SSC Selection Post 2026 Syllabus for Matric, 10+2 and Graduate levels: exam pattern, 0.50 negative marking, topic-wise syllabus and tips.
SSC Selection Post 2026 Syllabus
Matric, Higher Secondary & Graduate Level – Exam Pattern, Topic-wise Syllabus & Preparation Tips
If you applied for SSC Phase-XIV this year, or you are planning for the next phase, the SSC Selection Post 2026 Syllabus is the first thing to get clear. Unlike CGL or CHSL, Selection Posts are filled level-wise, so there are three separate computer based exams: one for Matriculation level posts, one for Higher Secondary (10+2) level posts and one for Graduation & above posts. The paper looks the same on the surface (four parts, 100 questions, 200 marks, 60 minutes), but the depth of topics changes a lot from one level to the next. Below is the full syllabus and exam pattern as per Advertisement No. Phase-XIV/2026/Selection Posts, the latest official notification on ssc.gov.in, explained in plain words.
SSC Selection Post 2026 Exam Pattern
The pattern below is common to all three levels. Only the standard of questions differs.
| Part | Subject | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | General Intelligence | 25 | 50 | 15 min |
| B | General Awareness | 25 | 50 | 15 min |
| C | Quantitative Aptitude (Basic Arithmetic Skill) | 25 | 50 | 15 min |
| D | English Language (Basic Knowledge) | 25 | 50 | 15 min |
| Total | — | 100 | 200 | 60 min |
Scribe candidates: Eligible PwBD candidates get 80 minutes in total, with a sectional timer of 20 minutes (15+5) for each part. The exam is offered in Hindi and English only, and you pick the medium at the application stage, so choose carefully.
Negative Marking, Cut-off & Shortlisting
- Marks per question: 2 marks (200 marks for 100 questions).
- Negative marking: 0.50 marks deducted for every wrong answer. Skipped questions carry no penalty.
- Normalization: If the exam runs in multiple shifts, scores are normalized as per SSC’s notice dated 02.06.2025, and normalized scores decide merit and cut-offs.
- Minimum cut-off for the next stage: UR 30%, OBC/EWS 25%, all other categories 20%.
- Shortlisting ratio: 1:30 for posts with up to 5 vacancies; 1:15 for posts with more than 5 vacancies (minimum 150 candidates). All PwBD/ESM candidates who clear the minimum cut-off are shortlisted against their reserved vacancies.
- Skill tests: Where a post needs typing, data entry or a computer proficiency test as part of its essential qualification, that test is qualifying in nature unless the post details say otherwise.
- Tie-break: Ties are resolved first by total normalized marks, then by marks in Part-A, then Part-B, then Part-C, and so on as listed in the notice.
SSC Selection Post 2026 Syllabus – Matriculation Level
This is the easiest of the three papers. Reasoning here is mostly non-verbal, and the maths stays at basic arithmetic.
| Part | Topics as per Official Syllabus |
|---|---|
| General Intelligence | Non-verbal questions: similarities and differences, space visualization, problem solving, analysis, judgment, decision making, visual memory, relationship concepts, discriminating observation, figure classification, arithmetical number series, non-verbal series, abstract ideas and symbols, arithmetical computation and other analytical functions. |
| General Awareness | Environment and its application to society, current affairs, everyday science, and India & its neighbouring countries: History, Culture, Geography, Sports, Economic scene, General Polity including the Indian Constitution, and Scientific Research. |
| Quantitative Aptitude | Number Systems, whole numbers, decimals & fractions, relationship between numbers, fundamental arithmetical operations, Percentages, Ratio & Proportion, Averages, Interest, Profit & Loss, Discount, use of Tables & Graphs, Mensuration, Time & Distance, Ratio & Time, Time & Work. |
| English Language | Basics of English, vocabulary, grammar, sentence structure, synonyms, antonyms and correct usage, plus writing ability. |
SSC Selection Post 2026 Syllabus – Higher Secondary (10+2) Level
At the 10+2 level the paper becomes close to CHSL standard. Verbal reasoning comes in, and maths adds algebra, geometry, trigonometry and data charts.
| Part | Topics as per Official Syllabus |
|---|---|
| General Intelligence | Verbal and non-verbal: Semantic Analogy, Symbolic operations, Symbolic/Number Analogy, Trends, Figural Analogy, Venn Diagrams, Space Orientation, Semantic Classification, Symbolic/Number Classification, Drawing inferences, Figural Classification, Punched hole/pattern folding & unfolding, Semantic Series, Figural Pattern folding & completion, Number Series, Embedded figures, Figural Series, Word Building, Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, Emotional Intelligence, Social Intelligence, Coding-Decoding, Numerical operations. |
| General Awareness | Environment and society, current affairs, everyday science, and India & its neighbouring countries: History, Culture, Geography, Economic Scene, General Polity and Scientific Research. |
| Quantitative Aptitude | Arithmetic: Number Systems, whole numbers, decimals, fractions, Percentage, Ratio & Proportion, Square roots, Averages, Profit & Loss, Discount, Simple & Compound Interest, Partnership, Mixture & Alligation, Time & Distance, Time & Work. Algebra: Basic identities, elementary surds, graphs of linear equations. Geometry: Triangles and their centres, congruence and similarity, circles, chords, tangents, angles subtended by chords, common tangents. Mensuration: Triangle, quadrilaterals, regular polygons, circle, prism, cone, cylinder, sphere, hemisphere, cuboid, pyramid. Trigonometry: Ratios, complementary angles, heights & distances (simple), standard identities. Statistical Charts: Tables, histogram, frequency polygon, bar diagram, pie chart. |
| English Language | Spot the Error, Fill in the blanks, Synonyms/Homonyms, Antonyms, Spellings/Misspelt words, Idioms & Phrases, One word substitution, Sentence Improvement, Active/Passive Voice, Direct/Indirect narration, Shuffling of sentence parts, Shuffling of sentences in a passage, Cloze Passage, Comprehension Passage. |
SSC Selection Post 2026 Syllabus – Graduation & Above Level
The graduate paper is close to CGL Tier-1 in reasoning and GK. One thing many people miss: the notice says Parts A, B and D are set at graduation standard, but Part C (Quantitative Aptitude) is set at 10th standard.
