SSC CHSL Recruitment 2026: 2,536 Vacancies, Eligibility, Exam Pattern & Apply Online

If you have completed 12th standard and are looking for a Central Government job, the SSC CHSL 2026 recruitment is an opportunity you should not ignore.

The Staff Selection Commission has released the notification for the Combined Higher Secondary (10+2) Level Examination, 2026. Through this recruitment, SSC will select candidates for Group C posts such as Lower Divisional Clerk (LDC), Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA) and Data Entry Operator (DEO) in various Ministries, Departments, offices and other Government organizations.

The notification mentions approximately 2,536 tentative vacancies. SSC has also made it clear that these are tentative vacancies and the final number will be updated later after the requirements from user departments are finalized.

Applications have started from 7 September 2026, and eligible candidates can apply online until 7 October 2026 at 11:00 PM.

So, if you’re waiting for a government job after 12th, this is the time to check the eligibility and start preparing.

SSC CHSL Recruitment 2026 – Highlights

The vacancy figure of 2,536 is tentative, not the final vacancy count. SSC says updated post-wise and category-wise vacancies will be made available later.

What Is SSC CHSL?

SSC CHSL stands for Staff Selection Commission Combined Higher Secondary (10+2) Level Examination.

It is one of the major government recruitment examinations for candidates who have completed 12th standard.

Through CHSL, candidates can get opportunities in different Central Government Ministries, Departments, offices, Constitutional Bodies, Statutory Bodies and Tribunals.

The major posts under SSC CHSL 2026 include:

• Lower Divisional Clerk (LDC)
• Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA)
• Data Entry Operator (DEO)
• Data Entry Operator Grade ‘A’

This makes CHSL particularly useful for candidates who want to enter Central Government service soon after completing their 12th.

SSC CHSL 2026 Vacancy

The notification mentions approximately:

2,536 tentative vacancies

But don’t treat 2,536 as the final number.

SSC clearly states that the final vacancies will be determined later after scrutiny of requirements received from the user departments. Updated vacancies will be published on the SSC website.

SSC also does not collect state-wise or zone-wise vacancies for this recruitment. Candidates looking for a particular state or zone should check the information provided by the concerned user departments.

Posts Under SSC CHSL 2026

Lower Divisional Clerk / Junior Secretariat Assistant

LDC and JSA posts come under Pay Level-2.

The pay scale mentioned in the notification is:

₹19,900 – ₹63,200

Data Entry Operator

DEO posts are available under different pay levels.

The notification mentions:

Pay Level-4: ₹25,500 – ₹81,100

and

Pay Level-5: ₹29,200 – ₹92,300

Data Entry Operator Grade ‘A’

DEO Grade ‘A’ is listed under:

Pay Level-4: ₹25,500 – ₹81,100

These are the pay scales mentioned in the official notification. Actual monthly in-hand salary will depend on applicable allowances, deductions, posting location and other factors.

SSC CHSL 2026 Eligibility

The good thing about SSC CHSL is that you don’t need a graduation degree for the basic LDC/JSA and most DEO posts.

Educational Qualification

For LDC/JSA and DEO/DEO Grade ‘A’, except the specified DEO posts mentioned below, candidates must have passed 12th standard or an equivalent examination from a recognized Board or University.

There is one important exception.

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 the Science stream with Mathematics as a subject.

Candidates who are appearing for their 12th examination can also apply, but they must possess the required qualification by 7 October 2026.

SSC CHSL Age Limit

The age limit for SSC CHSL 2026 is:

18 to 27 years

The age is calculated as on 1 August 2026.

Candidates should have been born between:

2 August 1999 and 1 August 2008

both dates inclusive.

SSC CHSL 2026 Important Dates

This is something candidates should save immediately.

The official notification currently does not give the Tier-I and Tier-II examination dates. SSC says any changes to the examination schedule will be communicated through its website.

SSC CHSL Application Fee

The application fee is:

₹100

However, women candidates and candidates belonging to SC, ST, PwBD and eligible Ex-Servicemen categories are exempted from paying the examination fee.

