OSSC CGL Syllabus 2026: Prelims, Mains, CST and Mathematics Test
The OSSC CGL syllabus covers three layers: a prelims built on Class 10 arithmetic, reasoning, current events, computer awareness and Odisha general knowledge; a main exam with a language paper in Odia and English and a General Studies paper; and two post-wise qualifying tests, the Computer Skill Test and the Mathematics Test. The Odisha Staff Selection Commission sets these for the Combined Graduate Level Recruitment Examination (CGLRE).
OSSC names the subjects and their standard, such as Class 10 or Plus Two, but it does not publish a detailed topic-wise list for every section. The topic lists below are built from the CGLRE-2025 advertisement (No. 5751/OSSC) and from questions asked in previous papers. Use them as a working checklist, not as an official list.
Table of Contents
OSSC CGL Syllabus at a Glance
Stage | Section | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Prelims | Arithmetic, data interpretation, reasoning, current events, computer awareness, Odisha GK | 150 | 150 | 150 minutes |
Mains Paper I | Language: Odia and English | 100 | 100 | 120 minutes |
Mains Paper II | General Studies | 100 | 100 | 90 minutes |
Computer Skill Test | Computer fundamentals and office software | 50 | 50 (qualifying) | 60 minutes |
Mathematics Test | Secondary school mathematics | 100 | 100 (qualifying) | 120 minutes |
Mains timings are from the revised CGLRE-2025 schedule as reported.
Key Changes to Know
Mains is objective now: Earlier cycles had descriptive elements in the language paper. Reports on CGLRE-2025 describe both mains papers as multiple-choice, with 50 Odia and 50 English questions in Paper I.
Odisha GK has its own weight in prelims: Odisha geography, heritage and culture appear as a separate area in recent syllabus summaries, not only inside current affairs.
Two post-wise tests: The Computer Skill Test and the Mathematics Test are qualifying. They do not add to merit, but failing them removes you from the posts that need them.
Older pages lag: Some sites still show two 2.5-hour mains papers with essay and letter writing. Follow the latest official notice for the cycle you are applying in.
OSSC CGL Prelims Syllabus
The prelims paper is set at Class 10 standard for arithmetic and data interpretation. It is a screening test, so your goal is to clear the cut-off with a margin, using the subjects you can score fastest in.
Section | Topics to cover | Start with |
|---|---|---|
Arithmetic | Number system, simplification, HCF and LCM, fractions and decimals, percentage, ratio and proportion, average, profit and loss, discount, simple and compound interest, time and work, pipes and cisterns, speed, distance and time, mensuration | Percentage, ratio and average, since most other chapters use them |
Data interpretation | Tables, bar graphs, line graphs, pie charts, caselets, data sufficiency | Tables and pie charts with percentage calculation |
Logical reasoning and analytical ability | Analogy, classification, number and letter series, coding-decoding, blood relations, direction sense, ranking and order, syllogism, statement and conclusion, seating arrangement, puzzles, Venn diagrams, clock and calendar, non-verbal reasoning | Series, coding-decoding and blood relations |
Current events | National and international events, government schemes, economy and banking news, science and technology, defence and space, sports, awards, books and authors, summits | The last 8 to 12 months of monthly notes |
Computer and internet awareness | Computer basics, input and output devices, memory, operating systems, MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint, internet, email, networking basics, abbreviations, viruses and cyber security | MS Office features and common abbreviations |
Odisha geography, heritage and culture | Physical features, rivers, lakes, climate, minerals, districts, history from Kalinga to the modern state, freedom movement in Odisha, temples, dance and music forms, festivals, tribes, handicrafts, state economy and schemes | Rivers, temples and festivals |
Recent syllabus summaries split the 150 questions across six areas, but the section-wise count is not stated clearly in the official text we could access, and sources disagree. Prepare every area rather than betting on a fixed split.
High-Weight Areas in Prelims
Arithmetic, data interpretation and reasoning together reward steady practice and are the easiest place to build a score buffer. Current events and Odisha GK carry real weight but need regular reading. Computer awareness is short and scoring if you revise it in small daily doses.
OSSC CGL Mains Syllabus
The main written exam decides your rank. Both papers are objective, and every mark counts toward the merit list.
Paper I: Odia Language
The Odia section is set at about Class 10 standard and tests both grammar and comprehension.
Grammar basics: Letters and sounds, matra, root words, gender, number, person, case and inflection.
Word formation: Sandhi, samasa, prefixes, krit and taddhita suffixes.
Usage: Synonyms, antonyms, one-word substitution, correct and incorrect usage, spelling rules, idioms and proverbs.
Comprehension: Reading an unseen Odia passage and answering questions on it.
Paper I: English Language
The English section is set at Plus Two standard for comprehension and Class 10 standard for grammar.
Reading comprehension: Passages with questions on meaning, inference and vocabulary.
Grammar: Tenses, articles, prepositions, conjunctions, subject-verb agreement, error spotting and sentence improvement.
Transformation: Active and passive voice, direct and indirect speech.
Vocabulary: Synonyms, antonyms, one-word substitution, idioms, phrases and spelling.
Paper II: General Studies
General Studies is pitched at around Plus Two level, with clear emphasis on Odisha.
