SSC Exams Guide 2026
Comprehensive overview of SSC CGL, CHSL, MTS, CPO, GD Constable recruitment exams — exam pattern, eligibility rules, syllabus structure, and preparation roadmap.
1. About Staff Selection Commission (SSC)
The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) is an autonomous organization under the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), Government of India. It conducts competitive recruitment examinations to recruit staff for Group 'B' non-gazetted and Group 'C' non-technical posts across various Ministries, Departments, and Subordinate Offices of the Central Government.
2. Key SSC Recruitment Examinations
SSC conducts several flagship examinations catering to different educational qualifications:
SSC CGL (Combined Graduate Level)
Premier recruitment for Group B & C posts including Assistant Section Officer (ASO), Income Tax Inspector, GST Inspector, ED Assistant, Sub-Inspector in CBI, and Auditor.
SSC CHSL (10+2 Higher Secondary)
Recruits Lower Division Clerk (LDC), Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA), and Data Entry Operator (DEO) across Central Government ministries.
SSC MTS & Havaldar
Entry-level Group 'C' non-gazetted recruitment for Multi-Tasking Staff and Havaldar in CBIC & CBN departments.
SSC GD Constable
General Duty Constable recruitment in CAPFs (BSF, CISF, CRPF, SSB, ITBP, AR, and SSF) under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
SSC CPO (Central Police Organisation)
Direct recruitment of Sub-Inspectors (SI) in Delhi Police and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs).
SSC Stenographer (Grade C & D)
Specialized recruitment for Stenographers Grade 'C' (Group B Non-Gazetted) and Grade 'D' (Group C) posts in central ministries.
3. SSC CGL Latest Exam Pattern
Under the revised examination pattern, SSC CGL consists of two online tiers:
Tier-1 Pattern (Screening / Qualifying)
| Section | Subject | Questions | Maximum Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part A | General Intelligence & Reasoning | 25 | 50 | 60 Minutes (80 min for scribe) |
| Part B | General Awareness | 25 | 50 | |
| Part C | Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 50 | |
| Part D | English Comprehension | 25 | 50 | |
| Total | 100 Questions | 200 Marks | Negative: 0.50 marks per wrong | |
Tier-2 Pattern (Merit Deciding)
| Paper / Session | Section | Modules / Subjects | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I (Compulsory for all posts) | Section I | Module-I: Mathematical Abilities Module-II: Reasoning & General Intelligence |
30 + 30 = 60 | 180 (3 marks each) | 1 Hour |
| Section II | Module-I: English Language & Comprehension Module-II: General Awareness |
45 + 25 = 70 | 210 (3 marks each) | 1 Hour | |
| Section III | Module-I: Computer Knowledge (Qualifying) Module-II: Data Entry Speed Test (DEST) |
20 Qs 1 Task (2000 key dep.) |
60 Marks Qualifying |
15 Minutes 15 Minutes |
4. General Eligibility Criteria & Age Relaxations
- Nationality: Citizen of India, subject of Nepal/Bhutan, or Tibetan refugee who came over before January 1, 1962.
- Age Relaxations (Upper limit):
- OBC: 3 Years relaxation
- SC / ST: 5 Years relaxation
- PwD (Unreserved): 10 Years relaxation
- Ex-Servicemen: 3 Years after deduction of military service from actual age
- Language: Questions in Tier 1 and Tier 2 (except English Language module) are bilingual (Hindi and English).
5. Core Syllabus Topics
Key topics tested across SSC exams:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How many attempts are allowed for SSC exams?
There is no limit on the number of attempts for SSC exams (CGL, CHSL, MTS, GD) as long as the candidate satisfies the prescribed age limit and educational eligibility.
Is Computer Knowledge test compulsory in SSC CGL?
Yes, the Computer Knowledge Module (20 questions, 60 marks) is compulsory for all candidates appearing in SSC CGL Tier-2. It is qualifying in nature, but higher cutoff standards apply for specific posts like ASO, Inspector, and Tax Assistant.
Can final year college students apply for SSC CGL?
Candidates must possess the essential graduation degree certificate on or before the crucial cutoff date specified in the official notification.