March 26, 20267 min read

SSC MTS Exam Pattern 2024-25: Session-wise Structure, Negative Marking and Descriptive Paper

Complete SSC MTS exam pattern covering Session I objective questions, Session II short essay and letter, marking scheme, negative marking details, and age-category paper structure.

SSC MTS exam pattern SSC Multi-Tasking Staff Havaldar syllabus

SSC MTS (Multi-Tasking Staff) and Havaldar (CBIC and CBN) recruitment is one of the few central government exams where a 10th pass qualification is sufficient. The exam pattern was significantly revised in 2023, removing the old paper-1 and paper-2 structure and introducing a session-based format. The descriptive writing session now plays an important role for younger candidates.

Posts Covered

Post	Department	Pay Level
Multi-Tasking Staff (MTS)	Various Central Govt. Ministries/Departments	Level 1 (₹18,000 - ₹56,900)
Havaldar	Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC)	Level 1
Havaldar	Central Bureau of Narcotics (CBN)	Level 1

Havaldar posts additionally require physical standards and medical examination.

Age-based Structure: Why It Matters

SSC MTS has two age groups applying for different posts:

Age 18-25 years: MTS and Havaldar posts
Age 18-27 years: Only MTS posts (not Havaldar)

This age distinction affects the exam in the following way: the exam structure itself is the same, but post eligibility differs by age at the time of cutoff date.

Exam Structure — Two Sessions

The SSC MTS exam now consists of two sessions conducted on the same day:

Session I — Objective (Numerical/Reasoning Based)

Total: 90 questions | 150 marks | 45 minutes

Section	Questions	Marks
Numerical and Mathematical Ability	20	60
Reasoning Ability and Problem Solving	20	60
Total Session I	40	120

Wait — the numbers above need clarification as SSC revised the structure. Let's go by the official 2024 notification pattern: Session I: 40 questions | 150 marks | 45 minutes

Each question carries different marks:

Numerical & Mathematical Ability: 20 questions — 3 marks each = 60 marks

Reasoning Ability and Problem Solving: 20 questions — 3 marks each = 60 marks

General Awareness: 25 questions — no — the actual structure is below:

Correct Structure per SSC MTS 2024 Notification:

Section	Questions	Marks per Question	Total Marks
Numerical and Mathematical Ability	20	3	60
Reasoning Ability and Problem Solving	20	3	60
Session I Total	40	120

Negative Marking in Session I: 1 mark per wrong answer.

Session II — Descriptive

Total: 2 tasks | 50 marks | 30 minutes

Task	Description	Marks
Short Essay	150-200 words on a given topic	25
Letter	Formal or informal letter, 100-150 words	25

No negative marking in Session II.

Session II is conducted in the same sitting, immediately after Session I. You write by hand — this is not a computer-based typing exercise. Handwriting, grammar, content quality, and structure are all evaluated.

Session II is evaluated only for candidates who clear the Session I cutoff.

What Session II Actually Tests

The short essay and letter in Session II are checked for:

Basic grammar (no need for complex sentences — clear and correct basic English or Hindi)

Relevance to the given topic

Logical structure (introduction, body, conclusion for essay; proper format for letter)

Word count adherence (going significantly below or above the limit is penalized)

Essay topics are generally straightforward — current events, social issues, life skills. Example: "Importance of cleanliness in daily life," "Role of technology in education," "Traffic safety."

Letter topics could be: writing to a municipal officer about a water supply problem, writing to a friend about your new job, writing a formal complaint letter.

Session I — Detailed Syllabus

Numerical and Mathematical Ability

Number operations: Addition, subtraction, multiplication, division of whole numbers and decimals
Percentages: Finding percentage of a number, percentage increase/decrease
Ratio and proportion: Direct and inverse proportion
Fractions: Operations with fractions, comparison
Profit and loss: Simple problems on cost price, selling price, discount
Simple interest: Basic formula application
LCM and HCF: Finding LCM and HCF of 2-3 numbers
Tables and graphs: Reading data from tables, bar graphs, pie charts
Measurement: Length, weight, volume, area of simple shapes (rectangle, square, triangle, circle)
Number patterns: Simple number sequences
Time and work: Simple problems on workers completing a job
Time and distance: Speed, distance, time relationship

This section is roughly Class 8-10 level mathematics. The difficulty is moderate — not as advanced as SSC CGL or CHSL Quantitative Aptitude.

Reasoning Ability and Problem Solving

Analogies: Word analogies, number analogies (complete the pair)
Similarities and differences: Odd one out
Series: Number series (complete the series), alphabet series
Coding-decoding: Simple letter or number codes
Classification: Group the items that belong together
Blood relations: Simple family tree questions
Directions: Finding direction after a sequence of turns
Spatial reasoning: Simple pattern completion, mirror images, paper folding
Logical reasoning: Statement and conclusion (simple)
Venn diagrams: Simple three-circle Venn diagrams
Miscellaneous: Calendar problems, clock problems (basic)

Final Selection: How Marks Are Used

Session I marks + Session II marks together determine your final score.

Unlike some other SSC exams, MTS does not have a separate screening stage. The marks from both sessions (Session I out of 120 + Session II out of 50 = 170 total) are combined for merit.

Separate merit lists are prepared for:

MTS posts

Havaldar posts (CBIC and CBN)

Candidates who qualify for Havaldar posts must also clear physical standards.

Physical Standards for Havaldar Posts

Height:

Male (General): 157.5 cm
Male (from North Eastern states, hilly areas): Relaxation as per category
Female: 152 cm (with applicable relaxations)

Chest (Male only):

Unexpanded: 76 cm
Expanded: 81 cm (minimum 5 cm expansion required)

Weight: Proportionate to height and age as per medical standards. Eyesight:

Near vision: N6 (better eye), N9 (worse eye)
Distant vision: 6/6 (better eye), 6/9 (worse eye)
Color vision: No color blindness

Medical Examination for Havaldar

After document verification, Havaldar candidates go through a medical examination. The examination covers:

Visual acuity (as above)

Color vision test

General physical fitness (no significant deformity)

Hearing (no hearing impairment)

Absence of flat foot, knock knee, varicose veins

Candidates with corrected vision (spectacles) may not qualify if correction required is beyond a certain limit — check the official notification for the exact standard applicable to the year you're applying.

FAQ

Can I apply for SSC MTS if I'm 28 years old?

If you're applying for Havaldar posts, the upper age limit is typically 25-27 years (with relaxation for reserved categories). MTS posts have an upper age limit of 25-27 years for general category. Check the specific notification for age relaxations applicable to your category.

What is the educational qualification for SSC MTS?

10th standard (Matriculation) pass from a recognized Board is sufficient. No higher qualification is required (though a graduate can also apply if within age limit).

Can I write Session II in Hindi?

Yes. SSC allows candidates to write Session II in either English or Hindi (or other languages as specified in the notification). You can choose your preferred language.

How many times is SSC MTS conducted in a year?

SSC MTS is typically held once per cycle, though it may be conducted in multiple shifts across several days. A new cycle notification is released annually.

Get SSC MTS notification alerts, admit card dates, and result updates at SarkariNaukriHub.