Data Interpretation for SSC CGL: What This Set Covers
SSC CGL data interpretation (DI) is built on four chart types that the official syllabus names: the SSC CGL 2026 notice lists "Histogram, Frequency polygon, Bar diagram & Pie chart" in the Tier 1 Quantitative Aptitude syllabus (para 13.10.3), and the Tier 2 Mathematical Abilities syllabus adds statistics and probability. Unlike bank-exam DI, SSC sets are short (3–5 questions) and test percentages, ratios, averages and central angles rather than long calculations.
Why now (as of 7 November 2026): SSC CGL Tier 2 is tentatively in December 2026 (CGL 2026 notice) and SSC CHSL Tier 1 runs 30 November–31 December 2026 (SSC notice dated 01.10.2026). A DI set is usually the quickest block of marks once you know the five shortcuts below.
This page has 3 original solved sets with 15 questions. For the statistics formulas (mean, median, mode), see statistics formulas for SSC CGL.
5 Shortcuts for SSC DI
| Shortcut | Use |
|---|---|
| Central angle = (value ÷ total) × 360° | Pie chart degree questions |
| % change = (new − old) ÷ old × 100 | Year-on-year growth |
| A is what % of B = A ÷ B × 100 | Comparing two sectors |
| Average = total ÷ number of items | "Average sales over 5 years" |
| Mean of grouped data = Σ(f × mid-point) ÷ Σf | Histogram / frequency table |
Keep fraction-percentage pairs ready (1/3 = 33.33%, 1/6 = 16.67%, 1/8 = 12.5%); see percentage tricks for SSC CGL.
Set A: Pie Chart (Q1–Q5)
A family's monthly spending of ₹60,000 is divided as follows: Rent 25%, Food 30%, Education 15%, Transport 10%, Savings 20%.
Q1. How much does the family spend on food? (a) ₹15,000 (b) ₹18,000 (c) ₹20,000 (d) ₹21,000 Answer: (b). 30% of 60,000.
Q2. What is the central angle of the education sector? (a) 45° (b) 54° (c) 60° (d) 72° Answer: (b). 15% × 360° = 54°. Shortcut: 1% = 3.6°.
Q3. By how much does rent exceed transport? (a) ₹6,000 (b) ₹9,000 (c) ₹12,000 (d) ₹15,000 Answer: (b). (25 − 10)% of 60,000.
Q4. Savings are what percentage of food spending? (a) 50% (b) 60% (c) 66.67% (d) 150% Answer: (c). 20 ÷ 30 = 2/3. Work with the percentages directly; the total cancels.
Q5. If total spending rises by 10% with the same shares, how much goes to education? (a) ₹9,000 (b) ₹9,600 (c) ₹9,900 (d) ₹10,500 Answer: (c). 15% of 66,000.
Set B: Bar Diagram (Q6–Q10)
Annual sales of a company (₹ crore): 2021: 120 · 2022: 150 · 2023: 135 · 2024: 180 · 2025: 216.
| Year | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sales (₹ crore) | 120 | 150 | 135 | 180 | 216 |
Q6. Percentage increase in sales from 2021 to 2022? (a) 20% (b) 25% (c) 30% (d) 33.33% Answer: (b). 30 ÷ 120.
Q7. Percentage decrease from 2022 to 2023? (a) 10% (b) 11.11% (c) 12.5% (d) 15% Answer: (a). 15 ÷ 150. Trap: 11.11% divides by 135, the new value.
Q8. Average annual sales over the five years? (a) ₹150.2 crore (b) ₹160.2 crore (c) ₹162 crore (d) ₹180 crore Answer: (b). (120 + 150 + 135 + 180 + 216) ÷ 5 = 801 ÷ 5.
Q9. In which year was the percentage growth over the previous year the highest? (a) 2022 (b) 2023 (c) 2024 (d) 2025 Answer: (c). 2022: 25%; 2023: −10%; 2024: 45 ÷ 135 = 33.33%; 2025: 36 ÷ 180 = 20%.
