Official-notice audit · CGL 2026
SSC CGL Exam Pattern 2026: Tier I Timers, Tier II Papers and Marks
CGL 2026 Tier I has four separately timed 15-minute subjects. Tier II Paper I is compulsory for all posts, with additional papers only for specified posts.
The 2026 notice adds subject-level timing discipline to Tier I.
Tier I totals 100 questions and 200 marks in 60 minutes, with 15 minutes for each subject and a 0.50-mark penalty per wrong answer.
Tier I pattern
| General Intelligence and Reasoning | 25 questions · 50 marks · 15 minutes |
| General Awareness | 25 questions · 50 marks · 15 minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 25 questions · 50 marks · 15 minutes |
| English Comprehension | 25 questions · 50 marks · 15 minutes |
| Total | 100 questions · 200 marks · 60 minutes |
| Negative marking | 0.50 mark per wrong answer |
| Scribe-eligible timing | 20 minutes per subject; 80 minutes total |
Tier II Paper I
| Section I | Mathematical Abilities: 30 questions/90 marks; Reasoning: 30/90; 60 minutes total |
| Section II | English: 45 questions/135 marks; General Awareness: 25/75; 60 minutes total |
| Section III | Computer Knowledge: 20 questions/60 marks; 15 minutes |
| Session II / Section IV | DEST: one data-entry task; 15 minutes |
| Paper I status | Compulsory for all posts; every section must be qualified separately |
| Negative marking | 1 mark per wrong answer in Paper I Sections I-III |
Post-specific Tier II papers
| Paper II · Statistics | 100 questions · 200 marks · 2 hours; only for JSO and Statistical Investigator Grade II candidates shortlisted for those posts |
| Paper III · Finance and Economics | 100 questions · 200 marks · 2 hours; only for candidates shortlisted for Assistant Audit Officer/Assistant Accounts Officer posts |
| Paper II/III negative marking | 0.50 mark per wrong answer |
| DEST | About 2,000 key depressions in 15 minutes; mandatory but qualifying under the notice |
Frequently asked questions
Can I move time between Tier I subjects?
No. The notice states a 15-minute sectional timer for each subject.
Does every candidate take Statistics or Finance and Economics?
No. Paper II and Paper III apply only to candidates shortlisted for the specified posts.
What determines final merit?
The notice bases merit on applicable Tier II performance, subject to qualifying sections, post conditions and preference rules.
Related CGL guidance
Source audit: SSCExam.in Research Desk
Facts were checked against the official CGL 2026 notice and SSC notice board at 13 August 2026, 08:10 IST. This page remains outside broad indexing until a named author and reviewer are attached.
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