The SSC CGL exam pattern has two computer-based tiers. Tier 1 is 100 questions for 200 marks in one hour, with a 15-minute timer per subject and 0.50 off per wrong answer; it only shortlists. Tier 2 Paper-I, which decides your rank, has 150 questions at 3 marks each, minus 1 per wrong answer, plus a qualifying computer test and typing test (DEST).
SSC CGL Exam Pattern 2027 at a Glance
| Stage | Questions, marks and time | Wrong answer | Best book for practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 (all four subjects) | 100 questions, 200 marks, 1 hour (15 min per subject) | −0.50 | Disha 33 Topic-wise SSC CGL Tier I PYQs |
| Tier 2 Section-I: Maths | 30 questions, 90 marks, 30 min | −1 | R.S. Aggarwal, Quantitative Aptitude |
| Tier 2 Section-I: Reasoning | 30 questions, 90 marks, 30 min | −1 | R.S. Aggarwal, Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning |
| Tier 2 Section-II: English | 45 questions, 135 marks, 40 min | −1 | Neetu Singh, English for General Competitions Vol. 1 |
| Tier 2 Section-II: General Awareness | 25 questions, 75 marks, 20 min | −1 | Lucent’s General Knowledge 2027 |
| Tier 2 Section-III: Computer Knowledge | 20 questions, 60 marks, 15 min (qualifying) | −1 | No book needed: see the syllabus |
| Tier 2 Section-IV: DEST (typing) | One data-entry task, 15 min (qualifying) | – | Daily typing practice |
| Tier 2 Paper-II: Statistics (JSO, SI Gr-II) | 100 questions, 200 marks, 2 hours | −0.50 | Graduation statistics textbook |
| Tier 2 Paper-III: Finance and Economics (AAO) | 100 questions, 200 marks, 2 hours | −0.50 | Graduation accounts and economics textbooks |
By PrepPick Editorial Team · Last updated 3 November 2026
SSC CGL 2026 notice re-read on 3 Nov 2026. Book listings checked on 3 Nov 2026.
How we checked this page: every number below comes from SSC’s CGL 2026 notice (21 May 2026), with paragraph numbers so you can check it yourself; cut-offs come from SSC’s own result write-ups. SSC hasn’t issued a CGL 2027 notice yet, so this is the pattern to prepare for. Where we give advice, we say it’s ours. Our methodology · About PrepPick
The SSC CGL exam pattern changed for 2026, so an older pattern chart can mislead you. The 2026 notice brought sectional timers, a new Paper-III for audit and accounts posts, and negative marking in that new paper. The topics for each subject are on our SSC CGL syllabus page.
SSC CGL 2026: overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting body | Staff Selection Commission (SSC), Department of Personnel and Training |
| Stages | Two computer-based tiers, Tier-I and Tier-II (para 13.1), then document verification by the department you’re allotted (para 15.1) |
| Posts and pay | Group B and Group C posts, Pay Level-4 to Level-8 (para 2) |
| Tentative vacancies | 10,731, per SSC’s revised tentative vacancy list of 24 Sep 2026; the notice originally said about 12,256 (para 3.1) |
| Age limit | Varies by post, between 18 and 32 years as on 01-08-2026 (para 5.1) |
| Language of questions | English and Hindi, except the English sections (paras 13.8.1, 13.9.7) |
| Negative marking | 0.50 in Tier-I; 1 in Tier-II Paper-I; 0.50 in Papers II and III |
| Final merit | Tier-II only (para 16.10) |
| Official notice | SSC CGL 2026 notice (PDF) on ssc.gov.in |
2026 dates: Tier-I ran from 30 Sep to 30 Oct 2026 (SSC Important Notice, 12 Sep 2026). Tier-II is “December, 2026”, tentatively, per the notice cover.
Tier-I exam pattern (para 13.8)
| Subject | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| A. General Intelligence and Reasoning | 25 | 50 | 15 minutes |
| B. General Awareness | 25 | 50 | 15 minutes |
| C. Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 50 | 15 minutes |
| D. English Comprehension | 25 | 50 | 15 minutes |
| Total | 100 | 200 | 1 hour |
- Sectional timer: each subject has its own 15-minute timer inside the hour. Candidates eligible for a scribe (paras 7.1–7.3) get 20 minutes per subject (1 hour 20 minutes in all).
- Marking: 2 marks per question; 0.50 off for each wrong answer (para 13.8.2). Blank questions cost nothing.
- Language: English and Hindi, except English Comprehension (para 13.8.1).
