Pariksha SaathiSSC CGL 2026: exam pattern, marks, negative marking, age limit and cut-off
Every figure on this page is copied from an official document linked next to it, with the date we last checked it. Pattern, age limit and dates are from the CGL 2026 notification; cut-offs are from the official result write-ups of earlier years. Last verified: 15 October 2026.
At a glance
- Selection stages
- Tier-I (Computer Based Examination) → Tier-II (Computer Based Examination)
- First stage: Questions / Marks / Time
- 100 / 200 / 60 min
- Negative marking
- 0.50 mark is deducted for each wrong answer.
- First stage dates
- 30 September 2026 to 30 October 2026
- Tentative vacancies
- 10,731 (as on 24 September 2026)
Current affairs free every morning: today's PDF (in Hindi) · on Telegram
Weekly live mock: Sunday, 8 November 2026, 10:00–12:00 IST · 50 questions in 60 minutes, one paper for everyone · Sit it in the Android app →
Exam pattern
Tier-I (Computer Based Examination)
Applies to: All posts
Tier-I
| Section | Questions | Marks each | Marks | Time (min) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Intelligence and Reasoning | 25 | 2 | 50 | 15 |
| General Awareness | 25 | 2 | 50 | 15 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 2 | 50 | 15 |
| English Comprehension | 25 | 2 | 50 | 15 |
| Total | 100 | 200 | 60 |
Time allowed: 60 minutes. 1 hour 20 minutes (20 minutes per subject) for candidates eligible for a scribe. Negative marking: 0.50 mark is deducted for each wrong answer.
- Objective multiple-choice questions, set in English and Hindi except English Comprehension.
- Each subject has its own 15-minute timer: a section closes when its time is up. (The 2024 and 2025 notices gave 1 hour for the whole Tier-I paper, with no sectional timers.)
- When the exam runs in several shifts, marks are normalised before the cut-off is applied.
Tier-II (Computer Based Examination)
Applies to: Paper-I for all posts. Paper-II only for Junior Statistical Officer and Statistical Investigator Grade-II. Paper-III only for Assistant Audit Officer and Assistant Accounts Officer.
Paper-I, Section-I
| Section | Questions | Marks each | Marks | Time (min) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematical Abilities | 30 | 3 | 90 | 30 |
| Reasoning and General Intelligence | 30 | 3 | 90 | 30 |
| Total | 60 | 180 | 60 |
Time allowed: 60 minutes. 1 hour 20 minutes (40 minutes per subject) for candidates eligible for a scribe. Negative marking: 1 mark is deducted for each wrong answer.
- Paper-I is compulsory for every post, and a candidate must qualify each of its sections separately.
Paper-I, Section-II
| Section | Questions | Marks each | Marks | Time (min) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English Language and Comprehension | 45 | 3 | 135 | 40 |
| General Awareness | 25 | 3 | 75 | 20 |
| Total | 70 | 210 | 60 |
Time allowed: 60 minutes. 1 hour 20 minutes (55 minutes for English, 25 for General Awareness) for candidates eligible for a scribe. Negative marking: 1 mark is deducted for each wrong answer.
Paper-I, Section-III: Computer Knowledge Test
| Section | Questions | Marks each | Marks | Time (min) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Knowledge | 20 | 3 | 60 | — |
| Total | 20 | 60 | 15 |
Time allowed: 15 minutes. 20 minutes for candidates eligible for a scribe. Negative marking: 1 mark is deducted for each wrong answer. This part is qualifying only: it does not add to the merit score.
- Compulsory for all posts but qualifying only. Posts that need computer proficiency (for example Assistant Section Officer, Inspector in CBIC, Postal Assistant) have a higher qualifying standard.
Paper-I, Section-IV: Data Entry Speed Test (DEST)
Time allowed: 15 minutes. Held in a separate 15-minute session on the same day as Paper-I. This part is qualifying only: it does not add to the merit score.
- A passage of about 2,000 key depressions. Qualifying only; the maximum errors allowed are 20% (UR), 25% (OBC/EWS) and 30% (all other categories), with stricter standards for posts such as Tax Assistant.
Paper-II: Statistics
Applies to: Junior Statistical Officer and Statistical Investigator Grade-II
| Section | Questions | Marks each | Marks | Time (min) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Statistics | 100 | 2 | 200 | — |
| Total | 100 | 200 | 120 |
Time allowed: 120 minutes. 2 hours 40 minutes for candidates eligible for a scribe. Negative marking: 0.50 mark is deducted for each wrong answer.
Paper-III: General Studies (Finance and Economics)
Applies to: Assistant Audit Officer and Assistant Accounts Officer
| Section | Questions | Marks each | Marks | Time (min) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Studies (Finance and Economics) | 100 | 2 | 200 | — |
| Total | 100 | 200 | 120 |
Time allowed: 120 minutes. 2 hours 40 minutes for candidates eligible for a scribe. Negative marking: 0.50 mark is deducted for each wrong answer.
