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SSC MTS & Havaldar

Every topic matched to the official PDF Official notice, ssc.gov.in

32 topics, each explained 5 units
Official syllabus page ssc.gov.in

SSC MTS and Havaldar is a single computer-based examination, but it runs in two separate sessions and both are compulsory. The one difference that matters most: Session I carries no penalty for a wrong answer, while Session II deducts a full mark for every wrong answer. That alone makes the two sessions require opposite strategies.

Exam Pattern

SessionSubjectQuestionsMarksNegative marking
Session I — 45 minutesNumerical and Mathematical Ability2060None
Session I — 45 minutesReasoning Ability and Problem Solving2060None
Session I totalBoth compulsory40120None
Session II — 45 minutesGeneral Awareness25751 mark per wrong answer
Session II — 45 minutesEnglish Language and Comprehension25751 mark per wrong answer
Session II totalBoth compulsory501501 mark per wrong answer

The strategy follows directly: in Session I leave nothing blank — a wrong answer costs nothing, so attempting every question is strictly better. In Session II do the opposite — a wrong answer costs a full mark, so skip what you are not sure of. That single understanding is worth 20-30 marks to a lot of candidates.

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SSC MTS & Havaldar — related updates
SSC SSC MTS Result 2026 (Havaldar PET/PST Shortlist Out) - Check Cut 04 Aug 2026 SSC SSC MTS 2025 and CBIC Havaldar Result 2026 declared 04 Aug 2026

Full Syllabus

1 Numerical and Mathematical Ability (Session I) 20 Q

Half of the 45-minute Session I, and nothing is deducted for a wrong answer here — so leave no question blank.

What the syllabus listsWhat it means and how to prepare
Integers & Whole Numbers; LCM & HCF; Decimals & FractionsIntegers, LCM and HCF, decimals and fractions — every other topic stands on these.
Ratio & Proportion; Percentage; AveragesRatio, percentage and averages — learn the three together; they are one idea in three forms.
SimplificationSimplification — shortening a long calculation with BODMAS; this is where speed comes from.
Simple Interest; Profit & Loss; DiscountSimple interest, profit and loss, and discount — all three are percentage applied, not separate subjects.
Area & Perimeter of basic geometric figuresArea and perimeter of basic figures — with square, rectangle, triangle and circle memorised these are the fastest marks.
Distance-TimeDistance and time — speed questions; remember to convert units (km/h versus m/s).
Lines & AnglesLines and angles — parallel lines, the transversal, and pairs of angles.
Interpretation of simple Bar Graphs / Pie-charts / HistogramsReading simple bar graphs, pie charts and histograms — less calculation, more careful reading.
2 Reasoning Ability and Problem Solving (Session I) 20 Q

The other half of Session I — also with no negative marking.

What the syllabus listsWhat it means and how to prepare
Analogies; Similarities & DifferencesAnalogies, similarities and differences — spot the relationship, then match it.
Space VisualisationSpace visualisation — turning or folding a shape in your mind; it comes only with practice.
Problem SolvingProblem solving — working a solution out of the given conditions; use a grid.
Coding-DecodingCoding-decoding — with letter positions (A=1…Z=26) memorised, most of these open immediately.
Relationship conceptsRelationship concepts — family relations; a small tree on paper prevents mistakes.
Non-verbal seriesNon-verbal series — spotting the pattern in a run of figures.
Simple pattern / order & ranking type questionsSimple pattern, order and ranking — the '7th from the top, 12th from the bottom, how many in all' kind; learn the method once and they are permanent marks.
3 General Awareness (Session II) 25 Q

The largest slice of Session II — and a full mark goes for every wrong answer here, so do not guess.

