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Staff Selection Commission (SSC) is a government organisation that conducts various exams every year to recruit candidates for Group - B and C posts in various ministries/departments/organisations of Government of India. This article provides all the necessary information about SSC CGL exam.

SSC CGL Exam Pattern
Title Details
Purpose of Exam Selection of candidates for Group B and C posts in ministries,departments,organisations of the Government of India
Stages Tier-1, Tier-2, Tier-3 & Tier-4 exam
Mode Tier-I & Tier-II - online
Tier-III - pen and paper
Tier-IV - computer skill test.
Exam Frequency Once a year
Mode of Language English, Hindi
Duration of Exam Tier-I - 60 minutes
Tier-II - 120 minutes for each paper
Tier-III - 60 minutes
Title Details
No of questions Tier-I - 100
Tier-II - 500
Tier-III - 1
Marks Tier-I - 200
Tier-II - 800
Tier-III - 100
Type of questions Tier-I - Objective
Tier-II - Objective
Tier-III - Descriptive
Tier-IV - Skill test
Negative marking Tier-I - 0.5 marks
Tier-II - 0.50 marks(In paper I, III and IV) and 0.25 marks in Paper II
Tier-III - None
Tier-IV - None
Attempt Test
Adaptive Test
Sectional Test
SSC CGL Eligibility Criteria 2020

To be eligible in SSC CGL exam, the candidate must hold a Bachelors degree in any discipline from a recognized university/ institution. There are different eligibility criterias according to the posts.

  • Must be an Indian citizen.
  • If you are living outside of India, you can also enroll for SSC CGL Exam.
  • The minimum and maximum age limit for general category aspirants is 18-32 years. Though, reserved category students do get the age relaxation for applying the exam.[Age relaxation of 3 years for OBC, 5 years for SC/ST & 10 years for Physically Handicapped]
  • Junior Statistical Officer - Bachelors degree in any subject from a recognized university plus atleast 60% marks in Mathematics in 12th standard.
  • The candidates should have/had studied either Mathematics/ Statistics/ Economics as an elective/ compulsory subject for certain posts.
    • SSC CGL Posts
    SSC CGL Post Department/Ministry Classification Description
    Assistant Audit officer
    		 Indian Audit & Accounts Department under C&AG
    		 Group “B” Gazetted (Non-Ministerial)
    		 Needs to assist audits in government/public sector organisation.Also needs to travel during an inspection.
    Assistant Accounts officer
    		 Indian Audit & Accounts Department under C&AG
    		 Group “B” Gazetted (Non-Ministerial)
    		 Work includes data entry, processing, and recording transactions.
    Assisting with audits or fact-checking
    Assistant Section officer
    		 Central Secretariat Service, Intelligence Bureau, Ministry of Railway,
    Ministry of External Affairs, AFHQ
    		 Group “B”
    		It is a desk job and the lowest post in the Central Secretariat Services
    Assistant
    		 Other Ministries/ Departments/ Organizations
    		Group “B”
    		Different clerical responsibilities in different departments. Compiling files,reports, keeping track of ongoing cases, etc.
    Inspector of Income Tax
    		 CBDT
    		Group “C”
    		Assessing Income Tax payable by
    people or companies. Managing TDS and refund claim
    Inspector(Central Excise)
    		 CBIC
    		Group “B”
    		Checking if there is any kind of
    invasion of excise duty, preventing smuggling & assisting raid teams
    Assistant Enforcement Officer
    		 Directorate of Enforcement, Department of Revenue
    		 Group “B”
    		Preventing forgery and money laundering
    Sub Inspector
    		 Central Bureau of Investigation
    		 Group “B”
    		Main responsibility is to gather information and make enquiry and investigations
    Inspector
    		 Central Bureau of Narcotics
    		 Group “B”
    		Illegal manufacture and transport of opium
    Junior Statistical Officer
    		 M/o Statistics & Programme Implementation
    		 Group “B”
    		Assisting the Statistical Officer
    in drafting documents, data entry and tabulation
    Statistical Investigator Grade-II
    		 Registrar General of India
    		 Group “B”
    		Drafting Documents, preparing survey reports, editing and compiling existing data
    Auditor
    		 Offices under C&AG, CGDA
    		 Group “C”
    		Audit expense details of the State Departments
    Accountant/ Junior Accountant
    		 Other Ministry/ Departments
    		 Group “C”
    		Passing of various bills, salary allowances,
    office expenses, pension-related issues
    Senior Secretariat Assistant/ Upper Division Clerks
    		Central Govt. Offices/ Ministries other than CSCS cadres
    		 Group “C”
    		Clerical level post. Requires employee to maintain files & data entry
    Tax Assistant
    		 CCBDT/ CBIC
    		 Group “C”
    		Access, modify and verify tax of individual or business
    Upper Division Clerks
    		 Government Departments
    		 Group “C”
    		Maintain files, financial documents and accounts

