Is the SSC CGL Tier-I syllabus the same as Tier-II?

No. Tier-I has four subjects at graduate level. Tier-II covers the same four areas in more depth, with extra topics: statistics and probability in Mathematical Abilities, a Computer Knowledge Test, and a Data Entry Speed Test. Paper-II (Statistics) and Paper-III (Finance and Economics) are separate papers for specific posts.

Does SSC publish a detailed topic-wise syllabus for CGL?

SSC publishes an 'indicative syllabus' in the examination notice. The lists below follow that text. Questions can come from sub-topics not named word for word, which is why the notice says 'other sub-topics, if any'.

Which Tier-II papers do I need to take?

Paper-I is compulsory for every post. Paper-II (Statistics) is only for Junior Statistical Officer and Statistical Investigator Grade-II. Paper-III (Finance and Economics) is only for Assistant Audit Officer and Assistant Accounts Officer.

What level are the questions?

The notice says Tier-I questions in Reasoning, General Awareness and English are at the level of the essential qualification, which is graduation. Quantitative Aptitude draws on school mathematics up to Class 10, with geometry, mensuration and trigonometry.

SSC CGL Syllabus 2026: Tier 1, Tier 2 Topics

This page lists what the Staff Selection Commission says will be tested in the Combined Graduate Level Examination, 2026. It follows the "indicative syllabus" in the official notice dated 21 May 2026 (paras 13.10 and 13.11), reorganised so you can plan study by subject. We have not added topics the notice does not name. Where we add a study note, it is marked as ours.

Syllabus at a glance

Stage	Subjects	Tested in
Tier-I	Reasoning, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, English Comprehension	All candidates
Tier-II Paper-I, Section-I	Mathematical Abilities, Reasoning and General Intelligence	All candidates
Tier-II Paper-I, Section-II	English Language and Comprehension, General Awareness	All candidates
Tier-II Paper-I, Section-III	Computer Knowledge Test (qualifying)	All candidates
Tier-II Paper-I, Section-IV	Data Entry Speed Test (qualifying)	All candidates, unless exempted
Tier-II Paper-II	Statistics	JSO and Statistical Investigator Gr-II only
Tier-II Paper-III	General Studies (Finance and Economics)	AAO and AO only

Marks, timing and negative marking are on the exam pattern page.

Quantitative Aptitude (Tier-I) and Mathematical Abilities (Tier-II)

The notice describes the aim as testing "the ability of appropriate use of numbers and number sense". The topic list, grouped by area:

Number system and computation: whole numbers, decimals, fractions, relationships between numbers, square roots.
Arithmetic: percentage, ratio and proportion, averages, simple and compound interest, profit and loss, discount, partnership business, mixture and alligation, time and distance, time and work.
Algebra: basic algebraic identities of school algebra, elementary surds (simple problems), graphs of linear equations.
Geometry: triangle and its various kinds of centres, congruence and similarity of triangles, circle and its chords, tangents, angles subtended by chords, common tangents to two or more circles.
Mensuration: triangle, quadrilaterals, regular polygons, circle, right prism, right circular cone, right circular cylinder, sphere, hemisphere, rectangular parallelepiped, regular right pyramid with a triangular or square base.
Trigonometry: trigonometric ratios, degree and radian measures, standard identities such as sin²θ + cos²θ = 1, complementary angles, heights and distances (simple problems only).
Data handling: histogram, frequency polygon, bar diagram, pie chart.

What Tier-II adds. The Tier-II list names statistics and probability explicitly: use of tables and graphs, mean, median, mode, standard deviation, and calculation of simple probabilities. If you are only preparing for Tier-I, you can defer standard deviation and probability. If you want to clear Tier-II, they are not optional.

General Intelligence and Reasoning

The notice says questions are "of both verbal and non-verbal type". Topics named across Tier-I and Tier-II:

Analogy: semantic, symbolic or number, figural.
Classification: semantic, symbolic or number, figural.
Series: semantic, number, figural, non-verbal.
Coding and decoding, numerical operations, symbolic operations, trends.
Space-based: space orientation, space visualisation, punched hole and pattern folding and unfolding, figural pattern folding and completion, embedded figures.
Logic and inference: Venn diagrams, drawing inferences, statement and conclusion, syllogistic reasoning, critical thinking, problem solving, judgment and decision making.
Clerical-style items: indexing, address matching, date and city matching, classification of centre codes or roll numbers, small and capital letter or number coding.
Other named areas: word building, arithmetical reasoning, emotional intelligence, social intelligence.