Source: Notice of Combined Graduate Level Examination, 2026 (uploaded 21 May 2026) ↗ · Last verified: 15 October 2026 · Report an error
Free SSC CGL mock tests in this official pattern →
Syllabus: subjects tested
The subjects in short, as the official syllabus lists them. The exam body's own notification is final.
- Quantitative Aptitude
- Number system, percentages, ratio & proportion, profit & loss, time-speed-distance, algebra, geometry, mensuration, trigonometry, and data interpretation.
- General Intelligence & Reasoning
- Analogies, classification, series, coding-decoding, blood relations, direction sense, syllogisms, non-verbal reasoning (figures, patterns), and puzzles.
- English Comprehension
- Grammar, vocabulary, sentence correction, fill in the blanks, cloze passages, synonyms/antonyms, and reading comprehension.
- General Awareness
- Static GK (history, geography, polity, economy, science) plus current affairs — which is where a daily current-affairs habit actually pays off in this exam specifically.
Full syllabus, stage by stage → · Official website ↗
Age limit and qualification
The age limit depends on the post: 18-27, 20-30, 18-30 or 18-32 years as on 1 August 2026, with category-wise relaxation in the upper limit. The notice lists the limit against each post. Age is counted as on 1 August 2026.
| Posts | Requirement |
|---|---|
| All other posts (most posts) | Bachelor's degree from a recognised university or equivalent. Final-year students may apply but must hold the degree by 1 August 2026. |
| Junior Statistical Officer | Bachelor's degree in any subject with at least 60% marks in Mathematics at 12th level, or a bachelor's degree with Statistics as one of the subjects. |
| Statistical Investigator Grade-II | Bachelor's degree in Statistics, Mathematics, Economics, Demography, Population Studies, Operation Research, Information Technology, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Computer Technology, Computer Application, Data Science or Artificial Intelligence. |
| Assistant Audit Officer (Central Cadre) | Bachelor's degree from a recognised university or institute is essential. The notice also lists desirable qualifications (such as Chartered Accountant, Cost and Management Accountant, Company Secretary or a Master's degree). |
Minimum qualifying marks in Tier-I and in the written sections of Tier-II: 30% for UR, 25% for OBC and EWS, 20% for all other categories.
Source: Notice of Combined Graduate Level Examination, 2026 (uploaded 21 May 2026) ↗ · Last verified: 15 October 2026 · Report an error
Important dates
| Event | Date | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Online applications | 21 May 2026 to 22 June 2026 | official notice ↗ |
| Last date for online fee payment | 23 June 2026 | official notice ↗ |
| Application form correction window | 29 June 2026 to 1 July 2026 | official notice ↗ |
| Tier-I (Computer Based Examination) | 30 September 2026 to 30 October 2026 | official notice ↗ |
| Tier-II (Computer Based Examination) | December 2026 (tentative, per the May 2026 notice) | official notice ↗ |
Source: Notice of Combined Graduate Level Examination, 2026 (uploaded 21 May 2026) ↗ · Last verified: 15 October 2026 · Report an error
Source: Tentative vacancies ↗ · Last verified: 15 October 2026 · Report an error
Cut-off marks by year and category
Tier-I, all posts except JSO and SI Grade-II
Marks are out of 200. Cut-offs change every cycle and are no promise for the next one; use them to see how competitive each category has been.
| Category | 2025 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| UR | 136.83 | 153.19 |
| OBC | 130.37 | 146.26 |
| EWS | 127.42 | 142.02 |
| SC | 114.97 | 126.46 |
| ST | 106.37 | 111.89 |
| ESM | 92.80 | 69.93 |
| OH | 100.87 | 113.10 |
| HH | 68.80 | 64.79 |
| VH | 72.00 | 102.97 |
| Other PwD | 41.71 | 45.74 |
Source: 2025 result write-up ↗ · Last verified: 15 October 2026 · Report an error
Source: 2024 result write-up ↗ · Last verified: 15 October 2026 · Report an error
UR: unreserved. OBC, EWS, SC, ST: reserved categories. ESM: ex-servicemen. OH, HH, VH: orthopaedic, hearing and visual disability. Other PwD: other persons with disabilities.
Practice questions by section
Free questions, each with its answer, in the subjects this exam tests. Every topic opens a list of question pages.
Quantitative Aptitude
- Geometry: Lines and Triangles 24 questions
- Number System 21 questions
- Percentage 21 questions
- Trigonometry 20 questions
- Boat and Stream 19 questions
- Mensuration: 2D 16 questions
- Permutation and Combination 15 questions
- Probability — Tier II 15 questions
Reasoning
- Syllogism 115 questions
- Blood Relations 89 questions
- Coding-Decoding 88 questions
- Analogy 39 questions
- Direction Sense 38 questions
- Seating Arrangement 29 questions
- Calendar 19 questions
- Clock 19 questions
English
- Error Spotting 94 questions
- Fill in the Blanks 56 questions
- Sentence Improvement 52 questions
- Cloze Test 38 questions
- Direct and Indirect Speech 30 questions
- One Word Substitution 19 questions
- Degrees of Comparison 13 questions
- Active and Passive Voice 12 questions
General Studies
- General Science 480 questions
- Static General Knowledge 240 questions
- Indian Geography 239 questions
- Physical and World Geography 239 questions
- Indian Polity and Constitution 238 questions
- Environment and Ecology 237 questions
- Modern Indian History and Freedom Struggle 235 questions
- Indian Art and Culture 234 questions
All practice questions by topic →
Free notes (PDF)
Notes for every topic in this exam’s syllabus, one PDF per subject: each lesson ends with a quick-revision box, and each PDF ends with a revision sheet. Written by an AI assistant and not reviewed by a subject-matter expert.
