SSC CGL Exam Pattern 2026: Quick Answer
The SSC CGL 2026 exam pattern has two computer-based tiers. Tier-I has 100 questions for 200 marks in 1 hour (Reasoning, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude and English, 25 questions each), with 0.50 negative marking. Tier-II Paper-I has Mathematical Abilities + Reasoning (180 marks), English + General Awareness (210 marks), a Computer Knowledge Test (60 marks) and a Data Entry Speed Test, with 1 mark negative per wrong answer. Final merit is based on Tier-II only.
Key takeaway: Tier-I is a screening test: its marks do not go into the final merit list. In Tier-II, the Computer Knowledge Test and DEST are qualifying only, but you must clear every section of Paper-I separately.
Official source: SSC CGL 2026 notice (PDF), Para 13.8 to 13.9 (scheme) and Para 16 (mode of selection), on ssc.gov.in. For the topic lists, see our SSC CGL syllabus 2026 note.
SSC CGL Exam Pattern 2026 at a Glance
| Stage | Papers / sections | Marks | Time | Negative marking | Counts in final merit? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tier-I | 4 subjects × 25 questions | 200 | 1 hour | 0.50 per wrong answer | No (shortlisting only) |
| Tier-II Paper-I, Section-I | Mathematical Abilities 30 Q + Reasoning 30 Q | 180 | 1 hour | 1 per wrong answer | Yes |
| Tier-II Paper-I, Section-II | English 45 Q + General Awareness 25 Q | 210 | 1 hour | 1 per wrong answer | Yes |
| Tier-II Paper-I, Section-III | Computer Knowledge Test, 20 Q | 60 | 15 minutes | 1 per wrong answer | No (qualifying) |
| Tier-II Paper-I, Section-IV | Data Entry Speed Test | Qualifying | 15 minutes | — | No (qualifying) |
| Tier-II Paper-II | Statistics, 100 Q (JSO and SI Grade-II only) | 200 | 2 hours | 0.50 per wrong answer | Yes, for those posts |
| Tier-II Paper-III | General Studies (Finance and Economics), 100 Q (Assistant Audit Officer / Assistant Accounts Officer only) | 200 | 2 hours | 0.50 per wrong answer | Yes, for those posts |
SSC CGL Tier 1 Exam Pattern 2026
| Subject | Questions | Marks | Sectional time |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Intelligence and Reasoning | 25 | 50 | 15 minutes |
| General Awareness | 25 | 50 | 15 minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 50 | 15 minutes |
| English Comprehension | 25 | 50 | 15 minutes |
| Total | 100 | 200 | 1 hour |
- Each question carries 2 marks, and 0.50 mark is deducted for each wrong answer (Para 13.8.2).
- There is a sectional timer of 15 minutes per subject. Candidates eligible for a scribe get 1 hour 20 minutes (20 minutes per subject).
- Questions are in English and Hindi, except English Comprehension.
- The notice listed Tier-I as tentatively in August–September 2026.
SSC CGL Tier 1 marking scheme: worked example
Suppose you attempt 80 questions, with 66 right and 14 wrong:
- Marks for correct answers: 66 × 2 = 132
- Penalty: 14 × 0.50 = 7
- Score = 132 − 7 = 125 out of 200
Every wrong answer costs a quarter of a correct one, so a guess is worth it only when you can eliminate options with real confidence.
SSC CGL Tier 2 Exam Pattern 2026 (Paper I, II and III)
Tier 2 Paper-I (compulsory for all posts)
| Session | Section | Subject | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Session-I | Section-I | A: Mathematical Abilities | 30 | 90 | 30 minutes (sectional) |
| Session-I | Section-I | B: Reasoning and General Intelligence | 30 | 90 | 30 minutes (sectional) |
| Session-I | Section-II | A: English Language and Comprehension | 45 | 135 | 40 minutes (sectional) |
| Session-I | Section-II | B: General Awareness | 25 | 75 | 20 minutes (sectional) |
| Session-I | Section-III | Computer Knowledge Test | 20 | 60 | 15 minutes |
| Session-II | Section-IV | Data Entry Speed Test | One data entry task | Qualifying | 15 minutes |
- Every Paper-I objective question carries 3 marks; 1 mark is deducted for each wrong answer in Sections I, II and III (Para 13.9.8).
