The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has released the comprehensive notification for the Combined Higher Secondary (10+2) Level Examination (CHSL) 2026. This national competitive exam aims to fill 3,712 vacancies for Lower Division Clerk (LDC), Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA), and Data Entry Operator (DEO / DEO Grade ‘A’) across ministries, constitutional departments, subordinate offices, and statutory tribunals of the Government of India.
Here is an in-depth breakdown covering post-wise pay matrices, educational eligibility, Tier-I and Tier-II computer-based exam formats, data entry speed benchmarks, and step-by-step application instructions.
SSC CHSL 2026: Executive Overview
| Recruitment Aspect | Official Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | Staff Selection Commission (SSC) |
| Exam Designation | Combined Higher Secondary (10+2) Level Examination 2026 |
| Total Posts Announced | 3,712 Central Government Vacancies |
| Designations & Pay Scale | LDC/JSA: Pay Level-2 (₹19,900 – ₹63,200) | DEO: Pay Level-4 (₹25,500 – ₹81,100) & Level-5 (₹29,200 – ₹92,300) |
| Educational Qualification | 12th Standard (10+2) pass from recognized Board / University (Science stream with Maths for DEO in CAG/MoAFW) |
| Selection Flow | Tier-I (CBT Screening) ➔ Tier-II (Objective Mains + Sectional Computer Test + Skill/Typing Test) |
| Official Portal | ssc.gov.in |
Eligibility: Age Limit & Essential Qualifications
- Age Limit: 18 to 27 years as on the crucial cutoff date.
- SC/ST candidates: 5 years relaxation (up to 32 years).
- OBC candidates: 3 years relaxation (up to 30 years).
- PwBD (Unreserved): 10 years relaxation.
- Ex-Servicemen: 3 years after deduction of military service.
- Educational Qualifications:
- For LDC / JSA and DEO (General Cadres): 12th Standard or equivalent examination from a recognized Board or University.
- For Data Entry Operator (DEO Grade ‘A’) in CAG & Ministry Offices: 12th Standard pass in Science stream with Mathematics as a compulsory subject from a recognized Board.
Examination Pattern (Tier-I & Tier-II)
Tier-I Computer Based Examination (Screening Round – 200 Marks / 60 Mins)
| Part / Subject | Questions | Maximum Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Part-I: English Language (Basic Knowledge) | 25 | 50 |
| Part-II: General Intelligence (Reasoning) | 25 | 50 |
| Part-III: Quantitative Aptitude (Basic Arithmetic Skill) | 25 | 50 |
| Part-IV: General Awareness | 25 | 50 |
| Total | 100 Questions | 200 Marks |
Negative Marking in Tier-I: 0.50 marks deducted for each incorrect answer. Tier-I is qualifying for Tier-II shortlisting.
Tier-II Examination Structure (Merit Formulation – 360 Marks)
- Session-I (2 Hours 15 Minutes):
- Section-I: Mathematical Abilities (30 Qs) + Reasoning & General Intelligence (30 Qs) = 60 Qs × 3 Marks = 180 Marks (1 Hour).
- Section-II: English Language & Comprehension (40 Qs) + General Awareness (20 Qs) = 60 Qs × 3 Marks = 180 Marks (1 Hour).
- Section-III (Module-I): Computer Knowledge Module (15 Qs × 3 Marks = 45 Marks, 15 Mins) — Mandatory Qualifying.
- Session-II (Skill Test / Typing Test Module):
- Part A (Skill Test for DEO): Data entry speed of 8,000 key depressions per hour (15 minutes test on computer).
- Part B (Typing Test for LDC/JSA): English Typing @ 35 w.p.m. OR Hindi Typing @ 30 w.p.m. (10 minutes test on computer).
Step-by-Step SSC CHSL Application Process
- Navigate to the official SSC portal at ssc.gov.in.
- Complete the One-Time Registration (OTR) profile with live photo capture via the SSC app or webcam.
- Access the candidate dashboard and select Combined Higher Secondary (10+2) Level Examination 2026.
- Select your 3 preferred examination centres within the chosen administrative region.
- Declare educational board details, roll numbers, and typing medium choice (English / Hindi).
- Submit the application fee of ₹100 (Women, SC, ST, PwBD, and Ex-Servicemen are 100% exempt from fee payment).
- Save and print the final submitted registration form for future document verification records.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Is Tier-I score included in the final SSC CHSL merit list?
No. As per the revised scheme, Tier-I is purely a qualifying screening round to shortlist candidates for Tier-II. The final merit list is prepared strictly based on the aggregate performance in Section-I and Section-II of Tier-II (out of 360 marks), subject to qualifying Computer Knowledge and Skill/Typing tests.
Q2: What is the negative marking in Tier-II examination?
There is a penalty of 1 mark for each incorrect answer in Section-I, Section-II, and Section-III Module-I of Tier-II.
Q3: Can 12th appearing candidates apply for SSC CHSL 2026?
Candidates who have appeared in their 12th standard examinations can apply, provided they acquire the essential qualification on or before the crucial cutoff date specified in the notification.
Q4: Is live webcam photograph mandatory on the new SSC portal?
Yes. Under the new SSC system, candidates must capture a live real-time photograph using a webcam or mobile camera through the official MySSC app during application submission.
Ram Avtar is the Founder and Lead Career Analyst at Govt Results Alert. With over 6 years of experience analyzing Government Recruitment Notifications, SSC, Banking, and Railway examination patterns, he leads our fact-checking team to deliver authentic, timely, and verified job alerts directly from official government gazettes.
