SSC CHSL 2026: Syllabus, Exam Pattern, Eligibility & Salary
The Staff Selection Commission Combined Higher Secondary (10+2) Level Examination (SSC CHSL) is an annual national-level examination conducted to recruit candidates into various ministries, departments, and offices of the Government of India. It serves as the gateway to posts such as Lower Division Clerk (LDC), Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA), and Data Entry Operator (DEO). Candidates who have completed their 12th standard are eligible to compete through a multi-stage selection process.
Overview
| Conducting Body | Staff Selection Commission (SSC) |
|---|---|
| Official Website | https://ssc.gov.in |
| Posts Recruited | Lower Division Clerk (LDC), Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA), Data Entry Operator (DEO), and DEO Grade 'A' |
| Minimum Educational Qualification | 12th Standard or equivalent from a recognized Board or University |
| Age Criteria | 18 to 27 years (as per the 2026 notification crucial date) |
| Selection Stages | Tier-I (CBE), Tier-II (CBE & Skill/Typing Test), and Document Verification (DV) |
| Final Merit Basis | Aggregate marks in Section-I and Section-II of Tier-II (subject to qualifying Section-III and Section-IV) |
| Application Fee | ₹100 (Exempted for Women, SC, ST, PwBD, and ESM) |
Eligibility
- Nationality: Must be a citizen of India, a subject of Nepal, a subject of Bhutan, or a person of Indian origin migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, or specified East African countries intending to permanently settle in India (with an eligibility certificate issued by the Government of India where applicable).
- Educational Qualification for LDC / JSA and General DEO: Must have passed 12th Standard or equivalent examination from a recognized Board or University by the prescribed cut-off date (07-10-2026 as per the 2026 notification).
- Educational Qualification for Specific DEO Posts: For DEO/DEO Grade 'A' in the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, SSC, and Ministry of Culture, candidates must have passed the 12th Standard in Science stream with Mathematics as a subject.
- Number of Attempts: There is no restriction on the maximum number of attempts as long as candidates satisfy the age limit and other eligibility conditions.
Age limit
- Prescribed age limit is 18 to 27 years as on the crucial reckoning date (01-08-2026 for the 2026 cycle; candidates must not have been born before 02-08-1999 and not later than 01-08-2008).
- SC / ST candidates receive an upper age relaxation of 5 years.
- OBC candidates receive an upper age relaxation of 3 years.
- PwBD candidates receive age relaxation of 10 years (Unreserved), 13 years (OBC), and 15 years (SC/ST).
- Ex-Servicemen (ESM) receive 3 years of relaxation after deduction of military service rendered from actual age.
- Central Government Civilian Employees with at least 3 years continuous service can apply up to 40 years of age (45 years for SC/ST).
- Widows / Divorced Women / Women judicially separated and not remarried receive relaxation up to 35 years of age (40 years for SC/ST).
Selection process
- Tier-I (Computer-Based Examination) — Objective multiple-choice test; marks serve strictly to shortlist candidates for Tier-II and are not counted for final merit.
- Tier-II (Computer-Based Examination & Skill Test) — Comprises Session-I (Section-I: Maths and Reasoning; Section-II: English and General Awareness; Section-III: Computer Knowledge) and Session-II (Section-IV: Skill/Typing Test). Final merit is determined exclusively by scores in Section-I and Sectio
- Document Verification (DV) — Conducted directly by the respective user departments/ministries after the declaration of Tier-II results.
SSC CHSL exam pattern
Tier-I Examination (Computer-Based)
| Section | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part I: English Language (Basic Knowledge) | 25 | 50 | 15 minutes |
| Part II: General Intelligence | 25 | 50 | 15 minutes |
| Part III: Quantitative Aptitude (Basic Arithmetic Skill) | 25 | 50 | 15 minutes |
| Part IV: General Awareness | 25 | 50 | 15 minutes |
Total duration is 60 minutes with a sectional timer of 15 minutes for each subject (80 minutes / 20 minutes per subject for eligible scribe candidates). There is a negative marking of 0.50 marks for each incorrect answer.
Tier-II Examination: Session-I (Computer-Based)
| Section | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Section-I (Module-I: Mathematical Abilities & Module-II: Reasoning and General Intelligence) | 60 (30 + 30) | 180 | 1 hour |
| Section-II (Module-I: English Language and Comprehension & Module-II: General Awareness) | 60 (40 + 20) | 180 | 1 hour |
| Section-III (Module-I: Computer Knowledge Test) | 15 | 45 | 15 minutes |
Session-I total duration is 2 hours 15 minutes. Each question carries 3 marks, and 1 mark is deducted for each incorrect answer across Sections I, II, and III. Section-III is qualifying in nature.
Tier-II Examination: Session-II (Skill / Typing Test)
| Section | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part A: Skill Test for DEO in Designated Departments | Data entry test | Qualifying | 15 minutes |
| Part B: Skill Test for DEO in Other Departments | Data entry test | Qualifying | 15 minutes |
| Part C: Typing Test for LDC / JSA | Typing test (English or Hindi) | Qualifying | 10 minutes |
Conducted on the same day as Session-I. Speeds required: Part A requires 15,000 key depressions/hour; Part B requires 8,000 key depressions/hour; Part C requires 35 wpm in English or 30 wpm in Hindi (Mangal font). Section-IV is qualifying in nature.
