SSC MTS Syllabus and Exam Pattern 2026
Complete SSC MTS 2026 syllabus and exam pattern for MTS and Havaldar posts, with the two-session structure, marking scheme, eligibility, and salary.
On this page
- SSC MTS 2026 Exam Pattern: Two Sessions, No Break
- SSC MTS Session-I Syllabus
- Numerical and Mathematical Ability
- Reasoning Ability and Problem Solving
- SSC MTS Session-II Syllabus
- General Awareness
- English Language and Comprehension
- SSC MTS 2026 Important Dates
- SSC MTS 2026 Eligibility
- SSC MTS Salary 2026 (7th CPC)
- How to Prepare and Conclusion
- Related reading
- References and Official Sources
SSC MTS 2026 Exam Pattern: Two Sessions, No Break
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.
SSC MTS Session-I Syllabus
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.
Numerical and Mathematical Ability
- Number Systems and Simplification
- Percentage, Ratio and Proportion
- Profit and Loss, Discount
- Simple and Compound Interest
- Time and Work, Time, Speed and Distance
- Averages, Mensuration and basic Data Interpretation
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 Ability and Problem Solving
- Analogy and Classification
- Coding-Decoding and Series
- Blood Relations and Direction Sense
- Order and Ranking, Seating Arrangement
- Non-verbal Reasoning: figure patterns and mirror images
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.
SSC MTS Session-II Syllabus
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
- Current Affairs of national and international importance
- Indian History, Geography and Polity
- Economy and General Science
- Static GK: awards, sports, books and important days
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 Language and Comprehension
- Reading Comprehension and Cloze Test
- Error Spotting and Sentence Improvement
- Fill in the Blanks and Para Jumbles
- Synonyms, Antonyms, Idioms and Phrases
English rewards a steady reading habit and basic grammar more than last-minute cramming, so build vocabulary gradually rather than in one sitting.
SSC MTS 2026 Important Dates
As of 23 October 2026 the SSC MTS 2026 notification has not been released. The 30 June 2026 date in SSC's original annual calendar was not met, and as of 23 October 2026 no Multi Tasking notice for the 2026 cycle has appeared on ssc.gov.in at all. Applications have not opened, so treat any circulating date as expected rather than confirmed and cross-check the SSC official website before you plan around it.
- Notification: not released yet as of 23 October 2026
- Application window: to be announced (not yet opened)
- Computer-based exam: expected around October to November 2026, a window that has now started, date to be announced
- Vacancies: not announced for 2026 (the 2025 cycle had 7,948 posts: 6,810 MTS and 1,138 Havaldar)
SSC MTS 2026 Eligibility
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:
- MTS (Non-Technical): 18 to 25 years
- Havaldar (CBIC and CBN): 18 to 27 years
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.
SSC MTS Salary 2026 (7th CPC)
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.
How to Prepare and Conclusion
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.
Ready to test yourself? Start with the free SSC MTS mock tests: exam-accurate pattern and timing, instant analysis, and a free starter series that stays free after a phone sign up.
Related reading
- SSC MTS 2026 complete strategy guide
- SSC MTS salary and job profile 2026
- SSC GD Constable syllabus and exam pattern 2026
- How to prepare for SSC CHSL 2026
References and Official Sources
Always confirm the latest dates, vacancies and pattern on the official website before applying.
What is the SSC MTS 2026 exam pattern?
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.
What is the eligibility for SSC MTS 2026?
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.
What is the status of the SSC MTS 2026 dates?
As of 23 October 2026 the SSC MTS 2026 notification has not been released. The 30 June 2026 date in SSC's original annual calendar was not met, and no Multi Tasking notice for the 2026 cycle has appeared on ssc.gov.in since. Applications have not opened and the computer-based exam (Paper 1) is expected around October to November 2026, a window that has now started, with no confirmed date.
What is the SSC MTS 2026 salary?
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.
Is there negative marking in SSC MTS 2026?
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.
