SSC CGL 2025: Exam Pattern, Scheme, and Detailed Syllabus
Decoding the SSC CGL 2025 Examination
The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has released the official notification for the Combined Graduate Level (CGL) Examination 2025. Aspiring candidates aiming for a coveted government position must have a clear understanding of the examination scheme to strategize their preparation effectively. The SSC CGL 2025 will be conducted in two computer-based tiers.
Tier-I Examination: The First Hurdle
The Tier-I examination serves as a qualifying stage for Tier-II. It is a computer-based test consisting of objective-type, multiple-choice questions. The questions will be presented in both English and Hindi, with the exception of the English Comprehension section. A negative marking of 0.50 marks will be applied for each incorrect answer.
Structure of the Tier-I Examination
| Subject |
Number of Questions |
Maximum Marks |
Duration |
| General Intelligence and Reasoning |
25 |
50 |
1 hour (1 hour and 20 minutes for eligible scribes) |
| General Awareness |
25 |
50 |
| Quantitative Aptitude |
25 |
50 |
| English Comprehension |
25 |
50 |
Tier-II Examination: The Decisive Stage
Candidates who successfully clear the Tier-I cut-off will proceed to the Tier-II examination. This stage is crucial as the final merit list is prepared based on the candidate's performance in Tier-II. Tier-II consists of three papers, with Paper-I being compulsory for all posts.
Structure of Tier-II Examination
Paper-I
This paper is divided into two sessions and is mandatory for all candidates.
Session-I (2 hours and 15 minutes)
| Section |
Module |
Subject |
Number of Questions |
Maximum Marks |
Time Allowed |
| Section-I |
Module-I |
Mathematical Abilities |
30 |
180 |
1 hour |
| Module-II |
Reasoning and General Intelligence |
30 |
| Section-II |
Module-I |
English Language and Comprehension |
45 |
210 |
1 hour |
| Module-II |
General Awareness |
25 |
| Section-III |
Module-I |
Computer Knowledge Test |
20 |
60 (Qualifying) |
15 Minutes |
Session-II (15 minutes)
| Section |
Task |
Nature |
Duration |
| Section-IV |
Data Entry Speed Test (DEST) |
Qualifying |
15 Minutes |
Negative Marking in Paper-I: A deduction of 1 mark for each incorrect answer in Section-I, Section-II, and Section-III.
Paper-II (2 hours)
For candidates applying for Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) and Statistical Investigator Grade-II posts.
- Statistics: 100 questions, 200 marks. (Negative marking of 0.50 marks for each wrong answer)
Detailed Syllabus for SSC CGL 2025
A thorough understanding of the syllabus is essential for success. Here's a detailed breakdown of the topics for both tiers.
Tier-I Syllabus
General Intelligence & Reasoning
- Analogies (Semantic, Symbolic/Number, Figural)
- Similarities and differences
- Space visualization and orientation
- Problem-solving and analysis
- Judgment and decision making
- Visual memory and discrimination
- Relationship concepts
- Arithmetical reasoning and figural classification
- Arithmetic number series and non-verbal series
- Coding and decoding
- Statement conclusion and syllogistic reasoning
- Problem Solving and Word Building
- Numerical and symbolic Operations
- Venn Diagrams and Drawing inferences
- Pattern folding & un-folding (Punched hole, Figural)
- Embedded Figures and Critical thinking
- Emotional and Social Intelligence
General Awareness
- Current events and matters of everyday observation and experience in their scientific aspect.
- India and its neighboring countries.
- History, Culture, and Geography.
- Economic Scene.
- General Policy & Scientific Research.
Quantitative Aptitude
- Number Systems: Computation of whole numbers, decimals, fractions, and relationships between numbers.
- Fundamental Arithmetical Operations: Percentages, Ratio & Proportion, Square roots, Averages, Interest, Profit and Loss, Discount, Partnership Business, Mixture and Alligation, Time and distance, and Time & Work.
- Algebra: Basic algebraic identities of School Algebra and Elementary surds.
- Geometry: Graphs of Linear Equations, Triangle and its various kinds of centres, Congruence and similarity of triangles, Circle and its chords, tangents, and angles subtended by chords.
- Mensuration: Triangle, Quadrilaterals, Regular Polygons, Circle, Right Prism, Right Circular Cone, Right Circular Cylinder, Sphere, Hemispheres, and Rectangular Parallelepiped.
- Trigonometry: Trigonometric ratios, Degree and Radian Measures, Standard Identities, and Complementary angles.
- Data Interpretation: Histogram, Frequency polygon, Bar diagram & Pie chart.
English Comprehension
This section evaluates the candidate's ability to understand correct English, along with their basic comprehension and writing ability, at a graduation level.
Tier-II Syllabus
Paper-I Syllabus
Part A: Mathematical Abilities
- Number Systems: Computation of Whole Numbers, Decimals and Fractions, relationship between numbers.