SSC CHSL syllabus
Tier-I: English Language
Spot the Error · Fill in the Blanks · Synonyms/Homonyms and Antonyms · Spellings / Detecting mis-spelt words · Idioms & Phrases · One word substitution · Improvement of Sentences · Active/Passive Voice of verbs · Direct/Indirect narration conversion · Shuffling of Sentence parts · Cloze Passage · Comprehension Passage
Tier-I: General Intelligence
Semantic, Symbolic, and Figural Analogy · Semantic, Symbolic, and Figural Classification · Semantic, Number, and Figural Series · Problem Solving and Critical Thinking · Coding and Decoding · Venn Diagrams · Space Orientation · Punched hole / pattern folding and unfolding · Embedded Figures · Social Intelligence
Tier-I: Quantitative Aptitude
Number Systems · Percentages, Ratio & Proportion, and Square roots · Averages, Simple & Compound Interest · Profit & Loss, Discount, and Partnership · Mixture & Alligation · Time & Distance, Time & Work · Algebra (elementary algebraic identities, linear graphs) · Geometry (triangles, circles, chords, tangents) · Mensuration · Trigonometry (standard ratios, heights and distances) · Statistical Charts
Tier-I: General Awareness
Current events · Everyday science and scientific observations · History · Culture · Geography · Economic Scene · General Policy · Scientific Research (with emphasis on India and neighbouring countries)
Tier-II: Additional Mathematical Abilities
All topics from Tier-I Quantitative Aptitude · Statistics and Probability (Mean, Median, Mode) · Calculation of Standard Deviation · Simple Probabilities
Tier-II: Computer Knowledge
Computer basics (CPU, memory, input/output and backup devices, Windows Explorer, keyboard shortcuts) · Software (Windows Operating System, MS Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint) · Internet and emails (web browsing, searching, downloading/uploading, managing email accounts) · Basics of Networking and Cyber Security
Salary
- Lower Division Clerk (LDC) / Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA): Pay Level-2 (₹19,900 to ₹63,200) with a starting basic pay of ₹19,900 per month (2026 notification).
- Data Entry Operator (DEO): Pay Level-4 (₹25,500 to ₹81,100) with a starting basic pay of ₹25,500 per month, or Pay Level-5 (₹29,200 to ₹92,300) with a starting basic pay of ₹29,200 per month (2026 notification).
- Data Entry Operator Grade 'A': Pay Level-4 (₹25,500 to ₹81,100) with a starting basic pay of ₹25,500 per month (2026 notification).
- Allowances: Starting gross salary includes Central Government allowances such as Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), and Transport Allowance (TA), which vary depending on the posting city classification.
- Probation: Appointees serve probation according to the rules of the allocating Ministry/Department/Organization before formal confirmation.
Application fee
- General and OBC / EWS Male Candidates: ₹100
- Women Candidates: Exempted (₹0)
- SC / ST Candidates: Exempted (₹0)
- PwBD Candidates: Exempted (₹0)
- Ex-Servicemen (ESM) eligible for reservation: Exempted (₹0)
- Application Correction Charges: ₹200 for the first correction, ₹500 for the second correction
Exam calendar
- Exam Cycle: Conducted annually by the Staff Selection Commission.
- Notification & Online Application Window (2026 Cycle): 7 September 2026 to 7 October 2026.
- Tier-I Computer-Based Examination (2026 Cycle): Scheduled between November and December 2026.
Preparation tips
- Master the 15-minute sectional timer in Tier-I by practicing 25-question mocks specifically aligned with the strict time allotment for each individual section.
- Dedicate focused preparation to Tier-II specific topics early, particularly Statistics and Probability in Mathematical Abilities, which are not tested in Tier-I.
- Do not ignore Computer Knowledge (Tier-II Section-III); although qualifying, failing to clear its cut-off disqualifies you from final merit selection.
- Begin typing practice well before Tier-I results; LDC/JSA roles demand 35 wpm in English or 30 wpm in Hindi, while specialized DEO posts require up to 15,000 key depressions per hour.
- Maintain high accuracy in Tier-II Sections I and II to avoid the stiff 1-mark negative penalty, as these two sections exclusively determine your merit ranking and post allocation.
- Review standard grammar rules, active/passive voice, and direct/indirect speech thoroughly, as English Language carries the highest individual weightage (40 questions / 120 marks) in Tier-II.
FAQs
What is the educational qualification required for SSC CHSL?
Candidates must have passed the 12th Standard or equivalent examination from a recognized Board or University. However, for DEO/DEO Grade 'A' posts in the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, SSC, and Ministry of Culture, a 12th pass in the Science stream with Mathematics is mandatory (as per the 2026 notification).
Do marks scored in Tier-I count towards the final merit list?
No. Tier-I is strictly qualifying in nature to shortlist candidates for Tier-II. Final merit listing and post allocation are determined solely on aggregate marks scored in Section-I and Section-II of the Tier-II examination.
What is the negative marking scheme in SSC CHSL?
In the Tier-I examination, 0.50 marks are deducted for every wrong answer. In the Tier-II examination, 1 mark is deducted for every wrong answer in Section-I, Section-II, and Section-III.
What typing speeds are required in the Tier-II Skill/Typing Test?
For LDC/JSA, candidates must type at 35 words per minute in English or 30 words per minute in Hindi (using Mangal font). For DEO posts, the requirement is 8,000 key depressions per hour in general departments, and 15,000 key depressions per hour for designated ministries/departments.
How many attempts are allowed for the SSC CHSL exam?
There is no cap on the number of attempts. Candidates can appear for the exam as long as they satisfy the prescribed age limit (18 to 27 years, subject to category relaxations) and other eligibility conditions.
Who conducts the Document Verification stage for SSC CHSL?
According to the 2026 notification, Document Verification (DV) is conducted directly by the user departments, organizations, or ministries after the declaration of the Tier-II examination results.
Sources
- ssc.gov.in (ssc.gov.in) Official
- swtlearn.com (swtlearn.com)
- careerpower.in (www.careerpower.in)
Always confirm details in the latest official notification before applying. Spotted an error? Write to prepzen.app@gmail.com.
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