If you have completed Class 12 and are looking for a central government job, SSC CHSL Recruitment 2026 is an opportunity worth checking.
The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has released the notification for the Combined Higher Secondary (10+2) Level Examination, 2026. Through this examination, candidates can compete for Group C posts such as Lower Divisional Clerk (LDC), Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA) and Data Entry Operator (DEO) in different government departments and offices.
According to the notification, around 2,536 vacancies are currently indicated on a tentative basis. The final number of vacancies will be confirmed later after the Commission receives and scrutinizes vacancy information from the concerned departments.
For candidates planning to apply, the important dates, qualification requirements and examination pattern should be understood before submitting the application.
SSC CHSL Recruitment 2026 – Highlights
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Combined Higher Secondary (10+2) Level Examination, 2026 |
| Conducting Body | Staff Selection Commission |
| Commonly Known As | SSC CHSL 2026 |
| Posts | LDC, JSA, DEO & DEO Grade ‘A’ |
| Tentative Vacancies | Approximately 2,536 |
| Minimum Qualification | 12th Pass |
| Age Limit | 18 to 27 years |
| Application Start Date | 7 September 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 7 October 2026 |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | 8 October 2026 |
| Correction Window | 14 October to 16 October 2026 |
| Application Fee | ₹100 |
| Tier-I | Computer Based Examination |
| Tier-II | Computer Based Examination |
| Official Website | SSC official website |
The SSC notification states that online applications can be submitted from 7 September 2026 to 7 October 2026, while the last time for submitting the application is 11:00 PM on 7 October 2026. The fee payment deadline is 8 October 2026 at 11:00 PM.
SSC CHSL Vacancy 2026
The Commission has mentioned approximately 2,536 tentative vacancies for SSC CHSL 2026.
However, candidates should not treat this number as the final vacancy count. SSC has clearly mentioned that the final vacancies will be determined later after scrutiny of the vacancy details received from the concerned user departments.
The updated vacancy information, including post-wise and category-wise details, will be made available through the SSC website when released.
Posts included under SSC CHSL
The recruitment covers posts including:
- Lower Divisional Clerk (LDC)
- Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA)
- Data Entry Operator (DEO)
- Data Entry Operator Grade ‘A’
These are Group C positions in various Ministries, Departments, Offices and other government organizations.
SSC CHSL Salary 2026
One of the major reasons candidates consider SSC CHSL is the opportunity to enter government service after Class 12.
The notification mentions the following pay levels:
LDC / JSA Salary
Pay Level-2:
₹19,900 – ₹63,200
DEO Salary
Pay Level-4:
₹25,500 – ₹81,100
Pay Level-5:
₹29,200 – ₹92,300
DEO Grade ‘A’
Pay Level-4:
₹25,500 – ₹81,100
The actual salary received by an employee can vary depending on the applicable allowances, posting location and other government rules. The figures above are the pay scales specified in the SSC notification.
SSC CHSL Eligibility Criteria 2026
Before filling out the application form, candidates should check both the educational qualification and age requirement.
Educational Qualification
For LDC/JSA and most DEO/DEO Grade ‘A’ posts, candidates must have passed 12th Standard or an equivalent examination from a recognized Board or University.
There is an additional qualification requirement for certain DEO/DEO Grade ‘A’ posts. For DEO/DEO Grade ‘A’ positions in the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Staff Selection Commission and Ministry of Culture, candidates need to have passed 12th Standard in the Science stream with Mathematics as a subject.
Candidates who are appearing for their Class 12 examination may also apply, but they must obtain the required qualification by 7 October 2026.
SSC CHSL Age Limit 2026
The age limit is calculated as on 1 August 2026.
Candidates should be between:
18 years and 27 years
As per the notification, candidates born between 2 August 1999 and 1 August 2008, both dates inclusive, are eligible under the basic age criteria.
Age relaxation is available for eligible categories according to government rules.
Major age relaxations
| Category | Relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC/ST | 5 years |
| OBC | 3 years |
| PwBD | 10 years |
| PwBD – OBC | 13 years |
| PwBD – SC/ST | 15 years |
| Eligible Ex-Servicemen | 3 years after applicable deduction |
There are additional provisions for certain defence personnel, Central Government civilian employees and eligible widows/divorced women/women judicially separated from their husbands, subject to the conditions mentioned in the official notification.
SSC CHSL Application Form 2026
Candidates have to submit the SSC CHSL application online.
The notification directs candidates to use the new SSC website for registration and application. Candidates who have not generated an OTR on the new website must complete the One-Time Registration before proceeding with the examination application. An OTR created on the old SSC website will not work on the new website.
Application deadline:
7 October 2026, 11:00 PM
Candidates are advised not to wait for the final day because heavy website traffic or technical problems could make it difficult to submit the application. Notice_of_adv_chsl_2026
Official SSC Website
Apply through the official SSC website
SSC CHSL Application Fee 2026
The application fee for candidates who are required to pay is:
₹100
Women candidates and candidates belonging to SC, ST, PwBD and eligible Ex-Servicemen categories are exempt from paying the examination fee.
