SSC CHSL General Awareness
SSC CHSL General Awareness: The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has announced the SSC CHSL Tier 1 Exam Date 2025, which is scheduled to be held from 8th to 18th September 2025. Candidates preparing for the SSC CHSL 2025 exam should pay special attention to the General Awareness (GA) section, as it is one of the highest-scoring sections in the paper. In this blog, we will share some proven tips and strategies to help you score well in the SSC CHSL GA section. This part of the paper can be completed quickly within 5 to 7 minutes if prepared smartly. Before we get into the preparation tips, let’s first take a quick look at the SSC CHSL General Awareness trend and exam pattern.
SSC CHSL General Awareness Question Trends
Based on the trends seen in previous years, the General Awareness section of the SSC CHSL 2025 exam is expected to include a mix of static GK and Daily Current Affairs. This section is usually direct and can be attempted quickly, making it a great scoring opportunity.
- Art and Culture (dance forms, festivals, music gharanas, musical instruments)
- Books and Authors (especially autobiographies and award-winning works)
- Awards and Honours (national and international)
- Science – Periodic Table, Inventions and Discoveries
- Geography – Rivers, Tributaries, Dams, River Basins
- Current Affairs (from the last 6 to 12 months)
- Important Government Schemes and Policies
- Sports Events and Winners
- National and International Days
- Indian Constitution and Polity Basics
SSC CHSL Exam Pattern
The SSC CHSL Exam (Combined Higher Secondary Level) exam is conducted by the Staff Selection Commission to recruit candidates for various Group C posts in central government departments. Understanding the exam pattern is important to plan your preparation effectively and score well.
The SSC CHSL Exam Pattern includes two stages:
- Tier-I: Computer-Based Test (Objective Type)
- Tier-II: Computer-Based Test (Descriptive + Skill/Typing/DEST)
The minimum educational qualification required is 10+2 pass (Higher Secondary) from a recognized board or university. Candidates must clear each stage to move forward in the selection process.
SSC CHSL Tier-1 Exam Pattern
The Tier-1 exam is an objective-type computer-based test. It is the first stage of the selection process and is common for all posts under SSC CHSL. Candidates will be given a total of 60 minutes, whereas candidates eligible for a scribe will get 80 minutes. The exam carries negative marking of 0.50 marks for each wrong answer.
| Section name | Total Questions | Total Marks |
| General Awareness | 25 | 50 |
| English Language(Basic Knowledge) | 25 | 50 |
| General Intelligence and Reasoning | 25 | 50 |
| Quantitative Aptitude (Basic Arithmetic Skill) | 25 | 50 |
| Total | 100 questions | 200 marks |
SSC CHSL Tier-II Exam Pattern
The Tier-II exam is a computer-based test (CBT) and is conducted in two sessions on the same day. It includes objective-type questions, a computer knowledge test, and a skill/typing test, depending on the post applied for.
| Tier | Session | Subject | Number of Questions | Maximum Marks | Time allowed |
| II | Session-I (2 hours & 15 minutes) | Section-I: Module-I: Mathematical Abilities Module-II: Reasoning and General Intelligence. | 30 30 Total = 60 | 60*3 = 180 | 1 hour (for each section) (1 hour & 20 minutes for the candidates eligible for scribe) |
| Section-II: Module-I: English Language & Comprehension Module-II: General Awareness | 40 20 Total = 60 | 60*3 = 180 | |||
| Section-III: Module-I: Computer Knowledge Module | 15 | 15*3 = 45 | 15 Minutes (20 minutes for the candidates eligible for scribe) | ||
| Session-II | Section-III: Module-II: Skill Test/ Typing Test Module | Part A: Skill Test for DEOs. | – | 15 Minutes (20 minutes for the candidates eligible for scribe) | |
| Part B: Typing Test for LDC/ JSA. | – | 10 Minutes (15 minutes for the candidates eligible for scribe) |
Important Notes:
- Each question carries 3 marks.
- There is a negative marking of 1 mark for each wrong answer.
- Both Skill Test and Typing Test are qualifying in nature.
What to Study in the SSC CHSL GK Section?
The General Awareness (GK) section in SSC CHSL is designed to test how aware you are of your surroundings and how well you understand current and historical events. This section requires regular reading and smart revision as it includes both current affairs and static GK.
Here are the major topics you should cover:
- Current Affairs – Events from the past 6–12 months, with focus on national and international news
- Static GK – Facts about India and neighboring countries (rivers, dams, forests, national parks, etc.)
- History, Geography, Economics, Polity, and Indian Culture
- Art & Culture – Dance forms, music gharanas, famous musicians, dancers, and musical instruments
- Books and Authors, especially recent and award-winning ones
- Awards and Honours, both national and international
- Sports – Recent tournaments, winners, and records
- General Science – Basic Physics, Chemistry, and Biology concepts
- Computer Basics – Terminology, shortcuts, and common applications
Current events with a focus on everyday General Awareness
To prepare well for the Current Affairs section of SSC CHSL 2025, focus on important events happening around you that relate to national and international importance. These are the kind of topics that can be expected in the exam.
Here’s how you can stay updated:
- Read newspapers like The Hindu or Indian Express regularly and make notes of news related to government schemes, national policies, awards, sports, and international events.
- Focus on topics that have real-world impact or relevance to society the kind of awareness expected from any educated person.
