Official-notice audit · CGL 2026
SSC CGL Syllabus 2026: Official Tier I and Tier II Topics
The official syllabus covers four separately timed Tier I subjects, compulsory Tier II Paper I modules, DEST, and post-specific Statistics or Finance and Economics papers.
Use paragraphs 13.10 and 13.11 as the controlling syllabus.
This page maps every major official section. The notice—not a coaching checklist—controls the examinable scope and post-specific papers.
Tier I: 100 questions, 200 marks
| Reasoning · 25 questions | Analogies, classification, series, coding, number/symbolic operations, space orientation, Venn diagrams, inference, folding, embedded figures, critical/emotional/social intelligence and related verbal/non-verbal skills |
| General Awareness · 25 questions | Current events, everyday scientific awareness, India and neighbouring countries, history, culture, geography, economy, general policy and scientific research |
| Quantitative Aptitude · 25 questions | Numbers, percentage, ratio, roots, average, interest, profit/loss, discount, partnership, mixture, time-distance/work, algebra, geometry, mensuration, trigonometry and charts |
| English · 25 questions | Correct English, basic comprehension and writing ability |
| Timing | 15 minutes per subject; 60 minutes total |
| Negative marking | 0.50 mark per wrong answer |
Tier II Paper I: compulsory for all posts
| Mathematical Abilities | Number systems; arithmetic; algebra; geometry; mensuration; trigonometry; tables/graphs; mean, median, mode, standard deviation and simple probability |
| Reasoning and General Intelligence | Semantic/symbolic/figural analogy and classification, trends, Venn diagrams, inference, folding, series, embedded figures, critical thinking, word building, intelligence, coding and numerical operations |
| English Language and Comprehension | Vocabulary, grammar, errors, blanks, synonyms/homonyms, antonyms, spelling, idioms, one-word substitution, sentence improvement, voice, narration, sentence ordering, cloze and comprehension |
| General Awareness | Environment and society, current events, everyday science, India and neighbours, history, culture, geography, economy, general policy and scientific research |
| Computer Knowledge | Computer organisation, CPU, I/O, memory, storage, ports, Windows, shortcuts, MS Office basics, internet/email, e-banking, networking and cyber security |
| DEST | About 2,000 key depressions in 15 minutes; mandatory and qualifying under the notice |
Post-specific Tier II papers
Paper II · Statistics
Data collection/presentation, central tendency, dispersion, moments, skewness/kurtosis, correlation/regression, probability, distributions, sampling, inference, ANOVA, time series and index numbers.
Paper III · Finance and Accounts
Financial-accounting principles, single/double entry, journals, ledgers, trial balance, errors, final accounts, depreciation, inventory, non-profit accounts and bills of exchange.
Paper III · Economics and Governance
CAG, Finance Commission, microeconomics, demand/supply, production/cost, markets, Indian economy, national income, population, poverty, unemployment and infrastructure.
Who takes them?
Paper II is for shortlisted JSO/Statistical Investigator candidates. Paper III is for shortlisted Assistant Audit/Accounts Officer candidates.
Recommended practice order
Frequently asked questions
Is Computer Knowledge optional?
No. It is mandatory for all posts and qualifying, with higher standards for specified posts.
Is DEST only for Tax Assistant?
No. The 2026 notice makes DEST mandatory for all posts, subject to its qualifying rules and higher standards for named posts.
Does every candidate study Statistics and Finance/Economics?
No. Those papers apply only to candidates shortlisted for the specified posts.
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.
SSCExam.in is an educational initiative operated by Mathiit Learning Pvt. Ltd. and is not affiliated with the Staff Selection Commission or the Government of India.