DSSSB Syllabus 2026 – Tier 1 & Tier 2 Exam Pattern, Section-wise Topics and Scoring Strategy
DSSSB Advertisement No. 03/2026 covers 1,979 posts through two exam structures: a one-tier exam for MTS, and a two-tier structure for higher posts like Junior Engineer, Assistant Engineer, and TGT Teacher. If you're applying for MTS, you only need Tier 1 (200 MCQ). For JE, AE, or TGT Teacher, you need to clear Tier 1 and then a 300-mark subject-specific Tier 2. This article gives you the complete topic-by-topic syllabus for every section, along with time allocation and scoring strategy — not just a generic list of subjects.
👉 DSSSB Salary 2026 — post-wise pay scale from MTS ₹18,000 to TGT ₹47,600, Delhi HRA 27%, in-hand breakdown
One-Tier vs Two-Tier — Which Posts Go Through Which Structure
| Exam Structure | Posts Covered | Exam Structure Details |
|---|---|---|
| One-Tier (Tier 1 only) | MTS (Multi Tasking Staff) | 200 MCQ, 2 hours, 0.25 negative marking — final merit from this alone |
| Two-Tier | LDC/Junior Clerk, Head Clerk/UDC, Patwari, Junior Engineer (Civil/Electrical), Assistant Engineer, Special Education Teacher, TGT Teacher (all subjects) | Tier 1 (200 MCQ, 2 hrs) + Tier 2 (300 marks, 3 hrs subject paper) |
Source: [DSSSB], [PW]. Tier 1 is a qualifying/screening stage for two-tier posts. Final merit is based on Tier 2 marks.
Tier 1 Exam Pattern — 200 MCQ, 2 Hours
| Detail | Specification |
|---|---|
| Exam Mode | Online (CBT — Computer Based Test) |
| Total Questions | 200 |
| Total Marks | 200 (1 mark per question) |
| Duration | 2 hours (120 minutes) |
| Negative Marking | 0.25 marks deducted per wrong answer |
| Language | English and Hindi (bilingual) |
| Qualifying Marks | General/EWS: 40% | OBC/SC/ST: 35% |
| Purpose for two-tier posts | Qualifying/screening — Tier 2 determines final merit |
| Purpose for MTS (one-tier) | Final merit — this is the only written test |
Tier 1 Section-wise Question Distribution
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General Awareness | 40 | 40 |
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 40 | 40 |
| Arithmetical & Numerical Ability | 40 | 40 |
| Hindi Language & Comprehension | 20 | 20 |
| English Language & Comprehension | 20 | 20 |
| Computer Awareness (Basic) | 40 | 40 |
| TOTAL | 200 | 200 |
Source: [DSSSB], [PW], [CP]
Tier 2 Exam Pattern — 300 Marks, 3 Hours
Tier 2 applies to all two-tier posts. It has two sections: Section A (General — 100 marks, same topics as Tier 1) and Section B (Subject-specific — 200 marks). [DSSSB], [PW]
| Section | Content | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Section A (General) | General Awareness + Reasoning + Arithmetic + Hindi + English + Computer (same as Tier 1) | 100 | 100 | 3 hours (combined) |
| Section B (Subject) | Technical/professional paper specific to post (Civil Engg, Electrical Engg, Teaching subject, etc.) | 200 | 200 | |
| TOTAL | 300 | 300 |
👉 DSSSB Eligibility 2026 — age limits, educational qualifications, and post-wise criteria for all 1,979 posts
General Awareness — 40 Questions in Tier 1
General Awareness in DSSSB covers a broad range — static GK plus current affairs. Given that DSSSB is a Delhi government exam, Delhi-specific current affairs carry additional importance. Here are the key topic areas: [DSSSB], [CP]
| Topic Area | Key Sub-topics |
|---|---|
| Indian History | Ancient India (Maurya, Gupta empires), Medieval India (Mughal, Delhi Sultanate), Modern India (1857 revolt, freedom movement, Partition), constitutional history |
| Indian Polity & Constitution | Fundamental Rights (Articles 12–35), DPSPs, Parliament structure, President/PM roles, Panchayati Raj, Constitutional amendments, judicial system |
| Indian Economy | GDP, inflation, Five-Year Plans, NITI Aayog, budget basics, banking system (RBI, SEBI), government schemes (PM Awas, MGNREGA, Digital India) |
| Geography | Rivers, mountains, climate zones, soil types, national parks, minerals, world geography basics, physical features of India |
| Science & Technology | Physics basics (optics, electricity, motion), Chemistry (periodic table, acids/bases, common compounds), Biology (cell, genetics, diseases), recent ISRO/DRDO/Defence milestones |
| Current Affairs (Delhi & National) | Last 12 months — Delhi government schemes, national awards, appointments, sports achievements, defence news, summits and international agreements |
| Art, Culture & Heritage | Indian classical music/dance, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Indian literature, folk arts, monuments |
Preparation note: DSSSB GA has a Delhi-centric bias — Delhi government schemes like free electricity (Mukhyamantri Bijli Subsidy), free water, Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala in Delhi context, and Delhi development projects are frequently tested. Add a dedicated month of Delhi current affairs to your standard GK prep. NCERT History (6–10), Polity (11th), and any standard GK book covers the rest.
