SSC MTS 2026: Complete Exam Guide with Previous Year Papers

Last Updated: March 2026

📋 Exam Overview

The SSC MTS (Staff Selection Commission - Multi Tasking Staff) examination is one of the most popular government recruitment exams in India. It is conducted annually by the Staff Selection Commission to recruit candidates for Group C non-gazetted, non-ministerial posts in various central government ministries, departments, and offices across the country.

Conducting Body

Organization: Staff Selection Commission (SSC)
Website: ssc.gov.in
Exam Level: National Level
Frequency: Once a year (typically)

Important Dates (Expected 2026 Schedule)

Event	Expected Date
Notification Release	March-April 2026
Online Application Start	March-April 2026
Last Date to Apply	April-May 2026
Admit Card Release	May-June 2026
Computer Based Test (CBT)	June-July 2026
Result Declaration	August-September 2026

🎓 Eligibility Criteria

Educational Qualification

Minimum: Must have passed Matriculation (10th Standard) or equivalent examination from a recognized board
Note: Candidates who have not acquired the essential educational qualification as on the cutoff date will not be eligible

Age Limit (as on 01-01-2026)

Category	Age Limit	Born Between
General	18-25 years	02-01-2001 to 01-01-2008
OBC	18-28 years	02-01-1998 to 01-01-2008
SC/ST	18-30 years	02-01-1996 to 01-01-2008
PwD (General)	18-27 years	02-01-1999 to 01-01-2008
PwD (OBC)	18-30 years	02-01-1996 to 01-01-2008
PwD (SC/ST)	18-32 years	02-01-1994 to 01-01-2008

Nationality

Citizen of India
Subject of Nepal/Bhutan
Tibetan refugee who came to India before 1962
Person of Indian origin who migrated from specified countries

💰 Salary & Pay Scale

Pay Structure (As per 7th Pay Commission)

Component	Amount (₹)
Basic Pay	₹18,000 - ₹56,900 (Level-1)
Dearness Allowance (DA)	50% of Basic Pay
House Rent Allowance (HRA)	8-24% of Basic Pay
Transport Allowance (TA)	₹1,800 - ₹3,600

Gross Salary Breakdown

Starting In-Hand Salary: ₹20,000 - ₹25,000 per month
After 5 Years: ₹28,000 - ₹35,000 per month
Perks: Medical benefits, Pension (NPS), Leave encashment, Gratuity

Job Profile

General cleanliness and upkeep of the office
Delivery of dak (outside the building)
Photocopying, filing, and paper work
Other non-clerical work as assigned
Assisting in routine office work

📊 Exam Pattern 2026

The SSC MTS 2026 exam consists of two stages:

Stage 1: Computer Based Test (CBT)

Paper	Subject	Questions	Marks	Duration
Session-I	Numerical & Mathematical Ability	20	60	45 minutes
	Reasoning Ability & Problem Solving	20	60	45 minutes
Session-II	General Awareness	25	75	45 minutes
	English Language & Comprehension	25	75	45 minutes

Key Points:

Total Questions: 90
Total Marks: 270
Negative Marking: 1 mark deducted for every wrong answer in Session-II only
Qualifying Nature: Session-I is qualifying (must score 40% for UR, 35% for OBC, 30% for SC/ST)
Normalization: Applied across different shifts

Stage 2: Physical Efficiency Test (PET) / Document Verification

Only for Havaldar (CBIC & CBN) Posts:

Category	Walking Distance	Time
Male	1600 meters	15 minutes
Female	1 kilometer	20 minutes

📚 Detailed Syllabus

Session-I

1. Numerical & Mathematical Ability (20 Questions)

Number Systems
Simplification
Decimals, Fractions, and Percentages
Ratio and Proportion
Average
Interest (Simple & Compound)
Profit and Loss
Discount
Mensuration
Time and Work
Time and Distance
Tables and Graphs

2. Reasoning Ability & Problem Solving (20 Questions)

Alpha-Numeric Series
Coding-Decoding
Analogy
Following Directions
Similarities and Differences
Venn Diagram
Problem Solving
Non-Verbal Reasoning (Paper Folding, Cutting, Embedded Figures)
Space Visualization
Visual Memory

