Overview
The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) conducts the Combined Graduate Level (CGL) examination, which is one of the most sought-after exams for graduate-level jobs in the government sector. The exam is conducted in three phases – Tier 1 (Preliminary Test), Tier 2 (Mains), and Tier 3 (Computer Proficiency Test/Skill Test).
The SSC CGL exam offers job opportunities in two broad categories – Desk Job and Field Job. The job profiles under these categories differ in terms of the work environment, roles, and responsibilities.
Desk Jobs mainly involve working in an office environment and handling administrative or clerical tasks. Examples of Desk Jobs offered through SSC CGL are Assistants, Auditors, Inspectors, Accountants, Tax Assistants, etc. These jobs require good communication skills, computer proficiency, and the ability to handle tasks efficiently.
Field Jobs involve tasks that require working outside the office environment, traveling to different locations, and handling tasks related to law enforcement, investigation, or inspection. Examples of Field Jobs offered through SSC CGL are Inspectors (Central Excise, Preventive Officer, Examiner), Sub-Inspectors, Assistant Enforcement Officers, etc. These jobs require physical fitness, strong analytical skills, and the ability to work under pressure.
Candidates can choose their preferred job profile and prepare for the SSC CGL exam accordingly. They can check the official SSC website for the latest updates on exam notifications, eligibility criteria, and exam pattern.
Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility criteria for the SSC CGL exam are as follows:
1. Nationality: Candidates must be citizens of India.
2. Age limit: The minimum age limit for candidates is 18 years and the maximum age limit varies depending on the post applied for.
3. Educational qualification: Candidates must hold a Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized university or institute.
4. Physical fitness: Candidates applying for certain posts under Field Jobs category may have to meet certain physical standards.
5. Reservation: Candidates belonging to certain categories such as SC/ST/OBC/PWD may have relaxation in age limit and educational qualification as per the government norms.
Exam Pattern
Here’s the SSC CGL Exam Pattern
Tier | Total Papers | Time Limit | Total Number of Questions | Full Marks | Mode |
Tier-I | 4 (Quantitative Aptitude, English Language, General Awareness, and Reasoning) | 75 minutes | 100 (25 questions in each section) | 200 (+2 marks/correct answer and -0.50 marks/incorrect answer) | Computer-Based Test |
Tier-II | 4 papers: Quantitative Abilities, English Language and Comprehension, General Studies (Finance and Economics), Statistics | 2 hours each paper | 100 questions (200 questions for English Language and Comprehension) | 200 marks for each paper (+2 marks/correct answer and -0.25 marks/incorrect answer for Quantitative Abilities and Statistics; +1 mark/correct answer and -0.25 marks/incorrect answer for English Language and Comprehension and General Studies (Finance and Economics)) | Computer-Based Test |
Tier-III | 1 (Essay writing/Application writing) | 1 hour | 1 | 100 | Pen and Paper Mode |
Tier-IV | DEST/CPT Test | 15 minutes | Qualifying in nature | Qualifying in nature | Computer-Based Test |
Note:
– For Statistical Investigator Grade-II, Paper-I, Paper-II, and Paper-III are considered for selection.
– Assistant Audit Officer Group-B: Paper-I, Paper-II, and Paper-IV are considered for selection.
– For other posts, only Paper-I and Paper-II are considered for selection.
– Tier-III is instead of an interview and will require candidates to write Essay/Precis/Letter/Application in either English or Hindi.
– There will be no sectional cut-offs but a candidate will have to qualify all the three phases i.e. Tier-I, Tier-II, and Tier-III.
Syllabus
SSC CGL Syllabus: Tier I
The questions in Parts A, B, and D will be at a level appropriate for the required qualification, which is graduation, and those in Part C will be at the level of the 10th standard.
