The SSC CHSL Notification 2026 has been released by the Staff Selection Commission for recruitment to Group C posts in various ministries, departments, offices, constitutional bodies, statutory bodies and tribunals of the Government of India. This is an important opportunity for candidates who have completed Class 12 and want to begin a stable career in the Central Government.
According to the official notification, approximately 2,536 tentative vacancies are available for Lower Division Clerk, Junior Secretariat Assistant, Data Entry Operator and Data Entry Operator Grade A posts. The online application process started on 7 September 2026, and eligible candidates can submit their applications until 7 October 2026 at 11:00 PM.
Before applying, candidates should carefully check the age limit, educational qualification, application fee, salary, exam pattern and document requirements. A small mistake in the application form can create problems later during document verification. This detailed guide explains the SSC CHSL recruitment process in simple language so that applicants can make an informed decision.
Important: This article is an informational summary based on the official SSC notice. Candidates must read the official notification and check the SSC website for corrections, changes or fresh announcements before applying.
SSC CHSL Notification 2026 Overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Examination | Combined Higher Secondary (10+2) Level Examination, 2026 |
| Conducting Authority | Staff Selection Commission |
| Posts | LDC, JSA, DEO and DEO Grade A |
| Tentative Vacancies | Approximately 2,536 |
| Job Category | Central Government Jobs |
| Qualification | Class 12 pass or equivalent; post-specific conditions apply |
| Age Limit | 18 to 27 years as on 1 August 2026 |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Application Start Date | 7 September 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 7 October 2026, 11:00 PM |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | 8 October 2026, 11:00 PM |
| Selection Process | Tier-I and Tier-II |
| Examination Date | To be notified later |
| Official Website | https://ssc.gov.in/ |
| Toll-Free Helpline | 18003093063 |
Important Dates for SSC CHSL Recruitment 2026
Candidates should complete the application well before the final day. Waiting until the closing date may lead to login, payment or connectivity problems due to heavy traffic on the SSC portal.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online application begins | 7 September 2026 |
| Last date and time to apply | 7 October 2026, 11:00 PM |
| Last date and time for online fee payment | 8 October 2026, 11:00 PM |
| Application correction window | 14 to 16 October 2026, up to 11:00 PM |
| Tier-I examination | To be notified later |
| Tier-II examination | To be notified later |
The application correction facility can be used twice. The correction charge is ₹200 for the first corrected submission and ₹500 for the second corrected submission. These charges apply to all candidates, irrespective of category or gender, and are not refundable.
SSC CHSL Vacancy 2026
The Commission has announced approximately 2,536 tentative vacancies through the SSC CHSL Notification 2026. The final number may change after SSC receives and verifies vacancy information from participating departments.
The recruitment covers the following posts:
- Lower Division Clerk
- Junior Secretariat Assistant
- Data Entry Operator
- Data Entry Operator Grade A
SSC will publish updated post-wise and category-wise vacancy details on its website under the Candidate’s Corner. The Commission does not collect state-wise or zone-wise vacancy figures. Applicants looking for location-specific information may have to contact the relevant user department.
SSC CHSL Salary and Pay Level
The salary varies according to the post and pay level. Basic pay is only one part of the total monthly salary. Selected candidates may also receive admissible allowances under Central Government rules, subject to their posting and applicable conditions.
| Post | Pay Level | Pay Scale |
|---|---|---|
| LDC/JSA | Level 2 | ₹19,900–₹63,200 |
| DEO | Level 4 | ₹25,500–₹81,100 |
| DEO | Level 5 | ₹29,200–₹92,300 |
| DEO Grade A | Level 4 | ₹25,500–₹81,100 |
Candidates should choose post preferences carefully. Final allotment is based on merit and the preferences submitted by the candidate. Once a post is allotted, SSC will not normally change it because the candidate later fails to satisfy a post-specific educational, physical or medical requirement.