General Intelligence & Reasoning — 40 Questions in Tier 1
Reasoning in DSSSB Tier 1 is MCQ-based, non-verbal and verbal both. The difficulty level is moderate — comparable to SSC MTS. [DSSSB], [CP]
| Topic Type | What to Expect |
|---|---|
| Series Completion | Number series (arithmetic/geometric progressions), letter series, mixed series — identify the pattern and find the missing term |
| Analogies | Word analogies (Doctor : Hospital :: Teacher : ?), number analogies, letter analogies — test relational logic |
| Classification / Odd One Out | Four items — identify which does not belong based on a hidden category (e.g., mammal vs reptile; prime vs composite) |
| Coding-Decoding | Letter shift codes (A=1, B=2 etc.), word reversal codes, number-letter mapping, substitution codes |
| Blood Relations | Family tree problems — "A is the son of B's father's brother" type; draw family diagrams to solve |
| Direction & Distance | Multi-step direction problems; find final direction or total distance after turns |
| Seating Arrangements | Linear and circular arrangements — place people based on given conditions; 2–3 questions per set |
| Syllogisms | Two or three statements + conclusions — Venn diagram approach to determine which conclusion follows |
| Non-verbal Reasoning | Figure series, mirror images, paper folding & cutting, embedded figures, counting of figures |
| Logical Deduction | Statement and assumptions, statement and conclusions, assertion-reason type |
Strategy: Coding-decoding, series, and direction problems are consistently easiest to score in DSSSB reasoning — attempt these first. Blood relations and seating arrangements take more time — skip if the set is complex, return at the end. Non-verbal questions (mirror images, figure series) have high success rate if practised because patterns repeat across years.
Arithmetical & Numerical Ability — 40 Questions in Tier 1
This is the section where most candidates lose marks to wrong attempts under time pressure. DSSSB arithmetic is SSC CHSL / MTS level — not as hard as CGL, but negative marking makes careless errors costly. [DSSSB], [CP]
| Topic | Key Concepts |
|---|---|
| Percentages | Percentage change, percentage of a percentage, population growth/decrease, marks obtained |
| Simple & Compound Interest | SI and CI formulas, difference between SI and CI for 2 years, effective rate of interest |
| Ratio & Proportion | Direct/inverse proportion, mixing ratios, age ratio problems, sharing in ratio |
| Profit, Loss & Discount | CP, SP, MP, profit/loss percentage, successive discount, discount on MRP |
| Time, Work & Pipes | Combined work rates, pipe filling problems, work done in fractions of a day |
| Speed, Distance & Time | Average speed, relative speed (trains, boats), upstream/downstream |
| Mensuration | Area and perimeter of triangles, rectangles, circles, surface area and volume of cylinders, cones, spheres |
| Average | Simple average, weighted average, effect of adding/removing a value, average speed |
| Data Interpretation | Bar charts, pie charts, line graphs, tables — typically 2 sets of 4–5 questions each in the paper |
Strategy: DI (Data Interpretation) sets in DSSSB are the most reliable high-score opportunity — if you read the chart correctly, all 4–5 questions in the set are answerable without complex calculation. Percentages and SI/CI are always present. Time-Work and Profit-Loss are easier than they look — master the formula and apply directly. Mensuration is lower-frequency but worth preparing because questions are formula-direct.
