SSC CHSL 2026 Notification – Combined Higher Secondary Level Examination
The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has released the SSC CHSL 2026 Notification for the Combined Higher Secondary Level Examination. SSC CHSL is one of India's most popular government recruitment exams, offering opportunities for 12th-pass candidates to secure permanent central government positions with job security, pension benefits, and attractive pay scales.
SSC CHSL 2026 recruits candidates for three categories of posts: Lower Division Clerk (LDC) / Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA) at Pay Level 2 (₹19,900–₹63,200), Postal Assistant (PA) / Sorting Assistant (SA) at Pay Level 4 (₹25,500–₹81,100), and Data Entry Operator (DEO) at Pay Level 4 (₹25,500–₹81,100). These posts are spread across various central government ministries, departments, and attached/subordinate offices.
The exact number of SSC CHSL 2026 vacancies will be announced with the official notification. SSC CHSL typically recruits 3,000–5,000 candidates annually across all posts. The recruitment covers ministries including Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Finance, Department of Posts, Comptroller & Auditor General (C&AG), and numerous other central government organisations.
The examination follows a two-tier pattern. Tier 1 is a Computer Based Examination consisting of 100 objective-type multiple-choice questions carrying 200 marks, to be completed in 60 minutes. The four sections tested are General Intelligence, English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, and General Awareness. Tier 2 comprises a Typing Test for LDC/JSA posts (English typing at 35 wpm or Hindi typing at 30 wpm) and a Skill Test for DEO posts (data entry speed of 8,000 key depressions per hour).
Candidates must have passed the 12th Standard (Higher Secondary) or equivalent examination from a recognised board. The age limit is 18–27 years for LDC/JSA and PA/SA posts, and 18–25 years for DEO posts, with standard relaxations for reserved categories as per government norms — SC/ST (5 years), OBC (3 years), and PwD (up to 10 years).
The application process is entirely online through the SSC portal at ssc.gov.in. Candidates must complete one-time registration, fill in personal and educational details, upload photographs and signatures, and pay the application fee of ₹100 (exempted for female, SC, ST, PwD, and Ex-Servicemen candidates). The application correction window opens after the submission deadline.
This page provides complete details about SSC CHSL 2026 including important dates, eligibility criteria, exam pattern, syllabus, selection process, salary structure, and step-by-step application guide. Bookmark this page for the latest official updates from SSC.
SSC CHSL 2026 Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release Date | 2026-01-15 |
| Online Application Start Date | 2026-02-15 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 2026-05-15 |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | 2026-05-17 |
| Application Correction Window | 2026-05-20 to 2026-05-25 |
| Tier 1 Exam Date | 2026-08-01 to 2026-08-25 |
| Tier 1 Result Date | To Be Announced |
| Tier 2 (Typing/Skill Test) Date | To Be Announced |
| Final Result Date | To Be Announced |
SSC CHSL Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for SSC CHSL 2026, candidates must meet the following criteria:
Educational Qualification
- LDC/JSA, PA/SA, DEO: Must have passed 12th Standard or equivalent examination from a recognised Board or University.
- DEO (Grade A): 12th Standard pass in Science stream with Mathematics as a subject.
Age Limit (as on 01-01-2026)
- LDC/JSA & PA/SA: 18–27 years
- DEO: 18–25 years
Age Relaxation
- SC/ST: 5 years
- OBC (Non-Creamy Layer): 3 years
- PwD (General): 10 years | PwD (OBC): 13 years | PwD (SC/ST): 15 years
- Ex-Servicemen: 3 years after deduction of military service rendered
Candidates appearing in their 12th board examination can also apply provisionally, subject to producing the pass certificate at the time of document verification.
Check Your Age Eligibility
Check if you meet the age requirement for SSC CHSL. Our calculator shows your exact age on the cut-off date with category-wise relaxation (OBC, SC/ST, PH, Ex-Servicemen).
