SSC JE 2026 · Syllabus & exam pattern
SSC JE Syllabus 2026 and Exam Pattern: Subject-wise Topics
SSC JE selection: Paper-I (2 hours); Paper-II (2 hours), as per the official notice published 2 September 2026.
Subjects, number of questions, marks, duration and negative marking for every stage, as printed in the official notice.
SSC JE exam pattern 2026
Stages of selection
- 1Paper-I: computer-based examination (qualifying)
- 2Paper-II: computer-based examination (decides merit and post allocation)
- 3Online post preference, allocation on merit-cum-preference
- 4Document verification by the user department after the final result
- 5BRO posts only: physical efficiency test and physical/medical examination by BRO after the final result
Paper-I
2 hours (2 hours 40 minutes for scribe-eligible candidates)
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General Intelligence and Reasoning | 50 | 50 |
| General Awareness | 50 | 50 |
| Engineering / technical part opted for (one of Parts A–G) | 100 | 100 |
Negative marking: 0.25 per wrong answer. Questions in Hindi and English. Paper-I is qualifying.
Paper-II
2 hours (2 hours 40 minutes for scribe-eligible candidates)
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering / technical part opted for (one of Parts A–G) | 100 | 300 |
Negative marking: 1 mark per wrong answer. Final merit is based on Paper-II normalised marks.
Source: Junior Engineer Examination, 2026 — Notice (published 2 September 2026). Confirm in the official notice before applying.
Qualifying marks, normalisation and tie-break
Both papers are objective multiple-choice tests in Hindi and English. Paper-I has negative marking of 0.25 per wrong answer and Paper-II of 1 mark per wrong answer. IS 456:2000 tables, steam tables (where required) and a scientific calculator are available on screen; physical tables and calculators are not allowed.
You must reach the minimum qualifying marks in both papers: 30% for UR, 25% for OBC and EWS, and 20% for all other categories. Paper-I is qualifying; candidates are shortlisted category-wise for Paper-II on Paper-I normalised marks, with separate merit lists for JE (Civil), JE (Electrical & Mechanical), Scientific Assistant and JE (Telecom).
Marks from multiple shifts are normalised using SSC's procedure of 2 June 2025. Mechanical and electrical papers are normalised against each other, as are the three Scientific Assistant papers. Final selection and allocation are made on Paper-II normalised marks and your post preferences.
Tentative answer keys are published after each paper; you can challenge a question online for ₹50 per question.
Tie-break order (equal Paper-II marks)
| Order | Criterion |
|---|---|
| 1 | Marks in Part (i) of Paper-I (General Intelligence and Reasoning) |
| 2 | Marks in Part (ii) of Paper-I (General Awareness) |
| 3 | Date of birth — older candidate placed higher |
| 4 | Alphabetical order of names |
SSC JE syllabus, part by part
In Paper-I, General Intelligence & Reasoning and General Awareness are compulsory, and you attempt the one engineering or technical part you opted for in the form. Paper-II tests the same part in greater depth (the notice gives a detailed Paper-II syllabus for each part). Civil, mechanical and electrical questions are set at about diploma level; the computer science, electronics, physics and telecom parts are at about graduation level. The subject you opt for cannot be changed later.
Topics listed in the notice (Paper-I)
| Part | Topics |
|---|---|
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | Verbal and non-verbal questions: analogies, similarities, differences, space visualisation, problem solving, analysis, judgement, decision making, visual memory, discrimination, observation, relationship concepts, arithmetical reasoning, verbal and figure classification, arithmetical number series; abstract ideas and symbols, arithmetical computations and other analytical functions |
| General Awareness | Environment and its application to society, current events, everyday observation in its scientific aspect; India and its neighbouring countries, especially history, culture, geography, economic scene, general polity and scientific research |
| Part A: Civil Engineering | Engineering mechanics, solid mechanics, structural analysis, construction materials and management, estimating, costing and valuation, concrete structures, steel structures, surveying, soil mechanics, fluid mechanics and hydraulics, hydrology and irrigation, environmental engineering, transportation engineering |
| Part B: Electrical Engineering | Fundamentals, magnetic circuits, A.C. fundamentals, measurement and measuring instruments, electrical machines, special machines and synchronous generators, generation, transmission and distribution, estimation and costing, utilisation of electrical energy, basic electronics, power electronics |
| Part C: Mechanical Engineering | Engineering mechanics, strength of materials, theory of machines, machine design, materials science, thermal engineering, fluid mechanics and hydraulic machinery, industrial engineering, manufacturing engineering, metrology and measurement, advanced manufacturing processes |
| Part D: Computer Science & IT (Scientific Assistant) | Engineering mathematics, digital logic, computer organisation and architecture, programming and data structures, algorithms, theory of computation, compiler design, operating systems, databases, computer networks |
| Part E: Electronics & Telecommunication (Scientific Assistant) | Electronic components, diodes, transistors, amplifiers and oscillators, network theorems, AC and three-phase circuits, digital electronics; antennas, radio wave propagation, modulation, multiplexing, digital and wireless communication |
| Part F: Physics (Scientific Assistant) | Mathematical methods, mechanics, properties of matter, oscillations, waves, optics, electricity, magnetism, kinetic theory, thermodynamics, modern physics, solid state physics, semiconductor devices, analog and digital electronics |
| Part G: Telecommunications (JE Telecom) | Engineering mathematics, network analysis, signals and systems, electronic devices, analog and digital circuits, control systems, analog and digital communications, electromagnetics |
Frequently asked questions
What is the SSC JE exam pattern?
Paper-I: General Intelligence and Reasoning, General Awareness, Engineering / technical part opted for (one of Parts A–G) (2 hours (2 hours 40 minutes for scribe-eligible candidates)). Negative marking: 0.25 per wrong answer. Questions in Hindi and English. Paper-I is qualifying. Paper-II: Engineering / technical part opted for (one of Parts A–G) (2 hours (2 hours 40 minutes for scribe-eligible candidates)). Negative marking: 1 mark per wrong answer. Final merit is based on Paper-II normalised marks.
When is SSC JE 2026 Paper-I?
From 2 to 6 November 2026 for the civil, electrical, mechanical and Scientific Assistant papers, and on 30 November – 1 December 2026 for JE (Telecom). Paper-II is tentatively in December 2026.
Is there negative marking in SSC JE?
Yes: 0.25 marks per wrong answer in Paper-I and 1 mark per wrong answer in Paper-II.
Do Paper-I marks count in the final merit?
No. Paper-I is qualifying; final merit and post allocation are based on Paper-II normalised marks and your preferences. Paper-I part-wise marks are used only to break ties.
What are the minimum qualifying marks in SSC JE?
30% for UR, 25% for OBC and EWS, and 20% for all other categories, in both Paper-I and Paper-II.