A complete blueprint of postings, career profiles, salaries, eligibility criteria, exam patterns and the comprehensive syllabus for SSC Combined Graduate Level (CGL) and Combined Higher Secondary Level (CHSL).
SSC CGL offers recruitment into highly sought-after Group 'B' and Group 'C' posts within major Central Government Ministries, Departments and Intelligence Organisations. Salaries are governed by the 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC) Pay Matrix, ranging from Pay Level 4 to Pay Level 8.
| Pay Level | Key Associated Posts | Basic Pay Range | Approx. Gross (X Cities) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 8 | Assistant Audit Officer (AAO), Assistant Accounts Officer (CAG Departments) | Rs. 47,600 – 1,51,100 | Rs. 86,000+ |
| Level 7 | Assistant Section Officer (CSS, MEA, IB, MoD), Inspector of Income Tax, Inspector (Central Excise, Preventive Officer, Examiner in CBIC), Enforcement Officer (ED), Sub-Inspector (CBI) | Rs. 44,900 – 1,42,400 | Rs. 80,000+ |
| Level 6 | Assistant / Superintendent, Divisional Accountant (under CAG), Sub-Inspector (NIA), Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) | Rs. 35,400 – 1,12,400 | Rs. 66,000+ |
| Level 5 | Auditor (CAG, CGDA Ministries), Accountant / Junior Accountant (Ministries) | Rs. 29,200 – 92,300 | Rs. 55,000+ |
| Level 4 | Postal Assistant / Sorting Assistant, Senior Secretariat Assistant, Tax Assistant (CBDT/CBIC), Sub-Inspector (Central Bureau of Narcotics) | Rs. 25,500 – 81,100 | Rs. 48,000+ |
The SSC CGL examination is organized into two primary computerized tiers. Tier 1 is a qualifying screening stage, whereas Tier 2 forms the absolute merit metrics used for final selection.
| Subject Section | Questions | Max Marks | Sectional Time Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 25 | 50 Marks | 15 Minutes |
| General Awareness (Static GK + CA) | 25 | 50 Marks | 15 Minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude (Arithmetic + Adv) | 25 | 50 Marks | 15 Minutes |
| English Comprehension | 25 | 50 Marks | 15 Minutes |
| Total Metric Summary | 100 Qs | 200 Marks | 60 Minutes (1 Hour Total) |
Tier 2 consists of Paper 1, mandatory for all candidates, split into sessions and modules with targeted weights and sectional timings.
| Session / Section | Module Subject | Questions | Marks Scheme | Time Allotted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Session 1: Section I | Mod I: Mathematical Abilities Mod II: Reasoning & Gen Intelligence | 30 Qs 30 Qs | 90 Marks (3/Q) 90 Marks (3/Q) | 60 Minutes total (30 mins per subject) |
| Session 1: Section II | Mod I: English Language & Comp Mod II: General Awareness | 45 Qs 25 Qs | 135 Marks (3/Q) 75 Marks (3/Q) | 60 Minutes total (40m English, 20m GA) |
| Session 1: Section III | Mod I: Computer Knowledge Test | 20 Qs | 60 Marks (3/Q) | 15 Minutes (Qualifying) |
| Session 2: Section IV | Mod II: Data Entry Speed Test (DEST) | 1 Passage (~2000 key depressions) | Qualifying Nature | 15 Minutes (Mandatory) |
Number Systems (whole numbers, decimals, fractions, relationships). Fundamental Arithmetical Operations (percentages, ratio & proportion, square roots, averages, simple & compound interest, profit & loss, discount, partnership, mixtures & alligation, time & distance, time & work). Algebra (basic identities, elementary surds, linear equations graphs). Geometry (triangles, centres of triangles, congruence, similarity, circles, chords, tangents, angles subtended by chords). Mensuration (regular polygons, prisms, cones, cylinders, spheres, hemispheres, rectangular parallelepipeds, pyramids). Trigonometry (ratios, complementary angles, standard identities, basic height & distance). Statistics and Probability (histogram, frequency polygon, bar diagrams, pie charts; mean, median, mode, standard deviation; simple probabilities).
Verbal and Non-Verbal reasoning. Analogies, similarities & differences, space visualization, spatial orientation, problem-solving, analysis, judgment, decision making, visual memory, discrimination, observation, blood relations, arithmetical reasoning, figural classification, number series, non-verbal series, coding-decoding, statement conclusions, syllogistic reasoning, semantic analogy, symbolic operations, Venn diagrams, punched hole/pattern folding & unfolding, critical thinking, embedded figures, emotional intelligence, social intelligence.
Spot the error, fill in the blanks, synonyms, antonyms, spelling/detecting misspelled words, idioms & phrases, one-word substitution, sentence improvement, active/passive voice, direct/indirect narration, shuffling of sentence parts, shuffling of sentences in a paragraph (Para Jumbles), cloze test, reading comprehension passages.