Worked example: in one subject you get 20 right, 3 wrong and leave 2 blank: 20 × 2 = 40, minus 3 × 0.50 = 1.5, so 38.5 out of 50.
Tier-II exam pattern (para 13.9)
Paper-I (compulsory for all posts)
Paper-I is held in two sessions on the same day (para 13.9.5). Each section closes automatically when its time is up.
| Session | Section | Subjects (questions) | Marks | Time (scribe-eligible) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Session-I (2 h 15 min) | Section-I | Mathematical Abilities (30) + Reasoning and General Intelligence (30) | 60 × 3 = 180 | 1 hour: 30 min per subject (40 min each) |
| Section-II | English Language and Comprehension (45) + General Awareness (25) | 70 × 3 = 210 | 1 hour: 40 min English, 20 min GA (55 and 25 min) | |
| Section-III | Computer Knowledge Test (20) | 20 × 3 = 60 | 15 min (20 min) | |
| Session-II (15 min) | Section-IV | Data Entry Speed Test: one data entry task | — | 15 min (20 min) |
- Total: 450 marks across Sections I–III, of which 390 (Sections I and II) count for merit; the 60-mark Computer Knowledge Test is qualifying.
- Negative marking: 1 mark for each wrong answer in Sections I, II and III (para 13.9.8).
- Qualify every section: each section of Paper-I must be qualified separately (para 13.9.6).
- Language: English and Hindi, except the English Language and Comprehension part (para 13.9.7).
Paper-II: Statistics and Paper-III: Finance and Economics
| Paper | For | Questions | Marks | Time (scribe-eligible) | Wrong answer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper-II: Statistics | Candidates shortlisted for Junior Statistical Officer and Statistical Investigator Grade-II | 100 | 200 | 2 hours (2 h 40 min) | −0.50 |
| Paper-III: General Studies (Finance and Economics) | Candidates shortlisted for Assistant Audit Officer and Assistant Accounts Officer | 100 | 200 | 2 hours (2 h 40 min) | −0.50 |
Source: paras 13.9, 13.9.3 and 13.9.8. Paper-III is new in 2026; its syllabus is split into Finance and Accounts (80 marks) and Economics and Governance (120 marks) (para 13.11.7). Papers I, II and III are held in separate shifts or on separate days (para 13.9.1).
Computer Knowledge Test and DEST: the qualifying sections
| Computer Knowledge Test (Section-III) | DEST (Section-IV) | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | 20 objective questions on computer basics, MS Office, internet, networking and cyber security | Typing a passage of about 2,000 key depressions in 15 minutes (para 13.9.10.2) |
| Status | Compulsory, qualifying (para 13.9.9(a)) | Compulsory, qualifying (para 13.9.10.3) |
| Standard to clear | 30% UR, 25% OBC/EWS, 20% others (para 16.1) | Errors no more than 20% UR, 25% OBC/EWS, 30% others (para 16.2) |
| Higher standard for | Posts with Computer Proficiency, such as Assistant Section Officer (CSS, MEA, AFHQ), CBIC Inspectors and Executive Assistant, Postal/Sorting Assistant (para 13.9.9(b)) | The same posts, plus Tax Assistant (CBIC, CBDT) and UDC/SSA in the Central Bureau of Narcotics (para 13.9.10.4) |
| Exemption | — | Some PwBD-OH candidates, with a certificate (para 13.9.10.6) |
The notice’s post lists end in “etc.”, so they aren’t complete. The topic list for the Computer Knowledge Test is on our syllabus page.
SSC CGL posts, pay levels and which Tier-II papers they need
Your post decides your pay level and whether you sit Paper-II or Paper-III. All posts take Tier-II Paper-I.
