SSC Foundation Programme

SSC CGL: Tier-1 to 4 Syllabus and Exam Pattern

SSC CGL Syllabus  : SSC will be releasing the SSC CGL Syllabus along with official notification of the SSC CGL 2021-22 exam. Candidates who are planning to prepare for the SSC CGL exam have to go through with the latest SSC CGL Syllabus to scale their chances in this exam. A fair knowledge of the SSC CGL Syllabus & exam pattern for Tier-I, Tier-II & III Exam is necessary to prepare effectively for this exam. Let’s understand the SSC CGL Syllabus for Tier I, II, III & IV exams based on the latest pattern.

SSC CGL Syllabus

To begin with the preparation for any exam, the candidates must be aware of the complete & accurate exam pattern along with a detailed SSC CGL syllabus to plan a full-proof strategy to score good marks in the particular exam. The exam pattern & syllabus for each SSC CGL Phase has been discussed in this article. Staff Selection Commission selects candidates for Combined Graduate Level posts through a Four-Tier recruitment process. The selection process begins with Tier-1 & Tier-2 which are MCQ Online Test followed with Tier-3 Descriptive and Tier-4 Skill Test. The mode of all stages of the SSC CGL Exam is as follows-

SSC CGL: Tier-I Exam Pattern

As per SSC CGL Syllabus for Tier-1 Exam, there will be 4 sections with 25 questions each. The time duration for completing the Tier-1 Exam is 60 minutes & there is a negative marking of 0.5 marks for each incorrect answer. Have a look at the SSC CGL Tier-1 Exam Pattern from here-

SSC CGL Tier-I Syllabus- Quantitative Aptitude:

In SSC CGL Tier-1 Exam, the Quantitative Aptitude Questions focus on analysing the candidate's ability of appropriate use of numbers and number sense. This section is common in Tier-1 & Tier-2 and some of the topics are repetitive, so do prepare well to save time during your next stage preparation for the same chapters. The topics for SSC CGL Quantitative Aptitude as set by the commission are as follows-

SSC CGL Tier-I Syllabus- General Intelligence and Reasoning:

The SSC CGL Syllabus for General Intelligence and Reasoning consists of both verbal and non-verbal types of topics. This section will be a key to examining the candidate's activeness and sharpness in any situation. The topics to be covered under SSC CGL Syllabus for General Intelligence and Reasoning are enlisted below-

SSC CGL Tier-I Syllabus- English Language:

Of all the sections in SSC CGL Tier-1, the English section will be only in the English language. The candidates have to solve the questions asked in the exam which would analyse their understandability of the subject and their basic comprehension and writing ability would also be tested. Good command over the following topics would help the candidates to excel good score in this section.

1.       Phrases and Idioms

2.       One word Substitution

3.       Sentence Correction

4.       Error Spotting

5.       Fill in the Blanks

6.       Spellings Correction

7.       Reading Comprehension

8.       Synonyms-Antonyms

9.       Active Passive

10.   Sentence Rearrangement

11.   Sentence Improvement

12.   Cloze test

SSC CGL Tier-I General Awareness Syllabus:

This section would be helpful for testing the candidate's awareness about General Knowledge and General Science and their application to society. Though the syllabus of this section is vast in terms of the following topics.

1.       India and its neighboring countries especially pertaining to History, Culture, Geography, Economic Scene, General Policy & Scientific Research

2.       Science

3.       Current Affairs

4.       Books and Authors

5.       Sports

6.       Important Schemes

7.       Important Days

8.       Portfolio

9.       People in News

SSC CGL Syllabus for Tier 2

After the preliminary exam has been conducted, it will be necessary to gear up for the Tier-2 Exam of the SSC CGL   Exam. The Mains Exam will be conducted online and is an objective multiple-choice exam. This year, the Tier-II & Tier-III exam will be conducted on same day. The major sections asked in SSC CGL Tier-2 Exam are Quantitative Aptitude, English Language and Comprehension, Statistics, General Studies (Finance and Economics). Let’s have a look at the SSC CGL Syllabus

Tier-2 Exam Pattern & Syllabus.

