Successive Percentage Questions for SSC, RRB, Banking Exams

Successive percentage questions are asked when a value is increased and then decreased, or increased/decreased multiple times. Instead of calculating each change separately, we can use a simple formula to find the net percentage change directly.

These questions are commonly asked in SSC CGL, SSC CHSL, SSC GD, RRB NTPC, RRB Group D, Banking, Defence, Police, and other competitive examinations.

In this section, we will learn the formula for successive percentage change and solve important questions to understand the concept easily.

Formula for Successive Percentage Change

Net Percentage Change = a + b + (ab/100)

Where:

a = First percentage increase or decrease
b = Second percentage increase or decrease

Important:

Use a positive sign (+) for percentage increase.
Use a negative sign (−) for percentage decrease.

For more percentage formulas and shortcuts, visit our Percentage Formula page. To learn all percentage concepts in detail, check our Percentage Hub.

Example 1: Percentage Increase Followed by Percentage Increase

A quantity is increased by 20% and then increased by 10%.

Here,

a = +20

b = +10

Using the successive percentage formula:

Net Change

= a + b + (ab/100)

= (+20) + (+10) + (20 × 10)/100

= 20 + 10 + 2

= 32%

Therefore, the net change is 32% increase.

Example 2: Percentage Increase Followed by Percentage Decrease

A quantity is increased by 20% and then decreased by 20%.

Here,

a = +20

b = -20

Using the successive percentage formula:

Net Change

= a + b + (ab/100)

= (+20) + (-20) + (20 × -20)/100

= 20 − 20 − 4

= -4%

Therefore, the net change is 4% decrease.

Example 3: Percentage Decrease Followed by Percentage Decrease

A quantity is decreased by 10% and then decreased by 20%.

a = -10

b = -20

Net Change

= (-10) + (-20) + (-10 × -20)/100

= -10 -20 + 2

= -28%

Therefore, the net change is 28% decrease.

Question 1: In an SSC recruitment examination, 1,000 vacancies were initially announced across various departments and ministries. Later, through a corrigendum, the vacancies were increased by 10%. In another corrigendum, the vacancies were further increased by 5%.

Calculate:

The net percentage change in vacancies.
The final number of vacancies.

Solution

Using the successive percentage formula:

a = 10

b = 5

Net Percentage Change

= a + b + (ab/100)

= 10 + 5 + (10 × 5)/100

= 10 + 5 + (50/100)

= 15 + 0.5

= 15.5%

Therefore, the net increase in vacancies is 15.5%.

Now,

Final Vacancies

= 1000 + (1000 × 15.5/100)

= 1000 + 155

= 1155

Answer

Net Percentage Increase = 15.5%
Final Vacancies = 1155

Question 2: In an ASO office in New Delhi, the monthly stationery budget was ₹55,000. Last year, the budget was increased by 8%, and this year it was further increased by 10%.

Calculate:

The net percentage increase in the budget.
The current stationery budget.

Solution

a = 8

b = 10

Using the successive percentage formula:

Net Change

= a + b + (ab/100)

= 8 + 10 + (8 × 10)/100

= 18 + 80/100

= 18 + 0.8

= 18.8%

Therefore, the net increase in the budget is 18.8%.

Now,

Current Budget

= 55,000 + (55,000 × 18.8/100)

= 55,000 + 10,340

= ₹65,340

Answer

Net Percentage Increase = 18.8%
Current Stationery Budget = ₹65,340

Question 3: A public sector bank offered a special fixed deposit scheme. In the first year, the value of an investment increased by 20% due to interest and bonuses. However, in the following year, due to market-linked adjustments, the value of the investment decreased by 20%.

If the initial investment was ₹50,000, find:

The net percentage change in the investment value.
The final value of the investment.

Solution

Here,

a = 20

b = -20

Using the successive percentage formula:

Net Change

= a + b + (ab/100)

= 20 + (-20) + (20 × -20)/100

= 20 – 20 – 4

= -4%

Therefore, the net percentage change in the investment value is 4% decrease.

Now,

Final Value

= 50,000 + [50,000 × (-4/100)]

= 50,000 – 2,000

= ₹48,000

Answer

Net Percentage Change = 4% decrease
Final Value of Investment = ₹48,000

Question 4: In an RRB recruitment examination, 20,000 candidates were shortlisted after the written examination. During document verification, the number of shortlisted candidates decreased by 10%. Later, due to ineligible candidates being removed, the number decreased by another 20%.

