The annual SSC CHSL examination serves as a gateway for 10+2 qualified candidates to secure prestigious roles within the Government of India. The Staff Selection Commission is anticipated to release over 3000 vacancies for various 10+2 positions, with the official notification tentatively scheduled for July 2026. Aspirants should bookmark this guide to stay informed on the latest recruitment developments.
What is the SSC CHSL Exam?
The SSC CHSL, or Staff Selection Commission Combined Higher Secondary Level Examination, is a competitive recruitment drive managed by the Commission. It facilitates appointments across numerous central government ministries, departments, and organizations. The key roles filled through this 10+2 recruitment process include:
- Data Entry Operator (DEO)
- Lower Divisional Clerk (LDC)/ Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA)
- Data Entry Operator (Grade A)
When will SSC CHSL Notification 2026 release?
While the official release date for the SSC CHSL 2026 notification is yet to be announced, candidates are encouraged to monitor www.ssc.gov.in for updates. We will provide the official PDF download link here as soon as it is published; ensure you bookmark this page to never miss a critical update.
SSC CHSL 2026 Exam Summary
The Staff Selection Commission organizes the Combined Higher Secondary Level Exam annually to fill various subordinate service roles. For the 2026-27 financial year, the official notification detailing the examination structure and eligibility will be hosted on www.ssc.gov.in. Refer to the table below for essential highlights.
| SSC CHSL 2026- Exam Summary | |
| SSC CHSL Full Form | Staff Selection Commission Combined Higher Secondary Level |
| Conducting Body | Staff Selection Commission |
| Exam Name | Combined Higher Secondary Level- 2026 |
| Vacancies | To be notified |
| Posts | LDC, JSA and DEO |
| Category | Govt Jobs |
| Exam Type | National Level |
| Mode of Application | Online |
| Registration Dates | To be notified |
| Mode of Exam | Online |
| Eligibility | Indian citizenship & 12th pass |
| Selection Process | Tier 1 and Tier 2 |
| Official Website | https://ssc.gov.in/ |
📱 Free SSC CHSL Tier 1 Live Test (Available Tuesday 9 AM to Wednesday 10 PM)
SSC CHSL Recruitment 2026- Important Dates
The application portal typically remains open for one month, with the Computer-Based Test (CBT) scheduled for September-October 2026. Keep track of these vital dates for your SSC CHSL 2026 exam preparation.
| Activity | Dates |
| Notification Date | July 2026 |
| Application Start Date | July 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | -- |
| Last Date for Online Fee Payment | -- |
| Application Form Correction | -- |
| Tier 1 Exam | September-October 2026 |
SSC CHSL Vacancy 2026
The finalized vacancy count for the 2026 cycle will be detailed in the official notification. With 3131 positions filled in the previous year for LDC, JSA, and DEO roles, it is highly likely that this year will follow a similar trend with over 3000 vacancies. Check below for detailed post-wise and category-wise breakdowns.
To help you understand the recruitment scale, we have compiled a comparative analysis of the last 8 years of vacancy trends. View the year-wise data below.
| Years | LDC/ JSA | PA/ SA | DEO | Court Clerk | Total |
| 2026 | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA |
| 2025 | TBA | -- | TBA | -- | 3131 |
| 2024 | TBA | -- | TBA | -- | 3712 |
| 2023 | -- | -- | -- | NA | 1600 |
| 2022 | 3185 | 898 | 42 | 601 | 4726 |
| 2021 | 3181 | 3598 | 26 | 88 | 4893 |
| 2020 | 2359 | 3880 | 02 | 56 | 5789 |
| 2019 | 2648 | 3222 | 02 | 917 | 6789 |
| 2018 | 898 | 2359 | 02 | NA | 3259 |
Year-wise SSC CHSL (10+2) Vacancy Comparison

Which posts are included in SSC CHSL 2026?
SSC CHSL (10+2) vacancies include roles like Lower Division Clerk (LDC), Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA), Postal/Sorting Assistant, and Data Entry Operator (DEO). Selection is conducted via a rigorous computer-based exam followed by necessary skill or typing tests.
