SSC Combined Graduate Level (CGL) Examination — Eligibility, Syllabus & Exam Pattern
The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) conducts the Combined Graduate Level (CGL) Examination for recruitment to various Group 'B' and Group 'C' posts in different ministries, departments, and organizations of the Government of India. It is one of the most popular government job exams for graduates in the country. The selection process involves a multi-tier examination structure, typically consisting of a preliminary Tier-I Exam and a final Tier-II Exam, designed to test a candidate's aptitude in reasoning, general awareness, English, and mathematics.
📌 Eligibility Criteria
Nationality
A candidate must be a citizen of India, or a subject of Nepal/Bhutan, or a Tibetan refugee who came to India before January 1, 1962, to permanently settle here.
Age Limit
The age limits vary for different posts, generally ranging from a minimum of 18 years to a maximum of 32 years.
- 18-27 years: For posts like Auditor, Accountant, Upper Division Clerk (UDC), and Tax Assistant.
- 20-30 years: For posts like Assistant Section Officer (ASO) and Inspector (e.g., in CBDT, CBIC).
- Up to 32 years: For the post of Junior Statistical Officer (JSO).
Age relaxation is available for reserved categories (OBC, SC/ST, PwBD) as per government rules.
Educational Qualifications
- For all posts (except JSO and AAO): A Bachelor's Degree from a recognized university or equivalent.
- For Junior Statistical Officer (JSO): A Bachelor's Degree in any subject with at least 60% marks in Mathematics at the 12th standard level, OR a Bachelor's Degree with Statistics as one of the subjects at the degree level.
- For Assistant Audit Officer/Assistant Accounts Officer (AAO): A Bachelor's Degree is the essential qualification. Desirable qualifications include CA, CMA, CS, or a Master's in Commerce or Business Studies.
Candidates in the final year of their graduation can also apply but must possess the essential qualification on or before the specified cut-off date.
✍️ Exam Syllabus & Pattern
Tier-I Examination (Qualifying Nature)
This is a preliminary screening test. Its marks are not included in the final merit list, but candidates must clear the cutoff to be eligible for Tier-II.
| Subject | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Total Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 25 | 50 | 1 Hour |
| General Awareness | 25 | 50 | |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 50 | |
| English Comprehension | 25 | 50 | |
| Total | 100 | 200 | - |
Syllabus for Tier-I Exam
- General Intelligence & Reasoning: Verbal and non-verbal reasoning topics like analogy, classification, coding-decoding, syllogism, and problem-solving.
- General Awareness: Current affairs, history, geography, culture, economic scene, general policy, and scientific research.
- Quantitative Aptitude: Class 10 level arithmetic, including number systems, percentages, profit and loss, time and distance, algebra, geometry, and trigonometry.
- English Comprehension: Vocabulary, grammar, sentence structure, synonyms, antonyms, and reading comprehension.
Tier-II Examination
This is the final and merit-deciding stage. It consists of three papers, but most candidates only need to appear for Paper-I.
- Paper-I: Compulsory for all posts.
- Paper-II: Only for candidates who apply for the post of Junior Statistical Officer (JSO).
- Paper-III: Only for candidates who apply for the posts of Assistant Audit Officer/Assistant Accounts Officer (AAO).
Structure of Paper-I (Compulsory for all posts)
Paper-I is conducted in two sessions and has three sections with various modules:
- Section I:
- Module-I: Mathematical Abilities
- Module-II: Reasoning and General Intelligence
- Section II:
- Module-I: English Language and Comprehension
- Module-II: General Awareness
- Section III:
- Module-I: Computer Knowledge Test (Qualifying)
- Module-II: Data Entry Skill Test (DEST) / Typing Test (Qualifying)
👉 Note
- The final merit list is prepared based on the overall performance in the Tier-II Examination.
- For full official syllabus & eligibility, refer to SSC official notification.
☞ Tip for Aspirants: Always refer to the latest official notification for syllabus and eligibility details as they may change year to year.