- ✓ Enter DOB and cut-off date
- ✓ Category-wise age relaxation
- ✓ Preset cut-off dates for major exams
SSC CHSL 2026 Application Fee
| Category | Fee (₹) |
|---|---|
| General | ₹100 |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | ₹100 |
| SC / ST | Exempted |
| Female (all categories) | Exempted |
| PwD / Ex-Servicemen | Exempted |
Payment Modes: Net Banking, Credit Card, Debit Card, UPI, SBI Challan
SSC CHSL Selection Process
- Tier 1 – Computer Based Examination (Objective MCQs)
- Tier 2 – Typing Test (for LDC/JSA) / Skill Test (for DEO)
- Document Verification
- Medical Examination
- Final Merit List based on Tier 1 normalised score
SSC CHSL 2026 Exam Pattern
Tier 1 – Computer Based Examination
| Subject | Questions | Marks | Duration | Negative Marking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Intelligence | 25 | 50 | 60 min (combined) | 0.50 per wrong answer |
| English Language | 25 | 50 | — | 0.50 per wrong answer |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 50 | — | 0.50 per wrong answer |
| General Awareness | 25 | 50 | — | 0.50 per wrong answer |
| Total | 100 | 200 |
Tier 2 – Typing / Skill Test (Qualifying)
| Subject | Questions | Marks | Duration | Negative Marking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English Typing Test (LDC/JSA) | 0 | 0 | 10 min | Qualifying – 35 wpm |
| Hindi Typing Test (LDC/JSA) | 0 | 0 | 10 min | Qualifying – 30 wpm |
| Data Entry Skill Test (DEO) | 0 | 0 | 15 min | Qualifying – 8000 KDPH |
| Total | 0 | 0 |
SSC CHSL Syllabus Overview
The SSC CHSL Tier 1 syllabus covers General Intelligence (analogies, coding-decoding, series, Venn diagrams), English Language (reading comprehension, error spotting, synonyms/antonyms, idioms, one-word substitution), Quantitative Aptitude (number systems, percentage, ratio, profit & loss, time & work, geometry, trigonometry, data interpretation), and General Awareness (current affairs, history, geography, polity, economics, science).
Tier 2 is a skill-based test — for LDC/JSA, candidates must demonstrate typing proficiency; for DEO, data entry speed is tested. For detailed syllabus, see our SSC CHSL 2026 Syllabus page.
SSC CHSL 2026 Salary Structure
Pay Levels
Pay Level 2 to Pay Level 4
Gross Salary Range
₹28,000 – ₹65,000 per month
In-Hand Salary Range
₹24,000 – ₹55,000 per month (approx.)
Post-wise Basic Pay
| Post Name | Pay Level | Basic Pay (₹/month) |
|---|---|---|
| Lower Division Clerk (LDC) / JSA | Level 2 | ₹19,900 – ₹63,200 |
| Postal Assistant (PA) / Sorting Assistant | Level 4 | ₹25,500 – ₹81,100 |
| Data Entry Operator (DEO) | Level 4 | ₹25,500 – ₹81,100 |
| Data Entry Operator (DEO Grade A) | Level 4 | ₹25,500 – ₹81,100 |
Allowances & Benefits
- Dearness Allowance (DA) – revised biannually
- House Rent Allowance (HRA) – 8% to 24% based on city
- Transport Allowance (TPTA)
- Children Education Allowance
- Leave Travel Concession (LTC)
- National Pension System (NPS) – 14% employer contribution
- Medical Benefits under CGHS
Calculate Your In-Hand Salary
Use the 7th CPC Government Salary Calculator to estimate your in-hand salary for SSC CHSL 2026 posts — including DA, HRA, and all deductions based on your pay level and city.
- ✓ Select pay level (1–18) and basic pay
- ✓ City-wise HRA (X, Y, Z category)
- ✓ DA, TA, NPS deductions included
How to Apply for SSC CHSL 2026
- Visit the official SSC website at ssc.gov.in and navigate to the "Register/Login" section.
- If you are a new user, click "New User? Register Now" and complete one-time registration with your name, email, mobile number, and create a password.
- After registration, log in to the SSC portal and click on "Apply" next to the CHSL 2026 notification.
- Fill in the application form with personal details (name, date of birth, category), educational qualifications (12th pass board, percentage), and examination centre preferences.
- Upload scanned copies of your recent passport-size photograph (20–50 KB, JPEG), signature (10–20 KB, JPEG), and a valid photo ID proof (100–300 KB, PDF).
- Pay the application fee of ₹100 via Net Banking, Credit/Debit Card, UPI, or SBI Challan. Female, SC, ST, PwD, and Ex-Servicemen candidates are exempted from fee payment.
- Review all details carefully, submit the application, and download/print the confirmation page with your Registration ID for future reference.
