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The journey to becoming an Assistant Section Officer (ASO) through SSC CGL 2025 begins with one crucial step—knowing the syllabus and exam pattern thoroughly. With stiff competition and limited vacancies, aspirants need more than just hard work; they need smart preparation guided by the right strategy. The SSC CGL exam is conducted in two tiers, each designed to test your speed, accuracy, and subject knowledge. In this blog, we’ll walk you through the SSC CGL ASO Syllabus 2025 for both Tier 1 and Tier 2, along with detailed exam patterns and key topics, so you can prepare with clarity and confidence.
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SSC CGL ASO Syllabus 2025 – Overview
The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) conducts the Combined Graduate Level (CGL) exam every year to recruit candidates for various Group B and Group C posts in ministries, departments, and organizations of the Government of India. Among these, the Assistant Section Officer (ASO) is one of the most sought-after posts because of its prestige, career growth, and work-life balance.
To crack this exam, candidates must have a clear idea of the syllabus and exam pattern for both Tier 1 and Tier 2. This helps in creating a focused preparation strategy and avoiding last-minute confusion.
| Tier | Type of Exam | Mode |
| Tier – I | Objective Multiple Choice | Computer-Based (online) |
| Tier – II (Paper I, II, III) | Paper I (Compulsory for all posts), Paper II for candidates who apply for the posts of Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) in the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation and Paper III for candidates who apply for the posts of Assistant Audit Officer/ Assistant Accounts Officer. Objective Type, Multiple choice questions, except for Module-II of Section-III of Paper-I |
Computer-Based (online) |
SSC CGL ASO Tier 1 and Tier 2 Exam Pattern 2025
The SSC CGL ASO exam is conducted in two stages – Tier 1 and Tier 2. While Tier 1 serves as a qualifying stage with basic aptitude-based questions, Tier 2 is more detailed and assesses candidates on subjects like Quantitative Aptitude, English Language & Comprehension, Reasoning, and General Studies. Understanding the exam pattern of both tiers is crucial, as it helps aspirants plan their preparation strategy effectively and focus on the sections that carry the most weight.
SSC CGL Tier 1 Exam Pattern
The Tier 1 exam is the first stage of the SSC CGL selection process and acts as a screening test for candidates. It is conducted in online mode and consists of objective-type questions from four sections – General Intelligence & Reasoning, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, and English Comprehension. Each section carries equal weightage, making it important to prepare all subjects thoroughly. The paper is designed to test a candidate’s speed, accuracy, and overall aptitude within a strict time limit of 60 minutes. Also there should be negative marking of 0.50 marks for each incorrect answer.
| SSC CGL Tier 1 Exam Structure 2025 | |||||
| Subjects | General Intelligence and Reasoning | General Awareness | Quantitative Aptitude | English Comprehension | Total |
| No. of Questions | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 100 Questions |
| Marks | 50 | 50 | 50 | 50 | 200 Marks |
| Exam Duration | 60 minutes (1 hour) | ||||
SSC CGL Tier 2 Exam Pattern
Paper I will be held in two sessions on the same day and is compulsory for every candidate who clears Tier 1. In Session I, candidates will attempt Section I, Section II, and Module I of Section III, while Session II will be reserved for Module II of Section III. To move forward in the selection process, it is essential for candidates to qualify in each section of Paper I.
| SSC CGL Tier 2 Paper 1 Exam Pattern | ||||||
| Sections | Module | Subject | No. of Questions | Marks | Duration | Weightage |
| Section I | Module-I | Mathematical Abilities | 30 | 60*3 = 180 | 1 hour | 23% |
| Module-II | Reasoning and General Intelligence | 30 | 23% | |||
| Section II | Module-I | English Language and Comprehension | 45 | 70*3 = 210 | 1 hour | 35% |
| Module-II | General Awareness | 25 | 19% | |||
| Section III | Module-I | Computer Knowledge Test | 20 | 20*3 = 60 | 15 minutes | Qualifying |
| Module-II | Data Entry Speed Test | One Data Entry Task | 15 minutes | Qualifying | ||
| SSC CGL Tier 2 Paper 2 Exam Pattern | ||||||
| Paper | Section | No. of question | Maximum Marks | Duration | ||
| Paper II | Statistics | 100 | 200 | 2 hours | ||
SSC CGL ASO Syllabus 2025
The SSC CGL ASO Syllabus 2025 covers all important subjects from reasoning, aptitude, English, and general awareness in Tier 1, to advanced topics like Quant, English comprehension, and General Studies in Tier 2. Knowing the detailed syllabus helps candidates prepare strategically and score higher.