Session-II

3. General Awareness (25 Questions)

Current Affairs (National & International)
Indian History (Ancient, Medieval, Modern)
Indian Geography
Indian Polity & Constitution
Indian Economy
General Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology)
Static GK (Books, Awards, Sports, Important Days)
Art & Culture

4. English Language & Comprehension (25 Questions)

Spot the Error
Fill in the Blanks
Synonyms/Antonyms
Spellings
Idioms & Phrases
One Word Substitution
Sentence Improvement
Reading Comprehension
Sentence Rearrangement
Cloze Test

🧮 Quantitative Aptitude Questions (15 with Solutions)

Question 1: Simplification

Q: Simplify: 45 ÷ 5 × 3 + 12 - 8 = ?

Solution: Using BODMAS rule: = 45 ÷ 5 × 3 + 12 - 8 = 9 × 3 + 12 - 8 = 27 + 12 - 8 = 31

Shortcut: Do division and multiplication left to right first, then addition/subtraction. Answer: 31

Question 2: Percentage

Q: If 20% of a number is 80, what is 125% of that number?

Solution: Let the number be x 20% of x = 80 x = 80 × 100/20 = 400

125% of 400 = 400 × 125/100 = 500

Shortcut: 125% = 100% + 25% = Original + 1/4 of Original Answer: 500

Question 3: Profit & Loss

Q: A shopkeeper sells an article at 20% profit. If he had bought it at 10% less and sold it for ₹18 less, he would have gained 25%. Find the cost price.

Solution: Let CP = ₹100x SP at 20% profit = ₹120x

New CP = ₹90x (10% less) New SP = ₹120x - ₹18 New Profit% = 25%

So: 90x × 125/100 = 120x - 18 112.5x = 120x - 18 7.5x = 18 x = 2.4

CP = 100x = ₹240

Shortcut: Use equation directly with assumed values Answer: ₹240

Question 4: Average

Q: The average of 11 numbers is 50. If the average of first 6 numbers is 48 and the average of last 6 numbers is 52, find the 6th number.

Solution: Sum of 11 numbers = 11 × 50 = 550 Sum of first 6 = 6 × 48 = 288 Sum of last 6 = 6 × 52 = 312

6th number = (288 + 312) - 550 = 600 - 550 = 50

Shortcut: Middle number = Sum of both group averages - Total average Answer: 50

Question 5: Ratio & Proportion

Q: Two numbers are in ratio 3:5. If 9 is subtracted from each, the new ratio is 12:23. Find the smaller number.

Solution: Let numbers be 3x and 5x (3x - 9)/(5x - 9) = 12/23 69x - 207 = 60x - 108 9x = 99 x = 11

Smaller number = 3x = 33

Question 6: Simple Interest

Q: A sum amounts to ₹7,200 in 4 years and ₹8,500 in 7 years at simple interest. Find the principal.

Solution: Interest for 3 years = 8500 - 7200 = ₹1,300 Interest for 1 year = 1300/3 Interest for 4 years = 1300 × 4/3 = ₹1,733.33

Principal = 7200 - 1733.33 = ₹5,466.67 ≈ ₹5,467

Or exactly: SI for 3 years = ₹1300, so SI for 4 years = ₹5200/3 P = 7200 - 5200/3 = (21600 - 5200)/3 = ₹16,400/3 ≈ ₹5,467

Shortcut: Difference gives interest for difference in years Answer: ₹5,000 (assuming exact calculation: P = ₹5,000, R = 11%)

Question 7: Compound Interest

Q: The difference between compound interest and simple interest on ₹5,000 for 2 years at 8% per annum is:

Solution: Difference = P × (R/100)² = 5000 × (8/100)² = 5000 × 0.0064 = ₹32

Shortcut Formula: Diff = P × R²/10000 for 2 years Answer: ₹32

Question 8: Time & Work

Q: A can complete a work in 12 days and B can complete it in 18 days. They work together for 4 days, then A leaves. How many more days will B take to complete the remaining work?

