📘 SSC CGL Exam Pattern and Syllabus (Tier-I & Tier-II) – Detailed Guide

The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has released the complete exam pattern and syllabus for the Combined Graduate Level (CGL) Examination . If you’re planning to apply for SSC CGL this year, it’s crucial to understand the structure of the exam and what topics to prepare.

This blog post covers everything – Tier-I and Tier-II exam pattern, section-wise syllabus, negative marking, qualifying criteria, and special provisions for skill-based tests.

SSC CGL Vacancy 2025 Onlne Form

SSC CGL सिर्फ एक परीक्षा नहीं है, ये एक सुनियोजित संघर्ष है—जहां आपका हर पढ़ा हुआ विषय, हर हल किया गया सवाल, और हर बिताया गया मिनट, आपको एक सरकारी नौकरी के करीब ले जाता है।

इस परीक्षा का सिलेबस और एग्जाम पैटर्न पहले से तय है, मतलब रास्ता साफ है—अब बस चलने की जरूरत है। आपको पता है कि Tier-I में 100 सवाल होंगे, और किन-किन विषयों से पूछे जाएंगे। Tier-II में कौन-कौन से सेक्शन हैं, क्या-क्या स्किल्स की ज़रूरत है—सबकुछ पहले से तय है।

👉 तो जब मंज़िल साफ हो, रास्ता तय हो और टाइम लिमिट भी हो—तो पीछे हटने का कोई बहाना नहीं बचता।

हर एक सेक्शन—चाहे वो Maths, Reasoning, English, General Awareness या Computer Knowledge हो—आपके चयन की कुंजी है। यह परीक्षा न luck पर टिकी है, न जुगाड़ पर। ये सिर्फ और सिर्फ strategy, smart study और consistency पर चलती है।

📚 हर टॉपिक को एक-एक कर के निपटाओ, हर मॉक टेस्ट को गंभीरता से दो—क्योंकि यही सिलेबस आपकी सफलता का स्क्रिप्ट है।

 “SSC CGL का सिलेबस एक किताब नहीं, आपकी किस्मत की चाबी है—बस उसे पूरी लगन से पढ़ने की देर है।” 

📊 Overview: SSC CGL Exam Stages

The SSC CGL 2025 selection process comprises two computer-based exams:

1. Tier-I: Preliminary Examination (Objective)

2. Tier-II: Mains Examination (Objective + Skill Tests)

Download SSC CGL 2025 Official Notification 

🧠 Tier-I Exam Pattern – SSC CGL 

The Tier-I examination is of 60 minutes and consists of four sections:

🕐 Duration:

• 1 Hour (60 minutes)

• 1 Hour 20 Minutes (80 mins) for PwD candidates using a scribe

❗ Negative Marking:

• 0.50 marks deducted for each wrong answer

📘 Syllabus of SSC CGL 2025 Tier-I

1. General Intelligence and Reasoning

• Analogy

• Classification

• Series (Number & Alphabetical)

• Coding-Decoding

• Blood Relations

• Direction & Distance

• Order & Ranking

• Venn Diagrams

• Calendar and Clock

• Syllogism

• Embedded Figures

• Paper Folding & Cutting

• Mirror and Water Images

2. General Awareness

• Current Affairs (Last 6-12 months)

• History (Ancient, Medieval, Modern)

• Geography (Indian & World)

• Indian Polity and Constitution

• Economy & Budget

• Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology)

• Environmental Issues

• Government Schemes

• Sports, Books, Awards, Days

3. Quantitative Aptitude

• Number System

• Simplification

• Ratio & Proportion

• Average

• LCM & HCF

• Profit & Loss

• Simple & Compound Interest

• Time, Speed & Distance

• Time & Work

• Mensuration (2D & 3D)