Eligibility Criteria for the SSC CHSL 2026 Exam
Meeting the eligibility criteria is mandatory for all applicants. The SSC CHSL 2026 recruitment process evaluates candidates based on three primary parameters, outlined below:
Nationality
Candidates must satisfy one of the following nationality requirements:
(a) A citizen of India, or
(b) A subject of Nepal or Bhutan, or
(d) A Tibetan refugee who migrated to India before January 1, 1962, with the intention of permanent settlement, or
(e) A person of Indian origin who migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African countries, or specific territories to permanently settle in India.
Age Limit
The standard age bracket for SSC CHSL positions is 18 to 27 years. Eligibility is restricted to those born between 02-01-1999 and 01-01-2008. Category-specific upper age limit relaxations apply as per government norms.
Check Complete SSC CHSL Eligibility and Age Limit Details
Educational Qualification
Educational Qualification for Data Entry Operator (DEO/Grade 'A'): Candidates applying for roles in the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution; Ministry of Culture; or the Staff Selection Commission must have successfully cleared their 12th Standard or an equivalent examination from a recognized university or board.
For LDC/JSA and specialized DEO roles: Applicants must have completed their 12th Standard in the Science stream with Mathematics as a core subject from a recognized board.
How many attempts are allowed in the SSC CHSL exam?
Candidates may appear for the SSC CHSL (10+2) examination multiple times, provided they remain within the permissible age limit for their specific category.
- General: up to 27 years
- OBC: up to 30 years
- SC/ST: up to 32 years
There is no restriction on the total number of attempts allowed for the SSC CHSL 2026 Examination.
SSC CHSL 2026 Application Fee
• The standard application fee for General and OBC category candidates for the SSC CHSL 2026 is Rs. 100/-.
• Fee Exemption: No application fee is required for female candidates, SC/ST categories, Persons with Disabilities (PwD), and Ex-Servicemen.
SSC CHSL 2026 Exam Pattern
The Staff Selection Commission conducts the Combined Higher Secondary Level (CHSL) recruitment through a two-tier examination structure:
| Tier | Type | Mode |
| Tier – I | Objective Multiple Choice | Computer-Based (online) |
| Tier – II | Objective Multiple Choice + Skill Test & Typing Test Tier-II will include three sections, each having two modules | Computer-Based (online) |
Before you begin your preparation, familiarize yourself with the latest exam pattern. Important updates to the SSC CHSL Exam Pattern 2026 are as follows:
• The SSC CHSL 2026 Tier 1 examination will be conducted exclusively in an online computer-based mode.
• The assessment includes a descriptive paper worth 100 marks, to be completed in 60 minutes via pen-and-paper mode.
• The time duration for the Tier-I examination has been streamlined to 60 minutes.
• Tier II consists of Objective Multiple Choice Questions, followed by mandatory Skill and Typing tests.
• A negative marking policy is in effect for the Tier 1 Exam; incorrect responses incur a penalty of 0.5 marks.
• A compensatory time of 75 minutes is provided to visually handicapped candidates.
The objective Tier 1 exam is conducted online, featuring 100 questions totaling 200 marks. The distribution across sections is detailed below:
| SSC CHSL Tier 1 Exam Pattern 2026 | ||||
| Section | Subjects | No of Questions | Max Marks | Exam Duration |
| 1 | General Intelligence | 25 | 50 | 60 minutes (80 Minutes for candidates eligible for scribe) |
| 2 | General Awareness | 25 | 50 | |
| 3 | Quantitative Aptitude (Basic Arithmetic Skill) | 25 | 50 | |
| 4 | English Language (Basic Knowledge) | 25 | 50 | |
| Total | 100 | 200 | ||
SSC CHSL 2026 Exam Syllabus
The Tier 1 syllabus covers four core subjects: General Intelligence, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude (Basic Arithmetic Skills), and the English Language.
