The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has officially released the detailed recruitment notification for the Combined Higher Secondary (10+2) Level Examination, 2026 (SSC CHSL 2026). SSC CHSL is one of the most widely anticipated national competitive exams for intermediate (Class 12 pass) candidates aiming for central government employment.
With approximately 2,536 tentative vacancies across various ministries, departments, and constitutional bodies of the Government of India, here is the complete guide covering essential dates, eligibility criteria, exam patterns, subject-wise syllabus, and application rules.
1. What is the SSC CHSL Examination?
The SSC Combined Higher Secondary (10+2) Level Examination is conducted annually to recruit eligible candidates into essential administrative and secretarial Group ‘C’ posts across Central Government establishments:
- Lower Division Clerk (LDC) / Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA): Pay Level-2 (₹19,900 – ₹63,200)
- Data Entry Operator (DEO): Pay Level-4 (₹25,500 – ₹81,100) and Level-5 (₹29,200 – ₹92,300)
- Data Entry Operator, Grade ‘A’: Pay Level-4 (₹25,500 – ₹81,100)
All posts carry All India Service Liability (AISL), meaning candidates selected for appointment may be posted anywhere across India.
2. SSC CHSL 2026: Important Dates & Overview
| Event / Parameter | Important Dates & Details |
| Notification Release Date | September 07, 2026 |
| Online Application Period | September 07, 2026 to October 07, 2026 (23:00 hrs) |
| Last Date for Online Fee Payment | October 08, 2026 (23:00 hrs) |
| Correction Window | October 14, 2026 to October 16, 2026 (23:00 hrs) |
| Correction Charges | ₹200 (1st time), ₹500 (2nd time) |
| Tier-I Exam (CBT) | To be notified later |
| Tier-II Exam (CBT) | To be notified later |
| Tentative Vacancies | Approx. 2,536 posts |
| Application Fee | ₹100 (Exempted for Women, SC, ST, PwBD, ESM) |
| Official Portal | ssc.gov.in (and “my SSC” mobile app) |
3. Eligibility Criteria (As on 01-08-2026 & 07-10-2026)
A. Age Limit & Cutoff (As on 01-08-2026)
The crucial cutoff date for reckoning the age limit is August 1, 2026:
- Age Bracket: 18 to 27 years.
- Birth Criteria: Candidates must be born not earlier than 02-08-1999 and not later than 01-08-2008.
Upper Age Relaxations:
- SC / ST: 5 years
- OBC: 3 years
- PwBD (Unreserved): 10 years
- PwBD (OBC): 13 years
- PwBD (SC / ST): 15 years
- Ex-Servicemen (ESM): 3 years after deduction of military service rendered
- Central Govt. Civilian Employees (3+ yrs service): Up to 40 years (General) / 45 years (SC/ST)
- Widows / Divorced Women (not remarried): Up to 35 years (General) / 40 years (SC/ST)
B. Educational Qualifications (As on 07-10-2026)
The crucial cutoff date for acquiring the qualifying education is October 7, 2026:
- For LDC / JSA & DEO / DEO Grade ‘A’ (General): Passed 12th Standard or equivalent examination from a recognized Board or University.
- For DEO / DEO Grade ‘A’ in Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, SSC, and Ministry of Culture: 12th Standard pass in the Science stream with Mathematics as a subject from a recognized Board or equivalent.
- Appearing Candidates: Students appearing in their 12th standard or equivalent exam can apply, provided their final results are declared on or before 07-10-2026.
4. SSC CHSL 2026 Exam Pattern
The examination is conducted in two computer-based stages: Tier-I and Tier-II.
Tier-I: Screening / Qualifying Stage
Tier-I consists of 100 multiple-choice questions for 200 marks. The total duration is 60 minutes, with a strict sectional timer of 15 minutes per subject:
| Part | Subject | Questions | Max Marks | Sectional Timing | Negative Marking |
| I | English Language (Basic Knowledge) | 25 | 50 | 15 Minutes | 0.50 marks |
| II | General Intelligence | 25 | 50 | 15 Minutes | 0.50 marks |
| III | Quantitative Aptitude (Basic Arithmetic Skill) | 25 | 50 | 15 Minutes | 0.50 marks |
| IV | General Awareness | 25 | 50 | 15 Minutes | 0.50 marks |
| Total | 100 | 200 | 60 Minutes | — |
(Tier-I scores are normalized across shifts to shortlist candidates for Tier-II. Tier-I marks are not added to the final merit list).
Tier-II: Merit Selection Stage
Final selection and post allocations are determined exclusively on candidate performance in Tier-II. Tier-II is conducted in two sessions on the same day.
