SSC CHSL: syllabus, exam pattern & eligibility

Staff Selection Commission Combined Higher Secondary (10+2) Level Examination. Recruitment to Group 'C' posts of Lower Division Clerk (LDC) / Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA) (Pay Level 2), Data Entry Operator (Pay Level 4/5) and DEO Grade 'A' (Pay Level 4) in central Ministries/Departments and constitutional/statutory bodies.

Category

SSC

Conducted by

Staff Selection Commission (SSC), Government of India

Level

Recruitment

Frequency

Once a year

Mode

CBT

Languages

Hindi, English, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Konkani, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu

Application fee

₹100; women, SC, ST, PwBD and ESM eligible for reservation are exempted (2026 notice)

Eligibility

• Education: 12th standard pass or equivalent (appearing candidates may apply but must pass by 07-10-2026). DEO/DEO Grade 'A' in Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, SSC and Ministry of Culture: 12th in Science stream with Mathematics.
• Age: 18-27 years as on 01-08-2026 (born 02-08-1999 to 01-08-2008). Relaxation: SC/ST 5 yrs, OBC 3 yrs, PwBD 10 yrs (OBC 13, SC/ST 15), ESM 3 yrs after deducting service.
• Attempts: No limit (within age limit)
• Nationality: Citizen of India, or subject of Nepal/Bhutan, or specified persons of Indian origin (certificate of eligibility needed).

Exam pattern

Tier-I

60 min · 100 questions · 200 marks

• English Language (Basic Knowledge): 25 questions, 50 marks
• General Intelligence: 25 questions, 50 marks
• Quantitative Aptitude (Basic Arithmetic Skill): 25 questions, 50 marks
• General Awareness: 25 questions, 50 marks

Tier-II

135 min · 135 questions · 405 marks

• Section-I A: Mathematical Abilities: 30 questions, 90 marks
• Section-I B: Reasoning and General Intelligence: 30 questions, 90 marks
• Section-II A: English Language and Comprehension: 40 questions, 120 marks
• Section-II B: General Awareness: 20 questions, 60 marks
• Section-III: Computer Knowledge Test: 15 questions, 45 marks
• Section-IV: Skill Test (DEO) / Typing Test (LDC/JSA)

Syllabus

English Language

English (Tier-I & Tier-II)

General Intelligence / Reasoning

Verbal and non-verbal reasoning

Quantitative Aptitude / Mathematical Abilities

Number systems, Fundamental arithmetical operations, Algebra, Geometry, Mensuration, Trigonometry, Statistical charts / statistics and probability

General Awareness

General awareness

Computer Knowledge (Tier-II Section-III)

Computer basics, Software, Internet and e-mail, Networking and cyber security

Important dates (2026)

• Notification / application opens: 2026-09-07
• Application closes: 2026-10-07
• Last date for fee payment: 2026-10-08
• Application correction window: 2026-10-14
• Correction window closes: 2026-10-16

Selection process

Tier-I (shortlisting) -> Tier-II (Sections I-II scored, Section III CKT and Section IV skill/typing test qualifying) -> Document Verification. Final merit on Tier-II normalised scores and post preference.

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Frequently asked questions

What is SSC CHSL?

SSC CHSL stands for Staff Selection Commission Combined Higher Secondary (10+2) Level Examination. Recruitment to Group 'C' posts of Lower Division Clerk (LDC) / Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA) (Pay Level 2), Data Entry Operator (Pay Level 4/5) and DEO Grade 'A' (Pay Level 4) in central Ministries/Departments and constitutional/statutory bodies. It is conducted by Staff Selection Commission (SSC), Government of India. Level: Recruitment.

Who is eligible for SSC CHSL?

Education: 12th standard pass or equivalent (appearing candidates may apply but must pass by 07-10-2026). DEO/DEO Grade 'A' in Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, SSC and Ministry of Culture: 12th in Science stream with Mathematics. Age limit: 18-27 years as on 01-08-2026 (born 02-08-1999 to 01-08-2008). Relaxation: SC/ST 5 yrs, OBC 3 yrs, PwBD 10 yrs (OBC 13, SC/ST 15), ESM 3 yrs after deducting service. Attempts: No limit (within age limit). Nationality: Citizen of India, or subject of Nepal/Bhutan, or specified persons of Indian origin (certificate of eligibility needed).

What is the exam pattern of SSC CHSL?

Tier-I: 60 minutes, 100 questions, 200 marks. Tier-II: 135 minutes, 135 questions, 405 marks. Mode: CBT.

How often is SSC CHSL held?

Once a year.

When is SSC CHSL held?

2026 cycle: Notification / application opens 2026-09-07; Application closes 2026-10-07; Last date for fee payment 2026-10-08; Application correction window 2026-10-14; Correction window closes 2026-10-16.

How are candidates selected through SSC CHSL?

Tier-I (shortlisting) -> Tier-II (Sections I-II scored, Section III CKT and Section IV skill/typing test qualifying) -> Document Verification. Final merit on Tier-II normalised scores and post preference.

What is the application fee for SSC CHSL?

₹100; women, SC, ST, PwBD and ESM eligible for reservation are exempted (2026 notice).

Compiled from public sources, last checked 2026-09-25. Dates, fees and rules change, so confirm with the official website before you apply.