Our study note: this is the broadest list in the paper, but most of it is pattern recognition. Figural topics (folding, embedded figures, visualisation) reward practice volume more than theory.

English Comprehension (Tier-I) and English Language and Comprehension (Tier-II)

Tier-I only says that the paper tests "ability to understand correct English, basic comprehension and writing ability". The Tier-II list is much more specific, and it is the best guide to what to practise for both tiers:

Vocabulary, grammar, sentence structure, synonyms, antonyms and their correct usage.
Spot the error, fill in the blanks, synonyms and homonyms, antonyms, spellings and detecting misspelt words.
Idioms and phrases, one word substitution.
Improvement of sentences, active and passive voice, direct and indirect narration.
Shuffling of sentence parts, shuffling of sentences in a passage.
Cloze passage and comprehension passage.

For comprehension, the notice says three or more paragraphs will be given. At least one should be simple and based on a book or a story, and the other two on current affairs, based on a report or an editorial. So reading practice should include editorials and reports, not only story passages.

The English section is set in English only. It is not translated into Hindi.

General Awareness

The notice describes this component as testing awareness "of the environment around him and its application to society", knowledge of current events, and "everyday observation and experience in their scientific aspect". It adds questions on India and its neighbouring countries, "especially pertaining History, Culture, Geography, Economic Scene, General Policy and Scientific Research".

There is no sub-topic list. So for planning, read it as five static areas (history, culture, geography, economy, general policy) plus science and current events. Our study note: current affairs is the only part that has to be refreshed continuously. Build a daily habit rather than a last-month cram.

Computer Knowledge Test (Tier-II, Section-III)

Qualifying in nature. Four named areas:

Computer basics: organisation of a computer, CPU, input and output devices, computer memory, memory organisation, backup devices, ports, Windows Explorer, keyboard shortcuts.
Software: Windows operating system and basics of Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
Internet and e-mail: web browsing and searching, downloading and uploading, managing an e-mail account, e-banking.
Networking and cyber security: networking devices and protocols, network and information security threats (hacking, virus, worms, Trojan) and preventive measures.

Data Entry Speed Test (Tier-II, Section-IV)

Not a syllabus as such. The notice says the test is a passage of about 2,000 key depressions in 15 minutes, qualifying for all posts. Higher standards apply to certain posts. Practise on our typing test, which follows this format.

Paper-II: Statistics (JSO and Statistical Investigator Grade-II)

Twelve named areas: collection, classification and presentation of data; measures of central tendency; measures of dispersion; moments, skewness and kurtosis; correlation and regression; probability theory; random variables and probability distributions (binomial, Poisson, normal, exponential); sampling theory; statistical inference (estimation, hypothesis testing, tests based on Z, t, chi-square and F); analysis of variance; time series analysis; index numbers.

Paper-III: General Studies, Finance and Economics (AAO and AO)

Part A, Finance and Accounts (80 marks): financial accounting concepts and conventions, single and double entry, books of original entry, bank reconciliation, trial balance, final accounts, depreciation, valuation of inventories, non-profit accounts, bills of exchange.

Part B, Economics and Governance (120 marks): role and responsibility of the Comptroller and Auditor General, role and functions of the Finance Commission, microeconomics (demand and supply, production and cost, market forms), Indian economy (sectors, national income, population, poverty and unemployment, infrastructure), economic reforms since 1991, money and banking, budget and fiscal deficits, and balance of payments.

How to use this syllabus

Tick it off by subject, not by date. Four subjects in Tier-I share the same 60 minutes, so a weak subject costs as much as a strong one gains.
Treat the Tier-II English list as your Tier-I English syllabus. It is the only place the notice names question types.
Test each topic as you finish it. Pareeksha's topic-wise practice is organised by topic. A free 10-question mini-mock is available to try the format. Full mocks and previous-year papers are Pro.
Check the notice for changes. SSC states that the syllabus and scheme in the notice govern the cycle. Re-read this page's "as on" date and the official notice before a new cycle.

SSC CGL Syllabus 2026: Tier-I, Tier-II and Paper-II/III Topic List