SSC MTS & Havaldar Exam – Eligibility, Syllabus, Pattern, Salary

About SSC MTS and Havaldar

The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) holds a combined exam for two Group C posts: Multi-Tasking (Non-Technical) Staff (MTS) in many central ministries, departments and offices, and Havaldar in the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) and the Central Bureau of Narcotics (CBN). Both posts are non-gazetted and non-ministerial, and both sit at Pay Level-1 of the 7th Pay Commission matrix.

The entry bar is the Class 10 pass certificate, so this is one of the biggest central government exams for 10th-pass candidates. MTS posts are spread across states and union territories, and candidates choose their preferred post and state or region in the application form.

SSC usually runs this exam once a year. Havaldar candidates also have to clear a physical test, while MTS is decided by the computer-based exam alone.

SSC MTS at a glance

Eligibility

Educational qualification

You must have passed Matriculation (Class 10) or an equivalent exam from a recognised board by the cut-off date given in the notification. The result must have been declared by that date.

Age limit

The age is counted on a cut-off date fixed in the notification (1 August in the last cycle).

• MTS: 18 to 25 years.
• Havaldar in CBIC and CBN, and a few MTS posts in some departments: 18 to 27 years.

Upper age limit relaxation in the last notification:

Your date of birth in the Class 10 certificate is the one that counts, and a mismatch can lead to rejection.

Nationality

You must be a citizen of India, or a subject of Nepal or Bhutan, or a person of Indian origin who migrated from certain listed countries to settle in India. The last two groups need a certificate of eligibility from the Government of India.

Physical standards for Havaldar

The height is relaxed by 5 cm for men (2.5 cm for women) from Garhwal, Assam and Gorkha communities and for Scheduled Tribes. Women's weight is relaxed by 2 kg for the same groups. Some candidates with disabilities may be exempted from the walking test.

Selection process

1. Computer-based exam (CBE): two sessions held on the same day, and both are compulsory. Session II is checked only if you qualify in Session I.
2. Physical test (Havaldar only): candidates are shortlisted from Session II scores in the ratio of 1 : 7 (vacancies : candidates). The test is conducted by CBIC or CBN.
3. Final merit: made from your Session II normalised score, your post and state or region preferences, and your age group.

For MTS, the merit list is made only from Session II. Cut-offs can be fixed by category, state or union territory, and age group. Candidates who fail the Havaldar physical test are still considered for MTS on their CBE marks. The result is one combined select list for all posts.

Where the exam is held in several shifts, marks are normalised, which means they are adjusted so that an easy shift and a hard shift are treated fairly.

Exam pattern

• There is no negative marking in Session I.
• In Session II, one mark is deducted for each wrong answer.
• Candidates who are eligible for a scribe get 60 minutes per session.
• Questions are in English, Hindi and 13 regional languages. English Language questions are in English.
• Minimum qualifying marks in each session: 30% for Unreserved, 25% for OBC and EWS, and 20% for all other categories.

There is no re-checking or re-evaluation of scores. Candidates can object to the answer key online by paying a fee for each question.

Syllabus

The syllabus is indicative and it is given in the latest notification.

Numerical and Mathematical Ability

• Whole numbers, LCM and HCF, decimals and fractions
• Percentage, ratio and proportion, averages
• Simple interest, profit and loss, discount
• Time and work, distance and time
• Area and perimeter of basic figures, lines and angles
• Squares and square roots, BODMAS, simple graphs and data

Reasoning Ability and Problem Solving

• Alpha-numeric series, coding and decoding, analogy
• Following directions, similarities and differences
• Jumbling, problem solving and analysis
• Non-verbal reasoning with diagrams
• Age calculations, calendar and clock

General Awareness

• Social studies up to Class 10: history, geography, art and culture, civics, economics
• General science and environmental studies up to Class 10

English Language and Comprehension

• Basics of English: vocabulary, grammar and sentence structure
• Synonyms, antonyms and correct usage
• A short passage with questions to test comprehension

Salary and posts

Both MTS and Havaldar are placed at Pay Level-1 of the 7th Pay Commission matrix, which is the entry level for Group C. In addition to basic pay, central government employees get allowances such as dearness allowance and house rent allowance, and the amount depends on the city of posting. The notification does not list the exact basic pay, so check the current pay matrix for the figure.

MTS staff work in ministries, departments and offices of the central government across states and union territories. Havaldars work in CBIC (customs and indirect taxes) and CBN (narcotics) under the Department of Revenue.

How to apply

1. Register on the official SSC portal (ssc.gov.in) with the one-time registration, if you have not done it before.
2. Open the MTS and Havaldar exam link and fill in your details, category and preferences.
3. Upload your photo and signature as per the instructions.
4. Pay the fee online and submit before the last date.
5. Use the correction window, if the notification gives one, to fix mistakes. A small charge may apply.

Fee: ₹100. Women, SC, ST, persons with benchmark disabilities and eligible ex-servicemen do not pay. Fee can be paid online only, and it is not refunded.

Exam calendar

SSC releases a tentative annual calendar. This is the usual order of events, and it may change:

• Notification and applications: usually around June to July.
• Computer-based exam: usually some months later, in the second half of the year or early the next year.
• Result of the computer-based exam: after the exam and the answer-key stage.
• Physical test for Havaldar: after the result, on dates announced by the Commission.

Watch the SSC website, because dates are changed through notices published there.

Preparation tips

1. Remember that merit depends on Session II, so give extra time to General Awareness and English.
2. Cover Class 6 to 10 maths and science from NCERT books.
3. Practise reasoning every day. It is high scoring if you build speed.
4. Avoid guessing in Session II because a wrong answer costs a mark.
5. Attempt full-length online mock tests in the same 45-minute format.
6. Havaldar aspirants should start walking practice early and check height and chest standards.
7. Choose your post and state preferences carefully, because the allotment follows them.

FAQs

What is the qualification for SSC MTS?

Matriculation (Class 10) or an equivalent exam from a recognised board.

What is the age limit?

18 to 25 years for MTS, and 18 to 27 years for Havaldar and a few MTS posts, with relaxation for reserved categories.

Is there negative marking?

Not in Session I. In Session II, one mark is deducted for each wrong answer.

How many stages are there?

The computer-based exam for everyone, plus a physical test for Havaldar.

Is there an interview?

No. MTS is decided by the computer-based exam, and Havaldar by the exam and the physical test.

What is the application fee?

₹100, and women, SC, ST, persons with benchmark disabilities and eligible ex-servicemen are exempt.

Which session decides the merit?

Session II only. Session I is a qualifying session.

Always confirm the details in the official notification of the year you apply for.