Q10. Ratio of sales in 2021 to sales in 2025? (a) 2 : 3 (b) 5 : 9 (c) 4 : 7 (d) 5 : 8 Answer: (b). 120 : 216; divide by 24.
Set C: Histogram and Frequency Polygon (Q11–Q15)
Marks of 50 students in a test (class intervals):
| Marks | 0–10 | 10–20 | 20–30 | 30–40 | 40–50 | 50–60 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Students | 4 | 6 | 12 | 15 | 8 | 5 |
In a histogram each class is a bar whose height is its frequency; a frequency polygon joins the mid-points of the bar tops.
Q11. How many students scored 30 or more? (a) 23 (b) 25 (c) 28 (d) 30 Answer: (c). 15 + 8 + 5.
Q12. What is the modal class? (a) 20–30 (b) 30–40 (c) 40–50 (d) 10–20 Answer: (b). Highest frequency, 15.
Q13. What percentage of students scored below 20? (a) 10% (b) 12% (c) 20% (d) 25% Answer: (c). (4 + 6) ÷ 50.
Q14. In the frequency polygon, the point for the class 30–40 is plotted at x = (a) 30 (b) 35 (c) 40 (d) 15 Answer: (b). The class mid-point, (30 + 40) ÷ 2.
Q15. Find the mean marks using class mid-points. (a) 29.6 (b) 30.8 (c) 31.4 (d) 32.5 Answer: (c). Σ(f × x) = 4×5 + 6×15 + 12×25 + 15×35 + 8×45 + 5×55 = 20 + 90 + 300 + 525 + 360 + 275 = 1,570; 1,570 ÷ 50 = 31.4.
Answer Key
| Q | Ans | Q | Ans | Q | Ans |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | b | 6 | b | 11 | c |
| 2 | b | 7 | a | 12 | b |
| 3 | b | 8 | b | 13 | c |
| 4 | c | 9 | c | 14 | b |
| 5 | c | 10 | b | 15 | c |
Common DI Mistakes in SSC
- Dividing by the wrong base in percentage change (Q7 trap): always divide by the old value.
- Converting to rupees too early in pie charts: compare percentages first.
- Reading the wrong bar in a crowded diagram: put your pen on the year label before reading.
- Using class limits instead of mid-points for grouped-data mean.
- Forgetting that a negative growth year can never be the "highest growth" answer.
Practise Under Time
- Bank-style DI for extra practice: Bar graph DI, Pie chart DI, Table DI
- Mocks: IBPS RRB PO data interpretation mock test 01
- Next sets: Mensuration questions for SSC CGL, Algebra questions for SSC CGL
Data Interpretation for SSC CGL FAQs
Which DI charts are in the SSC CGL syllabus?
Histogram, frequency polygon, bar diagram and pie chart, as listed in the Tier 1 Quantitative Aptitude syllabus of the SSC CGL 2026 notice.
How is SSC DI different from bank DI?
SSC sets are shorter and simpler, usually testing one-step percentages, ratios, averages and central angles. Bank DI uses bigger tables, caselets and multi-step calculations.
How do I find the central angle in a pie chart?
Multiply the sector's share by 360°. With percentages, 1% equals 3.6°.
What is a frequency polygon?
A line graph made by joining the mid-points of the tops of the bars of a histogram (or the points of class mid-point against frequency).
How many DI questions come in SSC CGL?
SSC does not publish topic-wise counts. DI is part of the Quantitative Aptitude syllabus in Tier 1 and Mathematical Abilities in Tier 2.
Practice Next for SSC Maths
- Formulas: Statistics formulas for SSC CGL, Average tricks for SSC CGL, Ratio and proportion
- Plans: SSC CGL Tier 2 preparation strategy 2026, SSC CHSL preparation strategy 2026
Sources: SSC CGL 2026 notice (syllabus paras 13.10.3 and 13.11.1); SSC notice dated 01.10.2026. Data and questions are original BookOfExams material. Last checked 7 November 2026.