What the syllabus listsWhat it means and how to prepare
Environment around the candidate and its application to societyAwareness of the world around you and how it applies to society — the syllabus's own phrasing; in practice it means everyday practical knowledge.
Current eventsCurrent events — fifteen minutes of newspaper a day; this cannot be crammed.
India & its neighbouring countries — HistoryThe history of India and its neighbours — the main landmarks from ancient to modern.
India & its neighbouring countries — Culture; GeographyCulture and geography — festivals, art, rivers, mountains, and where the neighbours lie.
Economic sceneThe economic scene — the budget, banking, inflation and the major schemes.
General Polity; the ConstitutionGeneral polity and the Constitution — fundamental rights and duties, Parliament and the judiciary. Questions come from here nearly every year.
Scientific ResearchScientific research — new discoveries, space missions and health-related technology.
SportsSports — major tournaments, winners and records.
4 English Language and Comprehension (Session II) 25 Q

The other half of Session II — here too, every wrong answer takes a full mark.

What the syllabus listsWhat it means and how to prepare
Basics of English — vocabularyVocabulary — writing down ten new words a day is the cheapest and most reliable method.
Grammar; sentence structureGrammar and sentence structure — tense, subject-verb agreement, prepositions and articles.
Synonyms & antonymsSynonyms and antonyms — learn them in pairs, not as two lists.
Correct usage; spotting errorsCorrect usage and spotting errors — this is where all your grammar is actually tested.
Fill in the blanksFill in the blanks — you have to weigh sense and grammar together.
A short reading comprehension passageA short comprehension passage — the answer is inside the passage; add nothing of your own. These are the surest marks in the section.
5 Posts, eligibility and the Havaldar physical stage
What the syllabus listsWhat it means and how to prepare
Posts: Multi-Tasking (Non-Technical) Staff in central government departments; Havaldar in CBIC (Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs) and CBN (Central Bureau of Narcotics)Two kinds of post — MTS across central government departments, and Havaldar in CBIC and CBN. One exam, but Havaldar carries an extra physical stage.
Eligibility: pass in Class 10 (Matriculation)Eligibility — a Class 10 pass. That is what opens this exam to the very large number of candidates without a degree.
Havaldar (CBIC & CBN): candidates who qualify the CBE go through a PET/PST — walking / cycling standards and physical measurements — before document verification and medicalFor Havaldar, candidates who clear the CBE face a PET/PST — walking or cycling standards and physical measurements — before document verification and medical. We do not have those figures confirmed from the official source, so we have not printed them here; check your own notification.

Not covered in this pack — where to find it

Exact Havaldar PET/PST standardsThe walking/cycling distances, timings and physical measurements are not in our verified source, so we have not guessed them. Check your notification.
Cut-off and normalisationThe cut-off is fixed after the exam and differs by year, category and state.
Exam date and vacancy countThese change with each year's notification and are not part of the syllabus.
Final confirmation of this patternThis pattern is taken from SSC's recent notice. Confirm the sessions, marks and PET/PST standards against your current notification — we are not presenting it as settled.

Free practice — 21 questions

Work out the answer yourself first, then tap “Show answer”. Every answer shows the method, not just the letter.

  1. In Session I of the SSC MTS & Havaldar Computer-Based Examination (CBE), how many questions are there in total?

    • A 20
    • B 40
    • C 50
    • D 90
    Show answer

    B — 40

    Session I has two parts: Numerical and Mathematical Ability (20 questions) and Reasoning Ability and Problem Solving (20 questions). 20 + 20 = 40 questions.

    Exam Pattern (Session I)

  2. What is the total marks allotted for Session I of this exam?

    • A 60
    • B 90
    • C 120
    • D 150
    Show answer

    C — 120

    Numerical and Mathematical Ability carries 60 marks and Reasoning Ability and Problem Solving carries 60 marks. 60 + 60 = 120 marks.

    Exam Pattern (Session I)

  3. How many questions are there in Session II of the CBE?

    • A 40
    • B 45
    • C 50
    • D 90
    Show answer

    C — 50

    Session II has General Awareness (25 questions) and English Language and Comprehension (25 questions). 25 + 25 = 50 questions.

