SSC Exam Syllabus and Pattern

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Fri May 19, 2023

SSC CGLE 2023 Notification Out ! 7500 Vacancies

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SSC has been one of the most desirable organisations for govt. exams in India. Every year thousands of vacancies are filled by SSC in govt. departments. 

Govt. jobs are the most sought after career choice in India. And it is one of the fastest growing industries in India and they are considered as sunrise sector of Indian Economy. 

More so, the government is focusing on providing better facilities and services in the every aspect of our lives. Govt is focusing on the development of our COUNTRY and in order to do that millions of Jobs will be created in the coming years. SSC is the only organisation that provides employment to lakhs of students in INDIA. 

A great opportunity lies ahead for all the SSC aspirants.As the sector is growing very fast, it also needs manpower at various levels. Essentially the recruitment in SSC happens at the following levels:

1. Posts Under 4800 Grade Pay: Audit Officer Helping in conducting audits of govt./public sector organizations. The in hand salary will be around 55,000.

2. Posts Under 4600 Grade Pay: (Inspector (Examiner) (CBEC)- Income Tax Inspector (CBDT)- Post of Assistants in all Govt. Ministries: (Central Vigilance Commission,) Assistant Section Officer (CSS), Assistant (Intelligence Bureau), Assistant (Ministry of Railway) , Inspector (Dept. of Post) etc. The in hand salary will be around 50,000.

3. Posts Under 4200 Grade Pay: Sub Inspectors (CBI), Divisional Accountant (CAG), Assistant (Other Ministries) Sub Inspectors (NIA), Statistical Investigator. The in hand salary will be around 46,000.

4. Posts Under 2800, 2400 Grade Pay : Compiler (Registrar General of India), Senior Secretariat Assistant, Accountant/ Junior Accountant (Offices under C&AG, CGA & others) , Tax Assistant (CBEC & CBDT) , Sub-Inspector (Central Bureau of Narcotics) etc. 

The in hand salary will be around 40,000.SSC CGL Exam PatternThe Staff Selection Commission (SSC) conducts the Combined Graduate Level Prelims Exam once a year for selection of candidates for the main Examination.Exam Pattern - The Examination will be conducted in three tiers as indicated below:

Tier -I -- Computer Based (Objective Multiple Choice Type)

Tier -II -- Computer Based (Objective Multiple Choice Type)

Tier -III -- Descriptive Paper in English / Hindi ( Pen and paper mode)Tier-IV-- Skill Test/Computer Proficiency Test (Wherever Applicable )

Final merit list is prepared on the basis of marks in Tier-I, Tier-II & Tier-III.Note: Interviews have been discontinued from 2016 onwards.

SSC CGL Tier 1 and Tier 2 

Exam Syllabus

Tier I Examination 

Total marks

A. General Intelligence and Reasoning (25 Questions) - 50 marks

B. Gen.Awareness (25 Questions) -50 marksC. 

Quantitative Aptitude (25 Questions) – 50 marks

D. English Comprehensive (25 Questions) - 50 marks

Note: - Total Marks - 200, Duration: 60 Minutes

A. General Intelligence & Reasoning :It would include questions of both verbal and non-verbal type. This component may include questions on analogies, similarities and differences, space visualization, spatial orientation, problem solving, analysis, judgement, decision making, visual memory, discrimination, observation, relationship concepts, arithmetical reasoning and figural classification, arithmetic number series, non-verbal series, coding and decoding, statement conclusion, syllogistic reasoning etc. The topics are, Semantic Analogy, Symbolic/Number Analogy, Figural Analogy, Semantic Classification, Symbolic/Number Classification, Figural Classification, Semantic Series, Number Series, Figural Series, Problem Solving, Word Building, Coding & de-coding, Numerical Operations, symbolic Operations, Trends, Space Orientation, Space Visualization, Venn Diagrams, Drawing inferences, Punched hole/pattern –folding & un-folding, Figural Pattern – folding and completion, Indexing, Address matching, Date & city matching, Classification of centre codes/roll numbers, Small & Capital letters/numbers coding, decoding and classification, Embedded Figures, Critical thinking, Emotional Intelligence, Social Intelligence, Other sub-topics, if any.

