Complete exam guide
SSC Multi-Tasking (Non-Technical) Staff and Havaldar in CBIC & CBN Examination (MTS & Havaldar)
SSC MTS & Havaldar is the Staff Selection Commission's Matriculation-level entry exam for Group C posts in central government offices. It fills two kinds of jobs: Multi-Tasking Staff (Non-Technical) in ministries and departments, and Havaldar in the Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs (CBIC) and the Central Bureau of Narcotics (CBN). Class 10 is enough to apply. The written test is a single computer-based exam split into two sessions - Session 1 covers numerical ability and reasoning, Session 2 covers general awareness and English - and both sessions must be cleared separately. MTS selection ends with the CBT plus document verification; Havaldar candidates additionally face a Physical Efficiency Test and Physical Standard Test (PET/PST). Because Session 1 has no negative marking and Session 2 carries a heavy one (-1 on a +3 question), the winning plan is: attempt everything in Session 1, and be selective but sharp in Session 2.
2025 cycle — status
✓ Verified 1 Oct 2026The 2025 cycle (exam held in February 2026) is still running. The CBT result came out on 3 August 2026 and only shortlists Havaldar candidates for PET/PST; it is not a final result. PET/PST was reported for 24-31 August 2026, and tentative allocation follows after the physical tests. The next cycle (2026-27) has not been verified as notified: the SSC calendar had pencilled in 30 June 2026, but reports say it was postponed. Keep ssc.gov.in open for the new notice.
- NotificationDone26 June 2025
- ApplicationsDone26 June - 24 July 2025
- CBTDone4 - 20 Feb 2026Two sessions, multiple shifts
- CBT resultDone3 August 2026Shortlists Havaldar candidates for PET/PST
- Havaldar PET/PSTDone24 - 31 Aug 2026 (reported)
- 2026-27 cycle notificationAwaitedTo be announced
The headline figure of 7,948 vacancies is the latest total reported for this cycle (6,078 MTS in the 18-25 group, 732 MTS in the 18-27 group and 1,138 Havaldar); the number was revised several times, so treat the official vacancy notice as final. Reported figures: about 36.2 lakh applications and about 8.05 lakh candidates appearing in the CBT. Shortlisting for PET/PST used a 1:7 ratio on normalised Session 2 marks. There is no Tier 2 in this exam.
Exam pattern
CBT Session 1 - Numerical & Reasoning Qualifying (must clear on its own)
Online CBT · 45 min · +3 per correct, no negative marking
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Numerical & Mathematical Ability | 20 | 60 |
| Reasoning Ability & Problem Solving | 20 | 60 |
| Total | 40 | 120 |
Session 1 carries no negative marking, so leave nothing blank. You must score the minimum qualifying marks in this session separately; skipping a session means disqualification. Marks are normalised across shifts. Questions come in English, Hindi and 13 regional languages.
CBT Session 2 - General Awareness & English Merit-deciding (for shortlisting and ranking)
Online CBT · 45 min · +3 per correct, -1 per wrong
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General Awareness | 25 | 75 |
| English Language & Comprehension | 25 | 75 |
| Total | 50 | 150 |
Session 2 has 1 mark negative per wrong answer. In the 2025-26 cycle the PET/PST shortlist was drawn on normalised Session 2 marks, after candidates cleared both sessions. Tip: attempt questions you are at least 60-70 percent sure of; a blind guess in a negative-marked section costs you more than it earns.
Eligibility
Citizen of India, or a subject of Nepal or Bhutan, or a Tibetan refugee who came before 1 January 1962, or a person of Indian origin migrated from the listed countries with the intention of permanent settlement - per the standard SSC clause in the notification.
Matriculation (Class 10) pass or equivalent from a recognised board, obtained on or before the cut-off date given in the notification (1 August 2025 in the last cycle)
Not eligible - the pass certificate must exist by the cut-off date
| OBC | +3 years |
| SC / ST | +5 years |
| PwD (UR / OBC / SC-ST) | +10 / +13 / +15 years |
| Ex-servicemen (ESM) | +3 years after deducting military service |
Age is counted as on the cut-off date in the notification (1 August 2025 for the last cycle: MTS candidates born between 2 August 2000 and 1 August 2007, Havaldar candidates between 2 August 1998 and 1 August 2007). Havaldar candidates must also meet the physical standards at the PET/PST stage. The age cut-off for the next cycle will be fixed in its notification, so check that notice and the post-wise table before applying.
