The SSC exam syllabus is built on four subjects that the Staff Selection Commission tests again and again: reasoning, quantitative aptitude, English and general awareness. What changes from CGL to GD is the level of those subjects, the number of stages and the extra tests added on top, such as typing, data entry, a physical test or a second paper.
This page compares the main SSC exams and a few related central recruitments so you can pick the one that fits your qualification and age. Then it suggests an order of preparation that lets one round of study serve two or three exams.
Exam at a glance
Conducted by
Staff Selection Commission, Government of IndiaLevels
10th pass (MTS, GD), 12th pass (CHSL, Delhi Police constable), graduate (CGL, CPO)Mode
Computer based tests, plus physical or skill tests for some postsCore subjects
Reasoning, maths, English or Hindi, general awarenessNegative marking
Yes in most papers; the amount differs by exam and tierOfficial website
SSC exam syllabus compared across exams
Use this table to match an exam with your qualification. Age limits are for the general category as given in the latest notices we could confirm; reserved categories get relaxation.
| Exam | Minimum qualification | Age (general) | Stages |
|---|---|---|---|
| SSC CGL | Graduate (some posts need statistics or maths) | 18 to 32, varies by post | Tier 1, Tier 2, document check |
| SSC CHSL | 12th pass | 18 to 27 | Tier 1, Tier 2 with skill or typing test |
| SSC MTS and Havaldar | 10th pass | 18 to 25 (MTS), 18 to 27 (Havaldar) | One CBT in two sessions; PET and PST for Havaldar |
| SSC GD constable | 10th pass | 18 to 23 | CBT, PET, PST, medical |
| SSC CPO (SI) | Graduate | 20 to 25 | Paper 1, PST and PET, Paper 2, medical |
| Delhi Police constable | 12th pass | Check the latest notification | CBT, then a physical endurance and measuring round |
| SSC Stenographer | 12th pass | Differs for Grade C and Grade D | CBT, shorthand skill test |
| SSC JE | Engineering diploma or degree, by post | Varies by department | Paper 1, Paper 2 |
First paper of each exam: questions, marks and time
The first computer based test is where most candidates are filtered out, so its shape decides your speed targets.
| Exam and stage | Questions | Marks | Time | Penalty per wrong answer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CGL Tier 1 | 100 | 200 | 60 minutes | 0.50 |
| CHSL Tier 1 | 100 | 200 | 60 minutes | 0.50 |
| MTS (two sessions) | 90 | 270 | 45 minutes per session | None in Session 1, 1 mark in Session 2 |
| GD constable CBT | 80 | 160 | 60 minutes | 0.25 |
| CPO Paper 1 | 200 | 200 | 2 hours | Check the latest notification |
| Delhi Police constable CBT | 100 | 100 | 90 minutes | 0.25 |
In the CGL and CHSL Tier 2, the penalty rises to 1 mark per wrong answer, and you must clear every section. CGL Tier 1 is only a screening stage; your final rank comes from Tier 2.
SSC syllabus by subject and how it grows with level
Quantitative aptitude
At 10th level (MTS, GD) you meet number system, percentages, ratio, averages, profit and loss, simple interest and time and work. CHSL adds basic algebra, geometry and mensuration. CGL Tier 2 goes further into trigonometry, coordinate geometry and statistics questions on charts.
Reasoning
Analogy, classification, series, coding and decoding, blood relations, direction, Venn diagrams and non-verbal figures appear in every exam. Higher papers add syllogisms, statement and conclusion and longer puzzles.
English
Spotting errors, choosing the right word for a blank, similar and opposite meanings, idioms, one word substitution, active and passive voice, narration and reading passages. GD lets you choose English or Hindi for this section.
General awareness
History, Indian polity, geography, economy, everyday science and current affairs. CHSL and CGL Tier 2 also test computer knowledge, and Delhi Police gives computer basics their own section.
