SSC CGL Syllabus 2026
Stage-wise and subject-wise syllabus with the exam pattern.
Updated 22 October 2026
SSC CGL syllabus 2026 overview
The SSC CGL syllabus 2026 covers four core subjects in both tiers: Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, English and General Awareness. Tier 2 adds a Computer Knowledge module, a typing test (DEST), and separate Statistics and Finance & Economics papers for JSO and AAO. Tier 2 is set at a higher level than Tier 1.
| Stage | Subjects |
|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Reasoning, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, English (25 questions each) |
| Tier 2 Paper 1 | Mathematical Abilities, Reasoning, English, General Awareness, Computer Knowledge, DEST |
| Tier 2 Paper 2 | Statistics (JSO only) |
| Tier 2 Paper 3 | General Studies: Finance & Economics (AAO only) |
The marks and timing for each section are on the SSC CGL exam pattern page.
SSC CGL Tier 1 syllabus
General Intelligence & Reasoning
- Semantic, symbolic, number and figural analogy
- Semantic, symbolic, number and figural classification
- Semantic, number and figural series, including non-verbal series
- Coding-decoding, numerical and symbolic operations, trends
- Space orientation and visualisation, embedded figures, pattern folding and unfolding, punched-hole patterns
- Venn diagrams, syllogistic reasoning, statement and conclusion, drawing inferences
- Word building, date and city matching, critical thinking, problem solving
- Emotional and social intelligence
General Awareness
- Current affairs, important days, sports, awards and honours, books and authors
- Indian history and culture
- Geography and the environment
- Indian Constitution and general policy
- Economy and the economic scene, government schemes
- Science and technology, scientific research
- National and international organisations, India's neighbouring countries
Quantitative Aptitude
- Whole numbers, decimals, fractions and how numbers relate to each other
- Percentage, ratio and proportion, square roots, averages
- Simple and compound interest, profit and loss, discount, partnership
- Mixtures and alligation, time and distance, time and work
- Algebra, elementary surds, graphs of linear equations
- Triangles and their centres, congruence and similarity, circles, chords and tangents, quadrilaterals, regular polygons
- Mensuration: prism, cone, cylinder, sphere
- Trigonometric ratios, heights and distances
- Data interpretation: histogram, frequency polygon, bar diagram, pie chart
English Comprehension
- Vocabulary, synonyms, antonyms, spellings
- Idioms and phrases, one-word substitution
- Spot the error, fill in the blanks, sentence improvement, sentence structure
- Active and passive voice, direct and indirect speech
- Para jumbles, cloze test, reading comprehension
SSC CGL Tier 2 syllabus (Paper 1)
Mathematical Abilities
Everything in the Tier 1 arithmetic list, plus algebraic identities, complementary angles, and statistics topics such as mean, median, mode, standard deviation and simple probability. Advanced geometry, trigonometry and data interpretation questions are harder than in Tier 1.
Reasoning & General Intelligence
Semantic, number and figural analogy, figural classification, symbolic and numerical operations, trends, Venn diagrams, drawing inferences, embedded figures, coding-decoding, space orientation, pattern folding, word building, critical thinking, problem solving, and emotional and social intelligence.
English Language & Comprehension
Advanced grammar and vocabulary: synonyms, antonyms, error spotting, fill in the blanks, idioms, one-word substitution, voice and narration, sentence rearrangement, sentence improvement, cloze passages and reading comprehension. This section carries 135 marks, the most of any section.
General Awareness
Current affairs, history, culture, geography, economy, general policy, environment, science and technology, scientific research, awards, sports, government schemes and important organisations.
Computer Knowledge (Module I)
- Computer organisation, CPU, input/output devices, memory and backup devices
- Windows OS, Windows Explorer and keyboard shortcuts
- MS Word, MS Excel and PowerPoint
- Internet, web browsing, downloading and uploading, email, e-banking
- Networking devices and protocols
- Cyber security: viruses, worms, Trojans, and preventing hacking
Data Entry Speed Test (Module II)
A qualifying typing task where you need about 2,000 key depressions in 15 minutes. Eligible PwBD candidates get extra time.
SSC CGL Paper 2: Statistics syllabus (JSO)
- Collecting, tabulating and presenting data, and frequency distributions
- Mean, median, mode, standard deviation and other measures of dispersion
- Correlation and regression, scatter diagrams
- Probability theory, conditional probability, Bayes' theorem
- Random variables, and the binomial, Poisson and normal distributions
- Sampling theory, statistical inference and hypothesis testing (Z, t, chi-square and F tests)
- Analysis of variance, time series analysis and index numbers
SSC CGL Paper 3: Finance & Economics (AAO)
This paper covers financial accounting and finance, basic economics, the Indian economy, and governance topics such as the budget, along with related economic policy.
Turn this syllabus into a plan using the SSC CGL preparation guide, and see which chapters are asked most often on the SSC CGL topics page.
Frequently asked questions
What subjects are in the SSC CGL syllabus?
Tier 1 covers Reasoning, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude and English. Tier 2 Paper 1 adds Computer Knowledge and a typing test, while Statistics and Finance & Economics are separate papers for JSO and AAO.
Is the Tier 2 syllabus different from Tier 1?
The subjects are the same, but Tier 2 goes deeper. It adds statistics topics in Maths, longer English, a computer module and DEST.
Is Computer Knowledge compulsory in SSC CGL Tier 2?
Yes. The Computer Knowledge Test is part of Tier 2 Paper 1 for all candidates, but you only need to qualify it. Its marks are not added to the merit.
Which SSC CGL section is considered toughest?
Many candidates find Quantitative Aptitude and the Statistics paper the hardest because of heavy calculation and formulas. English is usually seen as the most scoring section.
Who needs to study the Statistics syllabus?
Only candidates who want the Junior Statistical Officer post take Paper 2 (Statistics). Everyone else can skip it.
Always check the latest official notification on ssc.gov.in before applying.