B. General Awareness:Questions in this component will be aimed at testing the candidates general awareness of the environment around him and its application to society. Questions will also be designed to test knowledge of current events and of such matters of every day observations and experience in their scientific aspect as may be expected of any educated person. The test will also include questions relating to India and its neighbouring countries especially pertaining History, Culture, Geography, Economic Scene, General Policy & Scientific Research.C. 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, Percentage. Ratio & Proportion, Square roots, Averages, Interest, Profit and Loss, Discount, Partnership Business, Mixture and Alligation, Time and distance, Time & Work, Basic algebraic identities of School Algebra & Elementary surds, Graphs of Linear Equations, Triangle 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, 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, Trigonometric ratio, Degree and Radian Measures, Standard Identities, Complementary angles, Heights and Distances, Histogram, Frequency polygon, Bar diagram & Pie chart.D.English Comprehension:Candidates’ ability to understand correct English, his basic comprehension and writing ability, etc. would be tested. The questions in Posts A,B & D will be of a level commensurate with the Essential Qualification prescribed for the post viz graduation and questions in Part C will be of 10+2 level.SYLLABUS FOR TIER-II OF THE EXAMINATION :(2 SECTIONS, TOTAL TIME- 2 HOURS FOR EACH SECTION)Note-PaperIII and Paper IV optional for few posts( statistical and Assistant Audit Officer)Tier II Examination :Computer Based

Paper I-Quantitative Abilities : 200 marks (100 Questions) Duration: 2 hours

Paper II-English Language & Comprehension: 200 marks (200 Questions) Duration : 2 hoursPaper III- only for those candidates who apply for the post of Statistical Investigator Gr.II & Compiler.

PaperIV - only for those candidates who apply for the post of Assistant Audit OfficerTier III Examination: Pen and paper modeThe Commission has also decided to introduce a Descriptive Paper (writing of Essay/Precis/Letter /Application Writing etc) of English/Hindi as Tier-III. 

The Question Paper will be bilingual. The candidates will have the option to choose any one medium. This will be in Pen & paper Mode.The maximum marks for this section (Tier III) is 100 and the duration is 60 minutes.

