SSC GD Syllabus Topic-Wise: Reasoning, GK, Maths and English/Hindi

The SSC GD syllabus is given in para 12.1.11 of the notice for the Constable (GD) in CAPFs and SSF, and Rifleman (GD) in Assam Rifles Examination, 2026, which SSC published on ssc.gov.in on 1 December 2025. SSC calls it an "indicative" syllabus. The topic lists below show what each part of the paper covers, but the notice ends most lists with "etc.", so they are not closed lists.

This post follows the 2026 notice. SSC's tentative calendar for 2026–27 lists the 2027 edition of the exam with the advertisement in September 2026 and the computer-based exam in January to March 2027. When we checked the SSC notice board on 30 October 2026, the 2027 notice had not been published. When it is out, check its scheme and syllabus paras for any change.

SSC GD exam pattern at a glance

The computer-based exam (CBE) is one objective paper. All questions are multiple choice and each carries 2 marks.

Key rules from para 12.1 of the notice:

• Time: 60 minutes for the whole paper. The notice gives one duration for all four parts and does not set separate section timers.
• Negative marking: 0.25 marks are deducted for each wrong answer.
• Level: the questions are of Matriculation level.
• Languages: the paper is offered in English, Hindi and 13 regional languages: Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Konkani, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu and Urdu.
• No calculators: calculators and other electronic gadgets are not allowed.

Part A: General Intelligence and Reasoning

The notice says this part tests analytical aptitude and the ability to observe and distinguish patterns, through questions that are principally non-verbal. The listed topics are:

• Analogies
• Similarities and differences
• Spatial visualisation and spatial orientation
• Visual memory
• Discrimination and observation
• Relationship concepts
• Arithmetical reasoning
• Figural classification
• Arithmetic number series and non-verbal series
• Coding and decoding

Since the notice stresses non-verbal questions, figure-based practice is useful here. Mirror and water images, paper folding, embedded figures, figure series and odd-one-out figures are not named in the notice; they are our suggestions for practising the spatial and observation skills it does name. Number series and arithmetical reasoning link this part to basic arithmetic, so your Maths practice helps here too.

Part B: General Knowledge and General Awareness

Like most SSC notices, this one describes the section instead of giving a topic list. It tests:

• Awareness of the environment around you
• Current events
• Everyday observations and experience in their scientific aspect, at the level any educated person would know
• India and its neighbouring countries, especially sports, history, culture, geography, economic scene, general polity, Indian Constitution and scientific research

The notice adds that the questions will not need special study of any discipline. Our reading (not an official list) is that this points to school-level static GK (history, geography, polity, general science) plus current affairs. The notice names sports and the Indian Constitution specifically, so give both some regular time.

Part C: Elementary Mathematics

The notice lists these topics. The table groups them so you can plan practice by area.

The notice also lists "Ratio and Time" as a separate item, printed exactly that way; it does not explain it further.

Two points stand out. First, the GD list does not name algebra, geometry or trigonometry. Second, the questions are of Matriculation level and the notice does not allow calculators, so quick, accurate mental calculation helps. As a practice suggestion, learning tables up to 20, squares up to 30 and common fraction-to-percentage conversions (1/8 = 12.5%, for example) saves time in many questions.

"Interest" is not split in the notice, so prepare both simple and compound interest.

Part D: English/Hindi

The notice is brief here: it tests a candidate's ability to understand basic English or Hindi and their basic comprehension. It does not list topics. A sensible way to prepare is to cover basic grammar (error spotting, fill in the blanks, sentence improvement), everyday vocabulary (synonyms, antonyms, idioms, one-word substitution) and short passages, but this is our suggestion for practice, not an official list.

Pick the language you read most comfortably. Since the official description centres on understanding and comprehension, reading a short passage every day and answering questions on it is useful practice.

Qualifying marks and how the CBE score is used

Para 14.2 of the notice sets the minimum marks in the CBE needed to be considered for the next stage (PET/PST). These are counted without NCC bonus marks.

Clearing these marks does not mean you are shortlisted. Male and female candidates are shortlisted state-wise, area-wise and category-wise on merit, and the number called for PET/PST is about 8 times the vacancies (more can be called for SSF).

Some other rules worth knowing:

• Normalisation: CBE marks are normalised using the procedure in SSC's notice of 2 June 2025.
• NCC bonus: holders of NCC 'C', 'B' and 'A' certificates get 5%, 3% and 2% of the maximum marks as bonus marks, added to the normalised score.
• Tie-breaking: a tie is broken first by marks in Part A, then Part B, then Part C, then date of birth (older first), then alphabetical order of names. So Reasoning marks count first in a tie.
• Answer keys: tentative keys are put on the SSC website after the exam, and challenges cost ₹50 per question.

The CBE is only the first stage. Candidates shortlisted from it take the Physical Efficiency Test and Physical Standard Test; see our post on SSC GD physical standards for the height, chest and race-time rules.

Using the syllabus to plan

The SSC GD topic lists are short, and the questions are of Matriculation (Class 10) level. With 80 questions in 60 minutes, you have 45 seconds per question on average, so speed matters as much as knowing the topics.

1. Maths and Reasoning: practise the topics above in timed sets of 20 questions, aiming to finish each set in about 15 minutes.
2. GK: cover static GK area by area (history, geography, polity and the Constitution, science) and keep a weekly current affairs and sports note.
3. English/Hindi: one comprehension passage and a short grammar set each day.
4. Full papers: take full-length tests to practise splitting one 60-minute timer across four parts.

All RankVyuh practice papers for this exam are on the SSC GD exam page. To check your timing across all four parts with the real marking (+2/−0.25), try SSC GD Full Mock 1, free.