SSC CHSL Recruitment 2026: Apply Online for 2536 Posts

The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has officially issued the recruitment notice for the Combined Higher Secondary (10+2) Level Examination, 2026 (SSC CHSL 2026) under Advertisement Reference No. F. No. HQ-C1102/5/2026-C-1. This recruitment drive seeks to fill approximately 2536 tentative vacancies across prestigious Ministries, Departments, Constitutional Bodies, Statutory Bodies, and Tribunals under the Government of India.SSC CHSL represents one of the most widely anticipated national opportunities for candidates who have completed their intermediate (10+2) education. Selected candidates secure stable Central Government employment in Group 'C' ministerial and administrative positions with attractive pay structures, central allowances, job security, and clear promotional avenues.Eligible male, female, and transgender candidates holding the required educational qualifications can register and apply online through the official portal at ssc.gov.in. The Commission also strongly encourages female candidates to apply in order to foster gender balance across the Central Government workforce.Quick Overview

FeatureSpecification Details
Recruitment NameCombined Higher Secondary (10+2) Level Examination, 2026 (SSC CHSL 2026)
Advertisement NumberF. No. HQ-C1102/5/2026-C-1
Conducting OrganizationStaff Selection Commission (SSC)
Parent DepartmentDepartment of Personnel and Training (DoPT), Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Job ClassificationCentral Government Group 'C' (Non-Technical / Ministerial)
Available PositionsLower Division Clerk (LDC), Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA), Data Entry Operator (DEO), DEO Grade 'A'
Total VacanciesApprox. 2536 Tentative Vacancies
Application ModeOnline Only (via website or 'my SSC' Mobile App)
Online Application Start Date07 September 2026
Online Application Last Date07 October 2026 (23:00 Hours)
Computer-Based Exam DateTier-I & Tier-II to be announced in due course
Official Portalssc.gov.in
Important Dates
Event / ActivityOfficial Schedule PDF
Notification Release Date07 September 2026
Commencement of Online Applications07 September 2026
Closing Date & Time for Online Applications07 October 2026 (23:00 Hours)
Last Date for Online Fee Payment08 October 2026 (23:00 Hours)
Application Form Correction Window14 October 2026 to 16 October 2026 (23:00 Hours)
Tier-I Computer-Based ExaminationTo be notified later
Tier-II Computer-Based ExaminationTo be notified later
Application Fee & Correction ChargesCandidates can pay the application fee online through BHIM UPI, Net Banking, or supported Debit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, RuPay).
CategoryApplication Fee PDF
General / OBC / EWS (Male Candidates)Rs. 100/-
Women Candidates (All Categories)Exempted (Nil)
Scheduled Castes (SC) & Scheduled Tribes (ST)Exempted (Nil)
Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD)Exempted (Nil)
Ex-Servicemen (ESM) Eligible for ReservationExempted (Nil)
Application Correction Window Charges
  • First-Time Correction & Re-submission: Rs. 200/- (Uniform charge for all categories and genders).
  • Second-Time Correction & Re-submission: Rs. 500/- (Uniform charge for all categories and genders).
  • Note: A maximum of two corrections are permitted during the 3-day correction window. Correction charges are strictly non-refundable.
Age Limit (As on 01-08-2026)The crucial reckoning date for calculating the age limit is 01 August 2026.
  • Minimum Age: 18 Years
  • Maximum Age: 27 Years
  • Permissible DOB Range: Candidates must be born not earlier than 02-08-1999 and not later than 01-08-2008.
Category-Wise Upper Age Relaxations
Category CodeCategoryUpper Age Relaxation Permissible PDF
01SC / ST5 Years
02OBC (Non-Creamy Layer)3 Years
03PwBD (Unreserved)10 Years
04PwBD (OBC)13 Years
05PwBD (SC / ST)15 Years
06Ex-Servicemen (ESM)3 years after deduction of military service rendered
08Defence Personnel Disabled in Operations3 Years
09Defence Personnel Disabled in Operations (SC/ST)8 Years
10Central Govt Civilian Employees (3+ yrs service)Up to 40 years of age
11Central Govt Civilian Employees (SC/ST, 3+ yrs service)Up to 45 years of age
12Widows / Divorced Women / Judicially SeparatedUp to 35 years of age
13Widows / Divorced Women (SC/ST)Up to 40 years of age
Vacancy DetailsThe Commission has announced an initial estimate of approximately 2536 tentative vacancies. Detailed ministry-wise, post-wise, and category-wise distributions will be published on the official portal under Candidate's Corner > Tentative Vacancy.
Post NameClassificationTentative Vacancy Count PDF
Lower Division Clerk (LDC) / Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA)Group 'C' Non-GazettedConsolidated under approx. 2536 total vacancies
Data Entry Operator (DEO)Group 'C' Non-Gazetted
Data Entry Operator, Grade 'A'Group 'C' Non-Gazetted
Educational Qualification (As on 07-10-2026)Candidates must possess the prescribed essential educational qualifications on or before the closing date (07 October 2026).1. Data Entry Operator (DEO) / DEO Grade 'A'(For Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution; Staff Selection Commission; and Ministry of Culture)
  • Mandatory Requirement: 12th Standard pass in the Science stream with Mathematics as a subject from a recognized Board or equivalent.
2. LDC / JSA and DEO / DEO Grade 'A'(For all other participating Ministries, Departments, and Offices)
  • Mandatory Requirement: Passed 12th Standard or equivalent examination from a recognized Board or University.
  • Candidates appearing in their 12th standard or equivalent examination may also apply, provided their result is officially declared on or before 07-10-2026.
Salary Structure & Pay ScaleAll recruited personnel receive Pay Matrix emoluments under the 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC) along with central allowances such as Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), Transport Allowance (TA), and National Pension System (NPS) benefits.
Post Title7th CPC Pay LevelPay Scale (Basic Pay Range) PDF
Lower Division Clerk (LDC)Level-2Rs. 19,900 – Rs. 63,200/-
Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA)Level-2Rs. 19,900 – Rs. 63,200/-
Data Entry Operator (DEO)Level-4Rs. 25,500 – Rs. 81,100/-
Data Entry Operator (DEO)Level-5Rs. 29,200 – Rs. 92,300/-
Data Entry Operator Grade 'A'Level-4Rs. 25,500 – Rs. 81,100/-
Selection ProcessThe recruitment stages comprise a merit-focused competitive evaluation:
 Tier-I: Computer Based Examination (Screening) 

