SSC MTS Syllabus 2026: Subject-Wise Topics, Exam Pattern + PDF
Complete SSC MTS syllabus 2026 — subject-wise topics, exam pattern, marking scheme, negative marking, Havaldar PET/PST standards, weightage & free PDF for 10th-pass aspirants.

The SSC MTS syllabus for 2026 covers four subjects at the 10th-standard level — Numerical & Mathematical Ability, Reasoning Ability & Problem Solving, General Awareness, and English Language & Comprehension — tested through a single Computer-Based Test (CBT) of 90 questions worth 270 marks in 90 minutes. There is no descriptive paper and no interview; only Havaldar (CBIC/CBN) applicants sit an additional PET/PST after clearing the CBT. This guide gives you the complete subject-wise topics, the latest exam pattern, marking scheme, topic-wise weightage from previous years, PET/PST standards, and a downloadable SSC MTS Syllabus 2026 PDF.
Quick answer (TL;DR):
- Subjects: 4 — Numerical Ability, Reasoning, General Awareness, English (Class 10 level).
- Questions & marks: 90 questions, 270 marks, 90 minutes, all objective (MCQ).
- Negative marking: Only in Session 2 (GA + English) at −1 per wrong answer; Session 1 has none.
- Marking: +3 for every correct answer.
- Selection: CBT for all; Havaldar also clears qualifying PET/PST. No Tier 2, no interview, no typing test.
Use the quick links below to jump to any section: Exam Pattern · Subject-Wise Syllabus · Topic Weightage · Havaldar PET/PST · Study Plan · PDF Download · FAQs.
Note: The pattern and topics below reflect the syllabus published in recent SSC MTS/Havaldar notifications. SSC can revise details in each cycle, so always cross-check the specific figures against the official 2026 notification on ssc.gov.in before finalising your plan.
SSC MTS Exam Pattern 2026 at a Glance
The SSC MTS exam pattern 2026 is a single-tier online CBT split into two sessions. Both sessions are held on the same day and are mandatory — skipping either one leads to disqualification. Session 1 tests aptitude with no negative marking, while Session 2 tests knowledge with a penalty of −1 for every wrong answer. Every correct answer carries +3 marks.
| Session | Subject | Questions | Marks | Duration | Negative Marking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Session 1 | Numerical & Mathematical Ability | 20 | 60 | 45 min | No |
| Session 1 | Reasoning Ability & Problem Solving | 20 | 60 | ||
| Session 2 | General Awareness | 25 | 75 | 45 min | −1 per wrong answer |
| Session 2 | English Language & Comprehension | 25 | 75 | ||
| Total | 90 | 270 | 90 min | — | |
Key facts to remember about the SSC MTS Paper 1 syllabus and structure:
- Marking scheme: +3 for each correct answer; −1 only in Session 2 (General Awareness and English).
- Composite time: 90 minutes total (60 minutes for candidates eligible for scribe/PwBD relaxation).
- Level: Matriculation (Class 10) standard across all subjects.
- Languages: The objective paper is available in English, Hindi and multiple regional languages, including Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Bengali, Gujarati, Odia, Punjabi, Assamese, Urdu, Konkani and more (check the notification for the exact list for your cycle).
What Is the Syllabus of SSC MTS 2026?
The syllabus of SSC MTS 2026 is divided into two aptitude sections (Session 1) and two knowledge sections (Session 2). Session 1 checks whether you can reason and calculate; Session 2 checks what you know about the world and your command of English. Below is the complete, subject-wise breakdown of the SSC MTS subject-wise topics you must prepare.
Session 1: Numerical & Mathematical Ability
This section (20 questions, 60 marks) covers arithmetic and elementary maths at Class 10 level. Since there is no negative marking in Session 1, attempt every question.
- Number Systems, LCM and HCF
- Whole Numbers, Decimals, Fractions and relationships between numbers
- Percentage, Ratio and Proportion
- Simple Interest and Compound Interest
- Profit and Loss, Discount
- Average, Partnership
- Time and Work, Time, Speed and Distance
- Fundamental Arithmetical Operations
- Use of Tables and Graphs, Mensuration
- Ratio and Time, Distance and Work
Session 1: Reasoning Ability & Problem Solving
This section (20 questions, 60 marks) is largely non-verbal and verbal reasoning — scoring and fast once patterns are familiar.