- Use the Oliveboard website and app to access Daily News, Current Affairs quizzes, and summaries.
- For a monthly revision, refer to Oliveboard’s BOLT, which offers concise monthly current affairs with extra explanations to help you understand the topics better.
Static information/facts about India and its neighboring countries
In addition to current events, the Static GK section often includes questions related to India and its neighboring countries. These are factual questions that do not change over time and can be easily prepared in advance.
Here’s how you should approach this topic:
- Focus on important static facts like National Symbols (animal, bird, game, emblem, flower, etc.) of India and its neighboring countries such as Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, China, and Myanmar.
- Be aware of superlatives and key facts like highest peaks, longest rivers, famous monuments, and currency-related information of these countries.
- If India recently had an agreement, meeting, or event with a neighboring country (like Bangladesh), the exam might include a question based on that country’s basic facts.
History, Culture, Geography, Economics, Polity
These are important parts of the Static GK section in SSC CHSL. A good understanding of these subjects can help you score well in very little time.
- History – Focus on Ancient, Medieval, and Modern Indian History. Topics like famous kings, empires, battles, freedom struggle, and major events under British rule are important. NCERT textbooks from Class 6 to 12 are a good source.
- Geography – Study rivers, tributaries, mountains, plateaus, climate, dams, and basins of India. NCERT books and basic geography notes are useful for this.
- Economics – Learn about basic economic terms like GDP, inflation, fiscal policy, budget, and major government schemes. Also, stay updated with recent economic developments.
- Polity – Focus on the Indian Constitution, fundamental rights, key articles and amendments, powers of the President, Prime Minister, Parliament, and state-level roles like Chief Ministers and Governors.
To help with your preparation, Oliveboard provides SSC GK lessons that are useful for SSC CHSL and other SSC exams. These cover all key topics with clear explanations.
Scientific Research (Physics, Chemistry & Biology)
The General Science section in SSC CHSL mostly includes basic questions from Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. These questions are usually straightforward and often repeated from previous years.
- Practice from previous year SSC GK papers to understand the types of questions that are commonly asked.
- Focus on important topics such as:
- Periodic Table and SI Units
- Basic Concepts and Definitions
- Inventions and Discoveries
- Scientific Names of Organisms
- Vitamins and Their Functions
- Human Body Systems
- Plant Hormones and Nutrition in Plants/Animals
- Common Bacterial and Viral Diseases
- Everyday Chemistry (like soaps, detergents, acids, and bases)
Static Facts by current events
A new trend seen in the SSC CHSL GK section is the inclusion of static facts connected to recent news. These questions test not just your memory, but also how well you follow the news and relate it to basic facts.
For example:
If Rohit Sharma was in the news for becoming the Test captain of India, a question might ask:
“Who is the current Test captain of the Indian cricket team?”
This combines static knowledge (like the position of Test captain) with recent events.
- Keep up with daily news and note important appointments, awards, changes in leadership, etc.
- Revise basic facts related to trending topics.
What can be asked in SSC CHSL GK?
Some sample questions that will give an idea about what can be asked in the GK section are as follows:
- Who was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 2025?
- What is the name of the ISRO mission aimed at studying the Sun?
- What is the theme of the International Yoga Day 2025?
- Which country hosted the G20 Summit in 2025?
- Who is the author of the book ‘Madam President: The Biography of Droupadi Murmu’?
- Which city will host the Summer Olympic Games in 2028?
- Which Indian film won an award at the Cannes Film Festival 2025?
Along with current affairs, questions are also asked from Static GK, such as:
- National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries
- Highest, Longest, Largest, Smallest in India/World
- Currencies and Capitals of different countries
- Important Sports Terms and Trophies
- National and International Awards
So, In order to score 40+ in the SSC CHSL GK section, one should follow the above-mentioned tips. The same can be helpful for all the other exams conducted by SSC, i.e.
- CGL (Combined Graduate Level)
- MTS (Multi-Tasking Staff)
- Stenographer (Grade C and Grade D)
- SI in Delhi Police, CAPF, and ASI in CISF
- Constable (GD) Examination
- CPO (Central Police Organization)
In GK, practice is the key, the more you practice questions after following the above concepts, you can easily attempt 20+ questions. When it comes to practice, previous year’s questions can be a go-to thing.
That brings us to the end of the article. Follow the tips diligently and ace the exam. All the best for your exam. For more updates, stay connected to Oliveboard.
SSC CHSL General Awareness FAQS
Ans. To score more marks in SSC CHSL GA Section, covering the last 6 -12 months of current affairs is recommended. The very important topics like some major schemes, awards, books and authors, and appointments for full-year (6-12 months) should be covered.
Ans. Attempting more and more quizzes as per the SSC Syllabus, previous year SSC Questions, and NCERT questions. Try answering questions without options, this will test your knowledge. Multiple revision is also crucial.
Ans. For Static facts, Lucent’s General Knowledge can be useful. For practicing questions book by Kiran Publication is comprehensive. For covering current affairs OliveBoard’s BOLT can be of great use.
Ans. Making your notes from the NCERTs is very helpful. Note down the important points and facts while reading some articles from the NCERT. Every year, around 5-7 questions are asked about this topic.
Ans. Art and Culture> Books and Authors> Current Affairs > Science> Geography> Polity> History> Economy> Miscellaneous (Static facts)
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