SSC CGL Syllabus and Exam Pattern

SSC CGL Tier 1 exam pattern

Computer based, objective, four sections of equal weight. Tier 1 is qualifying for most posts — it decides who reaches Tier 2.

Negative marking: 0.50 marks are deducted for each wrong answer in Tier 1. Tier 2 penalties differ by section, so check the current notification on ssc.gov.in.

Tier 2 was restructured recently and the session structure has changed between cycles. We deliberately do not publish a Tier 2 mark table here, because coaching sites currently disagree. Take it from the official notification PDF.

General Intelligence and Reasoning syllabus

• Analogies, similarities and differences, space visualisation, spatial orientation.
• Problem solving, analysis, judgement, decision making, visual memory.
• Discrimination, observation, relationship concepts, arithmetical reasoning.
• Figural classification, arithmetic number series, non-verbal series.
• Coding and decoding, statement conclusion, syllogistic reasoning.
• Semantic and figural analogy, symbolic operations, trends, space orientation.
• Venn diagrams, drawing inferences, punched hole and pattern folding, figural pattern completion.
• Embedded figures, critical thinking, emotional and social intelligence.

Quantitative Aptitude syllabus

• Number systems — whole numbers, decimals, fractions and relationships between numbers.
• Fundamental arithmetical operations, percentages, ratio and proportion, square roots, averages.
• Interest — simple and compound, profit and loss, discount, partnership business.
• Mixture and alligation, time and distance, time and work.
• Algebra — basic algebraic identities, elementary surds, graphs of linear equations.
• Geometry — triangles and their centres, congruence and similarity, circles, chords, tangents, angles subtended by chords.
• Mensuration — triangle, quadrilateral, regular polygons, circle, prism, right circular cone and cylinder, sphere, hemisphere, rectangular parallelepiped.
• Trigonometry — trigonometric ratios, degree and radian measures, standard identities, complementary angles, heights and distances.
• Statistics — frequency polygon, bar diagram, pie chart, measures of central tendency.

English Comprehension syllabus

• Reading comprehension and cloze passages.
• Spotting errors, sentence correction and sentence improvement.
• Fill in the blanks, synonyms and antonyms, spellings and misspelt words.
• Idioms and phrases, one-word substitution.
• Active and passive voice, direct and indirect narration.
• Shuffling of sentence parts, shuffling of sentences in a passage.

General Awareness syllabus

Questions test awareness of the environment around you and its application to society, with emphasis on India and its neighbouring countries.

• History — ancient, medieval and modern India, with the freedom struggle.
• Geography — Indian and world physical, economic and social geography.
• Polity — Constitution, Parliament, judiciary, Panchayati Raj.
• Economy — basic concepts, budget, banking, economic reforms and schemes.
• General science — physics, chemistry, biology and everyday science.
• Static general knowledge — books and authors, awards, important days, capitals and currencies.
• Current affairs of national and international importance.

Frequently asked questions