An Introduction to the SSC MTS 2025 Examination: Your Gateway to a Central Government Career
An Introduction to the SSC MTS 2025 Examination: Your Gateway to a Central Government Career
Defining the Examination and Posts
The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) Multi-Tasking Staff Examination (MTSE) is a national-level competitive examination conducted annually by the SSC.
The 2025 examination is recruiting for two distinct roles:
Multi-Tasking (Non-Technical) Staff (MTS): These are general-purpose staff assigned to a wide array of central government departments.
3 Havaldar: This is a uniformed post with specific physical standards, recruiting for the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) and the Central Bureau of Narcotics (CBN).
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The official 2025 notification has announced a total of 5,464 vacancies, which are broken down into 4,375 positions for MTS and 1,089 positions for Havaldar.
Deconstructing the Job Profile: Setting Realistic Expectations
It is essential for aspirants to have a clear understanding of the duties associated with these posts. The "Multi-Tasking Staff" title is a formal government designation for foundational, non-clerical support roles.
The day-to-day responsibilities are vital to the functioning of government offices and include
Physical maintenance of records and carrying files within the building.
General cleanliness, upkeep, and opening/closing of offices.
Photocopying, sending faxes, and handling the delivery of posts.
Watch and ward duties (for Chowkidar posts).
Assisting senior officers with routine non-clerical tasks as assigned.
The Real Value: Salary, Benefits, and Career Path
While the initial post is at the support level, it offers the immense security and benefits of a central government job, making it a "golden opportunity" for 10th-pass candidates.
Salary Structure: The posts fall under Level 1 of the 7th Pay Commission.
7 The typical in-hand monthly salary, including basic pay and grade pay, ranges from ₹18,000 to ₹22,000.4 Allowances and Benefits: This base salary is supplemented by significant central government allowances, such as Dearness Allowance (DA) and House Rent Allowance (HRA), along with benefits like pension schemes and medical facilities for the employee and their family.
5 Career Growth: The true value of this post is its function as a gateway. It is not a career ceiling but the ground floor of a central government career. After a few years of service, employees become eligible to appear for departmental examinations. Successful clearance of these exams can lead to promotions to posts such as Lower Division Clerk (LDC), Tax Assistant, and, over time, even to the level of an Income Tax Inspector (CBDT).
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While both posts share a common written exam, the choice between MTS and Havaldar is critical. The Havaldar post additionally requires candidates to pass a mandatory Physical Efficiency Test (PET) and Physical Standard Test (PST).
Key Information: SSC MTS 2025 Recruitment Cycle
Consolidated 2025 Timeline
The Staff Selection Commission released the official notification PDF for the "Multi Tasking (Non-Technical) Staff, and Havaldar (CBIC & CBN) Examination 2025" on June 26, 2025.
A critical update concerns the exam date. The official SSC Calendar initially scheduled the Computer-Based Examination (CBE) for September-October 2025.ssc.gov.in) for any further announcements.
The application and correction windows are extremely brief. The window for application correction, for instance, was only three days long.
Table: SSC MTS 2025 Important Dates (Consolidated)
| Event | Date |
| Official Notification Release | June 26, 2025 |
| Application Start Date | June 26, 2025 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | July 24, 2025 (11 PM) |
| Last Date for Online Fee Payment | July 25, 2025 (11 PM) |
| Application Correction Window | July 29 - 31, 2025 |
| Admit Card Release | 3-7 days before the exam date |
| CBE (Paper 1) Exam Date (Tentative) | December 2025 |
| (Original Scheduled Date) | (September 20 - October 24, 2025) |
Decoding Eligibility: Who Can Apply for SSC MTS 2025?
The "Cut-Off Date": The Single Most Important Date
All eligibility criteria, including educational qualifications and age, are determined as of a single, non-negotiable cut-off date. For the 2025 examination, this date is August 1, 2025.
Essential Educational Qualification (as on 01.08.2025)
Candidates must have successfully passed the Matriculation (Class 10th) examination or an equivalent qualification from a recognized board.
