The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) Combined Graduate Level (CGL) Exam 2025 is one of the most competitive and prestigious exams in India, offering opportunities for Group B and Group C posts in various central government departments and ministries. If you're preparing for the SSC CGL 2025, having a clear and updated understanding of the SSC CGL syllabus 2025 is essential to plan your preparation effectively. In this post, we’ve provided a detailed, subject-wise syllabus for SSC CGL Tier 1 and Tier 2, based on the latest official guidelines, so you can focus on the right topics and boost your chances of success
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SSC CGL 2025 Exam Overview
The SSC CGL 2025 exam is conducted in two main tiers – Tier 1 and Tier 2 – and is designed to assess a candidate’s overall aptitude, reasoning, and subject-specific skills for various Group B and Group C posts in central government departments.
- Tier 1 is a Computer-Based Examination (CBE) that serves as a qualifying round. It includes sections on General Intelligence & Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, General Awareness, and English Comprehension.
- Tier 2 is also a Computer-Based Examination, but it includes multiple papers and its marks play a crucial role in preparing the final merit list. Some papers in Tier 2 are specific to certain posts and test deeper knowledge in specialized subjects.
To help you plan better and target the right topics, below is a detailed breakdown of the SSC CGL 2025 syllabus for both Tier 1 and Tier 2.
SSC CGL Tier 1 Syllabus 2025
The SSC CGL Tier 1 exam 2025 acts as a screening test and consists of four major sections, with each section containing 25 questions, making a total of 100 questions carrying 200 marks. The total duration of the exam is 60 minutes, while candidates eligible for a scribe are given 80 minutes. As per the official pattern, there is a negative marking of 0.50 marks for every incorrect answer.
The sections included in the SSC CGL 2025 Tier 1 syllabus are:
- General Intelligence and Reasoning
- General Awareness
- Quantitative Aptitude
- English Comprehension
A clear understanding of each section’s syllabus is crucial to qualify Tier 1 and move ahead in the SSC CGL selection process.
1. General Intelligence & Reasoning (25 Questions, 50 Marks)
This section tests logical and analytical abilities through verbal and non-verbal reasoning. Key topics include:
- Analogies
- Similarities and differences
- Space visualization
- Spatial orientation
- Problem-solving
- Analysis, judgment, and decision-making
- Visual memory
- Discrimination and observation
- Relationship concepts
- Arithmetical reasoning
- Figural classification
- Arithmetic number series
- Non-verbal series
- Coding and decoding
- Statement conclusion
- Syllogistic reasoning
- Semantic analogy, classification, and series
- Symbolic/Number analogy, classification
- Figural analogy, classification, and series
2. General Awareness (25 Questions, 50 Marks)
This section evaluates candidates’ knowledge of their surroundings and current events. Topics include:
- History (Ancient, Medieval, Modern India)
- Culture
- Geography
- Economic Scene
- General Policy
- Scientific Research
- Current Affairs (India and neighboring countries)
- Sports
- Books and Authors
- Important Schemes and Policies
- General Knowledge (Static GK)
Preparation Tip: Stay updated with daily news, read newspapers, and revise static GK topics like history, geography, and polity.
3. Quantitative Aptitude (25 Questions, 50 Marks)
This section assesses numerical and mathematical skills. Topics include:
- Number System: Whole numbers, decimals, fractions, relationships between numbers
- Arithmetic: Percentage, Ratio & Proportion, Square roots, Averages, Interest (Simple and Compound), Profit and Loss, Discount, Partnership Business, Mixture and Alligation, Time and Distance, Time and Work
- Algebra: Basic algebraic identities, linear equations
- Geometry: Triangles, circles, polygons, congruence, and similarity
- Mensuration: Areas, volumes, surface areas
- Trigonometry: Trigonometric ratios, heights, and distances
- Data Interpretation: Bar graphs, pie charts, tables, frequency polygons
Preparation Tip: Focus on conceptual clarity and practice with previous year papers to improve speed and accuracy.