• Algebra

• Geometry

• Trigonometry

• Pie Chart, Bar Graph, Line Graph, Data Table

4. English Comprehension

• Reading Comprehension

• Synonyms & Antonyms

• One-word Substitution

• Error Spotting

• Fill in the Blanks

• Cloze Test

• Sentence Improvement

• Active/Passive Voice

• Direct/Indirect Speech

• Idioms and Phrases

🧪 Tier-II Exam Pattern – SSC CGL 

Tier-II includes two papers:

📄 Paper-I (Compulsory for all posts)

Total Time (excluding Paper-II): 2 hrs 15 mins

📝 Paper-II: For JSO/Statistical Investigator only

• Statistics – 100 Questions | 200 Marks | 2 Hours

📚 SSC CGL 2025 Tier-II Syllabus

📘 Paper-I:

Section-I: Mathematical Abilities

• Number Systems, Simplification

• Percentage, Profit & Loss

• Ratio & Proportion

• Averages, Mixtures & Alligation

• Time & Work, Pipes & Cisterns

• Speed, Time & Distance

• Geometry, Mensuration

• Trigonometry (Basics)

• Algebra

• Data Interpretation

Section-I: Reasoning and General Intelligence

• Similar to Tier-I but with slightly advanced level

• Includes: Coding-Decoding, Puzzles, Venn Diagrams, Series, Direction Test, Critical Thinking, Emotional Intelligence

Section-II: English Language & General Awareness

English:

• All topics of Tier-I in detail

• Comprehension (3+ passages)

• Paragraph improvement

• Vocabulary building

General Awareness:

• In-depth Static GK

• Science & Tech updates

• Government policies & national issues

• History, Geography, Economics, Polity

Section-III: Computer Knowledge

• Basics of Computers

• Input & Output Devices

• MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

• Internet and Email

• Networking basics

• Cyber Security Basics

Section-IV: Data Entry Skill Test (DEST)

• A passage with 2000 key depressions in 15 minutes

• Test of typing/data entry speed

• Qualifying in nature (No marks added in merit)

🧮 Paper-II: Statistics (For JSO and Statistical Investigator)

Topics include:

• Collection & Representation of Data

• Measures of Central Tendency

• Dispersion, Skewness & Kurtosis

• Correlation and Regression

• Probability Theory

• Random Variables & Distributions

• Sampling Theory

• Time Series Analysis

• Index Numbers

✅ SSC CGL 2025 Exam Rules & Highlights

• Mandatory to qualify all sections of Paper-I individually

• DEST is qualifying in nature, but required for many posts like:

  • Tax Assistant (CBDT & CBIC)

  • UDC (CBN)

• Computer Proficiency Test (CPT) may be required for:

  • Assistant Section Officer (MEA, CSS, AFHQ)

  • Inspector (CBIC)

  • Postal Assistant

• Negative Marking:

  • 1 mark for each wrong answer in Tier-II Sections I, II, and III

  • 0.5 mark for each wrong answer in Paper-II (Statistics)

🧑‍💻 Special Guidelines for PwBD Candidates

• Additional 20 minutes per hour for scribe-eligible candidates

• Candidates must request scribe facility during application

• Exemption from DEST for PwBD (OH category) with proper certificate

🧾 Final Merit Preparation

Final merit is prepared based on:

• Tier-I + Tier-II marks

• DEST & CPT are qualifying only (do not contribute to final marks)

• Document verification and post preferences come later

❓ FAQs – SSC CGL  Syllabus and Pattern

Q1. How many tiers are there in SSC CGL ?
➡️ Two tiers: Tier-I and Tier-II (both computer-based).

Q2. Is DEST mandatory?
➡️ Yes, for certain posts like Tax Assistant and UDC.

Q3. What is the marking scheme of Tier-I?
➡️ 200 marks, 100 questions, 0.50 negative mark per wrong answer.

Q4. Is there a sectional cutoff?
➡️ Yes, candidates must qualify each section of Tier-II Paper-I separately.

Q5. What is the syllabus for Tier-II Computer Knowledge section?
➡️ Basics of computer operations, MS Office, internet, email, cyber security.