    Pay levels and Job titles associated


    Vacancy Distribution

    CutOffs

    Pay Level Posts
    Pay Level 8 (Rs 47,600 to 151,100) Assistant Audit Officer, Assistant Accounts Officer
    Pay Level-7 (Rs 44,900 to 142,400) Assistant Section Officer, Assistant Inspector of Income Tax, Assistant Inspector, (Central Excise), Inspector (Preventive Officer),Inspector (Examiner),Assistant Enforcement Officer, Sub Inspector
    Pay Level-6 (Rs 35,400 to 112,400) Assistant/ Superintendent Divisional Accountant,Sub Inspector(NIA),Junior Statistical Officer, Statistical Investigator Grade-II
    Pay Level-5 (Rs 29200 to 92300) Auditor, Accountant, Accountant/ Junior Accountant
    Pay Level-4 (Rs 25500 to 81100) Senior Secretariat Assistant/ Upper Division Clerks,Tax Assistant,Sub-Inspector (Central Bureau of Narcotics) ,Upper Division Clerks

    The below link consists of the official notice regarding 2019-20 vacancy. A total of 8582 Vacancies have been notified by SSC in which 3674 vacancies are declared or the General category. The vacancies have seen a decrease as compared to SSC CGL 2018-19. A total of 11271 vacancies were to be filled by SSC CGL 2018-19 exam.

    SSC Notice
    Information Regarding Exam Timeline and Important Dates
  • Date for submission of online applications: 22-10-2019 to 25-11-2019
  • Last date for receipt of application: 25-11-2019 (17:00)
  • Last date for making online fee payment: 27-11-2019 (17:00)
  • Last date for generation of offline Challan: 27-11-2019 (17:00)
  • Last date for payment through Challan (during working hours of Bank): 29-11-2019
  • Dates of Tier-I Examination (CBE): 02-03-2020 to 11-03-2020
  • Dates of Tier-II (CBE) and Tier-III (Des.) Examinations: 22-06-2020 to 25-06-2020
  • SSC CGL 2020 online exam for Tier-I round was conducted from 3rd to 9th March, 2020
  • Tier-II exam is re-scheduled to be held from 2nd November to 5th November 2020.
  • The online recruitment process for CGL 2020-21 will begin on 15th September 2020.

    • Detailed Analysis of Exam

    Tier I details

    SSC CGL tier-I exam consists of a total of 100 MCQs of 200 marks. Candidates have 60 minutes to complete the exam. Total marks is 200 and the mode of exam is online with the negative marking of -0.5 for an incorrect response.

    SectionQuestion
    General Intelligence and Reasoning 50
    General Awareness/ General knowledge 50
    Quantitative Aptitude 50
    English Comprehension 50

    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, judgment, decision making, visual memory,discrimination, observation, relationship concepts, arithmetical reasoning and figural classification, arithmetic number series, non-verbal series, coding anddecoding, 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 & Capitalletters/ numbers coding, decoding and classification, Embedded Figures, Critical thinking,Emotional Intelligence, Social Intelligence, Other sub-topics, if any.


    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.


