The SSC syllabus is exam-specific: CGL, CHSL, JE, Stenographer, Selection Post, Constable GD, MTS and Delhi Police/CAPF exams share some reasoning and general awareness areas, but differ in level, technical subjects and skill tests. SSC now uses ssc.gov.in for applications, notifications and results, so always verify the current notification PDF before planning.
By CareerPlan Editorial Team
This page focuses only on the SSC syllabus. For the overall exam system, use the SSC exam overview. For qualification rules, see SSC eligibility. For study planning after you identify your topics, see how to prepare for SSC.
Official SSC Exam Syllabus PDFs (Consolidated)
The safest source for the SSC syllabus is the latest notice PDF on the Staff Selection Commission website. SSC also has a syllabus page on the portal, but candidates should not depend only on one page because the SSC syllabus is published through exam-wise notices, corrigenda and addenda can change instructions.
The old SSC website clearly asks candidates to visit the new portal at ssc.gov.in for application forms, notifications, results and other updates. In recent notices, applications are also directed through the new SSC website and, where mentioned, the mySSC mobile app.
| Exam | Official place to check | Where the syllabus is usually found | What to verify before using it |
|---|---|---|---|
| CGL | SSC CGL notice PDF on ssc.gov.in | Scheme of Tier-I and Tier-II, followed by indicative syllabus sections. The current CGL notice lists Tier-I subjects as General Intelligence and Reasoning, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude and English Comprehension. | Whether you need only Paper-I of Tier-II or also Statistics/Finance and Economics papers for specific posts. |
| CGL older archive | Old SSC portal / archive | The syllabus for the Combined Graduate Level examination from 2014 belongs to the old SSC notice/archive period. Treat it as a historical reference, not the current SSC syllabus. | Use the latest CGL notification on ssc.gov.in for the exam you are applying to. Do not prepare from a 2014 document unless you are comparing historical patterns. |
| CHSL | SSC CHSL notice PDF on ssc.gov.in | Tier-I and Tier-II scheme and indicative syllabus. Tier-I covers English Language, General Intelligence, Quantitative Aptitude and General Awareness. | Typing Test or Skill Test requirements for LDC/JSA/DEO posts. |
| Junior Engineer (JE) | SSC JE notice PDF on ssc.gov.in | Paper-I and Paper-II syllabus for General Intelligence and Reasoning, General Awareness and General Engineering in Civil, Electrical or Mechanical branches. | Your engineering branch and the paper part you must attempt. The JE syllabus is accessible on the official SSC website, but candidates must use the notice for the relevant year. |
| Stenographer Grade C and D | SSC Stenographer notice PDF on ssc.gov.in | Indicative syllabus for Computer Based Examination: General Intelligence and Reasoning, General Awareness and English Language and Comprehension. | Stenography skill test details, language option and transcription rules. |
| Selection Post | SSC Selection Post Phase XIV notice PDF on ssc.gov.in | Indicative syllabus for Matriculation level, Higher Secondary level and Graduation and above level posts. | The post level, essential qualification and region-wise post category. |
| Sub-Inspector in Delhi Police and CAPFs | SSC Delhi Police/CAPF SI notice PDF on ssc.gov.in | Paper-I covers General Intelligence and Reasoning, General Knowledge and General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude and English Comprehension. Paper-II covers English Language and Comprehension. | Physical Standard Test, Physical Endurance Test and medical examination requirements. |
| Constable GD in CAPFs | SSC Constable GD notice PDF on ssc.gov.in | Computer Based Examination syllabus for General Intelligence and Reasoning, General Knowledge and General Awareness, Elementary Mathematics and English/Hindi. | PET, PST, medical standards and force-specific instructions. |
| MTS and Havaldar | SSC MTS/Havaldar notice PDF on ssc.gov.in | Computer Based Examination syllabus, with separate physical standards for Havaldar where applicable. | Whether you are applying for MTS only or Havaldar also. |
| Delhi Police Constable Executive | SSC Delhi Police Constable notice PDF on ssc.gov.in | The examination notice carries the scheme and syllabus for the Computer Based Examination and explains the role of Delhi Police in physical tests/document stages. | PE and MT rules, document verification responsibility and the latest Delhi Police-specific instructions. |
How to use the official PDFs
- Open the latest notification PDF for your exam from ssc.gov.in.
- Search inside the PDF for Indicative Syllabus, Scheme of Examination, Tier-I, Tier-II, Paper-I or Paper-II.
- Check whether the PDF has been followed by a corrigendum, addendum or revised instruction.
- Write your SSC syllabus topic list exam-wise. Do not mix a CGL graduate-level topic list with a CHSL or Matriculation-level Selection Post list.
- Use old notices only for trend study. For current preparation, the latest official notice is the controlling document.