SSC CHSL Eligibility Criteria 2026
Applicants must satisfy the prescribed nationality, age and educational requirements. Admission to every stage is provisional. If a candidate is found ineligible at any stage, the candidature may be cancelled.
Nationality
A candidate must be one of the following:
- A citizen of India;
- A subject of Nepal;
- A subject of Bhutan; or
- A person of Indian origin who migrated from specified countries with the intention of permanently settling in India, subject to the eligibility certificate requirements mentioned in the notification.
Only male candidates are eligible for vacancies, if any, reported by the Border Roads Organisation.
SSC CHSL Age Limit 2026
The prescribed age limit is 18 to 27 years as on 1 August 2026. Candidates must have been born not before 2 August 1999 and not later than 1 August 2008.
The date of birth recorded in the Matriculation or Secondary Examination certificate will be used by SSC. Requests to change the date of birth later will not be accepted.
Age Relaxation
| Category | Upper Age Relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC/ST | 5 years |
| OBC | 3 years |
| PwBD | 10 years |
| PwBD (OBC) | 13 years |
| PwBD (SC/ST) | 15 years |
| Ex-Servicemen | 3 years after deducting military service from actual age |
| Central Government civilian employees with at least three years of regular service | Up to 40 years |
| Eligible Central Government civilian employees belonging to SC/ST | Up to 45 years |
| Widows, divorced women and women judicially separated and not remarried | Up to 35 years |
| Eligible women in the above category belonging to SC/ST | Up to 40 years |
Other post-specific relaxations and conditions are explained in the official PDF. Candidates claiming relaxation must possess valid supporting certificates in the prescribed format.
SSC CHSL Educational Qualification 2026
The essential qualification must be possessed on or before 7 October 2026.
For LDC/JSA and Most DEO Posts
Candidates must have passed the 12th Standard or an equivalent examination from a recognized board or university.
For Specified DEO and DEO Grade A Posts
For Data Entry Operator or DEO Grade A posts in the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Staff Selection Commission and Ministry of Culture, candidates must have passed Class 12 in the Science stream with Mathematics as a subject from a recognized board or equivalent.
Candidates who have appeared for Class 12 may also apply, but their qualifying result must have been declared on or before 7 October 2026. Merely appearing in the examination or having the result under processing is not sufficient.
SSC CHSL Application Fee 2026
The application fee is ₹100.
Women candidates and eligible candidates belonging to SC, ST, Persons with Benchmark Disabilities and Ex-Servicemen categories are exempt from paying the fee.
Payment can be made online through:
- BHIM UPI;
- Net Banking; or
- Visa, MasterCard, Maestro or RuPay debit cards.
Non-exempt candidates should verify their payment status after completing the transaction. If SSC does not receive the fee, the application will remain incomplete and may be rejected. Once paid, the fee will not be refunded or adjusted against another examination.
How to Apply Online for SSC CHSL 2026
Applications are accepted only through the official SSC website or the mySSC mobile application.
- Visit https://ssc.gov.in/.
- Complete One-Time Registration if you have not created an OTR on the new SSC portal.
- Log in using your registration credentials.
- Find the Combined Higher Secondary (10+2) Level Examination, 2026 application link.
- Enter personal, educational, category and examination-centre details accurately.
- Choose the required examination language and typing-test medium.
- Capture the live photograph by following the instructions displayed in the application module.
- Upload the scanned signature in JPEG or JPG format.
- Upload the applicable disability certificate if claiming reservation, scribe or compensatory-time benefits.
- Preview every field and correct any mistake before final submission.
- Pay the application fee, if applicable.
- Download and safely keep the submitted application form and payment record.
Candidates whose old OTR was created on the previous ssc.nic.in website must create a fresh OTR on the new ssc.gov.in portal. The previous registration will not work on the new website.
Photograph and Signature Instructions
The application module captures a live photograph, so a pre-existing photograph is not normally required. Sit or stand in good light against a plain background, keep the camera at eye level and look straight ahead.
