SSC CHSL Recruitment 2026: Notification, Vacancy, Eligibility, Exam Date & Complete Details

The SSC CHSL recruitment 2026 is one of the most anticipated government job opportunities for candidates who have completed their 12th standard. Every year, lakhs of aspirants across India appear for this prestigious examination conducted by the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) to secure a stable and rewarding career in central government departments. The SSC CHSL recruitment offers posts such as Lower Divisional Clerk (LDC), Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA), and Data Entry Operator (DEO) in various Ministries, Departments, and Organisations of the Government of India. With the official notification expected in April–May 2026 and the Tier 1 examination scheduled between July and September 2026, this is the right time for candidates to start preparing and understand every detail of the SSC CHSL 2026 exam — from eligibility and vacancies to the syllabus, salary, and cut-off. Read this complete guide to stay ahead of the competition.

What is the SSC CHSL Exam?

The SSC CHSL exam, or the Staff Selection Commission Combined Higher Secondary Level Examination, is a national-level recruitment exam conducted once every year by the Staff Selection Commission of India. It is specifically designed to recruit 12th pass (10+2) candidates for Group C posts in various central government offices, ministries, and departments. The exam is one of the most popular and competitive government exams in the country, attracting millions of applicants each year. The SSC CHSL recruitment process selects candidates for clerical, assistant, and data entry roles through a computer-based exam followed by a skill or typing test. It is a golden opportunity for students who wish to start their government career right after completing their higher secondary education, without requiring a graduation degree. To crack this exam with confidence, candidates can enroll in a dedicated SSC CHSL Online Batch that offers structured study plans, expert guidance, mock tests, and live classes to help them prepare effectively from the comfort of their home.

SSC CHSL 2026 Notification

The SSC CHSL 2026 notification is expected to be officially released on 30th April 2026 on the official SSC website, ssc.gov.in. The notification will contain all important details related to the SSC CHSL recruitment 2026, including the number of vacancies, eligibility criteria, application process, exam dates, and selection procedure. Candidates interested in applying for LDC, JSA, and DEO posts must regularly visit the official website or bookmark this page for the latest updates. The application window is expected to remain open from 30th April 2026 to 31st May 2026. Candidates are advised to read the official notification carefully before filling out the application form to avoid any errors or disqualification.

SSC CHSL 2026 Exam Summary

Below is a quick overview of all the key details related to the SSC CHSL recruitment 2026:

SSC CHSL Recruitment 2026 – Important Dates

Keeping track of the important dates is crucial for every aspirant. Below are the tentative important dates for the SSC CHSL 2026 exam as per the SSC Annual Calendar:

Note: These dates are tentative and based on the SSC Annual Calendar 2026. Candidates should refer to the official notification for confirmed dates.

SSC CHSL Vacancy 2026

The exact number of vacancies for SSC CHSL 2026 will be officially announced along with the notification PDF. Based on trends from previous years, the expected vacancies for 2026 are in the range of 3,000 to 6,000. Last year, in 2025, a total of 3,131 vacancies were announced for LDC, JSA, and DEO posts. The vacancies are distributed across various central government departments, ministries, and organisations on the basis of their requirements for the financial year. The post-wise and category-wise vacancy breakdown will be available in the official SSC CHSL 2026 notification.

Year-wise SSC CHSL (10+2) Vacancy Comparison

Here is a comparison of SSC CHSL vacancies over the past several years to help aspirants understand the trend:

As visible from the data above, the number of vacancies has fluctuated over the years, with the highest being 6,789 in 2019. While the 2026 vacancy count is yet to be declared, aspirants can use this trend as a reference point for their expectations.

Which Posts are Included in SSC CHSL 2026?

The SSC CHSL recruitment 2026 offers the following posts under Group C in various central government departments:

Lower Divisional Clerk (LDC): This is a clerical post in various government ministries and departments. The primary responsibilities include maintaining records, handling correspondence, and performing general office duties.

Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA): Similar to LDC in nature, JSA is a clerical role focused on secretarial and administrative support within government offices.

Data Entry Operator (DEO): DEOs are responsible for entering data into computer systems, maintaining digital records, and handling other related tasks in government departments.

Data Entry Operator Grade A (DEO Grade A): A slightly higher-level DEO post with similar data-entry and computer-related responsibilities, primarily in the offices of C&AG and other specific departments.

Each post comes with different pay levels and city-based salary structures. The final allotment of post and department depends on the candidate’s rank, preference, and merit.

Eligibility Criteria for the SSC CHSL 2026 Exam

Before applying for the SSC CHSL recruitment 2026, candidates must ensure they fulfil all three eligibility criteria laid down by the Staff Selection Commission. These are: Nationality, Age Limit, and Educational Qualification.

Nationality

A candidate must satisfy one of the following nationality conditions to be eligible for the SSC CHSL exam:

• A citizen of India
• A subject of Nepal or Bhutan
• A Tibetan refugee who came to India before 1st January 1962 with the intention of permanently settling in India
• A person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African countries such as Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia, and Vietnam with the intention of permanently settling in India

Note: Candidates belonging to categories other than Indian citizens must possess a certificate of eligibility issued by the Government of India.

Age Limit

The general age limit for SSC CHSL 2026 is 18 to 27 years. Candidates born not before 2nd January 1999 and not later than 1st January 2008 are eligible to apply (for the general category). Age relaxation is provided for reserved category candidates as per government norms:

• OBC: 3 years relaxation (up to 30 years)
• SC/ST: 5 years relaxation (up to 32 years)
• PwBD (General): 10 years relaxation
• PwBD (OBC): 13 years relaxation
• PwBD (SC/ST): 15 years relaxation
• Ex-Servicemen: As per government norms

Educational Qualification

For LDC/JSA and DEO/DEO Grade A (except specific departments): Candidates must have passed the 12th Standard or equivalent examination from a recognised Board or University.

For DEO/DEO Grade A in the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Ministry of Culture, and SSC: Candidates must have passed 12th Standard in the Science stream with Mathematics as a subject from a recognised Board or equivalent.

Candidates who are appearing in their 12th examination are also eligible to apply, provided they obtain the qualifying certificate before the cut-off date specified in the notification.

How Many Attempts are Allowed in SSC CHSL?

There is no fixed limit on the number of attempts for the SSC CHSL examination. A candidate can appear in the SSC CHSL exam as many times as they wish, as long as they meet the age limit criteria applicable to their category. In other words, the number of attempts is indirectly limited by the age limit:

• General Category: Up to 27 years of age
• OBC: Up to 30 years of age
• SC/ST: Up to 32 years of age

This means candidates can keep attempting the exam until they cross the maximum permissible age limit for their respective category.

SSC CHSL 2026 Application Fee

The application fee for SSC CHSL recruitment 2026 is as follows:

General/OBC/EWS (Male): Rs. 100/- SC/ST/PwBD/Ex-Servicemen: Nil (Exempted) Female Candidates (All Categories): Nil (Exempted)

The fee can be paid online through UPI, Credit Card, Debit Card, Net Banking, and other digital payment methods. Candidates are advised to pay the fee before the last date to avoid their application being rejected.

SSC CHSL 2026 Exam Pattern

The SSC CHSL 2026 recruitment examination is conducted in two tiers:

SSC CHSL Tier 1 Exam Pattern 2026:

Section 1 – General Intelligence: 25 Questions, 50 Marks Section 2 – General Awareness: 25 Questions, 50 Marks Section 3 – Quantitative Aptitude (Basic Arithmetic Skill): 25 Questions, 50 Marks Section 4 – English Language (Basic Knowledge): 25 Questions, 50 Marks Total: 100 Questions, 200 Marks Duration: 60 Minutes (80 Minutes for candidates eligible for scribe)

Important Points:

• There is negative marking in Tier 1. A penalty of 0.50 marks is deducted for each wrong answer.
• There is no sectional time limit; the total duration of 60 minutes applies to all sections combined.
• The Tier 2 exam includes three sections with two modules each, along with a Skill Test or Typing Test, depending on the post applied for.
• Document Verification is the final stage of the SSC CHSL selection process.