Featured pages in this section
- SSC CGL syllabus: topic lists for both tiers and the statistics paper
- SSC CGL cut off: how post wise and category wise cut offs are set
- SSC CGL previous papers: what past shifts asked and how to practise
- SSC CGL eligibility: age by post and degree conditions
- SSC CHSL syllabus: Tier 1 and Tier 2 with typing and skill tests
- SSC CHSL cut off: qualifying marks and past trends
- SSC CHSL eligibility: 12th rules, including the science and maths condition for some DEO posts
- SSC MTS syllabus: two sessions and the Havaldar physical test
- SSC MTS previous papers: question types in both sessions
- SSC GD syllabus: four sections at 10th level
- SSC GD cut off: force wise and state wise cut offs
- SSC GD eligibility: age, height, chest and running standards
- SSC CPO syllabus: Paper 1, Paper 2 and physical tests for SI posts
- SSC CPO eligibility: graduate entry and physical standards
- SSC JE syllabus: civil, electrical and mechanical papers
- SSC Stenographer syllabus: CBT plus shorthand dictation
- Delhi Police constable syllabus: GK heavy CBT with a computer section
- Delhi Police head constable syllabus: written test and typing
- IB ACIO syllabus: objective and descriptive tiers for intelligence officers
- FCI syllabus: Food Corporation recruitment papers
Order to prepare when you aim at more than one exam
Because the subjects overlap, the smart route is to begin with the widest syllabus that your qualification allows and let the smaller exams come as a bonus. A graduate who prepares properly for CGL is already close to ready for CHSL and the CPO Paper 1, and needs only physical training to try CPO seriously. A 12th pass candidate can aim at CHSL and pick up GD and MTS along the way, since their maths and reasoning sit inside the CHSL level.
- Build arithmetic and reasoning first; they carry half the marks in nearly every first paper.
- Add English grammar and daily reading next, since Tier 2 English carries heavy weight in CGL and CHSL.
- Run general awareness as a daily 40 minute habit rather than a final month rush.
- Add exam specific parts last: data entry and typing for CHSL, shorthand for Stenographer, running practice for GD and CPO.
SSC syllabus in Hindi
एसएससी की अधिकतर परीक्षाएँ चार विषयों पर टिकी हैं: तर्कशक्ति, गणित, अंग्रेज़ी भाषा और देश दुनिया की जानकारी। CGL और CHSL के Tier 1 में 100 प्रश्न, 200 अंक और 60 मिनट होते हैं, और गलत जवाब देने पर प्रति प्रश्न 0.50 अंक घटाए जाते हैं। Tier 2 में कंप्यूटर ज्ञान के साथ टाइपिंग या डेटा एंट्री की जाँच भी होती है। GD परीक्षा में 80 प्रश्न और 160 अंक होते हैं, जिसके बाद शारीरिक परीक्षा होती है। MTS में दो सत्र होते हैं और पहले सत्र में नकारात्मक अंकन नहीं है। आवेदन से पहले नई अधिसूचना ज़रूर पढ़ें।
Frequently asked questions
Is the SSC syllabus the same for CGL and CHSL?
The subjects are the same, and the Tier 1 shape is the same: 100 questions, 200 marks and 60 minutes. CGL questions are set at graduate level and its Tier 2 is longer, while CHSL stays at 12th level.
Which SSC exam is easiest to clear?
No exam is easy, because the easier the paper, the higher the cut off tends to be. MTS and GD have the simplest syllabus, but they also draw the largest number of applicants. Choose by qualification and the post you actually want.
Does every SSC exam have negative marking?
Most papers do. CGL and CHSL Tier 1 deduct 0.50 marks, GD deducts 0.25, and MTS has no penalty in Session 1 but deducts 1 mark per wrong answer in Session 2. Check each notice for the current rule.
Can I take SSC exams in Hindi?
Yes, question papers are offered in Hindi and English, and several exams also allow regional languages. The English section itself is always in English, though GD lets you choose English or Hindi for the language part.
Is there a limit on SSC attempts?
SSC does not cap the number of attempts. Each cycle, your age on the reference date and your qualification decide whether you may sit again.
Where is the official SSC syllabus published?
In the notification for each exam on ssc.gov.in. The scheme of examination and the topic list usually appear near the end of the notice.