SSC CGL Exam Pattern 2026: Tier 1 & Tier 2 Pattern, Total Marks & Negative Marking Explained
Parul Rishi11 Dec, 2025
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SSC CGL Exam Pattern 2026: The Staff Selection Commission releases the detailed SSC CGL Exam Pattern for Tier 1 and Tier 2 in the official notification. The SSC CGL exam consists of two CBT-based tiers — Tier 1 (qualifying) and Tier 2 (scoring). Understanding the updated paper pattern, total marks, section-wise weightage, and negative marking is essential for SSC CGL preparation. In this article, you can check the complete SSC CGL Tier 1 & Tier 2 Exam Pattern 2026, including question distribution, duration, and important points.
Also Read: SSC CGL Exam Date
SSC CGL Exam Pattern 2026
SSC CGL exam is structured into two distinct tiers, Tier I and Tier II. The SSC CGL Exam Pattern 2026 includes specific subjects that are Mathematics, English, General Awareness, and Reasoning in two different tiers. The SSC CGL Tier 1 Exam is mandatory for all candidates, serving as the first stage of the recruitment process. For the SSC CGL Tier 2 Exam, there are Papers 1 and 2 in 2026. Here's the breakdown:
- Paper 1: Compulsory for all posts.
- Paper 2: Specifically for candidates applying for the post of Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) in the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation and Statistical Investigator Grade-II in the office of Registrar General of India (M/o Home Affairs)
It is important to note that SSC CGL Tier 1 is qualifying in nature, while Tier 2 is scoring, with marks from Tier 2 being considered for final selection. The following sections provide a detailed look at the exam pattern for each stage of the SSC CGL Recruitment Process 2026.
SSC CGL Tier 1 Exam Pattern 2026
The SSC CGL Tier 1 Exam Pattern has been discussed in the table below for the written test. The candidates must go through the exam pattern to understand the structure of the examination which includes the types of questions, sections of the examination, weightage, and duration of the examination. Take a look at the SSC CGL Tier 1 Exam Pattern 2026.
| SSC CGL 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 | |
SSC CGL Tier 2 Exam Pattern 2026
In SSC CGL Tier 2 Exam, there are Paper 1 and Paper 2 in 2026. Paper 1 is compulsory for all posts. Paper 2 is specifically for candidates applying for the posts of Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) and Statistical Investigator Grade-II. The Tier 2 Examination is conducted in two sessions, Session 1 and Session 2. Session 1 includes different papers. Check the table mentioned below for the SSC CGL Mains Pattern.
| SSC CGL Tier 2 Pattern | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper | Session | Section | Subject | Number of Questions | Maximum Marks | Time Allowed |
| Paper-I | Session-I (2 hours and 15 minutes) | Section-I | Mathematical Abilities | 30 | 60*3 = 180 | 1 hour |
| Reasoning and General Intelligence | 30 | |||||
| Section-II | English Language and Comprehension | 45 | 70*3 = 210 | 1 hour | ||
| General Awareness | 25 | |||||
| Section-III | Computer Knowledge Module | 20 | 20*3 = 60 | 15 Minutes (for each section) | ||
| Session-II (15 minutes) | Section-IV | Data Entry Speed Test Module | One Data Entry Task | - | ||
| Paper-II | Statistics | 100 | 100*2 = 200 | 2 hours, (2 hours and 40 minutes for the candidates eligible for scribes as per Para-7.1, 7.2 and 7.3) | ||
SSC CGL Total Marks 2026
The SSC CGL Exam 2026 includes Tier 1 (200 marks) and Tier 2 (450–650 marks).
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Tier 1: 100 questions = 200 marks (qualifying).
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Tier 2 Paper 1: 450 marks (for all posts).
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Tier 2 Paper 2: 200 marks (only for JSO & SI posts).
Final merit is prepared only based on Tier 2 marks.
SSC CGL Negative Marking
SSC CGL has negative marking in both Tier 1 and Tier 2 exams. In Tier 1, 0.50 marks are deducted for each wrong answer. In Tier 2, 1 mark is deducted in Section I, Section II, and Section III of Paper I and of 0.50 marks for each wrong answer in Paper II. for incorrect answers in certain modules. Candidates should answer carefully to avoid losing marks due to guessing.
SSC CGL Paper Pattern PDF Download 2026
Candidates can download the SSC CGL Paper Pattern PDF 2026 to check the complete Tier 1 and Tier 2 exam structure, marks, sections, and negative marking in one place. The PDF includes the latest pattern released by SSC for both papers.
SSC CGL Exam Pattern 2026 Important Points
Candidates aiming to apply for the exam should familiarize themselves with the exam pattern of SSC CGL. Here are some key points about the paper pattern for Tier 1 and Tier 2:
- The SSC CGL Exam Pattern comprises sections like Reasoning & Intelligence, Mathematics, English Language and Comprehension, and General Awareness, which candidates must prepare thoroughly.
- Tier-I examination is mandatory for all positions mentioned in the SSC CGL notification, necessitating simultaneous preparation for both Tier 1 and Tier 2 exams.
- In SSC CGL Tier 2, Paper I is compulsory for all roles. Paper II is for candidates applying for Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) and Statistical Investigator Grade-II positions.
- In Tier-I, an incorrect answer results in a deduction of 0.5 marks and for Tier II, there is a negative marking of 1 for each wrong answer in Section I, Section II, and Section III of Paper I and of 0.50 marks for each wrong answer in Paper-II.
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