The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) conducts the Combined Graduate Preliminary Examination once a year for selection of candidates for the main Examination. Candidates declared qualified by the Commission in preliminary examination will have to apply again with requisite fees in the prescribed application form which is sent to such qualified candidates by the concerned regional offices of the Commission.

This Examination is conducted for recruitment to various subordinate services like:
(A) Assistants in Ministries/Departments, Attached and Subordinate office of
the Govt. of India.
(B) Inspectors of Central Excise & Customs.
(C) Inspectors of Income Tax.
(D) Preventive Officers in Customs.
(E) Examiner in Customs.
(F) Sub-Inspectors in Delhi Police & CBI.
(G) Sub-Inspectors in BSF, CRPF, ITBP and CISF.
(H) Divisional Accountant, Jr. Accountant, Auditor & UDCs in various offices of Govt. of India.

Eligibility:

Age: The age of a Candidate must lie between

(a) 20 to 27 years for Assistant Grade & SIs in CBI
(b) 18 to 27 years for inspectors of CE/IT & Div. Acctts/Auditors/UDCs, etc.
(c) 20 to 25 years for SIs in CPOs on the first day of August of the year of Examination.

The upper age limit may be relaxed in case of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes and few such other reserved categories.

Educational Qualification: Degree of a recognized University or equivalent.

Desirable Qualification for SIs in CPOs: Possession of NCC 'B' or 'C' certificate or outstanding sports or athletic certificates.

Physical Standards: For the posts of Inspector of Central Excise and Preventive Officer, candidates have to satisfy the minimum physical standards as specified in the examination notifications. They would also be required to undergo a physical test.

For further clarification/explanations, please refer to noticification when published in Emplyment News / Rozgar Samachar, etc

Examination Pattern:

Paper	No. of Questions	Marks	Duration
Part A :
General Intelligence & General Awareness.	100	100	2 Hrs.
Part B :
Arithmetic	100	100	2 Hrs.

Note:
i) Both parts A & B will be of objective type (multiple Choice types).

ii) Question Papers (Test Booklets) for both the parts in Preliminary Exam will be set both in English and Hindi.

Syllabus:

a) General Intelligence: It would include questions of both verbal and non-verbal type. This component will include questions on analogies, similarities and differences, spatial visualisation, spatial orientation, problem solving, analysis, judgement, decision making, visual memory, discrimination observation, relationship concepts, arithmetical reasoning, verbal and figure classification, arithmetic number series, non-verbal series, coding and decoding, statement conclusion, syllogistic reasoning etc.

b) General Awareness: Questions in this component will be aimed at testing the candidates’ general awareness of the environment around him and its application to society. Questions will also be designed to test knowledge of current events and of such matters of everyday observations and experience in their scientific aspect as may be expected of any educated person. The test will also include questions relating to India and its neighbouring countries especially pertaining to History, culture, geography, economic scene, general polity, scientific research etc. These questions will be such that they do not require a special study of any discipline.

c) Arithmetic: This part will include questions on problems relating to number systems, computation of whole numbers, decimals and fractions and relationships between numbers, fundamental arithmetical operations, percentages, ratio and proportion, averages, interest, profit & loss, discount, use of table and graphs, menstruation, time & distance, ratio and time etc.

Tentative Dates:

The preliminary exams are generally held in the month of July following a notification in Employment News/Rozgar Samachar/SSC website (http://ssc.nic.in/graduate.htm).

Application Form:

The application form must be submitted in the prescribed format published in the Employment News / Rozgar Samachar. The application form may be typed out in double space or neatly hand written. The applications should be submitted to the concerned Regional Director as listed in the notification

How to prepare:

The candidates must undergo prolonged preparation to take the examination. The examination is aimed at judging the candidate decision making ability and understanding of language and analytical skills. For the Objective test, one needs to practice regularly to improve knowledge and speed. For subjects like General Intelligence and General Awareness, one needs to start practicing early and regularly. A good book on the basics of General Knowledge, supported by reading a good newspaper and competitive magazine can greatly assist a candidate to do well in the exam. For mastering the Arithmetic, regular practice is required.

Contact Details:

Staff Selection Commission
Department of Personnel and Training
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Block No. 12, Kendriya Karyalay Parisar,
Lodi Road, New Delhi-110003
Tele: +91-11- 24360619
Website: www.ssc.nic.in