SSC CGL Exam Guide
Tier 1, Tier 2, Eligibility
SSC CGL is the graduate-level exam for central government posts. Tier 1 is a screening paper. The merit list comes from Tier 2.
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How SSC CGL Is Held
SSC CGL stands for Combined Graduate Level. It fills posts such as Income Tax Inspector, Assistant Section Officer and Auditor. Any graduate can apply.
Tier 1 is a one-hour paper that only screens candidates. Tier 2 is longer, and its marks decide the merit list. Both are held on a computer.
We last checked this page in October 2026. Exam rules can change. Read the official notice on ssc.gov.in before you apply.
Exam pattern
SSC CGL at a glance
| Tier 1 | Tier 2 (Paper I) | |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Screening only | Decides the merit list |
| Questions | 100, for 200 marks | 130, for 390 marks |
| Sections | Reasoning, general awareness, maths, English: 25 each | Maths 30, reasoning 30, English 45, general awareness 25 |
| Time | 60 minutes, with a fixed time for each section | 2 hours for these sections, each with its own time limit |
| Marking | 2 marks each. Half a mark taken away for a wrong answer | 3 marks each. 1 mark taken away for a wrong answer |
| Qualifying parts | None | Computer knowledge, 20 questions, and a 15 minute typing test |
| Who sits it | Every candidate | Those who clear Tier 1 |
This is the 2026 pattern. From 2026 each section of Tier 1 has its own fixed time, and unused minutes do not carry over to the next section. Check the minutes for each section in the notice on ssc.gov.in. Junior Statistical Officer posts have a Statistics paper as well, and Assistant Audit and Accounts Officer posts have a Finance and Economics paper. Age limits are 18 to 27, 18 to 30, 20 to 30 or 18 to 32, by post, with relaxation for reserved categories.
How to prepare
Four Steps for SSC CGL
Tier 1 gives 60 minutes for 100 questions, so speed matters. Tier 2 goes deeper. Prepare for Tier 2 from the first day.
Make maths fast
Maths has 30 questions for 90 marks in Tier 2. Learn the methods, then practise until they are quick.
Build English steadily
English has 45 questions, the largest part of Tier 2. Work on grammar, vocabulary and reading every week.
Read general awareness daily
Read a little every day, and revise at the end of each month. These questions take the least time in the exam.
Take full mock tests
Practise on a computer with a clock. A wrong answer in Tier 2 costs one mark, so study each one.
SSC CGL questions
Questions Candidates Ask About SSC CGL
What is the SSC CGL Tier 1 pattern?
Tier 1 has 100 objective questions for 200 marks, in 60 minutes. There are four sections of 25 questions: reasoning, general awareness, maths and English. Half a mark is taken away for each wrong answer.
Do Tier 1 marks count in the SSC CGL merit list?
No. Tier 1 only decides who goes to Tier 2. The merit list is made from Tier 2 marks.
Who can apply for SSC CGL?
A graduate in any subject from a recognised university. A few posts ask for certain subjects. Age limits depend on the post, and reserved categories get relaxation.
Is there negative marking in SSC CGL?
Yes, in both tiers. In Tier 1, half a mark is taken away for a wrong answer. In Tier 2 Paper I, one mark is taken away. The typing test has no negative marking.
Can I write SSC CGL in Hindi?
Yes. The paper is offered in Hindi and English, except the English section, which is in English.
Admissions Open 2026–27
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