SSC CGL Exam Overview

• SSC CGL (Staff Selection Commission Combined Graduate Level Examination) is conducted by the Staff Selection Commission (SSC).
• The exam recruits candidates for Group "B" and "C" posts within the Government of India's Ministries, Departments, and Organizations.
• The exam is held annually, contingent upon government notifications.

Eligibility Criteria

• Nationality requirements include being a citizen of India, a subject of Nepal/Bhutan, or a Tibetan refugee who settled in India before January 1, 1962.
• Individuals of Indian origin who migrated from specific countries with the intention of settling permanently in India are also eligible.
• The age limit generally ranges from 18 to 32 years, varying by post, with age relaxations as per government rules.
• A Bachelor's degree from a recognized University or equivalent is the minimum required educational qualification.
• Specific posts sometimes necessitate particular qualifications.

Exam Structure

• The SSC CGL exam includes four tiers: Tier-I, Tier-II, Tier-III, and Tier-IV.
• Tier-I and Tier-II are Computer Based Examinations (CBE) conducted online.
• Tier-III is a descriptive paper that can be written in English or Hindi.
• Tier-IV may involve a Computer Proficiency Test, a Skill Test, and Document Verification, depending on the post.

Tier-I Exam

• The exam has 100 questions, totaling 200 marks.
• A negative marking of 0.50 marks is applied for each incorrect answer.
• The exam duration is 60 minutes (1 hour).
• The Tier-I exam includes four sections:
  • General Intelligence and Reasoning: 25 questions, 50 marks.
  • General Awareness: 25 questions, 50 marks.
  • Quantitative Aptitude: 25 questions, 50 marks.
  • English Comprehension: 25 questions, 50 marks.

Tier-II Exam

• Tier-II is conducted online with multiple papers.
• Paper-I: Quantitative Abilities consists of 100 questions, 200 marks, and has a duration of 2 hours.
• Paper-II: English Language and Comprehension includes 200 questions, 200 marks, and has a duration of 2 hours.
• Paper-III: Statistics comprises 100 questions, 200 marks, and has a duration of 2 hours; it is for Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) applicants.
• Paper-IV: General Studies (Finance and Economics) contains 100 questions, 200 marks, and has a duration of 2 hours; it is for Assistant Audit Officer and Assistant Accounts Officer applicants.
• A negative marking of 0.25 marks is applied for each incorrect answer in Paper-II (English Language and Comprehension).
• A negative marking of 0.50 marks is applied for each incorrect answer in Paper-I, Paper-III, and Paper-IV.

Tier-III Exam

• This is a descriptive paper worth 100 marks.
• The exam duration is 60 minutes.
• Candidates must write an essay, letter, or application.
• It assesses the candidates’ writing skills in either English or Hindi.

Tier-IV Exam

• Tier-IV includes a Computer Proficiency Test (CPT) and/or a Data Entry Skill Test (DEST), depending on the post.
• CPT comprises modules for Word Processing, Spreadsheet, and Generation of Slides.
• DEST requires a data entry speed of 8,000 key depressions per hour.
• Document verification is also part of Tier-IV.

Syllabus for Tier-I

• General Intelligence and Reasoning includes both verbal and non-verbal questions.
  • Topics include: Analogies, symbolic operations, trends, space orientation, Semantic Classification, Venn Diagrams, drawing inferences, punched hole/pattern-folding & unfolding, Semantic Series, Number Series, Embedded figures, Critical Thinking, Emotional Intelligence, Coding and de-coding, Numerical operations.
• General Awareness assesses the candidate’s awareness of their environment and its application to society.
  • Topics include: Current Affairs, India and its neighboring countries, History, Culture, Geography, Economic Scene, General Polity, Scientific Research.
• Quantitative Aptitude tests the candidate’s ability to use numbers and number sense.
  • Topics include: Whole numbers, Decimals, Fractions, Percentage, Ratio & Proportion, Square roots, Averages, Interest, Profit and Loss, Discount, Partnership Business, Mixture and Alligation, Time and distance, Time & Work, Basic algebraic identities, Graphs of Linear Equations, Triangle properties, Circle properties, Trigonometric ratio, Degree and Radian Measures, Heights and Distances, Histogram, Frequency polygon, Bar diagram & Pie chart.
• English Comprehension assesses understanding of correct English and basic comprehension and writing ability.
  • Topics include: Spot the Error, Fill in the Blanks, Synonyms/ Homonyms, Antonyms, Spellings, Idioms & Phrases, One word substitution, Improvement of Sentences, Active/ Passive Voice of Verbs, Shuffling of Sentence parts, Cloze Passage, Comprehension Passage.