SSC CHSL 2026 Syllabus

The SSC CHSL 2026 Tier 1 syllabus covers four main subjects. Here is a topic-wise breakdown:

English Language (Basic Knowledge): Spot the Error, Fill in the Blanks, Synonyms and Antonyms, Spellings and Misspelt Words, Idioms and Phrases, One-Word Substitution, Sentence Improvement, Active/Passive Voice, Direct/Indirect Narration, Sentence Rearrangement, Cloze Passage, and Comprehension Passage.

General Intelligence: Semantic Analogy, Symbolic Operations, Number Analogy, Trends, Figural Analogy, Space Orientation, Semantic Classification, Venn Diagrams, Number Classification, Drawing Inferences, Figural Classification, Punched Hole/Pattern Folding and Unfolding, Semantic Series, Number Series, Figural Series, Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, Emotional Intelligence, Word Building, Social Intelligence, Coding and Decoding, and Numerical Operations.

Quantitative Aptitude (Basic Arithmetic Skill): Number Systems, Fundamental Arithmetical Operations, Algebra, Geometry, Mensuration, Trigonometry, and Statistical Charts.

General Awareness: Current Events, History, Culture, Geography, Indian Economy, General Polity, Scientific Research, and questions related to India and its neighbouring countries.

For the Tier 2 exam, candidates are tested on more advanced topics, including Applied Mathematics, Statistics, English Language and Comprehension, along with a Skill Test or Typing Test based on the post.

SSC CHSL 2026 Salary (Pay Scale)

One of the major attractions of the SSC CHSL recruitment is its competitive salary structure. Here is the pay scale for each post:

LDC/JSA: Pay Level 2, Pay Scale Rs. 19,900 – Rs. 63,200 Postal Assistant (PA)/Sorting Assistant (SA): Pay Level 4, Pay Scale Rs. 25,500 – Rs. 81,100 Data Entry Operator (DEO): Pay Level 4 and 5, Pay Scale Rs. 25,500 – Rs. 81,100 (Level 4) and Rs. 29,200 – Rs. 92,300 (Level 5) DEO Grade A: Pay Level 4, Pay Scale Rs. 25,500 – Rs. 81,100

Apart from the basic pay, employees also receive allowances such as House Rent Allowance (HRA), Dearness Allowance (DA), Transport Allowance (TA), and other government benefits.

SSC CHSL Salary After 7th Pay Commission

After the implementation of the 7th Pay Commission recommendations, the in-hand salary for SSC CHSL posts has been revised. Here is the approximate gross and in-hand salary for different posts based on city classification (X, Y, Z):

DEO (City X): Basic Pay Rs. 25,500 + HRA Rs. 6,120 + TA Rs. 3,600 = Gross Salary Rs. 35,220

In-Hand: Approx Rs. 31,045 DEO (City Y): Gross Salary Rs. 31,380

In-Hand: Approx Rs. 27,205 DEO (City Z): Gross Salary Rs. 29,340

In-Hand: Approx Rs. 25,165 LDC (City X): Basic Pay Rs. 19,900 + HRA Rs. 4,776 + TA Rs. 1,350 = Gross Salary Rs. 26,026

In-Hand: Approx Rs. 22,411 Court Clerk (City X): Gross Salary Rs. 23,984

In-Hand: Approx Rs. 20,369 PA/SA (City X): Gross Salary Rs. 22,392 | In-Hand: Approx Rs. 18,777

Note: The actual in-hand salary may vary depending on the city of posting, deductions like NPS (New Pension Scheme), and other applicable allowances.