- Analogies, Similarities and Differences
- Space Visualization, Spatial Orientation
- Problem Solving, Analysis, Judgement
- Decision Making, Visual Memory, Discrimination, Observation
- Relationship Concepts (Blood Relations)
- Figure Classification, Arithmetic Number Series
- Non-verbal Series, Coding and Decoding
- Analytical Functions, Directions
Session 2: General Awareness
General Awareness (25 questions, 75 marks) is the highest-weightage single subject and the biggest differentiator. It rewards consistent current-affairs reading and static GK. Note that −1 applies here, so avoid blind guessing.
- Current Events (national and international, sports, awards, schemes)
- Indian History and Freedom Struggle
- Indian and World Geography
- Indian Polity and Constitution
- Economy — basics, budget, banking
- General Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology at Class 10 level)
- Static GK — books & authors, important days, capitals & currencies
- India and its neighbouring countries, culture and heritage
A dedicated current-affairs habit pays off across every government exam. Aspirants who also eye higher exams find a monthly digest like the Vision IAS Current Affairs Magazine (January 2026) a compact way to lock down the last few months of events that GA questions love to test.
Session 2: English Language & Comprehension
English (25 questions, 75 marks) tests basic grammar, vocabulary and comprehension. With focused revision this is the fastest section to improve.
- Spot the Error, Fill in the Blanks
- Synonyms and Antonyms
- Spellings / Detecting Misspelt Words
- Idioms and Phrases
- One-word Substitution
- Improvement of Sentences
- Active/Passive Voice and Direct/Indirect Narration
- Shuffling of Sentence Parts and Shuffling of Sentences in a Passage
- Cloze Passage and Reading Comprehension
SSC MTS Subject-Wise Topic Weightage (PYQ Analysis)
Most competing pages skip this — but knowing where marks actually come from is how you prioritise. The table below shows approximate topic-wise weightage based on previous-year SSC MTS papers (last 3–5 years). Treat these as planning guides, not guarantees; the exact split varies by shift.
| Section | High-Weightage Topics | Approx. Questions |
|---|---|---|
| Numerical Ability | Percentage, Ratio, SI/CI, Profit & Loss, Time-Speed-Work | 11–13 of 20 |
| Numerical Ability | Number System, Average, Mensuration, DI/Graphs | 7–9 of 20 |
| Reasoning | Series, Coding-Decoding, Analogy, Classification | 10–12 of 20 |
| Reasoning | Blood Relations, Directions, Non-verbal, Ordering | 8–10 of 20 |
| General Awareness | Current Affairs + General Science | 12–15 of 25 |
| General Awareness | Polity, History, Geography, Economy, Static GK | 10–13 of 25 |
| English | Vocabulary (synonyms/antonyms/spellings), Fill-ups, Error Spotting | 14–16 of 25 |
| English | Comprehension, Cloze, Sentence Improvement/Rearrangement | 9–11 of 25 |
High-Priority vs Low-Priority Topics
If you are short on time, front-load these:
| Priority | Focus Topics | Why |
|---|---|---|
| High | Percentage/Ratio-based arithmetic, Series & Coding, Current Affairs, General Science, Vocabulary | Consistently high question counts; quick to score |
| Medium | SI/CI, Mensuration, Blood Relations/Directions, Polity & Geography, Comprehension | Regular but need practice |
| Low | Partnership, Space Visualization, obscure Static GK, Narration | Fewer questions; revise only after basics are solid |
The single most reliable way to internalise this weightage is to solve topic-wise previous-year questions. Aspirants who bridge SSC and UPSC preparation often start with a structured PYQ set such as the Forum IAS Topic-Wise PYQ Toolkit to see how examiners frame recurring themes — the same discipline of pattern-spotting applies directly to SSC MTS.
SSC MTS Selection Process 2026
The selection process is short and transparent. There is no Tier 2, no descriptive test, and no interview.
| Stage | Applies To | Nature |
|---|---|---|
| Computer-Based Test (CBT) | All candidates (MTS & Havaldar) | Objective, 90 Q / 270 marks |
| PET/PST | Havaldar (CBIC & CBN) only | Qualifying — physical standards |
| Document Verification & Medical | Shortlisted candidates | Eligibility & fitness check |
For the MTS post, the CBT score alone decides selection. For Havaldar, you must clear the CBT first and then qualify the PET/PST.