Find:

The net percentage change in the number of shortlisted candidates.
The final number of shortlisted candidates.

Solution

Here,

a = -10

b = -20

Using the successive percentage formula:

Net Change

= a + b + (ab/100)

= (-10) + (-20) + [(-10 × -20)/100]

= -10 -20 + 2

= -28%

Therefore, the net percentage change is 28% decrease.

Now,

Final Number of Candidates

= 20,000 + [20,000 × (-28/100)]

= 20,000 – 5,600

= 14,400

Answer

Net Percentage Change = 28% decrease
Final Number of Shortlisted Candidates = 14,400

Question 5: A public sector bank had ₹500 crore deposits at the beginning of the year. During the first six months, deposits increased by 15% due to a special fixed deposit (FD) scheme. During the next six months, deposits decreased by 10% because of premature withdrawals.

Find:

The net percentage change in deposits.
The final amount of deposits.

Solution

Using the successive percentage formula:

a = 15

b = -10

Net Change

= a + b + (ab/100)

= 15 + (-10) + (15 × -10)/100

= 15 – 10 – 1.5

= 5 – 1.5

= 3.5%

Therefore, the net percentage change is 3.5% increase.

Now,

Final Deposits

= 500 + [500 × (3.5/100)]

= 500 + 17.5

= ₹517.5 crore

Answer

Net Percentage Change = 3.5% increase
Final Amount of Deposits = ₹517.5 crore

Question 6: A railway route carried 80,000 passengers in April. Due to the summer holiday season, passenger traffic increased by 25% in May. In June, after the holiday season ended, passenger traffic decreased by 20%.

Find:

The net percentage change in passenger traffic.
The final number of passengers.

Solution

Using the successive percentage formula:

a = 25

b = -20

Net Change

= 25 + (-20) + (25 × -20)/100

= 25 – 20 – 5

= 0%

Therefore, the net percentage change in passenger traffic is 0%.

Final Number of Passengers

= 80,000 + [80,000 × (0/100)]

= 80,000 passengers

Answer

Net Percentage Change = 0%
Final Number of Passengers = 80,000

Question 7: A Stenographer in a Central Government department was drawing a monthly salary of ₹90,000. After the implementation of a pay revision, his salary increased by 10%. In the following year, he received another annual increment of 10%.

Find:

The net percentage increase in salary.
The new monthly salary.

Solution

Using the successive percentage formula:

a = 10

b = 10

Net Change

= a + b + (ab/100)

= 10 + 10 + (10 × 10)/100

= 20 + 1

= 21%

Therefore, the net percentage increase in salary is 21%.

Now,

Final Monthly Salary

= 90,000 + [90,000 × (21/100)]

= 90,000 + 18,900

= ₹1,08,900

Answer

Net Percentage Increase = 21%
New Monthly Salary = ₹1,08,900

Question 8: A coaching institute in New Delhi had 4,000 students enrolled at the beginning of the year. Due to excellent results, admissions increased by 9%. In the following year, due to increased competition from online coaching platforms, the number of students decreased by 11%.

Find:

The net percentage change in the number of students.
The final number of students.

Solution

Using the successive percentage formula:

a = 9

b = -11

Net Change

= a + b + (ab/100)

= 9 + (-11) + (9 × -11)/100

= 9 – 11 – 0.99

= -2.99%

Therefore, the net percentage change is 2.99% decrease.

Now,

Final Number of Students

= 4000 + [4000 × (-2.99/100)]

= 4000 – 119.6

= 3880.4

Approx 3,880 students

Answer

Net Percentage Change = 2.99% decrease
Final Number of Students approx 3,880 students

SSC/RRB/Banking Shortcut for Successive Percentage Change

Shortcut Formula

Net Change = a + b + (ab/100)

Where:

Use + sign for increase.
Use − sign for decrease.

This solves the question in seconds.

Shortcut Example 1

Increase by 20% and then increase by 10%.

Net Change

= 20 + 10 + (20 × 10)/100

= 32%

Answer: 32% increase

Shortcut Example 2

Increase by 20% and then decrease by 20%.

Net Change

= 20 – 20 + (20 × -20)/100

= -4%

Answer: 4% decrease

Shortcut Example 3

Decrease by 10% and then decrease by 20%.

Net Change

= -10 -20 + (-10 × -20)/100

= -28%

Answer: 28% decrease

Shortcut Example 4

Increase by 25% and then decrease by 20%.