Area | Topics to cover |
|---|---|
Indian Constitution and polity | Preamble, fundamental rights and duties, directive principles, Parliament, state legislature, executive, judiciary, panchayati raj, constitutional bodies |
Indian economy | Planning, budget, banking, inflation, poverty and employment schemes, agriculture and industry |
Odisha economy | State budget, major sectors, minerals and industries, flagship state schemes |
History of India | Ancient, medieval and modern India, the freedom struggle |
History of Odisha | Kalinga war, Kharavela, Ganga and Gajapati dynasties, Paika rebellion, formation of the state in 1936, freedom movement leaders |
Geography | Physical, economic and social geography of India and the world, with Odisha's rivers, soils, climate and resources |
Art and culture | Temple architecture, Odissi, Jagannath culture, festivals, handicrafts, tribal heritage |
Environment | Ecology, biodiversity, climate change, disasters such as cyclones and floods in Odisha |
Computer Skill Test Syllabus
The Computer Skill Test (CST) carried 50 marks and 60 minutes in CGLRE-2025, with 25 as the qualifying mark. It applied to posts such as Auditor, Inspector of Supplies, Estate Supervisor, Block Social Security Officer, Junior Assistant and Junior Clerk.
Computer fundamentals: Hardware, software, memory, storage, input and output devices.
Operating system: Windows basics, files and folders, settings and shortcuts.
Office software: MS Word formatting and mail merge, Excel formulas and charts, PowerPoint slides and transitions, basics of MS Access.
Internet and communication: Browsers, email, search, networking terms, LAN and WAN, basic security.
OSSC keeps a separate "Instruction for CST" page and mock test links under Candidate's Corner on its official website. Read those instructions before the test.
Mathematics Test Syllabus
The Mathematics Test applied to Auditor posts in CGLRE-2025. It carried 100 marks, 100 questions and 120 minutes, with 50 as the qualifying mark. The level is secondary school mathematics.
Arithmetic: Percentage, ratio, interest, profit and loss, averages, time and work.
Algebra: Linear and quadratic equations, polynomials, identities.
Statistics and probability: Mean, median, mode and simple probability.
Mensuration and geometry: Area, volume, triangles, circles and basic coordinate geometry.
This topic list is indicative, based on syllabus summaries of the advertisement. Check the post-wise scheme in the next notification.
Overlap Between Prelims and Mains
Much of what you study for the prelims carries into the mains and the qualifying tests. Plan your study so one round of preparation serves two stages.
Area | Prelims | Mains or qualifying test | How to plan |
|---|---|---|---|
Odisha history, geography, culture | Odisha GK section | Paper II General Studies | Make one set of Odisha notes and revise it for both |
Current events and economy | Current events | Paper II economy and schemes | Keep monthly notes with a separate Odisha column |
Computer awareness | Computer and internet section | Computer Skill Test | Study MS Office in depth once and practise on a computer |
Arithmetic | Arithmetic and data interpretation | Mathematics Test (Auditor) | Add algebra, statistics and geometry if you want Auditor posts |
English and Odia | Not tested directly | Paper I | Start daily reading early, even before prelims |
Study Sources for Each Section
You do not need a shelf of books for this exam. A few standard sources, revised several times, work better than many sources read once.
Section | What to use | Why it helps |
|---|---|---|
Arithmetic and Mathematics Test | Class 9 and 10 mathematics textbooks, one arithmetic practice book | The paper is pitched at secondary level, so textbook concepts are enough |
Reasoning | One reasoning practice book with chapter-wise exercises | Reasoning improves through volume of practice, not reading |
Odisha GK and history | Odisha state textbooks for history and geography, the Odisha Economic Survey summary | Gives accurate state facts that general books often skip |
Polity, economy, Indian history | NCERT books for Classes 9 to 12 | Matches the Plus Two level of Paper II |
Odia language | Board of Secondary Education Odia grammar textbook | Covers sandhi, samasa, suffixes and usage at the tested level |
English language | A school grammar book and a daily English newspaper | Builds grammar accuracy and reading speed together |
Current events | One national and one Odisha newspaper, monthly compilations | Covers both national and state news |
Using Previous Papers With the Syllabus
OSSC publishes previous question papers under Candidate's Corner on its website. They are the most reliable guide to how deep each topic goes, because they show the real level rather than what a syllabus summary suggests.
Map questions to topics: Tag each question in one past paper with its syllabus topic. This shows which chapters return often and which appear rarely.
Check the level: Note whether arithmetic questions are one-step or multi-step, and whether Odisha GK questions test basic facts or finer detail.
Spot repeated themes: Odisha rivers, temples, dynasties and art forms tend to return in different forms, so revise them more than once.
Time yourself: Attempt at least one full past paper under exam timing before you start full-length mocks.
Older papers from cycles with a descriptive mains are still useful for prelims topics and for Odisha GK, but do not use them to judge the current objective mains format.
How to Cover the OSSC CGL Syllabus
A six-month plan works for most graduates who study three to four hours a day. Shift the weeks to match your notification date.
Weeks 1 to 8: Build concepts in arithmetic and reasoning. Read one Odia and one English newspaper daily and start monthly current affairs notes.
Weeks 5 to 12: Cover Odisha GK and computer awareness in short daily blocks. Begin Odia grammar from Class 10 textbooks.
Weeks 9 to 16: Take topic tests and 20-minute sectional tests. Start Paper II subjects: polity, economy and history.
Weeks 17 to 22: Move to full-length prelims mocks, analyse each one the same day, and keep an error log.
After prelims: Switch fully to Paper I, Paper II and your qualifying test, with timed practice in each.
If the notification arrives earlier than expected, compress weeks 9 to 22 but keep the same order: concepts first, then sectional tests, then full-length mocks. Skipping straight to mocks without concepts usually leaves gaps that show up again in the mains.
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