For the complete syllabus breakdown, visit our SSC CHSL 2026 Syllabus Page
SSC CHSL Salary Structure (Pay Scale)
The salary structure for posts under the Combined Higher Secondary Level exam is outlined below:
| Post Name | Pay Scale | Salary |
| LDC/ JSA | Pay Level 2 | Rs. 19,900-63,200 |
| PA/ SA | Pay Level 4 | Rs. 19,900-63,200 |
| DEO | Pay Level 4 & 5 | Rs. 25,500-81,100 (Level 4) Rs. 29,200-92,300 (Level 5) |
| DEO Grade ‘A’ | Pay Level 4 | Rs. 25,500-81,100 |
Check the Updated SSC CHSL Salary Structure
SSC CHSL Salary after 7th Pay Commission
Following the 7th Pay Commission recommendations, the salary structure for all SSC CHSL roles has been revised. Detailed compensation information is provided below:
| Post Name | Basic Pay | HRA | TA | Gross Salary | In Hand | City |
| DEO | 25500 | 6120 | 3600 | 35220 | 31045 | X |
| 25500 | 4080 | 1800 | 31380 | 27205 | Y | |
| 25500 | 2040 | 1800 | 29340 | 25165 | Z | |
| LDC | 19900 | 4776 | 1350 | 26026 | 22411 | X |
| Court Clerk | 19900 | 3184 | 900 | 23984 | 20369 | X |
| PA/SA | 19900 | 1592 | 900 | 22392 | 18777 | X |
Download SSC CHSL Previous Year Question Papers (PDFs)
SSC CHSL 2026 Cut Off
To gauge the competition, analyzing the SSC CHSL Cut-Off is essential. Review the trends from the 2025 Tier I examination:
| SSC CHSL Tier 1 Cut Off 2025 | ||
| Category | LDC/JSA | DEO Grade ‘A’ |
| UR | 144.25 | 169.54 |
| SC | 125.40 | 157.72 |
| ST | 115.25 | 152.78 |
| OBC | 143.83 | 169.49 |
| EWS | 141.42 | 169.54 |
| ESM | 68.26 | 128.52 |
| OH | 112.15 | -- |
| HH | 75.38 | 118.61 |
| VH | 82.72 | -- |
| PwD – Other | 55.33 | -- |
Click Here to View Previous Years' SSC CHSL Cut-Offs
FAQs
The official SSC CHSL 2026 notification is scheduled for release in July 2026.
SSC CHSL stands for Staff Selection Commission Combined Higher Secondary Level.
No, there is no sectional timing in the exam. The total duration for the Tier-I exam is 60 minutes.
Yes, negative marking applies to the Tier-I exam; 1/4th of the marks assigned to a question are deducted for every incorrect answer.
Yes, all question papers are bilingual (available in English and Hindi), with the exception of the English Language section.
Over 3000 vacancies are expected for LDC/JSA and DEO posts. The exact figure will be confirmed upon the publication of the official notification.
Yes, Tier 2 is mandatory for all candidates who successfully qualify in Tier 1.
Yes, a Skill Test or Typing Test is required in Tier 2 for DEO and LDC/JSA candidates respectively.
Candidates currently awaiting their 12th standard results may apply provisionally, provided they can produce passing documentation by the time of document verification.
For most positions, the final merit list is determined by performance in the Tier 2 exam, while Tier 1 functions primarily as a qualifying stage.
Recommended Reads
- SSC CHSL Eligibility 2026: Age Limit, Education Qualification & Criteria
- SSC CHSL Tier 2 Admit Card 2026 Released: Download Mains Hall Ticket at ssc.gov.in
- SSC CHSL Tier 2 City Intimation 2026 Released: Direct Link to Check Exam City
- SSC CHSL Tier 2 Score Card 2026: Official Marks & Result Download
- OSSC CHSL Exam Date 2026: Schedule for 124 Group B & C Posts
- SSC CHSL Tier 1 Scorecard 2026 Released: Direct Link to Download Marks at ssc.gov.in
- SSC CHSL Tier 2 Exam Date 2026 Released: Check Schedule for Paper 2
- SSC CHSL Shift Timings 2026: Reporting Time & Exam Schedule Guide
- SSC CHSL Tier 2 Answer Key 2026 Released: Direct Download Link & Objection Portal
- SSC CHSL 2026 Apply Online: OTR Registration Guide & Exam Fee Details
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