- Session-I lasts 2 hours 15 minutes (Section-I 1 hour, Section-II 1 hour, Section-III 15 minutes). Each section closes automatically when its time ends.
- Session-II (DEST) is held on the same day after a break for re-registration.
- Scribe-eligible candidates get 1 hour 20 minutes each for Sections I and II, 20 minutes for Section III and 5 extra minutes in DEST.
- Questions are bilingual except the English Language and Comprehension part.
Tier 2 Paper-II and Paper-III (post-specific)
| Paper | Who takes it | Questions | Marks | Time | Negative |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper-II: Statistics | Candidates shortlisted for Junior Statistical Officer (MoSPI) and Statistical Investigator Grade-II (RGI) | 100 | 200 | 2 hours (2 h 40 min with scribe) | 0.50 |
| Paper-III: General Studies (Finance and Economics) | Candidates shortlisted for Assistant Audit Officer / Assistant Accounts Officer | 100 | 200 | 2 hours (2 h 40 min with scribe) | 0.50 |
Paper-I, II and III are held in separate shifts or on separate days. The notice listed Tier-II as tentatively in December 2026.
SSC CGL Tier 2 marking scheme: worked example
Section-I: 50 attempted, 42 right, 8 wrong → 42 × 3 − 8 × 1 = 126 − 8 = 118 / 180. Section-II: 65 attempted, 55 right, 10 wrong → 55 × 3 − 10 × 1 = 165 − 10 = 155 / 210. Merit total (Section-I + Section-II) for most posts = 118 + 155 = 273 / 390, provided you also clear the CKT and DEST.
SSC CGL Computer Knowledge Test (CKT) and DEST Rules 2026
| Rule | Official position (Para 13.9.9 and 13.9.10) |
|---|---|
| CKT status | Mandatory for all posts, qualifying in nature |
| CKT higher standard | Higher cut-off for posts where Computer Proficiency is prescribed: ASO in CSS, MEA and AFHQ; Assistant in SFIO; Assistant (GSI); Assistant in IMD; Inspector (CGST & Central Excise), Inspector (Preventive Officer), Inspector (Examiner) and Executive Assistant in CBIC; Postal/Sorting Assistant |
| DEST task | Passage of about 2,000 key depressions in 15 minutes |
| DEST status | Mandatory for all posts, qualifying |
| DEST higher standard | For posts where DEST is prescribed (Tax Assistant in CBIC and CBDT, UDC/SSA in CBN) and for the Computer Proficiency posts above |
| DEST exemption | Only PwBD-OH candidates certified permanently unfit for typing, and not for Computer Proficiency/DEST posts (except Tax Assistant in CBDT) |
Full CKT syllabus, qualifying marks and recent cut-offs: SSC CGL Computer Knowledge Test 2026.
SSC CGL Qualifying Marks 2026
Minimum qualifying marks (Para 16.1) apply to Tier-I and to Sections I, II and III of Paper-I, Paper-II and Paper-III of Tier-II:
| Category | Qualifying % | Tier-I (of 200) | Tier-II Section-I (of 180) | Section-II (of 210) | CKT (of 60) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UR | 30% | 60 | 54 | 63 | 18 |
| OBC / EWS | 25% | 50 | 45 | 52.5 | 15 |
| All others | 20% | 40 | 36 | 42 | 12 |
The percentages are official; the marks columns are our arithmetic on the maximum marks.
DEST maximum errors allowed (Para 16.2): UR 20%, OBC/EWS 25%, all other categories 30%.
Practise against these limits with our free SSC CGL typing test (DEST), which has normal and higher-standard modes and an exam-style screen. It counts key depressions, full and half mistakes and your error percentage.
Qualifying marks are only the minimum. The actual shortlisting is done through category-wise cut-offs fixed by SSC. Our SSC CGL cut-off and SSC CGL expected cut-off 2026 notes show past cut-offs.