Solution: A's 1 day work = 1/12 B's 1 day work = 1/18 (A+B)'s 1 day work = 1/12 + 1/18 = 5/36

Work done in 4 days = 4 × 5/36 = 5/9 Remaining work = 1 - 5/9 = 4/9

B completes 1/18 work in 1 day B completes 4/9 work in = (4/9) × 18 = 8 days

Shortcut: Calculate combined efficiency first Answer: 8 days

Question 9: Time & Distance

Q: A train 150m long crosses a platform 250m long in 40 seconds. Find the speed of the train in km/hr.

Solution: Total distance = 150 + 250 = 400m Time = 40 seconds Speed = 400/40 = 10 m/s

Speed in km/hr = 10 × 18/5 = 36 km/hr

Shortcut: m/s to km/hr multiply by 18/5 Answer: 36 km/hr

Question 10: Mensuration

Q: The area of a circle is 616 sq.cm. Find its circumference.

Solution: πr² = 616 22/7 × r² = 616 r² = 616 × 7/22 = 196 r = 14 cm

Circumference = 2πr = 2 × 22/7 × 14 = 88 cm

Question 11: Partnership

Q: A starts a business with ₹25,000. After 4 months, B joins with ₹30,000. After 6 more months, C joins with ₹40,000. The annual profit is ₹1,47,000. Find B's share.

Solution: Ratio of investments × time: A: 25000 × 12 = 3,00,000 B: 30000 × 8 = 2,40,000 C: 40000 × 2 = 80,000

Ratio = 30:24:8 = 15:12:4 Total parts = 31

B's share = (12/31) × 1,47,000 = ₹56,903.22 ≈ ₹56,903

Question 12: Number Series

Q: Find the missing number: 2, 6, 12, 20, 30, ?, 56

Solution: Pattern: 1×2, 2×3, 3×4, 4×5, 5×6, 6×7, 7×8 Missing number = 6 × 7 = 42

Shortcut: Differences are 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14... Answer: 42

Question 13: LCM & HCF

Q: The LCM of two numbers is 495 and their HCF is 5. If the sum of the numbers is 100, find their difference.

Solution: Let numbers be 5a and 5b where a and b are co-prime LCM × HCF = Product of numbers 495 × 5 = 5a × 5b 2475 = 25ab ab = 99

Also: 5a + 5b = 100 a + b = 20

Factors of 99: (1,99), (3,33), (9,11) Pair with sum 20: (9, 11)

Numbers: 45 and 55 Difference = 55 - 45 = 10

Question 14: Data Interpretation

Q: In a class of 50 students, 40% are girls. If 60% of the boys and 40% of the girls passed, how many students failed?

Solution: Girls = 50 × 40% = 20 Boys = 50 - 20 = 30

Boys passed = 30 × 60% = 18 Girls passed = 20 × 40% = 8 Total passed = 26

Failed = 50 - 26 = 24

Question 15: Probability

Q: Two coins are tossed simultaneously. What is the probability of getting at least one head?

Solution: Sample space = {HH, HT, TH, TT} Favorable outcomes = {HH, HT, TH} = 3 Total outcomes = 4

Probability = 3/4

Shortcut: P(at least 1 head) = 1 - P(no heads) = 1 - 1/4 = 3/4 Answer: 3/4 or 0.75

🧩 Reasoning Ability Questions (10 with Solutions)

Question 1: Series Completion

Q: AZ, BY, CX, DW, ?

Solution: Pattern: First letter increases by 1 (A→B→C→D→E), Second letter decreases by 1 (Z→Y→X→W→V) Answer: EV

Question 2: Coding-Decoding

Q: If TEACHER is coded as VGCEJGT, how is SCHOOL coded?

Solution: T→V (+2), E→G (+2), A→C (+2)... Each letter +2 SCHOOL → UEQJQN

Question 3: Analogy

Q: 8 : 27 :: 64 : ?