Net Change

= 25 -20 + (25 × -20)/100

= 0%

Answer: No Net Change

Shortcut Table for Successive Percentage

First Change	Second Change	Net Change
+10%	+10%	+21% (Many students incorrectly assume the net change is 20%.)
+20%	+10%	+32%
+20%	-20%	-4% (Many students incorrectly assume the net change is 0%.)
-10%	-20%	-28%
+25%	-20%	0% (Many students incorrectly assume the net change is +5%.)

FAQ on Successive Percentage Questions

1. What is the formula of successive percentage?

Formula:

a + b + (ab/100)

Where:

a is the first percentage increase or decrease.
b is the second percentage increase or decrease.

In case of a decrease, use a negative sign (-).

For example, if there is a 10% decrease, then use a = -10 or b = -10 in the formula.

2. Are successive percentage questions asked in competitive exams like RRB, SSC, Defence, Banking, etc.?

Yes, successive percentage questions are often asked in SSC, RRB, Banking, Defence, Police, and other competitive examinations.

3. The price of a product increases by 25% and then after 3 months the price drops by 20%. What is the net change?

The net change is 0%.

Many students in a hurry may solve it incorrectly and mark the answer as 5%, but that is wrong.

Always use the successive percentage formula or practice such questions regularly.

4. The price of a commodity was increased by 10% and then again after a week it was increased by 10%. The net increase is 20%. True or False?

False.

The net increase will be 21% and not 20%.

Using the formula:

= 10 + 10 + (10 × 10)/100

= 20 + 1

= 21%

5. Why is a 20% increase followed by a 20% decrease not equal to 0%?

Because the decrease is calculated on the increased value and not on the original value.

Therefore, the net result is 4% decrease and not 0%.

This is one of the most common mistakes made by SSC, RRB, and Banking aspirants.

Formula for Successive Percentage Change

Net Percentage Change = a + b + (ab/100)

Example 1: Percentage Increase Followed by Percentage Increase

Example 2: Percentage Increase Followed by Percentage Decrease

Example 3: Percentage Decrease Followed by Percentage Decrease

Question 1: In an SSC recruitment examination, 1,000 vacancies were initially announced across various departments and ministries. Later, through a corrigendum, the vacancies were increased by 10%. In another corrigendum, the vacancies were further increased by 5%.

Solution

Answer

Question 2: In an ASO office in New Delhi, the monthly stationery budget was ₹55,000. Last year, the budget was increased by 8%, and this year it was further increased by 10%.

Solution

Answer

Question 3: A public sector bank offered a special fixed deposit scheme. In the first year, the value of an investment increased by 20% due to interest and bonuses. However, in the following year, due to market-linked adjustments, the value of the investment decreased by 20%.

Solution

Answer

Question 4: In an RRB recruitment examination, 20,000 candidates were shortlisted after the written examination. During document verification, the number of shortlisted candidates decreased by 10%. Later, due to ineligible candidates being removed, the number decreased by another 20%.

Solution

Answer

Question 5: A public sector bank had ₹500 crore deposits at the beginning of the year. During the first six months, deposits increased by 15% due to a special fixed deposit (FD) scheme. During the next six months, deposits decreased by 10% because of premature withdrawals.

Solution

Answer

Question 6: A railway route carried 80,000 passengers in April. Due to the summer holiday season, passenger traffic increased by 25% in May. In June, after the holiday season ended, passenger traffic decreased by 20%.

Solution

Answer

Question 7: A Stenographer in a Central Government department was drawing a monthly salary of ₹90,000. After the implementation of a pay revision, his salary increased by 10%. In the following year, he received another annual increment of 10%.

Solution

Answer

Question 8: A coaching institute in New Delhi had 4,000 students enrolled at the beginning of the year. Due to excellent results, admissions increased by 9%. In the following year, due to increased competition from online coaching platforms, the number of students decreased by 11%.

Solution

Answer

SSC/RRB/Banking Shortcut for Successive Percentage Change

Shortcut Formula

Shortcut Example 1

Shortcut Example 2

Shortcut Example 3

Shortcut Example 4

Shortcut Table for Successive Percentage

FAQ on Successive Percentage Questions

1. What is the formula of successive percentage?

2. Are successive percentage questions asked in competitive exams like RRB, SSC, Defence, Banking, etc.?

3. The price of a product increases by 25% and then after 3 months the price drops by 20%. What is the net change?

4. The price of a commodity was increased by 10% and then again after a week it was increased by 10%. The net increase is 20%. True or False?

5. Why is a 20% increase followed by a 20% decrease not equal to 0%?

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