SSC MTS Syllabus and Exam Pattern 2026 | PDF for Paper-I

Quick Overview

SSC MTS Syllabus and Exam Pattern 2026: at a glance

Before you begin, get a compact snapshot of the test format, timelines and key steps. This helps you plan study time and avoid last‑minute errors when you apply online via the official portal.

Who the posts are: Multi‑Tasking Staff and Havaldar roles are filled through a single‑tier computer test split into two sessions. Each session targets different subjects and timing, so plan daily practice by section.

Basic eligibility is simple: a pass in Class 10 and the usual age band (roughly 18–27 with relaxations). The application fee is Rs 100 and you must complete the OTR and online process carefully to receive your admit card.

• Core subjects: Numerical & Mathematical Ability, Reasoning Ability & Problem Solving, General Awareness and English Language & Comprehension.

• Files issued online: notification, admit card, provisional/final answer keys, results and cut‑offs—watch the official site for dates.

• Havaldar selection also includes PET/PST after the test, so factor physical preparation in early if applicable.

Key highlights from the Staff Selection Commission for SSC MTS 2026

Syllabus & Exam Pattern

Revised exam pattern 2026: Paper-I

Get a clear view of how sessions, timing and marks combine so you can prepare smartly. The paper is split into two timed sessions. Each session lasts 45 minutes and demands focused pacing.

Session I: Numerical & Mathematical Ability; Reasoning Ability & Problem Solving

Contents: 40 questions — 20 on numerical topics and 20 on reasoning. Each question carries 3 marks, so this session is worth 120 marks.

Key point: there is no penalty here, so attempt questions you can solve quickly and bank secure marks.

Session II: General Awareness; English Language & Comprehension

Contents: 50 questions — 25 on general awareness and 25 on comprehension and grammar, totalling 150 marks.

Negative marking: Session II applies a 1‑mark deduction for wrong answers, so limit blind guessing and favour accuracy.

Number of questions, marks distribution and section‑wise weightage

The full paper has 90 questions for 270 marks. Each question = 3 marks. Plan target attempts per section based on this distribution to hit your target score reliably.

Languages available for the computer‑based test

You may choose from 15 languages including English, Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu and Urdu. Pick the language that gives you fastest comprehension and least error on test day.

Disqualification triggers and best practices on exam day

• Missing either session leads to disqualification — arrive early and follow time rules.

• Carry required ID and admit details to avoid admin rejection.

• Use a minute‑per‑question plan with a 10–15% review buffer per session.

SSC MTS Syllabus 2026

Map out the four core subjects so you can build a weekly routine that balances practice and revision. This section breaks the full ssc mts syllabus into clear, doable topic sets tied to each session of the exam.

Numerical and Mathematical Ability: core arithmetic and applied maths

Focus: number system, HCF/LCM, percentage, ratio & proportion, averages, time & work, speed & distance, profit & loss, simple and compound interest, DI, algebra, geometry, mensuration and basic trigonometry.

Reasoning Ability and Problem Solving: verbal and non‑verbal coverage

Cover series, coding‑decoding, analogy, odd one out, syllogism, blood relations, direction sense, ranking and matrix. Add non‑verbal practice: paper folding, mirror image, embedded figures and counting shapes to sharpen pattern recognition.

English Language and Comprehension

Drill error spotting, fill‑in, sentence improvement, synonyms and antonyms, spelling, idioms, one‑word substitution and passage comprehension. Build vocabulary and grammar checkpoints to boost speed on questions.

General Awareness

Revise Indian polity, economy, history, culture, basic science, awards and current affairs at a Class‑10 level. A short daily news habit plus weekly static revision keeps awareness steady without overload.

• Rotate these subjects weekly to balance aptitude, reasoning, english language and awareness practice.

• Prioritise high‑yield topics like percentages, ratio, series and synonyms to raise your score quickly.

SSC MTS Syllabus 2026: Numerical and Mathematical Ability

Mastering calculations will save you time and boost confidence on exam day. Start by building reliable mental maths habits and a five-minute daily drill of tables, squares and fractions. This routine reduces sloppy errors and speeds up your paper execution.

Number system, LCM/HCF, decimals and fractions

Common question types: quick comparisons, LCM/HCF tricks, conversion between decimals and fractions, and simplification under time pressure. Practise mental reduction and shortcut division to cut working time.

Percentages, ratio and proportion, averages and mixtures

You will face multi-step word problems that mimic previous year trends. Use percentage-to-fraction swaps, ratio scaling and average‑based shortcuts to handle these efficiently.

Time, speed and distance; time and work

Expect ratio methods, uniform speed calculations and LCM-based time allocation for work problems. Learn easy formulas and practise shortcut strategies to protect minutes.