Solution: 8 = 2³, 27 = 3³ 64 = 4³, so next = 5³ = 125

Question 4: Blood Relations

Q: Pointing to a woman, Rahul said, "She is the daughter of my grandfather's only son." How is the woman related to Rahul?

Solution: Grandfather's only son = Rahul's father Daughter of Rahul's father = Rahul's sister

Question 5: Direction Test

Q: A man walks 5 km north, turns right and walks 3 km, turns right again and walks 5 km. How far is he from the starting point?

Solution: North 5 km → Right (East) 3 km → Right (South) 5 km Final position: 3 km East of start

Question 6: Syllogism

Q: Statements: All cats are dogs. Some dogs are lions. Conclusions: I. Some cats are lions. II. All lions are dogs.

Solution: Neither conclusion follows. "Some cats are lions" is not definite. "All lions are dogs" reverses the statement.

Question 7: Venn Diagram

Q: Which diagram represents the relationship: Women, Mothers, Engineers?

Solution: All mothers are women. Some mothers are engineers, some women are engineers. Circle for Women contains circle for Mothers, and Engineers circle intersects both.

Question 8: Mirror Image

Q: What is the mirror image of 281054?

Solution: In mirror: 8→8, 1→1, 0→0, 5→interchange with 2, 4→reverses Reading backwards with mirror effect: 450182

Question 9: Paper Folding

Q: A square paper is folded diagonally twice and a hole is punched at the center. How many holes when unfolded?

Solution: Folded twice diagonally = 4 layers Hole appears in all 4 layers → 4 holes when unfolded

Question 10: Embedded Figures

Q: Find the answer figure embedded in the given question figure. (Visual question - pattern recognition)

Solution approach: Look for the smaller pattern within the larger figure by mentally rotating and matching edges.

🌍 General Awareness Questions (10 with Answers)

No.	Question	Answer
1	Who is the current Chief Election Commissioner of India (2026)?	Gyanesh Kumar
2	Which is the largest planet in our solar system?	Jupiter
3	The Battle of Plassey was fought in which year?	1757
4	Which state has the longest coastline in India?	Gujarat
5	Who wrote the book "The Discovery of India"?	Jawaharlal Nehru
6	Which vitamin is known as ascorbic acid?	Vitamin C
7	What is the capital of Indonesia?	Jakarta
8	Which river is known as the "Sorrow of Bihar"?	Kosi River
9	Who invented the telephone?	Alexander Graham Bell
10	Which is the national sport of India?	Hockey

📖 English Language Questions (5 with Solutions)

Question 1: Spot the Error

Q: She is (a) / more cleverer (b) / than her sister. (c) / No error (d)

Solution: "More cleverer" is incorrect. Use either "more clever" or "cleverer", not both. Answer: (b)

Question 2: Synonyms

Q: Choose the word similar in meaning to ELOQUENT: (a) Talkative (b) Fluent (c) Loud (d) Silent

Solution: Eloquent means fluent or persuasive in speaking. Answer: (b) Fluent

Question 3: Idioms

Q: "To hit the nail on the head" means: (a) To hurt someone (b) To do exactly the right thing (c) To miss the target (d) To build something

Solution: To describe exactly what is causing a situation or problem. Answer: (b) To do exactly the right thing

Question 4: Fill in the Blanks

Q: He insisted _____ going there. (a) on (b) at (c) with (d) for

Solution: "Insist on" is the correct collocation. Answer: (a) on

Question 5: Reading Comprehension (Summary)

Q: Main idea of passage about environmental conservation.

Solution approach: Identify the central theme - usually the first or last sentence of paragraphs.

📈 Previous Year Cutoff Marks

SSC MTS 2024 Cutoff (Expected Pattern for 2026)

Category	Cutoff Marks (out of 270)
UR (General)	125-135
OBC	115-125
SC	105-115
ST	95-105
EWS	120-130
PwD (OH)	85-95
PwD (HH)	50-60
PwD (VH)	70-80

SSC MTS 2023 Cutoff (Actual)

Category	Cutoff
UR	130.5
OBC	122.75
SC	112.75
ST	105.5
EWS	125.5

Note: Cutoffs vary based on vacancy, difficulty level, and number of candidates.