| Part | Topics as per Official Syllabus |
|---|---|
| General Intelligence | Analogies (semantic, symbolic/number, figural), classification, series (semantic, number, figural), space visualization and orientation, problem solving, analysis, judgment, decision making, visual memory, arithmetical reasoning, coding-decoding, statement-conclusion, syllogistic reasoning, word building, numerical and symbolic operations, trends, Venn diagrams, drawing inferences, punched hole/pattern folding, figural pattern completion, indexing, address matching, date & city matching, classification of centre codes/roll numbers, small & capital letter/number coding, embedded figures, critical thinking, emotional intelligence, social intelligence. |
| General Awareness | Current events, everyday science, environment, and India & its neighbouring countries: History, Culture, Geography, Economic Scene, General Polity and Scientific Research. |
| Quantitative Aptitude | Whole numbers, decimals, fractions, Percentage, Ratio & Proportion, Square roots, Averages, Interest, Discount, Partnership, Profit & Loss, Mixture & Alligation, Time & Distance, Time & Work, basic algebraic identities and surds, graphs of linear equations, triangle centres, congruence and similarity, circles and tangents, mensuration of 2D and 3D figures, trigonometric ratios, degree and radian measure, standard identities, complementary angles, heights & distances, histogram, frequency polygon, bar diagram and pie chart. |
| English Language | Ability to understand correct English, basic comprehension and writing ability. |
Preparation Tips for SSC Selection Post 2026
- Know your level first. A 10th-level aspirant doesn’t need trigonometry, but a 10+2 aspirant definitely does. Prepare as per the level of the posts you applied for.
- Practise with a 15-minute clock per section. 25 questions in 15 minutes is about 36 seconds a question. Time each section separately in mocks.
- Use CHSL and CGL papers smartly. The 10+2 and graduate syllabi overlap heavily with CHSL and CGL Tier-1, so those previous papers are good practice material.
- GK is static plus current. History, polity, geography and economy of India and its neighbours are named in the syllabus, along with current affairs. Revise a monthly current affairs summary for the 6–8 months before your exam.
- Don’t skip English if you are from Telugu medium. Grammar rules, vocabulary and comprehension improve fast with 30 minutes a day of reading and topic-wise practice.
- Check your skill test. If your post needs typing or data entry, start practising early. It is qualifying, but failing it ends your chance for that post.
Exam Centres for Telangana & Andhra Pradesh Candidates
Both Telugu states come under the SSC Southern Region (Chennai). As per the Phase-XIV notice, centres in our states are Hyderabad, Karimnagar, Warangal and Siddipet in Telangana, and Guntur, Kakinada, Kurnool, Nellore, Ongole, Rajahmundry, Tirupathi, Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, Srikakulam and Eluru in Andhra Pradesh. The Phase-XIV/2026 CBE was held from 16 September to 26 September 2026, and the tentative answer keys were released on ssc.gov.in in October.
SSC Selection Post 2026 Syllabus – Frequently Asked Questions
Is the SSC Selection Post 2026 syllabus the same for all levels?
No. The exam pattern (4 parts, 100 questions, 200 marks, 60 minutes) is the same, but the topics and difficulty change for Matriculation, Higher Secondary and Graduate levels.
Is there negative marking in SSC Selection Post 2026?
Yes. 0.50 marks are deducted for every wrong answer. Unattempted questions carry no penalty.
How much time is given for each section?
15 minutes for each of the four parts, 60 minutes in total. Scribe-eligible candidates get 20 minutes per part (80 minutes in total).
What are the minimum qualifying marks?
UR 30%, OBC/EWS 25% and all other categories 20%, as per the Phase-XIV/2026 notice.
In which languages is the exam conducted?
Hindi and English only. The medium has to be chosen in the application form.
Is there an interview in SSC Selection Posts?
No interview is mentioned in the scheme. Shortlisted candidates go through document scrutiny/verification by the user department, and a skill test where the post requires one.
Quick Summary
| Exam | SSC Selection Posts Phase-XIV/2026 |
| Levels | Matriculation, Higher Secondary (10+2), Graduation & above |
| Mode | Computer Based Examination (objective MCQ) |
| Parts | General Intelligence, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, English |
| Questions / Marks | 100 / 200 (25 questions, 50 marks per part) |
| Time | 60 minutes (15 min sectional timer per part) |
| Negative Marking | 0.50 marks per wrong answer |
| Minimum Cut-off | UR 30%, OBC/EWS 25%, Others 20% |
| Official Website | ssc.gov.in |
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