| Pay level (pay range) | Posts (department) | Tier-II papers |
|---|---|---|
| Level-8 (₹47,600–1,51,100) | Assistant Audit Officer, Central and State Cadre; Assistant Accounts Officer, State Cadre (Indian Audit & Accounts Department under C&AG). Group B Gazetted | Paper-I + Paper-III |
| Level-7 (₹44,900–1,42,400) | Assistant Section Officer (CSS, IB, Railways, MEA, AFHQ, MeitY, other ministries) · Inspector of Income Tax (CBDT) · Inspector: Central Excise, Preventive Officer, Examiner (CBIC) · Assistant Enforcement Officer (ED) · Sub Inspector (CBI) · Inspector Posts · Inspector (Central Bureau of Narcotics) | Paper-I |
| Level-6 (₹35,400–1,12,400) | Junior Statistical Officer (MoSPI) · Statistical Investigator Gr-II (MHA) | Paper-I + Paper-II |
| Level-6 (₹35,400–1,12,400) | Assistant/ASO (other ministries) · Executive Assistant (CBIC) · Divisional Accountant (C&AG) · Sub Inspector (NIA) · Sub-Inspector/Junior Intelligence Officer (NCB) · Office Superintendent (CBDT) · Section Head (DGFT) · other posts listed in para 2 | Paper-I |
| Level-5 (₹29,200–92,300) | Auditor (C&AG, CGDA, other departments) · Accountant (C&AG, CGA) · Accountant/Junior Accountant (other departments). Group C | Paper-I |
| Level-4 (₹25,500–81,100) | Postal/Sorting Assistant · Senior Secretariat Assistant/UDC · Senior Administrative Assistant (MES) · Tax Assistant (CBDT, CBIC) · Sub-Inspector (Central Bureau of Narcotics). Group C | Paper-I |
Source: SSC CGL 2026 notice, paras 2.1–2.5 (posts and pay) and 13.9.3 (who takes Papers II and III). The notice gives pay levels only, not in-hand salary.
Which marks count for the final merit?
| Stage | Role |
|---|---|
| Tier-I | Shortlisting only. Category-wise cut-offs decide who sits Tier-II, with separate cut-offs for JSO/SI Gr-II, for AAO/AAccO and for all other posts (para 16.3) |
| Tier-II | The merit list is “prepared on the basis of overall performance of candidates in Tier-II Examination only” (para 16.10) |
Post-wise merit (paras 16.11–16.13):
- JSO / Statistical Investigator Gr-II: Paper-I Sections I + II (390) plus Paper-II (200).
- Assistant Audit Officer / Assistant Accounts Officer: Paper-I Sections I + II (390) plus Paper-III (200).
- All other posts: Paper-I Sections I + II (390) only.
- In every case you must qualify the Computer Knowledge Test and DEST, at the higher standard where your post needs it.
The SSC CGL 2026 notice states both: para 16.11.2 makes the Assistant Audit Officer and Assistant Accounts Officer merit list “subject to qualifying Section-III (both modules) of Paper-I”, while para 13.9 (13.9.4.3) describes Section-III as a single Computer Knowledge Test, so follow the latest corrigendum on ssc.gov.in (none had been issued for CGL 2026 as of 26 Oct 2026).
Tie-breaks (para 17.1). If Tier-II scores are equal, SSC applies these in order:
| Post | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AAO / Assistant Accounts Officer | Paper-III marks | Paper-I Section-I marks | Older candidate first | Alphabetical order of name |
| JSO / SI Gr-II | Paper-II marks | Paper-I Section-I marks | Older candidate first | Alphabetical order |
| All other posts | Paper-I Section-I marks (Maths + Reasoning) | Older candidate first | Alphabetical order | — |
So Maths and Reasoning settle ties for most posts.
After the result: document verification is done by the user departments after the final result (para 15.1). SSC keeps no waiting list but uses a “sliding mechanism” for the first round of tentative allocation, explained in its notices of 03.03.2026 and 08.04.2026 (para 15.3).
Normalisation: how multi-shift scores are adjusted
When a computer-based exam runs in several shifts, SSC normalises the marks using the procedure in its notice of 2 June 2025, and the normalised scores decide merit and cut-offs (para 13.2). That procedure uses percentiles:
- Within your own shift, your raw marks become a percentile: the share of candidates in that shift who scored the same as you or less (a value between 0 and 1).
- All shifts are combined on one percentile scale, so candidates at the same percentile in different shifts are matched.
- Each percentile is mapped back to the marks scale, and that becomes your normalised score.
In practice, your rank within your shift matters more than your raw total. That’s why normalised cut-offs carry decimals, like those below. Source: SSC, Normalization procedure for SSC exams from June 2025.
Answer keys: SSC posts tentative keys after each exam; challenges cost ₹100 per question, non-refundable (para 13.3), under its guidelines notice of 10.04.2026 (para 13.4). There is no re-evaluation or re-checking (para 13.7).
