SSC CGL Tier-1 2026: Comprehensive Exam Overview and Syllabus
The Staff Selection Commission - Combined Graduate Level Examination (SSC CGL) is one of the most sought-after competitive exams in India, attracting lakhs of graduates annually. The SSC CGL Tier-1 exam is the initial stage for recruitment to various Group 'B' and Group 'C' posts in different Ministries, Departments, and Organizations under the Government of India. This overview provides a detailed insight into the 2026 Tier-1 examination, covering its structure, eligibility, and core syllabus, designed to help aspirants prepare effectively.
Eligibility Criteria for SSC CGL Tier-1 2026
Candidates must meet the following essential criteria to be eligible for the SSC CGL 2026 examination:
- Nationality: A candidate must be either:
- A citizen of India, or
- A subject of Nepal, or
- A subject of Bhutan, or
- A Tibetan refugee who came over to India before 1st January 1962 with the intention of permanently settling in India, or
- A person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, East African Countries of Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania (formerly Tanganyika and Zanzibar), Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia, and Vietnam with the intention of permanently settling in India.
- Age Limit: The age limits for different posts generally fall within 18-27 years, 20-30 years, 18-30 years, or 18-32 years, depending on the specific post. Age relaxation is provided for candidates belonging to Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC), Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD), Ex-Servicemen, etc., as per Government rules.
- Educational Qualification: Candidates must hold a Bachelor's Degree in any discipline from a recognized University or equivalent. For specific posts like Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) or Assistant Audit Officer/Assistant Accounts Officer, additional educational qualifications may be required (e.g., specific subjects in Bachelor's degree or professional qualifications). However, for the general posts, a simple graduation degree suffices for Tier-1.
SSC CGL Tier-1 2026 Exam Pattern
The Tier-1 examination is a Computer Based Examination (CBE) and serves as a screening test. It is objective type with multiple-choice questions.
- Mode: Computer Based Examination (CBE).
- Total Questions: 100 questions.
- Maximum Marks: 200 marks.
- Time Duration: 60 minutes (1 hour). For candidates with benchmark disabilities (PwBD) availing scribe, the duration is 80 minutes.
- Negative Marking: There will be a negative marking of 0.50 marks for each incorrect answer.
Breakdown of the Tier-1 Exam:
- General Intelligence & Reasoning: 25 Questions | 50 Marks
- General Awareness: 25 Questions | 50 Marks
- Quantitative Aptitude: 25 Questions | 50 Marks
- English Comprehension: 25 Questions | 50 Marks
Core Syllabus for SSC CGL Tier-1 2026
General Intelligence & Reasoning
This section tests the candidate’s ability to deal with abstract ideas and symbols and their relationship, arithmetical computation, and other analytical functions.
- Analogies (Semantic, Symbolic/Number, Figural)
- Similarities and Differences
- Space Visualization, Spatial Orientation
- Problem Solving, Analysis, Judgment, Decision Making
- Visual Memory, Discrimination, Observation
- Relationship Concepts (Blood Relations)
- Arithmetical Reasoning, Figural Classification
- Arithmetical Number Series, Non-verbal Series
- Coding and Decoding, Statement Conclusion, Syllogistic Reasoning
- Punched hole/pattern-folding & unfolding, Figural Pattern folding and completion
- Indexing, Address Matching, Date & City Matching
- Classification of center codes/roll numbers
- Small & Capital letters/numbers coding, decoding and classification
- Embedded Figures, Critical Thinking, Emotional Intelligence, Social Intelligence.
General Awareness
This section aims to test the candidates’ general awareness of the environment around them and its application to society. Questions are designed to test knowledge of current events and of such matters of everyday observation and experience as may be expected of any educated person.
- Current Events (National and International Importance)
- History, Culture, Geography, Economic Scene, General Policy & Scientific Research (with special reference to India and its neighboring countries)
- Indian Polity & Constitution
- Sports, Awards & Honours, Books & Authors, Important Days
Quantitative Aptitude
The questions will be designed to test the ability of appropriate use of numbers and number sense of the candidate. The scope of the test will be computation of whole numbers, decimals, fractions and relationships between numbers.
- Number Systems: Computation of Whole Numbers, Decimals and Fractions, Relationship 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 and Work.
- Algebra: Basic algebraic identities of School Algebra & Elementary Surds, Graphs of Linear Equations.
- Geometry: Familiarity with elementary geometric figures and facts, Triangles 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 Ratios, Degree and Radian Measures, Standard Identities, Complementary Angles, Height and Distances.
- Statistical Charts: Use of Tables and Graphs, Histogram, Frequency Polygon, Bar-diagram, Pie-chart.
English Comprehension
This section aims to test the candidate’s understanding of the English Language and its correct usage.
- Vocabulary: Synonyms, Antonyms, Homonyms, One Word Substitution, Idioms & Phrases.
- Grammar: Error Spotting, Sentence Improvement, Sentence Completion, Active/Passive Voice of Verbs, Conversion into Direct/Indirect narration.
- Reading Comprehension: Questions based on a passage.
- Cloze Test, Para Jumbles.