The fee can be paid online through methods such as BHIM UPI, Net Banking and eligible debit cards.
SSC CHSL Correction Window 2026
SSC has provided a correction facility after the application process closes.
The correction window will remain open from:
14 October 2026 to 16 October 2026
The notification allows candidates to make corrections and resubmit the application subject to the prescribed correction charges.
- First correction: ₹200
- Second correction: ₹500
Candidates should therefore carefully check their information before submitting the application.
SSC CHSL Exam Pattern 2026
The SSC CHSL examination is conducted in two tiers – Tier-I and Tier-II. Notice_of_adv_chsl_2026
SSC CHSL Tier-I Exam Pattern
Tier-I contains four sections:
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| English Language | 25 | 50 |
| General Intelligence | 25 | 50 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 50 |
| General Awareness | 25 | 50 |
| Total | 100 | 200 |
The normal examination duration is 60 minutes, with a sectional timer of 15 minutes for each subject.
Candidates eligible for the specified scribe facility receive the applicable additional time as mentioned in the notification.
Tier-I consists of objective multiple-choice questions. There is negative marking of 0.50 marks for every incorrect answer.
What should candidates focus on?
For Tier-I preparation, candidates should build a balanced strategy instead of spending all their preparation time on one subject.
English requires vocabulary and grammar practice. Quantitative Aptitude needs regular calculation practice. General Intelligence improves with repeated exposure to different question types, while General Awareness requires consistent revision.
SSC CHSL Tier-II Exam Pattern
Tier-II is more comprehensive than Tier-I.
It includes:
- Mathematical Abilities
- Reasoning and General Intelligence
- English Language and Comprehension
- General Awareness
- Computer Knowledge Test
- Skill Test / Typing Test
The official notification divides Tier-II into different sections and conducts it through Session-I and Session-II on the same day.
The first part covers Mathematical Abilities and Reasoning, followed by English and General Awareness, and then the Computer Knowledge Test.
The Skill Test/Typing Test is conducted during Session-II. Candidates are required to qualify all applicable sections.
Tier-II Negative Marking
There is 1 mark negative marking for each wrong answer in Sections I, II and III of Tier-II.
The Computer Knowledge Test is mandatory but qualifying in nature, while the Skill Test/Typing Test is also qualifying in nature. Notice_of_adv_chsl_2026
SSC CHSL Typing Test and Skill Test
Candidates applying for DEO posts need to pay particular attention to the skill test.
For certain DEO/DEO Grade ‘A’ posts, the required data-entry speed is:
15,000 key depressions per hour
For other DEO/DEO Grade ‘A’ posts, the required speed mentioned in the notification is:
8,000 key depressions per hour
The skill test is conducted for 15 minutes under the prescribed scheme.
For LDC/JSA and other applicable posts, candidates have to appear for the prescribed typing test. The notification also specifies that candidates selecting Hindi as the typing medium must use Mangal Font.
SSC CHSL Selection Process 2026
The selection process involves performance in Tier-I and Tier-II, along with qualifying requirements wherever applicable.
Candidates are shortlisted for Tier-II based on their performance in Tier-I. Normalized scores are used where applicable.
The minimum qualifying percentages specified by SSC are:
| Category | Minimum Qualifying Marks |
|---|---|
| UR | 30% |
| OBC/EWS | 25% |
| All Other Categories | 20% |
For final selection, the merit list is prepared using performance in Tier-II, particularly the aggregate marks in Sections I and II, subject to qualifying the Computer Knowledge Test and Skill/Typing Test where applicable. Post preference also plays an important role in the final allocation.
SSC CHSL 2026 Exam Centres
Candidates are required to select examination centres while submitting the application.
For the Western Region, centres listed in the notification include:
- Ahmedabad
- Gandhinagar
- Mehsana
- Rajkot
- Surat
- Vadodara
- Panaji
- Mumbai
- Pune
- Nashik
- Nagpur
- Other listed centres
The notification states that candidates have to provide preferences for three centres within the same region, in priority order.
For candidates from Gujarat, the inclusion of Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Mehsana, Rajkot, Surat and Vadodara among the Western Region centres is particularly useful while filling preferences.
SSC CHSL 2026 Syllabus
The Tier-I syllabus covers four broad areas.