 Tier-II: Computer Based Exam + Skill/Typing Test

(Session-I: Scoring Modules + Computer Knowledge) 

(Session-II: Skill Test / Typing Speed Assessment) 

 Post Preferences & Final Allocation (Sliding/FRTA) 

 Document Verification & Medical Test (User Dept Level) 

  1. Tier-I (CBE): Multiple-choice computer test used to shortlist candidates for Tier-II. Marks are normalized across shifts.
  2. Tier-II (CBE & Skill/Typing Test): Conducted in two sessions on the same day. Final merit is prepared exclusively from aggregate scores of Section-I and Section-II of Tier-II, subject to qualifying the Computer Knowledge Test (Section-III) and Skill/Typing Test (Section-IV).
  3. Document Verification (DV): Conducted directly by the allotted User Ministries, Departments, or Organizations after the declaration of the final allocation.
Minimum Qualifying Marks
  • Unreserved (UR): 30%
  • OBC / EWS: 25%
  • All Other Reserved Categories (SC/ST/PwBD/ESM): 20%
Exam PatternTier-I Examination PatternTier-I features 100 objective questions totaling 200 marks. A sectional timer of 15 minutes is allotted for each individual subject.
PartSubjectNumber of QuestionsMaximum MarksAllotted Time Duration PDF
Part IEnglish Language (Basic Knowledge)255060 Minutes total
Part IIGeneral Intelligence2550(Sectional timer of 15 mins per subject)
Part IIIQuantitative Aptitude (Basic Arithmetic Skill)2550(80 mins with 20 mins sectional timer for eligible scribe candidates)
Part IVGeneral Awareness2550
Total4 Subjects100200Negative Marking: 0.50 marks per wrong answer
  • The question paper is set in English, Hindi, and 13 regional languages (Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Konkani, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu) for Parts II, III, and IV.
Tier-II Examination PatternTier-II consists of two sessions conducted on the same day. All sections are mandatory to qualify.
SessionSectionModule / SubjectQuestionsMarksDuration PDF
Session-I (2 Hrs 15 Mins)Section-IModule-I: Mathematical Abilities
Module-II: Reasoning & General Intelligence
30
30
(Total 60)
60 × 3 = 1801 Hour (30 mins sectional timer each)