SSC CHSL 2026 Admit Card

The SSC CHSL 2026 admit card (also called Hall Ticket or Call Letter) will be released on the official SSC website a few days before the scheduled Tier 1 examination. Every registered candidate will be able to download their e-admit card using their registration number and date of birth. Separate admit cards will be issued for Tier 1 and Tier 2 exams. Candidates must note that the Tier 2 admit card will only be issued to those who qualify for the Tier 1 examination. The admit card is a mandatory document for entry into the examination hall, and candidates should carry it along with a valid photo ID proof on the day of the exam. The direct download link for the SSC CHSL 2026 admit card will be updated on this page once officially released.

SSC CHSL 2026 Result

The SSC CHSL 2026 result will be declared on the official website ssc.gov.in after the completion of each tier of the examination. Results will be announced separately for Tier 1 and Tier 2. Only those candidates who qualify for Tier 1 will be called to appear for Tier 2. After Tier 2 and the Skill Test/Typing Test, a final merit list will be prepared based on the overall performance of the candidates. The result will be available in PDF format, containing the roll numbers of qualified candidates. Candidates are advised to keep their roll number and registration details handy for checking their results.

SSC CHSL 2026 Cut Off

The SSC CHSL cut off marks are the minimum qualifying marks that candidates must secure to be shortlisted for the next stage of the selection process. The cut off varies by category, post, and the number of vacancies available. For reference, here are the SSC CHSL Tier 1 cut off marks from 2024:

Category – LDC/JSA – DEO Grade A: UR: 157.36 – 176.27 OBC: 156.61 – 176.27 SC: 139.68 – 166.67 ST: 129.44 – 165.07 EWS: 150.51 – 176.27 ESM: 78.23 – 133.93 OH (PwBD): 124.70 – 166.25 HH (PwBD): 81.06 – (cutoff applied differently) VH (PwBD): 123.78 – (cutoff applied differently)

The SSC CHSL 2026 cut off will depend on the difficulty level of the exam, the total number of applicants, the number of vacancies, and the overall performance of candidates. The cut off for 2026 will be published after the results are officially declared.

FAQs

Q1. What is the full form of SSC CHSL? The full form of SSC CHSL is Staff Selection Commission Combined Higher Secondary Level.

Q2. When will the SSC CHSL 2026 notification be released? The SSC CHSL 2026 notification is expected to be released on 30th April 2026 on the official website ssc.gov.in.

Q3. What is the last date to apply for SSC CHSL 2026? The last date to apply for SSC CHSL 2026 is expected to be 31st May 2026, as per the SSC Annual Calendar.

Q4. What is the age limit for SSC CHSL 2026? The age limit for SSC CHSL 2026 is 18 to 27 years for general category candidates. Age relaxation is applicable for SC, ST, OBC, PwBD, and Ex-Servicemen as per government norms.

Q5. What is the educational qualification required for SSC CHSL? Candidates must have passed their 12th Standard (Higher Secondary) from a recognised Board or University. For certain DEO posts, a Science stream with Mathematics is required.

Q6. How many attempts are allowed in SSC CHSL? There is no fixed limit on the number of attempts for SSC CHSL. Candidates can attempt the exam as many times as they wish, provided they are within the permissible age limit for their category.

Q7. What is the application fee for SSC CHSL 2026? The application fee is Rs. 100 for General/OBC/EWS male candidates. Female candidates and candidates belonging to SC, ST, PwBD, and Ex-Servicemen categories are exempted from the fee.

Q8. Is there negative marking in SSC CHSL Tier 1? Yes, there is negative marking in Tier 1. A deduction of 0.50 marks is made for each wrong answer.

Q9. What is the salary for an LDC post under SSC CHSL? The basic pay for an LDC post is Rs. 19,900 per month (Pay Level 2), and the approximate in-hand salary in an X city is around Rs. 22,411 per month after applicable allowances and deductions.

Q10. Is the SSC CHSL exam available in Hindi? Yes, the SSC CHSL exam is bilingual, meaning it is available in both Hindi and English, except for the English Language section, which is in English only.