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SSC CGL Exam 2023 Notification, Eligibility, Syllabus, Application Fee, Important Dates, Preparation Tips & How to Apply

The Staff Selection Commission Combined Graduate Level (SSC CGL) exam is a highly competitive examination conducted by Staff Selection Commission in India every year. This prestigious exam is aimed at selecting eligible candidates for various Group B and Group C (non-technical) vacancies in central government ministries, departments, and organizations which are regularly announced at Sarkari Job Gyaan. Each year, millions of aspirants participate in this prestigious exam to secure their dream jobs with numerous benefits such as job security, attractive salary packages, allowances, and opportunities for career growth in various government departments and organizations.

Here in this article you will learn everything about how to apply to SSC CGL exam in 2023 along with online form and notification download, eligibility criteria in general, age limit, syllabus, exam pattern, application fee, important dates and exam preparation tips for success in this exam.

SSC CGL 2023 Notification Details for 7500+ Posts Recruitment [Tier 1/II]

The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has announced the Combined Graduate Level Examination for the recruitment of 7,500 (tentative) Group B and Group C vacancies in various ministries, departments, and organizations in India starting from April 3, 2023. These vacancies include Assistant Audit Officer, Assistant Accounts Officer, Assistant Section Officer, Assistant, Inspector, Assistant Enforcement Officer, Sub Inspector, Auditor, Tax Assistant & Other posts. Eligible candidates with a Bachelor’s Degree can apply online at SSC official website before the closing date of May 3, 2023. Selection will be based on Tier I & Tier II. You can visit the official website or continue reading this page for details on the syllabus, exam dates, admit cards, and other updates related to SSC CGL recruitment 2023.

Name of Organization:Staff Selection Commission
Total Vacancies:7500+ (tentative)
Job Location:All India
Notification Released:3rd April 2023
Start Date:3rd April 2023
Last Date To Apply:3rd May 2023
Last Date for Fee Payment:4th May 2023
Last Date for Offline Challan Generation:4th May 2023
Last Date for payment through Challan:5th May 2023
Form Correction Dates:7th – 8th May 2023
Educational Qualification for SSC CGL Exam

Candidates are required to have passed Bachelor’s Degree from recognized university in relevant stream.

Age Limit (As on 01.08.2023)

Minimum Age: 18 years / 20 years.
Maximum age: 27 years / 30 years / 32 years.
Check notification for age relaxation as per SSC policy.

Selection Process

Selection will be based on Tier I & Tier II.

Important Links: Apply Online | Download Notification

SSC CGL Eligibility Criteria in general

To be eligible for the SSC CGL exam, candidates must fulfill specific eligibility criteria related to age limit and educational qualifications. The age limit for various posts generally ranges between 18 and 32 years as of 1st January of the examination year, with age relaxations applicable for candidates belonging to reserved categories such as SC, ST, OBC, PwD, and Ex-Servicemen, following government norms.

The minimum educational qualification for most posts is a bachelor’s degree from a recognized university or institution. However, certain positions may have additional requirements based on the category or stream.

In addition to age limit and educational qualification, special requirements or physical standards may apply to inspector or sub-inspector positions, including height, chest measurements, and physical endurance tests. Candidates are advised to review the official SSC CGL notification to ensure they meet all eligibility criteria and avoid disqualification.

SSC CGL Tiers, Syllabus and Exam Pattern

SSC CGL Tiers, Syllabus and Exam Pattern

The SSC CGL exam is composed of four tiers: Tier-I (Preliminary), Tier-II (Mains), Tier-III (Descriptive), and Tier-IV (Skill Test/Computer Proficiency Test), which are conducted in a phased manner. Each tier is designed to test the candidates’ aptitude, reasoning, language skills, and general awareness. The primary purpose of the exam is to identify and select skilled and proficient candidates to fill vacancies in various Group B and Group C posts, such as Assistant Audit Officer, Assistant Section Officer, Inspector, Assistant Enforcement Officer, Sub-Inspector, Junior Statistical Officer, Tax Assistant, and Assistants in Central Secretariat Service, among others.

It is important to know the syllabus and exam pattern for successful completion of each tier. The syllabus for the SSC CGL exam covers a broad range of topics and subjects to assess the candidates’ knowledge, skills, and aptitude across various streams. By understanding the detailed syllabus and subjects for each tier of the SSC CGL exam, candidates can better plan their preparation strategy, focus on the relevant topics, and improve their chances of success in the examination.

Candidates who successfully clear all four tiers of the examination are eligible for appointment to these esteemed positions, which not only offer job security and attractive pay scales but also contribute to shaping the Indian job market. Here’s a look at each Tier Syllabus and Exam Pattern in detail:

SSC CGL Exam Tier – I (objective)

Tier I is an objective, computer-based examination that tests the candidates’ basic understanding of quantitative aptitude, general intelligence and reasoning, English comprehension, and general awareness. This tier serves as a preliminary screening round.