4. English Comprehension (25 Questions, 50 Marks)
This section tests language proficiency and comprehension skills. Topics include:
- Reading Comprehension
- Fill in the Blanks
- Spelling Correction
- Error Detection
- Sentence Improvement
- Synonyms and Antonyms
- Idioms and Phrases
- One Word Substitution
- Active/Passive Voice
- Direct/Indirect Speech
- Sentence Rearrangement
- Cloze Passage
Preparation Tip: Enhance vocabulary and grammar through regular reading and practice with mock tests.
SSC CGL Tier 2 Syllabus 2025
The SSC CGL Tier 2 exam 2025 is the merit-deciding stage of the selection process. It consists of two main papers:
- Paper I – Compulsory for all posts, this paper includes advanced sections such as Quantitative Abilities, English Language & Comprehension, General Awareness, Reasoning, along with modules on Computer Knowledge and Data Entry Speed Test (DEST).
- Paper II – Applicable only for candidates applying to the posts of Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) and Statistical Investigator Grade-II. It tests knowledge in Statistics.
The SSC CGL 2025 Tier 2 exam is conducted in two sessions on the same day, and it includes negative marking:
- 1 mark is deducted for each incorrect answer in Paper I (excluding the Computer Knowledge and Data Entry modules),
- 0.50 marks deduction applies for wrong answers in Paper II.
To secure a place in the final merit list, mastering the SSC CGL Tier 2 syllabus is essential for every serious aspirant.
Paper I is mandatory for all candidates appearing in the SSC CGL Tier 2 exam 2025. It is divided into three sections, each having two modules. This paper tests both foundational and advanced-level skills required for various Group B and C posts.
Section I
- Module I: Mathematical Abilities
- Similar to Quantitative Aptitude in Tier 1 but with advanced concepts
- Number System: Divisibility, LCM, HCF, properties of numbers
- Arithmetic: Percentages, ratios, averages, interest, profit and loss, time and work, time and distance
- Algebra: Linear and quadratic equations, progressions
- Geometry: Circles, triangles, polygons, coordinate geometry
- Mensuration: Surface area, volume
- Trigonometry: Ratios, heights, distances
- Data Interpretation: Bar graphs, pie charts, tables
- Module II: Reasoning and General Intelligence
- Similar to Tier 1 Reasoning but with higher difficulty
- Verbal and non-verbal reasoning
- Analogies, coding-decoding, series, classification
- Critical thinking and problem-solving
Section II
- Module I: English Language and Comprehension
- Vocabulary, grammar, and comprehension
- Error detection, sentence improvement, cloze passage
- Reading comprehension, synonyms, antonyms
- Idioms, one-word substitution, active/passive voice, direct/indirect speech
- Module II: General Awareness
- Same topics as Tier 1 General Awareness but with deeper focus
- Current affairs, history, geography, polity, economics, science
- Static GK and recent developments
Section III
- Module I: Computer Knowledge Test
- Computer Basics: Organization, hardware, software
- MS Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint
- Internet and email
- Networking and cybersecurity
- Basic troubleshooting and abbreviations
- Note: No negative marking in this module
- Module II: Data Entry Speed Test
- Tests typing speed and accuracy
- Note: No negative marking
Paper I Exam Pattern
- Total Marks: 450 (150 questions)
- Duration: 2 hours (Session I), 15 minutes (Session II for Data Entry Speed Test)
- Negative Marking: 1 mark per wrong answer (except Computer Knowledge and Data Entry modules)
Paper II: Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) and Statistical Investigator Grade-II
This paper is for candidates applying for JSO or Statistical Investigator posts. It focuses on:
- Statistics:
- Collection, classification, and presentation of data
- Measures of Central Tendency: Mean, median, mode
- Measures of Dispersion: Variance, standard deviation
- Moments, Skewness, and Kurtosis
- Correlation and Regression
- Probability Theory
- Random Variables and Probability Distributions
- Sampling Theory
- Statistical Inference
- Analysis of Variance
- Time Series Analysis
- Index Numbers
Paper II Exam Pattern
- Total Marks: 200 (100 questions)
- Duration: 2 hours
- Negative Marking: 0.50 marks per wrong answer
The SSC CGL 2025 syllabus may appear vast at first, but with a well-structured and strategic approach, it becomes completely manageable. By carefully analyzing the Tier 1 and Tier 2 syllabus, identifying high-weightage topics, and maintaining consistent practice, you can significantly boost your chances of achieving a top rank in the exam.