SSC CHSL 2026 Admit Card
Release Date: To Be Announced
- Visit ssc.gov.in and click on "Status/Download Admit Card" under the Candidate's Corner
- Select "Combined Higher Secondary Level Examination 2026" from the exam list
- Log in with your Registration ID and Date of Birth
- Download and print the admit card on A4 paper
- Carry the printed admit card to the examination hall
- Carry one valid photo ID proof: Aadhaar Card, Passport, Voter ID, Driving Licence, or PAN Card — candidates without both documents will not be permitted to enter
SSC CHSL Previous Year Cutoff Marks
| Year | Category | Cutoff Score | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | General | 202.34 | 200 |
| 2024 | OBC | 186.55 | 200 |
| 2024 | SC | 171.48 | 200 |
| 2024 | ST | 158.34 | 200 |
| 2023 | General | 197.56 | 200 |
| 2023 | OBC | 181.20 | 200 |
| 2023 | SC | 166.02 | 200 |
| 2023 | ST | 153.45 | 200 |
| 2022 | General | 192.78 | 200 |
| 2022 | OBC | 177.10 | 200 |
| 2022 | SC | 162.15 | 200 |
| 2022 | ST | 148.92 | 200 |
SSC CHSL 2026 Result
Result Date: To Be Announced
Next Steps After Result:
- Check the result PDF on ssc.gov.in — qualified candidates' roll numbers are listed category-wise
- SSC applies normalisation across multiple shifts to ensure fair scoring — your raw score is converted to a normalised score
- Download your individual score card from the candidate login portal after result declaration
- Tier 1 qualified candidates will be called for Tier 2 Typing/Skill Test
- Final merit list is prepared based on normalised Tier 1 scores and uploaded to the official website
SSC CHSL 2026 – FAQs
Age Limit
The age limit for candidates applying to the SSC CHSL Examination 2026 is generally set between 18 and 27 years as of the crucial cut-off date, which is typically January 1, 2026, unless otherwise specified in the official notification. This means candidates must have been born not earlier than January 2, 1999, and not later than January 1, 2008, for the general category.
Relaxations in the upper age limit are provided for candidates belonging to specific reserved categories as per government rules. These relaxations are crucial for ensuring equitable opportunities: * **SC/ST:** 5 years (up to 32 years) * **OBC:** 3 years (up to 30 years) * **PwBD (Unreserved):** 10 years (up to 37 years) * **PwBD (OBC):** 13 years (up to 40 years) * **PwBD (SC/ST):** 15 years (up to 42 years) * **Ex-Servicemen:** 3 years after deduction of the military service rendered from the actual age as on the closing date of receipt of application. * **Defence Personnel disabled in operation during hostilities:** 3 years (up to 30 years). Further specific relaxations may apply for Central Government Civilian Employees, Widows, Divorced Women, and Women judicially separated from their husbands who are not remarried, as detailed in the official SSC CHSL 2026 notification.
Preparation Tips
Effective preparation for the SSC CHSL Examination 2026 demands a strategic and consistent approach, focusing on both the Computer Based Examination (CBE) tiers and the essential skill tests. Begin by thoroughly understanding the updated syllabus and exam pattern for both Tier-I and Tier-II, as outlined in the official notification by the Staff Selection Commission.
For **Tier-I**, allocate dedicated time to each of the four sections: General Intelligence, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, and English Comprehension. Practice reasoning questions regularly to enhance logical thinking. Stay updated with current affairs and static GK for General Awareness. For Quantitative Aptitude, master fundamental concepts from arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and trigonometry, focusing on speed and accuracy. English Comprehension requires consistent reading, vocabulary building, and grammar practice. Solve previous year's question papers extensively to identify recurring themes and question types.
For **Tier-II**, the preparation needs to be more intensive. The modules for Reasoning, English, Quantitative Aptitude, and General Awareness require advanced practice. Pay special attention to the Computer Knowledge Test module, understanding basic computer operations, software, hardware, networking, and internet concepts. Crucially, start practicing for the Data Entry Speed Test/Typing Test early. Regular practice on typing software or platforms is essential to achieve the required speed and accuracy for your preferred post. Time management during the exam and attempting mock tests under timed conditions are indispensable for success. Analyze your performance in mock tests to identify weak areas and work on improving them systematically.
Application Process
Applying for the SSC CHSL Examination 2026 involves a structured online process through the official website of the Staff Selection Commission (ssc.nic.in). Candidates must first complete a 'One-Time Registration' if they haven't done so previously. This involves providing basic details, contact information, and uploading a scanned photograph and signature as per specified dimensions and file size.
After successful One-Time Registration, candidates can proceed to fill out the online application form for the CHSL 2026 examination. This step requires entering detailed educational qualifications, selecting examination centers, and indicating post preferences. It is crucial to ensure all information is accurate to avoid discrepancies later. An application fee, typically Rs. 100, is applicable for general and OBC male candidates, payable online through various modes like BHIM UPI, Net Banking, or by using Visa, Mastercard, Maestro RuPay Credit or Debit cards. SC/ST, PwBD, Ex-servicemen, and all female candidates are exempted from paying the application fee. After successful payment and final submission, candidates must take a printout of their completed application form for future reference.
