he Staff Selection Commission conducts the SSC Combined Graduate Level (CGL) Examination every year to recruit candidates for various Group B and Group C posts in the central government. As per the latest SSC Calendar 2026, the SSC CGL Exam 2026 Tier 1 is scheduled from May - Jun 2026. To prepare effectively for the exam, it is essential for candidates to clearly understand the SSC CGL Exam Pattern. This article provides complete details of the SSC CGL 2026 Exam Pattern for Tier 1 and Tier 2, including the marking scheme, number of questions, duration of the exam, negative marking, typing test details, and minimum qualifying marks.
What is SSC CGL 2026 Exam Pattern?
The SSC CGL 2026 Exam Pattern consists of two computer-based tiers, followed by document verification. Tier 1 is common for all candidates, Tier 2 includes Paper 1 for all and Paper 2 only for JSO applicants. The details about the SSC CGL Exam 2026 selection process are as follows:
| Stage | Mode | Details |
|---|
| Tier 1 | Computer-Based | Objective-type exam for all applicants. |
| Tier 2 - Paper 1 | Computer-Based | Compulsory for all candidates. |
| Tier 2 - Paper 2 | Computer-Based | Only for Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) applicants. |
| Document Verification | Offline | Verification of original documents & certificates of qualified candidates. |
What is SSC CGL Tier 1 Exam Pattern 2026?
The SSC CGL Tier 1 Exam 2026 consists of four sections (General Intelligence & Reasoning, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, and English Language) each with 25 questions, totaling 100 questions and 200 marks, with a duration of 1 hour and 0.50 marks deducted for each wrong answer.
| Subject | Total Questions | Total Marks |
|---|
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 25 | 50 |
| General Awareness | 25 | 50 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 50 |
| English Language | 25 | 50 |
| Total | 100 | 200 |
- Questions: 25 questions per section.
- Total Marks: 200 marks (100 questions, 2 marks each).
- Exam Type: Computer-based multiple-choice.
- Languages: English and Hindi (except the English section).
- Total Time: 1 hour.
- For Scribe-Eligible Candidates: 1 hour and 20 minutes.
- Marks per Question: 2 marks.
- Negative Marking: 0.50 marks are deducted for each wrong answer.
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What is SSC CGL 2026 Tier 2 Exam Pattern?
The SSC CGL Tier 2 Exam 2026 consists of multiple papers, with Paper 1 being mandatory for all candidates. It includes three sections conducted in two sessions on the same day. Paper 2 is only for Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) applicants. Following table represents the paper pattern in a clear manner:
| Paper/Session | Section/ Subject | Questions/ Marks |
|---|
I
(Common for all posts)
(2 hours and 15 minutes) | I (1 hour )
Module I –Mathematical abilities
Module II –Reasoning and General Intelligence | 30
30
Total: 60×3 = 180 |
II (1 hour )
Module I – English Language Comprehension
Module II – General Awareness | 45
25
Total: 70×3 = 210 |
III (15 minutes)
Module – I – Computer Knowledge module | 20×3 = 60 |
| II (15 minutes) | Module – II: Data Entry Speed Test | One data entry task of 2000 key |
II (Only for JSO)
2 hours | Statistics (Paper I as above) | 100×2 = 200 |
- Paper 1 is conducted in two sessions on the same day.
- Session 1 covers Section I, Section II, and Module I of Section III.
- Session 2 includes Module II of Section III (DEST).
- Paper 1 is compulsory for all candidates.
- Paper 2 is only for candidates applying for the Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) post.
- All questions are multiple choice (MCQs), except Module II of Section III in Paper 1.
- The exam is conducted in both English and Hindi, except the English Language module which is in English only.
- There is a negative marking of 1 mark for each wrong answer in Section I, Section II, and Module I of Section III in Paper 1.
- There is a negative marking of 0.50 mark for each wrong answer in Paper 2.
- Module I of Section III in Paper 1 is qualifying in nature and not counted in the merit.
- Module II of Section III (DEST) is also qualifying and not included in the merit list.
- DEST (Data Entry Speed Test) requires 2,000 key depressions in 15 minutes.
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SSC CGL Marks Distribution
The SSC CGL exam consists of multiple tiers, each designed to test different skills such as reasoning, quantitative aptitude, general awareness, English language, and statistics. Understanding the marks distribution helps candidates prioritize topics and manage time effectively during preparation. Both Tier 1 and Tier 2 have specific subjects and marking schemes, while Tier 3 is descriptive and Tier 4 is skill-based.
