SSC CGL

Overview

The SSC CGL exam, conducted by the Staff Selection Commission (SSC), stands for Combined Graduate Level examination. It is a prestigious exam in India that recruits candidates for various Group B and Group C posts in government ministries, departments, and organizations. 

The SSC CGL exam serves to select candidates for non-technical and non-gazetted posts in various government departments and ministries. It aims to fill positions that require a graduate-level educational qualification and the candidates selected through this exam are responsible to act upon various job responsibilities ranging from administrative tasks to clerical work, statistical analysis, and more specialized functions depending on the department or ministry. The posts available through SSC CGL include, but are not limited to:

  1. Assistant Audit Officer: In the Indian Audit & Accounts Department under CAG.
  2. Assistant Section Officer: In Central Secretariat Service (CSS) and other ministries.
  3. Inspector of Income Tax: In CBDT.
  4. Inspector (Central Excise, Preventive Officer, Examiner): In CBIC.
  5. Sub Inspector: In CBI, NIA, and other central police organizations.
  6. Assistant Enforcement Officer: In the Directorate of Enforcement, Department of Revenue.
  7. Statistical Investigator: In Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation.
  8. Junior Statistical Officer: In the Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation.
  9. Auditor/Junior Accountant: In various departments and offices.
  10. Tax Assistant: In CBDT and CBIC.

Exam Highlights

Exam Name

SSC CGL (Combined Graduate Level)

Conducting Authority

Staff Selection Commission (SSC)

Exam Level

National

Exam Frequency

Annual

Eligibility Criteria

Graduation in any discipline from a recognized university

Age Limit

Generally 20-30 years, varies by post

Exam Stages

Tier I: Computer-Based Examination (CBT)

Tier II: CBT (for qualified Tier I candidates)

Tier III: Descriptive Paper (Pen and Paper mode)

Tier IV: Skill Test/Computer Proficiency Test (where applicable)

Posts Offered

Assistant Audit Officer, Assistant Section Officer, Inspector of Income Tax, Inspector (Central Excise, Preventive Officer, Examiner), Sub Inspector, Assistant Enforcement Officer, Statistical Investigator, Junior Statistical Officer, Auditor, Junior Accountant, Tax Assistant, and others

Selection Process

Tier I (Preliminary), Tier II (Mains), Tier III (Descriptive), Tier IV (Skill Test/Computer Proficiency Test)

Official Website

https://ssc.gov.in

Eligibility

The eligibility criteria for the SSC CGL (Combined Graduate Level) examination are designed to ensure a fair and inclusive selection process for candidates aspiring to join prestigious government positions in India. As per the guidelines set by the Staff Selection Commission (SSC), applicants must meet specific requirements related to nationality, age, and educational qualifications. Eligible candidates include Indian citizens, subjects of Nepal and Bhutan, and individuals of Indian origin who have migrated from specified countries with the intention of permanently settling in India. The detailed eligibility criteria for the SSC CGL exam are as follows:

  1. Age Limit: As of 1st August 2024, the age limits vary based on the posts:
    • For some posts, the age limit is 18-27 years.
    • For others, it ranges from 20-30 years, 18-30 years, and 18-32 years. Specific birth date ranges are provided for each category.
  2. Age Relaxation: Permissible age relaxation is provided for various categories such as SC/ST, OBC, PwBD (Persons with Benchmark Disabilities), Ex-Servicemen, Defence Personnel disabled during hostilities, and Central Govt. Civilian Employees, and certain categories of widows/divorced women.
  3. Educational Qualifications:
    • Junior Statistical Officer: Bachelor’s Degree with at least 60% marks in Mathematics at 12th standard level, or Bachelor’s Degree with Statistics as one of the subjects at the degree level.
    • Statistical Investigator Grade-II: Bachelor’s Degree with Statistics as one of the subjects.
    • Research Assistant in NHRC: Bachelor’s Degree; desirable qualifications include research experience or a degree in Law/Human Rights.
    • For all other posts, a Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized University or equivalent is required.
  4. Final Year Candidates: Candidates appearing in their final year of graduation can also apply, provided they possess the required educational qualification on or before the cut-off date (1st August 2024).

Exam Pattern

The SSC CGL (Combined Graduate Level) examination is conducted in multiple tiers to select candidates for various prestigious government posts. The exam pattern includes two tiers of Computer Based Examinations (Tier I and Tier II). Tier I comprises four sections: General Intelligence and Reasoning, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, and English Comprehension, each carrying equal weightage. Tier II consists of multiple papers depending on the post applied for, including compulsory and optional papers. The examination is followed by normalization of scores and tentative answer key release, allowing candidates to challenge discrepancies. It is crucial for applicants to understand the detailed scheme of examinations to prepare effectively:

Exam Pattern for Tier I

Tier I will consist of Objective Type, Multiple choice questions. The questions will be set both in English & Hindi except for English Comprehension. 