Candidates should not wear a cap, mask or spectacles while capturing the photograph. Never capture an image of an already printed or digital photograph, as such an application may be rejected.
The scanned signature must be:
- In JPEG or JPG format;
- Between 10 KB and 20 KB; and
- Approximately 6.0 cm wide and 2.0 cm high.
A blurred, unclear or miniature signature may lead to rejection.
SSC CHSL Exam Pattern 2026
The selection examination has two computer-based tiers. Candidates should understand the marking scheme before starting their preparation.
Tier-I Exam Pattern
| Subject | Questions | Maximum Marks |
|---|---|---|
| English Language | 25 | 50 |
| General Intelligence | 25 | 50 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 50 |
| General Awareness | 25 | 50 |
| Total | 100 | 200 |
Tier-I lasts 60 minutes, with a sectional timer of 15 minutes for each subject. Eligible scribe candidates receive 80 minutes, with 20 minutes for each subject.
There is a negative marking of 0.50 marks for every incorrect answer.
Tier-II Exam Pattern
Tier-II is conducted in two sessions on the same day.
Session-I includes:
- Section-I: Mathematical Abilities and Reasoning and General Intelligence;
- Section-II: English Language and Comprehension and General Awareness; and
- Section-III: Computer Knowledge Test.
Section-I contains 60 questions for 180 marks. Section-II also contains 60 questions for 180 marks. The Computer Knowledge Test has 15 questions for 45 marks.
Session-I lasts two hours and fifteen minutes for candidates who are not entitled to compensatory time.
Session-II contains the Skill Test or Typing Test. All sections of Tier-II must be qualified. Section-III and Section-IV are qualifying in nature.
There is a negative marking of one mark for every incorrect answer in Sections I, II and III.
Skill Test and Typing Test
The Data Entry Skill Test is compulsory for DEO candidates.
- For specified DEO/DEO Grade A posts, the required speed is 15,000 key depressions per hour.
- For other DEO/DEO Grade A posts, the required speed is 8,000 key depressions per hour.
- The DEO skill test is generally conducted for 15 minutes.
- For LDC/JSA, English typing speed must be 35 words per minute.
- For LDC/JSA, Hindi typing speed must be 30 words per minute.
- The LDC/JSA typing test is generally conducted for 10 minutes.
- Candidates selecting Hindi must type in the Mangal font.
The typing-test language selected in the application form is treated as final. Candidates should therefore choose it carefully.
SSC CHSL Syllabus 2026
English Language
The English section may cover error spotting, fill in the blanks, synonyms, antonyms, spellings, idioms and phrases, one-word substitution, sentence improvement, active and passive voice, direct and indirect narration, sentence arrangement, cloze test and reading comprehension.
General Intelligence and Reasoning
Topics include analogy, classification, series, coding-decoding, Venn diagrams, space orientation, embedded figures, pattern folding, critical thinking, problem solving, emotional intelligence, social intelligence and numerical operations.
Quantitative Aptitude and Mathematical Abilities
The mathematics syllabus includes number systems, decimals, fractions, percentages, ratio and proportion, averages, simple and compound interest, profit and loss, discount, partnership, mixture and alligation, time and distance, time and work, algebra, geometry, mensuration, trigonometry, charts, statistics and basic probability.
General Awareness
Candidates should prepare current events and topics relating to India and neighbouring countries, especially history, culture, geography, the economic scene, general policy and scientific research.
Computer Knowledge
Important areas include computer organization, CPU, input and output devices, memory, ports, Windows Explorer, keyboard shortcuts, Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint, internet and email, e-banking, networking and basic cyber-security threats.
SSC CHSL Selection Process 2026
The selection process consists of:
- Tier-I Computer-Based Examination;
- Tier-II Computer-Based Examination;
- Skill Test or Typing Test, as applicable;
- Document Verification by the user department; and
- Final allotment based on merit, eligibility and post preferences.
