The Staff Selection Commission conducts the Combined Higher Secondary Level (CHSL) examination annually, serving as a premier gateway for 12th-pass candidates aiming to secure prominent positions within the Govt Jobs sector. Classified under national-level Govt Jobs, this examination recruits eligible aspirants for critical administrative and data management roles across various government departments.
Candidates looking forward to building a stable career can visit the official portal at www.ssc.gov.in to track updates. For deeper insights into previous trends, candidates can Download SSC CHSL Previous Year Question Papers (PDF) and Access Official SSC CHSL Previous Year Cut-Off Marks.
SSC CHSL 2026 Overview
The SSC CHSL recruitment framework features online application and testing stages. Below is a snapshot of the exam parameters:
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| Mode of Exam | Online |
| Qualification | 12th pass |
| Age Limit | 18 to 27 years |
| Selection Process | Tier 1 and Tier 2 |
| Official Website | https://ssc.gov.in/ |
Important Dates & Schedule
Aspirants must keep track of critical milestones for the recruitment cycle:
| Activity | Dates |
|---|---|
| Notification Date | August 2026 |
| Application Start Date | August 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | -- |
| Last Date for Online Fee Payment | -- |
| Application Form Correction | -- |
| Tier 1 Exam | October 2026 |
| Tier 2 Exam | -- |
Roles Filled Through SSC CHSL
The examination facilitates job placements across multiple prestigious clerical and data-handling designations:
- Data Entry Operator (DEO)
- Lower Divisional Clerk (LDC)
- Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA)
- Data Entry Operator (Grade A)
- Postal Assistant
- Sorting Assistant
- Court Clerk
Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must satisfy strict age, nationality, and educational benchmarks. For detailed parameters, refer to Check Detailed SSC CHSL Eligibility & Age Relaxation Rules.
Nationality Requirements
- A citizen of India
- A subject of Nepal or Bhutan
- A Tibetan refugee who settled permanently in India before January 1, 1962
- A person of Indian origin who migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African countries (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia, and Vietnam) with the intention of permanently settling in India
Age Limit Categories for Attempts
The acceptable age limit is 18 to 27 years (candidates born between 02-01-1999 and 01-01-2008), with relaxations as follows:
- General: Up to 27 years
- OBC: Up to 30 years
- SC/ST: Up to 32 years
There is no specific restriction on the total number of attempts.
Application Fee & Exemptions
The standard application fee is Rs. 100/-. However, specific groups are completely exempted:
- Female candidates
- SC candidates
- ST candidates
- PwD (Physically Handicapped) candidates
- Ex-Servicemen candidates
Vacancy Trends
Anticipated vacancies for the 2026 cycle are expected to surpass 3,000. Review the historical breakdown 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 |
Exam Pattern & Selection Process
The selection roadmap comprises Tier 1 and Tier 2 online computer-based tests. For structural breakdowns, consult SSC CHSL Exam Pattern 2026 and the SSC CHSL 2026 Syllabus Page.
| 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) |
Tier 1 Exam Subjects
- General Intelligence (25 questions, 50 marks)
- General Awareness (25 questions, 50 marks)
- Quantitative Aptitude / Basic Arithmetic Skill (25 questions, 50 marks)
- English Language / Basic Knowledge (25 questions, 50 marks)
| 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 | 60 minutes (80 Minutes for candidates eligible for scribe) |
| 3 | Quantitative Aptitude (Basic Arithmetic Skill) | 25 | 50 | 60 minutes (80 Minutes for candidates eligible for scribe) |
| 4 | English Language (Basic Knowledge) | 25 | 50 | 60 minutes (80 Minutes for candidates eligible for scribe) |
| Total | Total | 100 | 200 | 60 minutes (80 Minutes for candidates eligible for scribe) |
Note: Tier 1 negative marking stands at 0.5 marks (or 1/4th of a mark) for each incorrect response.
Salary Structure
Successful candidates receive attractive compensation packages based on their designated role. You can explore Click Here to View SSC CHSL Salary Structure for a comprehensive breakdown.
| 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 |
| Post Name | Basic Pay | HRA | TA | Gross Salary | In Hand | City |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DEO | 25500 | 6120 | 3600 | 35220 | 31045 | X |
| DEO | 25500 | 4080 | 1800 | 31380 | 27205 | Y |
| DEO | 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 |
Previous Cut-Off Trends
Reviewing category-wise historical cut-offs helps set realistic preparation benchmarks:
| 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 | -- |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Recommended Reads
- SSC CHSL Eligibility 2026: Age Limit, Qualifications & Criteria
- SSC CHSL Tier 2 Admit Card 2026 Out: Download Hall Ticket & Exam Schedule
- SSC CHSL Tier 2 City Intimation 2026: Direct Link & Exam Schedule
- SSC CHSL Tier 2 Score Card 2026: Check Marks, Normalized Scores, and Results
- OSSC CHSL Exam Date 2026 Announced for 124 Specialist Posts | Check Schedule
- SSC CHSL Tier 1 Scorecard 2026 Released: Check Marks & Final Answer Key at ssc.gov.in
- SSC CHSL Tier 2 Exam Date 2026 Out, Schedule & Vacancies
- SSC CHSL Tier 1 Exam 2026: Shift Timings, Duration & Guidelines
- SSC CHSL Tier 2 Answer Key 2026 Released: Direct Link, Marking Scheme & Objection Window
- SSC CHSL 2026: Official Notification, Exam Dates, and Complete Application Guide
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