Static GK (History, Culture, Geography, Economic Scene, General Policy, Scientific Research relating to India and neighbouring countries). Current Affairs (national and international events, awards, sports, people in news, recent government schemes, summits).
Computer Basics (organization of a computer, CPU, input/output devices, memory & memory organization, backup devices, PORTs, Windows Explorer, keyboard shortcuts). Software (Windows OS, MS Office — Word, Excel, PowerPoint). Internet and Emails (web browsing, searching, downloading/uploading, managing email accounts, e-banking). Basics of Networking and Cyber Security (networking devices, protocols, threats like hacking/viruses/worms/Trojan and basic preventive measures).
The SSC CHSL exam is the gateway to clerical cadre postings within Central Ministries and administrative offices — ideal for candidates seeking stable Central Government employment directly after higher secondary education.
| Designated Post | Pay Level Assignment | Basic Pay Range | Approx Gross (X Cities) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Data Entry Operator (DEO) - Grade A | Pay Level 4 | Rs. 25,500 – 81,100 | Rs. 48,000+ |
| Data Entry Operator (DEO) | Pay Level 5 (Special Scale) | Rs. 29,200 – 92,300 | Rs. 55,000+ |
| Lower Division Clerk (LDC) / Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA) | Pay Level 2 | Rs. 19,900 – 63,200 | Rs. 39,000+ |
SSC CHSL mimics the restructured CGL format — a qualifying Tier 1 screening followed by a comprehensive multi-modular Tier 2 stage that dictates final candidate rankings.
| Section | Subject Field | Questions / Marks | Time Limit Block |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part A | English Language (Basic Knowledge) | 25 Qs / 50 Marks | Combined 60 Minutes |
| Part B | General Intelligence & Reasoning | 25 Qs / 50 Marks | Combined 60 Minutes |
| Part C | Quantitative Aptitude (Basic Arithmetic Skills) | 25 Qs / 50 Marks | Combined 60 Minutes |
| Part D | General Awareness | 25 Qs / 50 Marks | Combined 60 Minutes |
| Summary — Total Testing Frame | 100 Qs / 200 Marks | 60 Minutes Total Time | |
| Session Block | Sectional Compartment & Subjects | Questions / Marks Weight | Time Block Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session I (2h 15m) | Section I: Mathematical Abilities (30Q) + Reasoning & General Intelligence (30Q) | 60 Qs / 180 Marks (3 Marks per Question) | 1 Hour total for Section |
| Session I (Cont.) | Section II: English Language & Comp (40Q) + General Awareness (20Q) | 60 Qs / 180 Marks (3 Marks per Question) | 1 Hour total for Section |
| Session I (Cont.) | Section III: Computer Knowledge Module | 15 Qs / 45 Marks | 15 Minutes (Qualifying Only) |
| Session II (Skill Tests) | Section III Part A: Skill Test for DEOs Section III Part C: Typing Test for LDC/JSA | Typing Target Speed: 35 WPM Eng; DEO Key Depressions mandatory | 15 Minutes (DEO Skill Test) 10 Minutes (LDC/JSA Typing) |
Arithmetic: Number Systems, Simplification, fractions, decimals, LCM/HCF, percentages, ratio & proportion, square roots, averages, profit & loss, simple and compound interest, discount, partnership business, mixtures & alligation, time-speed-distance, time & work. Algebra: basic school algebra identities, linear and simple quadratic equations. Geometry: lines, angles, triangles, circles, chords, tangents, basic geometric figures. Trigonometry: standard ratios, complementary angles, simple height & distance. Mensuration: areas, volumes, surface areas of regular shapes (cylinders, spheres, cones, prisms). Data Interpretation: histograms, bar graphs, pie charts, tables.
Verbal and non-verbal reasoning patterns. Semantic analogy, symbolic operations, symbolic/number analogy, trends, figural analogy, space orientation, semantic classification, Venn diagrams, symbolic/number classification, drawing inferences, figural classification, punched hole/pattern folding, semantic series, figural pattern completion, number series, embedded figures, coding-decoding, critical thinking, problem-solving, matrix, blood relations, directions, order & ranking.
Grammar: parts of speech, tenses, active/passive voice, direct/indirect narration, subject-verb agreement, error spotting, fill in the blanks, prepositions, articles. Vocabulary: synonyms, antonyms, spelling check, idioms & phrases, one-word substitution, sentence correction. Comprehension: cloze test, reading comprehension passages, sentence improvements, para jumbles.
Static GK covering History, Geography, Polity/Constitution, Economics, General Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology up to 10th level). Current Affairs emphasizing sports, awards, book authors, government initiatives, portfolios and people in the news.
Computer fundamentals, peripheral devices, CPU configuration, memory allocation. Software basics (MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, Operating System shortcuts). Internet usage, email protocols, web security basics, browsing shortcuts.
Realistic mock tests, detailed solutions and performance analysis — built for SSC (CGL & CHSL) aspirants.