Mains Syllabus of bssc cgl Exam 2024

Mains Syllabus of the SSC CGL Exam 2024

The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) conducts the Combined Graduate Level (CGL) Examination to recruit candidates for various Group B and Group C posts in Ministries/Departments/Organizations of the Government of India. The CGL Exam consists of four tiers: Tier I, Tier II, Tier III, and Tier IV.

This article focuses on the syllabus for Tier II, which is the Mains Examination of the SSC CGL Exam 2024.

Tier II: Mains Examination

The Tier II exam comprises two papers:

• Paper I: General Studies
• Paper II: Comprehension and Composition

Note: Candidates have to choose one of the following subjects for Paper II:

• General Studies
• Finance and Accounts
• Statistics
• Economics
• Commercial Audit
• Junior Statistical Officer (JSO)

Paper I: General Studies

Syllabus:

1. Current Events:

• National and International events of the past year.
• Major events in the field of science and technology.
• Important personalities and their achievements.
• Sports events and achievements.
• Awards and honors.
• Books and authors.
• Current affairs related to India’s economy, polity, and society.

2. History:

• Indian National Movement:
  • Important events, leaders, and their contributions.
  • Social and economic factors influencing the movement.
  • Impact of the movement on Indian society.
• Ancient, Medieval, and Modern History of India:
  • Major dynasties, rulers, and their contributions.
  • Important art, architecture, and literature.
  • Social and cultural developments.
• World History:
  • Major civilizations and empires.
  • Important events, movements, and personalities.
  • Impact of world history on India.

3. Geography:

• Physical Geography:
  • Landforms, climate, vegetation, and soil.
  • Natural resources and their distribution.
  • Environmental issues and their impact.
• Human Geography:
  • Population distribution and growth.
  • Urbanization and industrialization.
  • Transportation and communication.
  • International trade and economic development.
• Indian Geography:
  • Major geographical features, rivers, and mountains.
  • Climate and rainfall patterns.
  • Natural resources and their distribution.
  • Agricultural regions and crops.

4. Polity:

• Indian Constitution:
  • Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles of State Policy.
  • Structure and functions of the Union and State Governments.
  • Judiciary and its role.
  • Election Commission and its functions.
• Political System:
  • Political parties and their role.
  • Pressure groups and their influence.
  • Public opinion and its impact.
• Current Political Issues:
  • Major political developments in India.
  • Issues related to governance and administration.
  • Role of the media in politics.

5. Economics:

• Indian Economy:
  • Economic growth and development.
  • Poverty, unemployment, and inequality.
  • Infrastructure and its role in development.
  • Fiscal and monetary policies.
• International Economics:
  • Globalization and its impact.
  • International trade and finance.
  • Economic institutions like IMF and World Bank.
• Current Economic Issues:
  • Major economic challenges facing India.
  • Government policies and their impact on the economy.
  • Role of the private sector in economic development.

6. Science and Technology:

• General Science:
  • Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.
  • Basic concepts and applications.
  • Recent discoveries and inventions.
• Technology:
  • Information Technology (IT) and its impact.
  • Biotechnology and its applications.
  • Space technology and its applications.
• Current Developments:
  • Major scientific and technological advancements.
  • Impact of science and technology on society.

7. Environment and Ecology:

• Environmental Issues:
  • Pollution, climate change, and biodiversity loss.
  • Sustainable development and conservation.
  • Environmental laws and regulations.
• Ecology:
  • Ecosystems and their functions.
  • Biodiversity and its importance.
  • Environmental impact assessment.
• Current Environmental Issues:
  • Major environmental challenges facing India.
  • Government policies and initiatives for environmental protection.

8. General Awareness:

• Current events related to India and the world.
• Important personalities and their achievements.
• Sports events and achievements.
• Awards and honors.
• Books and authors.
• General knowledge related to various fields.

9. Reasoning and Analytical Ability:

• Logical reasoning:
  • Analogies, classifications, series, and coding-decoding.
  • Blood relations, direction sense, and seating arrangements.
• Analytical reasoning:
  • Data interpretation, charts, and graphs.
  • Problem-solving and decision-making.

10. Computer Awareness:

• Basic computer concepts:
  • Hardware and software.
  • Operating systems and applications.
  • Internet and its applications.
• Computer terminology:
  • Common computer terms and acronyms.
  • Basic knowledge of computer networks.

