The Staff Selection Commission conducts the annual Combined Higher Secondary Level (CHSL) exam at the national level to recruit 10+2 qualified candidates for various prestigious government departments and offices. This year, the Commission is expected to announce over 3,000 vacancies for various 10+2 posts, with the official online registration process commencing alongside the release of the notification. Read on for all essential recruitment details.
What is the SSC CHSL Exam?
The SSC CHSL exam is a primary recruitment gateway for various ministries and organizations under the Government of India. Standing for the Staff Selection Commission Combined Higher Secondary Level Examination, this test is designed to select candidates for key administrative roles, including the following:
- Data Entry Operator (DEO)
- Lower Divisional Clerk (LDC)/ Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA)
- Data Entry Operator (Grade A)
SSC CHSL 2026 Notification
The comprehensive SSC CHSL 2026 notification will outline the recruitment process for Lower Division Clerk (LDC), Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA), and Data Entry Operator (DEO) positions. Candidates can access the official recruitment notice and complete details for the 10+2 level examination directly at www.ssc.gov.in.
SSC CHSL 2026 Exam Summary
The Staff Selection Commission organizes the annual CHSL exam for various subordinate services. For the 2026-27 fiscal year, the official SSC CHSL 2026 notification will provide critical exam information and requirements at www.ssc.gov.in. Refer to the summary table below for quick insights.
| 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 (Tue 9AM–Wed 10PM)
SSC CHSL Recruitment 2026- Important Dates
SSC has officially mapped out the recruitment timeline in the SSC Calendar 2026. The application window will remain active for one month, with the Computer-Based Test (CBT) scheduled for August-September 2026. Keep track of these key dates for the SSC CHSL 2026 exam:
| Activity | Dates |
| Notification Date | June 2026 |
| Application Start Date | June 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | -- |
| Last Date for Online Fee Payment | -- |
| Application Form Correction | -- |
| Tier 1 Exam | September-August 2026 |
SSC CHSL Vacancy 2026
The tentative vacancy count for the 2026 cycle will be detailed in the upcoming official notification. Following last year's trend of 3,131 vacancies for LDC, JSA, and DEO roles, we expect over 3,000 openings this year. View the post-wise and category-wise breakdown below.
To help you understand recruitment trends, we have compiled a comparative analysis of SSC CHSL vacancies over the past eight years 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?
Positions under the SSC CHSL (10+2) umbrella include Lower Division Clerk, Junior Secretariat Assistant, Postal Assistant, Sorting Assistant, and Data Entry Operator. Candidates are selected based on their performance in a Computer-Based Test (CBT), followed by a skill or typing test.
Eligibility Criteria for the SSC CHSL 2026 Exam
Candidates must meet three primary eligibility criteria to qualify for the SSC CHSL 2026 examination. These core parameters are outlined below:
Nationality
Eligibility extends to candidates who are:
(a) A citizen of India, or
(b) A subject of Nepal or Bhutan, or
(d) A Tibetan refugee who settled permanently in India before January 1, 1962, or
(e) A person of Indian origin migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, or specific East African countries with the intention to settle permanently in India.
Age Limit
The age requirement for SSC CHSL posts is 18–27 years. Eligible candidates must have a date of birth between 02-01-1999 and 01-01-2008. Category-wise upper age limit relaxations are provided below:
Check SSC CHSL Eligibility and Age Limit
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, and the SSC must have successfully completed their 12th standard (or equivalent) from a recognized Board or University.
For LDC/JSA and DEO (Other departments): Candidates must have passed the 12th standard in the Science stream with Mathematics as a mandatory subject from a recognized board.
How many Attempts are allowed in SSC CHSL?
Candidates may appear for the SSC CHSL (10+2) exam multiple times, provided they remain within the age limits defined for their respective categories:
- General: up to 27 years
- OBC: up to 30 years
- SC/ST: up to 32 years
There is no restriction on the number of attempts for the SSC CHSL 2026 examination.
SSC CHSL 2026 Application Fee
• The application fee for General Category candidates for the SSC CHSL 2026 exam is Rs. 100/-.
• Exemption: Female candidates, along with SC, ST, Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD), and Ex-Servicemen, are exempt from paying the application fee.
