The Staff Selection Commission has released the much-awaited Combined Higher Secondary (10+2) Level Examination, 2026 notification on 7 September 2026. This year's recruitment drive covers approximately 2536 tentative vacancies for Lower Division Clerk (LDC), Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA), Data Entry Operator (DEO) and DEO Grade 'A' posts across various Ministries, Departments and Constitutional Bodies of the Government of India.
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If you have passed Class 12 and are looking for a stable central government job, SSC CHSL 2026 is one of the biggest opportunities of the year. The online application window is open from 7 September 2026 to 7 October 2026. Here is everything you need to know before applying.
SSC CHSL 2026 – Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Recruitment Body | Staff Selection Commission (SSC) |
| Exam Name | Combined Higher Secondary Level (CHSL) Examination, 2026 |
| Posts | LDC, JSA, DEO, DEO Grade 'A' |
| Tentative Vacancies | 2536 (approx.) |
| Application Mode | Online only |
| Official Website | ssc.gov.in |
| Helpline | 18003093063 (Toll Free) |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Released | 07 September 2026 |
| Online Application Starts | 07 September 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 07 October 2026 (11:00 PM) |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | 08 October 2026 (11:00 PM) |
| Application Correction Window | 14 to 16 October 2026 |
| Tier-I Exam Date | To be notified later |
| Tier-II Exam Date | To be notified later |
Do not wait until the last week to apply. The SSC website usually faces heavy traffic near the deadline, and no extension is guaranteed.
Vacancy Details and Pay Scale
The final post-wise and category-wise vacancy list will be uploaded later under Candidate's Corner on the SSC website. For now, the tentative count stands at 2536. Note that SSC does not collect state-wise or zone-wise vacancy data – for that, you must contact the concerned user departments directly.
| Post | Pay Level | Pay Scale |
|---|---|---|
| LDC / JSA | Level-2 | ₹19,900 – 63,200 |
| DEO | Level-4 / Level-5 | ₹25,500 – 81,100 / ₹29,200 – 92,300 |
| DEO Grade 'A' | Level-4 | ₹25,500 – 81,100 |
With HRA, DA, TA and other allowances added, the in-hand salary of an LDC starts around ₹28,000–32,000 per month depending on the city of posting, while DEOs draw noticeably more.
Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification (as on 07-10-2026)
- LDC/JSA and DEO (most departments): Passed 12th Standard or equivalent from a recognized Board or University.
- DEO/DEO Grade 'A' in Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, SSC, and Ministry of Culture: 12th pass in Science stream with Mathematics as a subject.
Candidates appearing in Class 12 should note the qualification must be completed by the closing date, 7 October 2026.
Age Limit (as on 01-08-2026)
The age limit is 18 to 27 years. Candidates born not before 02-08-1999 and not later than 01-08-2008 are eligible.
Age relaxation as per government rules:
| Category | Relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC/ST | 5 years |
| OBC | 3 years |
| PwBD | 10 years |
| PwBD (OBC) | 13 years |
| PwBD (SC/ST) | 15 years |
| Central Govt Civilian Employees (3+ years service) | Up to 40 years (45 for SC/ST) |
Ex-servicemen, widows, divorced women and other categories also get relaxation as per extant rules – check the official notification for the complete list.
Nationality
Citizens of India, subjects of Nepal or Bhutan, and persons of Indian origin migrated from specified countries (with an eligibility certificate) can apply. Important: Only male candidates are eligible for vacancies in the Border Roads Organization (BRO), and BRO posts carry additional physical and medical standards.
Application Fee
- General/OBC/EWS: ₹100 only
- Women, SC, ST, PwBD, Ex-Servicemen: Exempted (no fee)
Fee must be paid online. Applications without fee (where applicable) will be rejected.
Selection Process: Tier-I and Tier-II Explained
SSC CHSL 2026 will have two computer-based stages. Scores of exams held in multiple shifts will be normalized as per the Commission's published formula.