Tier IV Examination:1. DEST (Data Entry Speed Test): FOR THE ALL POST (Other than compiler): The "Data Entry Speed" Skill Test at 2000 (two thousand) key depressions for a duration of 15 (fifteen) minutes will be of qualifying nature2. CPT (Computer Proficiency Test): The Commission will hold CPT, comprising three modules - Word Processing, Spread Sheet and Generation of Slides, for applicants for the post of Assistants of CSS. CPT will be of a qualifying nature.CGL Tier-II Syllabus:Paper-I :Quantitative Ability : 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 the computation of whole numbers, decimals ,fractions and relationships between numbers, Percentage. Ratio & Proportion,Square roots, Averages, Interest, Profit and Loss, Discount, Partnership Business, Mixture and Alligation, Time and distance, Time & Work, Basic algebraic identities of School Algebra & Elementary surds, Graphs of Linear Equations, Triangle 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, 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, Trigonometric ratio, Degree and Radian Measures, Standard Identities, Complementary angles, Heights and Distances, Histogram, Frequency polygon, Bar diagram & Pie chartPaper-II :English Language & Comprehsion: Questions in this components will be designed to test the candidate’s understanding and knowledge of English Language and will be based on spot the error, fill in the blanks, synonyms, antonyms, spelling/detecting mis-spelt words, idioms & phrases, one word substitution, improvement of sentences, active/passive voice of verbs, conversion into direct/indirect narration, shuffling of sentence parts, shuffling of sentences in a passage, cloze passage & comprehension passage.Paper-III :Statistics for Investigator Grade-II, Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation & Compiler in RGI.Collection Classification and Presentation of Statistical Data – Primary and Secondary data, Methods of data collection; Tabulation of data; Graphs and charts; Frequency distributions; Diagrammatic presentation of frequency distributions.Measures of Central Tendency- Common measures of central tendency – mean median and mode; Partition values- quartiles, deciles, percentiles. Measures of Dispersion- Common measures dispersion – range, quartile deviations, mean deviation and standard deviation; Measures of relative dispersion.Moments, Skewness and Kurtosis – Different types of moments and their relationship; meaning of skewness and kurtosis; different measures of skewness and kurtosis.Correlation and Regression – Scatter diagram; simple correlation coefficient; simple regression lines; Spearman’s rank correlation; Measures of association of attributes; Multiple regression; Multiple and partial correlation (For three variables only).Probability Theory – Meaning of probability; Different definitions of probability; Conditional probability; Compound probability; Independent events; Bayes’ theorem.Random Variable and Probability Distributions – Random variable; Probability functions; Expectation and Variance of a random variable; Higher moments of a random variable; Binomial , Poisson, Normal and Exponential distributions; Joint distribution of two random variable (discrete).Sampling Theory – Concept of population and sample; Parameter and statistic, Sampling and non-sampling errors; Probability and non-probability sampling techniques(simple random sampling, stratified sampling, multistage sampling, multiphase sampling, cluster sampling, systematic sampling, purposive sampling, convenience sampling and quota sampling); Sampling distribution(statement only);Sample size decisions.Statistical Inference - Point estimation and interval estimation, Properties of a good estimator, Methods of estimation (Moments method, Maximum likelihood method, Least squares method), Testing of hypothesis, Basic concept of testing, Small sample and large sample tests, Tests based on Z, t, Chi-square and F statistic, Confidence intervals.Analysis of Variance - Analysis of one-way classified data and two-way classified data.Time Series Analysis - Components of time series, Determinations of trend component by different methods, Measurement of seasonal variation by different methods.Index Numbers - Meaning of Index Numbers, Problems in the construction of index numbers, Types of index number, Different formulae, Base shifting and splicing of index numbers, Cost of living Index Numbers, Uses of Index Numbers.Paper IV:General Studies (Finance and Economics) for the post of Assistant Audit Officer:Part A: Finance and Accounts-(80 marks)Fundamental principles and basic concept of Accounting. Financial Accounting: Nature and scope, Limitations of Financial Accounting, Basic concepts and Conventions, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. Basic concepts of accounting: Single and double entry, Books of original Entry, Bank Reconciliation, Journal, ledgers, Trial Balance, Rectification of Errors, Manufacturing, Trading, Profit & loss Appropriation Accounts, Balance Sheet Distinction between Capital and Revenue Expenditure, Depreciation Accounting, Valuation of Inventories, Non-profit organisations Accounts, Receipts and Payments and Income & Expenditure Accounts, Bills of Exchange, Self Balancing Ledgers.Part B: Economics and Governance-(120 marks)Comptroller & Auditor General of India- Constitutional provisions, Role and responsibility Finance Commission-Role and functions Basic Concept of Economics and introduction to Micro Economics Definition, scope and nature of Economics, Methods of economic study and Central problems of an economy and Production possibilities curve Theory of Demand and Supply Meaning and determinants of demand, Law of demand and Elasticity of demand, Price, income and cross elasticity; Theory of consumer’s behaviour-Marshallian approach and Indifference curve approach, Meaning and determinants of supply, Law of supply and Elasticity of Supply. Theory of Production and cost Meaning and Factors of production; Laws of production- Law of variable proportions 22 and Laws of returns to scale.Forms of Market and price determination in different markets Various forms of markets-Perfect Competition, Monopoly, Monopolistic Competition and Oligopoly ad Price determination in these markets Indian Economy Nature of the Indian Economy Role of different sectors-Role of Agriculture, Industry and Services-their problems and growth; National Income of India-Concepts of national income, Different methods of measuring national income Population-Its size, rate of growth and its implication on economic growth Poverty and unemployment- Absolute and relative poverty, types, causes and incidence of unemployment Infrastructure-Energy, Transportation, Communication Economic Reforms in India Economic reforms sice 1991; Liberalisation, Privatisation, Globalisation and Disinvestment Money and Banking Monetary/ Fiscal policy- Role and functions of Reserve Bank of India; functions of commercial Banks/RRB/Payment Banks Budget and Fiscal deficits and Balance of payments Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act, 2003, Role of Information Technology in Governance

