SSC MTS 2026 –
Complete Guide: Syllabus, Pattern & Eligibility
CBT completed (Feb 4–20, 2026). Answer key released March 3, 2026. Result expected May–June 2026. 7,948 total vacancies for MTS and Havaldar posts. Class 10 pass eligible.
What is SSC MTS?
SSC MTS (Multi-Tasking Staff) is a national-level recruitment exam conducted annually by the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) to fill Group C, non-gazetted, non-ministerial posts across central government ministries, departments, and offices. It is the most accessible central government exam in India — open to anyone who has passed Class 10.
The 2025 cycle also recruits for Havaldar posts under CBIC (Central Board of Indirect Taxes) and CBN (Central Bureau of Narcotics), which require an additional Physical Efficiency Test and Physical Standard Test (PET/PST) for shortlisted candidates.
The selection process has a single Computer-Based Test (CBT) in two sessions, followed by PET/PST for Havaldar applicants only. There is no typing test, no interview, and no Paper II (it was removed from the exam pattern). Final merit is based entirely on CBT scores.
📅 Important Dates – SSC MTS 2026
The 2025 cycle exam has been completed. The table below reflects actual dates from the official notification and subsequent updates.
| Event | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Official Notification Released | 26 June 2025 | ✓ Done |
| Online Application Opens | 26 June 2025 | ✓ Done |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 24 July 2025 | ✓ Done |
| Fee Payment Last Date | 25 July 2025 (11 PM) | ✓ Done |
| Application Correction Window | 4–6 August 2025 | ✓ Done |
| Vacancies Revised (Increased) | September 2025 | ✓ Done |
| Exam City Intimation / Self-Slotting | 16–25 January 2026 | ✓ Done |
| Admit Card Released | 2 February 2026 | ✓ Done |
| CBT Exam (Paper I) | 4 February – 20 February 2026 | ✓ Done |
| Tentative Answer Key Released | 3 March 2026 | ✓ Done |
| Answer Key Objection Window | 3–6 March 2026 | ✓ Done |
| Final Answer Key | To be notified (TBN) | TBN |
| CBT Result Declared | Expected May–June 2026 | TBN |
| PET / PST (Havaldar only) | To be notified (TBN) | TBN |
| Final Merit List | To be notified (TBN) | TBN |
| SSC MTS 2026 Notification | 30 June 2026 (per SSC Calendar) | 🔔 Upcoming |
| SSC MTS 2026 Last Date to Apply | 31 July 2026 (tentative) | 🔔 Upcoming |
| SSC MTS 2026 CBT Exam | September–November 2026 (tentative) | 🔔 Upcoming |
Source: Official SSC notification (ssc.gov.in) and subsequent corrigenda. Always verify dates on the official website before acting.
Eligibility Criteria – SSC MTS 2026
Citizens of Nepal, Bhutan, Tibetan refugees (pre-1962), and persons of Indian origin migrating from specified countries are also eligible under specific conditions.
From any recognised board (CBSE, ICSE, State boards). No graduation required. There is no minimum percentage specified.
Age Limit
| Post | Min Age | Max Age | Age Cutoff |
|---|---|---|---|
| MTS (General) – Most posts | 18 years | 25 years | 01 August 2025 |
| MTS – Some specific posts | 18 years | 27 years | 01 August 2025 |
| Havaldar (CBIC & CBN) | 18 years | 27 years | 01 August 2025 |
Age Relaxation
| Category | Relaxation |
|---|---|
| OBC (Non-creamy layer) | +3 years |
| SC / ST | +5 years |
| PwBD – General / EWS | +10 years |
| PwBD – OBC | +13 years |
| PwBD – SC / ST | +15 years |
| Ex-Servicemen (General / OBC) | +3 years (after service period deduction) |
| Ex-Servicemen (SC / ST) | +8 years (after service period deduction) |
| Widows / Divorced Women (General) | Up to 35 years |
| Widows / Divorced Women (OBC) | Up to 38 years |
| Widows / Divorced Women (SC / ST) | Up to 40 years |
Vacancies & Posts – SSC MTS 2026
SSC initially notified 8,021 vacancies (6,810 MTS + 1,211 Havaldar) in September 2025. After a corrigendum on 27 November 2025, the Havaldar count decreased to 1,138, bringing the total to 7,948 posts. MTS vacancies remained at 6,810 (6,078 for age 18–25 + 732 for age 18–27).
