SSC CGL Reasoning · Study & Practice

Blood Relations

AreaArrangement & Relations DifficultyEasy–Moderate SSC weightage2–3 questions (Tier 1 & 2)

Blood-relation questions describe family links in words or code and ask how two people are related. The reliable method is to draw a family tree: use symbols for gender (a triangle for male, a circle for female), '=' for a married couple, and vertical lines for parent-child. Read the sentence left to right, place each person, and the answer is read straight off the diagram. Never carry the chain in your head.

Topics

1 Relation Terms 4 worked · 5 practice · 8-Q test Start → 2 Single-Person Relations 4 worked · 5 practice · 8-Q test Start → 3 Family Tree (Pointing) 4 worked · 5 practice · 8-Q test Start → 4 Coded Relations 4 worked · 5 practice · 8-Q test Start →

⚡ SSC shortcuts & speed methods

The fastest ways to crack this chapter under time pressure — the techniques that separate a 95+ percentiler from the rest.

  • Always draw a tree: triangle male, circle female, = couple, vertical line = parent-child.
  • Resolve the innermost phrase first ("grandfather's only son" = father).
  • Solve chains from the LAST named person backwards.
  • Keep a gender flag on every person — the final relation often needs it.
  • For coded items, write the key, substitute, then read the tree.

⚠️ Common mistakes & traps

SSC is designed so that careless errors here cost you marks. Internalise each trap before the exam.

  • Assuming gender that is not given (uncle vs aunt).
  • Reading "son of" the wrong way round in a chain.
  • Forgetting in-law links go through marriage, not blood.
  • Carrying a long chain mentally instead of drawing it.

📈 SSC exam insight & PYQ analysis

SSC asks one chained relation and one coded-relation item per Tier. A clean tree turns both into a one-line read.

🎴 Flashcards — instant recall

Tap a card to reveal the answer. Drill these until they are automatic.

Mother's brother is?Tap to reveal
Maternal uncle
Father's only son (to you) is?Tap to reveal
You or your brother
Solve a relation chain from?Tap to reveal
The last named person backwards
Son's wife is?Tap to reveal
Daughter-in-law
Symbols for the diagram?Tap to reveal
Triangle male, circle female, = couple

📌 Quick revision

Draw the family tree with gender and marriage symbols, resolve inner phrases first, and solve chains backwards from the last person. Decode symbol keys before building. Never assume an unstated gender — that is the single biggest trap in this chapter.

Chapter test

📝 Blood Relations — Chapter Test
25 fresh questions · timed · full solutions
Start chapter test →
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🏆 Vidaara SSC success checklist

You have truly mastered Blood Relations when you can tick every box below.

  • Recall every formula in this chapter without looking them up
  • Solve each topic’s practice set with at least 80% accuracy
  • Use the chapter shortcuts to cut your solving time in half
  • Spot and avoid every common trap listed above
  • Score 80%+ on the timed chapter test

📋 Chapter mastery scorecard

Track where you stand. Aim for the target before moving to the next chapter.

Skill checkpointTarget
Concept theory & formulas understood100%
Topic practice sets attempted (4 topics)4/4
Best topic-test score— → 80%+
Chapter test score— → 80%+
Flashcards drilled to instant recall5 cards