- Quantitative Aptitude (89 pages, 1.1 MB)
- Reasoning (74 pages, 954 KB)
- English (65 pages, 819 KB)
- General Awareness (208 pages, 2.3 MB)
Latest notices
- SSC CGL 2026: Tentative Vacancies Revised to 10,731 as Tier-I Exam Continues Through 30 Octobernotification · 7 October 2026
- SSC CGL 2026 Tier-I exam city details now live; admit card timing confirmedadmit card · 26 September 2026
- SSC CGL 2026 Tier-I exam scheduled for 30 September to 30 Octobernotification · 19 September 2026
SSC CGL admit card, result and answer key: every notice →
Recent current affairs for this exam
- Indian Navy frees hijacked fishing vessel 'Azini' from armed pirates off Somalia; all 20 crew members safe3 November 2026
- 5th edition of India-US tri-service HADR exercise Tiger Triumph opens at Visakhapatnam; an NDRF team to take part for the first time3 November 2026
- Aditya-L1's VELC shows a solar eruption expanded asymmetrically, not like a simple symmetric bubble: IIA study3 November 2026
- Health Ministry proposes amending Rule 43A of the Drugs Rules, 1945 to add ICDs, an SEZ and Noida International Airport as authorised import gateways3 November 2026
- TRAI releases Telecommunication Interconnection (Third Amendment) Regulations, 2026: shift to LSA-level and IP-based interconnection, effective 1 January 20273 November 2026
Prepare
- Exam calendar: official dates across every exam
- Syllabus and subjects tested
- Typing and data entry practice with the official time limits
- Job profile and salary
- Free lessons
- Start practising
Frequently asked questions
What are the selection stages of SSC CGL?
Tier-I (Computer Based Examination) → Tier-II (Computer Based Examination), as per the CGL 2026 notification.
How many questions are in the SSC CGL first stage?
Tier-I (Computer Based Examination): 100 questions for 200 marks in 60 minutes, as per the CGL 2026 notification.
Is there negative marking in SSC CGL?
Tier-I (Computer Based Examination), as per the CGL 2026 notification: 0.50 mark is deducted for each wrong answer.
Is there negative marking in SSC CGL Tier-II?
Tier-II (Computer Based Examination), as per the CGL 2026 notification: Paper-I, Section-I: 1 mark is deducted for each wrong answer. Paper-I, Section-II: 1 mark is deducted for each wrong answer. Paper-I, Section-III: Computer Knowledge Test: 1 mark is deducted for each wrong answer. Paper-II: Statistics: 0.50 mark is deducted for each wrong answer. Paper-III: General Studies (Finance and Economics): 0.50 mark is deducted for each wrong answer.
Which parts of the SSC CGL exam are qualifying?
As per the CGL 2026 notification, these are qualifying: Tier-II (Computer Based Examination): Paper-I, Section-III: Computer Knowledge Test; Tier-II (Computer Based Examination): Paper-I, Section-IV: Data Entry Speed Test (DEST).
What is the age limit for SSC CGL?
The age limit depends on the post: 18-27, 20-30, 18-30 or 18-32 years as on 1 August 2026, with category-wise relaxation in the upper limit. The notice lists the limit against each post. Age is counted as on 1 August 2026.
Can final-year students apply for SSC CGL?
As per the CGL 2026 notification: All other posts (most posts): Bachelor's degree from a recognised university or equivalent. Final-year students may apply but must hold the degree by 1 August 2026.
What are the minimum qualifying marks in SSC CGL?
Minimum qualifying marks in Tier-I and in the written sections of Tier-II: 30% for UR, 25% for OBC and EWS, 20% for all other categories.
How many vacancies are there in SSC CGL?
10,731 tentative vacancies for CGL 2026, as officially published on 24 September 2026.
When is the last date to apply for SSC CGL?
Online applications: 21 May 2026 to 22 June 2026 (now closed). As per the CGL 2026 notification.
What are the SSC CGL first-stage exam dates?
Tier-I (Computer Based Examination): 30 September 2026 to 30 October 2026, as per the CGL 2026 notification.
Which subjects does the SSC CGL exam test?
The official syllabus lists: Quantitative Aptitude; General Intelligence & Reasoning; English Comprehension; General Awareness.
Source: Notice of Combined Graduate Level Examination, 2026 (uploaded 21 May 2026) ↗ · Last verified: 15 October 2026 · Report an error
How this page is made
These facts are transcribed from the official documents linked above and checked against them on the date shown. If anything here differs from the official notification, the official notification is right. Please tell us through the Contact page. See also our editorial standards. Contact · Editorial standards