| Post | UR | OBC | SC | ST | EWS | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MTS (Non-Technical) – Age 18–25 | — | — | — | — | — | 6,078 |
| MTS (Non-Technical) – Age 18–27 | — | — | — | — | — | 732 |
| Havaldar – CBIC & CBN | — | — | — | — | — | 1,138 |
| TOTAL (Revised – 27 Nov 2025) | — | — | — | — | — | 7,948 |
Exam Pattern – SSC MTS 2026
The CBT is conducted in two compulsory sessions on the same day. Missing either session results in automatic disqualification. Total marks: 270. Total time: 90 minutes.
| Subject | Questions | Marks | Negative Marking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Numerical & Mathematical Ability | 20 | 60 | None |
| Reasoning Ability & Problem Solving | 20 | 60 | None |
| Session I Total | 40 | 120 | No Penalty |
| Subject | Questions | Marks | Negative Marking |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Awareness | 25 | 75 | −1 per wrong answer |
| English Language & Comprehension | 25 | 75 | −1 per wrong answer |
| Session II Total | 50 | 150 | −1 per wrong |
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Mode of Exam | Computer-Based Test (CBT) — online |
| Type of Questions | Objective MCQ (4 options each) |
| Total Questions | 90 (Session I: 40 + Session II: 50) |
| Total Marks | 270 (Session I: 120 + Session II: 150) |
| Marks per Question | +3 marks for correct answer (both sessions) |
| Negative Marking | Session I: None | Session II: −1 per wrong answer |
| Total Duration | 90 minutes (45 min each session) |
| Language of Exam | English, Hindi & 13 regional languages (excluding English section) |
| PwBD Candidates | 60 minutes total (extra time allowed) |
| Normalisation | Yes — scores normalised across shifts |
SSC MTS Syllabus 2026 – Subject Wise
Syllabus level is Matriculation (Class 10). All topics below are from the official SSC MTS notification. Click each subject to expand.
1Session I — Numerical & Mathematical Ability
2Session I — Reasoning Ability & Problem Solving
3Session II — General Awareness
4Session II — English Language & Comprehension
Physical Test – Havaldar Post (PET & PST)
PET/PST is only for Havaldar (CBIC & CBN) applicants — not for regular MTS posts. It is a qualifying round with no marks added to the merit.
Physical Efficiency Test (PET)
| Category | Task | Time Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Male – All Categories | Walk 1,600 m | 15 minutes |
| Female – All Categories | Walk 1 km | 20 minutes |
| Male Cyclothon (alternative) | Cycle 3 km | 25 minutes |
Physical Standard Test (PST)
| Category | Height | Weight | Chest (Male) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male – General / OBC / EWS / SC | 157.5 cm | Proportionate | 76–81 cm |
| Male – ST / Tribal / NE States | 152.5 cm | Proportionate | 74–79 cm |
| Female – General / OBC / EWS / SC | 152 cm | Proportionate | N/A |
| Female – ST / Tribal / NE States | 148 cm | Proportionate | N/A |
SSC MTS Salary & Benefits
| Component | Amount (Approx.) |
|---|---|
| Basic Pay | ₹18,000/month |
| Dearness Allowance (DA) 60% | ₹10,800/month |
| House Rent Allowance (HRA) – X city 30% | ₹5,400/month |
| House Rent Allowance (HRA) – Y city 20% | ₹3,600/month |
| Transport Allowance (TA) | ₹1,350/month |
| Gross Salary (X city approximate) | ₹35,550/month |
| Deductions (NPS 10% + CGHS + CGEGIS) | ~₹3,500–4,000/month |
| In-Hand Take-Home (X city) | ₹28,000–30,000/month |
Other Benefits
- Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) for employee and family
- Leave Travel Concession (LTC) — travel reimbursement twice in 4 years
- NPS pension (National Pension System) — 10% of basic deducted, 14% contributed by Govt
- Maternity / Paternity / Child Care Leave
- Group Insurance (CGEGIS)
- Annual increments in basic pay
- Promotion opportunities through departmental exams after 5 years
Job Profile
- Filing, photocopying, carrying papers within offices
- Cleaning, maintenance and upkeep of office premises
- Delivery of dak (official correspondence)
- Opening and closing of government offices
- Assisting senior officials as required
- Watch and ward duties (applicable to some ministries)
- Havaldar: Field inspection, escort, and collection duties under CBIC/CBN
3-Month Study Plan for SSC MTS
Build the Foundation
- Revise Class 6–10 Maths — NCERT is sufficient. Focus on percentage, ratio, SI/CI, profit-loss.
