SSC CGL Central Excise Inspector Exam Pattern 2026: Tier 1 & Tier 2 Complete Guide
SSC CGL Central Excise Inspector Exam Pattern 2026 is a structured format designed by the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) to select eligible candidates for the post of Central Excise Inspector under the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC).
Candidates appearing for SSC CGL 2026 and targeting this specific post must understand the exam pattern in detail to plan their preparation effectively. The exam pattern outlines the number of questions, types of papers, marking schemes, and the Central Excise Inspector selection process. This article provides a comprehensive and detailed breakdown of the SSC CGL Central Excise Inspector Exam Pattern 2026.
SSC CGL Central Excise Inspector Exam Pattern 2026
Before looking into the tier-wise pattern, it's important to understand some basic facts about the post and its examination framework. The recruitment is conducted at the national level through the SSC Combined Graduate Level (CGL) examination. The exam is conducted in online mode and comprises two tiers. Below is an overview of the key details related to the SSC CGL Central Excise Inspector Exam Pattern 2026:
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SSC CGL Central Excise Inspector Exam Pattern 2026 Overview |
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Particulars |
Details |
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Exam Name |
SSC CGL 2026 |
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Post Name |
Central Excise Inspector |
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Conducting Body |
Staff Selection Commission (SSC) |
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Department |
Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) |
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Group & Post Type |
Group B, Non-Gazetted |
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Mode of Examination |
Online (Computer-Based Test) |
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Selection Stages |
Tier 1 and Tier 2 |
SSC CGL Central Excise Inspector Tier 1 Exam Pattern
Tier-I of SSC CGL is the first screening stage. This stage is designed to evaluate a candidate’s general aptitude in four areas: Reasoning, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, and English Comprehension. The test is objective and computer-based. The detailed exam structure for Tier-I is as follows:
| SSC CGL Central Excise Inspector Tier 1 Exam Pattern 2026 | |||
| Sections | Number of Questions | Total Marks | Duration |
| General Intelligence and reasoning | 25 | 50 | 60 minutes |
| General Awareness | 25 | 50 | |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 50 | |
| English Comprehension | 25 | 50 | |
| Total | 100 | 200 | |
Purpose of SSC CGL Central Excise Inspector Tier 1 Exam
Tier-I is qualifying in nature but still requires thorough preparation as only candidates scoring above the cut-off are shortlisted for Tier-II.
SSC CGL Central Excise Inspector Tier 2 Exam Pattern 2026
Tier-II is the most critical part of the SSC CGL Central Excise Inspector Exam Pattern 2026. It is the decisive phase for selection and includes multiple modules within a single paper — Paper-I. Candidates aiming for the Central Excise Inspector post only need to appear for Paper-I. Paper-I consists of three sections, each divided into two modules, and assesses a candidate’s mathematical ability, reasoning, general awareness, English language skills, and computer proficiency. The following table explains the structure of Paper-I under Tier-II:
| SSC CGL Central Excise Inspector Tier 2 Pattern 2026 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper | Session | Section | Subject | Number of Questions | Maximum Marks | Time Allowed |
| Paper-I | Session-I (2 hours and 15 minutes) | Section-I | Module-I: Mathematical Abilities | 30 | 60*3 = 180 | 1 hour, (2 hours and 20 minutes for the candidates eligible for scribes as per Para-7.1, 7.2 and 7.3) |
| Module-II: Reasoning and General Intelligence | 30 | |||||
| Section-II | Module-I: English Language and Comprehension | 45 | 70*3 = 210 | 1 hour, (2 hours and 20 minutes for the candidates eligible for scribes as per Para-7.1, 7.2 and 7.3) | ||
| Module-II: General Awareness | 25 | |||||
| Section-III | Module-I: Computer Knowledge Module | 20 | 20*3 = 60 | 15 Minutes (for each module) 20 minutes for the candidates eligible for scribes as per Para-7.1, 7.2 and 7.3 | ||
| Session-II (15 minutes) | Section-III | Module-II: Data Entry Speed Test Module | One Data Entry Task | - | ||
Importance of Tier-II in SSC CGL Central Excise Inspector Exam Pattern 2026
The final merit list is prepared based solely on the marks obtained in Tier-II (Paper-I). Therefore, a candidate’s performance in this paper determines their chance of securing the Central Excise Inspector post. Here is a breakdown of the final weightage for selection:
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Importance of Tier-II in SSC CGL Central Excise Inspector Exam Pattern 2026 |
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Tier |
Maximum Marks |
Role in Merit List |
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Tier-I |
200 |
Qualifying only |
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Tier-II (Paper I) |
390 |
Considered for Final Merit |
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DEST & Computer Knowledge |
Qualifying |
Mandatory to Pass |
How to Prepare Based on SSC CGL Central Excise Inspector Exam Pattern 2026?
A good understanding of the exam pattern allows candidates to plan a systematic and targeted preparation strategy.
Focus on Fundamentals
Start with NCERT books and gradually move to advanced SSC-specific study material. Build a strong foundation in Maths and English.
Mock Tests & Practice Papers
Take regular mock tests based on the latest SSC CGL Central Excise Inspector Exam Pattern 2026. Analyze your performance to identify weak areas.
Improve Typing Speed
For DEST, practice typing daily using platforms that measure speed in characters (not words). This will help you qualify the typing test effortlessly.
Regular Revision
Prepare short notes for formulas, rules, and GK facts. Revise these weekly to retain important points.
Stay Updated
General Awareness requires consistency. Read newspapers or follow monthly current affairs digests specially for SSC exams.