§1. The Nationwide 10th-Pass Central Service Opportunity
The Staff Selection Commission conducts the Multi-Tasking (Non-Technical) Staff and Havaldar (CBIC & CBN) Examination to recruit candidates directly after Class 10th into central ministries, subordinate offices, and the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC).
With entry pay at Central Pay Level 1 (₹18,000 – ₹56,900) along with DA, HRA, and medical allowances, this recruitment represents the most widely attempted entry-level central government examination in India.
§2. Examination Scheme: The Two-Session Structure Explained
The CBT is administered in a single sitting split into two distinct, sequential sessions:
Session 1 (45 Minutes - Mandatory Qualifying):
- •Numerical & Mathematical Ability: 20 Questions (60 Marks).
- •General Intelligence & Reasoning: 20 Questions (60 Marks).
- •Total: 40 Questions / 120 Marks.
- •CRITICAL RULE: There is ZERO negative marking in Session 1!
- •Purpose: Strictly qualifying. Minimum qualifying standard is 30% for UR (12 questions correct), 25% for OBC/EWS (10 questions correct), and 20% for SC/ST (8 questions correct).
Session 2 (45 Minutes - The Sole Merit Decider):
- •General Awareness: 25 Questions (75 Marks).
- •English Language & Comprehension: 25 Questions (75 Marks).
- •Total: 50 Questions / 150 Marks.
- •CRITICAL RULE: There is 1 MARK negative deduction per wrong answer (each question awards 3 marks).
- •Purpose: The final selection and all-India state allocation merit list is prepared 100% based on normalized marks obtained in Session 2!
§3. The Merit Equation: Why Session 2 is Everything
Many first-time aspirants make the disastrous error of investing 70% of their preparation time solving advanced mathematics and logical puzzles for Session 1, only to discover that mathematical scores have zero impact on final selection!
Strategic Recommendations by Mohit Verma:
- 1In Session 1: Ensure you attempt all 40 questions since there is no negative marking penalty. Once the minimum qualifying threshold is achieved, extra marks do not count.
- 2In Session 2: Every single mark matters. Out of 150 marks in Session 2, historical final cut-offs for general category candidates in high-demand states (Delhi, UP, Rajasthan, Bihar) typically reach 132 to 142 marks.
- 3Master English Grammar & Vocab: Secure 70+ out of 75 marks in English by thoroughly mastering previous years' questions on cloze tests, idioms, and one-word substitutions.
- 4Target GA High-Frequency Areas: Current affairs (last 6 months), Indian constitution articles, folk dances, musical instruments & exponents, and NCERT Class 9-10 science concepts.
§4. Physical Standards & Walking Test for CBIC/CBN Havaldar
Candidates opting for Havaldar in CBIC (Customs & Central GST) or CBN (Central Bureau of Narcotics) must qualify the Physical Efficiency Test (PET) and Physical Standard Test (PST):
Physical Efficiency Test (PET):
- •Male Candidates: Walking 1,600 metres in 15 minutes.
- •Female Candidates: Walking 1,000 metres (1 km) in 20 minutes.
- •Note: This is a brisk walking test conducted on track or road. Running or jogging is permitted, but simple brisk walking easily clears this standard.
Physical Standard Test (PST) Benchmarks:
- •Height (Male): 157.5 cm (relaxable by 5 cm for Garhwalis, Assamese, Gorkhas, and ST).
- •Chest (Male): 81 cm unexpanded with minimum 5 cm expansion (86 cm).
- •Height (Female): 152 cm (relaxable by 2.5 cm for hill tribes and ST).
- •Weight (Female): Minimum 48 kg (relaxable by 2 kg for ST).
§5. Cut-Off Trends & State-Wise Preference Strategy by Mohit Verma
When filling your post-preference codes:
- •Always fill all state codes (1 to 72) including 'All India'. Never leave state options blank! If you qualify on marks but restricted your choices to only Delhi or UP, you cannot be allocated to Maharashtra or Southern circles where cut-offs are often 8 to 10 marks lower.
- •For Havaldar posts: Ensure your physical height and chest measurements satisfy the PST standards before placing Havaldar codes above MTS preferences.