SSC CGL Tier 1 Syllabus 2025
1. Quantitative Aptitude Syllabus
In SSC CGL Tier-1 Exam, the Quantitative Aptitude Questions focus on analysing the candidate’s ability to appropriately use of numbers and number sense. This section is common in Tier-1 & Tier-2, and some of the topics are repetitive, so do prepare well to save time during your next stage of preparation for the same chapters. The topics for SSC CGL Quantitative Aptitude as set by the commission are as follows-
- Computation of whole numbers
- Decimals
- Fractions
- Relationships between numbers
- Profit and Loss
- Discount
- Partnership Business
- Mixture and Alligation
- Time and distance
- Time & Work
- Percentage
- Ratio & Proportion
- Square roots
- Averages
- Interest
- Basic algebraic identities of School Algebra & Elementary surds
- Graphs of Linear Equations
- Triangle and its various kinds of centres
- Congruence and similarity of triangles
- Circle and its chords, tangents, angles subtended by chords of a circle, common tangents to two or more circles
- Triangle
- Quadrilaterals
- Regular Polygons
- Right Prism
- Right Circular Cone
- Right Circular Cylinder
- Sphere
- Heights and Distances
- Histogram
- Frequency polygon
- Bar diagram & Pie chart
- Hemispheres
- Rectangular Parallelepiped
- Regular Right Pyramid with triangular or square base
- Trigonometric ratio
- Degree and Radian Measures
- Standard Identities
- Complementary angles
2. General Intelligence and Reasoning Syllabus
The SSC CGL Syllabus 2025 for General Intelligence and Reasoning consists of both verbal and non-verbal types of topics. This section will be key to examining the candidate’s activity and sharpness in any situation. The topics to be covered under the SSC CGL Syllabus for General Intelligence and Reasoning are listed below-
- Analogies
- Similarities and differences
- Space visualization
- Spatial orientation
- Problem-solving
- Analysis
- Judgment
- Blood Relations
- Decision making
- Visual memory
- Discrimination
- Observation
- Relationship concepts
- Arithmetical reasoning
- Figural classification
- Arithmetic number series
- Non-verbal series
- Coding and decoding
- Statement conclusion
- Syllogistic reasoning
3. English Language Syllabus
Of all the sections in SSC CGL Tier-1, the English section will be only in the English language. The candidates have to solve the questions asked in the exam which would analyse their understanding of the subject and their basic comprehension and writing ability would also be tested. Good command over the following topics would help the candidates to excel good score in this section.
- Idioms and Phrases
- One word Substitution
- Sentence Correction
- Error Spotting
- Fill in the Blanks
- Spellings Correction
- Reading Comprehension
- Synonyms-Antonyms
- Active Passive
- Sentence Rearrangement
- Sentence Improvement
- Cloze test
4. General Awareness Syllabus
This section would help test the candidate’s awareness about General Knowledge and General Science and their application to society. Though the syllabus of this section is vast in terms of the following topics.
- India and its neighbouring countries especially pertaining to History, Culture, Geography, Economic Scene, General Policy & Scientific Research
- Science
- Current Affairs
- Books and Authors
- Sports
- Important Schemes
- Important Days
- Portfolio
- People in News
- Static GK
SSC CGL Tier 2 Syllabus 2025
Module I of Session I of Paper I (Mathematical Abilities):
The main focus of this section is to check the candidate’s knowledge in terms f the appropriate use of numbers and the number sense of the candidate. Though the section is also asked in the Tier-1 Exam, however, the level and type of questions will be designed differently and slightly more moderate than in the 1st stage. So candidates must buckle up their preparation with the topics listed below-
| Topics | Sub-topics |
| Number Systems |
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| Fundamental arithmetical operations |
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| Algebra |
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| Geometry |
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| Mensuration |
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| Trigonometry |
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| Statistics and probability |
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Module-II of Section-I of Paper-I (Reasoning and General Intelligence):
Questions of both verbal and non-verbal types. These will include questions on
| Module-II of Section-I of Paper-I (Reasoning and General Intelligence) |
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Module-I of Section-II of Paper-I (English Language And Comprehension):
Fluency in the English Language will be tested based on this section of the SSC CGL Tier-2 Syllabus. Basic knowledge of the English language in terms of the following topics is necessary to get good marks in this section of the Tier-2 Exam. The syllabus for reading comprehension is not specific and is added in the syllabus to check candidates’ quick responses to the situations.