SSC CHSL 2026 Exam Pattern
The Staff Selection Commission conducts the Combined Higher Secondary Level (CHSL) recruitment process in two distinct tiers for various government posts:
| 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, it is crucial to review the updated syllabus and exam structure. Recent changes to the SSC CHSL Exam Pattern 2026 are summarized below:
• The SSC CHSL 2026 Tier 1 examination will be conducted entirely in online (CBT) mode.
• A descriptive paper of 100 marks is to be completed within 60 minutes in traditional pen-and-paper format.
• The time duration for Tier-I has been standardized to 60 minutes.
• Tier II now includes an Objective Multiple Choice section, accompanied by a Skill Test and a Typing Test.
The Tier 1 exam is an objective-type test conducted online. It consists of four sections comprising 100 questions for a total of 200 marks. Subject-wise details are outlined 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 Syllabus
The syllabus for the SSC CHSL 2026 Tier 1 exam covers General Intelligence, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, and English Language. Key topics within these subjects include:
English Language: Spotting errors, fill in the blanks, synonyms, Antonyms, spellings, Idioms and Phrases, One-word substitution, sentence improvement, active/passive voice, direct/indirect narration, cloze passages, and reading comprehension.
General Intelligence: This section assesses verbal and non-verbal reasoning through topics like semantic analogy, symbolic operations, space orientation, Venn diagrams, pattern folding, coding-decoding, and problem-solving.
Quantitative Aptitude: Topics include number systems, fundamental arithmetic operations, algebra, geometry, mensuration, trigonometry, and statistical charts.
General Awareness: Designed to test knowledge of daily surroundings and societal applications, including current events, history, culture, geography, economics, and scientific research relevant to India and its neighboring countries.
Click Here to View SSC CHSL 2026 Detailed Syllabus
Important Exam Guidelines:
• Negative Marking: For the SSC CHSL 2026 Tier 1 exam, a penalty of 0.5 marks will be deducted for every incorrect answer.
• Visually handicapped candidates are granted an extended exam duration of 75 minutes.
SSC CHSL 2026 Salary (Pay Scale)
The salary structure for posts covered by the SSC CHSL examination is detailed 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 |
SSC CHSL Salary Structure- Click to Check
SSC CHSL Salary after 7th Pay Commission
SSC has revised the salary packages for all posts in alignment with the 7th Pay Commission recommendations. Refer to the updated structure for comprehensive details.
| 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 |
SSC CHSL Previous Year Question Paper PDFs
SSC CHSL 2026 Cut Off
To gauge expected cut-offs, it is essential to review historical data. Examine the trends from the SSC CHSL Tier I Exam 2025:
| 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 SSC CHSL Previous Year's Cut-Off
FAQs
The official notification for SSC CHSL 2026 is scheduled for release in June 2026.
SSC CHSL stands for the Staff Selection Commission Combined Higher Secondary Level examination.
No, there is no sectional timing in the SSC CHSL exam. The Tier-I test has a total cumulative duration of 60 minutes.
Yes, incorrect answers in the SSC CHSL Tier-I exam incur a penalty, with 1/4th of the marks assigned to the question being deducted.
Yes, the examination is conducted in both English and Hindi, excluding the English Language proficiency section.
Also Read:
- OSSC CHSL Exam Date 2026: Schedule for 124 Group B & C Posts
- SSC CHSL Tier 1 Scorecard 2026 Released at ssc.gov.in: Direct Link to Download Marks
- SSC CHSL Tier 2 Exam Date 2026 Announced: Check Schedule for Paper 2
- SSC CHSL Exam 2025: Shift Timings, Reporting Schedule & Key Dates
- SSC CHSL Tier 2 Answer Key 2026 Released: Direct Download Link & Objection Portal
- SSC CHSL 2026 Apply Online: Registration Process, Official Link @ssc.gov.in
- SSC CHSL Tier 2 Cut Off 2026: Post-wise Qualifying Marks & Trends
- SSC CHSL Exam Pattern 2026: Updated Tier 1 & Tier 2 Syllabus Details
- SSC CHSL Previous Year Question Papers (2020-2025): Download Tier 1 & 2 PDF
- SSC CHSL Tier 2 Result 2026: Merit List, Cut Off Marks & Scorecard