The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has released the SSC Combined Higher Secondary (10+2) Level Examination 2026 (SSC CHSL 2026) notification for recruitment to various Group C posts including Lower Divisional Clerk (LDC), Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA), Data Entry Operator (DEO) and Data Entry Operator Grade ‘A’ in different Ministries, Departments and Offices of the Government of India.
SSC CHSL 2026 is an important opportunity for candidates who have completed their 12th Standard and are seeking Central Government jobs .
According to the official SSC CHSL 2026 notification, approximately 2,536 tentative vacancies are available and the detailed post-wise and category-wise vacancy breakup will be released by SSC later. Therefore, candidates should check the SSC website regularly for updated vacancy details and examination dates.
The online application process will be conducted from 7 September 2026 to 7 October 2026. Eligible candidates can apply online through the official SSC website.
SSC CHSL Recruitment 2026 – Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Recruiting Organisation | Staff Selection Commission (SSC) |
| Exam Name | Combined Higher Secondary (10+2) Level Examination, 2026 |
| Common Name | SSC CHSL 2026 |
| Advertisement/Notice No. | F. No. HQ-C1102/5/2026-C-1 |
| Posts | LDC, JSA, DEO & DEO Grade ‘A’ |
| Job Type | Group C |
| Total Vacancies | Approx. 2,536 tentative vacancies |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Application Start Date | 07 September 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 07 October 2026 |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | 08 October 2026 |
| Correction Window | 14 October to 16 October 2026 |
| Age Limit | 18–27 years as on 01 August 2026 |
| Educational Qualification | 12th Standard / equivalent |
| Selection Process | Tier-I, Tier-II and qualifying Skill Test/Typing Test as applicable |
| Official Website | SSC official website |
The official notice states that SSC will recruit candidates for LDC/JSA and Data Entry Operator posts in various Ministries, Departments, Offices and other government organisations.
SSC CHSL Vacancy 2026
SSC has notified approximately 2,536 tentative vacancies for CHSL 2026.
SSC CHSL 2026 Posts
The examination is conducted for the following major posts:
- Lower Divisional Clerk (LDC)
- Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA)
- Data Entry Operator (DEO)
- Data Entry Operator Grade ‘A’
SSC CHSL Salary 2026
The salary differs according to the post.
| 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 |
The official notification specifies Level 2 for LDC/JSA, Level 4 and Level 5 for DEO, and Level 4 for DEO Grade ‘A’.
SSC CHSL Eligibility Criteria 2026
Educational Qualification
Candidates must have passed 12th Standard or an equivalent examination from a recognized Board or University for LDC/JSA and DEO/DEO Grade ‘A’ posts, except for specified DEO posts mentioned below.
For DEO/DEO Grade ‘A’ in the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Staff Selection Commission and Ministry of Culture, candidates must have passed 12th Standard in Science stream with Mathematics as a subject from a recognized Board or equivalent.
| Post/Department | Educational Qualification |
|---|---|
| LDC/JSA | 12th Standard or equivalent |
| DEO/DEO Grade ‘A’ – specified departments | 12th Standard in Science stream with Mathematics |
| Other DEO/DEO Grade ‘A’ posts | 12th Standard or equivalent |
Candidates appearing in the 12th Standard examination can also apply, but they must possess the required qualification on or before 07 October 2026.
Age Limit
The age limit for SSC CHSL 2026 is 18 to 27 years as on 01 August 2026.
Candidates must have been born not before 02 August 1999 and not later than 01 August 2008.
Age Relaxation
| Category | 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 deduction of military service from actual age |
| Defence Personnel disabled in operation | 3 years |
| Defence Personnel disabled in operation (SC/ST) | 8 years |
| Central Government Civilian Employees | Up to 40 years |
| Central Government Civilian Employees (SC/ST) | Up to 45 years |
| Widows/Divorced Women/Women judicially separated and not remarried | Up to 35 years |
| Such women belonging to SC/ST | Up to 40 years |
The applicable age relaxation is subject to the conditions specified in the official notification.
SSC CHSL Application Fee 2026
The application fee is ₹100 and women, SC, ST, PwBD and eligible Ex-Servicemen candidates are exempted from payment.
SSC CHSL Important Dates 2026
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification/Notice | 07 September 2026 |
| Online Application Starts | 07 September 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 07 October 2026 |
| Last Date for Online Fee Payment | 08 October 2026 |
| Application Form Correction | 14 October to 16 October 2026 |
| Tier-I Exam | To be notified later |
| Tier-II Exam | To be notified later |
The SSC notice states that online applications can be submitted from 07.09.2026 to 07.10.2026, while the last date for online fee payment is 08.10.2026. The correction window will remain open from 14.10.2026 to 16.10.2026 up to 11:00 PM. Tier-I and Tier-II examination dates will be notified later.
