PSSSB Driver Syllabus and Exam Pattern 2026 - Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | Punjab Subordinate Services Selection Board (PSSSB) |
| Advertisement No. | 12 of 2026 |
| Post Name | Driver (Group C) |
| Vacancies for Driver | 5 |
| Exam Mode | MCQs answered on OMR sheets |
| Exam Structure | Part A (Punjabi, qualifying) and Part B (General subjects and Subject syllabus) |
| Questions | Part A: 50 | Part B: 100 |
| Marks | Part A: 50 (qualifying) | Part B: 100 |
| Marks per Question | 1 mark |
| Exam Duration | 2 hours 30 minutes |
| Negative Marking | None in Part A | 0.25 mark per wrong answer in Part B |
| Qualifying Marks | Minimum 50% (25 marks) in Part A |
| Official Website | sssb.punjab.gov.in |
PSSSB Driver Selection Process 2026
The written exam is the first and main stage. The stages for the advertisement run in the order below.
- Written Exam: Part A (Punjabi qualifying test) followed by Part B (General subjects and Driving Technique & Motor Car Mechanism). Part B is checked only if a candidate scores at least 25 marks out of 50 in Part A.
- Document Verification / Counseling: Candidates who clear the written exam are called for verification of documents.
- Medical Examination: The final stage listed for the advertisement.
PSSSB Driver Exam Pattern 2026
Written Exam Pattern
| Part | Subject | Questions | Marks | Nature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part A | Punjabi (Matriculation standard) | 50 | 50 | Qualifying |
| Part B(i) | General Knowledge & Current Affairs, Punjab History & Culture, Logical Reasoning & Mental Ability, Punjabi, English, ICT | 40 | 40 | Counted for merit |
| Part B(ii) | Driving Technique & Motor Car Mechanism | 60 | 60 | Counted for merit |
| Total Part B | Part B(i) + Part B(ii) | 100 | 100 | Merit list |
The whole exam, including both parts, must be completed within 2 hours 30 minutes. Every question carries 1 mark.
Part B(i) Subject-Wise Marks
| Subject | Approx. Weightage (Marks) |
|---|---|
| General Knowledge & Current Affairs | 10 |
| Punjab History & Culture | 5 |
| Logical Reasoning & Mental Ability | 10 |
| Punjabi | 5 |
| English | 5 |
| ICT | 5 |
| Total | 40 |
Negative Marking and Qualifying Criteria
- There is no negative marking in Part A.
- In Part B, 1/4th mark (0.25) is deducted for every wrong answer. Questions left unattempted get no credit and no deduction.
- A candidate must score at least 50% (25 marks) in Part A for Part B to be evaluated.
- A separate category-wise (UR/EWS/OBC/SC/ST) qualifying percentage is Not Specified in the plan and syllabus notice.
PSSSB Driver Syllabus 2026
The syllabus is given in three annexures: Annexure-1 for the Punjabi qualifying test, Annexure-2 for Part B(i) and Annexure-3 for Part B(ii). The Punjabi paper follows Matriculation standard as per the notification of 28.10.2022 cited in the plan.
1. Part A: Punjabi (Qualifying)
- Biography and works of the Sikh Gurus: Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Guru Angad Dev Ji, Guru Ram Das Ji, Guru Arjan Dev Ji, Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji and Guru Gobind Singh Ji
- Antonyms and synonyms
- Idioms (muhavare)
- Proverbs (akhaan)
- Types of words (shabd de bhed)
- Prefixes and suffixes
- Change of number and gender
- Punctuation marks
- Writing words and sentences correctly
- Correct Punjabi form of English words
- Correct Punjabi form of numerals, months and days
- Questions related to the Punjabi language
- Questions related to the history of Punjab
- Questions related to the culture of Punjab
2. General Knowledge and Current Affairs (Part B(i))
Approx. 10 marks. National and international importance topics including:
- Polity issues
- Environment issues
- Current Affairs
- Science and Technology
- Economic issues
- History of India with special reference to the Indian freedom struggle movement
- Sports
- Cinema and Literature
- Geography
3. Punjab History and Culture (Part B(i))
Approx. 5 marks.
- Physical features of Punjab and its ancient history
- Social, religious and economic life in Punjab
- Development of language, literature and arts in Punjab
- Society and culture of Punjab during Afghan/Mughal rule
- Bhakti Movement and Sufism
- Teachings and history of the Sikh Gurus and Saints in Punjab
- Adi Granth
- Sikh rulers
- Freedom movements of Punjab
4. Logical Reasoning and Mental Ability (Part B(i))
Approx. 10 marks, divided as shown below.
- Logical reasoning, analytical and mental ability (5 marks)
- Basic numerical skills (3 marks): numbers, magnitudes, percentage and numerical relation appreciation
- Data analysis (2 marks): graphic presentation, charts, tables and spreadsheets
5. Punjabi (Part B(i))
Approx. 5 marks.
- Correct and incorrect usage, spelling
- Prefixes and suffixes
- Synonyms and antonyms
- Correct use of noun, pronoun and the types of verb
- Gender and number
- Punjabi proverbs and idioms
- Translation from English to Punjabi
- One word for many words
6. English (Part B(i))
Approx. 5 marks.
- Basic grammar, subject and verb
- Adjectives and adverbs
- Articles and prepositions
- Synonyms and antonyms
- One word substitution
- Fill in the blanks
- Correction in sentences
- Idioms and their meanings
- Spell checks
- Direct and indirect speech
- Active and passive voice
7. ICT (Part B(i))
Approx. 5 marks.
- Basics of computers
- Network and Internet
- Use of office productivity tools: Word, Excel, Spreadsheet and PowerPoint
8. Driving Technique and Motor Car Mechanism (Part B(ii))
60 questions, 60 marks. This is the largest block in the paper and tests the following areas.
- Driving skills and procedures, and duties of drivers
- Fuel efficiency and fuel economy
- Basic maintenance and servicing of the vehicle
- Emergency handling techniques
- Tools and documents required with the vehicle
- Types of vehicles
- Traffic rules and regulations
- Recognising traffic signals, traffic signs, hand signals and road markings
- Simple queries about the assemblies of vehicle systems
- Vehicle and environmental pollution: petrol and diesel vehicles, CNG operated vehicles and noise pollution
- Maintenance knowledge such as tyre pressure, battery water level, quantity and grade of oils, coolant, and tension of belts and hose pipes
How to Prepare for PSSSB Driver Exam 2026
- Clear Part A first. Part B is not checked unless you score 25 out of 50 in Punjabi. Revise grammar, idioms, proverbs and the lives of the Gurus daily, even if you are comfortable with the language.
- Give the most time to Part B(ii). It carries 60 of the 100 merit marks. Study traffic signs, road markings, vehicle systems and maintenance routines topic by topic, and revise from the actual syllabus list above.
- Use the weightage table for Part B(i). General Knowledge and Reasoning carry 10 marks each, so they deserve more time than English, ICT or Punjabi, which carry 5 each.
- Practise with a timer. You have 2 hours 30 minutes for 150 questions across both parts, which is about one minute per question. Take full-length mock tests in OMR style to build speed.
- Attempt only when reasonably sure in Part B. Each wrong answer costs 0.25 mark, so avoid random guessing on questions you cannot narrow down.
- Revise weak areas weekly. Keep a short list of mistakes from mock tests and previous year papers, and revisit it every week.