What score do you need? Last year’s official Tier-I cut-offs
SSC’s CGL 2025 Tier-I result write-up (18.12.2025) gives normalised cut-offs out of 200. For all posts other than JSO and Statistical Investigator Gr-II:
| Category | Tier-I cut-off (out of 200) |
|---|---|
| UR | 136.83 |
| OBC | 130.37 |
| EWS | 127.42 |
| SC | 114.97 |
| ST | 106.37 |
| ESM | 92.80 |
About 1.3 lakh candidates (130,418) were shortlisted on this list. The JSO and Statistical Investigator lists had higher cut-offs (UR about 153 and 152). These are from CGL 2025, which had no sectional timer, so the 2026 and 2027 cut-offs may differ. Final selection cut-offs are in the CGL 2025 final result write-up (14.05.2026), listed on SSC’s Results page.
Tier-I vs Tier-II at a glance
| Tier-I | Tier-II Paper-I | |
|---|---|---|
| Questions | 100 | 150 + one data entry task |
| Marks per question | 2 | 3 |
| Negative marking | 0.50 (a quarter of a question’s marks) | 1 (a third) |
| Timing | 1 hour, 15 min per subject | Session-I 2 h 15 min; Session-II 15 min |
| Counts for merit? | No, shortlisting only | Yes (Sections I + II, 390 marks) |
What changed from CGL 2025
| Item | CGL 2025 | CGL 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Tier-I timing | 1 hour overall, no sectional timer | 15-minute sectional timer per subject |
| Tier-II Paper-I timing | 1 hour per section | Subject-wise timers (30 + 30; 40 + 20) |
| Tier-II papers | Paper-I and Paper-II | Paper-III added for AAO and Assistant Accounts Officer |
| Negative marking, Tier-II | 1 mark in Paper-I; 0.50 in Paper-II | Same, plus 0.50 in Paper-III |
| Higher computer standards | For Computer Proficiency posts | Now covers both CKT and DEST for those posts |
| Question counts, marks, Tier-I negative marking | — | Unchanged |
Compared from the CGL 2025 notice (09.06.2025) and the CGL 2026 notice. Many coaching pages still describe Tier-II in “modules” and list only Papers I and II; that’s the older scheme.
Where marks are lost (our analysis of the pattern)
This section is our reading of the 2026 pattern, not an official statement.
| Section | Questions in time | Time per question | Penalty as a share of the question’s marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tier-I, each subject | 25 in 15 min | 36 seconds | one quarter |
| Tier-II Maths | 30 in 30 min | 60 seconds | one third |
| Tier-II Reasoning | 30 in 30 min | 60 seconds | one third |
| Tier-II English | 45 in 40 min | about 53 seconds | one third |
| Tier-II General Awareness | 25 in 20 min | 48 seconds | one third |
| Tier-II Computer Knowledge | 20 in 15 min | 45 seconds | one third (qualifying) |
| Papers II and III | 100 in 2 hours | 72 seconds | one quarter |
Our arithmetic from paras 13.8 and 13.9.
- Tier-I is the tightest on time: practise each subject in 15-minute blocks with a topic-wise PYQ book.
- Tier-II punishes guessing harder: a wrong answer costs a full mark. Skip questions you can’t narrow down to two options.
- English is the biggest block in Tier-II (45 questions, 135 marks). Build grammar from Neetu Singh’s English book or another pick from our SSC CGL English books.
- Maths and Reasoning break ties for most posts. See maths books, R.S. Aggarwal’s quant book, R.S. Aggarwal’s reasoning book and our reasoning books guide.
- General Awareness gets 20 minutes for 25 questions: static GK from the Lucent GK book (more in our GA books guide), plus current affairs.
- Don’t neglect the qualifying sections. Merit for every post depends on clearing the Computer Knowledge Test and DEST; start typing practice well before Tier-II.
For one book per subject, see our SSC CGL books guide, or SSC CGL books in Hindi.
SSC CGL परीक्षा पैटर्न: हिंदी में सारांश
| टियर-I | टियर-II पेपर-I | |
|---|---|---|
| प्रश्न | 100 (चार विषय, हर विषय में 25) | 150 और एक डेटा एंट्री टास्क |
| हर प्रश्न के अंक | 2 | 3 |
| गलत उत्तर पर कटौती | 0.50 अंक | 1 अंक |
| समय | 1 घंटा, हर विषय के लिए 15 मिनट | सत्र-I 2 घंटे 15 मिनट; सत्र-II 15 मिनट |
| मेरिट में गिना जाता है? | नहीं, केवल शॉर्टलिस्टिंग | हाँ (सेक्शन I और II, 390 अंक) |
- टियर-I के अंक केवल टियर-II के लिए शॉर्टलिस्ट करने में काम आते हैं। अंतिम मेरिट केवल टियर-II से बनती है।
- कंप्यूटर ज्ञान परीक्षा और DEST क्वालिफ़ाइंग हैं, पर इन्हें पास करना ज़रूरी है।
- पेपर-II (सांख्यिकी) JSO और सांख्यिकी अन्वेषक ग्रेड-II के लिए है। पेपर-III (वित्त और अर्थशास्त्र) सहायक लेखा परीक्षा अधिकारी और सहायक लेखा अधिकारी के लिए है। दोनों 200 अंक के हैं और 2 घंटे के।
- अंग्रेज़ी वाले हिस्सों को छोड़कर प्रश्न हिंदी और अंग्रेज़ी दोनों में आते हैं।
यह सारांश हमारा है; आधिकारिक जानकारी के लिए अंग्रेज़ी नोटिस देखें।
Frequently asked questions
What is the SSC CGL exam pattern for 2027?