Here's the detailed marks distribution for SSC CGL 2026:
| Tier | Subject / Paper | Number of Questions / Marks | Duration | Negative Marking |
|---|
| Tier 1 (CBT) | General Intelligence & Reasoning | 25 Questions / 50 Marks | 60 Minutes | 0.50 Marks per wrong answer |
| General Awareness | 25 Questions / 50 Marks | | 0.50 Marks per wrong answer |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 25 Questions / 50 Marks | | 0.50 Marks per wrong answer |
| English Comprehension | 25 Questions / 50 Marks | | 0.50 Marks per wrong answer |
| Tier 2 (CBT) | Quantitative Abilities | 100 Questions / 200 Marks | 120 Minutes | 1 Mark per wrong answer |
| English Language & Comprehension | 200 Questions / 200 Marks | 120 Minutes | 1 Mark per wrong answer |
| Statistics | 100 Questions / 200 Marks | 120 Minutes | 1 Mark per wrong answer |
| General Studies (Finance & Economics) | 100 Questions / 200 Marks | 120 Minutes | 1 Mark per wrong answer |
What is SSC CGL Typing Test Speed?
The typing test for SSC CGL which is also known as the SSC CGL Typing Test 2026 is a qualifying test that requires about 2000 key depressions in 15 minutes.
| Test Name | Details |
|---|
| Test Type | Data Entry Speed Test (DEST) |
| Passage Length | About 2000 key depressions |
| Duration | 15 minutes |
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What are minimum qualifying marks in SSC CGL Tier 1 & Tier 2 CBT Exam?
The minimum qualifying marks in SSC CGL 2026 Tier 1 and Tier 2 exams are 30% for UR, 25% for OBC/EWS, and 20% for all other categories.
| Category | Minimum Qualifying Marks |
|---|
| UR | 30% |
| OBC/ EWS | 25% |
| All other categories | 20% |
What are minimum qualifying mark in data entry speed test?
The minimum qualifying error percentage in the SSC CGL DEST (Data Entry Speed Test) is 20% for UR, 25% for OBC/EWS, and 30% for all other categories.
| Category | Minimum Qualifying Marks |
|---|
| UR | 20% |
| OBC/ EWS | 25% |
| All other categories | 30% |
What are the documents required for SSC CGL Exam?
The Documents Required for SSC CGL Exam are original photo ID for verification, and the date of birth on the ID must match the one on the admit card. Accepted ID proofs include Aadhaar Card, Voter ID, PAN Card, Driving License, School or College ID, Government or PSU Employer ID, Ex-Serviceman Discharge Book, or any other valid photo ID issued by the Central or State Government.
| Accepted ID Proofs | Details |
|---|
| Aadhar Card / E-Aadhar Printout | Valid proof of identity issued by UIDAI. |
| Voter's ID Card | Identity card issued for electoral purposes. |
| PAN Card | Permanent Account Number issued by Income Tax Department. |
| Driving License | Valid license for driving issued by RTO. |
| Official School/College/University ID Card | ID card issued by the educational institution. |
| Employer ID Card (Govt./PSU) | Identity card issued by government or PSU employers. |
| Ex-Serviceman Discharge Book | Issued by the Ministry of Defence. |
| Any other photo ID by Central/State Government | Government-issued photo identity proof. |
Candidates must ensure that the details on their Photo ID match those on their Admission Certificate. They must bring the original document for verification. Failure to provide the required documents will result in disqualification from the SSC CGL Selection Process.
Important Points on SSC CGL Paper Pattern
Candidates must follow these basic key points while appearing for the SSC CGL 2026 Examination:
- Marks Normalization: Ensures fairness across exam shifts and tiers.
- No Re-evaluation: Marks cannot be reviewed or changed.
- Qualification Criteria: Passing Section I & II in Tier II is mandatory for Section III.
- Post Preference: Must be submitted on the SSC website; failure leads to disqualification.
- Answer Key Objections: This SSC CGL Tentative Answer Key can be challenged online with a Rs. 100 fee per question within the deadline.
Key Takeaways:
Below are the the key Take aways from this article:
- The SSC CGL selection process includes Tier 1, Tier 2, and Document Verification.
- Tier 1 has 4 sections with 100 questions and 200 marks in 1 hour.
- There is 0.50 negative marking in Tier 1.
- Tier 2 Paper 1 is compulsory for all candidates.
- Tier 2 Paper 2 is only for JSO applicants.
- Tier 2 includes MCQs and a qualifying DEST test.
- DEST requires 2000 key depressions in 15 minutes.
- Minimum qualifying marks: UR – 30%, OBC/EWS – 25%, Others – 20%.
- DEST error limit: UR – 20%, OBC/EWS – 25%, Others – 30%.
- Valid photo ID with matching DOB must be carried to the exam.
- No re-evaluation is allowed for SSC CGL answer sheets.
- Marks are normalized across different shifts.
- Post preference must be submitted; failing to do so may lead to disqualification.
- Answer key objections allowed with ₹100 per question within the deadline.
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