Tier I Syllabus

General Intelligence and ReasoningGeneral AwarenessQuantitative AptitudeEnglish Comprehension
AnalogiesCurrent affairs (national and international)Number systemsReading comprehension
Similarities and differencesIndia and its neighboring countriesPercentageSynonyms and antonyms
Space visualizationGeneral scienceRatio and proportionFill in the blanks
Spatial orientationIndian history and cultureSquare rootsSpellings
Problem-solvingIndian geographyAveragesSpotting errors
AnalysisIndian economyInterestSentence correction
JudgmentIndian polity and constitutionProfit and lossOne-word substitution
Decision makingAwards and honorsDiscountIdioms and phrases
Visual memoryBooks and authorsPartnership businessSentence improvement
DiscriminationImportant dates and eventsMixture and allegationPara jumbles
ObservationTime and distance
Relationship conceptsTime and work
Arithmetical reasoning and figural classificationBasic algebraic identities
Arithmetic number seriesGeometry and mensuration
Non-verbal seriesTrigonometry
Coding and decodingHeights and distances
Statement conclusionHistogram
Syllogistic reasoningFrequency polygon
Bar diagram and pie chart

Tier I Exam Pattern

SubjectsNo. of QuestionsMarks
General Intelligence / Reasoning25 Questions50 Marks
General Awareness25 Questions50 Marks
Quantitative Aptitude25 Questions50 Marks
English Comprehension25 Questions50 Marks
Total100 Question200 Marks
60 Minutes (Total) – There will be negative marking of 0.50 for each wrong answer in Tier-I

SSC CGL Tier – II (objective)

Tier II is also an objective, computer-based examination, but it focuses on more in-depth testing of the candidates’ knowledge in specific subjects like quantitative abilities, English language and comprehension, statistics, and general studies (finance and economics).

Tier II Syllabus

Quantitative AbilitiesEnglish Language and ComprehensionStatisticsGeneral Studies (Finance and Economics)
Number systemsReading comprehensionCollection and presentation of dataFinance and accounts
PercentageSynonyms and antonymsMeasures of central tendency and dispersionEconomics and governance
Ratio and proportionFill in the blanksProbability theory
Square rootsSpellingsSampling theory
AveragesSpotting errorsStatistical inference
InterestSentence correctionAnalysis of variance
Profit and lossOne-word substitutionTime series analysis
DiscountIdioms and phrasesIndex numbers
Partnership businessSentence improvement
Mixture and allegationPara jumbles
Time and distanceActive and passive voice
Time and workDirect and indirect speech
Basic algebraic identitiesCloze test
Geometry and mensuration
Trigonometry
Heights and distances
Histogram
Frequency polygon
Bar diagram and pie chart
* Quantitative Abilities: (Same topics as Quantitative Aptitude in Tier-I, but with more advanced and complex questions)

Tier II Exam Pattern

PaperSubjectsNo. of QuestionsMarks
Paper IQuantitative
Abilities
100 Questions200 Marks
Paper IIEnglish Language
& Comprehension
200 Questions200 Marks
Paper IIIStatistics100 Questions200 Marks
Paper IVGeneral Studies
(Finance and
Economics)
100 Questions200 Marks
120 Minutes (Total)

SSC CGL Tier – III (descriptive)

Tier III is a descriptive, pen and paper-based examination where candidates are required to write essays, letters/applications, and precis to test their written communication skills and overall understanding of the subjects.

Tier III Syllabus

Essay writing

Candidates are required to write an essay on a given topic, which could be related to current affairs, social issues, or any other relevant subject. The essay should be well-structured, coherent, and showcase the candidate’s understanding of the topic and their ability to present their thoughts logically.

Letter/Application writing

Candidates need to write a formal letter or application on a given topic, according to the standard format and conventions. The letter or application should effectively convey the intended message, demonstrating the candidate’s command over the language and the ability to communicate professionally.

SSC CGL Tier III Exam Pattern

Pen and Paper modeDescriptive Paper in
English/Hindi
(writing of
Essays/Precie/Letter/Appli
cations etc.
100 Marks
60 minutes – The merit will be prepared on overall performance in Tier-I, Tier-II and Tier-III

SSC CGL Tier – IV

Tier IV consists of a skill test (where applicable) and document verification. The skill test includes a data entry speed test or a computer proficiency test, depending on the post applied for. After clearing the skill test, candidates undergo document verification before the final selection.

Preparation Strategy for SSC CGL Exam

Acing the SSC CGL exam requires a systematic approach, dedication, and the right preparation strategies. Here are some tips and suggestions to help candidates prepare effectively for the examination:

Understanding the exam pattern and syllabus

The first step in preparing for the SSC CGL exam is to thoroughly understand the exam pattern and the syllabus. Familiarize yourself with the tier-wise structure, subjects, question types, and marking scheme. This will give you a clear idea of what to expect in the exam and help you prioritize topics based on their weightage and your strengths and weaknesses.

Time management and study plan

Creating a study plan is crucial for effective preparation. Allocate sufficient time to cover each subject and topic in the syllabus, keeping in mind your strengths and areas that need improvement. Break down the syllabus into smaller sections and set realistic goals for each week or month. Ensure you dedicate adequate time for revision and practice, and maintain a balance between your study hours and relaxation to avoid burnout.

Importance of practice and mock tests

Practice is key to success in the SSC CGL exam. Solve a variety of questions from each topic and subject to gain a better understanding of the concepts and to identify your weak areas. Taking regular mock tests will help you assess your performance, improve your speed, and get accustomed to the exam environment.

Application Process

The application process for the SSC CGL exam is straightforward and user-friendly. By following the steps, paying the application fees, follow important dates and deadlines, and having the required documents ready, candidates can successfully complete the application process and take one step closer to their dream of securing a government job.

Step 1: Register on the SSC official website (https://ssc.nic.in/) and obtain your unique registration number and password.

Step 2: Log in and fill out the SSC CGL application form, providing personal, educational, and preference details.

Step 3: Upload scanned copies of your required documents in the specified format and size.

  • Scanned copy of a recent passport-sized photograph (size: 20-50 KB, format: JPEG)
  • Scanned copy of the candidate’s signature (size: 10-20 KB, format: JPEG)
  • Valid email ID and mobile number
  • Mark sheets and certificates of educational qualifications
  • Category certificate, if applicable (for SC, ST, OBC, PwD, or Ex-Servicemen)
  • Photo ID proof (Aadhaar card, PAN card, Voter ID, etc.)

Step 4: Pay the application fees through online modes, and save the receipt for future reference.