Crucially, candidates must be able to produce documentary evidence (like a pass certificate or marksheet) proving they had passed the qualifying examination on or before the cut-off date of August 1, 2025.
Age Limit Demystified (as on 01.08.2025)
The examination uses two different age groups for different sets of posts. A candidate's eligibility for specific posts is determined by their age on the cut-off date.
18-25 Years: This age group is for the post of MTS and some specified posts of Havaldar. Candidates must have been born not before August 2, 2000, and not later than August 1, 2007.
13 18-27 Years: This age group is for the post of Havaldar in CBIC & CBN and a few specified posts of MTS.
13 Candidates must have been born not before August 2, 1998, and not later than August 1, 2007.13
This distinction is critical. A 26-year-old candidate in the general category, for example, is not eligible for all MTS posts, only for those specifically designated for the 18-27 age group. This has significant implications for filling out the post-preference form.
Comprehensive Guide to Age Relaxation
The Staff Selection Commission provides permissible relaxation in the upper age limit for candidates belonging to reserved categories. These relaxations are applied based on the category claimed by the candidate.
Table: Age Relaxation Permissible Beyond Upper Age Limit
| Category | Age Relaxation Permissible Beyond Upper Age Limit |
| SC / ST | 5 years |
| OBC (Other Backward Classes) | 3 years |
| PwBD (Unreserved) | 10 years |
| PwBD (OBC) | 13 years |
| PwBD (SC/ST) | 15 years |
| Ex-Servicemen (ESM) | 3 years (after deduction of military service rendered) |
| Defence Personnel (Disabled in operation) | 3 years |
| Defence Personnel (Disabled in operation) (SC/ST) | 8 years |
| Central Govt. Civilian Employees (General) | Up to 40 years of age |
| Central Govt. Civilian Employees (SC/ST) | Up to 45 years of age |
| Widows / Divorced Women (Unreserved) | Up to 35 years of age |
| Widows / Divorced Women (SC/ST) | Up to 40 years of age |
| Domiciled in J&K (Jan 1, 1980 - Dec 31, 1989) | 5 years |
The Application Gateway: A Step-by-Step Guide to Applying Online
Part 1: Mastering the New One-Time Registration (OTR) Process on ssc.gov.in
This is the most significant procedural change in the SSC application process. The commission has launched a new official website: https://ssc.gov.in.
A critical warning for all candidates: The One-Time Registration (OTR) profile created on the old SSC website (ssc.nic.in) is no longer valid for applying to any new examinations.ssc.gov.in portal.
The OTR process is the mandatory first step:
Visit the Portal: Navigate to
https://ssc.gov.inand click on the "Login or Register Now" link.3 Enter Personal Details: The new system is Aadhaar-enabled.
23 Candidates must provide their Aadhaar Number, Name, Father's Name, Mother's Name, Date of Birth, and Matriculation (10th Class) details, including Board, Roll Number, and Year of Passing.3 Ensure Data Consistency: The Aadhaar-based authentication will be used at multiple stages: OTR, application submission, exam center biometrics, and final joining.
24 Therefore, it is absolutely essential that the candidate's Name, Father's Name, and Date of Birth are exactly identical on their 10th Certificate3 and their Aadhaar card.24 Any mismatch will lead to disqualification, most likely during Document Verification.Verify Contact Information: Candidates must verify their active Mobile Number and Email ID by entering the One-Time Passwords (OTPs) sent to them.
22 Generate Credentials: Upon successful verification, an OTR Registration Number and a default password will be sent to the registered mobile number and email.
23 Complete the Profile: The candidate must log in, change the default password, and then provide additional details such as Category, Nationality, visible identification mark, address, and upload their photograph and signature.
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Part 2: Completing the SSC MTS 2025 Application Form
Once the OTR profile is complete, the candidate can apply for the specific examination:
Login: Log in to your new OTR dashboard on
ssc.gov.in.27 Navigate to Exam: On the "Live Examinations" dashboard, find the link for the “Multi Tasking (Non-Technical) Staff, and Havaldar (CBIC & CBN) Examination 2025” and click the "Apply" button.
