SSC CGL Tier 1 & Tier 2 Complete Exam Pattern 2026
Staff Selection Commission (SSC)
Combined Graduate Level Examination 2026
The SSC CGL Exam Pattern 2026 consists of two stages: Tier 1 and Tier 2. All candidates are required to appear for the Tier 1 examination which will be qualified in nature. Candidates who qualify Tier 1 will be eligible to take the Tier 2 examination.
SSC CGL Tier 2 includes multiple papers. Paper I is mandatory for all candidates and all posts. Paper II is conducted only for candidates applying for the Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) post, while Paper III is applicable only to candidates seeking the Assistant Audit Officer (AAO) position.
The final selection is based solely on the marks obtained in Tier 2 exam.
Note: In the revised exam pattern for SSC CGL new sectional timing is introduced for Tier 1 & 2 exam.
SSC CGL 2026 – Exam Pattern (Revised)
The SSC CGL 2026 exam will be conducted in two tiers. The exam pattern will be as follows.
SSC CGL – Tier 1 Exam Pattern
SSC CGL Tier 1 will be Computer Based Exam, comprising of 4 sections which is General Intelligence & Reasoning, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, & English Comprehension.
- Exam Mode: CBT (Computer Based Test).
- No. of Questions: 100 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ).
- Total Marks: 200.
- Exam Duration: 1 Hour (15 minutes for each section/subject).
- Marking Scheme: 1 mark will be decucted for every 4 wrong answers.
- Exam Language: The exam will be bilingual (Both English and Hindi language).
| Subject | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Intelligence | 25 | 50 | 01 Hour |
| General Awareness | 25 | 50 | |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 50 | |
| English Language | 25 | 50 | |
| Total | 100 | 200 | 01 Hour |
SSC CGL – Tier 2 Exam Pattern
The SSC CGL Tier 2 exam comprises of 3 papers.
- Paper 1 is compulsory for all candidates for all posts.
- Paper 2 will only be required for candidates applying for Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) in the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.
- Paper 3 will be only for candidates applying for Assistant Audit Officer/ Assistant Accounts Officer.
| Papers | Time Allotted |
|---|---|
| Paper I: (Compulsory for all posts) | 2 hours 30 minutes |
| Paper II: Statistics | 2 hours |
| Paper-III General Studies (Finance and Economics) | 2 hours |
SSC CGL Tier 2 Exam Pattern 2026 [Paper 1]
| Sessions | Sections | Modules | Subject | No. of Questions | Marks | Duration | Weightage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Session I | Section I | Module-I | Mathematical Abilities | 30 | 90 | 30 minutes | 23% |
| Module-II | Reasoning and General Intelligence | 30 | 90 | 30 minutes | 23% | ||
| Section II | Module-I | English Language and Comprehension | 45 | 135 | 40 minutes | 35% | |
| Module-II | General Awareness | 25 | 75 | 20 minutes | 19% | ||
| Section III | Module-I | Computer Knowledge Test | 20 | 60 | 15 minute | Qualifying | |
| Session II | Module-II | Data Entry Speed Test | One Data Entry Task | 15 minute | Qualifying | ||
SSC CGL Tier 2 Exam Pattern 2026 [Paper 2]
| Papers | Sections | No. of question | Maximum Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper II | Statistics | 100 | 200 | 2 hours |
SSC CGL Tier 2 Exam Pattern 2026 [Paper 3]
| Papers | Sections | No. of question | Maximum Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper III | General Studies (Finance and Economics) | 100 | 200 | 2 hours |
SSC CGL 2026 – Complete Selection Process
There will be two tier examination to shortlist candidates for various Group B & C posts in SSC CGL Recruitment 2026. The selection process consists of the following stages.
- Tier-I: Computer Based Exam (Qualifying in nature)
- Tier-II:
- Paper 1: It will be a compulsory exam for all graduate level posts.
- Paper 2: It will be for candidates who apply for Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) post in the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.
- Paper 3: It will be for candidates who apply for Assistant Audit Officer (AAO) and Assistant Accounts Officer (AAO) posts.
- Document Verification
- Medical Examination
Note: Final selection will be based on the merit and post preference filled by the candidate. Once you are selected for a post, there will be no change allowed.
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FAQs
Is there any negative marking in SSC CGL 2026 Exam?
There is a negative marking of 0.5 marks for each wrong answer in SSC CGL Tier 1 Exam, 1 mark for Paper 1 of Tier 2 and 0.5 marks for each wrong answer in Paper-II
Is SSC CGL exam pattern changes?
Yes, SSC has included sectional timing in the new exam pattern. complete exam pattern is discussed in this article.
Is SSC CGL Tier 1 exam qualifying in nature?
Yes, the tier 1 exam is qualifying in nature.
Is SSC CGL Paper 2 & 3 of Tier 2 exam compulsory?
Paper 2 & 3 of Tier 2 is not compulsory for every post, Paper 2 will only be required for candidates applying for Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) in the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation & Paper 3 will be only for candidates applying for Assistant Audit Officer/ Assistant Accounts Officer.