Subject

Number of Questions

Maximum Marks

Time Allowed

Mode of Examination

Negative Marking

General Intelligence and Reasoning

25

50

1 hour

Objective Type, CBT (English & Hindi)

0.50 for Each Incorrect Answer

General Awareness

25

50

Quantitative Aptitude

25

50

English Comprehension

25

50

Exam Pattern for Tier II

Tier II of the SSC CGL examination consists of two papers: Paper I and Paper II, which are conducted in separate shifts or days. Paper I is mandatory for all candidates applying for various posts under SSC CGL. Paper II, on the other hand, is specifically for candidates applying for the posts of Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) in the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, and Statistical Investigator Grade-II in the office of Registrar General of India (M/o Home Affairs). Only candidates who are shortlisted in Tier I for these specific posts are eligible to appear for Paper II.

Paper

Session

Section

Subject

Number of Questions

Total Marks

Time Allowed

Paper-I

Session-I

Section-I

Module-I: Mathematical Abilities

30

60*3=180

2 hours and 15 minutes (1 hour and 20 minutes for the

candidates eligible for

scribe)

 

[1 hour For each section]

Module-II: Reasoning and General Intelligence

30

Section-II

Module-I: English Language and Comprehension

45

70*3=210

Module-II: General Awareness

25

Section-III

Module-I: Computer Knowledge

20

20*3=60

15 minutes (For each module)

 

20 minutes for the

candidates eligible for

scribe

Session-II

Section-III

Module-II: Data Entry Speed Test Module

One Data Entry Task

-

Paper II

Statistics

100

100*2=200

2 hours (2 hours and 40 minutes for the

candidates eligible for

scribe)

Important Dates

The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) released the notification for the SSC CGL (Combined Graduate Level) examination on 24th June 2024, marking the commencement of the application process for one of India's most prestigious government recruitment exams. Aspiring candidates are required to submit their applications online on the specified dates. The following are crucial dates to remember:

Event

Date

Submission of online applications

24th June 2024 to 24th July 2024

Last date and time for receipt of online applications

24th July 2024 (23:00)

Last date and time for making online fee payment

25th July 2024 (23:00)

Window for Application Form Correction

10th August 2024 to 11th August 2024 (23:00)

Tentative Schedule of Tier I (CBT) Examination

September-October 2024

Tentative Schedule of Tier II (CBT) Examination

December 202

Official Notification

The SSC CGL 2024 notification provides comprehensive details essential for candidates. It includes application procedures, examination scheme, examination centers, syllabus, important dates, eligibility criteria, and more. Applicants must register and apply online via the SSC website, specifying preferred examination centers. Clear instructions ensure candidates understand eligibility requirements, submission procedures, and examination logistics. Candidates can click the given link to access the SSC CGL 2024 official notification.

SSC CGL 2024 Official Notification

https://ssc.gov.in/api/attachment/uploads/masterData/NoticeBoards/Notice_of_CGLE_2024_06_24.pdf

Application Procedure

The application window for SSC CGL 2024 is open from  June 24 to July 24. The candidates are recommended to fill out the application form available online with due diligence as the commission will not be responsible for candidates' inability to submit applications due to technical reasons or heavy website traffic (as mentioned in the official notification). To apply online for the SSC CGL (Staff Selection Commission Combined Graduate Level) exam, follow these detailed steps:

  1. Visit https://ssc.gov.in and submit your application online.
  2. If not done, generate OTR on the SSC website.
  3. Capture and upload a clear, frontal photo as per guidelines.
  4. Scan and upload your signature in JPEG/JPG format.
  5. Enter personal & educational details, exam center preferences, and post choices.
  6. Pay the application fee online, if applicable.
  7. Verify details, upload documents, and submit the application.
  8. Use Preview/Print to check correctness and keep a printed copy.

Syllabus

The SSC CGL 2024 examination syllabus is structured to assess candidates' abilities across various sections. Tier I comprises four parts: General Intelligence and Reasoning, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, and English Comprehension. Parts A, B, and D are aligned with graduate-level qualifications, while Part C tests fundamental knowledge at the 10th standard level. While in Tier II, Module-I of Section-I in Paper I (Mathematical Abilities) will feature questions at the Matriculation level. In Module-I of Section-II in Paper I (English Language and Comprehension), the questions will be set at the 10+2 level. Paper II will encompass questions at the Graduation level. The indicative syllabus for SSC CGL Tier I and Tier II is as given in the tables below:

English

  • Reading Comprehension
  • Idioms and Phrases
  • One word Substitution
  • Sentence Correction
  • Active Passive
  • Spellings Correction
  • Fill in the Blanks
  • Sentence Rearrangement
  • Synonyms-Antonyms
  • Cloze test
  • Sentence Improvement
  • Error Spotting

General Awareness

  • Important Days
  • Science
  • India and its neighboring countries especially about History, Culture, Geography, Economic Scene, General Policy & Scientific Research
  • People in News
  • Sports
  • Static GK
  • Important Schemes
  • Portfolio
  • Books and Authors
  • Current Affairs

