SSC CGL 2024 Tier-1 Solved Question Paper with Official Answer Key PDF

SSC CGL 2024 Tier-1: Fully Solved Paper & Comprehensive Analysis

1. Executive Summary & Difficulty Analysis

The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) conducted the Combined Graduate Level (CGL) 2024 Tier-1 examination across multiple shifts nationwide. Overall, the difficulty level of the examination was rated as Easy to Moderate, maintaining the standardized benchmark set in recent years. Candidate selection depends heavily on accuracy, speed, and strategic section prioritization due to the strict 60-minute time limit for 100 questions.

Section-wise trends revealed that General Intelligence & Reasoning remained the most scoring section, consisting predominantly of familiar patterns like coding-decoding, blood relations, and syllogisms, along with a few tricky non-verbal series. Quantitative Aptitude was balanced; basic concepts of Arithmetic (Profit & Loss, Time & Work, Percentages) and Advanced Mathematics (Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry) were directly tested, though a few calculation-heavy questions required careful time management.

General Awareness proved to be the key differentiator, featuring a mix of Static GK (Art & Culture, Classical Dances, Constitutional Articles, Indian History) and Current Affairs spanning the preceding 6 to 8 months. English Comprehension maintained a straightforward profile, focusing on fundamental grammar rules, active/passive voice, direct/indirect speech, standard idioms, and contextual vocabulary.

2. Official Exam Pattern & Marking Scheme

3. High-Yield Solved Questions (with Detailed Step-by-Step Solutions)

Question 1

In a certain code language, 'SMART' is written as 'UKCPV' and 'GREAT' is written as 'ITECV'. How will 'CANDLE' be written in that same code language?

• AECPFNG
• BECPFNF
• CEQPFNG
• DECPFMG

Correct Option: (A)

Examine the pattern between the original letters and their corresponding coded positions using alphabetical order values:

• •S (19) + 2 = U (21)
• •M (13) - 2 = K (11)
• •A (1) + 2 = C (3)
• •R (18) - 2 = P (16)
• •T (20) + 2 = V (22)

The logic follows an alternating pattern of +2 and -2 additions to letter position numbers:

• •C (3) + 2 = E (5)
• •A (1) - 2 = Y (or if standard +2 logic applies to consonants/vowels, let's verify direct positional shifting):
• •C (+2) = E
• •A (+2) = C
• •N (+2) = P
• •D (+2) = F
• •L (+2) = N
• •E (+2) = G

Checking 'GREAT' to 'ITECV':

• •G (7) + 2 = I (9)
• •R (18) - 2 = P (Wait: R -> T is +2)
• •E (5) - 2 = C (3)
• •A (1) + 2 = C (3)
• •T (20) + 2 = V (22)

Every letter in the word undergoes a straight forward shift of +2 forward in alphabetical order:

• •C + 2 = E
• •A + 2 = C
• •N + 2 = P
• •D + 2 = F
• •L + 2 = N
• •E + 2 = G

Thus, CANDLE becomes ECPFNG.

Question 2

Select the logical number from among the given options that can replace the question mark (?) in the following series:

12, 23, 45, 89, 177, ?

• A353
• B354
• C355
• D351

Correct Option: (A)

Analyze the numerical difference or operational relation between successive terms:

• •12 × 2 - 1 = 24 - 1 = 23
• •23 × 2 - 1 = 46 - 1 = 45
• •45 × 2 - 1 = 90 - 1 = 89
• •89 × 2 - 1 = 178 - 1 = 177
• •177 × 2 - 1 = 354 - 1 = 353

Therefore, the missing number in the series is 353.

Question 3

Three statements are given followed by three conclusions. Assuming the statements to be true, choose which of the conclusions logically follow(s).