English Language
Important areas include:
- Spotting Errors
- Fill in the Blanks
- Synonyms and Homonyms
- Antonyms
- Spelling
- Idioms and Phrases
- One Word Substitution
- Sentence Improvement
- Active and Passive Voice
- Direct and Indirect Speech
- Cloze Passage
- Comprehension
General Intelligence
Questions can cover areas such as:
- Analogy
- Classification
- Series
- Coding-Decoding
- Venn Diagrams
- Problem Solving
- Figural Questions
- Space Orientation
- Critical Thinking
- Numerical Operations
- Emotional Intelligence
Quantitative Aptitude
The syllabus includes topics such as:
- Number System
- Percentage
- Ratio and Proportion
- Average
- Profit and Loss
- Interest
- Time and Distance
- Time and Work
- Algebra
- Geometry
- Mensuration
- Trigonometry
These areas are specifically included in the indicative Tier-I syllabus given in the notification.
How to Prepare for SSC CHSL 2026?
If you are starting your preparation now, don’t make the common mistake of waiting for the Tier-I exam date before taking preparation seriously.
A simple approach can work well:
Step 1: Understand the syllabus
First identify the topics you already know and the areas where you need improvement.
Step 2: Build a daily routine
Give time to all four Tier-I subjects instead of studying only your favourite subject.
Step 3: Practice questions every day
SSC examinations reward speed as well as accuracy. Solving questions regularly helps improve both.
Step 4: Work on calculations
For Quantitative Aptitude, avoid depending entirely on a calculator-like approach. Regular mental calculation practice can save valuable time.
Step 5: Improve English
Read regularly, revise vocabulary and solve previous-style questions.
Step 6: Don’t ignore General Awareness
GA can become a scoring area when prepared consistently, but leaving everything for the last few days is risky.
Step 7: Start typing practice early
Candidates targeting LDC/JSA and DEO-related posts should not postpone typing or data-entry practice until after Tier-I.
Important Dates for SSC CHSL 2026
Keep these dates saved:
Application Start: 7 September 2026
Last Date to Apply: 7 October 2026
Last Date for Fee Payment: 8 October 2026
Correction Window: 14 October to 16 October 2026
Tier-I Exam: To be notified
Tier-II Exam: To be notified
The SSC notification specifically says the Tier-I and Tier-II examination schedules will be communicated later.
Who Should Apply for SSC CHSL 2026?
SSC CHSL can be considered by candidates who:
- Have completed Class 12.
- Want to enter central government service.
- Are within the prescribed age limit.
- Are comfortable preparing for competitive examinations.
- Are interested in clerical, administrative or data-entry related government roles.
- Are ready to qualify both computer-based examinations and applicable typing/skill requirements.
For certain DEO positions, candidates must check the specific Science with Mathematics requirement before applying.
SSC CHSL Recruitment 2026 – Important Things to Remember
Before pressing the final submit button, candidates should check:
✔ Name and date of birth
✔ Educational qualification
✔ Category details
✔ Photograph requirements
✔ Signature requirements
✔ Examination centre preferences
✔ Fee payment status
✔ Post preferences when the Commission asks for them
The SSC notification also advises candidates to review the complete application through the Preview/Print option before final submission.
Frequently Asked Questions – SSC CHSL 2026
Is SSC CHSL 2026 suitable for 12th-pass candidates?
Yes. LDC/JSA and most DEO-related posts require candidates to have passed 12th Standard or an equivalent examination. Certain DEO posts have an additional Science with Mathematics requirement.
How many vacancies are available in SSC CHSL 2026?
The notification currently mentions approximately 2,536 tentative vacancies. The final vacancy figure may change.
What is the SSC CHSL 2026 application fee?
The prescribed fee is ₹100. Women candidates and eligible SC, ST, PwBD and Ex-Servicemen candidates are exempt from the fee.
What is the last date to apply for SSC CHSL 2026?
The last date for submitting the online application is 7 October 2026 at 11:00 PM. Notice_of_adv_chsl_2026
What is the age limit for SSC CHSL 2026?
The basic age limit is 18 to 27 years as on 1 August 2026, subject to applicable age relaxation rules.
Is there negative marking in SSC CHSL?
Yes. Tier-I has 0.50 mark negative marking for each wrong answer. Tier-II Sections I, II and III have 1 mark negative marking for each wrong answer. Notice_of_adv_chsl_2026
When will the SSC CHSL 2026 exam be conducted?
The notification states that the Tier-I and Tier-II examination schedules will be notified later.
Final Words
For 12th-pass candidates who are aiming for a government job, SSC CHSL Recruitment 2026 is an important examination to consider. The current notification mentions around 2,536 tentative vacancies across posts such as LDC, JSA and DEO, with pay levels ranging from Level-2 to Level-5 depending on the post.
The most important thing right now is not to wait until the last day. Check your eligibility, complete the SSC registration process, verify every detail in the application and begin preparation with a realistic daily study plan.
JobKhushiya.com will continue to bring useful government job updates, recruitment information, exam preparation guidance and career-related information for job seekers.
Disclaimer: This article has been prepared using the SSC CHSL 2026 examination notice provided for reference. Candidates should always verify the latest information, vacancy updates and examination announcements on the official SSC website before taking any action.
