SSC CGL 2026

📝Tier 1 — Screening Exam (60 minutes)

📝Tier 2 — Final Merit Exam (3 sessions, same day)

📚Detailed Syllabus — Topic by Topic

Quantitative Aptitude (most important for Tier 2): Number System — divisibility, remainder theorems, HCF/LCM, factorization. Percentage — successive percentage, population-based problems. Ratio & Proportion — simple and compound ratios, partnerships. Profit, Loss & Discount — successive discounts, marked price. Simple & Compound Interest — difference method, half-yearly/quarterly compounding. Time & Work — work-wages, pipes and cisterns. Time, Speed & Distance — boats and streams, trains, circular track. Algebra — linear equations, quadratic equations, surds and indices. Geometry — triangles (similarity, congruence), circles (tangent, chord, secant), quadrilaterals. Mensuration — area and volume of 2D and 3D shapes. Trigonometry — heights and distances, identities. Data Interpretation — bar graphs, pie charts, tables, line graphs, mixed DI.

General Intelligence & Reasoning: Analogies — word, letter, number, and figure analogies. Classification — odd one out (verbal and non-verbal). Series — number, letter, and figure series. Coding-Decoding — letter shifting, number coding, sentence coding. Blood Relations — family tree problems. Direction & Distance — turns, displacement. Syllogisms — statements and conclusions. Venn Diagrams — 2 and 3 set problems. Matrix — number matrix, letter matrix. Word Arrangement — dictionary order, meaningful word formation. Mirror & Water Image. Paper Folding & Cutting. Embedded Figures.

English Language & Comprehension: Reading Comprehension — passage-based questions (2-3 passages of 200-300 words each). Fill in the Blanks — vocabulary and grammar-based. Cloze Test — passage with blanks. Error Spotting/Sentence Correction — grammar rules. Sentence Rearrangement/Para Jumbles — ordering sentences logically. Synonyms and Antonyms — vocabulary-based. Idioms and Phrases — meaning and usage. One Word Substitution. Active/Passive Voice and Direct/Indirect Speech conversions. Spelling Errors.

General Awareness: Indian History — ancient, medieval, modern (focus on freedom struggle, important acts, governors-general). Geography — Indian geography (rivers, mountains, climate, soils, agriculture). Indian Polity — constitutional provisions, fundamental rights, Parliament, judiciary. Economics — basic concepts (GDP, inflation, fiscal policy, monetary policy, budget, banking). General Science — physics (mechanics, optics), chemistry (acids, bases, reactions), biology (human body, diseases, nutrition). Current Affairs — last 6 months of national and international events, awards, sports, summits, government schemes, appointments.

Computer Knowledge (Tier 2, Session 3 — qualifying): Computer Basics — hardware, software, input/output devices, memory types. Operating Systems — Windows basics, file management. MS Office — Word (formatting, mail merge), Excel (formulas, charts, sorting), PowerPoint (basics). Internet — browsers, email, search engines, URLs, protocols. Networking — LAN, WAN, network devices, IP addresses. Computer Security — viruses, firewalls, encryption basics. Database — basic DBMS concepts. Keyboard Shortcuts — common shortcuts for Windows and MS Office.

📊Previous Year Cutoff Marks (Tier 1)

🗓️6-Month Preparation Strategy

Month 1-2 (Foundation): Focus entirely on building fundamentals. For Math, complete all chapters from a standard SSC book (Kiran's or Rakesh Yadav's Advance Math). For Reasoning, practice all types from a standard book. Start reading The Hindu or Indian Express editorial daily for English. For GK, begin with NCERT Class 6-10 for Science, History, Geography, and Polity.

Month 3-4 (Practice): Start solving previous year papers — aim for at least 3 full papers per week. Focus on weak areas identified from these papers. For Math, practice 50 questions daily with a timer. For English, solve 2 reading comprehension passages daily. Start a current affairs routine — read a monthly magazine (Pratiyogita Darpan or Competition Success Review) and make notes.

Month 5 (Mock Tests): Take at minimum 2 full-length mock tests per week under exam conditions (strict 60-minute timer). Analyze every mock thoroughly — don't just check the score, understand why you got each question wrong. Focus on improving speed — target completing the paper in 50 minutes to have 10 minutes for review.

Month 6 (Revision): Stop learning new topics. Revise all notes, formulas, and vocabulary lists. Take 3-4 mocks per week. Focus on accuracy over speed now — in the actual exam, avoiding wrong answers (and the 0.50 penalty) is as important as getting right answers. Revise current affairs of the last 6 months intensively.

Key Resource Recommendations: Math — Rakesh Yadav's 7300+ Questions or Kiran's SSC Math. Reasoning — Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning by RS Aggarwal. English — Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis (for vocabulary) + Plinth to Paramount for grammar. GK — Lucent's General Knowledge + NCERT 6-10. Mock Tests — Testbook, Oliveboard, or PracticeMock (all have free mocks). Previous Papers — SSC's official website publishes papers — download and solve all available.

💼Post Descriptions — What You'll Actually Do

Assistant Audit Officer (AAO) — CAG: This is the highest-paying CGL post. You work under the Comptroller and Auditor General of India, auditing government expenditure. Job involves reviewing financial records of ministries, public enterprises, and state governments. Posting can be anywhere in India. Promotion path: Senior Audit Officer → Assistant Director → Deputy Director.

Income Tax Inspector — CBDT: One of the most sought-after posts. You'll be posted in Income Tax offices across India, handling assessment of tax returns, conducting tax raids (in some cases), processing refunds, and investigating tax evasion. The work involves significant interaction with taxpayers and their representatives. Promotion: Income Tax Officer → Assistant Commissioner.

Sub Inspector — CBI: You investigate cases of corruption, economic offenses, and serious crimes referred by the government. This is a field-heavy role involving evidence collection, witness examination, and court appearances. Posting primarily in major cities. Promotion: Inspector → Deputy SP.

Assistant Section Officer (ASO) — CSS: A desk job in the Central Secretariat (ministries in New Delhi). You handle policy files, draft notes for senior officers, and manage administrative workflows. Posting is guaranteed in Delhi. This is preferred by candidates who want work-life balance and a Delhi posting. Promotion: Section Officer → Under Secretary.

Tax Assistant — CBDT/CBIC: Entry-level post handling tax return processing, data entry, and basic assessment work. Lower pay than Inspector posts but still a permanent government job with all benefits. Promotion: Tax Assistant → Senior Tax Assistant → Inspector (after qualifying departmental exam).