The minimum qualifying marks in Tier-I and Sections I, II and III of Tier-II are:
| Category | Minimum Qualifying Marks |
|---|---|
| UR | 30% |
| OBC/EWS | 25% |
| All other categories | 20% |
These are only minimum qualifying standards. The actual cut-off may be higher depending on competition, vacancies and candidate performance.
Candidates are shortlisted for Tier-II based on Tier-I performance. Final merit is prepared using aggregate marks in Sections I and II of Tier-II, subject to qualifying the Computer Knowledge Test and Skill/Typing Test.
Post preferences must be submitted when SSC opens the online option form. Candidates who fail to submit their preferences within the permitted period will not be considered for final allotment.
Documents to Keep Ready
Applicants should keep the following information and documents ready:
- Active mobile number and email address;
- Aadhaar details or another acceptable identity document;
- Class 10 certificate for name and date-of-birth verification;
- Class 12 mark sheet or certificate;
- Scanned signature in the prescribed size;
- Category, EWS, Ex-Servicemen or disability certificate, if applicable;
- Details required for online fee payment; and
- A saved copy of the submitted form and payment receipt.
Original educational, category and other supporting certificates will be required during document verification. If any claim in the application is not supported by valid documents, the candidature may be cancelled.
Preparation Tips for SSC CHSL 2026
Start by learning the complete syllabus and understanding the sectional timers. Since Tier-I provides only 15 minutes per subject, speed and question selection are as important as subject knowledge.
Build a daily routine that includes mathematics practice, reasoning sets, English grammar and vocabulary, and current-affairs revision. Avoid studying only your favourite subject while ignoring weaker sections.
Solve previous papers and take timed mock tests. After every mock test, identify whether marks were lost because of weak concepts, slow calculations or careless guessing. Negative marking can reduce the score quickly, so accuracy should remain the first priority.
Candidates targeting LDC/JSA should begin typing practice from the first week instead of waiting for Tier-I results. DEO aspirants should regularly practise accurate data entry on a computer. Consistent practice for 20 to 30 minutes a day can create a major advantage by the time the skill test is held.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the SSC CHSL Notification 2026 released?
Yes. The Staff Selection Commission issued the Combined Higher Secondary (10+2) Level Examination 2026 notice with approximately 2,536 tentative vacancies.
What is the last date to apply for SSC CHSL 2026?
The last date to submit the online application is 7 October 2026 at 11:00 PM. Online fee payment can be completed until 8 October 2026 at 11:00 PM.
How many SSC CHSL vacancies are available?
Approximately 2,536 tentative vacancies have been announced. The final vacancy count may change and will be updated by SSC.
Can a Class 12 appearing student apply?
Yes. However, the candidate must possess the required qualification and have the qualifying result declared on or before 7 October 2026.
What is the SSC CHSL application fee?
The application fee is ₹100. Women, SC, ST, eligible PwBD and eligible Ex-Servicemen candidates are exempt.
Is there negative marking in SSC CHSL 2026?
Yes. Tier-I has a penalty of 0.50 marks for each wrong answer. Sections I, II and III of Tier-II have a penalty of one mark for each wrong answer.
What is the SSC CHSL age limit?
The general age limit is 18 to 27 years as on 1 August 2026. Permissible relaxation is available to eligible reserved and special categories.
When will the SSC CHSL examination be held?
The Tier-I and Tier-II examination dates were not announced in the notification. Candidates should monitor the official SSC website for the schedule.
Final Note
The SSC CHSL Notification 2026 gives Class 12-qualified candidates a valuable opportunity to compete for Central Government clerical and data-entry posts. With approximately 2,536 vacancies, structured pay levels and an all-India selection process, the examination is likely to attract strong competition.
Do not rush through the application. Confirm your eligibility, enter every detail exactly as shown in your certificates, capture a clear live photograph, upload a proper signature and verify the payment status.
Once the application is complete, begin preparation with a balanced plan covering concepts, mock tests, accuracy and typing or data-entry practice.
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