Section-IIModule-I: English Language & Comprehension
Module-II: General Awareness
40
20
(Total 60)
60 × 3 = 1801 Hour (40 mins for English, 20 mins for GA)

Section-IIIComputer Knowledge Module (Qualifying)1515 × 3 = 4515 Minutes
Session-IISection-IVPart A: Skill Test for DEO in designated ministries
Part B: Skill Test for DEO in other departments
Part C: Typing Test for LDC / JSA
—Qualifying NaturePart A: 15 Mins (15,000 KDPH)
Part B: 15 Mins (8,000 KDPH)
Part C: 10 Mins (English: 35 wpm / Hindi: 30 wpm in Mangal font)
  • Negative Marking in Tier-II: There is a penalty of 1 mark for each incorrect answer across Section-I, Section-II, and Section-III.
Detailed SyllabusTier-I Syllabus
  • English Language: Spot the Error, Fill in the Blanks, Synonyms/Homonyms, Antonyms, Spellings/Detecting misspelt words, Idioms & Phrases, One Word Substitution, Improvement of Sentences, Active/Passive Voice, Direct/Indirect Narration, Sentence Shuffling, Cloze Passage, Comprehension Passages.
  • General Intelligence: Both verbal and non-verbal reasoning, Semantic Analogy, Symbolic/Number Analogy, Figural Analogy, Space Orientation, Semantic Classification, Venn Diagrams, Number Classification, Drawing Inferences, Figural Pattern Completion, Paper Folding/Unfolding, Embedded Figures, Critical Thinking, Coding and Decoding, Numerical Operations.
  • Quantitative Aptitude:
  • Number Systems: Computation of whole numbers, decimals, fractions, relationships between numbers.
  • Fundamental Arithmetical Operations: Percentages, Ratio & Proportion, Square roots, Averages, Simple & Compound Interest, Profit & Loss, Discount, Partnership Business, Mixture & Alligation, Time & Distance, Time & Work.
  • Algebra: Basic algebraic identities of school algebra, elementary surds, linear equation graphs.
  • Geometry: Triangles, congruence, similarity, circle geometry, tangents, chords.
  • Mensuration: Triangle, Quadrilaterals, Regular Polygons, Circles, Right Prism, Cone, Cylinder, Sphere, Hemispheres, Rectangular Parallelepiped, Right Pyramid.
  • Trigonometry: Standard identities, complementary angles, heights and distances.
  • Statistical Charts: Histograms, frequency polygons, bar diagrams, pie charts.
  • General Awareness: Questions related to India and its neighboring countries covering History, Culture, Geography, Economic Scene, General Policy, Scientific Research, and Current Affairs.
Tier-II Syllabus Additions
  • Mathematical Abilities & Reasoning: Extended application of Tier-I concepts with added modules on Statistics and Probability (mean, median, mode, standard deviation, and simple probability calculations).
  • English Comprehension: In-depth passages including at least one story/book-based narrative and one editorial or current affairs report.
  • Computer Knowledge Module: Computer basics (CPU, I/O devices, memory organization, backup devices, Windows Explorer, shortcuts), Software (Windows OS, MS Office suite including Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Internet & Emails (browsing, search, e-banking, downloads), Basics of Networking and Cyber Security (threats like virus, worms, trojans, firewalls, preventive measures).
How to Apply Step-by-StepApplications must be submitted via the new SSC portal (ssc.gov.in) or the official 'my SSC' mobile app. Old registrations from the previous portal (ssc.nic.in) are not valid.


Step 1: Complete One-Time Registration (OTR) with Aadhaar Biometric Authentication
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Step 2: Log in to Portal & Select "CHSL Examination 2026" under Latest Notifications
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Step 3: Verify Auto-Populated Personal Data & Enter Educational/Exam Center Details
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Step 4: Capture Real-Time Live Photo (Plain Background) & Upload Scanned Signature
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Step 5: Preview Details, Accept Declaration, Pay Rs. 100 Fee & Print Final Receipt