Key Differences Between SSC Exam Syllabi
The main mistake students make with the SSC syllabus is assuming that every SSC syllabus is the same because many exams use similar subject names. The names overlap, but the level and extra tests change by exam. This table gives a direct comparison of the SSC syllabus across different SSC examinations in a structure that is easier to use while planning.
| SSC exam | Base level | Common written subjects | Unique syllabus or test area | What this means for preparation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CGL | Graduate level | Reasoning, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, English | Tier-II has Mathematical Abilities, Reasoning and General Intelligence, English Language and Comprehension, General Awareness, Computer Knowledge and Data Entry Speed Test. Statistics and Finance/Economics apply only for specified posts. | Prepare common Tier-I first, then separate Tier-II Paper-I and any post-specific paper you are eligible for. |
| CHSL | 10+2 level | English, General Intelligence, Quantitative Aptitude, General Awareness | Tier-II includes Mathematical Abilities, Reasoning, English, General Awareness, Computer Knowledge and Skill Test/Typing Test. | Do not stop at Tier-I topics. Typing or DEO skill requirements can decide final suitability. |
| JE | Diploma/degree engineering level | General Intelligence and Reasoning, General Awareness | General Engineering branch: Civil and Structural, Electrical or Mechanical. | The engineering branch is the centre of the JE syllabus. General sections alone are not enough. |
| Stenographer Grade C and D | As per notice requirements | General Intelligence and Reasoning, General Awareness, English Language and Comprehension | Stenography Skill Test after the Computer Based Examination. | This exam does not follow the usual Quantitative Aptitude pattern seen in CGL or CHSL. English and stenography practice matter more. |
| Selection Post | Matriculation, Higher Secondary or Graduation and above | General Intelligence, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude/Basic Arithmetic, English | Level changes according to the post category and educational qualification. | First identify the post level. The same Selection Post phase can contain posts at different levels. |
| SI in Delhi Police and CAPFs | As per SI notice | Paper-I: Reasoning, General Knowledge and General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, English Comprehension | Paper-II is English Language and Comprehension. PST, PET and medical stages are mandatory. | Written preparation must be paired with physical standard and endurance readiness. |
| Constable GD in CAPFs | Matriculation level | Reasoning, General Awareness, Elementary Mathematics, English/Hindi | PET, PST and medical examination. | Keep maths at elementary level and do not ignore physical standards. |
| MTS and Havaldar | Matriculation level | Numerical and Mathematical Ability, Reasoning Ability and Problem Solving, General Awareness, English Language and Comprehension | Havaldar posts add physical tests where applicable. | Build speed in basic arithmetic, vocabulary and reasoning; add physical preparation only if applying for Havaldar. |
Common subject map
| Subject area | Appears in | Important note |
|---|---|---|
| General Intelligence/Reasoning | CGL, CHSL, JE, Stenographer, Selection Post, SI/CAPF, Constable GD, MTS | The topic family is common, but question level varies by exam. |
| General Awareness | Most SSC exams | Usually includes current events and general knowledge related to India and neighbouring countries, but exact wording should be checked in the notice. |
| Quantitative Aptitude/Mathematics | CGL, CHSL, Selection Post, SI/CAPF, Constable GD, MTS | Stenographer does not use the usual quant section in the same way. JE uses engineering mathematics only where the branch syllabus requires it. |
| English | CGL, CHSL, Stenographer, Selection Post, SI/CAPF, Constable GD/MTS depending on paper language rules | English may be a scored section, a comprehension paper, or part of language choice. Read the notice carefully. |
| Computer Knowledge | CGL Tier-II and CHSL Tier-II, and some post-specific exams | Computer modules may be qualifying in nature in some exams, but still mandatory. |
| Technical Engineering | JE | Civil, Electrical and Mechanical syllabi are not interchangeable. |
| Skill/Typing/Stenography/DEST | CGL, CHSL, Stenographer and some post-specific routes | These tests may be qualifying, but failing them can still stop selection. |
| Physical tests | Constable GD, SI in Delhi Police and CAPFs, Havaldar, Delhi Police posts | The syllabus is not only written topics; physical standards are part of the recruitment path. |
Absence of a direct comparison of syllabi across different SSC examinations in a structure
Official SSC notices are exam-wise. That is correct from an official-notification point of view, but it creates a problem for students who are deciding between exams. A student may open one notice, see Reasoning, General Awareness, Maths and English, and assume the same plan works for every SSC exam.
The SSC syllabus comparison above fixes that gap by separating three things:
- Common subjects: subjects that appear in many SSC exams, such as reasoning and general awareness.
- Exam level: Matriculation, 10+2, graduation, diploma or branch-specific level.
- Extra stage: typing, DEST, stenography, PET/PST, medical test or technical paper.
Use this SSC syllabus rule: prepare common subjects together only up to the level that overlaps. After that, split your notebook by exam. For example, CGL Tier-II Mathematics is not the same planning task as CHSL basic arithmetic, and JE Civil Engineering is a separate technical syllabus rather than an extension of general SSC maths.