4 Confirm Details: Most details will be pre-filled from the OTR profile. Candidates must add information specific to the application, such as their choice of examination centers.
4 Fill Post Preferences: The most critical step of the application is filling out the "Preference of Post-cum-States".
13 This choice is final and irreversible.13 This single preference list dictates which age group the candidate is competing for (18-25 or 18-27), whether they must take the Physical Test (if Havaldar posts are preferred), and what their final target cut-off will be (as cut-offs are state-specific).Pay Application Fee: The application fee is ₹100.
2 Payment must be made online via Net-Banking, Credit/Debit cards, or BHIM UPI.4 Fee Exemption: Women candidates and candidates belonging to Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD), and Ex-Servicemen (ESM) are exempted from payment of the fee.
17 Submit and Print: After reviewing all details, submit the application form and save or print a copy for future reference.
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Critical Document Specifications (To Avoid Rejection)
Failure to upload the photograph and signature in the precise format is a leading cause of application rejection.
Table: Application Document Specifications (Photo & Signature)
| Document | Format | Size | Dimensions | Key Requirements |
| Passport-size Photograph | JPEG | 20 KB to 50 KB | 3.5 cm (Width) x 4.5 cm (Height) | Must be recent (not older than 3 months from the notification date).Must be on a plain light-colored (white preferred) background.Clear, frontal view, with no cap, hat, or dark glasses.Face should occupy 50-60% of the photo area.Spectacles are allowed if there is no glare. |
| Scanned Signature | JPEG | 10 KB to 20 KB | 4.0 cm (Width) x 2.0 cm (Height) | Must be on plain white paper.Must be in black or blue ink.Must be clear, legible, and not hazy. |
The Selection Gauntlet: A Deep Dive into the Complete MTS & Havaldar Selection Process
Overview of the Multi-Stage Process
The selection process for the 2025 examination is a multi-stage funnel designed to test candidates on different parameters
Stage 1: Computer-Based Examination (CBE): This online, objective-type test is mandatory for all candidates applying for both MTS and Havaldar posts.
Stage 2: Physical Efficiency Test (PET) / Physical Standard Test (PST): This stage is mandatory for the post of Havaldar ONLY. Candidates who apply only for MTS posts are not required to appear for this test.
Stage 3: Document Verification (DV): Candidates who qualify in the CBE (for MTS) or the CBE and PET/PST (for Havaldar) will be called for Document Verification. This will be conducted by the respective user departments after the final result is declared.
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The Computer-Based Examination is conducted in English, Hindi, and 13 other regional languages, ensuring a level playing field for candidates from diverse linguistic backgrounds.
Stage 1: The Computer-Based Examination (CBE) - The New Pattern Explained
Understanding the Two-Session Structure
This is the most critical stage of the selection process. The entire CBE is conducted online on a single day, divided into two consecutive sessions. It is mandatory to attempt both sessions; failing to attempt either session will result in disqualification.
Session I: Consists of Numerical and Mathematical Ability, and Reasoning Ability and Problem-Solving.
Session II: Consists of General Awareness, and English Language and Comprehension.
The structure and, most importantly, the marking scheme of these two sessions are strategically different and dictate the entire preparation strategy.
Table: SSC MTS 2025 CBE Exam Pattern (New Structure)
| Session | Subject | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Marking Scheme | Duration |
| Session I | 1. Numerical & Mathematical Ability | 20 | 60 | +3 for correct NO Negative Marking | 45 minutes |
| 2. Reasoning Ability & Problem-Solving | 20 | 60 | |||
| Total (Session I) | 40 | 120 | (Qualifying in Nature) | ||
| Session II | 1. General Awareness | 25 | 75 | +3 for correct -1 Negative Marking | 45 minutes |
| 2. English Language & Comprehension | 25 | 75 | |||
| Total (Session II) | 50 | 150 | (For Final Merit) |
The Strategic Implications of the Marking Scheme & Merit
The new exam pattern has completely redefined the preparation strategy.
