SSC CGL Syllabus 2026: Tier 1 & Tier 2 Subject-Wise Topics

The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) Combined Graduate Level Examination 2026 is conducted to recruit candidates for various Group B and Group C posts in central government ministries, departments and organisations. The SSC CGL 2026 syllabus is prescribed in the official examination notice and covers General Intelligence and Reasoning, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, English Comprehension, Mathematical Abilities, Computer Knowledge, Data Entry Speed Test, Statistics and Finance & Economics for candidates applying to specific posts. This guide explains the Tier 1 and Tier 2 syllabus, paper structure and subject-wise topics using the SSC CGL 2026 notification. Candidates should download the official notice and check any corrigendum before preparing.

SSC CGL Syllabus 2026: Overview

SSC CGL 2026 Exam Pattern

SSC CGL is conducted in two computer-based tiers. Tier 1 is used to shortlist candidates for Tier 2. Tier 2 includes a compulsory Paper I for all candidates, while Paper II and Paper III apply only to candidates shortlisted for the specified statistical and audit/accounts posts.

Tier 1 Exam Pattern

Tier 1 is an objective-type examination. The official notice specifies a negative marking of 0.50 marks for each wrong answer. Check the notification and any later SSC instructions for the exact duration and examination-day rules.

Tier 2 Exam Pattern

Paper I is compulsory for all candidates. It is divided into sections covering Mathematical Abilities, Reasoning and General Intelligence, English Language and Comprehension, General Awareness, Computer Knowledge Test and Data Entry Speed Test. Paper I is conducted in two sessions on the same day.

SSC requires candidates to qualify the relevant sections of Paper I separately. The notification specifies negative marking of one mark for each wrong answer in Sections I, II and III of Paper I, and 0.50 marks for each wrong answer in Paper II and Paper III. DEST is a skill test and is qualifying in nature.

SSC CGL Tier 1 Subject-Wise Syllabus

1. General Intelligence and Reasoning

• Analogies and similarities or differences.
• Classification: semantic, symbolic, number and figural.
• Series: semantic, number and figural series.
• Coding and decoding, word building and numerical operations.
• Problem solving, analysis, judgment and decision-making.
• Space visualisation, spatial orientation and embedded figures.
• Venn diagrams, drawing inferences and relationship concepts.
• Pattern folding and unfolding, punched-hole patterns and figure completion.
• Address matching, date and city matching, indexing and classification of codes or roll numbers.
• Critical thinking, emotional intelligence and social intelligence.

2. General Awareness

• Current events and important national and international developments.
• History of India and the modern world, as relevant to the examination.
• Indian and world geography.
• Indian culture and heritage.
• Indian economy and economic developments.
• General policy, Constitution and basic governance awareness.
• Everyday science and scientific research.
• India and neighbouring countries, including important events and developments.

3. Quantitative Aptitude

• Number systems, whole numbers, decimals and fractions.
• Percentage, ratio and proportion, averages and square roots.
• Simple and compound interest.
• Profit and loss, discount and partnership business.
• Mixture and alligation.
• Time and distance, time and work.
• Basic algebraic identities, elementary surds and linear equations.
• Geometry: triangles, circles, quadrilaterals, polygons, congruence and similarity.
• Mensuration: prism, cone, cylinder, sphere, hemisphere and pyramid.
• Trigonometric ratios, complementary angles, heights and distances.
• Data interpretation through histogram, frequency polygon, bar diagram and pie chart.

4. English Comprehension

• Reading comprehension and understanding written English.
• Vocabulary, grammar and sentence structure.
• Synonyms, antonyms and correct word usage.
• Spotting errors and filling in the blanks.
• Spellings and commonly confused words.
• Idioms and phrases, and one-word substitution.
• Sentence improvement and sentence rearrangement.
• Active and passive voice.
• Direct and indirect speech.
• Cloze test and comprehension passages.

SSC CGL Tier 2 Paper I Syllabus

Section I, Part A: Mathematical Abilities

• Number systems: whole numbers, decimals, fractions and relationships between numbers.
• Arithmetic operations: percentages, ratio and proportion, square roots, averages, simple and compound interest, profit and loss, discount, partnership, mixture and alligation, time and distance, time and work.
• Algebra: basic identities, elementary surds and graphs of linear equations.
• Geometry: triangles, centres of triangles, congruence and similarity, circles, chords, tangents and related angles.
• Mensuration: triangles, quadrilaterals, regular polygons, circles, prisms, cones, cylinders, spheres, hemispheres and pyramids.
• Trigonometry: ratios, complementary angles, heights and distances, and standard identities.
• Statistics and probability: tables, graphs, histogram, frequency polygon, bar chart, pie chart, mean, median, mode, standard deviation and simple probability.

Section I, Part B: Reasoning and General Intelligence

• Semantic, symbolic, number and figural analogy.
• Classification, trends and series.
• Space orientation, Venn diagrams and drawing inferences.
• Pattern folding and unfolding, embedded figures and figure completion.
• Critical thinking, problem solving and decision-oriented reasoning.
• Word building, coding-decoding and numerical operations.
• Emotional and social intelligence.

Section II, Part A: English Language and Comprehension

• Vocabulary, grammar and sentence structure.
• Synonyms, antonyms, homonyms and correct usage.
• Spot the error, fill in the blanks and spelling correction.
• Idioms and phrases and one-word substitution.
• Sentence improvement, active and passive voice.
• Direct and indirect narration.
• Shuffling of sentence parts and sentences in a passage.
• Cloze passage and reading comprehension.

Section II, Part B: General Awareness

• Current events and everyday observations.
• History and culture of India and neighbouring countries.
• Geography and environment.
• Indian economy and economic scene.
• General policy and governance.
• Scientific research and general science.