11. General Mental Ability:

• Verbal ability:
  • Comprehension, vocabulary, and grammar.
  • Synonyms, antonyms, and idioms.
• Non-verbal ability:
  • Spatial reasoning, visual perception, and pattern recognition.

Paper II: Comprehension and Composition

Syllabus:

1. Comprehension:

• Reading comprehension passages:
  • Understanding the main idea, supporting details, and author’s purpose.
  • Identifying the tone, style, and vocabulary of the passage.
  • Drawing inferences and making predictions.
• Comprehension of factual and literary passages.
• Comprehension of passages related to various fields like science, technology, history, and current affairs.

2. Composition:

• Essay writing:
  • Writing essays on various topics of general interest.
  • Developing arguments, providing evidence, and organizing ideas.
  • Maintaining clarity, coherence, and grammatical accuracy.
• Précis writing:
  • Summarizing a given passage in a concise and accurate manner.
  • Maintaining the original meaning and style of the passage.
• Letter writing:
  • Writing formal and informal letters.
  • Following the conventions of letter writing.
  • Maintaining clarity, conciseness, and politeness.
• Report writing:
  • Writing reports on various topics.
  • Presenting information in a clear, concise, and organized manner.
  • Using appropriate language and style.

Subject-Specific Papers for Paper II

1. Finance and Accounts:

• Financial Accounting:
  • Accounting principles and standards.
  • Financial statements analysis.
  • Ratio analysis and financial performance evaluation.
• Cost Accounting:
  • Cost accounting methods and techniques.
  • Cost control and cost reduction.
  • Budgeting and cost analysis.
• Auditing:
  • Auditing principles and procedures.
  • Internal audit and external audit.
  • Audit of financial statements.
• Taxation:
  • Income tax, GST, and other indirect taxes.
  • Tax planning and tax management.
• Financial Management:
  • Financial planning and control.
  • Working capital management.
  • Capital budgeting and investment decisions.

2. Statistics:

• Statistical Methods:
  • Descriptive statistics and data analysis.
  • Probability and probability distributions.
  • Statistical inference and hypothesis testing.
• Sampling Techniques:
  • Simple random sampling, stratified sampling, and cluster sampling.
  • Non-probability sampling methods.
• Regression Analysis:
  • Simple linear regression and multiple regression.
  • Regression diagnostics and model evaluation.
• Time Series Analysis:
  • Forecasting methods and techniques.
  • Time series models and their applications.
• Statistical Quality Control:
  • Control charts and process capability analysis.
  • Statistical methods for quality improvement.

3. Economics:

• Microeconomics:
  • Consumer behavior and demand theory.
  • Production theory and cost analysis.
  • Market structures and pricing.
• Macroeconomics:
  • National income accounting and economic growth.
  • Inflation, unemployment, and economic policy.
  • International trade and finance.
• Development Economics:
  • Poverty, inequality, and development.
  • Economic growth and development strategies.
  • Role of institutions and governance in development.
• Indian Economy:
  • Economic reforms and their impact.
  • Challenges and opportunities for economic growth.
  • Role of the government in economic development.

4. Commercial Audit:

• Auditing Principles and Standards:
  • Auditing concepts and objectives.
  • Auditing standards and procedures.
  • Audit planning and execution.
• Audit of Financial Statements:
  • Audit of revenue and expenses.
  • Audit of assets and liabilities.
  • Audit of cash flow statements.
• Internal Audit:
  • Internal control systems and their evaluation.
  • Internal audit procedures and reporting.
  • Fraud detection and prevention.
• Management Audit:
  • Performance evaluation and efficiency analysis.
  • Risk management and internal control.
  • Corporate governance and compliance.
• Statutory Audit:
  • Audit of companies and other organizations.
  • Compliance with statutory requirements.
  • Reporting and disclosure requirements.

5. Junior Statistical Officer (JSO):

• Statistical Methods:
  • Descriptive statistics and data analysis.
  • Probability and probability distributions.
  • Statistical inference and hypothesis testing.
• Sampling Techniques:
  • Simple random sampling, stratified sampling, and cluster sampling.
  • Non-probability sampling methods.
• Regression Analysis:
  • Simple linear regression and multiple regression.
  • Regression diagnostics and model evaluation.
• Time Series Analysis:
  • Forecasting methods and techniques.
  • Time series models and their applications.
• Statistical Quality Control:
  • Control charts and process capability analysis.
  • Statistical methods for quality improvement.
• Data Collection and Analysis:
  • Survey design and data collection methods.
  • Data cleaning, transformation, and analysis.
  • Statistical software applications.

