Tier 1 Syllabus (Qualifying — 100Q/200M/60 Min, −0.50 per wrong): General Intelligence & Reasoning (25Q/50M), General Awareness (25Q/50M), Quantitative Aptitude (25Q/50M), English Language & Comprehension (25Q/50M). All four sections carry equal weightage.

Tier 2 Paper I Syllabus (Compulsory for all — 150Q/450M): Mathematical Abilities (30Q/90M, −1), Reasoning & GI (30Q/90M, −1), English Language & Comprehension (45Q/135M, −0.25), General Awareness (25Q/75M, −1), Computer Knowledge Module (20Q/60M, −1). DEST in Session II is qualifying only.

Tier 2 Paper II (JSO only — 100Q/200M/2 hrs, −0.50): Statistics covering data collection, probability, distributions, sampling, inference, correlation, regression, time series.

Tier 2 Paper III (AAO only — 100Q/200M/2 hrs, −0.50): Finance & Accounts (40Q/80M) + Economics & Governance (60Q/120M).

No — Tier 1 is entirely qualifying in nature. Since the 2022 exam pattern revision, Tier 1 marks are not added to the final merit list under any circumstance. Even a perfect 200/200 in Tier 1 contributes zero to your rank. Tier 1 only determines whether you are eligible to appear for Tier 2. The entire final merit list, post allocation, and department assignment is determined solely by Tier 2 Paper I normalised score. Once you clear Tier 1, shift 100% of your preparation focus to maximising Tier 2 performance — especially English (135 marks) and Maths (90 marks).

Tier 1 (all 4 sections): −0.50 marks per wrong answer. Unattempted = 0 penalty.

Tier 2 Paper I — Section I (Maths & Reasoning), Section II Module II (GK), Section III Module I (Computer): −1 mark per wrong. Each correct answer = +3 marks.

Tier 2 Paper I — Section II Module I (English): Only −0.25 marks per wrong. Each correct answer = +3 marks. This is the lowest penalty in the entire exam — strongly favour attempting English over other sections.

Tier 2 Paper II (Statistics) & Paper III (Finance & Economics): −0.50 per wrong. Each correct = +2 marks.

DEST (Session II): No marks in merit — purely qualifying. A failed DEST disqualifies you from Tax Assistant post only.

Level 8 — Highest: Assistant Audit Officer (AAO) / Assistant Accounts Officer — Basic Pay ₹47,600, Scale ₹47,600–₹1,51,100. Group B Gazetted under CAG/CGA. Fastest promotion path among all CGL posts.

Level 7: Income Tax Inspector (CBDT), Inspector Central Excise & Preventive Officer & Examiner (CBIC), Assistant Enforcement Officer (ED), Section Head (DGFT, new), Inspector Posts, Research Assistant — Basic Pay ₹44,900. Field authority, strong perks, good promotions.

Level 6: ASO (CSS/MEA/AFHQ), SI CBI/NIA, Executive Assistant (IB), Office Superintendent (CBDT, new), Statistical Investigator Gr. II — Basic Pay ₹35,400. CSS post offers prestigious central secretariat career.

Level 5: Auditor, JSO, Accountant, Senior Secretariat Assistant — Basic Pay ₹29,200.

Level 4: Tax Assistant (CBDT/CBIC), UDC, Postal/Sorting Assistant — Basic Pay ₹25,500.

In-hand salary including DA, HRA (X-class city), TA ranges approximately ₹40,000–₹80,000+ depending on post and city of posting.

Educational Qualification: Bachelor's Degree in any discipline from any recognised University or Institution. Special requirements: JSO / Statistical Investigator Gr. II — Bachelor's Degree with minimum 60% marks in Mathematics at Class 12 level, OR Bachelor's Degree with Statistics as one of the subjects. Compiler — B.Com or equivalent degree.

Age Limits (as on 01 January 2026):
— 18–27 years: Most posts (Tax Assistant, UDC, ASO, IT Inspector, Excise Inspector etc.)
— 18–30 years: Statistical Investigator Gr. II, Compiler
— 18–32 years: AAO, Assistant Accounts Officer, Divisional Accountant, Sub Inspector (CBI/NIA), JSO
— 20–30 years: Section Head (DGFT)

Age Relaxation: SC/ST — 5 years; OBC (NCL) — 3 years; PwBD — 10 years; Ex-Servicemen — as per rules; Central Govt. employees — 5 years.

Physical Standards: CBIC Inspectors, SI CBI/NIA require specific vision and physical fitness — details confirmed in official notification.

Two posts have been newly included in recent SSC CGL recruitment cycles:

Section Head (DGFT — Director General of Foreign Trade): Pay Level 7, Basic Pay ₹44,900. Age limit: 18–30 years (slightly higher minimum age than standard). Job profile involves assisting in trade policy, foreign trade documentation, and regulatory compliance at DGFT offices. Group B Non-Gazetted post. Promotion path leads to Deputy Director (DGFT). Only Paper I of Tier 2 is required.

Office Superintendent (CBDT — Central Board of Direct Taxes): Pay Level 6, Basic Pay ₹35,400. Group B Non-Gazetted post. Involves supervising office staff, administrative coordination, and operational management at Income Tax department offices. Promotion path leads to Administrative Officer posts. Only Paper I of Tier 2 is required.

Post allocation after Tier 2 follows four steps:

Step 1 — Merit Ranking: Normalised Tier 2 Paper I scores are used to prepare a combined merit list. Higher scores rank higher in each category.

Step 2 — Post Preference Submission: Qualified candidates submit their post preference order (ranking all 37 posts by preference). SSC opens this option-cum-preference window after Tier 2 results are published.

Step 3 — Allocation: Higher-ranked candidates get first access to preferred posts. If your rank is 1 in your category, you receive your first-preferred post where vacancy exists. Once allocated and accepted, posts cannot be changed.

Step 4 — Medical Fitness: CBIC Inspectors, CBI Sub Inspector, NIA Sub Inspector require passing specific medical examinations. Candidates who don't qualify for a post's medical standards may be offered their next viable post preference.

Step 5 — Document Verification: Final step before appointment. All educational, category, age, and identity documents verified at the regional SSC office. No interview conducted at any stage.

Since Tier 2 decides everything, prioritise based on marks and penalty:

Priority 1 — English Language & Comprehension (135 marks in Tier 2): Highest marks in Paper I AND lowest penalty (−0.25). This combination makes English simultaneously the highest upside and lowest downside section. A 10-mark improvement here can shift multiple rank positions.

Priority 2 — Quantitative Aptitude (90 marks in Tier 2): High marks, but −1 negative marking requires strong accuracy. Focus on Geometry and Trigonometry — high-scoring Tier 2 topics that many candidates neglect.

Priority 3 — Reasoning & GI (90 marks in Tier 2): Pattern-based and improvable rapidly with consistent daily practice. Also −1 negative — prioritise accuracy over speed.

Priority 4 — Computer Knowledge (60 marks in Tier 2): Excellent return on study investment — 15+/20 achievable in 2–3 weeks of focused preparation.

Priority 5 — General Awareness (75 marks Tier 2 + 50 marks Tier 1): Requires long-term daily input — cannot be crammed. Start early and maintain a steady daily routine throughout your preparation.