SSC Maths Dishonest Shopkeeper (बईमान दुकानदार) Concept and Tricks

SSC Maths 2026 Dishonest Shopkeeper (बईमान दुकानदार) Concept and Tricks: The Dishonest Shopkeeper (बेईमान दुकानदार) topic is one of the most important and high-scoring chapters in SSC Maths 2026. Questions from this concept are frequently asked in SSC CGL, CHSL, MTS, GD, Railway, and other competitive exams. 

Many candidates find these questions tricky, but with the right approach, they can be solved quickly and accurately. Shubham Sir’s simple and exam-oriented tricks are explained to help students clearly understand how a dishonest shopkeeper earns profit by using less weight, even while claiming to sell at cost price or loss. With clear concepts and smart shortcuts, this topic can become one of the easiest scoring areas in SSC Maths 2026.

Also Read:

• SSC GD Elementary Mathematics Syllabus
• SSC CGL Quantitative Aptitude Syllabus
• SSC CHSL Maths Preparation
• SSC MTS Maths Syllabus

SSC Maths 2026 Shopkeeper Questions Types

A dishonest shopkeeper is a seller who appears fair to customers but secretly makes a profit by using unfair methods, mainly by giving less weight or quantity than promised. In most competitive exam questions, the shopkeeper claims to sell goods at the cost price or sometimes even at a loss, but in reality, he earns a profit by cheating in measurement.

For example, when a customer asks for 1 kilogram of sugar, the shopkeeper charges money for the full 1 kg but actually gives only 800 g, 870 g, or 920 g. The customer pays the correct amount, but the shopkeeper gives less quantity. This difference between the marked weight and the actual weight is the hidden profit of the shopkeeper.

In mathematics, especially in SSC, Railway, Banking, and State-level exams, a dishonest shopkeeper problem focuses on this idea of faulty (wrong) weight. The key point is that the shopkeeper’s actual cost is based on the reduced quantity, while the selling price is charged for the full quantity. This automatically results in profit, even if the shopkeeper says, “I am selling at cost price.”

Sometimes, the question becomes more tricky. The shopkeeper may:

• Sell at a loss percentage, but still gain profit due to less weight

• Sell at a higher selling price along with faulty weight

• Use a weight that is a certain percentage less than the marked weight

SSC Maths 2026 Dishonest Shopkeeper (बईमान दुकानदार) Concept and Tricks

Profit is always calculated on the wrong weight (faulty measurement).

This is the most important line to remember. No matter how the question is framed, the base (denominator) will always be the wrong weight.

Case 1: Shopkeeper Claims to Sell at Cost Price

This is the most common pattern in SSC exams.

Concept:

If a shopkeeper says:

• “I am selling at cost price”

• But gives less than 1 kg

Then:

• Selling Price = Price of 1 kg

• Cost Price = Value of the actual weight given

Example 1:

A shopkeeper uses 920 g instead of 1 kg and claims to sell at cost price.
Find the profit percentage.

Solution:

• Short weight = 1000 − 920 = 80 g

• Wrong weight = 920 g

Example 2:

A grocer uses 870 g instead of 1 kg. Find profit %.

Solution:

• Short weight = 130 g

• Wrong weight = 870 g

Case 2: Given Profit %, Find Faulty Weight

Sometimes SSC asks the reverse question.

Question Type:

What faulty weight should a shopkeeper use instead of 1 kg to gain 25% profit?

Shubham Sir’s Trick:

• 25% = 1/4

• Profit : Wrong weight = 1 : 4

• Correct weight = 5

If 5 units = 1000 g,
Then 4 units = 800 g

Answer: 800 g

Case 3: Loss Given, but Profit Made Due to Less Weight

This is a tricky but high-scoring pattern.

Concept:

• Shopkeeper sells at a loss

• But compensates by giving less weight

• Final result may still be profit

Example:

A dishonest dealer sells goods at 11% loss, but uses 22% less weight.  Find the actual profit or loss.

Step-by-step logic:

• Assume CP = 100

• Loss 11% → SP = 89

• 22% less weight → Wrong weight = 78

Profit = 89 − 78 = 11

Net result: Profit

Case 4: Cost Price and Selling Price Both Given

Example:

A shopkeeper buys rice at ₹30/kg and sells at ₹36/kg but gives 800 g instead of 1 kg.

Solution:

• CP = 30

• SP = 36

• For 800 g, cost = 24

• Profit = 36 − 24 = 12

Case 5: Percentage Less Weight Given

Sometimes the question says:

“The weight used is 19% less than marked weight.”

Concept:

• 19% less → Actual weight = 81%

• Profit = 19

• Base = 81

Why This Topic Is Very Important for SSC 2026?

The Dishonest Shopkeeper (बेईमान दुकानदार) topic is considered very important for SSC 2026 because it is one of the most frequently asked and high-scoring areas in the Maths section. Almost every year, questions from this concept appear in exams like SSC CGL, CHSL, MTS, GD Constable, and Selection Post. Since SSC exams focus heavily on profit and loss, this chapter becomes a must-prepare topic for all aspirants.

One major reason for its importance is that the questions are concept-based but easy to solve once the logic is clear. SSC often asks 1–2 direct questions from dishonest shopkeeper problems, and these questions can be solved in less than a minute using the right trick. This makes it a perfect topic to save time and increase accuracy during the exam.

Another key point is that this topic helps students understand real-life applications of mathematics. It tests the candidate’s ability to identify hidden profit, faulty weights, and misleading selling methods. Because of this, SSC repeats similar patterns with slight variations, such as selling at cost price, selling at loss, or using reduced weights.

Moreover, mastering this chapter builds a strong foundation for other related topics like Profit & Loss, Percentage, and Ratio. Teachers like Shubham Sir emphasise this topic because it enables students to solve questions using shortcuts and formulas, rather than lengthy calculations.