Staff Selection Commission (SSC) 2026: Mega Examination Overview
The SSC is India's largest recruiting body for Group B and Group C government positions. For the 2026 cycle, significant structural changes have been enforced across multiple exams, most notably the implementation of strict sectional timers (15 minutes per section) in CGL and CHSL Tier 1, and the Session-based marking split in SSC MTS where Session 1 carries no negative marking. Below is the exhaustive, post-by-post breakdown of the syllabus and physical standards required for every major SSC examination.
SSC Exams 2026: Educational Hierarchy & Key Posts
| Exam Name | Minimum Qualification | Primary Posts Recruited |
|---|---|---|
| SSC CGL (Combined Graduate Level) | Bachelor's Degree | Inspector (Excise/Income Tax), AAO, JSO, Assistant Section Officer (CSS/MEA), Sub-Inspector (CBI/NIA), Auditor. |
| SSC CPO (Central Police Organization) | Bachelor's Degree | Sub-Inspector (Executive) in Delhi Police, Sub-Inspector (GD) in CAPFs (BSF, CISF, CRPF, ITBP, SSB). |
| SSC CHSL (Combined Higher Secondary Level) | 12th Standard Pass | Lower Division Clerk (LDC), Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA), Data Entry Operator (DEO / DEO Grade A). |
| SSC Stenographer (Grade C & D) | 12th Standard Pass | Stenographer Grade C (Group B Non-Gazetted) and Stenographer Grade D (Group C). |
| SSC GD (General Duty Constable) | 10th Standard (Matriculation) | Constable (GD) in CAPFs, Rifleman (GD) in Assam Rifles, Sepoy in Narcotics Control Bureau. |
| SSC MTS & Havaldar (Multi-Tasking Staff) | 10th Standard (Matriculation) | Multi-Tasking Staff (Non-Technical desk jobs) and Havaldar in CBIC/CBN (Uniformed). |
| SSC JE (Junior Engineer) | Degree/Diploma in Engineering | Junior Engineer in Civil, Electrical, and Mechanical disciplines (CPWD, MES, BRO, CWC). |
| SSC JHT (Junior Hindi Translator) | Master's Degree (Hindi/English) | Junior Hindi Translator, Senior Hindi Translator, Hindi Pradhyapak. |
1. SSC CGL Syllabus 2026 (All Posts: Inspectors, ASO, Auditors)
Tier 1 & Tier 2: General Intelligence & Reasoning
- Analogies (Semantic, Symbolic, Number, Figural)
- Coding-Decoding and Figural Classification
- Blood Relations and Direction Distance
- Syllogism and Venn Diagrams
- Paper Folding, Unfolding, Embedded Figures
- Number Series, Figure Series, Pattern Completion
- Critical Thinking, Social Intelligence, Problem Solving
Tier 1 & Tier 2: Quantitative Aptitude
- Number Systems, HCF/LCM, Decimals & Fractions
- Percentage, Ratio & Proportion, Averages
- Profit & Loss, Discount, Simple & Compound Interest
- Time & Work, Time, Speed & Distance
- Basic Algebraic Identities and Linear Equations
- Geometry: Triangles, Congruence, Circles, Chords, Tangents
- Mensuration: Cones, Cylinders, Spheres, Prisms, Pyramids
- Trigonometry: Ratios, Heights & Distances
- Data Interpretation: Histogram, Frequency Polygon, Pie Chart
- Statistics & Probability (Specifically tested in Tier 2 - Paper 1)
Tier 1 & Tier 2: English Language & Comprehension
- Spotting Errors and Sentence Improvement
- Synonyms, Antonyms, Spellings/Mis-spelt words
- Idioms & Phrases, One Word Substitution
- Active & Passive Voice of Verbs
- Direct & Indirect Speech Narration
- Shuffling of Sentence parts (Para-jumbles)
- Cloze Passage and complex Reading Comprehension
Tier 1 & Tier 2: General Awareness
- History (Ancient, Medieval, Modern India)
- Geography (Indian and World Physical Geography)
- Polity (Constitution, Articles, Governance)
- Economy (Budget, Five Year Plans, Macroeconomics)
- General Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology up to 10th level)
- Static GK & Current Affairs (National/International)
Tier 2 Paper 2 (ONLY for Junior Statistical Officer - JSO)
- Collection, Classification, Presentation of Data
- Measures of Central Tendency & Dispersion