SSC CGL Tier-II Exam Pattern:

There are 4 sections in SSC CGL Tier-2 Paper namely Quantitative Ability, English Language and Comprehension, Statistics, and General Studies (Finance and Economics) for which the pattern has been discussed below.

SSC CGL Tier 2 Syllabus- Quantitative Ability:

The main focus of this section is to check the candidate's knowledge in terms f the appropriate use of numbers and number sense of the candidate. Though the section is also asked in the Tier-1 Exam, however, the level and type of questions will be designed differently and slightly moderate than the 1st stage. So candidate's must buckle up their reparation with the topics listed below-

SSC CGL Tier 2 Syllabus- English Language and Comprehension:

The fluency in the English Language will be tested on the basis of this section of the SSC CGL Tier-2 Syllabus. The basic knowledge about the English language in terms of the following topics is necessary to get good marks in this section of the Tier-2 Exam. The syllabus for reading comprehension is not specific and is added in the syllabus to check candidates' quick responses to the situations.

SSC CGL Tier 2 Syllabus- Statistics:

For some candidate's this section might be tough & difficult to understand. The basic tip is to get the concept clear and repetitive revision of the concepts would be beneficial to grab good marks in this section too. The SSC CGL Tier-2 Syllabus for Statistic is described as follows-

1.         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.

2.         Measures of Central Tendency - Common measures of central tendency – mean median and mode; Partition values- quartiles, deciles, percentiles.

3.         Measures of Dispersion- Common measures dispersion – range, quartile deviations, mean deviation and standard deviation; Measures of relative dispersion.

4.         Moments, Skewness and Kurtosis – Different types of moments and their relationship; meaning of skewness and kurtosis; different measures of skewness and kurtosis.

5.         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).

6.         Probability Theory – Meaning of probability; Different definitions of probability; Conditional probability; Compound probability; Independent events; Bayes‟ theorem.

7.         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).

8.         Sampling Theory – Concept of population and sample; Parameter and statistic, Sampling and non-sampling errors; Probability and nonprobability sampling techniques(simple random sampling, stratified sampling, multistage sampling, multiphase sampling, cluster sampling, systematic sampling, purposive sampling, convenience sampling and quota sampling); Sampling distribution(statement only); Sample size decisions.

9.         Statistical Inference - Point estimation and interval estimation, Properties of a good estimator, Methods of estimation (Moments method, Maximum likelihood method, Least squares method), 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.

10.       Analysis of Variance - Analysis of one-way classified data and two-way classified data.

11.       Time Series Analysis - Components of time series, Determinations of trend component by  different methods, Measurement of seasonal variation by different methods.

12.       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.

SSC CGL Tier 2 Syllabus- General Studies-Finance and Economics:

This section of the SSC CGL Tier 2 Syllabus is divided into 2 parts Finance & Accounts and Economics & Governance for which the sub-topics are detailed below-

Part A: Finance and Accounts-(80 marks):

1.1 Financial Accounting

a)       Nature and scope

b)      Limitations of Financial Accounting

c)       Basic concepts and Conventions

d)      Generally Accepted Accounting Principles

1.2 Basic concepts of accounting

a)       Single and double entry

b)      Books of Original Entry

c)       Bank Reconciliation

d)      Journal, ledgers

e)       Trial Balance

f)        Rectification of Errors

g)       Manufacturing

h)      Trading

i)        Profit & Loss Appropriation Accounts

j)        Balance Sheet

k)       Distinction between Capital and Revenue Expenditure

l)        Depreciation Accounting

m)    Valuation of Inventories

n)      Non-profit organisations Accounts

o)      Receipts and Payments and Income & Expenditure Accounts

p)      Bills of Exchange

q)      Self Balancing Ledgers

Part B: Economics and Governance-(120 marks):

2.1 Comptroller & Auditor General of India- Constitutional provisions, Role and responsibility.

2.2 Finance Commission-Role and functions.

2.3 Basic Concept of Economics and introduction to Micro Economics

a)       Definition

b)      Scope and nature of Economics

c)       Methods of economic study

d)      Central problems of an economy

e)       Production possibilities curve

2.4 Theory of Demand and Supply

a)       Meaning and determinants of demand

b)      Law of demand and Elasticity of demand

c)       Price

d)      Income and cross elasticity

e)       Theory of consumer‟s behaviour

f)        Marshallian approach and Indifference curve approach

g)       Meaning and determinants of supply

h)      Law of supply

i)        The elasticity of Supply

2.5 Theory of Production and cost

a)       Meaning and Factors of production

b)      Laws of production- Law of variable proportions and Laws of returns to scale.