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SSC has released the notification for CGLE 2023.(A) Important Dates :Dates for submission of online applications: 03-04-2023 to 03-05-2023
Tentative Schedule of Tier-I (Computer Based Examination) : Jul, 2023
Tentative Schedule of Tier-II (Computer Based Examination) : To be notified later(B) Vacancies :There are approx.7500 vacancies. However, firm vacancies will be determined in due course.(C) Eligibility Criteria :(i) Educational Qualification ( 01-08-2023):Assistant Audit Officer/ Assistant Accounts Officer: Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized University or Institute. Chartered Accountant or Cost & Management Accountant or Company Secretary or Masters in Commerce or Masters in Business Studies or Masters in Business Administration (Finance) or Masters in Business Economics is desirable.Junior Statistical Officer: Bachelor’s Degree in any subject from a recognized University or Institute with at least 60% Marks in Mathematics at 12th standard level or Bachelor’s Degree in any subject with Statistics as one of the subjects at degree level.Statistical Investigator Grade-II: Bachelor’s Degree in any subject with Statistics as one of the subjects from a recognized University or Institute. The candidates must have studied Statistics as a subject in all the three years or all the 6 semesters of the graduation course.All other Posts: Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized University or equivalent. The candidates who have appeared in their final year of their graduation can also apply, however they must possess Essential qualification on or before the cut-off date i.e.08-10-2022(ii) Age ( As on 01-08-2023):18 - 32 Years ( For various posts. Check notification for more details)(D) Scheme of Exam:(i) Pattern of Tier -I Examination (Computer Based):
PartSubjectNo of QsMarksDuration
AGeneral Intelligence & Reasoning255060 Minutes (80 Minutes for VH candidates)
BGeneral Awareness2550
CQuantitative Aptitude2550
DEnglish Comprehension2550
TOTAL100200
  • Tier –I of the CGLE will be common for all categories of posts
  • Tier I is only qualifying in nature
  • There will be a negative marking of 0.5 marks for each wrong answer in Tier-I.
  • Tier I has sectional cutoffs - 30% for UR, 25% for OBC/EWS and 20% for SC/ST. Overall cutoffs also need to be cleared.
(ii) Pattern of Tier -II Examination (Computer Based):Tier-II will include conducting of Paper-I, Paper-II and Paper-III in separate shift(s)/ day(s).
PaperSessionSubjectNo. of QsMax MarksDuration
Paper I
Session I (2 Hr 15 Min)Section I :
Module I : Mathematical Abilities3060 * 3 = 18060 Minutes
Module II : Reasoning & General Intelligence30
Section II :
Module I : English Language & Comprehension4570 * 3 = 21060 Minutes
Module II : General Awareness25
Section III :
Module I : Computer Knowledge2020 * 3 = 6015 Minutes
150 Qs450 Marks135 Min
Session II (15 Min)Section III :One Task-15 Minutes
Module II : Data Entry Speed Test
Paper II
Statistics100100*2 = 200120 Minutes
Paper III
General Studies (Finance & Economics)100100*2 = 200120 Minutes
  • Paper-I of Tier II is compulsory for all the posts.
  • It will be mandatory for the candidates to qualify all the sections of Paper-I
  • Paper-I will be conducted in two sessions - Session –I & Session-II, on same day
  • Paper-II will be for only those candidates who apply for the posts of Junior Statistical Officer.
  • Paper-III will be for only those candidates who are shortlisted in Tier-I for Paper-III i.e. for the posts of Assistant Audit Officer/ Assistant Accounts Officer.
  • Merit list will be prepared on the basis of overall performance of candidates in Tier-II Examination only.
  • There will be negative marking of 1 mark for each wrong answer in Section-I, Section-II and Module-I of Section-III of Paper-I
and of 0.50 marks for each wrong answer in Paper-II and Paper-III.(E) Application Fee & Online Application :(i) Fee payable: Rs. 100/- (Rupees One Hundred only). Women candidates and candidates belonging to Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), ESM eligible for reservation and Persons with disability (PwD) are exempted from payment of fee.(ii) Online Application : The process of filling an online application for the examination consists of two parts: I. One Time Registration II. Filling of online Application for the Examination. Refer Annexure III for details.