- Moments, Skewness, Kurtosis, Correlation & Regression
- Probability Theory, Sampling Theory, Statistical Inference
- Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Time Series
Tier 2 Paper 3 (ONLY for Assistant Audit/Accounts Officer - AAO)
- Financial Accounting, Basic Concepts, Journal, Ledgers
- Trial Balance, Rectification of Errors, Balance Sheet
- C&AG Constitutional Provisions, Finance Commission
- Micro Economics (Demand, Supply, Production, Cost)
- Indian Economy, Economic Reforms, Money and Banking
SSC CGL Physical Standards (Applicable ONLY to specific Uniformed Posts)
| Test | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| Inspector (Central Excise / Preventive / Examiner / CBN) | Height: 157.5 cm | Chest: 81 cm (fully expanded with 5cm expansion) | Walking: 1.6 km in 15 mins | Cycling: 8 km in 30 mins | Height: 152 cm | Weight: 48 kg | Walking: 1 km in 20 mins | Cycling: 3 km in 25 mins |
| Sub-Inspector (CBI) | Height: 165 cm | Vision: 6/6 and 6/9 | Height: 150 cm | Vision: 6/6 and 6/9 |
| Sub-Inspector (NIA) | Height: 170 cm | Chest: 76 cm with expansion | Height: 150 cm | Vision: 6/6 and 6/9 |
2. SSC CHSL Syllabus 2026 (LDC, JSA, DEO)
Tier 1 & Tier 2: Core Subjects
- General Intelligence: Alphanumeric series, Venn diagrams, Coding-Decoding, Paper Folding.
- Quantitative Aptitude: Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Mensuration, Trigonometry.
- English Language: Grammar, Cloze Test, Reading Comprehension, Active/Passive, Direct/Indirect.
- General Awareness: Current Affairs, History, Polity, Geography, Basic Science.
Tier 2 (Session II): Skill Test & Typing Rules
- DEO (C&AG Dept): 15,000 Key Depressions Per Hour (KDPH) in English (15-minute test).
- DEO (Other Depts): 8,000 Key Depressions Per Hour (KDPH) in English (15-minute test).
- LDC / JSA: Typing speed of 35 WPM in English (10,500 KDPH) OR 30 WPM in Hindi (9,000 KDPH) in a 10-minute test.
3. SSC CPO Syllabus 2026 (Sub-Inspector in Delhi Police & CAPFs)
Paper 1 (Objective - 200 Questions / 2 Hours)
- General Intelligence & Reasoning (50 Marks): Spatial orientation, visual memory, arithmetical reasoning, syllogism.
- General Knowledge & Awareness (50 Marks): Current events, India & neighbors, Constitution, Scientific research.
- Quantitative Aptitude (50 Marks): Fractions, roots, percentage, ratio, geometry, mensuration, heights & distances.
- English Comprehension (50 Marks): Grammar, vocabulary, error spotting, fill in the blanks, reading comprehension.
Paper 2 (Objective - 200 Questions / 2 Hours)
- English Language & Comprehension ONLY (200 Marks): Heavy focus on advanced vocabulary, idioms, complex sentence structures, direct/indirect speech, active/passive voice, and extensive reading passages.
SSC CPO Physical Standard Test (PST) & Endurance Test (PET)
| Test | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| PST: Height & Chest Requirements | Height: 170 cm | Chest: 80 cm (Unexpanded) to 85 cm (Expanded) | Height: 157 cm | Chest: Not Applicable |
| PET: 100 Meter Sprint | 16 seconds | 18 seconds |
| PET: Long Distance Race | 1.6 km in 6.5 minutes | 800 meters in 4 minutes |
| PET: Long Jump & High Jump | Long Jump: 3.65 meters (3 chances) | High Jump: 1.2 meters (3 chances) | Long Jump: 2.7 meters (3 chances) | High Jump: 0.9 meters (3 chances) |
| PET: Shot Put (16 Lbs) | 4.5 meters (3 chances) | Not Applicable |
4. SSC MTS & Havaldar Syllabus 2026
Session 1 (Qualifying, 45 Mins, NO Negative Marking)
- Numerical and Mathematical Ability (20 Qs): Integers, LCM/HCF, BODMAS, Percentage, Ratio, Direct/Inverse Proportions, Time & Work, Area/Perimeter of basic shapes, Time & Distance, Graphs.
- Reasoning Ability & Problem Solving (20 Qs): Alpha-Numeric Series, Coding-Decoding, Analogy, Following Directions, Non-verbal reasoning (diagrams), Calendar/Clock.
