Staff Selection Commission — ssc.gov.in