Statements:

1. All chairs are tables.
2. All tables are desks.
3. No desk is a bed.

Conclusions:

I. Some desks are chairs.

II. No chair is a bed.

III. Some tables are beds.

• AOnly conclusions I and II follow
• BOnly conclusions II and III follow
• COnly conclusion I follows
• DAll conclusions I, II, and III follow

Correct Option: (A)

1. Conclusion I: Since "All chairs are tables" and "All tables are desks", it implies "All chairs are desks". By conversion, "Some desks are chairs" is True.
2. Conclusion II: Since "All chairs are desks" and "No desk is a bed", no part of "chairs" can ever overlap with "beds". Hence, "No chair is a bed" is True.
3. Conclusion III: Since "All tables are desks" and "No desk is a bed", no table can be a bed. Thus, "Some tables are beds" is False.

Hence, Only conclusions I and II follow.

Question 4

Which Article of the Constitution of India grants powers to the President to promulgate Ordinances during the recess of Parliament?

• AArticle 110
• BArticle 123
• CArticle 213
• DArticle 143

Correct Option: (B)

• •Article 123 of the Indian Constitution empowers the President of India to promulgate Ordinances when either of the two Houses of Parliament is not in session, provided the President is satisfied that circumstances exist requiring immediate action. An ordinance carries the same force as an Act of Parliament but is temporary.
• •Article 213 empowers the Governor of a State to issue ordinances during the recess of the State Legislature.
• •Article 110 defines a Money Bill.
• •Article 143 provides Advisory Jurisdiction to the Supreme Court upon presidential reference.

Question 5

What is the chemical name and formula of Baking Soda?

• ASodium Carbonate, Na₂CO₃
• BSodium Hydrogen Carbonate, NaHCO₃
• CCalcium Hydroxide, Ca(OH)₂
• DSodium Hydroxide, NaOH

Correct Option: (B)

• •Baking Soda is chemically known as Sodium Hydrogen Carbonate (or Sodium Bicarbonate), represented by the chemical formula NaHCO₃.
• •Na₂CO₃ is Sodium Carbonate (commonly known as Washing Soda when hydrated as Na₂CO₃·10H₂O).
• •Ca(OH)₂ is Calcium Hydroxide (Slaked Lime).
• •NaOH is Sodium Hydroxide (Caustic Soda).

Question 6

Who among the following social reformers founded the 'Prarthana Samaj' in Bombay in 1867?

• ARaja Ram Mohan Roy
• BSwami Dayananda Saraswati
• CDr. Atmaram Pandurang
• DJyotirao Phule

Correct Option: (C)

• •Prarthana Samaj (Prayer Society) was established in 1867 in Bombay by Dr. Atmaram Pandurang, with substantial institutional support from Mahadev Govind Ranade and R.G. Bhandarkar. Its primary objective was religious and social reform, emphasizing monotheism and opposing caste rigidity and child marriage.
• •Raja Ram Mohan Roy founded the Brahmo Samaj (1828).
• •Swami Dayananda Saraswati founded the Arya Samaj (1875).
• •Jyotirao Phule founded the Satyashodhak Samaj (1873).

Question 7

The First Five-Year Plan (1951–1956) of India was based primarily on which economic model?

• AMahalanobis Model
• BHarrod-Domar Model
• CSolow-Swan Model
• DGadgil Strategy

Correct Option: (B)

• •The First Five-Year Plan (1951–1956) was based on the Harrod-Domar Model, focusing heavily on agriculture, irrigation, and power projects to stabilize the post-independence economy and handle food grain shortages.
• •The Second Five-Year Plan (1956–1961) was based on the Feldman-Mahalanobis Model, emphasizing rapid industrialization and heavy industries.

Question 8

If x + 1/x = 4, what is the value of x³ + 1/x³?

• A52
• B64
• C48
• D76

Correct Option: (A)

Using the algebraic identity for the sum of cubes:

If x + 1/x = k, then:

x³ + 1/x³ = (x + 1/x)³ - 3(x)(1/x)(x + 1/x)

x³ + 1/x³ = k³ - 3k

Given k = 4:

x³ + 1/x³ = (4)³ - 3(4)

x³ + 1/x³ = 64 - 12 = 52

Therefore, the correct value is 52.

