SSC MTS 2026: exam date, pattern, syllabus and how to apply
SSC MTS, the Multi-Tasking (Non-Technical) Staff and Havaldar (CBIC and CBN) Examination, is how the Staff Selection Commission fills Pay Level-1 Group C posts in central government offices, and Havaldar posts in the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs and the Central Bureau of Narcotics. The minimum qualification is Class 10. What students want to know now is the date: as of 20 October 2026, SSC has not published the notice for the MTS 2026 examination, so there is no confirmed exam date yet. SSC's tentative calendar for 2026-27 had planned it for September to November 2026. This guide explains where things stand, how to apply when the notice comes, and how to prepare meanwhile.
SSC MTS at a glance
| Conducting body | Staff Selection Commission (SSC), Government of India |
| What it is for | Multi-Tasking Staff in central government offices; Havaldar in CBIC and CBN |
| Qualification | Class 10 (Matriculation) or equivalent |
| Mode | Computer-based test at an SSC exam centre, two sessions on one day |
| Questions | 90 in all: 40 in Session I, 50 in Session II |
| Time | 45 minutes for each session |
| Marking | 3 marks a question; −1 for a wrong answer in Session II only |
| Languages | English, Hindi and 13 regional languages (English section in English only) |
| How often | Once a year |
| Official website | ssc.gov.in |
SSC MTS 2026 exam date
Checked on ssc.gov.in on 20 October 2026:
- Notice for MTS 2026: not found on SSC's site. Until it appears, there are no confirmed application or exam dates.
- SSC's tentative calendar for 2026-27 (dated 8 January 2026) listed the MTS and Havaldar Examination 2026 with the advertisement in June 2026, applications closing in July 2026 and the exam in September to November 2026. Those months have passed without a notice, so treat the calendar as out of date for this exam.
- The last cycle: the 2025 notice was published on 26 June 2025, and the computer-based exam was held from 4 to 20 February 2026.
When SSC publishes the notice, it will be on the notice board at ssc.gov.in, with the application dates first and the exam window in a later notice. Our SSC MTS exam dates page is updated when it does.
How to apply
When the notice is out, the steps on SSC's current website are:
- Read the notice for the posts, the age groups (MTS cut-offs are set for the 18–25 and 18–27 age groups) and the eligibility date.
- Complete the One-Time Registration (OTR) on ssc.gov.in or the mySSC app. An OTR made on the old ssc.nic.in website does not work on the new one.
- Choose Aadhaar authentication if you can; SSC's recent notices say such applications are not rejected over the photograph or signature.
- Fill in the form with your State/UT and post preferences, and let the application take your live photograph.
- Upload your signature, pay the fee by the last date and keep the printout.
Keep ready: your Class 10 certificate, a category or disability certificate if you claim one, a working mobile number and email, and a scan of your signature. Havaldar candidates should also be ready for the physical tests described below.
Exam pattern
From the 2025 notice, the latest SSC has published:
| Session | Subject | Questions | Marks | Negative marking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Session I (45 min) | Numerical and Mathematical Ability | 20 | 60 | None |
| Session I | Reasoning Ability and Problem Solving | 20 | 60 | None |
| Session II (45 min) | General Awareness | 25 | 75 | −1 per wrong answer |
| Session II | English Language and Comprehension | 25 | 75 | −1 per wrong answer |
Session I is qualifying: only candidates who reach the minimum in it (30% for UR, 25% for OBC and EWS, 20% for others) have Session II evaluated. Merit and the final selection use Session II marks alone, normalised across shifts. Within a session you can move between its two subjects; Session I closes after 45 minutes and Session II starts at once.
Havaldar candidates are shortlisted on Session II marks for a Physical Efficiency Test (walking 1,600 metres in 15 minutes for men, 1 km in 20 minutes for women) and a Physical Standard Test of height and chest or weight. Those who do not qualify it stay in consideration for MTS.
Syllabus
- Numerical Ability: integers and whole numbers, LCM and HCF, decimals, fractions and BODMAS, percentage, ratio, averages, interest, profit and loss, work and time, distance and time, area and perimeter, simple graphs, squares and square roots.
- Reasoning: alpha-numeric series, coding-decoding, analogy, directions, age, calendar and clock, non-verbal reasoning with diagrams.
- General Awareness: social studies up to Class 10 (history, geography, art and culture, civics, economics), general science and environmental studies.
- English: synonyms, antonyms, idioms, one-word substitution, spelling, grammar and a short passage.
The full list is on our SSC MTS syllabus page.
A plan while you wait for the notice
The last cycle had about seven months between the notice and the exam, so a steady eight-week plan now puts you well ahead:
- Weeks 1–2: sit one full SSC MTS mock to see your level. Put most of your time into General Awareness and English, because they decide your rank.
- Weeks 3–4: a Class 10 social studies and science revision for General Awareness; 15 new words a day for English. Keep Session I safe with two short arithmetic and reasoning sets a week.
- Weeks 5–6: one full mock a week, analysed the same day. In Session II, count how many wrong answers cost you marks: with −1 against +3, guessing among four options gains nothing on average.
- Weeks 7–8: two mocks a week and revision of your mistake notebook. Check ssc.gov.in weekly for the notice.
Useful links
- SSC: One-Time Registration and applications (ssc.gov.in)
- SSC MTS and Havaldar Examination 2025 notice (PDF, ssc.gov.in)
- SSC tentative calendar of examinations 2026-27 (PDF)
- Free SSC MTS mock tests
- SSC MTS syllabus
- SSC MTS exam dates
- SSC CHSL 2026: exam date and how to apply
- Negative marking: when to guess
Frequently asked questions
When will the SSC MTS 2026 notification come?
SSC had not published it on 20 October 2026. Its tentative calendar had planned June 2026, so it is late; watch the notice board at ssc.gov.in.
Is there negative marking in SSC MTS?
Only in Session II. A wrong answer in General Awareness or English costs 1 mark against 3 for a right one; in Session I (maths and reasoning) a wrong answer costs nothing.
Do Session I marks count in SSC MTS?
Session I is qualifying. You must reach the minimum in it, but the merit is made from Session II marks alone. Session I marks are used only to break ties after General Awareness.
What is the qualification for SSC MTS?
Class 10 (Matriculation) or equivalent. The age groups and dates are in each year's notice.
Is there a physical test in SSC MTS?
Not for MTS posts. Havaldar candidates take a walking test and a Physical Standard Test, conducted by CBIC and CBN; both are qualifying.