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SSC Exam Pattern: Subjects, Questions, Duration, Marks

17 September 2026
SSC Exam Pattern: Subjects, Questions, Duration, Marks

The official exam pattern of the Staff Selection Commission, also known as the SSC exam, is decided by the SSC itself. This government body also decides the exam syllabus, subjects, structure, marking scheme, timings, and all other general policies related to the SSC exams. The exams are conducted to shortlist and recruit candidates for various Group “B” and Group “C” posts in several government departments, ministries, and organizations of the Government of India. Every year, the SSC publishes the exam pattern along with all other details on its official website to help students understand the exam format, duration, important subjects, sections, syllabus, and other relevant details. As the exam is scheduled to be conducted on September 30, 2026, all the details of the exam pattern have been declared by the Staff Selection Commission of India.

To help students get a clear roadmap for SSC preparation, we have put together the exam patterns of all the major SSC exams, including SSC CGL, CHSL, MTS, GD, and JE. If you are preparing seriously for the SSC exams and cannot afford a reattempt, consider preparing a well-thought-out study plan according to the tier-wise exam pattern mentioned in the content below. So, let’s get started.

SSC CGL (Combined Graduate Level) Exam Pattern - Main Highlights

SSC CGL is a graduate-level exam conducted to recruit candidates for various government ministries, departments, and organizations. The exam is mainly conducted to recruit candidates for various Group B and Group C positions. The top scorers are often selected for prestigious positions such as Assistant Section Officer, Income Tax Inspector, Assistant Audit Officer, and others. The exam is conducted in two tiers, and the selection process includes different stages depending on the post applied for. The main subjects covered in the exam include Mathematics, General English, General Knowledge, Statistics, and Reasoning. Find below more details about the SSC CGL exam pattern.

Tier

Mode

Main Sections

Questions/Marks

Duration

Tier 1

Computer-Based Examination

General Intelligence & Reasoning, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, English Comprehension

100 Questions / 200 Marks

1 Hour

Tier 2 Paper 1

Computer-Based Examination

Mathematical Abilities, Reasoning & General Intelligence, English & Comprehension, General Awareness, Computer Knowledge, Data Entry Speed Test

Varies by section

Varies

Tier 2 Paper 2

Computer-Based Examination

Statistics

100 Questions / 200 Marks

2 Hours

Tier 2 Paper 3

Computer-Based Examination

General Studies (Finance & Economics)

100 Questions / 200 Marks

2 Hours

SSC CHSL Exam Pattern (Combined Higher Secondary Level)

The SSC CHSL exam is conducted to recruit candidates for various clerical and data-entry positions, mainly in central government departments and offices. The exam is open to candidates who have passed Class 12th as the minimum educational qualification. Candidates who clear the exam are often appointed to positions such as Lower Divisional Clerk (LDC), Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA), and Data Entry Operator (DEO). The SSC CHSL exam is conducted in two tiers. Success in the exam requires good typing speed, along with strong skills in General Intelligence, English, and Quantitative Aptitude. Here is a detailed breakdown of the CHSL exam pattern for your reference.

Tier

Mode

Main Areas

Pattern

Tier 1

Computer-Based Examination

English, General Intelligence, Quantitative Aptitude, General Awareness

100 Questions / 200 Marks

Tier 2

Computer-Based Examination + Skill/Typing Test

Mathematical Abilities, Reasoning & General Intelligence, English & Comprehension, General Awareness, Computer Knowledge

Objective questions plus qualifying skill/typing components

SSC MTS (Multi-Tasking Staff) Exam Pattern

The SSC MTS exam is also conducted by the Staff Selection Commission for the recruitment of Multi-Tasking Staff in various departments and offices of the Government of India. Candidates who qualify for the exam may be appointed to various support staff positions. The SSC MTS recruitment also includes the post of Havaldar in specified departments. As the aim of the MTS exam is to recruit candidates for Group C, non-gazetted and non-ministerial positions, the minimum educational qualification required for the exam is Class 10th pass. The exam is conducted in two sessions, with each session having a fixed duration of 45 minutes. Here are the exam pattern details for SSC MTS.

Session

Subjects

Questions

Marks

Duration

Session I

Numerical and Mathematical Ability

20

60

45 minutes


Reasoning Ability and Problem Solving

20

60


Session II

General Awareness

25

75

45 minutes


English Language and Comprehension

25

75


SSC GD (General Duty) Exam Pattern

SSC GD is another exam for candidates who have passed Class 10th. The aim of the exam is mainly to recruit candidates for the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and the Rifleman (GD) post in Assam Rifles. Candidates who qualify through the selection process are appointed as Constables (General Duty) or Riflemen (General Duty), depending on the post and force. The selection process also includes the Physical Efficiency Test (PET) and Physical Standard Test (PST), along with other required stages. Here are the details of the SSC GD exam pattern.

Subject

Questions

Marks

General Intelligence & Reasoning

20

40

General Knowledge & General Awareness

20

40

Elementary Mathematics

20

40

English/Hindi

20

40

Total

80

160

SSC JE (Junior Engineer)

As the name suggests, the SSC JE exam is conducted to shortlist and recruit candidates for various Junior Engineer posts in central government organizations and departments. Candidates who hold a valid diploma or degree in disciplines such as Civil, Electrical, or Mechanical Engineering are considered eligible, depending on the specific post and organization. However, candidates must also meet other prescribed eligibility requirements, including age limits and post-wise educational qualifications. The SSC JE exam consists of two papers, both of which are conducted online in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode. The duration of both papers is fixed at 2 hours. Mentioned below are the details of the SSC JE exam pattern.

Paper

Mode

Subjects

Marks

Duration

Paper 1

Computer-Based Examination

General Intelligence & Reasoning, General Awareness, General Engineering

200

2 Hours

Paper 2

Computer-Based Examination

General Engineering: Civil/Electrical/Mechanical

300

2 Hours

Read More Information : GetExamInfo