Syllabus for Tier-II

• Paper-I (Quantitative Abilities):
  • Number Systems: Computation of Whole Number, Decimal and Fractions, Relationships between numbers.
  • Fundamental arithmetical operations: Percentages, Ratio and Proportion, Square roots, Averages, Interest (Simple and Compound), Profit and Loss, Discount, Partnership Business, Mixture and Alligation, Time and distance, Time & Work.
  • Algebra: Basic algebraic identities of School Algebra & Elementary surds (simple problems) and Graphs of Linear Equations.
  • Geometry: Familiarity with geometrical figures and facts: Triangle and its various kinds of centres, Congruence and similarity of triangles, Circle and its chords, tangents, angles subtended by chords of a circle, common tangents to two or more circles.
  • Mensuration: Triangle, Quadrilaterals, Regular Polygons, Circle, Right Prism, Right Circular Cone, Right Circular Cylinder, Sphere, Hemispheres, Rectangular Parallelepiped, Regular right pyramid with triangular or square base.
  • Trigonometry: Trigonometric ratio, Degree and Radian Measures, Standard Identities, Complementary angles, Heights and Distances.
  • Statistics and probability: Histogram, Frequency polygon, Bar diagram & Pie chart, Measures of central tendency: mean, median, mode, standard deviation; Simple probability.
• Paper-II (English Language and Comprehension):
  • Assesses vocabulary, grammar, sentence structure, synonyms, antonyms, and correct usage.
  • Includes: Spot the Error, Fill in the Blanks, Spellings, Idioms & Phrases, One word substitution, Improvement of Sentences, Active/ Passive Voice of Verbs, Shuffling of Sentence parts, Cloze Passage, Comprehension Passage.
• Paper-III (Statistics):
  • Includes: Collection, Classification and Presentation of Statistical Data, Measures of Central Tendency, Measures of Dispersion, Correlation and Regression, Probability, Random Variable and Probability Distributions, Sampling Theory, Statistical Inference, Analysis of Variance, Time Series Analysis, Index Numbers.
• Paper-IV (General Studies - Finance and Economics):
  • Part A: Finance and Accounting:
    • Fundamental principles of accounting; Accounting as a source of financial information; Users of accounting information; Basics of accounting; Accounting concepts.
    • Financial Accounting: Nature and scope, Limitation of Financial Accounting, Basic concepts and conventions, General Financial Accounting principles.
    • Accounting Standards: Concepts, Objectives, Benefits.
    • Accounting Policies.
    • Accounting as a measurement discipline - valuation principles, accounting estimates.
    • Depreciation Accounting.
    • Inventory Valuations.
    • Preparation of Final Accounts for Sole Proprietorship.
    • Company Accounts - Concepts.
  • Part B: Economics and Governance:
    • Comptroller & Auditor General of India – Constitutional provisions, Role and responsibility.
    • Finance Commission - Role and Functions.
    • Basic Concepts of Economics and introduction to Micro Economics.
    • Theory of Demand and Supply.
    • Theory of Production and cost.
    • Market Structure.
    • Determination of Prices in different Markets.
    • Indian Economy.
    • Economic Reforms in India.
    • Money and Banking.
    • Role of Information Technology in Economics and Governance.

Important Points

• Candidates should consult the official SSC notification for the most accurate and current details on the exam pattern, syllabus, and rules.
• Qualifying in each tier is necessary to advance to the next stage.
• Final selection depends on cumulative performance in Tier-I, Tier-II, and Tier-III exams (if applicable) and also subject to qualifying in Tier-IV (if applicable).
• Document verification is an essential part of the selection procedure.
• Candidates should check the SSC website regularly for updates and notifications.