    Exam Pattern (Session II)

  4. What is the total marks allotted for Session II of this exam?

    • A 120
    • B 140
    • C 150
    • D 160
    Show answer

    C — 150

    General Awareness carries 75 marks and English Language and Comprehension carries 75 marks. 75 + 75 = 150 marks.

    Exam Pattern (Session II)

  5. What is the negative marking rule in Session II of SSC MTS & Havaldar?

    • A No negative marking
    • B 0.5 mark deducted per wrong answer
    • C 1 mark deducted per wrong answer
    • D 2 marks deducted per wrong answer
    Show answer

    C — 1 mark deducted per wrong answer

    The pattern table states Session II (General Awareness and English) has a negative marking of 1 mark for every wrong answer.

    Exam Pattern (Session II)

  6. In Session I, how many marks is each question worth?

    • A 2 marks
    • B 3 marks
    • C 4 marks
    • D 5 marks
    Show answer

    B — 3 marks

    Numerical and Mathematical Ability gives 60 marks for 20 questions: 60 ÷ 20 = 3 marks per question (Reasoning Ability works out the same way: 60 ÷ 20 = 3).

    Exam Pattern (Session I)

  7. How long is each individual session (Session I and Session II) in this CBE?

    • A 30 minutes
    • B 45 minutes
    • C 60 minutes
    • D 90 minutes
    Show answer

    B — 45 minutes

    The pattern table lists both Session I and Session II as 45 minutes each.

    Exam Pattern

  8. What is the total sitting duration of the full CBE (Session I + Session II combined)?

    • A 60 minutes
    • B 75 minutes
    • C 90 minutes
    • D 120 minutes
    Show answer

    C — 90 minutes

    Session I is 45 minutes and Session II is 45 minutes, and both are compulsory. 45 + 45 = 90 minutes.

    Exam Pattern

  9. What is the minimum educational qualification required for SSC MTS & Havaldar?

    • A Class 8 pass
    • B Class 10 pass (Matriculation)
    • C Class 12 pass
    • D Graduate
    Show answer

    B — Class 10 pass (Matriculation)

    The exam pattern states the eligibility is a pass in Class 10 (Matriculation).

    Posts and Eligibility

  10. Besides the Computer-Based Examination (CBE), what additional test must Havaldar (CBIC & CBN) candidates clear?

    • A Physical Efficiency Test (PET) and Physical Standard Test (PST)
    • B An interview
    • C A typing test
    • D A group discussion
    Show answer

    A — Physical Efficiency Test (PET) and Physical Standard Test (PST)

    The exam pattern says Havaldar posts additionally require a Physical Efficiency Test (PET) and Physical Standard Test (PST), which MTS posts do not.

    Posts and Eligibility

  11. Find the HCF (Highest Common Factor) of 18 and 24.

    • A 4
    • B 6
    • C 8
    • D 9
    Show answer

    B — 6

    18 = 2 × 3 × 3 and 24 = 2 × 2 × 2 × 3. The common factors are 2 and 3, so HCF = 2 × 3 = 6.

    Integers & Whole Numbers; LCM & HCF; Decimals & Fractions

  12. What is 20% of 250?

    • A 40
    • B 45
    • C 50
    • D 60
    Show answer

    C — 50

    20% means 20/100. So 20% of 250 = (20/100) × 250 = 50.

    Ratio & Proportion; Percentage; Averages

  13. Simplify: 12 + 6 ÷ 2 × 3 − 4

    • A 15
    • B 16
    • C 17
    • D 19
    Show answer

    C — 17

    By BODMAS, division and multiplication are done left to right before addition/subtraction: 6 ÷ 2 = 3, then 3 × 3 = 9. So the expression becomes 12 + 9 − 4 = 17.

