SSC CHSL 2026 Notification — Dates, Vacancies, Eligibility & Apply Online

What is SSC CHSL 2026?

The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) conducts the Combined Higher Secondary Level (CHSL) examination annually to recruit candidates for Lower Division Clerk (LDC), Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA), Postal Assistant (PA), Sorting Assistant (SA), and Data Entry Operator (DEO) posts in various central government ministries, departments, and offices. It is one of the most popular exams for 12th pass candidates.

Important Dates

Note: All dates are tentative based on previous year cycles.

Vacancy Details

Total vacancies for SSC CHSL 2026 are yet to be announced (TBA). In recent years, SSC CHSL has advertised 3,000–6,000+ vacancies across the following posts:

• Lower Division Clerk (LDC) / Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA): Ministry offices across India
• Postal Assistant (PA) / Sorting Assistant (SA): Department of Posts
• Data Entry Operator (DEO): Various government departments
• Data Entry Operator Grade A: Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) offices

Eligibility Criteria

• Nationality: Indian citizen (some relaxations for Nepal/Bhutan subjects as per SSC rules)
• Age Limit: 18–27 years (relaxation: 5 years for SC/ST, 3 years for OBC, 10 years for PwD)
• Educational Qualification: 12th Standard pass (Higher Secondary) from a recognized board
• For DEO posts: Candidates must have a minimum typing speed as specified

Application Fee

Online payment via SBI Challan, net banking, or debit/credit card.

How to Apply Online

1. Visit the SSC official website at ssc.gov.in
2. Click on "Register" if you're a new user (one-time registration)
3. Log in with your Registration ID and password
4. Click on "Apply" next to SSC CHSL 2026
5. Fill personal, educational, and preference details
6. Upload photo (JPEG, 20–50 KB) and signature (JPEG, 10–20 KB)
7. Pay the application fee online
8. Submit and download the application form

Selection Process

1. Tier-I (Computer Based Examination): Objective MCQ test — qualifying + merit-based shortlisting.
2. Tier-II (Computer Based Examination): Introduced in revised scheme — objective + descriptive modules covering Maths, English, Computer Knowledge, and a descriptive module (essay/letter writing).
3. Document Verification & Skill Test: Typing test for LDC/JSA (English 35 wpm / Hindi 30 wpm) and skill test for DEO (8,000 key depressions per hour).

Exam Pattern

Tier-I

• Negative marking: 0.50 marks per wrong answer

Tier-II

Exam pattern based on SSC's revised scheme. Check official notification for exact details.

Syllabus (Brief Overview)

Reasoning: Analogies, Series, Coding-Decoding, Syllogism, Blood Relations, Direction, Venn Diagrams, Matrix, Paper Folding.

General Awareness: Current Affairs, History, Geography, Polity, Economics, Science, Static GK.

Quantitative Aptitude: Number System, Percentage, Ratio, Average, SI/CI, Profit & Loss, Time & Work, Geometry, Trigonometry, Data Interpretation.

English: Reading Comprehension, Cloze Test, Error Spotting, Synonyms/Antonyms, Idioms, One Word Substitution, Sentence Improvement.

Preparation Tips

1. Focus on speed and accuracy — Tier-I gives only 60 minutes for 100 questions (36 seconds per question).
2. Practice descriptive English — Essay and letter writing in Tier-II is often underestimated.
3. Master basic mathematics — Quant questions are 10+2 level but need fast calculation.
4. Read newspapers for GK — 4–5 months of current affairs is usually sufficient.
5. Take sectional and full mock tests — SSC's question style is distinct; practice with previous papers.

FAQs

Q: What is the minimum qualification for SSC CHSL?

A: You must have passed 12th Standard (Higher Secondary) from a recognized board. Graduation is not required.

Q: What is the salary for SSC CHSL posts?

A: LDC/JSA posts are in Pay Level 2 (₹19,900–₹63,200), PA/SA in Pay Level 4 (₹25,500–₹81,100), and DEO in Pay Level 4–5. Actual in-hand salary is ₹25,000–₹40,000+ depending on posting location.

Q: Is there any interview in SSC CHSL?

A: No, there is no interview. Selection is based entirely on Tier-I, Tier-II, and Skill/Typing Test performance.

Q: Can graduates apply for SSC CHSL?

A: Yes, graduates can apply as well. The minimum requirement is 12th pass.

Q: What is the typing test speed required?

A: For LDC/JSA: 35 wpm in English or 30 wpm in Hindi on computer. For DEO: 8,000 key depressions per hour. The typing test is qualifying, not merit-based.

Q: How many times can I attempt SSC CHSL?

A: There is no limit on attempts as long as you meet the age criteria.

Important Links

• SSC Official Website
• SSC New Candidate Registration