The SSC CGL (Staff Selection Commission – Combined Graduate Level) Exam 2025 is one of the most sought-after government job exams in India. It is conducted annually by the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) to recruit candidates for various Group B and Group C posts in ministries, departments, and organizations of the Government of India.
The SSC CGL 2025 exam consists of four stages:
- Tier 1 (Computer-Based Test – CBT): It includes four sections—General Intelligence & Reasoning, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, and English Comprehension. The exam has 100 questions (25 per section), totaling 200 marks, with a 60-minute duration.
- Tier 2 (CBT – Multiple Papers):
- Paper 1 (Compulsory for all): This covers Mathematical Abilities, Reasoning, General Awareness, English, and Computer Knowledge.
- Paper 2: For Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) candidates.
- Paper 3: For Assistant Audit Officer (AAO) candidates.
- Tier 3 (Descriptive Paper): A pen-and-paper test for essay, letter, or précis writing.
- Tier 4 (Skill Test/DEST): For specific posts requiring Data Entry Speed Test (DEST) or Computer Proficiency Test (CPT).
SSC CGL Exam Pattern 2025
SSC CGL Exam Pattern 2025 for Tier 1, Tier 2, and the Typing Test, presented in separate tables for clarity.
SSC CGL Exam Pattern 2025 – Tier 1
| Subject | No. of Questions | Marks | Time Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 25 | 50 | 1 Hour (60 minutes) |
| General Awareness | 25 | 50 | |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 50 | |
| English Comprehension | 25 | 50 | |
| Total | 100 | 200 | 1 Hour |
🔹 Negative Marking: 0.50 marks for each wrong answer.
🔹 Mode: Computer-Based Test (CBT).
🔹 Qualifying in Nature: Marks obtained are considered for merit ranking.
SSC CGL Exam Pattern 2025- Tier 2
Paper-wise Details
Paper 1: Compulsory for All Posts
| Subjects | No. of Questions | Marks | Time Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quantitative Ability | 30 | 90 | 2 Hours 30 Minutes |
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 30 | 90 | |
| General Awareness | 25 | 75 | |
| English Language & Comprehension | 45 | 135 | |
| Computer Knowledge Module | 20 | 60 | |
| Data Entry Speed Test (DEST) | Skill Test | Qualifying | 15 Minutes |
| Total | 150 + DEST | 450 | 2 Hours 30 Minutes |
🔹 Negative Marking: 1 mark for each incorrect answer.
🔹 DEST (Data Entry Speed Test): Only qualifying in nature.
Paper 2 (For Junior Statistical Officer – JSO)
| Subjects | No. of Questions | Marks | Time Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statistics | 100 | 200 | 2 Hours |
Paper 3 (For Assistant Audit Officer & Assistant Accounts Officer)
| Subjects | No. of Questions | Marks | Time Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finance & Economics | 100 | 200 | 2 Hours |
SSC CGL 2025 Typing Test/Skill Test Exam Pattern
For Certain Posts Only
| Test Type | Post Applied For | Skill Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Data Entry Speed Test (DEST) | Tax Assistant (CBIC & CBDT) | 8000 key depressions per hour |
| Computer Proficiency Test (CPT) | Assistant Section Officer (MEA), Assistant (CSS), Assistant (AFHQ) | Word Processing, Spreadsheets, Slide Generation |
| Typing Test | Some Clerical Level Posts | 35 WPM (English) or 30 WPM (Hindi) |
🔹 Skill Tests are Qualifying in Nature.
🔹 Conducted in Online Mode.
SSC CGL Marking Scheme and Negative Marking
SSC CGL 2025 Tier 1: Marking Scheme
| Subject | No. of Questions | Marks per Question | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 25 | 2 | 50 |
| General Awareness | 25 | 2 | 50 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 2 | 50 |
| English Comprehension | 25 | 2 | 50 |
| Total | 100 | 2 | 200 |
Negative Marking in Tier 1
✅ Correct Answer: +2 marks
❌ Wrong Answer: -0.50 (1/4th of 2 marks)
❌ Unattempted Question: No deduction
SSC CGL 2025 Tier 2: Exam Pattern & Marking Scheme
Tier 2 consists of three papers:
- Paper 1: Compulsory for all posts
- Paper 2: Only for Junior Statistical Officer (JSO)
- Paper 3: Only for Assistant Audit Officer (AAO) & Assistant Accounts Officer (AAO)
Paper 1 (Compulsory for All Posts)
| Subject | No. of Questions | Marks per Question | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematical Abilities | 30 | 3 | 90 |
| Reasoning & General Intelligence | 30 | 3 | 90 |
| English Language & Comprehension | 45 | 3 | 135 |
| General Awareness | 25 | 3 | 75 |
| Computer Knowledge Module | 20 | 3 | 60 |
| Data Entry Speed Test (DEST) Module | Qualifying (No Marks) | – | – |
| Total | 150 | 3 | 450 |
Negative Marking in Tier 2 (Paper 1)
✅ Correct Answer: +3 marks
❌ Wrong Answer: -1 mark (1/3rd of 3 marks)
❌ Unattempted Question: No deduction
Paper 2 (For JSO Post)
| Subject | No. of Questions | Marks per Question | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statistics | 100 | 2 | 200 |
Negative Marking in Tier 2 (Paper 2)
✅ Correct Answer: +2 marks
❌ Wrong Answer: -0.50 marks (1/4th of 2 marks)
❌ Unattempted Question: No deduction
Paper 3 (For AAO Post)
| Subject | No. of Questions | Marks per Question | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finance & Economics | 100 | 2 | 200 |
Negative Marking in Tier 2 (Paper 3)
✅ Correct Answer: +2 marks
❌ Wrong Answer: -0.50 marks (1/4th of 2 marks)
❌ Unattempted Question: No deduction
Key Points to Remember
- Tier 1 and Tier 2 are computer-based tests.
- Tier 1 negative marking: 0.50 per wrong answer
- Tier 2 negative marking:
- Paper 1: 1 mark deduction per wrong answer
- Paper 2 & 3: 0.50 mark deduction per wrong answer
- DEST (Data Entry Speed Test) in Paper 1 is only qualifying.
- The final selection is based on Tier 2 performance.
FAQs
-
What is the exam pattern of SSC CGL 2025?
The SSC CGL 2025 exam consists of two tiers:- Tier 1: Objective-type online test with sections on General Intelligence & Reasoning, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, and English Comprehension (Total: 200 marks, 60 minutes).
- Tier 2: Includes three papers—Paper I (Compulsory for all), Paper II (for Junior Statistical Officer), and Paper III (for Assistant Audit Officer/Assistant Accounts Officer). Paper I consists of Quantitative Ability, Reasoning, English, and General Awareness.
-
Is there a negative marking in SSC CGL 2025?
Yes, negative marking applies:- Tier 1: 0.50 marks deducted for each incorrect answer.
- Tier 2: 1 mark deducted for each incorrect answer in Paper I; 0.50 marks deducted in Paper II & III.
-
How many questions are there in SSC CGL Tier 1?
The Tier 1 exam consists of 100 questions (25 from each section) with a total of 200 marks. -
Is the SSC CGL 2025 exam conducted in online or offline mode?
The SSC CGL 2025 exam is conducted online (Computer-Based Test) for both Tier 1 and Tier 2. -
What is the time duration for the SSC CGL 2025 exam?
- Tier 1: 60 minutes
- Tier 2:
- Paper I: 2 hours and 30 minutes
- Paper II & III: 2 hours each