General Intelligence and Reasoning

  • Discrimination
  • Observation
  • Coding and decoding
  • Arithmetic number series
  • Relationship concepts
  • Arithmetical reasoning
  • Figural classification
  • Statement conclusion
  • Syllogistic reasoning
  • Similarities and differences
  • Space visualization
  • Spatial orientation
  • Problem-solving
  • Analysis
  • Non-verbal series
  • Judgment
  • Blood Relations
  • Decision making
  • Visual memory
  • Analogies

Quantitative Aptitude

  • Percentage
  • Partnership Business
  • Time and distance
  • Time & Work
  • Mixture and Alligation
  • Decimals
  • Fractions
  • Quadrilaterals
  • Regular Polygons
  • Right Prism
  • Right Circular Cone
  • Interest
  • Sphere
  • Basic algebraic identities of School Algebra & Elementary surds
  • Profit and Loss
  • Discount
  • Relationships between numbers
  • Ratio and Proportion
  • Square roots
  • Computation of whole numbers
  • Right Circular Cylinder
  • Triangle and its various kinds of centres
  • Graphs of Linear Equations
  • Averages
  • Congruence and similarity of triangles
  • Circle and its chords, tangents, angles subtended by chords of a circle, common tangents to two or more circles
  • Complementary angles
  • Bar diagram & Pie chart
  • Triangle
  • Frequency polygon
  • Degree and Radian Measures
  • Hemispheres
  • Histogram
  • Regular Right Pyramid with triangular or square base
  • Trigonometric ratio
  • Heights and Distances
  • Standard Identities
  • Rectangular Parallelepiped

Paper

Section

Module

Topics

Paper-I

Section-I

Module-I

 

(Mathematical Abilities)

- Number Systems: Computation of Whole Number, Decimal 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 (simple problems), 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, Prism, Cone, Cylinder, Sphere, Hemispheres, Rectangular Parallelepiped, Pyramid.

- Trigonometry: Trigonometric ratios, Complementary angles, Height and distances (simple problems), Standard Identities like sin2θ + cos2θ = 1.

Section-I

Module-II

 

(Reasoning and General Intelligence)

- Verbal and non-verbal type questions including Semantic Analogy, Symbolic operations, Classification, Drawing inferences, Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, Emotional Intelligence, Word Building, Social Intelligence, Coding and decoding, Numerical operations, Other subtopics as applicable.

Section-II

Module-I

 

(English Language and Comprehension)

- Vocabulary, Grammar, Sentence structure, Synonyms, Antonyms, Spot the Error, Fill in the Blanks, Idioms & Phrases, One word substitution, Improvement of Sentences, Active/ Passive Voice, Direct/ Indirect narration, Shuffling of Sentence parts, Shuffling of Sentences in a passage, Cloze Passage, Comprehension Passage.

Paper-I

Section-II

Module-II

 

(General Awareness)

- Questions based on General Awareness, Current events, Everyday observation and experience, History, Culture, Geography, Economic Scene, General policy, Scientific research.

Paper-I

Section-III

Module-I

 

(Computer Proficiency)

- Computer Basics: Organization of a computer, CPU, Input/ Output devices, Memory, Back up devices, Ports, Windows Explorer, Keyboard shortcuts.

- Software: Windows Operating system, Basics of Microsoft Office like MS Word, MS Excel, Power Point, etc.

- Working with the Internet and e-mails: Web Browsing & 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 (hacking, virus, worms, Trojan), Preventive measures.

Paper II (Statistics)

- Collection, Classification and Presentation of Statistical Data, Measures of Central Tendency, Measures of Dispersion, Moments, Skewness and Kurtosis, Correlation and Regression, Probability Theory, Probability Distributions, Random Variable, Sampling Theory, Statistical Inference, Analysis of Variance, Time Series Analysis, Index Numbers.

Admit Card

Candidates appearing for SSC CGL 2024 need to follow the below-mentioned quick steps to download the SSC CGL Admit Card 2024 as the admit cards may be released one week before the examination date. 

  1. Visit Official Website: Go to the official SSC website at ssc.gov.in.
  2. Navigate to the Admit Card Section: Look for the "Admit Card" option on the homepage.
  3. Select Region: Click on the region that corresponds to your application.
  4. Find SSC CGL Tier 1 Admit Card 2024: Locate and click on the link for "STATUS / DOWNLOAD ADMIT CARD FOR Combined Graduate Level Examination (Tier I), 2024."
  5. Enter Details: Enter your Roll No./Registration ID and Date of Birth/Password as provided during registration.
  6. Choose Exam City: Select your preferred exam city as specified during registration.
  7. View Admit Card: Your SSC CGL Admit Card 2024 will appear on the screen.
  8. Download and Print: Download the admit card and print a hard copy for exam day.