Session I (Maths/Reasoning) is ONLY a QUALIFYING Hurdle: The marks obtained in Session I are not used to prepare the final merit list.
31 Its sole purpose is to filter candidates who lack basic numeracy and reasoning skills. Furthermore, there is no negative marking in Session I.3 This clearly encourages candidates to attempt all 40 questions without fear of penalty.Session II (GA/English) is the ONLY Merit-Deciding Section: This is the most significant aspect of the new pattern. A candidate's final rank and selection are determined solely based on their normalized score out of 150 in Session II.
39 This means a candidate who scores 120/120 in Session I and a candidate who scores the bare minimum to qualify are on an equal footing. Their final rank is decided only by their performance in General Awareness and English.The -1 Negative Marking in Session II is Extremely Punitive: The marking scheme in Session II is +3 marks for a correct answer and -1 mark for an incorrect answer.
37 This is a 1:3 ratio, which is designed to severely penalize guesswork. As analyzed in41 , three incorrect answers (-3 marks) will completely nullify the marks gained from one correct answer (+3 marks). In high-variance sections like General Awareness, a candidate who blindly guesses is actively destroying their own rank.
Minimum Qualifying Marks vs. Final Merit (The Great Trap)
The official notification specifies minimum qualifying marks for the CBE
UR (General): 30%
OBC / EWS: 25%
All Other Categories: 20%
It is imperative for new aspirants to understand that these are not the target scores. Scoring 30% (45 marks out of 150 in Session II) is a trap. This is merely the minimum threshold to be considered for the merit list. The actual cut-offs for selection are determined by competition and, as shown in Section 10, are astronomically high.
Stage 2: Physical Tests (PET/PST) - The Hurdle for Havaldar Aspirants
Applicability and Nature
This stage is mandatory only for candidates who apply for and qualify for the post of Havaldar.
Candidates should first assess their eligibility against the Physical Standard Test (PST), as these are fixed physical attributes like height and chest. The Physical Efficiency Test (PET) standards (walking and cycling) are achievable with basic fitness.
Table: Havaldar PET & PST Physical Standards
| Test Type | Standard | For Male | For Female |
| Physical Efficiency Test (PET) | Walking | 1600 meters in 15 minutes | 1 Km in 20 minutes |
| Cycling | 8 Kms in 30 minutes | 3 Kms in 25 minutes | |
| Physical Standard Test (PST) | Height | 157.5 cms (relaxable by 5 cm for Garhwalis, Assamese, Gorkhas, etc.) | 152 cms (relaxable by 2.5 cm for Garhwalis, Assamese, Gorkhas, etc.) |
| Chest | 76 cms (unexpanded), with a minimum 5 cm expansion | Not Applicable | |
| Weight | Not Applicable | 48 kg (relaxable by 2 kg for Garhwalis, Assamese, Gorkhas, etc.) |
The PET standards, such as walking 1600 meters in 15 minutes, are designed to be a brisk walk, not a competitive run. The goal is to meet the standard, not to exceed it.
The Blueprint for Success: Detailed Syllabus and Topic Analysis
Based on the strategic analysis of the exam pattern, it is clear that preparation must be bifurcated: a qualifying-focused approach for Session I and a mastery-focused approach for Session II. The official syllabus confirms this. The Maths syllabus is purely 10th-grade level arithmetic, while the General Awareness and English syllabi are vast and form the true competitive battleground.