SSC hasn’t issued the CGL 2027 notice yet, so the latest pattern is the 2026 one: Tier-I (100 questions, 200 marks, 1 hour) and Tier-II Paper-I (150 questions at 3 marks plus DEST), with Paper-II or Paper-III for a few posts.
How many marks is SSC CGL Tier-II?
Paper-I has 450 marks across Sections I–III: 180 for Maths and Reasoning, 210 for English and GA, and 60 for the qualifying Computer Knowledge Test. Merit uses the 390 marks of Sections I and II, plus 200 for Paper-II or Paper-III where your post needs it.
Is there negative marking in SSC CGL?
Yes. Tier-I deducts 0.50 per wrong answer. Tier-II Paper-I deducts 1 mark in Sections I–III, and Papers II and III deduct 0.50.
Is Tier-I counted in the final merit?
No. Tier-I is for shortlisting only (para 16.3). The final merit list is based on Tier-II alone (para 16.10).
What is the pass mark in SSC CGL?
30% for UR, 25% for OBC/EWS and 20% for other categories (para 16.1), in Tier-I, each of Sections I–III of Paper-I, and Papers II and III. Clearing them only keeps you in the race; the cut-offs decide who goes forward.
Is 120 a good score in SSC CGL Tier-I?
On CGL 2025’s official cut-offs, 120 out of 200 would have cleared the general Tier-I list for SC, ST and ESM candidates, but not for UR (136.83), OBC (130.37) or EWS (127.42). Cut-offs change every year, and the 2026 sectional timers may move them.
What is the SSC CGL typing test (DEST)?
A 15-minute test of typing a passage of about 2,000 key depressions, in Session-II of Tier-II Paper-I. It is compulsory but qualifying: errors must stay within 20% (UR), 25% (OBC/EWS) or 30% (others). Some posts need a higher standard.
How does SSC CGL normalisation work?
For multi-shift exams, SSC converts your raw marks into a percentile within your shift, matches percentiles across shifts and maps them back to marks (notice of 2 June 2025). Normalised scores decide merit and cut-offs.
How are ties resolved in SSC CGL?
For most posts, by Tier-II Paper-I Section-I marks (Maths and Reasoning), then age (older first), then alphabetical order. For AAO and JSO posts, Paper-III or Paper-II marks come first (para 17.1).
Which posts need Paper-II and Paper-III?
Paper-II (Statistics) is for Junior Statistical Officer and Statistical Investigator Grade-II; Paper-III (Finance and Economics) is for Assistant Audit Officer and Assistant Accounts Officer (para 13.9.3).
Is the SSC CGL paper in Hindi?
Yes, except the English sections. Both tiers set questions in English and Hindi.
What is the salary in SSC CGL?
The notice gives pay levels, not in-hand pay: Pay Level-4 (₹25,500–81,100) to Level-8 (₹47,600–1,51,100). Tax Assistant is Level-4, Auditor Level-5, JSO Level-6, Assistant Section Officer and Inspector of Income Tax Level-7, and Assistant Audit Officer Level-8 (para 2).
Sources
- SSC: Notice of CGL Examination, 2026 (21.05.2026; re-read 3 Nov 2026: paras 2, 3.1, 5.1, 13, 15, 16, 17)
- SSC: Normalization procedure for SSC exams from June 2025
- SSC: CGL 2025 Tier-I result write-up (18.12.2025) and final result write-up (14.05.2026)
- SSC: Tentative vacancies, CGL 2026 (24.09.2026); Important Notice, CGL 2026 Tier-I schedule (12.09.2026)
- SSC: Notice of CGL Examination, 2025 (09.06.2025)
- Pages compared on 3 Nov 2026: Career Power, Testbook, Prepp, SSC Drishti
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