General Intelligence and Reasoning | General Awareness | Quantitative Aptitude | English Comprehension |
Analogies | Geography | whole numbers | Basic comprehension knowledge |
Similarities and differences | Science & Technology | decimals | Writing ability |
Space visualization | History | fractions and relationships between numbers | |
Spatial orientation | World and Indian economy | Percentage | |
Problem-solving | The Indian Constitution | Ratio & Proportion | |
Analysis | Indian Polity & Governance, Space, and IT | Square roots | |
Judgment | Political Science | Averages | |
Blood Relations | Indian Culture & Heritage, Technological developments in India. | Interest | |
Decision making | General Policy & Scientific Research | Profit and Loss | |
Visual memory | Discount | ||
Discrimination | Partnership Business | ||
Observation | Mixture and Alligations | ||
Relationship concepts | Time and distance | ||
Arithmetical reasoning | Time & Work | ||
Figural classification | Graphs of Linear Equations | ||
Arithmetic number series | Triangle and its various kinds of centers | ||
Non-verbal series | |||
Coding and decoding | |||
Statement conclusion | |||
Syllogistic reasoning | |||
Venn Diagrams |
SSC CGL Syllabus: Tier II
There will be Matriculation Level questions in Module I of Section I of Paper I (Mathematical Abilities), 10+2 Level questions in Module I of Section II of Paper I (English Language and Comprehension), and Graduation Level questions in Paper II and Paper III.
Mathematical Abilities | Reasoning and General Intelligence | English Language and Comprehension | General Awareness | Computer Proficiency | Statistics | General Studies-Finance and Economics |
Number Systems | Sematic Analogy | One-word substitutions | Geography | Computer Basics | Collection, Classification and Presentation of Statistical Data | Financial Accounting |
Fundamental arithmetical operations | Symbolic operations | Spellings | Science & Technology | Software | Measures of Central Tendency | Basic concepts of accounting |
Algebra | Trends | Grammar like idioms and articles | History | Working with Internet & emails | Measures of Dispersion | Comptroller & Auditor General of India |
Geometry | Figural Analogy | Nouns and pronouns | World and Indian economy | Basics of networking and cyber security | Moments, Skewness and Kurtosis | Finance Commission |
Mensuration | Space orientation | Verb, Adverb, Adjective | The Indian Constitution | Correlation and Regression | Basic Concept of Economics and introduction to Micro Economics | |
Trigonometry | Semantic Clarification | Question tagging | Indian Polity & Governance, Space, and IT | Probability Theory | Theory of Demand and Supply | |
Statistics & Probability | Symbolic Classification | Spellings Correction Filling in the blanks | Political Science | Random Variable and Probability Distributions | Theory of Production and cost | |
Venn Diagrams | Synonyms, Homonyms, and Antonyms | Indian Culture & Heritage, Technological developments in India. | Sampling Theory | Forms of Market and price determination in different markets | ||
Drawing inferences | Compound words | General Policy & Scientific Research | Statistical Inference | Indian Economy | ||
Number Series | Synonyms-Antonyms | Analysis of Variance | Economic Reforms in India | |||
Problem Solving | Active Passive | Time Series Analysis | Money and Banking | |||
Critical Thinking | Sentence Rearrangement | Index Numbers | Role of Information Technology in Governance | |||
Social Intelligence | Sentence Improvement | |||||
Coding & De-coding | Cloze test | |||||
Numerical operations | Conjunctions |
For Data Entry Skill Test (DEST), on a computer candidates must type 2000 words in 15 minutes in English. The purpose of this test is to evaluate a candidate’s typing abilities. Candidates are required to type an English article on a computer. The DEST Exam, which is administered for the SSC CGL exam, is used to evaluate applicants for the position of Tax Assistant (Central Excise and Income Tax).
Application Fee
Category | Fees |
General/OBC | INR 100 |
SC/ST/PH/Female candidates | Nil |
How to Apply
Follow these steps to apply for SSC CGL on the web:
- Sign in to the SSC CGL Official website.
- Get yourself registered by using email ID and phone number. Aspirants will get the registration number via mail and text message.
- After clicking on the Apply option, you will get the application structure. Fill it out on the web.
- Aspirants must check the size photo and thumb impression details to complete the application.
- Pay the application fee online or through a Bank Challan, which will be created after you have filled in the necessary SSC CGL Exam application.
- After enlistment, click on Apply to get the application submitted.
- After double-checking on the details, click on the Submit button. Check the details thoroughly as the alteration process is not allowed most of the entries.
- Download the filled-in application structure.
- Take the printout for future references.