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

The four areas overlap, but Tier-II goes further. It adds statistics and probability (mean, median, mode, standard deviation, simple probability) to Maths, a longer English list with a comprehension note, a Computer Knowledge Test, and a skill or typing test. The Tier-II tests are separate sections with separate qualifying marks.

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

SSC publishes an indicative syllabus in the examination notice. The lists below follow that text. Reasoning ends with the words other sub-topics, if any, so questions can come from areas not named word for word.

Which subjects are in SSC CHSL Tier-I?

English Language, General Intelligence, Quantitative Aptitude and General Awareness, with 25 questions each. Computer Knowledge is not in Tier-I; it comes in Tier-II as a qualifying section of 15 questions.

Is the English section in Hindi?

No. Questions in General Intelligence, Quantitative Aptitude and General Awareness are set in English, Hindi and the regional language you choose. The English Language part (Tier-I) and the English Language and Comprehension part (Tier-II) are set in English only.

SSC CHSL Syllabus 2026: Tier 1, Tier 2 Topics

This page lists what the Staff Selection Commission says will be tested in the Combined Higher Secondary (10+2) Level Examination, 2026. It follows the "indicative syllabus" in the official notice dated 7 September 2026 (paras 13.9 to 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	English Language, General Intelligence, Quantitative Aptitude, General Awareness	All candidates
Tier-II Section-I	Mathematical Abilities, Reasoning and General Intelligence	All candidates
Tier-II Section-II	English Language and Comprehension, General Awareness	All candidates
Tier-II Section-III	Computer Knowledge Test (qualifying)	All candidates
Tier-II Section-IV	Skill test (DEO) or typing test (LDC/JSA), qualifying	All candidates, unless exempted as the notice allows

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

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

The Tier-I scheme labels this part "basic arithmetic skill". The topic list in the notice is the same for Tier-I and Tier-II, grouped here by area:

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 (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, complementary angles, heights and distances (simple problems only), standard identities such as sin²θ + cos²θ = 1.
Statistical charts (Tier-I): use of tables and graphs, histogram, frequency polygon, bar diagram, pie chart.

What Tier-II adds. The Tier-II list replaces "statistical charts" with "statistics and probability": the same chart types, plus measures of central tendency (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. For Tier-II they are named in the syllabus.

Our study note: despite the "basic" label, geometry, mensuration and trigonometry are all in the Tier-I list. Do not skip them on the assumption that Tier-I is arithmetic only.

General Intelligence (Tier-I) and Reasoning and General Intelligence (Tier-II)

The notice says the questions are "of both verbal and non-verbal type", and the topic list is identical across the two tiers:

Analogy: semantic, symbolic or number, figural.
Classification: semantic, symbolic or number, figural.
Series: semantic, number, figural.
Coding and decoding, numerical operations, symbolic operations, trends.
Space-based: space orientation, punched hole and pattern folding and unfolding, figural pattern folding and completion, embedded figures.
Logic and inference: Venn diagrams, drawing inferences, critical thinking, problem solving.
Other named areas: word building, emotional intelligence, social intelligence, "other sub-topics, if any".

Our study note: most of this is pattern recognition. Figural topics (folding, embedded figures, orientation) improve with practice volume more than with theory. In Tier-II this subject is half of Section-I, which is also the first tie-break.

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

The Tier-I scheme labels this part "basic knowledge". The Tier-I and Tier-II lists name the same question types:

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 of verbs, conversion into direct and indirect narration.
Shuffling of sentence parts, shuffling of sentences in a passage.
Cloze passage and comprehension passage.

The Tier-II list opens with "vocabulary, grammar, sentence structure, synonyms, antonyms and their correct usage", and adds a note on comprehension: two or more paragraphs will be given, at least one a simple passage based on a book or a story, and another based on a current-affairs editorial or a report. So reading practice should include editorials and reports, not only stories.

The English part is set in English only. It is not translated into Hindi or a regional language.

General Awareness

The notice describes this part 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 History, Culture, Geography, Economic Scene, General Policy and scientific research.

The notice gives no sub-topic list. The list above is identical for Tier-I and Tier-II. Our study note: current affairs is the only part that has to be refreshed continuously, so a daily habit works better than a last-month cram.

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

Qualifying in nature, 15 questions. The notice names four areas:

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

Skill test and typing test (Tier-II, Section-IV)

Not a syllabus as such, but it is part of what you must clear. All of it is qualifying, and you are assessed on the number of correct key depressions in the given passage.

DEO / DEO Grade A in the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, the Staff Selection Commission and the Ministry of Culture (skill test, Part A): 15 minutes, a speed of 15,000 key depressions per hour, with an English passage of about 3,700 to 4,000 key depressions.
All other DEO / DEO Grade A (skill test, Part B): 15 minutes, 8,000 key depressions per hour, with an English passage of about 2,000 to 2,200 key depressions.
LDC/JSA (typing test, Part C): 10 minutes, 35 words per minute in English or 30 words per minute in Hindi. Hindi typing is in Mangal font only. You choose the medium in the application form and it cannot be changed.

The notice also says the two DEO qualifications differ: for the three departments in Part A, Class 12 in the Science stream with Mathematics is required; for the others, Class 12 in any stream.

How to use this syllabus

Tick it off by subject, not by date. Four subjects share the same 60 minutes in Tier-I, and each has its own 15-minute timer, so a weak subject cannot borrow time from a strong one.
Treat the Tier-II English list as your Tier-I English syllabus. The two lists name the same question types, and Tier-II adds the comprehension note.
Plan Tier-II from the start. Statistics, probability and Computer Knowledge are not in Tier-I but are tested in Tier-II, where the final merit is decided.
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, previous-year papers and topic practice are Pro. Practise typing on our typing test.
Check the notice for changes. SSC states that the scheme and syllabus in the notice govern the cycle. Re-read this page's "as on" date and the official notice before a new cycle.

SSC CHSL Syllabus 2026: Tier-I, Tier-II, Computer Knowledge and Typing Test