The last date for online fee payment is 8 October 2026 at 11:00 PM.

SSC CHSL Exam Pattern 2026

SSC CHSL 2026 will be conducted through Tier-I and Tier-II.

SSC CHSL Tier-I Exam Pattern

Tier-I consists of four sections:

The standard duration is 60 minutes, with a sectional timer of 15 minutes for each subject. Candidates eligible for the specified scribe provisions receive additional time as prescribed in the notification.

Tier-I consists of objective multiple-choice questions.

There is also negative marking of 0.50 marks for every wrong answer.

So don’t randomly mark answers just because you’re running out of time.

SSC CHSL Tier-II Exam Pattern

Tier-II is divided into multiple sections.

Section-I

Mathematical Abilities + Reasoning and General Intelligence

• Mathematical Abilities: 30 questions
• Reasoning and General Intelligence: 30 questions
• Total: 60 questions
• Maximum marks: 180

The section has a one-hour duration, with separate 30-minute timers for the two parts.

Section-II

English Language & Comprehension + General Awareness

• English: 40 questions
• General Awareness: 20 questions
• Total: 60 questions
• Maximum marks: 180

The duration is one hour, with 40 minutes for English and 20 minutes for General Awareness.

Section-III

Computer Knowledge Test

• Questions: 15
• Maximum marks: 45
• Time: 15 minutes

The Computer Knowledge Test is mandatory but qualifying in nature.

Section-IV

This is the Skill Test / Typing Test.

The requirement depends on the post you are applying for.

For LDC/JSA candidates, the typing test is applicable.

For DEO candidates, a skill test is conducted.

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SSC CHSL Typing Test for LDC/JSA

Candidates can choose either English or Hindi as their typing-test medium during the application process.

For English:

35 words per minute

For Hindi:

30 words per minute

The test is conducted for 10 minutes and the speed is assessed based on accurate typing of the given passage.

One important point: your typing medium choice in the application form is treated as final. Candidates should therefore choose carefully.

SSC CHSL DEO Skill Test

The requirement depends on the particular DEO post.

For specified departments mentioned in the notification, the DEO skill test requires:

15,000 key depressions per hour

The test duration is 15 minutes.

For other DEO/DEO Grade ‘A’ posts, the requirement is:

8,000 key depressions per hour

with a 15-minute test.

The Skill Test/Typing Test is qualifying in nature.

SSC CHSL Syllabus

For Tier-I, the major areas include:

English Language

The indicative syllabus includes:

• Spot the Error
• Fill in the Blanks
• Synonyms/Homonyms
• Antonyms
• Spellings
• Idioms and Phrases
• One Word Substitution
• Sentence Improvement
• Active/Passive Voice
• Direct/Indirect Narration
• Sentence Shuffling
• Cloze Passage
• Comprehension Passage

These topics are directly mentioned in the SSC notification.

General Intelligence

This includes verbal and non-verbal reasoning-based questions.

Candidates should prepare areas such as classification, analogy, coding-decoding, series and other reasoning concepts mentioned in the detailed syllabus.

Quantitative Aptitude

The section focuses on basic arithmetic skills and mathematical concepts prescribed by SSC.

General Awareness

This section tests awareness of relevant general knowledge and current affairs.

For Tier-II, candidates also need to prepare Mathematical Abilities, Reasoning, English & Comprehension, General Awareness and Computer Knowledge.

SSC CHSL Selection Process

The selection process involves multiple stages.

In simple terms:

Tier-I → Tier-II → Skill Test/Typing Test → Document Verification → Final Allotment

Candidates are shortlisted for Tier-II based on their Tier-I performance.

SSC specifies minimum qualifying marks in Tier-I and Sections I, II and III of Tier-II:

• UR: 30%
• OBC/EWS: 25%
• All other categories: 20%

However, these are only minimum qualifying marks. Actual cut-offs can be higher depending on the competition and post.

How Final Selection Is Done

This is an important change candidates should understand.