Syllabus filter matrix by exam or post
Use this static filter before making an SSC syllabus study plan. Choose the SSC syllabus row that matches your target exam, then prepare only the listed areas. This works like an interactive syllabus comparison tool, but it is kept in a simple table so it is easy to copy into a study notebook.
| If your target is | Prepare first | Then add | Do not wrongly add |
|---|---|---|---|
| CGL general posts | Reasoning, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, English | CGL Tier-II Paper-I modules and DEST | JE engineering branch syllabus |
| CGL JSO/Statistical Investigator | CGL common syllabus | Statistics paper if shortlisted/applicable as per notice | Finance and Economics unless your post requires it |
| CGL AAO/AAO-type posts | CGL common syllabus | General Studies in Finance and Economics if applicable | Stenography practice |
| CHSL LDC/JSA | English, General Intelligence, Quantitative Aptitude, General Awareness | Tier-II modules and Typing Test | Graduate-level CGL Statistics |
| CHSL DEO | CHSL written syllabus | Skill Test for DEO as per notice | JE technical papers |
| JE Civil | Reasoning and General Awareness | Civil and Structural Engineering topics | Electrical or Mechanical paper parts |
| JE Electrical | Reasoning and General Awareness | Electrical Engineering topics | Civil/Structural and Mechanical paper parts |
| JE Mechanical | Reasoning and General Awareness | Mechanical Engineering topics | Civil/Structural and Electrical paper parts |
| Stenographer | Reasoning, General Awareness, English | Stenography dictation and transcription practice | CGL/CHSL Quantitative Aptitude as a main section |
| Selection Post | Subjects for your post level | Document scrutiny and skill test if prescribed for that post | Topics from a different educational level |
| Constable GD or Havaldar | Basic reasoning, general awareness, elementary maths, language section | Physical standards and endurance test where applicable | CGL Tier-II advanced modules |
No single page offering official, consolidated PDF documents for all SSC syllabi.
There is no single official page that reliably gives every current SSC syllabus PDF in one consolidated list for all exams. The SSC portal has a syllabus section, and exam pages may show resources, but candidates still need to open the latest exam notice PDF for the exact SSC syllabus, scheme, language rules, negative marking and qualifying tests.
This matters because SSC syllabus instructions are tied to the notification year. A PDF for CGL 2014, a CGL 2026 notice and a CHSL 2025 notice do not have the same practical value. The 2014 CGL syllabus is useful only to understand older patterns. The current SSC syllabus for an active cycle must come from the current notice on ssc.gov.in.
The same SSC syllabus rule applies to Stenographers, CAPFs and DP examinations. Syllabi for Stenographer Grade C and D, Sub-Inspector in Delhi Police and CAPFs, Constable GD in CAPFs and Delhi Police Constable examinations are published through SSC portal notices. Read the notice for the exact year and then check later corrigenda or addenda.
Safe checklist before finalising your syllabus
- Confirm the exam name exactly. For example, CGL, CHSL, JE and Selection Post are different exams.
- Confirm the notification year for the SSC syllabus. Do not use an old PDF as the final authority.
- Check whether the syllabus is called Indicative Syllabus. SSC commonly uses that phrase in notices.
- Check the scheme of examination before the topic list. The scheme tells you marks, questions, tiers and papers.
- Check whether skill, typing, stenography, physical or medical tests are part of your exam.
- Check for corrigendum or addendum notices on ssc.gov.in before relying on saved PDFs.
Example: how two similar-looking syllabi differ
CGL and CHSL both use reasoning, awareness, maths and English. But CGL is a graduate-level examination and its Tier-II may include Paper-I modules, Statistics for specified posts and Finance/Economics for specified posts. CHSL is a 10+2 level examination and has its own Tier-II structure with computer knowledge and typing/skill test requirements. The SSC syllabus subject names may look similar, but the standard and next-stage requirements differ.
For JE, the SSC syllabus difference is stronger. JE includes General Engineering, and the candidate has to prepare the branch selected in the notice. A Civil Engineering candidate cannot treat Electrical or Mechanical as optional revision material unless the notice specifically requires that branch.
Official Links
- ssc.gov.in
- ssc.nic.in
- Syllabus — ssc.gov.in
- Notice Of Adv Cgl 2026 (PDF) — ssc.gov.in
- Notice Of Adv Chsl 2025 (PDF) — ssc.gov.in
- Notice Of Adv Je 2025 (PDF) — ssc.gov.in
- Notice Of Adv Steno 2026 (PDF) — ssc.gov.in
- Notice Of Adv Capf 2025 (PDF) — ssc.gov.in
- Notice Of Rhq 2026 Phase Xiv (PDF) — ssc.gov.in
- Notice 01122025 (PDF) — ssc.gov.in
- Noticeofmtsnt 20240627 (PDF) — ssc.gov.in
- Notice Of Dpce 2025 (PDF) — ssc.gov.in