The General Awareness section is one of the most important parts of the SSC CHSL exam in both Tier 1 and 2. Many candidates who prepare well in this section can significantly boost their overall marks and increase their chances of getting selected. Unlike other sections that require complex calculations or logical reasoning, General Awareness tests your knowledge about the world around you, current Affairs, History, Culture, Geography, Economics, Politics, General Science, and other important subjects. If you want to score well in the SSC CHSL General Awareness section, the first thing you need to do is understand the complete syllabus of General Awareness for SSC CHSL.
The General Awareness section of the SSC CHSL Tier 1 exam assesses a candidate’s command of both static knowledge (History, Geography, Science, Economics, Politics) and dynamic knowledge (Current Events). To excel in this scoring segment, a thorough understanding of the syllabus is essential. The following table gives you a detailed overview of the SSC CHSL General Awareness Syllabus for 2026 and offers a strategic preparation plan.
SSC CHSL General Awareness Syllabus Overview | |
Exam Details | Information |
Section Name | General Awareness |
Total Questions (SSC CHSL Tier 1) | 25 questions |
Total Marks (Tier 1) | 50 marks |
Marks Per Question | 2 marks |
Negative Marking | 0.5 marks per wrong answer |
Time Allocation | 8-10 minutes (recommended) |
Question Type | Multiple Choice (MCQs) |
Difficulty Level | Easy to Moderate |
Total Questions (SSC CHSL Tier 2) | 20 questions |
Total Marks (SSC CHSL Tier 2) | 60 marks |
Marks Per Question | 3 marks |
Negative Marking | 01 marks per wrong answer |
The General Awareness syllabus is divided into several important categories. Let’s understand each one in detail:
Current Affairs is the most important and frequently tested topic in the General Awareness section. Approximately 4-5 questions come from this area in every SSC CHSL exam.
National News:
International News:
Awards and Recognition:
Sports Updates:
Government Schemes:
One of the important SSC CHSL General Awareness Syllabus is the Indian History and culture. The History section tests your knowledge about India’s past. Approximately 2-3 questions appear from this topic.
Indus Valley Civilization:
Vedic Period:
Age of Mahajanapadas:
Early Medieval Period:
Delhi Sultanate:
Mughal Empire:
Colonial Period:
Independence Struggle:
Important Dates to Remember:
Geography questions test your knowledge about India’s physical features, climate, and resources. Approximately 1-2 questions appear from geography. In the recent exams it is seen that weightage and importance of Geography in the General Awareness Syllabus for SSC CHSL Exam in increasing and additional questions are asked on environment. Study the syllabus for SSC CHSL Geography listed below:
Mountain Ranges:
Plains and Plateaus:
Rivers and Water Bodies:
Climate Zones:
Forests and Biodiversity:
Mineral Resources:
Agricultural Geography:
General Awareness Syllabus for SSC CHSL also comprises of the Indian Polity which tests your understanding of how the Indian government works. Approximately 2-3 questions appear from this section. Given below is the detailed general awareness syllabus of polity for your best preparation.
Preamble and Fundamental Principles:
Fundamental Rights:
Fundamental Duties:
Union Government:
Parliament of India:
State Government:
Judiciary System:
Key Articles to Remember:
Indian Economy section of SSC CHSL exam tests your knowledge about how India’s economy works. Approximately 1-2 questions appear from this area. General Awareness Syllabus for Economy is vast and also includes the questions from the current budget, so study and understand the undermentioned syllabus thoroughly.
Important Terms:
RBI (Reserve Bank of India):
Types of Banks:
Banking Concepts:
Budget Components:
Economic Schemes:
International Trade
SSC CHSL General Awareness Syllabus for Science covers topics likes Physics, Chemistry and Biology. Science questions test basic scientific knowledge up to Class 10 level. Approximately 6-8 questions appear from science combined together.
Physics questions are asked from the undermentioned topics:
Mechanics:
Heat and Temperature:
Light and Sound:
Electricity and Magnetism:
Modern Physics:
Questions from Chemistry are asked for the following topics:
Basic Concepts:
Chemical Reactions:
Periodic Table:
Important Compounds:
Biology MCQs are asked from topics that are mentioned below:
Cell Structure:
Human Body Systems:
Nutrition and Health:
Plant Biology:
Evolution and Ecology:
Static GK includes facts that don’t change frequently. Approximately 2-4 questions appear from this area.
National Days:
International Days:
Classical Literature:
Modern Indian Literature:
International Literature:
Classical Dances:
Music Forms:
Monuments and Heritage Sites:
Important Symbols:
Important Capitals:
Currencies:
Environment questions test your general awareness about environmental issues in SSC CHSL. Questions are integrated with other topics rather than standalone.
