📑 On this page:
📌 1. Structure of Paper I
| Session | Section / Module | Questions × marks | Time | Counted in merit? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Session I (2 h 15 min) | Section I — A: Mathematical Abilities, B: Reasoning & General Intelligence | (30 + 30) × 3 = 180 | 1 hour (30 min per module) | Yes |
| Session I | Section II — A: English Language & Comprehension, B: General Awareness | (45 + 25) × 3 = 210 | 1 hour (40 + 20 min) | Yes |
| Session I | Section III — Computer Knowledge Test | 20 × 3 = 60 | 15 min | No — qualifying |
| Session II (15 min) | Section IV — Data Entry Speed Test (DEST) | 1 data entry task | 15 min | No — qualifying |
- −1 for every wrong answer in Sections I–III. Each section must be qualified separately.
- Each section (and each module) closes automatically when its time is up — sectional timing as in Tier 1.
- Full pattern and merit rules: Exam Pattern 2026.
📌 2. Section I: Mathematical Abilities + Reasoning (60 questions, 180 marks)
Difference from Tier 1: Maths adds Statistics & Probability (mean, median, mode, SD, simple probability) and questions rise from 25 to 30; the level is matriculation.
| Official syllabus topic | Where to study (Common Notes) |
|---|---|
| Number systems; fundamental arithmetical operations (percentage, ratio, square roots, averages, interest, profit-loss, discount, partnership, mixture, time-distance, time-work) | The same chapters as the Tier 1 Map — Quant |
| Algebra (identities, surds, graphs of linear equations) | Algebra (§4 graphs), Simplification, Indices & Surds |
| Geometry, Mensuration, Trigonometry, Heights & Distances | Geometry, Mensuration 2D, Mensuration 3D (§2 prism and pyramid), Trigonometry (§3 degree and radian), Heights & Distances |
| Statistics & Probability: tables and graphs (histogram, frequency polygon, bar, pie); mean, median, mode, standard deviation; simple probability | Data Interpretation, Statistics, Probability |
| Reasoning (same list as Tier 1: analogy, classification, series, coding, Venn, punched hole, embedded figures, critical thinking, problem solving, word building, numerical operations etc.) | Reasoning — Common Notes (topic-wise: Tier 1 Map — Reasoning) |
📌 3. Section II: English + General Awareness (70 questions, 210 marks)
Difference from Tier 1: English rises from 25 to 45 questions (10+2 level) with editorial-type RC passages; English gets 40 minutes and GA only 20 minutes.
| Official syllabus topic | Where to study (Common Notes) |
|---|---|
| Vocabulary: synonyms, antonyms, homonyms, spellings, idioms, one-word substitution | Synonyms & Antonyms, Homonyms, Spelling, Idioms & Phrases, One-Word Substitution |
| Grammar: spot the error, fill in the blanks, improvement of sentences, active/passive, direct/indirect | Error Spotting, Fill in the Blanks, Sentence Improvement, Active & Passive Voice, Direct & Indirect Speech |
| Shuffling of sentence parts / sentences, cloze passage | Para Jumbles, Cloze Test |
| Comprehension: 3 or more passages — at least one based on a book/story, two on a current-affairs report or editorial | Reading Comprehension |
| General Awareness (as in Tier 1: history, culture, geography, economy, policy, science, current events) | Tier 1 Map — GA + Current Affairs + Static GK |
⚠️ Exam Trap
- Section II has 70 questions × 3 = 210 marks — the largest part of Paper I. The 45 English questions alone carry 135 marks.
📌 4. Section III: Computer Knowledge Test (20 questions, 60 marks, qualifying)
Whole subject: Computer Awareness — Common Notes. Section III is qualifying, but its cut-off is higher for Computer Proficiency posts such as ASO in CSS/MEA/AFHQ, CBIC Inspector and Postal Assistant.
| Official syllabus topic | Where to study (Common Notes) |
|---|---|
| Computer basics: organisation of a computer, CPU, input/output devices, ports | Computer Fundamentals, Hardware & Input-Output Devices |
| Computer memory, memory organisation, back-up devices | Memory & Storage |
| Windows Explorer, keyboard shortcuts, Windows OS | Software, Languages & Operating Systems, Abbreviations & Shortcuts |
| MS Word, MS Excel, PowerPoint | MS Office |
| Internet and e-mail: browsing, searching, downloading-uploading, managing an e-mail account | Internet, Web & E-mail |
| e-Banking | e-Banking & Digital Payments, Money & Banking |
| Networking devices and protocols | Computer Networking |
| Security threats (hacking, virus, worms, Trojan) and prevention | Cyber Security & IT Act |
The 159 Computer questions in the 8 CGL Tier 2 Paper I PYQ papers (2022–2025): computer basics 28%, MS Office 25%, networking & cyber security 23%, software & OS 13%, internet & e-mail 11% (full table: part 6 below).
