SSC CGL 2025 Exam Pattern | SSC CGL Exam dates 2025 | Complete guide

SSC CGL 2025 Exam Pattern and Dates: Complete Guide for Aspirants

The Staff Selection Commissioner has issued SSC CGL 2025 Notification (Staff Selection Commission Combined Graduate Level), the exam  is a premier national-level recruitment process for Group B and C posts in various Indian government ministries and departments. This article provides a detailed breakdown of the SSC CGL 2025 exam pattern, exam dates, and preparation tips to help aspirants excel in this highly competitive exam with 14,582 vacancies. Stay informed and start your preparation for SSC CGL 2025 today!

See SSC CGL 2025 Application Form, Step by Step guide

SSC CGL 2025 Exam Dates

The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has released the official schedule for SSC CGL 2025 via the revised SSC Exam Calendar 2025-26 on ssc.gov.in. Below are the key dates:

Event	Date
Notification Release	June 9, 2025
Online Application Start	June 9, 2025
Last Date to Apply Online	July 4, 2025
Last Date for Fee Payment	July 5, 2025
Application Correction Window	July 9–11, 2025
Tier-I Exam (Computer-Based Test)	August 13–30, 2025
Tier-I Admit Card Release	August 8, 2025 (Tentative)
Tier-I Result	October 2025 (Tentative)
Tier-II Exam (Computer-Based Test)	December 2025 (Tentative)
Tier-II Result	February 2026 (Tentative)
Final Result	April 2026 (Tentative)

Note:

• The Tier-I exam is conducted across multiple shifts, with normalization applied to adjust scores.
• City Intimation Slips and Admit Cards will be available on regional SSC websites (e.g., sscnr.nic.in).
• Check ssc.gov.in regularly for updates.

SSC CGL 2025 Exam Pattern

The SSC CGL 2025 exam is conducted in two tiers: Tier-I and Tier-II, both as Computer-Based Tests (CBTs). The exam pattern has been revised since 2022, reducing the tiers from four to two to expedite recruitment. Below is the detailed SSC CGL 2025 exam pattern for both tiers, including marking schemes and subjects.

SSC CGL 2025 Tier-I Exam Pattern (Qualifying in Nature)

• Purpose: Screens candidates for Tier-II.
• Mode: Online, Computer-Based Test (CBT).
• Type: Objective, Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs).
• Duration: 60 minutes (80 minutes for PwBD candidates with scribe).
• Total Marks: 200 marks.
• Negative Marking: 0.50 marks deducted for each wrong answer.
• Language: Questions in English and Hindi (except English Comprehension).

Section	Questions	Marks	Topics
General Intelligence & Reasoning	25	50	Analogies, Syllogism, Coding-Decoding, Puzzles, Non-Verbal Reasoning
General Awareness	25	50	Current Affairs, History, Geography, Polity, Economics, Science, Static GK
Quantitative Aptitude	25	50	Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Data Interpretation
English Comprehension	25	50	Reading Comprehension, Synonyms/Antonyms, Error Spotting, Cloze Test
Total	100	200

Key Points:

• No sectional time limit; candidates can navigate freely across sections.
• Marks are not counted in the final merit list but are essential to qualify for Tier-II.
• Normalization is applied if the exam is conducted in multiple shifts.

SSC CGL 2025 Tier-II Exam Pattern (Scoring in Nature)

• Purpose: Determines final merit and post allocation.
• Mode: Online, Computer-Based Test (CBT).
• Type: Objective MCQs (except Module-II of Paper-I, which is a skill test).
• Papers: Three papers, with Paper-I mandatory for all posts.
• Negative Marking:
• Paper-I: 1 mark deducted for wrong answers in Section-I, Section-II, and Module-I of Section-III.
• Paper-II & Paper-III: 0.50 marks deducted for wrong answers.
• Language: Questions in English and Hindi (except English Language and Comprehension).

SSC CGL Paper-I (Compulsory for All Posts)

• Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes (3 hours for PwBD candidates with scribe).
• Structure: Conducted in two sessions on the same day:
• Session-I: 2 hours (Sections I, II, and Module-I of Section-III).
• Session-II: 15 minutes (Module-II of Section-III: Data Entry Speed Test).
• Total Marks: 390 marks (excluding Module-II, which is qualifying).

Section	Module	Questions	Marks	Time	Topics
Section-I	Module-I: Mathematical Abilities	30	90	1 hour	Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Mensuration
	Module-II: Reasoning & General Intelligence	30	90		Verbal/Non-Verbal Reasoning, Puzzles, Series, Coding-Decoding
Section-II	Module-I: English Language & Comprehension	45	135	1 hour	Grammar, Vocabulary, Comprehension, Sentence Correction
	Module-II: General Awareness	25	75		Current Affairs, History, Geography, Polity, Science, Static GK
Section-III	Module-I: Computer Proficiency	20	60	15 minutes	MS Office, Internet, Email, Computer Basics
Section-III (Session-II)	Module-II: Data Entry Speed Test (DEST)	-	Qualifying	15 minutes	2000 key depressions in 15 minutes (English, on computer)
Total		150	450	2 hr 30 min

 Key Points:

• All sections of Paper-I must be qualified separately.
• DEST is mandatory for all posts, with relaxed criteria for PwBD candidates (e.g., 800 key depressions for VH candidates).
• Module-II (DEST) is qualifying; marks are not counted in the merit list.