- Fundamental arithmetical operations: Percentages, Ratio and Proportion, Square roots, Averages, Interest (Simple and Compound), Profit and Loss, Discount, Partnership Business, Mixture and Alligation, Time and distance, Time and work.
- Algebra: Basic algebraic identities of School Algebra, elementary surds, Graphs of Linear Equations.
- Geometry: Triangle and its various kinds of centres, Congruence and similarity of triangles, Circle and its chords, tangents, angles subtended by chords of a circle, common tangents to two or more circles.
- Mensuration: Triangle, Quadrilaterals, Regular Polygons, Circle, Right Prism, Right Circular Cone, Right Circular Cylinder, Sphere, Hemispheres, Rectangular Parallelepiped, Regular Right Pyramid with triangular or square Base.
- Trigonometry: Trigonometric ratios, Complementary angles, Height and distances (simple problems only), Standard Identities.
- Statistics and probability: Use of Tables and Graphs (Histogram, Frequency polygon, Bar-diagram, Pie-chart), measures of central tendency (mean, median, mode, standard deviation), calculation of simple probabilities.
Part B: Reasoning and General Intelligence
Includes questions on 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 & unfolding, Semantic Series, Figural Pattern-folding and completion, Number Series, Embedded figures, Figural Series, Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, Emotional Intelligence, Word Building, Social Intelligence, Coding and de-coding, Numerical operations, and other sub-topics.
Part A: English Language and Comprehension
- Vocabulary, grammar, sentence structure, synonyms, antonyms and their correct usage.
- Spot the Error, Fill in the Blanks, Synonyms/Homonyms, Antonyms, Spellings/Detecting mis-spelt words.
- Idioms & Phrases, One-word substitution, Improvement of Sentences.
- Active/Passive Voice of Verbs, Conversion into Direct/Indirect narration.
- Shuffling of Sentence parts, Shuffling of Sentences in a passage, Cloze Passage, Comprehension Passage.
Part B: General Awareness
Focuses on India and its neighboring countries especially pertaining to History, Culture, Geography, Economic Scene, General policy, and scientific research.
Section-III: Computer Knowledge/Proficiency
- Computer Basics: Organization of a computer, Central Processing Unit (CPU), input/output devices, computer memory, memory organization, back-up devices, PORTS, Windows Explorer, Keyboard shortcuts.
- Software: Windows Operating system including basics of Microsoft Office like MS word, MS Excel and Power Point.
- Working with Internet and e-mails: Web Browse & Searching, Downloading & Uploading, Managing an E-mail Account, e-Banking.
- Basics of networking and cyber security: Networking devices and protocols, Network and information security threats (like hacking, virus, worms, Trojan etc.) and preventive measures.
Paper-II: Statistics Syllabus
- Collection, Classification and Presentation of Statistical Data: Primary and Secondary data, Methods of data collection; Tabulation of data; Graphs and charts; Frequency distributions; Diagrammatic presentation of frequency distributions.
- Measures of Central Tendency: Common measures of central tendency - mean, median and mode; Partition values - quartiles, deciles, percentiles.
- Measures of Dispersion: Common measures of dispersion - range, quartile deviations, mean deviation and standard deviation; Measures of relative dispersion.
- Moments, Skewness and Kurtosis: Different types of moments and their relationship; meaning of skewness and kurtosis; different measures of skewness and kurtosis.
- Correlation and Regression: Scatter diagram; simple correlation coefficient; simple regression lines; Spearman's rank correlation; Measures of association of attributes; Multiple regression; Multiple and partial correlation (For three variables only).
- Probability Theory: Meaning of probability; Different definitions of probability; Conditional probability; Compound probability; Independent events; Bayes' theorem.
- Random Variable and Probability Distributions: Random variable; Probability functions; Expectation and Variance of a random variable; Higher moments of a random variable; Binomial, Poisson, Normal and Exponential distributions; Joint distribution of two random variable (discrete).
- Sampling Theory: Concept of population and sample; Parameter and statistic, Sampling and non-sampling errors; Probability and non-probability sampling techniques; Sampling distribution (statement only); Sample size decisions.
- Statistical Inference: Point estimation and interval estimation, Properties of a good estimator, Methods of estimation, Testing of hypothesis, Basic concept of testing, Small sample and large sample tests, Tests based on Z, t, Chi-square and F statistic, Confidence intervals.
- Analysis of Variance: Analysis of one-way and two-way classified data.
- Time Series Analysis: Components of time series, Determinations of trend component by different methods, Measurement of seasonal variation by different methods.
- Index Numbers: Meaning of Index Numbers, Problems in the construction of index numbers, Types of index number, Different formulae, Base shifting and splicing of index numbers, Cost of living Index Numbers, Uses of Index Numbers.