Tier-I (Qualifying Screening)
| Part | Subject | Questions / Marks |
|---|---|---|
| I | English Language (Basic Knowledge) | 25 / 50 |
| II | General Intelligence | 25 / 50 |
| III | Quantitative Aptitude (Basic Arithmetic) | 25 / 50 |
| IV | General Awareness | 25 / 50 |
- Total: 100 questions, 200 marks, 60 minutes
- Negative marking: 0.50 marks per wrong answer
- Questions available in English, Hindi and the regional language opted in the application form (for Parts II, III & IV)
Tier-II (Main Examination – Single Day, Two Sessions)
Session-I (2 hours 15 minutes):
- Section-I: Mathematical Abilities (30 Q) + Reasoning & General Intelligence (30 Q) = 60 questions × 3 marks = 180 marks
- Section-II: English Language & Comprehension (40 Q) + General Awareness (20 Q) = 60 questions × 3 marks = 180 marks
- Section-III: Computer Knowledge Test – mandatory but qualifying in nature
Session-II:
- Section-IV: Skill Test / Typing Test (qualifying)
Negative marking in Tier-II is 1 mark per wrong answer (Sections I–III). Candidates must qualify all sections.
Typing / Skill Test Standards
| Post | Requirement |
|---|---|
| DEO (Para 8.1 ministries) | 15,000 key depressions per hour |
| DEO (other departments) | 8,000 key depressions per hour |
| LDC/JSA – English medium | 35 words per minute |
| LDC/JSA – Hindi medium | 30 words per minute |
The typing test duration is 10 minutes (15 minutes for candidates eligible for scribe). The medium of typing test chosen in the application form is final and cannot be changed later – choose carefully. No DEO candidate is exempted from the Skill Test.
How to Apply for SSC CHSL 2026
- Visit ssc.gov.in or use the mySSC mobile app (Google Play Store).
- Complete One-Time Registration (OTR) if not already registered.
- Log in and fill the CHSL 2026 online application form.
- Select three examination centres in order of priority within the same region – no change of centre will be allowed later at any stage.
- Choose your typing test medium (Hindi/English) carefully.
- Upload documents as specified, pay the fee (if applicable) and submit.
- Download and save a copy of the final application for future reference.
Mistakes in the form can be fixed only during the correction window of 14–16 October 2026, on payment of correction charges.
Key Points Candidates Often Miss
- Post allotment is strictly merit-cum-preference. Once a post is allotted, it will not be changed – even if you fail to meet that post's medical/physical standards, your candidature is rejected. So fill post preferences thoughtfully.
- There is no re-evaluation or re-checking of scores at any stage.
- Computer Knowledge in Tier-II is qualifying, but skipping preparation for it is risky – you must clear it to stay in the race.
- Women candidates are especially encouraged to apply, and their application is completely fee-free.
Preparation Strategy in Brief
With Tier-I dates yet to be announced, you realistically have a few months. Focus first on the four Tier-I subjects at 10+2 level, practice full-length mock tests with the 60-minute timer, and start daily typing practice from day one – the typing/skill test eliminates a surprising number of otherwise well-scoring candidates every year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is the last date to apply for SSC CHSL 2026? 7 October 2026 (11:00 PM). Fee payment can be completed till 8 October 2026.
Q. How many vacancies are there in SSC CHSL 2026? Approximately 2536 tentative vacancies. Final numbers will be published later on ssc.gov.in.
Q. Can Arts/Commerce students apply? Yes, for LDC/JSA and most DEO posts, any 12th pass candidate is eligible. Only DEO posts in a few specified ministries require Science with Mathematics.
Q. Is there negative marking? Yes – 0.50 marks per wrong answer in Tier-I and 1 mark per wrong answer in Tier-II (Sections I–III).
Q. Can I change my exam centre later? No. Centre options given in the application form are final under all circumstances.