Table: Complete SSC MTS 2025 Syllabus (Subject-wise Topic List)
| Session | Subject | Detailed Syllabus Topics |
| Session I (Qualifying) | Numerical & Mathematical Ability | Integers and Whole NumbersLCM and HCFDecimals and Fractions, Relationship between numbersFundamental Arithmetic Operations (BODMAS)PercentageRatio and Proportions, Direct and Inverse ProportionsAveragesSimple InterestProfit and Loss, DiscountWork and TimeDistance and TimeArea and Perimeter of Basic Geometric FiguresInterpretation of simple Graphs and DataSquare and Square Roots |
| Session I (Qualifying) | Reasoning Ability & Problem-Solving | Alpha-Numeric Series, Coding and DecodingAnalogyFollowing DirectionsSimilarities and DifferencesJumbling, SyllogismProblem Solving and AnalysisNon-verbal Reasoning (based on diagrams, e.g., Mirror Image, Embedded Figures, Paper Folding)Age CalculationsCalendar and ClockBlood Relations, Ranking, Matrix |
| Session II (Merit Deciding) | General Awareness | Current Affairs: National and International Events, Government Schemes, Budgets, Appointments.India and its Neighbours: Special focus on Sports, History, Culture, Geography, Economic Scene.History: Ancient, Medieval, and Modern Indian History (focus on freedom struggle).Geography: Physical Geography, Climate, Rivers, National Parks, Vegetation, Wildlife.General Polity: Indian Constitution (Articles, Amendments), Parliament, Fundamental Rights, Duties.Economic Scene: Basic Economic Concepts, Budget, Banking System, Financial Terms.General Science: Basic concepts of Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (10th Std. level).Static GK: Art & Culture (Festivals, Dances, Music), Award-Winning Books, Authors, Important Dates, Awards and Honors, Scientific Research & Discoveries. |
| Session II (Merit Deciding) | English Language & Comprehension | Grammar: Spot the Error, Sentence Improvement, Tenses, Subject-Verb Agreement, Articles, Prepositions, Modals.Vocabulary: Synonyms, Antonyms, Spellings/Mis-spelt words, Idioms & Phrases, One-Word Substitution.Comprehension: Comprehension Passage (reading and interpretation).Applied Grammar: Fill in the Blanks, Cloze Test, Para Jumbles (sentence rearrangement).Voice & Speech: Active & Passive Voice, Direct & Indirect Speech. |
A Winning Strategy: How to Prepare for the SSC MTS 2025 Exam
Crafting Your 3-Month Study Plan: The Core Strategy
Given the exam pattern, the entire preparation strategy must be built on a single principle: "Qualify Session I, Maximize Session II." This means at least 70-80% of an aspirant's study time and energy should be dedicated to General Awareness and English Language.
Strategic Plan for Session I (Maths & Reasoning) - The Qualifying Filter
Goal: To comfortably score above the 30% (UR) / 25% (OBC) / 20% (Other) minimum qualifying marks.
31 Tactics:
Focus on Basics: Master the core arithmetic topics: Percentage, Profit & Loss, Average, and Time & Work.
46 The syllabus is not advanced.43 Improve Speed: Memorize multiplication tables up to 20, and squares and cubes up to 30. This is crucial for faster calculations.
46 Consistent Practice: Solve 10-15 mixed reasoning puzzles (like series, coding-decoding, and analogy) daily.
46 Exam Day Tactic: Since there is NO negative marking
33 , all 40 questions in Session I must be attempted.
Strategic Plan for Session II (GA & English) - The Merit-Deciding Rank-Booster
Goal: To maximize the score out of 150, as this alone determines the final rank.
The Primary Rule: AVOID GUESSWORK AT ALL COSTS. The -1 negative marking is a trap designed to eliminate candidates.
41 Accuracy is far more valuable than a high number of attempts.General Awareness Tactics:
Daily Current Affairs: This is non-negotiable. Read a newspaper daily and follow a reliable monthly current affairs magazine or online platform.
47 Build the Foundation: Use NCERT books from Class 6 to 10 for subjects like History, Geography, and Science to build clear conceptual understanding.
47 Master Static GK: Use a standard GK book (see table below) to memorize facts related to Art & Culture, History, Polity, and Geography.
46 Active Revision: Make short notes for all static and current topics and revise them daily.
46 This section is 80% retention.
English Language Tactics:
The Three-Pronged Attack:
Grammar: Master the fundamental rules (Tenses, Subject-Verb Agreement, Prepositions) from a standard textbook.
