Exam pattern at a glance
SSC GD 2026 has one written stage — a computer-based exam that decides your merit. The race, body measurements and medical that follow are qualifying.
Computer Based Exam pattern
One objective paper in four parts — 80 questions for 160 marks in 60 minutes, at matriculation level. Because the CBE runs in many shifts, SSC normalizes the scores; the normalized score plus any NCC bonus decides merit and cut-offs.
| Part & subject | Questions | Marks | Per question |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part A · General Intelligence & Reasoning | 20 | 40 | 2 marks |
| Part B · General Knowledge & General Awareness | 20 | 40 | 2 marks |
| Part C · Elementary Mathematics | 20 | 40 | 2 marks |
| Part D · English / Hindi | 20 | 40 | 2 marks |
| Total · 60 min | 80 | 160 | −0.25 each wrong |
Minimum qualifying marks & NCC bonus
To be considered for PET/PST you must reach a minimum CBE score for your category, counted without any NCC bonus. Clearing it only makes you eligible — the actual shortlist is drawn on merit, at about 8 times the vacancies.
| Category | Minimum CBE marks | Out of 160 |
|---|---|---|
| UR | 30% | 48 marks |
| OBC / EWS | 25% | 40 marks |
| All other categories | 20% | 32 marks |
NCC certificate bonus
NCC certificate holders get bonus marks added to their normalized CBE score, provisionally until the certificate is checked at document verification.
| Certificate | Bonus | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| NCC ‘C’ certificate | 5% of maximum marks | 8 |
| NCC ‘B’ certificate | 3% of maximum marks | 4.8 |
| NCC ‘A’ certificate | 2% of maximum marks | 3.2 |
PET & PST
Conducted by the CAPFs for candidates shortlisted on CBE merit. You must pass both, but neither adds to your score. There is no appeal against the race result; a candidate declared unfit in height or chest can appeal the same day to the Appellate Authority at the centre.
PET · Race
Ladakh region: men 1.6 km in 7 min, women 800 m in 5 min. Ex-servicemen are exempt from the PET.
PST · Measurements
Men need an 80 cm chest with 5 cm expansion; women’s chest is not measured. Weight must be proportionate to height and age. Relaxations apply for some categories.
How each stage is marked
Only the CBE is scored. Know the penalty for a wrong answer before you decide which questions to attempt.
| Stage | How it counts |
|---|---|
| CBE — correct answer | +2 |
| CBE — wrong answer | −0.25 |
| NCC bonus | +8 / +4.8 / +3.2, added to the normalized CBE score |
| PET (race) | Qualifying |
| PST (height, chest, weight) | Qualifying |
| Medical (DME/RME) & document verification | Qualifying |
Final merit and force allocation use your normalized CBE marks plus NCC bonus, together with the force preferences you filled in the application. There is no re-evaluation or re-checking of CBE scores.
Crack SSC GD with your own daily plan
Daily targets, PYQ practice sets & timed mocks — to the latest GD pattern.
Rehearse the exact exam pattern
Knowing the pattern is step one. JobSafal lets you sit it — the same four parts, the same 60-minute clock and negative marking, so exam day feels familiar.
Full CBE mocks
80-question, 60-minute GD mocks in a CBT-style interface.
Negative-marking analysis
See how your accuracy vs attempts affects your net score, question by question.
Part-wise practice
Drill one part at a time to fix the weak links the pattern exposes.
Rank comparison
Benchmark every mock against other aspirants to know where you stand.