How SSC CGL Final Merit Is Prepared in 2026
| Post group | Merit is based on (Para 16.11 to 16.14) |
|---|---|
| Junior Statistical Officer, Statistical Investigator Grade-II | Section-I + Section-II of Paper-I + Paper-II, subject to qualifying Sections III and IV |
| Assistant Audit Officer, Assistant Accounts Officer | Section-I + Section-II of Paper-I + Paper-III, subject to qualifying Section-III |
| Posts where DEST is prescribed | Section-I + Section-II of Paper-I, with CKT at normal standard and DEST at higher standard |
| Posts where Computer Proficiency is prescribed | Section-I + Section-II of Paper-I, with CKT and DEST at higher standards |
| All other posts | Section-I + Section-II of Paper-I, subject to qualifying CKT and DEST |
- Separate Tier-I cut-offs are fixed for JSO/SI Grade-II, for Assistant Audit Officer/Assistant Accounts Officer and for all other posts (Para 16.3).
- Post preferences are collected through an online option form before the result; you are not considered for any post you do not list (Para 16.7).
- Some posts have physical and medical standards (including a Physical Efficiency Test), checked after final selection by the department (Para 16.9).
SSC CGL Exam Pattern 2026 vs Exam Strategy
| Pattern fact | What it means for your preparation |
|---|---|
| Tier-I = 200 marks, 0.50 negative | Accuracy matters; aim for safe attempts rather than blind guessing |
| Tier-I not in final merit | Clear the cut-off comfortably, then switch fully to Tier-II preparation |
| Section-II carries 210 of 390 merit marks | English (45 questions = 135 marks) is the single biggest block in Tier-II |
| 1 mark negative in Tier-II | One wrong answer cancels a third of a right one; skip low-confidence questions |
| CKT and DEST are qualifying but compulsory | Practise typing (about 2,000 key depressions in 15 minutes) and basic computer topics early |
SSC CGL Exam Pattern 2026 FAQs
What is the SSC CGL Tier 1 exam pattern 2026?
100 questions, 200 marks, 1 hour: General Intelligence and Reasoning, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude and English Comprehension, 25 questions (50 marks) each, with a 15-minute sectional timer and 0.50 negative marking.
Is there negative marking in SSC CGL 2026?
Yes. 0.50 mark per wrong answer in Tier-I, 1 mark per wrong answer in Sections I to III of Tier-II Paper-I, and 0.50 mark in Paper-II and Paper-III.
Are SSC CGL Tier 1 marks added to the final merit?
No. Merit is prepared on the basis of Tier-II only (Para 16.10). Tier-I is used to shortlist candidates for Tier-II.
What is the total marks of SSC CGL Tier 2 Paper 1?
390 marks count for merit (Section-I 180 + Section-II 210). The Computer Knowledge Test (60 marks) and DEST are qualifying.
Is typing compulsory in SSC CGL 2026?
Yes. The Data Entry Speed Test (about 2,000 key depressions in 15 minutes) is mandatory for all posts but qualifying. Only certain PwBD-OH candidates can be exempted, and not for Computer Proficiency or DEST posts (except Tax Assistant in CBDT).
Who has to write SSC CGL Paper 2 and Paper 3?
Paper-II (Statistics) is only for candidates shortlisted for Junior Statistical Officer and Statistical Investigator Grade-II; Paper-III (Finance and Economics) only for those shortlisted for Assistant Audit Officer/Assistant Accounts Officer.
Is there a sectional time limit in SSC CGL?
Yes. Tier-I has 15 minutes per subject. In Tier-II, Mathematical Abilities and Reasoning get 30 minutes each, English 40 minutes and General Awareness 20 minutes; CKT and DEST are 15 minutes each.
Practice Next for SSC CGL
- Exam hub: SSC CGL 2026 exam page and free SSC CGL mock tests.
- Tier-I practice: SSC CGL Number System Mock Test 06 and SSC CGL Algebra Mock Test 04.
- Calculators: SSC CGL 2026 marks calculator and SSC CGL score calculator.
- Recruitment details: SSC CGL 2026 notification.
- Related notes: SSC CGL syllabus 2026, SSC CGL eligibility and age limit 2026, SSC CGL salary 2026 and SSC CGL cut-off.
- Browse all study notes.