Complete SSC MTS 2026 syllabus and exam pattern for MTS and Havaldar posts, with the two-session structure, marking scheme, eligibility, and salary.
The SSC MTS 2026 exam recruits Multi-Tasking Staff (Non-Technical) and Havaldar (CBIC and CBN) at the Class 10 level, conducted by the Staff Selection Commission. It is a single computer-based test held in two sessions with no break between them. Session-I is qualifying in nature and Session-II decides your merit, so you must attempt both. The full paper covers 90 questions across four subjects and takes 90 minutes in total. Understanding this structure early is the first step toward a focused preparation plan.
| Session | Subjects | Questions | Marks | Time | Negative Marking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Session-I | Numerical & Mathematical Ability + Reasoning Ability & Problem Solving | 40 | 120 | 45 minutes | None |
| Session-II | General Awareness + English Language & Comprehension | 50 | 150 | 45 minutes | 1 mark per wrong answer |
The key thing to note is that Session-I has no negative marking, so you should attempt every question there without hesitation. Session-II carries a penalty of 1 mark for each wrong answer, so accuracy matters much more in the second half. Each question in both sessions carries 3 marks, which is why a handful of careless mistakes in Session-II can quietly pull your merit score down. Havaldar aspirants also face a Physical Efficiency Test (PET) and Physical Standard Test (PST) after the written exam, so factor that into your timeline if you are targeting the CBIC or CBN posts.
Session-I has 40 questions worth 120 marks, split evenly between two subjects of 20 questions each. Because it is qualifying and has no penalty, treat it as a scoring session where you leave nothing blank.
These are core arithmetic topics, and steady practice on simplification and percentage-based questions gives the fastest returns because they appear in many other topics too.
Reasoning at the MTS level is scoring and largely logic-based, so most candidates find this the easiest section to build speed in with regular practice.
Session-II has 50 questions worth 150 marks, again split evenly with 25 questions per subject. This is the merit-deciding session, so plan the bulk of your revision around it.
General Awareness is fully knowledge-based with no calculation, so a strong candidate can answer all 25 questions in a few minutes and bank those marks. Read a daily current affairs digest for the six months leading up to the exam and revise static GK from short notes.
English rewards a steady reading habit and basic grammar more than last-minute cramming, so build vocabulary gradually rather than in one sitting.
Mark these dates so you do not miss the application window. Applications open with the notification and close roughly a month later, with the exam expected across the last quarter of the year. Always cross-check the final notification and apply online on the SSC official website before the window closes.
The eligibility bar is deliberately low, which is why SSC MTS attracts one of the largest applicant pools of any government exam. You need a Class 10 (Matriculation) pass from a recognised board. Age limits differ by post:
Standard age relaxations apply for reserved categories as per SSC rules, and there is no limit on the number of attempts as long as you stay within the age window.
Both posts are placed at Pay Level 1 under the 7th Central Pay Commission, with a basic pay of Rs 18,000. The pay range runs from Rs 18,000 to Rs 56,900, and the in-hand amount varies with the city category and applicable allowances such as DA and HRA.
| Post | Pay Level | Basic Pay | Approx. In-hand |
|---|---|---|---|
| MTS (Non-Technical) | Level 1 | Rs 18,000 | Rs 25,000 to 35,000 |
| Havaldar (CBIC & CBN) | Level 1 | Rs 18,000 | Rs 24,000 to 31,000 |
The in-hand figures are approximate and depend on the posting city, since metro postings attract higher HRA than smaller towns. Alongside the salary, both posts carry central government job security, medical benefits and pension coverage, which is a big part of their appeal.
Since Session-I has no negative marking and Session-II does, a smart strategy is to attempt everything in the first session while being selective in the second. Build accuracy in General Awareness and English, because those two subjects decide the merit list. Study the syllabus subject by subject, validate each topic with short topic tests, then move to full-length practice under real timing so you get used to the two-session flow. Sharpen your speed and accuracy with the SSC MTS mock tests on Quiz4Exam, which mirror the exact two-session pattern and marking scheme so you walk into the real exam already familiar with it.
Always confirm the latest dates, vacancies and pattern on the official website before applying.
SSC MTS 2026 is a single computer-based test held in two sessions with no break. Session-I has 40 questions for 120 marks in 45 minutes with no negative marking, while Session-II has 50 questions for 150 marks in 45 minutes with 1 mark deducted per wrong answer.
Candidates must have passed Class 10 (Matriculation) from a recognised board. The age limit is 18 to 25 years for MTS (Non-Technical) posts and 18 to 27 years for Havaldar posts, with standard relaxations for reserved categories.
The SSC MTS 2026 notification is expected on 30 June 2026 and the last date to apply is 31 July 2026. The computer-based exam is tentatively scheduled between September and November 2026.
Both MTS and Havaldar posts fall under Pay Level 1 of the 7th CPC with a basic pay of Rs 18,000 and a range of Rs 18,000 to Rs 56,900. The approximate in-hand salary is about Rs 25,000 to 35,000 for MTS and Rs 24,000 to 31,000 for Havaldar, depending on the city.
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Session-I has no negative marking, so you can attempt every question freely. Session-II deducts 1 mark for each wrong answer, so accuracy is far more important in the General Awareness and English section.