Tier-II Examination – Paper-I Structure
| Session | Section & Module | Questions | Marks | Duration & Timers | Remarks / Evaluation |
| Session-I (2 Hours 15 Minutes) | Section-I • Module-I: Mathematical Abilities • Module-II: Reasoning & General Intelligence | 30 + 30 (Total: 60) | 60 × 3 = 180 | 1 Hour Sectional timer: 30 minutes for each module | Merit-determining Negative marking: 1 mark for each wrong answer |
| Session-I | Section-II • Module-I: English Language & Comprehension • Module-II: General Awareness | 40 + 20 (Total: 60) | 60 × 3 = 180 | 1 Hour Sectional timer: 40 minutes for English, 20 minutes for GA | Merit-determining Negative marking: 1 mark for each wrong answer |
| Session-I | Section-III • Module-I: Computer Knowledge Test (CKT) | 15 | 15 × 3 = 45 | 15 Minutes | Qualifying in nature Negative marking: 1 mark for each wrong answer |
| Session-II (Skill / Typing) | Section-IV (Part A) • Skill Test for DEOs (Science with Mathematics posts) | 1 Passage ≈ 3,700–4,000 key depressions | — | 15 Minutes Speed: 15,000 depressions/hour | Mandatory & Qualifying |
| Session-II | Section-IV (Part B) • Skill Test for other DEO posts | 1 Passage ≈ 2,000–2,200 key depressions | — | 15 Minutes Speed: 8,000 depressions/hour | Mandatory & Qualifying |
| Session-II | Section-IV (Part C) • Typing Test for LDC / JSA | 1 Passage English: 35 wpm Hindi: 30 wpm | — | 10 Minutes | Mandatory & Qualifying Hindi typing in Mangal Font only |
5. Subject-Wise Detailed Syllabus
Tier-I Syllabus
- English Language: Spot the error, fill in the blanks, synonyms, homonyms, antonyms, spellings/detecting misspelled words, idioms & phrases, one-word substitution, sentence improvement, active/passive voice, direct/indirect narration, sentence shuffling, cloze passage, and comprehension passage.
- General Intelligence: Semantic analogy, symbolic operations, Venn diagrams, space orientation, figural analogies, series (semantic, number, figural), pattern folding & unfolding, embedded figures, critical thinking, problem-solving, and emotional/social intelligence.
- Quantitative Aptitude:
- Number Systems & Arithmetic: Computation of whole numbers, decimals, fractions, percentages, ratio & proportion, square roots, averages, simple & compound interest, profit & loss, discount, mixture & alligation, time & distance, time & work.
- Algebra & Geometry: Basic algebraic identities, graphs of linear equations, triangle properties, circles, chords, tangents, quadrilaterals, polygons.
- Mensuration & Trigonometry: Cylinder, sphere, cones, prisms, trigonometric ratios, standard identities, height and distance.
- Statistical Charts: Histograms, frequency polygons, bar diagrams, pie charts.
- General Awareness: Current events, everyday scientific observations, history, culture, geography, economic scene, general policy, and scientific research of India and its neighbouring countries.
Tier-II Syllabus (Key Focus Areas)
- Mathematical Abilities: Advanced arithmetic, number systems, algebra, geometry, mensuration, trigonometry, and Statistics & Probability (mean, median, mode, standard deviation, and simple probabilities).
- Reasoning and General Intelligence: Verbal and non-verbal reasoning, analogies, series completion, symbolic operations, critical reasoning, and pattern recognition.
- English Language and Comprehension: Advanced grammar, active/passive voice, direct/indirect conversion, cloze passages, and reading comprehension (minimum two passages, including one story/book excerpt and one current affairs/editorial).
- Computer Knowledge Test: Computer basics (CPU, memory, input/output devices, backup units, ports, Windows Explorer), Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), web browsing/search engines, e-banking, basics of networking, and cyber security threats (viruses, worms, trojans).
6. How to Apply & Essential Application Rules
- New OTR Mandatory: Applications are accepted online only at [https://ssc.gov.in](https://ssc.gov.in) or through the official “my SSC” mobile app. Registration details from the old website (ssc.nic.in) are not valid.
- Live Photo Capture: Candidates cannot upload a pre-existing photograph. The portal captures a live photograph using a webcam or mobile camera against a plain background in good light without caps, masks, or spectacles.
- Signature Upload: Scanned signature in JPEG/JPG format between 10 KB and 20 KB (approx. 6.0 cm width $\times$ 2.0 cm height).
- Correction Window: Available from October 14 to October 16, 2026. SSC charges ₹200 for the first modification and ₹500 for the second modification.
- Post-Result Document Verification (DV): DV is not conducted directly by SSC; it is carried out by the respective User Ministry/Department after final results are declared.
- Physical Standards for BRO: Candidates opting for LDC in the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) must meet specific regional physical and medical endurance standards (Male candidates only).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What is the qualification cutoff date for SSC CHSL 2026?
The cutoff date for acquiring the essential educational qualification (12th Standard) is October 7, 2026. Results must be officially declared by the Board on or before this date.
Q2. Can students appearing in Class 12 apply for SSC CHSL 2026?
Yes, students appearing in their 12th standard exam can apply, provided their qualifying results are formally announced on or before October 7, 2026.
Q3. Is there sectional timing in SSC CHSL Tier-I?
Yes. Tier-I includes a strict sectional timer of 15 minutes for each of the 4 sections (total 60 minutes).
Q4. What is the minimum typing speed required for LDC / JSA?
For English medium, the required typing speed is 35 words per minute (wpm) (~10,500 key depressions per hour). For Hindi medium, the required speed is 30 words per minute (wpm) (~9,000 key depressions per hour), conducted strictly in Mangal Font.
Q5. How is the final merit list prepared for SSC CHSL 2026?
Final merit ranking is determined exclusively by the aggregate marks scored in Section-I and Section-II of Tier-II Examination, provided the candidate qualifies both the Computer Knowledge Test (Section-III) and the Skill/Typing Test (Section-IV). Tier-I marks are qualifying only and are not counted in the final merit.