| Module-I of Section-II of Paper-I (English Language And Comprehension) |
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Module-II of Section-II of Paper-I (General Awareness):
Questions are designed to test the candidates’ general awareness of the environment around them and its application to society. Questions are also designed to test knowledge of current events and of such matters of everyday observation and experience in their scientific aspect as may be expected of an educated person. The test will also include questions relating
| Module-II of Section-II of Paper-I (General Awareness) |
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Module-I of Section-III of Paper-I (Computer Proficiency):
| Topics | Sub-Topics |
| Computer Basics |
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| Software | Windows Operating system including basics of Microsoft Office like MS word, MS Excel and Power Point etc |
| Working with the Internet and e-mails | Web Browsing & Searching, Downloading & Uploading, Managing an E-mail Account, e-Banking |
| Basics of networking and cyber security | Networking devices and protocols, Network and information security threats (like hacking, virus, worms, Trojan etc.) and preventive measures |
SSC CGL Tier 2 Syllabus- Paper 2 (Statistics)
For some candidates, this section might be tough & difficult to understand. The basic tip is to get the concept clear and repetitive revision of the concepts would be beneficial to grab good marks in this section too. The SSC CGL Tier-2 Syllabus for Statistics is described as follows-
| SSC CGL Tier 2 Syllabus- Paper 2 (Statistics) | |
| Subject | Topics |
| 1. Collection, Classification and Presentation of Statistical Data | Primary and Secondary data, Methods of data collection; Tabulation of data; Graphs and charts; Frequency distributions; Diagrammatic presentation of frequency distributions. |
| 2. Measures of Central Tendency | Common measures of central tendency – mean median and mode; Partition values- quartiles, deciles, percentiles. |
| 3. Measures of Dispersion- Common measures of Dispersion | range, quartile deviations, mean deviation and standard deviation; Measures of relative dispersion. |
| 4. Moments, Skewness and Kurtosis | Different types of moments and their relationship; the meaning of skewness and kurtosis; different measures of skewness and kurtosis. |
| 5. Correlation and Regression | Scatter diagram; simple correlation coefficient; simple regression lines; Spearman‟s rank correlation; Measures of association of attributes; Multiple regression; Multiple and partial correlation (For three variables only). |
| 6. Probability Theory | Meaning of probability; Different definitions of probability; Conditional probability; Compound probability; Independent events; Bayes‟ theorem. |
| 7. Random Variable and Probability Distributions | Random variable; Probability functions; Expectation and Variance of a random variable; Higher moments of a random variable; Binomial, Poisson, Normal and Exponential distributions; Joint distribution of two random variable (discrete). |
| 8. Sampling Theory | Concept of population and sample; Parameter and statistic, Sampling and non-sampling errors; Probability and nonprobability sampling techniques(simple random sampling, stratified sampling, multistage sampling, multiphase sampling, cluster sampling, systematic sampling, purposive sampling, convenience sampling and quota sampling); Sampling distribution(statement only); Sample size decisions. |
| 9. Statistical Inference | Point estimation and interval estimation, Properties of a good estimator, Methods of estimation (Moments method, Maximum likelihood method, Least squares method), Testing of hypothesis, Basic concept of testing, Small sample and large sample tests, Tests based on Z, t, Chi-square and F statistic, Confidence intervals. |
| 10. Analysis of Variance | Analysis of one-way classified data and two-way classified data. |
| 11. Time Series Analysis | Components of time series, Determination of trend component by different methods, Measurement of seasonal variation by different methods. |
| 12. Index Numbers | Meaning of Index Numbers, Problems in the construction of index numbers, Types of index number, Different formulae, Base shifting and splicing of index numbers, Cost of living Index Numbers, Uses of Index Numbers. |
SSC CGL Tier 2 Syllabus- Paper 3(General Studies-Finance and Economics)
This section of the SSC CGL Tier 2 Syllabus is divided into 2 parts, Finance & Accounts and Economics & Governance for which the sub-topics are detailed below-