c)       2.6 Forms of Market and price determination in different markets

d)      Various forms of markets-Perfect Competition

e)       Monopoly

f)        Monopolistic Competition

g)       Oligopoly

h)      Price determination in these markets.

2.7 Indian Economy:

2.7.1 Nature of the Indian Economy Role of different sectors, Role of Agriculture, Industry and Services-their problems and growth.

2.7.2 National Income of India-Concepts of national income, Different methods of measuring national income.

2.7.3 Population-Its size, rate of growth and its implication on economic growth.

2.7.4 Poverty and unemployment- Absolute and relative poverty, types, causes and incidence of unemployment.

2.7.5 Infrastructure-Energy, Transportation, Communication.

2.8 Economic Reforms in India

a)         Economic reforms since 1991

b)         Liberalisation

c)         Privatisation

d)         Globalisation

e)         Disinvestment

2.9 Money and Banking:

a)       Monetary/ Fiscal policy- Role and functions of Reserve Bank of India; functions of commercial Banks/RRB/Payment Banks.

b)      Budget and Fiscal deficits and Balance of payments.

c)       Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act, 2003.

2.10 Role of Information Technology in Governance.

Note: Questions in Paper-I will be of Matriculation Level, Paper-II of 10+2 Level and in Paper-III and Paper-IV of Graduation Level.

SSC CGL Tier-III Syllabus

Tier-III of SSC CGL exam is a descriptive exam to test the written skills of the candidates in English/Hindi. The mode of examination is offline (Pen and Paper mode) and students are required to write essays, précis, application, letter etc. in this exam. The exam carries 100 marks and the time allotted for the same is 60 minutes. The time allotted for candidates belonging to PWD category is increased to 80 minutes. Tier-III paper is given by specific candidates who are interested only for the post of “Statistical Investigator Grade-II” & “Compiler”.

SSC CGL Tier-III Exam Pattern

SSC CGL Tier-IV Syllabus (Skill Test):

Tier-IV examination comprises of a couple of skill sets required for certain Government Posts all over the country. SSC CGL Tier-4 is also known as the Data Entry Skill Test that is used for assessing the typing speed of the candidate who qualify in Stage- 1, 2, and 3.

DEST (Data Entry Speed Test): For the post of Tax Assistant (Central Excise and Income Tax), DEST Exam through SSC CGL   exam is conducted to check the typing speed of the candidate. The candidates are given an article in English which they have to type on Computer. A candidate is required to type 2000 words in 15 minutes.

CPT (Computer Proficiency Test): Word Processing, Spread Sheets and Generation of slides are the three modules that are important for this exam and the commission demands a candidate to be proficient in it for the post of CSS, MEA, Inspector (Central Excise), Inspector (Preventive Officer), Inspector (Examiner).

SSC CGL Syllabus: Important Points

Tier-I exam is compulsory for all posts mentioned in the SSC CGL   Notification. Candidates will have to prepare for both Tier 2 and Tier 3 exam simultaneously. However, the evaluation of Tier 3 Descriptive exam will be done only if a candidate clears the combined cut off for Tier 1 and Tier 2. So, candidates may appear for both Tier 2 and Tier 3 exams but your Tier 3 answer sheets will be evaluated only if you clear the cut-off. Tier-IV exam is taken by candidates applying specifically for TA, CSS, MEA and Inspector.

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

In Tier-II, Paper-I and Paper-II are compulsory for all the posts.

Penalty for wrong answers

Giving a wrong answer to a question will lead to deduction of 0.5 marks in Tier – I exam.

In Tier-II, there will be negative marking of 0.25 for each wrong answer in Paper-II (English Language and Comprehension) and of 0.50 marks for each wrong answer in Paper-I, Paper-III and Paper-IV.