    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.
    English Comprehension: Candidates‟ ability to understand correct English, his/ her basic comprehension and writing ability, etc. would be tested.The questions in Parts A, B, & D will be of a level commensurate with the essential qualification viz. Graduation and questions in Part-C will be of 10th standard level.
    Attempt Test
    Adaptive Test
    Sectional Test
    Tier II details

    SSC CGL tier-II exam consists of a total of four papers in which paper 1 and paper 2 are compulsary for all while paper 3 is for candidates who have applied for the post of Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) and were shortlisted in tier-I. Paper 4 is valid only for< candidates who have applied for the post of Assistant Audit Officer/ Assistant Accounts Officer and were shortlisted in tier-I

    SectionQuestionMarks
    Paper- 1: Quantitative Ability Paper 100200
    Paper- 2: English Language and Comprehension Paper 200200
    Paper- 3: Statistics (only for the post of Statistical Investigator Gr. II & Compiler Paper 100200
    Paper- 4: General Studies (Finance and Economics) (Only for the post of Assistant Audit Officer) 100200

    Paper-I (Quantitative Abilities): 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): Questions in this component 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 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): 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 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.
  • 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 theconstruction 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: 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 consumers 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 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 sectorsRole 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 since 1991; Liberalisation, Privatisation, Globalisation and Disinvestment.
  • Money and Banking: 1) Monetary/ Fiscal policy- Role and functions of Reserve Bank of India; functions of commercial Banks/RRB/Payment Banks. 2) Budget and Fiscal deficits and Balance of payments. 3) Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act, 2003. 4) Role of Information Technology in Governance.


    • Details for Tier III
    SectionMarks
  • Essay Writing
  • Letter or Application Writing
  • Passage Writing
    		•  100

    Minimum qualifying marks for this exam are 33%

    Details for Tier IV
  • The exam mode is online.
  • The time duration of the test is 15 minutes.
  • Test include the data Entry Skill Test (DEST)/Computer Proficiency Test (CPT)
  • DEST is only for candidates applying for the post of Tax Assistants (in Central Excise and Income Tax). The criteria of exam is 8000 key depression per hour.
  • The CPT test is for candidates who are applying for the post of Assistant Section Officer.

    • It consists of three modules: Word Processing, Spreadsheet and Generation of Slides.

  • Skill Test:

    • Date Entry Skill Test (DEST):

  • For the post of Tax Assistants (Central Excise & Income Tax): Data Entry Speed Test (DEST) at 8,000 (eight thousand) Key Depression per hour on Computer.
  • The “Data Entry Speed Test” Skill Test will be conducted for a passage of about 2000 (two thousand) key depressions for a duration of 15 (fifteen) minutes.
    • This test will be of qualifying nature. Computers for the test will be provided by the Commission at the Centre/ venue notified for the purpose. The Skill Test will be held at the Commission‟s Regional/ Sub-Regional Offices or at other Centres as may be decided by the commission. Detailed instructions regarding Skill Test will be sent by the Regional/ Sub Regional Offices of the Commission to eligible candidates declared qualified for appearing in Skill Test. Information about evaluation of Typing Test/ DEST are available on the Commission‟s website
  • The Skill test will be conducted in the manner decided by the Commission for the purpose.
  • OH candidates opting for the post of Tax Assistant in CBDT are exempted for appearing in Skill Test. OH candidates opting for post of Tax Assistant in CBEC are not exempted from Skill Test. HH and VH candidates are not eligible for exemption from the Skill Test.
  • PwD candidates who are eligible for scribes as para-7.1 and 7.2 of the Notice of Examination will be allowed additional compensatory time of 5 (five) minutes in DEST. Only those VH candidates who opt for scribes in the written examination will be provided passage reader at the time of Skill Test.

    • Computer Proficiency Test (CPT)

  • The Commission will hold Computer Proficiency Test (CPT), comprising of three modules: (i) Word Processing, (ii) Spread Sheet and (iii) Generation of Slides, for the posts of Assistant Section Officer in CSS, MEA & AFHQ, Assistant in Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Assistant (GSI) in the Ministry of Mines, Inspector (Central Excise), Inspector (Preventive Officer) & Inspector (Examiner) in CBIC. The CPT will be conducted in the manner decided by the Commission for the purpose. No exemption from CPT is allowed for any category of PwD candidates. CPT will be of qualifying nature.
  • Detailed instructions regarding CPT will be provided by the Regional/ Sub Regional Offices of the Commission to eligible candidates declared qualified for appearing in the CPT.


    • Document Verification:

    The last step to the final selection would be Document Verification. Candidates will have to submit copies of various documents like Matriculation Certificate, educational qualification, caste certificate, relevant document, if any relaxation is taken, etc. Candidates will be required to produce all documents in original for verification at the time of document verification.