SSC CHSL Exam Pattern 2026
The SSC CHSL 2026 examination will be conducted in two tiers:
- Tier-I
- Tier-II
SSC CHSL Tier-I Exam Pattern
| Part | Subject | Questions | Maximum Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | English Language (Basic Knowledge) | 25 | 50 |
| II | General Intelligence | 25 | 50 |
| III | Quantitative Aptitude (Basic Arithmetic Skill) | 25 | 50 |
| IV | General Awareness | 25 | 50 |
| Total | 100 | 200 |
The Tier-I examination will have a total of 100 objective-type multiple-choice questions carrying 200 marks.
The total duration is 60 minutes, with a sectional timer of 15 minutes for each subject. Candidates eligible for the prescribed scribe facility receive the applicable additional time as specified by SSC.
Negative Marking in Tier-I
There will be a negative marking of 0.50 marks for each wrong answer in Tier-I.
SSC CHSL Tier-II Exam Pattern
Tier-II consists of four sections and is conducted in two sessions on the same day.
Session-I
| Section | Subject | Questions | Maximum Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Section-I A | Mathematical Abilities | 30 | 90 | Part of 1 hour |
| Section-I B | Reasoning & General Intelligence | 30 | 90 | Part of 1 hour |
| Section-I Total | 60 | 180 | 1 hour | |
| Section-II A | English Language & Comprehension | 40 | 120 | Part of 1 hour |
| Section-II B | General Awareness | 20 | 60 | Part of 1 hour |
| Section-II Total | 60 | 180 | 1 hour | |
| Section-III | Computer Knowledge Test | 15 | 45 | 15 minutes |
Session-I therefore consists of Section-I, Section-II and Section-III and has a duration of 2 hours 15 minutes.
Session-II
Session-II consists of Section-IV – Skill Test/Typing Test.
The applicable test depends on the post for which the candidate is being considered.
| Post | Test | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| DEO/DEO Grade ‘A’ in specified departments | Skill Test | 15 minutes |
| Other DEO/DEO Grade ‘A’ posts | Skill Test | 15 minutes |
| LDC/JSA | Typing Test | 10 minutes |
Candidates eligible for the prescribed scribe facility receive compensatory time as specified in the notification.
Tier-II Negative Marking
There will be 1 mark negative marking for each wrong answer in Section-I, Section-II and Section-III of Tier-II.
SSC CHSL Skill Test for DEO
The Skill Test is mandatory for Data Entry Operators and no candidate is exempted from appearing in it.
DEO/DEO Grade ‘A’ – Specified Departments
For DEO/DEO Grade ‘A’ posts in the departments mentioned under the special educational qualification provision, candidates must achieve a data-entry speed of 15,000 key depressions per hour.
The test duration is 15 minutes, with approximately 3,700–4,000 key depressions of printed matter provided.
Other DEO/DEO Grade ‘A’ Posts
For other DEO/DEO Grade ‘A’ posts, the required data-entry speed is 8,000 key depressions per hour.
The test duration is 15 minutes, with approximately 2,000–2,200 key depressions of printed matter.
SSC CHSL Typing Test for LDC/JSA
Candidates applying for LDC/JSA can choose either English or Hindi as the medium of the Typing Test in the online application form.
| Typing Medium | Required Speed |
|---|---|
| English | 35 words per minute |
| Hindi | 30 words per minute |
The Typing Test is conducted for 10 minutes. English typing speed of 35 w.p.m. corresponds to approximately 10,500 key depressions per hour, while Hindi typing speed of 30 w.p.m. corresponds to approximately 9,000 key depressions per hour.
Candidates choosing Hindi medium for the LDC/JSA Typing/Skill Test must type using Mangal Font.
SSC CHSL Selection Process 2026
The selection process broadly involves:
- Tier-I Computer Based Examination
- Tier-II Computer Based Examination
- Computer Knowledge Test – qualifying
- Skill Test/Typing Test – qualifying and applicable as per post
- Document Verification
- Final allocation based on merit and post preference
Candidates are shortlisted for Tier-II based on their performance in Tier-I. In Tier-II, candidates must qualify all the sections.
Section-III (Computer Knowledge Test) and Section-IV (Skill Test/Typing Test) are qualifying in nature. The Skill Test is mandatory for DEOs, while the Typing Test is mandatory for applicable non-DEO posts, subject to the exemptions specified by SSC.
Final Merit
An important point for candidates is that the final merit list is prepared on the basis of aggregate marks obtained in Section-I and Section-II of Tier-II, subject to qualifying Section-III and Section-IV.