SSC CGL Paper-II (For Junior Statistical Officer - JSO)

• Eligibility: Candidates applying for JSO in the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.
• Subject: Statistics.
• Questions: 100 MCQs.
• Marks: 200 (2 marks per question).
• Duration: 2 hours (2 hours 40 minutes for PwBD with scribe).
• Negative Marking: 0.50 marks per wrong answer.
• Topics: Collection/Representation of Data, Measures of Central Tendency, Dispersion, Probability, Sampling, Statistical Inference, Time Series, Index Numbers.

SSC CGL Paper-III (For Assistant Audit Officer/Assistant Accounts Officer - AAO)

• Eligibility: Candidates applying for AAO in the Indian Audit & Accounts Department.
• Subject: General Studies (Finance and Economics).
• Questions: 100 MCQs.
• Marks: 200 (2 marks per question).
• Duration: 2 hours (2 hours 40 minutes for PwBD with scribe).
• Negative Marking: 0.50 marks per wrong answer.
• Topics: Financial Accounting, Cost Accounting, Taxation, Auditing, Economics (Micro/Macro), Finance, Budget, Five-Year Plans.

Key Points:

• Paper-II and Paper-III are specific to JSO and AAO posts, respectively.
• Final merit is based on Tier-II marks (Paper-I for all posts, plus Paper-II/III for JSO/AAO).
• Normalization is applied for multi-shift exams.

SSC CGL 2025 Selection Process

The SSC CGL 2025 selection process includes:

1. Tier-I: Qualifying exam to shortlist candidates for Tier-II.
2. Tier-II: Scoring exam for final merit and post allocation.
3. Document Verification: Verification of educational qualifications, age, and category.
4. Skill Test (DEST): Included in Tier-II Paper-I for all posts; mandatory but qualifying.
5. Medical Examination: For specific posts (e.g., Inspector, Sub-Inspector).

Final Merit:

• Based on Tier-II marks (Paper-I for all posts, Paper-II for JSO, Paper-III for AAO).
• Post allocation depends on merit, candidate preferences, and vacancy availability (14,582 posts in 2025).

Key Features of SSC CGL 2025 Exam

• Vacancies: 14,582 Group B and C posts (e.g., Assistant Section Officer, Inspector, Tax Assistant, JSO, AAO).
• Eligibility: Bachelor’s degree; age limit 18–32 years (relaxations for SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwBD/ESM).
• Salary: Pay levels range from ₹25,500–₹1,42,400 (Level 4–8).
• Negative Marking: 0.50 marks in Tier-I; 1 mark in Paper-I (Tier-II), 0.50 marks in Paper-II/III.
• Normalization: Applied to ensure fairness across shifts.
• Application Fee: ₹100 (exempt for women, SC/ST, PwBD, ESM).

Preparation Tips for SSC CGL 2025

1. Understand the Syllabus: Download the SSC CGL 2025 syllabus PDF from ssc.gov.in or Job Notifications. Focus on high-weightage topics like Quantitative Aptitude and English.
2. Practice Mock Tests: Use free mock tests on Job Notifications to simulate the exam pattern and improve time management.
3. Solve Previous Year Papers: Analyze SSC CGL previous year question papers to understand question types and difficulty.
4. Time Management: Allocate time for each section in Tier-I (e.g., 15–20 minutes per section) and practice for Tier-II’s longer duration.
5. Stay Updated: Follow Job Notifications for SSC CGL 2025 admit card updates, answer keys, and results.
6. Focus on Weak Areas: Prioritize sections like Reasoning for JSO or Finance for AAO based on post preferences.
7. Current Affairs: Read daily news for General Awareness (e.g., India’s history, polity, economy).

How to Download SSC CGL 2025Admit Card

1. Visit ssc.gov.in or regional SSC websites (e.g., sscnr.nic.in).
2. Click on “Download e-Admit Card for Combined Graduate Level Examination – 2025.”
3. Enter your Registration ID, Roll Number, or Name with Date of Birth and captcha.
4. Download and print the admit card, ensuring details (name, exam center, date) are correct.
5. Carry a valid photo ID (Aadhaar, PAN, Voter ID) to the exam hall.

Why Prepare for SSC CGL 2025?

• Prestigious Posts: Secure roles like Assistant Audit Officer, Junior Statistical Officer, or Inspector with attractive salaries (₹25,500–₹1,42,400).
• Career Stability: Government jobs offer job security, allowances, and growth opportunities.
• High Competition: Over 20 lakh candidates apply annually; early preparation is key.
• Fewer Vacancies: 14,582 vacancies in 2025 (down from 17,727 in 2024) mean higher cut offs.

Conclusion

The SSC CGL 2025 exam (Tier-I: August 13–30, 2025; Tier-II: December 2025) is a golden opportunity to secure a prestigious government job. With a revised exam pattern focusing on Tier-I (qualifying) and Tier-II (scoring), candidates must understand the structure, practice rigorously, and stay updated via JobNotifications.in. Download the SSC CGL 2025 syllabus PDF, practice mock tests, and target scores above the expected cut offs to excel in this competitive exam. Start your preparation now and stay tuned for SSC CGL 2025 admit card and result updates!