    Simplification

  14. Find the Simple Interest on Rs 2,000 at 5% per annum for 3 years.

    • A Rs 200
    • B Rs 250
    • C Rs 300
    • D Rs 350
    Show answer

    C — Rs 300

    Simple Interest = (Principal × Rate × Time) / 100 = (2000 × 5 × 3) / 100 = Rs 300.

    Simple Interest; Profit & Loss; Discount

  15. A man buys an article for Rs 400 and sells it for Rs 460. Find his profit percentage.

    • A 10%
    • B 12%
    • C 15%
    • D 20%
    Show answer

    C — 15%

    Profit = Selling Price − Cost Price = 460 − 400 = 60. Profit% = (Profit / Cost Price) × 100 = (60/400) × 100 = 15%.

    Simple Interest; Profit & Loss; Discount

  16. Find the area of a rectangle whose length is 12 cm and breadth is 5 cm.

    • A 17 sq cm
    • B 34 sq cm
    • C 60 sq cm
    • D 85 sq cm
    Show answer

    C — 60 sq cm

    Area of a rectangle = length × breadth = 12 × 5 = 60 sq cm. (34 sq cm would be the perimeter, 2 × (12+5) = 34 — not what was asked.)

    Area & Perimeter of basic geometric figures

  17. A train covers a distance of 180 km in 3 hours. Find its speed.

    • A 50 km/h
    • B 55 km/h
    • C 60 km/h
    • D 65 km/h
    Show answer

    C — 60 km/h

    Speed = Distance ÷ Time = 180 ÷ 3 = 60 km/h.

    Distance-Time

  18. If CAT is coded as DBU (every letter is shifted one step forward in the alphabet), how will DOG be coded using the same rule?

    • A EPH
    • B DPH
    • C EPI
    • D FPH
    Show answer

    A — EPH

    Each letter moves one step forward: C→D, A→B, T→U gives DBU. Applying the same rule to DOG: D→E, O→P, G→H gives EPH.

    Coding-Decoding

  19. Pointing to a photograph, a man said, "She is the daughter of my mother's only son." How is the girl in the photograph related to the man?

    • A His daughter
    • B His sister
    • C His niece
    • D His cousin
    Show answer

    A — His daughter

    "My mother's only son" is the man himself, since he is his mother's only son. So the girl is the daughter of the man himself — his own daughter.

    Relationship concepts

  20. In a row of 30 students, Ravi is 12th from the left end. What is his position from the right end?

    • A 17th
    • B 18th
    • C 19th
    • D 20th
    Show answer

    C — 19th

    Position from the right = (Total students − Position from left) + 1 = (30 − 12) + 1 = 19th.

    Simple pattern / order & ranking type questions

  21. Spot the part with the grammatical error: "She don't like tea in the morning."

    • A "She"
    • B "don't like"
    • C "tea in"
    • D "the morning"
    Show answer

    B — "don't like"

    "She" is third-person singular, so the verb form must agree with it: it should be "doesn't like", not "don't like". This is a subject-verb agreement error.

    English Language and Comprehension — correct usage; spotting errors

These questions are built from the official pattern and syllabus on this page. Every answer was independently re-solved before it was published.

The pattern and syllabus on this page come from the SSC MTS & Havaldar notice and are explained here in our own words. Because SSC revises its scheme between cycles, confirm the sessions, marks and PET/PST standards against the current notification: Staff Selection Commission (ssc.gov.in) ↗

This exam recruits at these levels: 10th Pass

Note — Always confirm the syllabus and pattern against that year's official notification — changes are possible.

Start PractisingPlay a free quiz in Meri Taiyari
SSC MTS & Havaldar — related updates
SSC SSC MTS Result 2026 (Havaldar PET/PST Shortlist Out) - Check Cut 04 Aug 2026 SSC SSC MTS 2025 and CBIC Havaldar Result 2026 declared 04 Aug 2026

Official source: https://ssc.gov.in/