SSC CGL Syllabus: Tier I

The major sections asked in SSC CGL Preliminary Exam are General Awareness, Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude and English Language. The detailed syllabus & exam pattern for SSC CGL  exam are mentioned below:

SSC CGL Tier-I Exam Pattern

SSC CGL Tier 1 Syllabus

Quantitative Aptitude Syllabus

Quantitative Aptitude 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, Profit and Loss, Discount, Partnership Business, Mixture and Alligation, Time and distance, Time & Work,Percentage. Ratio & Proportion, Square roots, Averages, Interest, 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, Heights and Distances, Histogram, Frequency polygon, Bar diagram & Pie chart, Hemispheres, Rectangular Parallelepiped, Regular Right Pyramid with triangular or square base, Trigonometric ratio, Degree and Radian Measures, Standard Identities, Complementary angles.

General Intelligence and Reasoning Syllabus

General Intelligence and Reasoning includes 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, judgment, 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.

English Syllabus

This section measures Candidates’ ability to understand correct English, his/ her basic comprehension and writing ability, etc. would be tested. This section may include questions on Phrases and Idioms, One word Substitution, Sentence Correction, Error Spotting, Fill in the Blanks, Spellings Correction, Reading Comprehension, Synonyms-Antonyms, Active Passive, Sentence Rearrangement, Sentence Improvement, Cloze test etc.

General Awareness Syllabus

Questions in this section will be aimed at testing the candidates’ general awareness (GK+GS) of the environment around him and its application to society. The test will also include questions relating to India and its neighbouring countries especially pertaining History, Culture, Geography, Economic Scene, General Policy & Scientific Research. The questions will also be asked from Science, Current Affairs, Books and Authors, Sports, Important Schemes, Important Days, Portfolios,People in News etc.

After the preliminary exam has been conducted, it will be necessary to gear up for Mains Exam of SSC CGL Tier II Exam.

SSC CGL Syllabus: Tier II

The Mains Exam will be conducted online and is an objective multiple choice exam. This year, the Tier-II & Tier-III exam will be conducted on same day. The major sections asked in Mains Exam are Quantitative Aptitude, English Language and Comprehension, Statistics, General Studies (Finance and Economics). Let’s have a look at the SSC CGL Syllabus  Mains Exam Pattern & Syllabus.

SSC CGL Tier-II Exam Pattern

SSC CGL Tier 2 Syllabus

Paper-I (Quantitative Abilities) Syllabus:

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 chart.

Paper-II (English Language and Comprehension) Syllabus:

Questions in this section will be designed to test the candidate’s understanding and knowledge of English Language and will be based on spot the error, fill in 21 the blanks, synonyms, antonyms, spelling/ detecting misspelled 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) Syllabus:

1. 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.
2. Measures of Central Tendency –Common measures of central tendency – mean median and mode; Partition values- quartiles, deciles, percentiles.
3. Measures of Dispersion- Common measures dispersion –range, quartile deviations, mean deviation and standard deviation; Measures of relative dispersion.
4. Moments, Skewness and Kurtosis –Different types of moments and their relationship; meaning of skewness and kurtosis; different measures of skewness and kurtosis.
5. 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).
6. Probability Theory –Meaning of probability; Different definitions of probability; Conditional probability; Compound probability; Independent events; Bayes‟ theorem.
7. 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).
8. Sampling Theory –Concept of population and sample; Parameter and statistic, Sampling and non-sampling errors; Probability and nonprobability 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.
9. 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.
10. Analysis of Variance –Analysis of one-way classified data and twoway classified data.
11. Time Series Analysis –Components of time series, Determinations of trend component by different methods, Measurement of seasonal variation by different methods.
12. 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):

Part A: Finance and Accounts-(80 marks):

Fundamental principles and basic concept of Accounting:

1.1 Financial Accounting: Nature and scope, Limitations of Financial Accounting, Basic concepts and Conventions, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.

1.2 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):

2.1 Comptroller & Auditor General of India- Constitutional provisions, Role and responsibility.

2.2 Finance Commission-Role and functions.

2.3 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.

2.4 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 behaviourMarshallian approach and Indifference curve approach, Meaning and determinants of supply, Law of supply and Elasticity of Supply.

2.5 Theory of Production and cost: Meaning and Factors of production, Laws of production- Law of variable proportions and Laws of returns to scale.

2.6 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.

2.7 Indian Economy:

2.7.1 Nature of the Indian Economy Role of different sectorsRole of Agriculture, Industry and Services-their problems and growth.

2.7.2 National Income of India-Concepts of national income, Different methods of measuring national income.

2.7.3 Population-Its size, rate of growth and its implication on economic growth.

2.7.4 Poverty and unemployment- Absolute and relative poverty, types, causes and incidence of unemployment.

2.7.5 Infrastructure-Energy, Transportation, Communication.

2.8 Economic Reforms in India: Economic reforms since 1991; Liberalisation, Privatisation, Globalisation and Disinvestment.

2.9 Money and Banking:

2.9.1 Monetary/ Fiscal policy- Role and functions of Reserve Bank of India; functions of commercial Banks/RRB/Payment Banks.

2.9.2 Budget and Fiscal deficits and Balance of payments.

2.9.3 Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act, 2003.

2.10 Role of Information Technology in Governance.

Note: Questions in Paper-I will be of Matriculation Level, Paper-II of 10+2 Level and in Paper-III and Paper-IV of Graduation Level.

SSC CGL Tier-III Syllabus

Tier-III of SSC CGL  exam is a descriptive exam to test the written skills of the candidates in English/Hindi. The mode of examination is offline (Pen and Paper mode) and students are required to write essays, précis, application, letter etc. in this exam. The exam carries 100 marks and the time allotted for the same is 60 minutes. The time allotted for candidates belonging to PWD category is increased to 80 minutes. Tier-III paper is given by specific candidates who are interested only for the post of “Statistical Investigator Grade II” & “Compiler”.

SSC CGL Tier-III Exam Pattern

SSC CGL Tier-IV Syllabus

Tier-IV examination comprises of couple of skill sets required for certain Government Posts all over the country.

DEST (Data Entry Speed Test): For the post of Tax Assistant (Central Excise and Income Tax),DEST Exam through SSC CGL  exam is conducted to check the typing speed of the candidate. The candidates are given an article in English which they have to type on Computer. A candidate is required to type 2000 words in 15 minutes.

CPT (Computer Proficiency Test): Word Processing, Spread Sheets and Generation of slides are the three modules that are important for this exam and the commission demands a candidate to be proficient in it for the post of CSS, MEA, Inspector (Central Excise), Inspector (Preventive Officer), Inspector (Examiner).

Tier-I exam is compulsory for all posts mentioned in the SSC CGL Notification. Candidates will have to prepare for both Tier 2 and Tier 3 exam simultaneously. However, the evaluation of Tier 3 Descriptive exam will be done only if a candidate clears the combined cut off for Tier 1 and Tier 2. So, candidates may appear for both Tier 2 and Tier 3 exams but your Tier 3 answer sheets will be evaluated only if you clear the cut-off. Tier-IV exam is taken by candidates applying specifically for TA, CSS, MEA and Inspector.

Penalty for wrong answers

Giving a wrong answer to a question will lead to deduction of 0.5 marks in Tier – I, III and IV while that of 0.25 marks in Tier-II.