1. The SSC exam is a national level examination conducted by UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) to recruit candidates for various services at central government level. The exam is held twice a year i.e., in April-May and November-December.
2. The syllabus covers topics like General Studies, Current Affairs, Indian Economy, Indian Polity, Constitution of India, History of India, Geography, Science & Technology, Law, Sociology, Philosophy, English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning Ability, Computer Knowledge etc.
3. Candidates who have cleared their class 12th examinations can appear for the exam after obtaining their 10+2 qualification.
4. The SSC exam consists of two parts – Paper I and Paper II.
In paper I, questions are asked on general studies, current affairs, history, geography, polity, constitution, economics, science and technology, law, sociology, philosophy, English language, quantitative aptitude, reasoning ability and computer knowledge.
In paper II, questions are asked on subjects like agriculture, environment, rural development, urban development, water resources, industrial policy, labour laws, social security, public administration, international trade, foreign relations, defence, civil aviation, space research, atomic energy, telecommunications, railways, shipping, road transport, river basin management, inland waterways, coastal waters, fisheries, mining, steel industry, coal, power sector, petroleum, natural gas, petrochemicals, nuclear power generation, renewable energy, atomic energy, space applications, atomic energy safety, atomic energy treaties, atomic energy commission, atomic energy regulatory board, atomic energy programme, atomic energy corporation, atomic energy department, atomic energy laboratory, atomic energy agency, atomic energy commission, nuclear fuel cycle, nuclear power reactors, nuclear power stations, nuclear weapons, nuclear proliferation, non-proliferation treaty, disarmament, arms control, international security, strategic forces, military strategy, joint exercises, peacekeeping operations, human rights, international humanitarian law, international criminal law, international refugee law, international maritime law, international environmental law, international commercial law, international finance, international monetary law, international taxation, international economic law, international financial institutions, international investment law, international development law, international labour law, international customs union, international civil service, international organisations, international political organisation, international legal system, international judicial body, international arbitration, international criminal tribunal, international court, international criminal procedure, international criminal justice, international criminal law, United Nations, Security Council, International Court of Justice, World Trade Organization, WTO dispute settlement mechanism, UN conventions, UN charter, UN agencies, UN bodies, UN conferences, UN committees, UN documents, UN resolutions, UN specialised agencies, UN subcommittees, UN working groups, UN peacekeeping missions, UN peacekeeping operations, UN sanctions regimes, UN security council members, UN peacekeeping operations
5. The total duration of the exam is three hours including the time taken for lunch and tea breaks.
6. There are four sections in the exam – General Studies, Current Affairs/General Intelligence Test, English Language and Quantitative Aptitude. Each section has 50 marks.
7. The exam is held online.
8. The exam is divided into two papers. The first paper contains questions on General Studies, Current Affairs and General Intelligence Test. The second paper contains questions on English Language and Quantitative Ability.
9.10. The exam is held in May and December.
11. The result of the exam is declared in June and January respectively.
12. The cut off percentage for the exam is 75%.
13. The minimum qualifying marks for the exam are 45% for SC/ST category candidates and 35% for OBC category candidates.
14. The maximum number of vacancies for the exam is 2,50,000.