| SSC CGL Tier 2 Syllabus- Paper 3(General Studies-Finance and Economics) | ||
| Part | Subject | Topics |
| Part A: Finance and Accounts-(80 marks) | Financial Accounting |
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| Basic concepts of accounting |
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| Part B: Economics and Governance-(120 marks) | Comptroller & Auditor General of India- Constitutional provisions, Role and responsibility | |
| Finance Commission-Role and functions | ||
| Basic Concept of Economics and introduction to Micro Economics |
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| Theory of Demand and Supply |
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| Theory of Production and cost |
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| Forms of Market and price determination in different markets |
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| Indian Economy |
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| Economic Reforms in India |
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| Money and Banking |
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| Role of Information Technology in Governance | ||
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SSC CGL ASO Tier 1 and Tier 2 Exam Syllabus 2025 – Download PDF
Get the complete SSC CGL ASO Tier 1 and Tier 2 Syllabus 2025 in one place for easy access. Click the link below to download the official syllabus PDF and start your preparation with a clear roadmap.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD ssc cgl aso syllabus 2025 (TIER 1 AND TIER 2 EXAM)
Preparation Tips for SSC CGL ASO Exam 2025
Cracking the SSC CGL ASO exam requires smart planning along with consistent practice. Here are some easy-to-follow tips that will help you prepare better:
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Know the Syllabus & Exam Pattern – Start by going through the complete syllabus for both Tier 1 and Tier 2. This will help you understand which areas need more focus.
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Make a Study Plan – Divide your time wisely between all subjects. Give more hours to your weaker sections but don’t ignore the stronger ones.
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Practice Mock Tests & Previous Papers – Regular practice of mock tests and previous year papers will improve your speed, accuracy, and confidence.
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Focus on Basics First – Strengthen your fundamentals in Quantitative Aptitude, Grammar, and Reasoning before moving to advanced-level questions.
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Stay Updated with Current Affairs – Read newspapers, magazines, or online resources daily to boost your General Awareness section.
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Revise Regularly – Keep time aside for revision so that you don’t forget what you studied earlier.
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Stay Consistent & Positive – Consistency is key. Study a little every day and stay motivated throughout your preparation journey.
With the right strategy and determination, securing the ASO post through SSC CGL 2025 is definitely achievable.
Looking for a clear path to crack the SSC CGL exam? Get Free Demo Classes Here!
FAQs
Q1. What is the syllabus for SSC CGL ASO 2025?
The syllabus includes subjects like General Intelligence & Reasoning, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, and English Comprehension for Tier 1. Tier 2 covers Quant, English, Reasoning, General Studies (Finance & Economics) along with other papers for specific posts.
Q2. Is the SSC CGL ASO Tier 1 exam qualifying in nature?
Yes, Tier 1 is qualifying. The marks obtained are not counted in the final merit but are required to move on to Tier 2.
Q3. How many papers are there in SSC CGL Tier 2 for ASO?
For ASO, Paper I is compulsory and includes multiple sections. Other papers like Statistics and General Studies (Finance & Economics) are only for certain posts.
Q4. What is the exam mode of SSC CGL ASO 2025?
Both Tier 1 and Tier 2 exams are conducted in online computer-based mode (CBT).
Q5. How can I prepare for the SSC CGL ASO exam effectively?
Start by understanding the syllabus, create a study plan, practice mock tests, stay updated with current affairs, and revise regularly.
Q6. Is there a sectional cutoff in SSC CGL ASO Paper I (Tier 2)?
Yes, candidates must qualify in each section of Paper I to proceed further in the recruitment process.
