SSC CHSL Syllabus 2020 Complete Guide
The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) Combined Higher Secondary Level (CHSL) examination is a gateway for candidates seeking juniorlevel posts in various ministries and departments of the Government of India. The 2020 syllabus outlines the topics and weightage for each section of the test, helping aspirants focus their preparation efficiently.
Exam Structure Overview
The CHSL exam consists of three tiers:
- TierI: Computerbased test (CBT) 100 multiplechoice questions, 50 minutes.
- TierII: Descriptive paper 100 marks, 30 minutes.
- TierIII: Skill/Typing test (depending on the post) 2530 minutes.
TierI Syllabus (100 Marks)
1. General Awareness (30 Marks)
This section tests knowledge of current affairs and general knowledge covering:
- History Indian, World, and Ancient Civilizations.
- Geography Physical, Economic, and Indian geography.
- Civics/Polity Constitution, Panchayati Raj, Right to Information, Local Governance.
- Economics Budget, Banking, Fiscal Policies, NRIs.
- Science Basic concepts of Physics, Chemistry, Biology, environment.
- Current Events National & International, Sports, Awards, Important Days.
- Static GK Capitals, States & Union Territories, Indian National Symbols.
2. Quantitative Aptitude (35 Marks)
Core topics include:
| Topic | Key Concepts |
|---|---|
| Number Systems | Divisibility, LCM, HCF, Simplification |
| Arithmetic | Percentages, Ratio & Proportion, Averages, Profit & Loss, Discount, Simple & Compound Interest |
| Algebra | Linear Equations, Quadratic Equations, Sequences & Series |
| Geometry | Lines, Angles, Triangles, Quadrilaterals, Circle properties |
| Data Interpretation | Tables, Bar Graphs, Pie Charts, Line Charts |
| Miscellaneous | Time & Work, Time, Speed & Distance, Pipes & Cisterns, Simple Math Puzzles |
3. English Language (35 Marks)
The English section evaluates comprehension, grammar, and vocabulary.
- Reading Comprehension One passage (approx. 250300 words) with 5 questions.
- Grammar Fill in the blanks, error detection, sentence improvement, active/passive voice.
- Vocabulary Synonyms, antonyms, idioms & phrases, one-word substitutions.
- Sentence Rearrangement Rearranging jumbled sentences to form a meaningful paragraph.
- Spelling Commonly tested words.
- Short Essay/Paragraph 3040 word piece on a given topic (optional in TierI).
TierII Syllabus (Descriptive Paper 100 Marks)
1. Essay (50 Marks)
Write a coherent essay of 150250 words on a given topic. Candidates are evaluated on content, structure, language, and vocabulary.
2. Letter/Application (30 Marks)
Two tasks one formal letter (e.g., complaint, request) and one informal letter (e.g., to a friend). Word limit: 100150 words each.
3. Precis Writing (20 Marks)
Summarise a passage of about 150200 words into 3040 words while retaining the main idea.
TierIII Syllabus (Skill/Typing Test 100 Marks)
Applicable only for posts requiring specific skills. The syllabus varies by post:
- Data Entry Operator: Typing speed of 3540 wpm, accuracy.
- Stenographer: Steno speed of 7080 wpm.
- Computer Operator: Basic MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), internet basics.
- Multimedia Operator: Graphic design basics, audiovideo editing concepts.
Important Tips for Effective Preparation
- Understand the Weightage: Prioritise General Awareness (30%), Quantitative Aptitude (35%) and English (35%) for TierI.
- Practice Time Management: Simulate the 50minute condition; aim for 3035 seconds per question.
- Use Previous Year Papers: Solve 20182020 papers to get familiar with question patterns.
- Revise Core Concepts: For Quant, focus on formulas and shortcuts. For English, maintain a vocabulary notebook.
- Stay Updated: Follow reliable currentaffairs portals, read newspapers daily, and note important dates.
- Mock Tests: Take at least 810 fulllength mock exams before the actual test.
- Descriptive Writing: Practice essay writing on diverse topics; read model answers to improve structure.
- TierIII Practice: If applying for a skillbased post, practice typing or relevant software daily.
Reference Books & Resources (2020 Edition)
- Quantitative Aptitude R.S. Aggarwal
- English Grammar & Vocabulary Wren & Martin; Objective General English by S.P. Bakshi
- General Awareness Lucents General Knowledge, Current Affairs magazines (Pratiyogita Darpan, Yojana)
- Previous Year SSC CHSL Papers Official SSC website PDF archive
- Online Platforms SSC Adda, Unacademy, Gradeup mock tests
Conclusion
The SSC CHSL 2020 syllabus is designed to test a candidates overall aptitude, language skills and, where applicable, specific jobrelated abilities. By aligning your study plan with the topics and weightage outlined above, you can maximise your preparation efficiency and increase the chance of securing a desirable government post.