Hindi Language & Comprehension — 20 Questions in Tier 1
Hindi section in DSSSB tests grammar and comprehension at the Class 10–12 level. Questions are in Hindi medium. [DSSSB], [CP]
| Topic | Sub-topics |
|---|---|
| व्याकरण (Grammar) | Sandhi, Samas, Karak, Viram Chinh, Shabd Vichar, Tense (Kaal), gender (Ling), Vachan, Upsarg-Pratyay |
| शब्द ज्ञान (Vocabulary) | Paryayvachi (synonyms), Vilom (antonyms), Muhavare (idioms), Lokoktiyan (proverbs), Anekarthi Shabd |
| अपठित गद्यांश (Comprehension) | Unseen passage — 3–4 questions based on meaning, inference, and vocabulary from the passage |
| त्रुटि पहचान (Error Detection) | Identify grammatical errors in sentences — gender, tense, Karak errors most common |
| रिक्त स्थान (Fill in the Blanks) | Fill with correct word — grammar or vocabulary based |
English Language & Comprehension — 20 Questions in Tier 1
English section tests usage and comprehension at the graduate level. All questions are in English. [DSSSB], [CP]
| Topic | What Gets Tested |
|---|---|
| Error Detection | Identify grammatical errors in 4-part sentences — subject-verb agreement, tense, articles, prepositions, pronoun case |
| Synonyms & Antonyms | Vocabulary at graduate level — common words frequently appearing in newspapers and government communications |
| Fill in the Blanks | Single or double blanks — choose the correct word (preposition, conjunction, vocabulary) to complete the sentence |
| Sentence Improvement | Identify the underlined incorrect part and select the correct version |
| Reading Comprehension | Unseen passage (200–250 words) — 4–5 questions on main idea, inference, vocabulary in context |
| Idioms & Phrases | Meaning of common English phrases and idioms |
Computer Awareness — 40 Questions in Tier 1
Computer Awareness is the second-heaviest section at 40 marks — equal weight to GA, Reasoning, and Arithmetic. This is where many candidates lose marks simply from lack of preparation. The good news: topics are predictable and learnable in 2–3 weeks. [DSSSB], [PW]
| Topic | Key Sub-topics |
|---|---|
| MS Office Suite | Word shortcuts (Ctrl+B/I/U/S/Z/Y, Ctrl+P, Ctrl+F, F7), Excel formulas (SUM, AVERAGE, COUNT, VLOOKUP basics), PowerPoint slide operations, file formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx, .pdf, .csv) |
| Operating System Basics | Windows OS — Desktop, taskbar, Control Panel, file management, shortcuts (Windows+D, Alt+Tab, Ctrl+Alt+Del), types of OS (GUI vs CLI, single vs multi-user) |
| Internet & Email Basics | URL structure, HTTP/HTTPS, browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Edge), search engines, email terminology (CC, BCC, attachment, spam), social media concepts |
| Computer Hardware | Input devices (keyboard, mouse, scanner, barcode reader), Output devices (monitor, printer, projector), Storage (HDD, SSD, USB, CD/DVD), RAM vs ROM, CPU components |
| Networking Basics | LAN, MAN, WAN, IP address, DNS, Wi-Fi, bandwidth, modem vs router, network topologies (star, bus, ring) |
| Cybersecurity Basics | Virus, malware, ransomware, firewall, antivirus, phishing, cyber safety practices, digital payments security |
| Number Systems & Data | Binary (base 2), Octal (base 8), Hexadecimal (base 16), conversions between systems, bits and bytes (1 byte = 8 bits), KB/MB/GB/TB |
| Recent Tech in India | Digital India initiative, UPI, BHIM app, Aadhaar ecosystem, e-governance, CoWIN, National Digital Health Mission, government IT projects |
Preparation strategy for Computer: Create a shortcut cheat sheet for MS Office and memorise it. Computer questions in DSSSB are largely factual — keyboard shortcuts, definition-based (what is a LAN), and application-based (which formula does X). Mock tests from previous DSSSB Computer papers give you the exact question style. 3 weeks of focused prep can convert this section from uncertain to near-full-score.
Tier 2 Subject Paper — JE Civil Engineering (Sample)
The Tier 2 subject paper for Junior Engineer (Civil) covers structural and applied civil engineering at diploma/degree level. This is 200 marks out of the total 300 in Tier 2. [DSSSB], [CP]
| Subject Area | Key Topics |
|---|---|
| Structural Engineering | RCC design (IS 456), beam analysis, bending moment and shear force diagrams, steel structures (IS 800), deflection theory |
| Construction Materials | Cement types, concrete mix design, aggregates, bricks, tiles, steel reinforcement specifications, timber properties |
| Fluid Mechanics & Hydraulics | Bernoulli's equation, pipe flow, open channel flow, pump selection, head loss calculations, Reynolds number |
| Soil Mechanics & Foundation Engineering | Soil classification, Atterberg limits, consolidation, shear strength (Mohr-Coulomb), bearing capacity, types of foundations |
| Surveying | Chain surveying, levelling (dumpy level), theodolite, total station basics, contour maps, EDM |
| Transportation Engineering | Road design (IRC standards), pavement types, flexible vs rigid pavement, highway geometry, traffic engineering basics |
| Environmental Engineering | Water supply and treatment, sewage treatment, BOD, COD, solid waste management, air pollution standards |
| Estimating & Costing | BOQ preparation, CPWD specifications, rate analysis, Delhi Schedule of Rates, measurement books |
Note for JE candidates: DSSSB JE papers often include questions specifically on Delhi PWD standards and CPWD specifications — not just generic civil engineering theory. Allocate preparation time to Delhi-specific construction standards alongside standard JE syllabus books.