Question 9

In a circle with center O, two chords AB and CD intersect internally at point P inside the circle. If AP = 4 cm, PB = 9 cm, and CP = 3 cm, calculate the length of PD.

• A8 cm
• B10 cm
• C12 cm
• D15 cm

Correct Option: (C)

According to the Intersecting Chords Theorem, when two chords intersect inside a circle, the product of their segments is equal:

AP × PB = CP × PD

Substitute the given values into the formula:

4 × 9 = 3 × PD

36 = 3 × PD

PD = 36 / 3

PD = 12 cm

Hence, the length of segment PD is 12 cm.

Question 10

A trader marks his goods 25% above the cost price and allows a discount of 10% on the marked price to his customers. What is his net profit percentage?

• A15%
• B12.5%
• C10%
• D14.5%

Correct Option: (B)

Let the Cost Price (CP) of the item = Rs 100.

Marked Price (MP) = CP + 25% of CP = 100 + 25 = Rs 125.

Discount offered = 10% on MP

Selling Price (SP) = MP - (10% of MP)

SP = 125 - (0.10 × 125) = 125 - 12.5 = Rs 112.50

Net Profit = SP - CP = 112.50 - 100 = Rs 12.50

Net Profit Percentage = (Profit / CP) × 100 = (12.5 / 100) × 100 = 12.5%.

Question 11

Parts of the following sentence have been given as options. One of them contains a grammatical error. Select the option that contains the error:

"Neither the supervisor nor the workers was present at the site when the structural collapse occurred."

• Awhen the structural collapse occurred
• BNeither the supervisor
• Cnor the workers was present
• Dat the site

Correct Option: (C)

• •Grammar Rule: When two subjects are connected by "Neither... nor" or "Either... or", the verb must agree in number with the subject closer to it (Subject Proximity Rule).
• •Here, the subject closer to the verb is "the workers", which is plural.
• •Therefore, the singular verb "was" must be replaced with the plural verb "were".
• •Corrected sentence: "Neither the supervisor nor the workers were present at the site when the structural collapse occurred."

Question 12

Select the option that gives the most appropriate meaning of the underlined idiom:

"The whistleblower decided to spill the beans during the federal inquiry."

• ATo damage agricultural produce
• BTo reveal secret information prematurely or unintentionally
• CTo perform a tedious and boring task
• DTo make a costly financial error

Correct Option: (B)

The idiomatic expression "to spill the beans" means to disclose confidential or secret information to others, especially unexpectedly or before the proper time. Thus, option (B) correctly captures its contextual meaning.

4. Quick Official Answer Key (At a Glance)

5. Category-Wise Expected Cut-Off Marks

The expected cut-off marks for shortlisting candidates for Tier-2 examination (normalized marks out of 200) based on difficulty metrics and historical trends:

6. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• •Q: What is the negative marking policy in SSC CGL 2024 Tier-1?

A: Tier-1 has a negative marking penalty of 0.50 marks for every incorrect response. Each correct answer carries 2 marks, making the penalty exactly 1/4th (25%) of the weightage of a correct answer. Unattempted questions carry no penalty.

• •Q: Where can I check the official response sheet and answer key?

A: SSC releases the Tentative Answer Key along with Candidate Response Sheets on its official website (ssc.gov.in). Candidates can log in using their Roll Number and Password to view their marked options and submit representations/challenges online within the stipulated window by paying Rs 100 per challenged question.

• •Q: How will normalization be calculated across multiple shifts?

A: Because the examination is conducted across multiple shifts with varying difficulty levels, SSC employs a standard Mean-Standard Deviation Normalization formula. This formula adjusts candidate scores based on the raw performance distribution of their specific shift relative to the average performance across all shifts.