Section III: Computer Knowledge Test

• Computer organisation, CPU and input/output devices.
• Computer memory, memory organisation and backup devices.
• Ports, Windows Explorer and keyboard shortcuts.
• Windows operating system fundamentals.
• Basics of MS Word, MS Excel and MS PowerPoint.
• Internet browsing, searching, downloading and uploading.
• Email account management and e-banking basics.
• Networking devices and protocols.
• Cybersecurity threats such as viruses, worms, Trojans and hacking, along with preventive measures.

Section IV: Data Entry Speed Test

The Data Entry Speed Test is a qualifying skill test. The SSC 2026 notice describes a passage of approximately 2,000 key depressions to be completed in 15 minutes. Candidates should follow the Commission's detailed instructions and any applicable exemption provisions in the official notice.

SSC CGL Tier 2 Paper II: Statistics Syllabus

Paper II is for candidates shortlisted for Junior Statistical Officer and Statistical Investigator Grade-II posts. The official syllabus includes:

• Collection, classification and presentation of statistical data.
• Primary and secondary data, data collection, tabulation, graphs and frequency distributions.
• Measures of central tendency: mean, median, mode, quartiles, deciles and percentiles.
• Measures of dispersion: range, quartile deviation, mean deviation and standard deviation.
• Moments, skewness and kurtosis.
• Correlation and regression, including scatter diagrams and rank correlation.
• Probability theory, conditional and compound probability, independent events and Bayes' theorem.
• Random variables and probability distributions, including binomial, Poisson, normal and exponential distributions.
• Sampling theory, sampling and non-sampling errors and sampling techniques.
• Statistical inference, estimation, hypothesis testing and confidence intervals.
• Analysis of variance, time series analysis and index numbers.

SSC CGL Tier 2 Paper III: Finance and Economics

Paper III is intended for candidates shortlisted for Assistant Audit Officer and Assistant Accounts Officer posts. It covers two parts.

Part A: Finance and Accounts

• Nature, scope and limitations of financial accounting.
• Basic accounting concepts, conventions and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.
• Single-entry and double-entry systems.
• Books of original entry, journals, ledgers and trial balance.
• Bank reconciliation and rectification of errors.
• Manufacturing, trading, profit and loss accounts and balance sheets.
• Capital and revenue expenditure, depreciation and inventory valuation.
• Accounts of non-profit organisations, receipts and payments, income and expenditure accounts, bills of exchange and self-balancing ledgers.

Part B: Economics and Governance

• Comptroller and Auditor General of India: constitutional provisions, role and responsibilities.
• Finance Commission: role and functions.
• Basic concepts, scope and methods of economics; central problems and production possibility curve.
• Demand and supply, elasticity and consumer behaviour.
• Production, factors of production, laws of production and cost.
• Market structures: perfect competition, monopoly, monopolistic competition and oligopoly.
• Indian economy, sectors of the economy and national income.
• Population, poverty, unemployment and infrastructure.
• Economic reforms since 1991, liberalisation, privatisation, globalisation and disinvestment.
• Money and banking, RBI, commercial banks, regional rural banks and payment banks.
• Monetary and fiscal policy, budget, fiscal deficit and balance of payments.
• Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act, 2003.
• Role of information technology in governance.

Preparation Strategy for SSC CGL 2026

• Download the official notification and make a checklist of every topic in the syllabus.
• Build a daily routine that covers Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning, English and General Awareness.
• Practise arithmetic and reasoning questions regularly, and maintain a notebook of formulas and common mistakes.
• Read current affairs and revise static General Awareness topics consistently.
• Practise comprehension, grammar and vocabulary for English.
• For Tier 2, prepare Computer Knowledge and practise typing/data entry skills in addition to the written sections.
• Candidates for JSO or Statistical Investigator posts should give dedicated time to Statistics Paper II.
• Candidates for AAO/Assistant Accounts Officer posts should study Finance and Accounts and Economics and Governance for Paper III.
• Attempt timed mock tests and analyse incorrect answers instead of only tracking scores.
• Use previous-year question papers to understand question style, while remembering that the official syllabus is controlling.

Important SSC CGL 2026 Links

• SSC Official Website
• SSC For Candidates: Notices and Examination Information
• SSC CGL 2026 Official Notification PDF

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the subjects in SSC CGL Tier 1 2026?

Tier 1 covers General Intelligence and Reasoning, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude and English Comprehension.

Is Tier 2 compulsory for all SSC CGL candidates?

Yes. Paper I of Tier 2 is compulsory for all candidates. Paper II and Paper III are for candidates shortlisted for the specified statistical and audit/accounts posts.

Is Computer Knowledge included in SSC CGL Tier 2?

Yes. Computer Knowledge Test is Section III of Paper I. The notification describes it as mandatory and qualifying in nature.

Is DEST compulsory in SSC CGL 2026?

DEST is part of Paper I and is qualifying in nature. The notification provides limited exemption provisions for eligible candidates in specified circumstances. Read the official notice for details.

Who needs to take Statistics Paper II?

Candidates shortlisted for Junior Statistical Officer and Statistical Investigator Grade-II posts are required to take Paper II.

Who needs to take Finance and Economics Paper III?

Paper III is for candidates shortlisted for Assistant Audit Officer and Assistant Accounts Officer posts.

Where can I download the SSC CGL 2026 syllabus PDF?

Download the official SSC CGL 2026 examination notice from the SSC website. The detailed syllabus is included in the notification.

Disclaimer

This article is a simplified study guide based on the SSC CGL 2026 examination notice. It is not a substitute for the official notification. Paper structure, eligibility for specialised papers, qualifying standards, negative marking and examination instructions are governed by SSC. Candidates should read the complete official PDF and check for corrigenda or updates before the examination.

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