Category-Wise Qualifying Marks
To be considered in the CBT, you must meet the minimum qualifying percentage for your category:
| Category | Minimum Qualifying Marks |
|---|---|
| UR (General) | 30% |
| OBC / EWS | 25% |
| SC / ST / PwBD / ESM / All Others | 20% |
SSC MTS Havaldar Syllabus and PET/PST Standards
Is the SSC MTS and Havaldar syllabus the same? Yes — the written CBT syllabus is identical for MTS and Havaldar. The only difference is that Havaldar applicants (for CBIC and CBN under the Department of Revenue) must additionally clear a Physical Efficiency Test (PET) and Physical Standard Test (PST). The PET/PST is qualifying in nature and does not add to your CBT merit score.
Havaldar PET (Physical Efficiency Test)
| Gender | Walking | Cycling |
|---|---|---|
| Male | 1600 metres in 15 minutes | 8 km in 30 minutes |
| Female | 1 km in 20 minutes | 3 km in 25 minutes |
Havaldar PST (Physical Standard Test)
| Standard | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 157.5 cm | 152 cm |
| Chest | 81–86 cm (5 cm expansion) | Not applicable |
| Weight | Not applicable | 48 kg |
PST Relaxations
Physical standards are relaxed for candidates from specific regions and communities:
| Category | Height Relaxation (Male) | Height Relaxation (Female) |
|---|---|---|
| Garhwalis, Kumaonis, Gorkhas, Dogras, Marathas & candidates from hill regions | Height 5 cm less (152.5 cm) | Height 2.5 cm less (147 cm) |
| Scheduled Tribes (ST) | Height 5 cm less; chest relaxed by 3 cm | Height 2.5 cm less |
Even Havaldar aspirants should treat the CBT as the real hurdle — the PET/PST is qualifying, so a strong written score plus basic fitness practice is the winning combination.
What Is NOT in the SSC MTS Syllabus (Avoid Wasted Prep)
Candidate confusion here costs weeks of misdirected study. Clarify these before you start:
- No descriptive/essay paper. The old descriptive test has been removed — everything is objective (MCQ).
- No interview. Selection is purely CBT-based (plus PET/PST for Havaldar).
- No Tier 2. SSC MTS is a single-tier exam, unlike SSC CGL or CHSL.
- No advanced mathematics. No trigonometry-heavy, algebra-heavy or higher-level maths beyond Class 10 arithmetic and basic mensuration.
- No typing test. Unlike CHSL, there is no skill/typing test for MTS.
Knowing what to skip is as valuable as knowing what to study — it keeps your 60–90 days focused on the four sections that actually appear.
SSC MTS 2026 Study Plan & Preparation Tips
A realistic, syllabus-mapped plan beats random studying. Here is a 60-day framework you can compress to 45 or stretch to 90 days depending on your start date.
| Phase | Days | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation | 1–20 | Cover all four sections topic-by-topic; build basics in Maths & Reasoning; start daily current affairs |
| Practice | 21–45 | Topic-wise PYQs, high-weightage topics first; daily English vocab; weekly full-length mocks |
| Revision | 46–60 | Mock analysis, error log, static GK revision, speed & accuracy drills |
Subject-Wise Preparation Tips
- Numerical Ability: Master percentage-based conversions first — ratio, profit-loss, SI/CI and DI all build on it. Practise mental calculation to save time.
- Reasoning: This is your scoring section. Daily practice of series, coding-decoding and analogy will push accuracy above 90%.
- General Awareness: Read current affairs of the last 6 months plus NCERT-level General Science. Maintain a one-page-a-day revision sheet.
- English: Build a vocabulary of 20 words/day and drill grammar rules for error spotting and sentence improvement.
Best Books & Resources for SSC MTS
For a 10th-standard paper, you don’t need heavy material — a good arithmetic book (R.S. Aggarwal), a reasoning book, a standard GK compendium (Lucent), and an English grammar guide (Wren & Martin) are enough. Pair them with topic-wise PYQs and mock tests. Aspirants planning a longer government-exam journey often keep a syllabus reference handy; a compact booklet like the GS Score Latest Syllabus Booklet is useful when you are mapping topics across multiple SSC and UPSC-level exams.