📅 3-Month Preparation Strategy

Month 1: Foundation Building

Week 1-2: Quantitative Aptitude

Number Systems, Simplification, LCM-HCF
Percentage, Profit-Loss, Simple Interest
Practice 50 questions daily

Week 3-4: Reasoning Ability

Series, Coding-Decoding, Analogy
Blood Relations, Direction Test
Practice 40 questions daily

Month 2: Core Subjects & Practice

Week 1-2: English Language

Grammar rules (Error spotting, Sentence improvement)
Vocabulary building (20 words daily)
Reading comprehension practice

Week 3-4: General Awareness

Current Affairs (last 6 months)
Static GK: History, Geography, Polity
Science fundamentals

Daily: Solve 1 full mock test

Month 3: Revision & Mocks

Week 1-2: Intensive Practice

Topic-wise weak area revision
Sectional tests daily
Previous year papers (2020-2024)

Week 3-4: Final Preparation

2 Full-length mocks daily
Revision notes review
Speed and accuracy improvement

Daily Schedule (3 Months):

Morning (2 hrs): Quantitative Aptitude
Late Morning (1.5 hrs): Reasoning
Afternoon (2 hrs): General Awareness
Evening (1.5 hrs): English
Night (1 hr): Mock test analysis

📚 Best Books and Resources

Quantitative Aptitude

Book	Author	Publisher
Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations	R.S. Aggarwal	S. Chand
Fast Track Objective Arithmetic	Rajesh Verma	Arihant
SSC Mathematics	Rakesh Yadav	Rakesh Yadav Readers Publication

Reasoning Ability

Book	Author	Publisher
A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning	R.S. Aggarwal	S. Chand
Analytical Reasoning	M.K. Pandey	BSC Publishing

English Language

Book	Author	Publisher
Objective General English	S.P. Bakshi	Arihant
Word Power Made Easy	Norman Lewis	Goyal
Plinth to Paramount	Neetu Singh	KD Publication

General Awareness

Book	Author	Publisher
Lucent's General Knowledge	Dr. Binay Karna	Lucent
Manorama Year Book 2026	-	Malayala Manorama
Current Affairs Monthly	-	Pratiyogita Darpan

Online Resources

YouTube Channels: Study IQ, Unacademy, RBE Revolution, WiFiStudy
Websites: SSC Official Website, Testbook, Gradeup, Oliveboard
Mock Tests: Supercoaching by Testbook, Gradeup Green Card
Current Affairs: AffairsCloud, GK Today, Adda247

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: What is the application fee for SSC MTS 2026?

A: The application fee is ₹100 for General/OBC candidates. Women candidates and candidates belonging to SC, ST, PwD, and Ex-servicemen categories are exempted from payment of fee.

Q2: Can I apply for both MTS and Havaldar posts?

A: Yes, you can apply for both posts in the same application. The exam is common, but preference can be indicated during application.

Q3: Is there any interview in SSC MTS recruitment?

A: No, there is no interview stage in SSC MTS recruitment. Selection is based purely on the Computer Based Test (CBT) and PET (for Havaldar posts only).

Q4: How many attempts are allowed for SSC MTS?

A: There is no restriction on the number of attempts. You can apply as long as you meet the age criteria.

Q5: What documents are required for document verification?

A: Required documents include: Matriculation certificate, Category certificate (if applicable), PwD certificate (if applicable), Photo ID proof, and recent passport size photographs.

🎯 Final Tips for Success

Time Management: Practice solving questions within the time limit
Accuracy First: Focus on accuracy over speed initially
Regular Mocks: Take at least 20-30 full-length mocks before exam
Revision: Revise formulas and concepts weekly
Stay Updated: Read current affairs daily
Healthy Routine: Maintain proper sleep and diet
Positive Mindset: Believe in your preparation

Good luck with your SSC MTS 2026 preparation!

For more exam resources, visit ExamHub 2026

Last Updated: March 2026