The SSC CGL exam is among the most popular government entrance exams in India. It is a competitive exam conducted by the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) to recruit Group B and C officers for central government ministries and departments, including the Income Tax Department, the Ministry of External Affairs, the CBI, the ED, the IB, and more. Lakhs of aspirants pursue the exam for its excellent career growth, job stability, and competitive salaries. If you are targeting the SSC CGL exam 2026, this blog will be your end-to-end guide to understand the eligibility criteria, syllabus, exam pattern, and preparation timelines for both exam tiers.

SSC CGL Exam Pattern 2026

The examination consists of two tiers of Computer-Based Examination, and the SSC clearly declares the examination scheme. Below is the clear breakdown.

Tier-I Examination

A. You have 1 hour to answer all the questions.

B. Tier I will consist of Objective-Type, multiple-choice questions. The questions will be set both in English & Hindi, except for English Comprehension.

C. There will be a negative marking of 0.50 for each wrong answer.

Tier-II Examination

A. Tier-II will include the conduct of Paper-I & Paper-II in separate shifts/days.

B. Paper I is compulsory for all the posts.

C. Paper-II will be for only those candidates who apply for the posts of Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) in the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation and Statistical Investigator Grade II in the office of Registrar General of India (M/o Home Affairs) and who are shortlisted in Tier-I for these Posts.

Paper-I

Paper-II

Penalty for Wrong Answer: There is a negative marking of 1 mark for each wrong answer in Section I, Section II and Module I of Section III of Paper I and 0.50 marks for each wrong answer in Paper II.

SSC CGL Eligibility Criteria

Educational Qualifications

For most posts, the candidate should hold a Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university in any discipline.

Post-wise special cases:

• Junior Statistical Officer (JSO):

B.Sc. with Statistics / Maths / Economics OR

any degree with at least 60% in Maths at Class 12 level.

• AAO & Other Audit Posts:

Additional qualifications may be preferred.

SSC CGL Age Limit

Age Relaxation:

• OBC: +3 years
• SC/ST: +5 years
• PwD: +10-15 years depending on category

Nationality

You must be:

• An Indian citizen

OR

• A subject of Nepal/Bhutan

OR

• Tibetan refugee (conditions apply)

SSC CGL Syllabus 2026

SSC CGL Tier 1 Syllabus

A) General Intelligence & Reasoning

Topics include:

• Analogies, Classification, Series
• Coding-Decoding
• Syllogism
• Direction Test
• Puzzles & Seating Arrangement
• Blood Relations
• Matrix, Venn Diagrams
• Logical sequences

B) General Awareness

• Current Affairs (last 6–12 months)
• Indian Polity & Constitution
• History, Geography, Economics
• Science (basic level)
• Government Schemes
• Computer basics
• Important organizations (UN, IMF, WTO, etc.)

C) Quantitative Aptitude

• Number System
• LCM / HCF
• Percentage, Ratio, Proportion
• Profit & Loss
• Time, Speed, Distance
• Time & Work
• Simple & Compound Interest
• Mensuration
• Data Interpretation

D) English Comprehension

• Reading Comprehension
• Vocabulary (Synonyms/Antonyms)
• Error Spotting
• Para Jumbles
• Cloze Test
• Grammar basics

SSC CGL Tier 2 Syllabus

Module I: Mathematical Abilities

• Algebra
• Geometry & Mensuration
• Trigonometry
• Statistics & Data Interpretation
• Advanced Arithmetic

Module I: Reasoning & General Intelligence

• Verbal & Non-verbal Reasoning
• Logical Deductions
• Analytical Problem Solving

Module II: English Language & Comprehension

• Advanced grammar
• Reading comprehension
• Para completion
• Vocabulary usage
• Error correction

Module II: General Awareness

• Polity, History, Geography
• National & International Affairs
• Economy & Budget
• Science & Technology
• Environmental issues

Module III: Computer Knowledge

• Basics of computers
• Internet & networking
• MS Office
• Cybersecurity basics

DEST (Data Entry Speed Test)

• Usually 8,000 key depressions per hour
• Tested on passages
• Qualifying in nature

How to Prepare for SSC CGL 2026

12-Month Plan (Beginners / Fresh Graduates)

Months 1–3:

• Build Quant & English basics
• Daily GA and previous year analysis

Months 4–6:

• Sectional tests + reasoning drills
• Weekly mock tests

Months 7–9:

• Tier 2 Maths + English focus
• Full-length mock tests

Months 10–12:

• Strengthen weak areas
• Solve 20+ Tier 2 mocks
• Intensive revision

6-Month Plan for Repeaters

• 2–3 mocks per week
• Revise Tier 2 Maths & English intensively
• Focus on accuracy and speed
• Practise advanced puzzles and arithmetic sets

Cracking SSC CGL as a Working Professional

• Weekdays: 2 hours (Quant/English alternately)
• Weekends: Full-length mock + revision
• Focus on past year papers first
• Use commute time for GA & English vocabulary

Conclusion

The SSC CGL exam can be tricky. But with the proper guidance, clear understanding of the details, and a disciplined preparation strategy, cracking this exam becomes significantly easier. If you choose a coaching institute like AKS IAS, they will help you ace the exam with a structured plan and consistent mock preparation. This is a recipe for success in securing a prestigious government career.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the SSC CGL exam?

A national-level exam conducted by SSC for recruitment to central government Group B & C posts.

Is SSC CGL difficult?

Moderate—difficulty depends on practice, accuracy, and mock analysis.

What is the SSC CGL age limit for 2026?

Generally 18–32 years, depending on the post; relaxations apply.