👉 DSSSB Previous Year Papers — Tier 1 and Tier 2 question papers with answer keys and topic-wise analysis
Qualifying Marks and Category-wise Cutoff
| Category | Qualifying Marks (Tier 1) | Qualifying Marks (Tier 2) |
|---|---|---|
| General / EWS | 40% (80 out of 200) | 40% (120 out of 300) |
| OBC | 35% (70 out of 200) | 35% (105 out of 300) |
| SC | 35% (70 out of 200) | 35% (105 out of 300) |
| ST | 35% (70 out of 200) | 35% (105 out of 300) |
| PwD | 35% (as per DSSSB notification) | 35% |
Source: [DSSSB]. Qualifying marks are the minimum to pass the exam — actual selection cutoff is higher, depending on competition level for each post code.
Time Allocation Strategy — Tier 1 (120 Minutes, 200 Questions)
| Section | Questions | Recommended Time | Target Attempts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Awareness | 40 | 20 minutes | 35–38 (factual, fast) |
| Reasoning | 40 | 25 minutes | 30–35 |
| Arithmetic | 40 | 30 minutes | 28–35 (skip complex ones) |
| General Awareness | 40 | 20 minutes | 30–36 (know or skip) |
| English | 20 | 12 minutes | 16–18 |
| Hindi | 20 | 13 minutes | 16–18 |
| Total | 200 | 120 minutes | 155–180 (leave the rest blank) |
Key principle: With 0.25 negative marking, attempting 180 questions correctly at 90% accuracy is safer than attempting 200 randomly. Start with Computer and GA (fastest to answer when you know). Leave Arithmetic word problems you cannot solve in 60 seconds — return only if time permits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is DSSSB Tier 1 the same for all posts in 03/2026?
Yes. The Tier 1 paper is the same for all posts — 200 MCQ, 6 sections, 2 hours. The difference comes in Tier 2: each post category has its own subject-specific Tier 2 paper. MTS candidates only take Tier 1 — it is their final exam. [DSSSB], [PW]
Q: What is the negative marking rule in DSSSB 2026?
0.25 marks (one-fourth of one mark) are deducted for each wrong answer. A blank answer carries zero penalty. Do not guess randomly — only attempt questions where you can confidently eliminate at least two options. [DSSSB]
Q: How many marks does the DSSSB Computer section carry and what are the topics?
Computer Awareness carries 40 marks in Tier 1 — equal to GA, Reasoning, and Arithmetic. Topics include MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), OS basics, internet and email, networking (LAN/WAN), cybersecurity, number systems, hardware components, and recent Indian government IT projects like UPI and Digital India. [DSSSB], [PW]
Q: Does the DSSSB Tier 2 JE Civil paper include Delhi-specific engineering standards?
Yes. DSSSB JE Tier 2 includes questions on CPWD specifications and Delhi Schedule of Rates — not just generic civil engineering theory. Candidates should prepare standard JE textbooks plus CPWD/Delhi PWD material. [DSSSB], [CP]
Q: What are the qualifying marks for OBC/SC/ST candidates in DSSSB Tier 1?
OBC, SC, and ST candidates need 35% to qualify Tier 1 — that is 70 marks out of 200. General and EWS candidates need 40% (80 marks). These are minimum passing marks, not selection cutoffs. Actual selection cutoff will be higher based on competition. [DSSSB]
Q: What is the order to attempt sections in DSSSB Tier 1 for maximum score?
Recommended order: Start with Computer Awareness (20 min) — factual questions, fast resolution. Then Reasoning (25 min) — do series, coding-decoding, direction problems first. Then Arithmetic (30 min) — attempt DI sets and formula-based questions, skip complex word problems. Finish with GA (20 min), then English and Hindi (12–13 min each). This order front-loads the highest-certainty sections.