SSC MTS Syllabus 2026 PDF Download
To plan offline, save the complete SSC MTS syllabus PDF. Here is the fastest way to get an accurate, official copy for your SSC MTS syllabus PDF download:
- Visit the official SSC website, ssc.gov.in, and open the current MTS/Havaldar notification.
- Scroll to the annexure that lists the exam scheme and the detailed syllabus for each subject.
- Save or print that section, then combine it with the pattern and weightage tables above into a single revision sheet.
A clean one-page printable version — pattern + four subject lists + weightage — is the fastest revision aid to pin to your study wall.
What to include in your PDF: the exam pattern table, all four subject-wise topic lists, category-wise qualifying marks, Havaldar PET/PST standards, and your 60-day plan. Keeping everything on one page prevents you from drifting into out-of-syllabus material.
Common Mistakes SSC MTS Aspirants Make
- Ignoring Session 1 strategy: Since there’s no negative marking, leaving questions blank in Maths/Reasoning wastes free marks — attempt all 40.
- Guessing blindly in Session 2: With −1 marking, reckless guessing in GA and English can pull your score down.
- Over-studying maths: The level is Class 10; time spent on advanced maths is time stolen from GA and English.
- Skipping mocks: The two-session, timed format needs practice; simulate it weekly.
- Neglecting current affairs: GA is the highest-scoring subject — daily reading compounds.
Salary & Job Profile (Quick Reference)
SSC MTS is a Group C, Level-1 post (Pay Matrix ₹18,000–₹56,900) with an in-hand salary of roughly ₹18,000–₹22,000 depending on posting city and allowances (HRA, DA, TA). Havaldar is also Level-1 but posted under CBIC/CBN with similar pay and some field allowances. Both offer central government job security, pension benefits and clear promotion avenues — a strong reason the competition is high and syllabus mastery matters.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the syllabus of SSC MTS 2026?
The SSC MTS syllabus 2026 has four subjects at Class 10 level: Numerical & Mathematical Ability and Reasoning Ability & Problem Solving (Session 1), plus General Awareness and English Language & Comprehension (Session 2). The full CBT has 90 questions for 270 marks in 90 minutes.
How many subjects are there in SSC MTS?
There are four subjects — Numerical/Mathematical Ability, Reasoning Ability, General Awareness, and English Language & Comprehension — split across two sessions of the single Computer-Based Test.
How many questions are asked in SSC MTS exam?
A total of 90 questions are asked in the SSC MTS CBT, carrying 270 marks. Session 1 has 40 questions (Numerical Ability 20 + Reasoning 20) and Session 2 has 50 questions (General Awareness 25 + English 25). Each correct answer is worth +3 marks.
Is there negative marking in SSC MTS exam?
Negative marking applies only in Session 2 (General Awareness and English), where each wrong answer deducts 1 mark. Session 1 (Numerical Ability and Reasoning) has no negative marking, so you should attempt every question there.
What is the exam pattern for SSC MTS Paper 1?
SSC MTS Paper 1 is a single CBT of two 45-minute sessions: Session 1 has 40 questions (Numerical 20 + Reasoning 20) worth 120 marks with no negative marking, and Session 2 has 50 questions (GA 25 + English 25) worth 150 marks with −1 negative marking. Each correct answer earns +3.
Is maths compulsory in SSC MTS?
Yes. Numerical & Mathematical Ability is part of Session 1 and is compulsory for every candidate. However, it is only at Class 10 arithmetic level, and since Session 1 has no negative marking, it is a section where you can safely attempt all questions.
What is the passing/qualifying mark for SSC MTS?
The minimum qualifying percentage is 30% for UR/General, 25% for OBC/EWS, and 20% for SC/ST/PwBD and all other categories. Final selection, however, depends on the cut-off, which is usually well above these minimums.
Is the SSC MTS and Havaldar syllabus the same?
Yes. The written CBT syllabus and exam pattern are identical for SSC MTS and Havaldar. The only difference is that Havaldar candidates (for CBIC and CBN) must additionally clear a qualifying Physical Efficiency Test (PET) and Physical Standard Test (PST), which do not add to the CBT merit score.
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