Last Verified: 2026-03-01 from official conducting body notifications.
Official Overview & Examination Scope
Purpose, Scope & Academic Impact
SSC CGL is one of the most widely taken competitive exams in India with over 25 lakh applicants. It is the premier recruitment vehicle for high-prestige central government positions including Assistant Section Officer (ASO in CSS, MEA, IB, Railway Board), Inspector of Income Tax, Central Excise Inspector, Assistant Enforcement Officer (ED), and Sub-Inspector in CBI.
Eligibility Criteria & Academic Qualifications
Exam Pattern & Test Structure
Total: 390 Marks (Tier-II Merit Score)| Section / Paper | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tier-I: General Intelligence & Reasoning | 25 Questions | 50 Marks | 60 Mins (Integrated) |
| Tier-I: General Awareness | 25 Questions | 50 Marks | 60 Mins (Integrated) |
| Tier-I: Quantitative Aptitude | 25 Questions | 50 Marks | 60 Mins (Integrated) |
| Tier-I: English Comprehension | 25 Questions | 50 Marks | 60 Mins (Integrated) |
| Tier-II Section 1: Math & Reasoning | Math (30 Qs) + Reasoning (30 Qs) = 60 Qs | 180 Marks (+3, -1) | 1 Hour |
| Tier-II Section 2: English & General Awareness | English (45 Qs) + GA (25 Qs) = 70 Qs | 210 Marks (+3, -1) | 1 Hour |
| Tier-II Section 3: Computer Knowledge & Typing | Computer (20 Qs/60 M, qualifying) + Data Entry Typing | Qualifying | 30 Minutes |
Tier-I: +2 correct, -0.50 wrong (Qualifying). Tier-II: +3 correct, -1 wrong. Final merit ranking is based purely on Tier-II Sections 1 & 2 (390 Marks total).
Negative Marking Rule: -0.50 marks penalty in Tier-I; -1 mark penalty in Tier-II
Recommended Preparation Roadmap & Strategy
Cutoff Trends & Score Benchmark
Tier-I qualifying cutoff typically ranges between 135 and 150 out of 200. Tier-II final cutoff for top 4600 GP posts (ASO in MEA, Income Tax Inspector) hovers around 325-345 out of 390.
Recruited Posts, Services & Cadres
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tier-I score counted in the final SSC CGL merit list?
No, under the revised pattern, Tier-I is purely a qualifying screening examination. Final merit ranking and post allocation are based entirely on Tier-II marks (390 marks total).
Is the typing test (DEST) mandatory for all posts in SSC CGL?
Yes, the Data Entry Speed Test (DEST) typing module is mandatory for all candidates appearing in Tier-II, though it is qualifying in nature.
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