Profit, loss, discount, simple and compound interest

Memorise formula families and comparative setups for trap-laden language problems. Comparative SI/CI questions appear often; convert words into equations fast.

Geometry, mensuration, algebra, trigonometry and DI basics

Keep a compact formula sheet for circles, triangles and common solids. Link simple algebra and trig to data interpretation so you can read charts and solve DI items quickly.

• Plan a minute-per-question cadence for Session I; accuracy matters since there is no negative marking.

• Use previous year analysis to prioritise high‑recurrence subtopics and allocate extra practice sets.

• Track your accuracy versus speed weekly and adjust practice focus accordingly.

SSC MTS Syllabus 2026: Reasoning Ability and Problem Solving

This section breaks down the reasoning families so you can target high‑yield items first. Session I allocates 20 reasoning questions worth 60 marks and carries no negative marking. Use that to attempt confidently while keeping speed steady.

Classify reasoning into verbal and non‑verbal blocks. Tackle series, coding‑decoding, analogy and odd‑one‑out early to capture quick marks. Practise alphanumeric patterns and common transformations until spotting rules becomes instinctive.

Logical templates and short methods

Use Venn logic for syllogisms and template notes for ranking, direction sense and blood relations. Compact notations save time and prevent messy work under pressure.

Matrix, dictionary order and visual puzzles

Apply row/column logic for matrices and lexicographic rules for dictionary sequencing. For mirror image, paper folding, embedded figures and counting shapes, build a visual checklist: symmetry, fold lines, overlaps and hidden segments.

• Convert practice into timed micro‑sets to mirror exam rhythm.

• Exploit the absence of negative marking by increasing safe attempts after accuracy improves.

• Track errors in a spaced‑repetition log so tricky subtypes are revisited until reliable.

SSC MTS Syllabus 2026: English and General Awareness

This section shows how to turn English practice and factual revision into reliable marks. Session II has 25 English questions and 25 general awareness items with negative marking, so accuracy matters more than raw attempts.

English Language and Comprehension

Focus on error spotting, sentence improvement, fill‑in, one‑word substitution and short RCs. Train scanning and trigger‑word techniques to find answers fast in passages.

Adopt a daily 20‑minute cycle: 10 minutes of vocabulary and idioms, 10 minutes of grammar or a short comprehension. Revise spelling patterns and commonly confused words to avoid simple losses.

General Awareness essentials and current affairs

Cover the constitution, polity, economy, history, culture and basic science at Class‑10 depth. Build a weekly rotation and a concise summary for last‑week revision.

• Map previous year questions to spot high‑frequency themes.

• Keep a short current affairs list tied to the notification‑to‑exam window (schemes, appointments, awards).

• Skip uncertain GA items early and return if time permits—protect your net score under the -1 rule.

SSC MTS Syllabus 2026: Qualifying marks, languages

Knowing the pass marks and fitness norms up front helps you plan mocks and physical training. Match your average test scores to category cut‑offs so you set realistic targets and avoid surprises on result day.

Minimum qualifying criteria by category

UR: 30% | OBC / EWS: 25% | All other categories: 20%.

Use these percentages as baseline marks when you assess mock performance. Aim higher in Session II because negative marking affects net score.

Approved CBT languages across India

Choose your exam language early and practise all mocks in that medium to avoid context switching. The full list includes:

• English, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati

• Kannada, Konkani, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi

• Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu

Havaldar PET and PST requirements

Male (PST): height 157.5 cm; chest 76 cm unexpanded with 5 cm expansion (81 cm). Height relaxable by 5 cm for Garhwalis, Assamese, Gorkhas and ST.

Female (PST): height 152 cm; weight 48 kg. Height relaxable by 2.5 cm and weight relaxable by 2 kg for specified categories.

PET walking: Male: 1,600 m in 15 minutes. Female: 1,000 m in 20 minutes. Build a simple fitness plan if you aim for a Havaldar post.

All Details

Conclusion

Finish your preparation with a clear plan that links daily drills to full‑paper mocks. Treat the two‑session format—90 questions for 270 marks—as the backbone of your routine. Focus on timing in Session I and accuracy in Session II because negative marking applies there.

Keep resources lean: one main book per subject, solved papers and regular mocks. Practise in your chosen test language to reduce errors and refine question selection under pressure.

Balance work on numerical, reasoning, English and general awareness. Set weekly targets, track progress honestly and prepare for Havaldar PET/PST if you aim for that selection path.

Finally, watch the official portal for updates. With steady effort and a targeted plan you will approach the ssc mts exam with confidence and clarity.