46 Vocabulary: This is a major scoring area. Dedicate time daily to memorize synonyms, antonyms, idioms, and one-word substitutions from previous year question papers.
Comprehension: Make reading an English newspaper a daily habit. Practice one Cloze Test and one Comprehension passage every day to build speed and accuracy.
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The Role of Mock Tests and Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Regular practice with mock tests and Previous Year Questions (PYQs) is essential.
Table: Recommended Books for SSC MTS Preparation
| Subject | Book Title | Author / Publisher |
| Numerical Aptitude | Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations | R.S. Aggarwal |
| Reasoning | A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning | R.S. Aggarwal |
| General English | Objective General English | S.P. Bakshi (Arihant) |
| Plinth to Paramount | Neetu Singh (KD Publication) | |
| Word Power Made Easy | Norman Lewis | |
| General Awareness | General Knowledge | Lucent Publication |
| (Monthly Magazine) | Pratiyogita Darpan or Manorama Yearbook | |
| Practice (PYQs) | SSC MTS Solved Papers (Chapter-wise) | Kiran Publication |
Setting Your Target: Analysis of Previous Year Cut-Offs
Understanding the Cut-Off
The SSC releases cut-off marks that are state-wise, category-wise, and post-wise (for the 18-25 and 18-27 age groups).
The Shocking Reality: 2023-24 Final Cut-Offs
The "minimum qualifying mark" of 30% (45/150) for the UR category
Analysis of the 2023-24 final cut-offs (based on Session II marks) reveals the following:
Bihar (UR): 146.62 / 150
Delhi (UR): 146.90 / 150
Manipur (UR): 141.40 / 150
Jharkhand (UR): 136.05 / 150
Assam (SC): 134.80 / 150
A score of 146.90 out of 150 (as seen for Delhi) implies a candidate could have at most one incorrect answer (150 - 3 - 1 = 146) or skip 1-2 questions. There is absolutely no margin for error or guesswork.
Furthermore, an aspirant's choice of state in the preference form directly dictates their target score. The cut-off for Maharashtra (UR) was 125.83, while for Bihar (UR) it was 146.62.
Table: SSC MTS 2023-24 Final Cut-Offs (Sample States, Session II Marks out of 150)
| State | Category | Age Group | Cut-Off (out of 150) |
| Bihar | UR | 18-27 | 146.62 |
| Delhi | UR | - | 146.90 |
| Jharkhand | UR | - | 136.05 |
| Haryana | UR | - | 130.91 |
| Maharashtra | UR | - | 125.83 |
| Assam | SC | 18-27 | 134.80 |
| Delhi | SC | - | 123.77 |
Final Recommendations and Exam Day Instructions
Clearing the SSC MTS exam requires a precise, disciplined strategy that aligns with the new exam pattern.
Summary of the Core Strategy
Preparation Focus: Dedicate 80% of study time to Session II (General Awareness and English). Mastery of static GK and vocabulary is the key to a high rank. Use Session I (Maths/Reasoning) practice as a qualifying drill, not the main focus.
Application Strategy: Complete the new OTR on
ssc.gov.inimmediately.22 Ensure all details on the 10th Certificate and Aadhaar card match perfectly.24 Think strategically about the Preference of Post-cum-States13 , as this choice is final and will determine the target cut-off.Physical Test: If applying for Havaldar, check the PST (height/chest) standards before applying.
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Exam Day Instructions
Logistics: Reach the examination center at least 60 minutes early.
46 Session I (45 Minutes):
Attempt All 40 Questions. There is no negative marking.
33 Do not leave any question unanswered.
Session II (45 Minutes):
This is the final test. The exam is won or lost here.
Accuracy Over Attempts: Be ruthless in avoiding guesswork. The -1 penalty is a trap.
41 Time Management: Attempt easy questions first. Do not get stuck on any single General Awareness question. If a question is unknown, skip it and move on.
Final Rule: If an aspirant cannot logically eliminate at least two of the four options, the safest action is to not answer the question. Stay calm, confident, and trust the focused preparation.
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