Session 2 (Merit Deciding, 45 Mins, 1 Mark Negative Penalty)
- General Awareness (25 Qs): Focus on History, Geography, Art & Culture, Civics, Economics, and General Science (up to 10th standard level), Current Affairs.
- English Language (25 Qs): Vocabulary, Synonyms/Antonyms, Grammar, Sentence structure, Spot the error, Reading Comprehension.
SSC Havaldar (CBIC/CBN) Physical Standards
| Test | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| PST: Height & Chest | Height: 157.5 cm | Chest: 81 cm (fully expanded, minimum expansion 5 cm) | Height: 152 cm | Weight: 48 kg minimum |
| PET: Walking Test | 1600 meters in 15 minutes | 1 km in 20 minutes |
5. SSC GD Constable Syllabus 2026
Computer Based Test (80 Questions / 60 Minutes)
- General Intelligence & Reasoning (20 Qs): Spatial visualization, observation, visual memory, arithmetic reasoning, non-verbal series.
- General Knowledge (20 Qs): Sports, History, Culture, Geography, Indian Constitution, Scientific Research.
- Elementary Mathematics (20 Qs): Number systems, decimals, fundamental arithmetic operations, mensuration, ratio, interest, discount.
- English or Hindi Language (20 Qs): Basic comprehension, grammar, vocabulary (candidate can choose the language medium).
SSC GD Constable Physical Efficiency & Standard Test
| Test | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| PST: Minimum Height Requirement | 170 cm (Relaxation down to 162.5 cm for ST candidates) | 157 cm (Relaxation down to 150 cm for ST candidates) |
| PST: Chest Expansion (Male Only) | 80 cm Unexpanded, minimum 5 cm expansion requirement | Not Applicable |
| PET: Racing / Running Test | 5 km race to be completed in 24 minutes | 1.6 km race to be completed in 8.5 minutes |
| PET: Racing (For Ladakh Region Candidates) | 1.6 km in 7 minutes | 800 meters in 5 minutes |
6. SSC JE (Junior Engineer) Syllabus 2026
Paper 1 (Objective: General subjects common for all)
- General Intelligence & Reasoning: Analogy, series, direction, blood relations.
- General Awareness: Current events, Indian history, geography, basic science, economy.
Paper 1 & Paper 2 (Core Engineering Subjects based on discipline)
- Civil Engineering: Building Materials, Surveying, Soil Mechanics, Hydraulics, RCC Design, Steel Design.
- Electrical Engineering: Circuit law, AC Fundamentals, Electrical Machines, Power Systems, Basic Electronics.
- Mechanical Engineering: Thermodynamics, IC Engines, Fluid Mechanics, Theory of Machines, Machine Design.
7. SSC Stenographer & 8. JHT Syllabus
Stenographer (CBT & Skill Test)
- CBT Subjects: General Intelligence & Reasoning (50 Qs), General Awareness (50 Qs), English Language & Comprehension (100 Qs). Note: No Maths section.
- Skill Test: 10 minutes dictation. Grade C requires 100 WPM; Grade D requires 80 WPM. Transcription on computer follows.
Junior Hindi Translator (JHT: Paper 1 & Paper 2)
- Paper 1 (Objective): General Hindi (100 marks) and General English (100 marks) testing grammar, vocabulary, and syntax.
- Paper 2 (Descriptive): Two passages for translation (Hindi to English & English to Hindi) and an Essay in both languages.
Top Clarifications on SSC 2026 Exam Rules
- Q1. Is there really no negative marking in the SSC MTS Exam?
- There is NO negative marking in Session 1 (Maths & Reasoning) of the MTS exam. However, Session 2 (English & General Awareness) has a strict negative marking of 1 mark for every wrong answer. Session 2 determines your final merit rank.
- Q2. How does the sectional timing work for SSC CGL and CHSL Tier 1?
- You will get 15 minutes per section (Maths, English, Reasoning, GK). You cannot jump between sections. Once the 15-minute timer hits zero, the section automatically submits, and you are forced into the next section. Time saved in one section cannot be carried over.
- Q3. Do I need to pass the physical test for all SSC CGL jobs?
- No. The vast majority of SSC CGL jobs (like ASO, Auditor, Tax Assistant) are desk jobs with zero physical requirements. Physical tests are strictly for specific inspector/uniformed roles like CBIC Excise Inspector, CBI Sub-Inspector, and NIA.