Posts, pay & who should apply
| Post | Department | Group | Pay level | Approx. in-hand |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Multi-Tasking Staff (Non-Technical) | Various central ministries, departments and offices | C | Level 1 · ₹18,000-56,900 | Varies by city (basic ₹18,000 plus DA, HRA and TA) |
| Havaldar | CBIC and Central Bureau of Narcotics (CBN) | C | Level 1 · ₹18,000-56,900 | Varies by city (basic ₹18,000 plus DA, HRA and TA) |
Special requirements: Multi-Tasking Staff (Non-Technical) — Non-gazetted, non-ministerial; office support, dak, record and general duties · Havaldar — PET and PST mandatory; field, search and enforcement-type duties
Selection process
CBT (Session 1 + Session 2) -> PET/PST (Havaldar only) -> Document Verification -> Allotment. Both sessions are compulsory and you must meet the minimum qualifying marks in each. Results are drawn from normalised marks, with cut-offs varying by post, category and the collecting authority or region. For the 2025-26 cycle, SSC shortlisted Havaldar candidates for the physical tests at a 1:7 ratio using Session 2 normalised marks. The PET/PST standards reported for Havaldar are: men - walk 1,600 metres in 15 minutes or cycle 8 km in 30 minutes, height 157.5 cm, chest 76 cm (81 cm expanded); women - walk 1 km in 20 minutes or cycle 3 km in 25 minutes, height 152 cm. PET/PST is qualifying only and marks do not count in merit. MTS has no physical test and no interview.
Normalisation (why your raw score ≠ final score)
Since the CBT runs in many shifts with different question papers, SSC normalises the marks across shifts so that a harder paper is not a disadvantage. Practical consequences: (1) your raw score is not your final score - the normalised figure decides the result; (2) never compare raw marks across shifts, days or years; (3) attempt every Session 1 question regardless of how hard your shift feels, because there is no negative marking there; (4) in Session 2, accuracy matters more than volume because each wrong answer costs a mark.
Subjects to prepare
Notification dates history
| Year | Vacancies | Notification | Exam | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | — | To be announced (calendar date of 30 Jun 2026 reportedly postponed) | To be announced | — |
| 2025 | 7948 | 26 Jun 2025 | CBT 4-20 Feb 2026 | — |
FAQs
What is the exam pattern of SSC MTS?
One computer-based test in two sessions of 45 minutes each. Session 1 has 40 questions (20 numerical and mathematical ability, 20 reasoning and problem solving) for 120 marks. Session 2 has 50 questions (25 general awareness, 25 English) for 150 marks. In total that is 90 questions and 270 marks.
What is the negative marking in SSC MTS?
Session 1 has no negative marking. In Session 2, each wrong answer costs 1 mark, while a correct answer earns 3. Unanswered questions score zero in both sessions.
Do I have to qualify in both sessions?
Yes. Both sessions are compulsory and you must clear the minimum qualifying marks in each one separately; missing a session means disqualification. The exact percentages are set in each notification, so read the current one.
What is the educational qualification for MTS and Havaldar?
Class 10 (matriculation) pass from a recognised board, with the certificate in hand by the cut-off date in the notification. No graduation is needed.
What is the age limit?
In the last cycle it was 18-25 years for most MTS posts and 18-27 years for Havaldar (and for MTS in selected offices), counted as on 1 August 2025, with relaxations of 3 years for OBC, 5 for SC/ST, 10-15 for PwD and 3 for ex-servicemen after deducting service.
Is there a physical test for MTS?
No. PET/PST is only for Havaldar in CBIC and CBN. MTS candidates go from the CBT straight to document verification.
What are the PET standards for Havaldar?
As reported for the last cycle: men walk 1,600 m in 15 minutes or cycle 8 km in 30 minutes; women walk 1 km in 20 minutes or cycle 3 km in 25 minutes. Physical standards listed are height 157.5 cm and chest 76-81 cm for men, and height 152 cm for women. Confirm against the current notice.
What is the salary of MTS and Havaldar?
Both are Pay Level 1 (₹18,000-56,900 pay-matrix band) Group C posts. Your actual take-home depends on the city you are posted in, because DA, HRA and TA are added on top of basic pay.
Is there any interview or Tier 2 in SSC MTS?
No. There is no interview and no Tier 2. The selection is the CBT merit (normalised), PET/PST for Havaldar and document verification.
When is the next SSC MTS notification?
It is not verified yet. The SSC calendar had planned 30 June 2026, but that date was reportedly postponed and no notice had been confirmed at the time of this update. Watch ssc.gov.in; this page will be updated when the official notice appears.
Is there an application fee?
In the last cycle the fee was ₹100, with exemption for women, SC, ST, PwBD and ex-servicemen candidates. The next notification will state its own fee.
Documents for document verification
At Document Verification you typically need: Class 10 (matriculation) certificate and marksheet (proof of date of birth and qualification), category certificate (OBC/EWS/SC/ST in the central-government format and valid for the relevant year), PwD or ex-servicemen documents if you claimed those benefits, a photo ID such as Aadhaar, PAN or passport, recent passport photographs, and the print of your application and admit card. Havaldar candidates should also keep their PET/PST admit card and medical or fitness papers handy. Check that your name and date of birth are spelt the same on every document - mismatches cause the most DV delays.