SSC says the final merit list is prepared based on performance in Tier-II, specifically the aggregate marks of Section-I and Section-II, subject to qualifying Sections III and IV.

Post and department allotment is then made based on:

Merit + Post Preference

So don’t randomly fill your post preferences.

Once the preference is submitted, SSC says it is treated as final and irreversible.

How to Apply for SSC CHSL 2026

Applications have to be submitted online through the SSC website or the mySSC mobile application.

Don’t wait until the final day.

SSC itself advises candidates to submit applications well before the closing date because website traffic can increase near the deadline.

Official SSC website Apply link :
Apply through SSC official website

Official Notification Link :Click Here

SSC CHSL 2026 Preparation Strategy

If you’re starting preparation now, don’t try to complete everything in one week.

Start with the Tier-I basics.

Focus on English Every Day

Spend 30–45 minutes on:

• Vocabulary
• Grammar
• Reading comprehension
• Error spotting
• Sentence improvement

Don’t Ignore General Awareness

This is the section many students postpone until the last month.

That can become a problem.

Spend some time every day on static GK and current affairs.

Is SSC CHSL a Good Government Job After 12th?

For candidates who want a Central Government career without waiting until graduation, SSC CHSL is certainly an important examination to consider.

You can apply for several Group C posts after 12th, including LDC/JSA and DEO positions, depending on the specific educational requirements.

The pay levels also make these positions attractive, with LDC/JSA at Level-2 and DEO positions at Level-4 or Level-5 depending on the post.

But remember: this is a competitive examination.

Don’t apply and then start studying after the exam date is announced.

Start now.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is SSC CHSL 2026?

SSC CHSL 2026 is the Combined Higher Secondary (10+2) Level Examination conducted by the Staff Selection Commission for recruitment to posts such as LDC, JSA and DEO.

How many vacancies are there in SSC CHSL 2026?

SSC has announced approximately 2,536 tentative vacancies. The final vacancy number will be updated later.

Who can apply for SSC CHSL?

Candidates who have passed 12th standard or equivalent can apply for LDC/JSA and most DEO/DEO Grade ‘A’ posts. Certain specified DEO posts require 12th Science with Mathematics.

What is the SSC CHSL age limit?

The age limit is 18 to 27 years as on 1 August 2026, subject to applicable relaxations.

What is the SSC CHSL application fee?

The application fee is ₹100. Women candidates and eligible SC, ST, PwBD and ESM candidates are exempted.

What is the last date to apply?

The last date to submit the online application is 7 October 2026 at 11:00 PM.

When is the SSC CHSL 2026 exam?

The notification currently says the Tier-I and Tier-II examination schedules will be notified later.

Is there negative marking?

Yes. Tier-I has a penalty of 0.50 marks for every wrong answer.

What is the typing speed for SSC CHSL LDC/JSA?

Candidates need 35 WPM in English or 30 WPM in Hindi.

Is the SSC CHSL Computer Knowledge Test qualifying?

Yes. The Computer Knowledge Test in Tier-II is mandatory but qualifying in nature.

Is the DEO Skill Test mandatory?

Yes. SSC states that the Skill Test is mandatory for Data Entry Operators.

Final Words

The SSC CHSL Recruitment 2026 is a major opportunity for candidates who have completed 12th standard and want to enter Central Government service.

With approximately 2,536 tentative vacancies, posts such as LDC, JSA and DEO, and pay levels going up to Level-5 depending on the post, this is definitely an examination worth considering.

The application window is already open from 7 September to 7 October 2026, so don’t leave the application until the final day.

And if you’re serious about CHSL, start preparing for both the written examination and the typing/skill requirements now.

12th pass + the right preparation can be enough to start your Central Government career through SSC CHSL.

Disclaimer

This article is prepared from the official SSC CHSL 2026 notification provided by the user. Vacancy numbers, examination dates and other details may be updated by SSC. Candidates should always check the latest information on the official SSC website before applying. The current notification states that the approximately 2,536 vacancies are tentative and that Tier-I and Tier-II examination dates will be notified later.