Pollution:
Climate Change:
Biodiversity:
Natural Resources:
Environmental Legislation:
Understanding the weightage of different topics helps in your preparation. Summary of the topic-wise weightage is given below:
Topic | Expected Questions | Marks (SSC CHSL Tier 1) | Marks (SSC CHSL Tier 2) |
Current Affairs | 4-5 | 8-10 | 12-15 |
History | 2-3 | 4-6 | 6-9 |
Indian Polity | 2-3 | 4-6 | 6-9 |
Geography | 1-2 | 2-4 | 3-6 |
Indian Economy | 1-2 | 2-4 | 3-6 |
Static GK | 2-4 | 4-8 | 6-12 |
Biology | 1-2 | 2-4 | 3-6 |
Chemistry | 1-2 | 2-4 | 3-6 |
Physics | 1-2 | 2-4 | 3-6 |
Computer/Others | 1-2 | 2-4 | 3-6 |
Total | 25 | 50 | 60 |
Key Observation: Current Affairs carries the highest weightage followed by Science, so prioritize these topics in your preparation.
Common Mistakes to Avoid in SSC CHSL General Awareness Preparation
Mistakes Made by Candidates
In SSC CHSL Tier 1, there are 25 questions from General Awareness for 50 marks. In Tier 2 of SSC CHSL, there are 20 questions from General Awareness for 60 marks (3 marks per question). Total weightage of General Awareness is approximately 12-13% of total marks in Tier 1.
Current Affairs is the most important topic with 4-5 questions (8-10 marks) in SSC CHSL Tier 1. Though Science (Physics, Chemistry, and Biology) topics individually carry 1-2 questions each but combined together they are carrying a weightage of 8 – 10 marks. Other topics like History, Economy, Polity, and Static GK are also important with 2-4 questions each. A balanced preparation across all topics is recommended, but current affairs should be prioritized due to its high weightage.
To prepare Current Affairs, read The Hindu or Indian Express newspaper daily, especially the editorial and front page. Follow government websites like pbi.gov.in for official announcements. Watch news channels for 30 minutes daily. Make monthly notes of important events, government schemes, awards, and appointments. Revise these notes every two weeks before the exam. Attempt topic wise mock exams to check your preparation
Yes, economics is part of the SSC CHSL General Awareness syllabus though it carries 1-2 questions. Important topics include basic concepts like GDP, inflation, RBI functions, banking system, and government schemes. Study simple economics books and follow financial news to understand economic concepts at a basic level.
Read NCERT books for Class 9 and 10 for all subjects – History, Geography, Civics/Polity, and Science. These books cover all basic concepts required for SSC CHSL. Class 8 History can also be useful for ancient history. Focus on understanding concepts rather than memorizing entire books.
Yes, General Awareness can be a scoring section with proper preparation. It doesn’t require complex calculations or logical reasoning. However, it requires consistent reading and revision. If you prepare well and revise regularly, you can easily score 35 – 40 marks out of 50 in Tier 1. The key is disciplined preparation and regular revision.
Allocate 2 – 3 hours daily for General Awareness preparation: 30 minutes for newspaper reading, 1 hour for learning new topics, 45 minutes for current affairs compilation, and 1 hour for practice and revision. This time allocation ensures balanced learning and regular revision which is essential for this section.
High-weightage topics are: Current Affairs (4-5 questions), History (2-3 questions), Polity (2-3 questions), and Static GK (2-4 questions). These four topics account for approximately 12-15 questions out of 25. Geography, Economy, Science topics (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) carry 1-2 questions each. Prioritize high-weightage topics but don’t ignore other areas.
Yes, making notes is very important for General Awareness preparation of SSC CHSL exam. Create organized, topic-wise notes with important facts, dates, and definitions. Use bullet points for easy reading. Include visual elements like diagrams where possible. These notes help in quick revision later. Make separate notebooks or files for different topics for better organization.
To retain facts better, use multiple techniques: Read facts once, then write them down, then teach them to someone else (if possible). Create flashcards for important facts. Use mnemonics for remembering sequences. Make associations between related topics. Revise regularly (weekly). Practice answering questions to test yourself. These techniques help in better retention than just reading.
The SSC CHSL General Awareness Syllabus 2026 covers a wide range of topics including Current Affairs, History, Geography, Polity, Economy, Science, and Static GK. Success in this section requires a combination of consistent reading, note-making, revision, and practice. General Awareness is not just about memorizing facts. It’s about being aware of the world around you and understanding how different events, places, and concepts are connected. Start your preparation today and stay consistent throughout your preparation journey.
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