- Practice 20 Reasoning questions daily — start with simple analogies and series.
- Read one newspaper article daily for General Awareness habit-building.
- Start a GK notebook — write 10 facts per day (history, geography, polity).
Speed and Accuracy
- Give 1 full mock test per week — both sessions together (simulate real exam).
- Target Session I accuracy: 35/40 correct, Session II: 35/50 correct.
- English: solve 30 grammar questions daily — focus on error spotting and fill-in-the-blanks.
- Current Affairs: subscribe to a monthly capsule (Adda247 or GK Today).
- Revise GK notes from Month 1 — repetition is key.
Revision and Mock Tests
- Give 2 full mock tests per week and analyse every wrong answer.
- Focus on weak sections identified from mock test analysis.
- Complete at least 5 previous year SSC MTS papers (2019–2024).
- Final 2 weeks: only revision — no new topics.
- For Havaldar aspirants: physical training (walking/cycling) daily from Month 1.
Best Books for SSC MTS 2026
| Book | Author | Subject | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| SSC MTS Guide – Crack It (Havaldar CBIC/CBN) | Arihant Publications | All Subjects | — |
| Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations | R.S. Aggarwal | Mathematics | Buy |
| A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning | R.S. Aggarwal | Reasoning | Buy |
| Lucent's General Knowledge | Lucent Publications | General Awareness | Buy |
| Plinth to Paramount (English Grammar) | Neetu Singh (KD Campus) | English | — |
| SSC MTS Previous Year Papers | Kiran Publications | Practice / PYQs | — |
Expert Preparation Tips for SSC MTS
Frequently Asked Questions – SSC MTS
QWhat is the educational qualification for SSC MTS?
QWhat is the age limit for SSC MTS 2026?
QIs there negative marking in SSC MTS?
QWhat is the SSC MTS salary per month?
QIs PET/PST required for all SSC MTS candidates?
QHow many times can I attempt SSC MTS?
QCan female candidates apply for Havaldar?
QWhat is the difference between MTS and Havaldar in SSC MTS exam?
Prepare for SSC MTS 2026
The 2026 notification is expected on 30 June 2026 (per SSC Calendar), with CBT in September–November 2026. Use this time to build your foundation now — those who start early top the merit list.
All data sourced from the official SSC MTS 2026 notification (ssc.gov.in), corrigenda, and verified educational platforms (Shiksha, Careers360, Testbook, Adda247). DA revised to 60% from Jan 2026 (OM issued Apr 2026). Last updated: May 2026. Always verify dates from ssc.gov.in before applying.
- Total Vacancies: 7,948
- Exam Level: Class 10 (Matric)
- Application Fee: ₹100 (Gen) | Free (SC/ST/Exsm/Female)
- No. of Attempts: Unlimited
- Typing Test: None
- Interview: None