Final allocation is based on the candidate’s overall Tier-II performance and the post/department preferences submitted by the candidate.
Minimum Qualifying Marks
The minimum qualifying percentages specified by SSC are:
| Category | Minimum Qualifying Marks |
|---|---|
| UR | 30% |
| OBC/EWS | 25% |
| All Other Categories | 20% |
These qualifying percentages apply to Tier-I and the specified sections of Tier-II as mentioned in the notification.
SSC CHSL 2026 Application Process
Candidates must submit their applications online through the new SSC website.
Steps to Apply
- Visit the official SSC website.
- Complete One-Time Registration (OTR) on the new SSC website if not already registered.
- Log in using the Registration Number and password.
- Select Combined Higher Secondary (10+2) Level Examination 2026 under the Latest Notifications section.
- Enter the required application details.
- Select examination centres and other required preferences.
- Upload/complete the required documents and application details.
- Pay the application fee, if applicable.
- Submit the application form.
- Save and print/download the submitted application for future reference.
Applications can also be submitted through the mySSC mobile application. SSC has clarified that OTR generated on the old SSC website will not be functional on the new website; candidates who have not generated OTR on the new website will need to register again.
SSC CHSL 2026 Important Points
- SSC CHSL 2026 has approximately 2,536 tentative vacancies.
- The final vacancy count may change.
- Post-wise and category-wise vacancies will be published later.
- The age limit is 18–27 years as on 01 August 2026.
- The minimum qualification is generally 12th Standard or equivalent.
- Certain DEO/DEO Grade ‘A’ posts require 12th Science with Mathematics.
- The application fee is ₹100 for candidates who are not exempted.
- Women, SC, ST, PwBD and eligible ESM candidates are exempted from the application fee.
- Tier-I carries 200 marks.
- Tier-I has 0.50 mark negative marking for each wrong answer.
- Tier-II has 1 mark negative marking for each wrong answer in Sections I, II and III.
- Computer Knowledge Test is qualifying.
- DEO Skill Test is mandatory.
- LDC/JSA candidates have to qualify the Typing Test unless specifically exempted.
- Final merit is based on Tier-II Section-I and Section-II marks, subject to qualifying the required sections.
- Post/department preference is important because allocation is made according to merit and preferences.
SSC CHSL Recruitment 2026 – Important Links
| Link | Details |
|---|---|
| Apply Online | Apply Link |
| Official Notification | Download Notification |
| Official Website | https://ssc.gov.in/ |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How many vacancies are announced for SSC CHSL 2026?
SSC has announced approximately 2,536 tentative vacancies for CHSL 2026. The final number of vacancies will be determined later.
2. What is the SSC CHSL 2026 application last date?
The last date to submit the online application is 07 October 2026 up to 11:00 PM.
3. What is the SSC CHSL application fee?
The application fee is ₹100. Women, SC, ST, PwBD and eligible Ex-Servicemen candidates are exempted from paying the fee.
4. What is the age limit for SSC CHSL 2026?
Candidates should be 18 to 27 years old as on 01 August 2026, subject to applicable age relaxation.
5. What is the educational qualification for SSC CHSL?
Candidates generally need to have passed 12th Standard or equivalent from a recognized Board or University. Certain DEO/DEO Grade ‘A’ posts require 12th Science with Mathematics.
6. What is the salary of SSC CHSL posts?
LDC/JSA are placed in Pay Level 2 (₹19,900–₹63,200). DEO posts are in Pay Level 4 or Level 5, while DEO Grade ‘A’ is in Pay Level 4.
7. Is the SSC CHSL Tier-I exam compulsory?
Yes. Candidates are shortlisted for Tier-II based on their performance in Tier-I.
8. Is the DEO Skill Test compulsory?
Yes. The Skill Test is mandatory for Data Entry Operators, and candidates are not exempted from appearing in it.
9. What is the typing speed required for LDC/JSA?
Candidates opting for English medium need 35 words per minute, while those opting for Hindi medium need 30 words per minute.
10. When will the SSC CHSL 2026 Tier-I exam be conducted?
The Tier-I examination schedule has not yet been notified in the official notice. SSC will announce the examination schedule separately.
Conclusion
SSC CHSL 2026 is an important opportunity for candidates who have completed their 12th Standard and are seeking Central Government jobs. The examination offers recruitment to LDC, JSA, DEO and DEO Grade ‘A’ posts with pay levels ranging from Level 2 to Level 5.
Candidates should remember that the 2,536 vacancies are tentative, and the detailed post-wise and category-wise vacancy breakup will be released by SSC later. Therefore, candidates should check the SSC website regularly for updated vacancy details and examination dates.
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