Preparation Tips for Tier II

• Understand the Syllabus: Thoroughly go through the syllabus for both Paper I and Paper II.
• Refer to Standard Textbooks: Use standard textbooks and study materials for each subject.
• Practice Previous Years’ Papers: Solve previous years’ question papers to understand the exam pattern and difficulty level.
• Develop Time Management Skills: Practice time management techniques to complete the exam within the allotted time.
• Focus on Current Affairs: Stay updated with current events and happenings in India and the world.
• Improve Writing Skills: Practice essay writing, précis writing, letter writing, and report writing.
• Develop Analytical and Reasoning Skills: Practice logical reasoning and analytical reasoning questions.
• Join Online Courses or Coaching Classes: Consider joining online courses or coaching classes for guidance and support.
• Stay Motivated and Focused: Maintain a consistent study schedule and stay motivated throughout the preparation process.

Table 1: Tier II Exam Pattern

Paper	Subject	Duration	Maximum Marks
Paper I	General Studies	2 Hours	200
Paper II	Comprehension and Composition	2 Hours	200

Table 2: Subject-Specific Papers for Paper II

Subject	Number of Questions	Maximum Marks
Finance and Accounts	100	200
Statistics	100	200
Economics	100	200
Commercial Audit	100	200
Junior Statistical Officer (JSO)	100	200

Note: The syllabus and exam pattern may vary slightly from year to year. Candidates are advised to refer to the official notification released by the SSC for the latest information.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and Short Answers:

General:

• Q: What is the duration of the SSC CGL Tier II exam?
  • A: Each paper of Tier II is 2 hours long.
• Q: How many papers are there in SSC CGL Tier II?
  • A: There are two papers: Paper I (General Studies) and Paper II (Comprehension and Composition).
• Q: What is the qualifying marks for SSC CGL Tier II?
  • A: The qualifying marks are determined by the SSC based on the number of vacancies and the performance of candidates.
• Q: Is there any negative marking in SSC CGL Tier II?
  • A: Yes, there is a negative marking of 1/4th mark for each incorrect answer.
• Q: What is the best way to prepare for SSC CGL Tier II?
  • A: A comprehensive study plan, referring to standard textbooks, practicing previous years’ papers, and focusing on current affairs are key to success.

Paper I: General Studies:

• Q: How much emphasis should I give to current affairs for Paper I?
  • A: Current affairs are crucial. Focus on national and international events, science and technology, and major personalities.
• Q: Which history topics are most important for Paper I?
  • A: Indian National Movement, Ancient, Medieval, and Modern History of India, and World History are all important.
• Q: What are some good resources for preparing for the General Awareness section of Paper I?
  • A: Newspapers, magazines, online portals, and dedicated General Awareness books are helpful.
• Q: How can I improve my reasoning and analytical ability for Paper I?
  • A: Practice logical reasoning and analytical reasoning questions from various sources.

Paper II: Comprehension and Composition:

• Q: What are the key skills required for Paper II?
  • A: Reading comprehension, essay writing, précis writing, letter writing, and report writing skills are essential.
• Q: How can I improve my reading comprehension skills?
  • A: Practice reading different types of passages, focusing on understanding the main idea, supporting details, and author’s purpose.
• Q: What are some tips for writing a good essay?
  • A: Develop a clear argument, provide evidence, organize your ideas, and maintain clarity and coherence.
• Q: How can I prepare for the précis writing section?
  • A: Practice summarizing passages concisely while maintaining the original meaning and style.

Subject-Specific Papers for Paper II:

• Q: What are the key topics for Finance and Accounts Paper II?
  • A: Financial Accounting, Cost Accounting, Auditing, Taxation, and Financial Management are important.
• Q: What are some good resources for preparing for the Statistics Paper II?
  • A: Standard textbooks on statistical methods, sampling techniques, regression analysis, and time series analysis are helpful.
• Q: What are the main areas covered in the Economics Paper II?
  • A: Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Development Economics, and the Indian Economy are key topics.
• Q: What are the specific skills required for the Commercial Audit Paper II?
  • A: Understanding auditing principles, standards, and procedures, as well as internal and external audit practices, is crucial.
• Q: What are the key areas covered in the Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) Paper II?
  • A: Statistical methods, sampling techniques, regression analysis, time series analysis, statistical quality control, and data collection and analysis are important.

Note: These are just a few examples of frequently asked questions. The specific questions and answers may vary depending on the individual’s preparation level and specific areas of concern.