Key Application Guidelines:
  1. Live Photograph Capture: You do not upload a pre-existing photograph. The application interface activates your webcam or phone camera to take a real-time live picture. Ensure good lighting, a plain background, eye-level positioning, and do not wear caps, masks, or spectacles.
  2. Signature Specifications: Scanned signature in JPG/JPEG format between 10 KB to 20 KB (approx. 6.0 cm width × 2.0 cm height).
  3. Aadhaar Authentication Benefit: Applicants who complete Aadhaar authentication during OTR are protected from rejection due to technical standard variations in uploaded photos/signatures and enjoy streamlined reporting protocols at the test center.
Required Documents ChecklistKeep original documents and clear self-attested photocopies prepared for verification:
  • Matriculation (10th Standard) Certificate as proof of Date of Birth and parentage
  • Higher Secondary (10+2) Marksheets and Passing Certificates (declared on or before 07-10-2026)
  • Equivalence Certificate from competent authority (if claiming equivalent qualification)
  • Caste / Category Certificate (SC/ST/OBC in prescribed central formats)
  • Valid Income & Asset Certificate for EWS candidates (valid for FY 2026–2027 based on FY 2025–2026 income)
  • Disability Certificate (Form-V / Form-VI / Form-VII) for PwBD applicants
  • Discharge Certificate and Annexure undertakings for Ex-Servicemen (ESM)
  • No Objection Certificate (NOC) for currently serving Government Employees
  • Valid Photo ID Proof (e.g., Passport, Voter ID, Driving License, Central/State Govt ID)
Important Instructions for Candidates
  • Single Application Policy: Candidates can submit only one application. Multiple applications will result in summary cancellation and possible debarment.
  • BRO Post Conditions: Vacancies in the Border Roads Organization (BRO) for LDC are strictly reserved for male candidates only and require passing the One-Mile Run in 10 minutes along with strict physical/medical standards.
  • All India Service Liability (AISL): Selected candidates can be posted anywhere within India across participating user departments.
  • Two-Year Probation: Newly appointed candidates will serve a mandatory probation period of two years.
  • Post Preferences: Preferences for ministries and posts must be submitted online before final result declaration; preferences cannot be changed once submitted.
Important Links Table
DescriptionOfficial Link
SSC CHSL 2026 Apply Online / OTR PortalApply on SSC Portal
Download Official Notification PDFDownload Notification PDF
Staff Selection Commission Official WebsiteVisit ssc.gov.in
Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT)Visit dopt.gov.in
Sacred Gurukul Exam Preparation PortalVisit Sacred Gurukul
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the total number of vacancies in SSC CHSL Recruitment 2026?The Commission has notified approximately 2536 tentative vacancies across participating Ministries, Departments, and Constitutional bodies.

2. What is the last date to apply online for SSC CHSL 2026?

The online application window closes on 07 October 2026 at 23:00 Hours, with fee payments accepted until 08 October 2026 (23:00 Hours).

3. What is the age limit and cut-off date for SSC CHSL 2026?

Candidates must be between 18 and 27 years old as of 01 August 2026 (born between 02-08-1999 and 01-08-2008), with permissible age relaxations for reserved categories.

4. What is the educational eligibility for Data Entry Operator posts?

For DEO/DEO Grade 'A' in the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, SSC, and Ministry of Culture, a 12th Standard pass in the Science stream with Mathematics is required. For other ministries, a standard 12th pass in any stream is acceptable.

5. Can female candidates apply for all posts in SSC CHSL 2026?

Female candidates are eligible for all posts except the Lower Division Clerk vacancies under the Border Roads Organization (BRO), which are open exclusively to male applicants.

6. Is there any negative marking in the SSC CHSL examination?

Yes, Tier-I incurs a negative marking deduction of 0.50 marks per wrong answer. Tier-II has a deduction of 1 mark for each incorrect answer across Section-I, Section-II, and Section-III.

7. What typing speed is required for LDC / JSA posts?

Candidates opting for English must achieve 35 words per minute (wpm), while those selecting Hindi must achieve 30 wpm using the Mangal font in a 10-minute computer typing test.

8. How will the final merit list be decided?

Final merit is determined solely by the aggregate marks scored in Section-I and Section-II of the Tier-II examination, provided the candidate qualifies both the Computer Knowledge Module and the Skill/Typing Test.

9. Can I upload an existing passport-size photograph in the application?No, the application portal uses a real-time live capture system. Uploading a picture of an existing photograph will result in application rejection.

10. When will the application correction window open?

The correction window is active from 14 October 2026 to 16 October 2026 (23:00 Hours) with correction charges of Rs. 200 for the first submission and Rs. 500 for the second.