📌 5. Section IV: Data Entry Speed Test (DEST, qualifying)
- One passage of about 2000 key depressions to be typed on a computer in 15 minutes (Session II, same day).
- Compulsory for all posts but qualifying. Maximum errors allowed: UR 20%, OBC/EWS 25%, others 30%.
- Tax Assistant (CBIC, CBDT), UDC/SSA in CBN and Computer Proficiency posts have a higher DEST standard.
- PwBD-OH candidates can get an exemption with a certificate (Annexure-XIV) — but not for Computer Proficiency / DEST posts (except Tax Assistant in CBDT).
Preparation: 15 minutes of typing practice daily (on any typing tutor) — accuracy first, speed later. DEST typing practice also serves CHSL, so it is not written up separately inside CGL.
📌 6. Tier 2 Paper I PYQ share (Tier 2 Paper I only)
This table covers Tier 2 Paper I only — the chapter-tagged questions of the 8 SSC CGL Tier 2 Paper I papers on SF Prep (2022–2025, new pattern: 30 + 30 + 45 + 25 + 20 questions) are counted. The 2 old-pattern Tier 2 papers of 2021 (Quant 100 questions, English 200 questions) are not included. The Tier 1 share is separate: Tier 1 Map. It is an estimate, not an official SSC weightage.
| Section / Module | Questions counted | Tier 2 Paper I PYQ share (topic-wise) |
|---|---|---|
| Section I-A: Mathematical Abilities | 240 | Mensuration 11.2% · Trigonometry 10.0% · Geometry 10.0% · Statistics 9.6% · Simplification & Surds 8.3% · Profit, Loss & Discount 6.7% · Algebra 6.7% · Number System, HCF-LCM 5.8% · SI & CI 5.8% · Ratio & Proportion 5.0% · Average 4.6% · Time & Work, Pipes 3.8% · Percentage 3.8% · Mixture & Alligation 2.9% · Time, Speed & Distance 2.5% · Heights & Distances 2.5% · Partnership 0.4% · Data Interpretation 0.4% |
| Section I-B: Reasoning | 240 | Problem Solving (blood relations, ranking, direction, seating) 25.4% · Series & Missing Number 10.8% · Paper Folding & Pattern Completion 9.6% · Mathematical Operations 8.3% · Syllogism 7.5% · Coding-Decoding 7.5% · Classification 6.7% · Word Building & Dictionary Order 5.4% · Statement & Critical Thinking 5.0% · Mirror Image, Dice & Space Orientation 5.0% · Analogy 4.2% · Embedded & Counting Figures 3.8% · Venn Diagrams 0.4% · Calendar & Clock 0.4% |
| Section II-A: English | 360 | Reading Comprehension 25.8% · Fill in the Blanks 11.7% · Cloze Test 9.7% · Sentence Rearrangement 9.4% · Direct & Indirect Speech 7.2% · Active & Passive Voice 6.9% · Error Spotting 6.7% · Sentence Improvement 6.1% · One-Word Substitution 5.0% · Synonyms & Antonyms 4.4% · Idioms & Phrases 4.2% · Spelling 1.7% · Homonyms 1.1% |
| Section II-B: General Awareness | 200 | Current Affairs + Govt Schemes 26.0% · General Science 18.0% · Polity 15.5% · Geography 14.5% · Economy 9.5% · History 8.5% · Static GK (sports, awards, books) 6.5% · Art & Culture 1.5% |
| Section III: Computer Knowledge | 159 | Computer Basics & Memory 27.7% · MS Office 25.2% · Networking & Cyber Security 23.3% · Software & OS 12.6% · Internet & E-mail 11.3% |
- The biggest differences from Tier 1: Statistics (9.6%) in Maths and Problem Solving (25.4%) in Reasoning rise sharply, and Reading Comprehension (25.8%) is the largest part of English.
- In GA, current affairs 21.5% + government schemes 4.5% = 26.0% — far more than in Tier 1 (10.5%); Static GK is only 6.5%.
- It is a small sample of 8 papers (GA 200, Computer 159 questions), so treat the small percentages as indications only.