SSC Exams Guide

COMPLETE EXAM DIRECTORY

Every major SSC exam, explained.

Compare eligibility, posts, selection stages and preparation focus for CGL, CHSL, MTS, GD, CPO, JE, Stenographer, Hindi Translators and Selection Posts.

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Choose by qualification and career type

SSC runs different examinations for matriculation, higher-secondary, graduate, technical, language and uniformed posts. Shortlist the exam that matches your education, age and preferred work.

Class 10

MTS, Havaldar & GD

Entry-level office support or uniformed service roles. Selection may include computer-based and physical stages.

Class 12

CHSL & Stenographer

Clerical, data-entry and stenography opportunities across central government offices.

Graduate

CGL & CPO

Administrative, inspection, audit, accounts and Sub-Inspector career paths.

Technical

Junior Engineer

Civil, Mechanical and Electrical engineering posts with prescribed diploma or degree qualifications.

Language

Hindi Translators

Translation and official-language posts requiring prescribed postgraduate language qualifications.

Post specific

Selection Posts

Vacancies notified separately at Matriculation, Higher Secondary and Graduate levels.

Eligibility note: Age limits, essential qualifications, physical standards and post preferences are notice-specific. Category, ex-servicemen, departmental and other relaxations apply according to Government of India rules.
CGL

Combined Graduate Level

SSC CGL recruits graduates for Group B and Group C posts across ministries, departments and organisations—including assistants, inspectors, auditors, accountants and statistical roles.

EducationBachelor’s degree; some posts need specific subjects
Typical age band18–27, 18–30 or up to 32 by post
Selection routeTier I → Tier II → DV/post requirements

Exam structure

  • Tier I: objective computer-based screening examination.
  • Tier II: Paper I for all qualified candidates, plus post-specific papers/modules where prescribed.
  • Final selection uses the notified merit rules and post preferences.

Core preparation areas

  • Quantitative aptitude and mathematical abilities.
  • General intelligence and reasoning.
  • English language and comprehension.
  • General awareness; computer and data-entry modules where notified.
CHSL

Combined Higher Secondary Level

SSC CHSL is the major 10+2 level examination for posts such as Lower Division Clerk/Junior Secretariat Assistant and Data Entry Operator in participating offices.

EducationClass 12; subject requirements may apply to some DEO posts
Typical age band18–27 years
Selection routeTier I → Tier II with skill/typing components

Exam structure

  • Tier I: objective CBE covering four common SSC subjects.
  • Tier II: objective modules plus computer knowledge and qualifying skill/typing test as applicable.
  • Document verification is handled under the notified process.

Who it suits

Candidates seeking desk-based clerical, secretarial or data-entry work after Class 12. Typing accuracy and computer familiarity are important alongside written preparation.

MTS

Multi-Tasking Staff & Havaldar

The MTS examination recruits Multi-Tasking (Non-Technical) Staff, while the same notice may cover Havaldar posts in CBIC and CBN with additional physical standards.

EducationClass 10 pass by the specified date
Typical age band18–25 or 18–27 by post
Selection routeCBE; PET/PST for Havaldar

Computer-based exam

  • Conducted in two mandatory sessions under the notified scheme.
  • Covers numerical ability, reasoning, general awareness and English.
  • Negative-marking rules can differ between sessions—check the notice.

Havaldar stage

Havaldar candidates must also satisfy the notified Physical Efficiency Test and Physical Standard Test conditions. Standards and exemptions must be checked in the current notice.

GD

Constable General Duty

SSC Constable GD recruits for CAPFs, SSF and Rifleman (GD) in Assam Rifles, with force allocation according to merit, vacancies and preferences.

EducationClass 10 pass
Typical age band18–23 years
Selection routeCBE → PET/PST → medical/DV

Written subjects

  • General intelligence and reasoning.
  • General knowledge and general awareness.
  • Elementary mathematics.
  • English or Hindi under the notified scheme.

Physical and medical stages

Height, chest (where applicable), race and medical standards depend on sex, category, region and notified exemptions. Candidates should prepare early and rely on the official tables.

CPO

Sub-Inspector in Delhi Police & CAPFs

SSC CPO is the graduate-level route to Sub-Inspector posts in Delhi Police and Central Armed Police Forces.

EducationBachelor’s degree; driving-licence condition may apply to specific posts
Typical age band20–25 years
Selection routePaper I → PET/PST → Paper II → medical/DV

Written stages

  • Paper I covers reasoning, general knowledge, quantitative aptitude and English.
  • Paper II focuses on English language and comprehension.
  • Both papers follow the current notice’s marking and normalization rules.

Physical readiness

Running, jump and physical-measurement requirements are mandatory for the relevant categories. Begin fitness preparation well before Paper I results.

JE

Junior Engineer

SSC JE recruits Junior Engineers in Civil, Mechanical and Electrical disciplines for participating central government departments and organisations.

EducationRelevant diploma or engineering degree; experience may apply
Typical age bandPost-dependent, commonly up to 30 or 32
Selection routePaper I → Paper II → DV

Exam structure

  • Paper I: general intelligence/reasoning, general awareness and chosen engineering discipline.
  • Paper II: deeper subject knowledge in Civil, Electrical or Mechanical engineering.
  • Choose the permitted discipline carefully while applying.

Preparation focus

Revise diploma/degree fundamentals, solve numerical problems, learn standard codes/formulae and combine technical practice with SSC-style timed mocks.

STENO

Stenographer Grade C & D

This examination recruits stenographers for ministries, departments and organisations, combining a computer-based paper with a qualifying stenography skill test.

EducationClass 12 pass
Typical age bandGrade D: 18–27; Grade C: 18–30
Selection routeCBE → stenography skill test → DV

Computer-based paper

  • General intelligence and reasoning.
  • General awareness.
  • English language and comprehension.

Skill test

Dictation speed and transcription time differ by Grade C/D and language medium. Regular shorthand dictation, error tracking and timed transcription are essential.

JHT

Combined Hindi Translators

The Combined Hindi Translators examination recruits Junior/Senior Hindi Translator and related official-language posts in participating organisations.

EducationPrescribed master’s degree/language combination and any required diploma/experience
Typical age band18–30 years
Selection routePaper I CBE → Paper II descriptive → DV

Paper I

Objective questions test general Hindi and general English, including grammar, vocabulary, comprehension and effective language use.

Paper II

Descriptive translation and essay work assesses accurate Hindi–English/English–Hindi translation and the ability to write clearly in both languages.

SP

Selection Posts

Selection Post examinations combine many separately advertised vacancies under regional/category post codes at Matriculation, Higher Secondary and Graduate levels.

EducationClass 10, Class 12 or Graduate—depends on post code
AgeCompletely post-dependent
Selection routeLevel-specific CBE → skill test if prescribed → DV

Before applying

  • Read the exact post code, department, region and category vacancy.
  • Confirm essential qualification, subject, experience and age.
  • Check whether documents must be uploaded/submitted at a later stage.

Exam preparation

The CBE follows the notified education level and generally covers reasoning, general awareness, quantitative aptitude and English. Cut-offs are handled post/category-wise.

COMMON APPLICATION RULES

What every candidate should verify

Citizenship/nationality condition
Crucial date for age and qualification
Category certificate format and validity
Post preference and regional eligibility
Photo, signature and identity requirements
Fee exemption and payment status
Skill, physical or medical standards
Latest corrigendum before the exam

Use the official notice as your final checklist.

SSCExam.in explains the process; ssc.gov.in remains the authority for applications, dates and results.

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