SSC CHSL 2026 Notification: 2,536 Vacancies, Eligibility and Exam Pattern
The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has released the notice for the Combined Higher Secondary Level (CHSL) Examination 2026. It carries about 2,536 tentative vacancies for Lower Division Clerk (LDC), Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA), and Data Entry Operator (DEO) posts. Applications were open from 7 September to 7 October 2026.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online application starts | 07.09.2026 |
| Last date to apply | 07.10.2026, 23:00 hours |
| Last date for fee payment | 08.10.2026, 23:00 hours |
| Application correction window | 14.10.2026 to 16.10.2026, 23:00 hours |
| Tier-I and Tier-II dates | To be notified later |
Both the application and correction windows are now closed. Keep an eye on the SSC website for the Tier-I schedule.
Vacancies and Pay Levels
The vacancy count of about 2,536 is tentative. The posts and their pay levels are given below.
| Post | Pay Level |
|---|---|
| LDC and JSA | Level 2 (Rs 19,900 to Rs 63,200) |
| DEO | Level 4 (Rs 25,500 to Rs 81,100) and Level 5 (Rs 29,200 to Rs 92,300) |
| DEO Grade A | Level 4 |
Eligibility Criteria
Age Limit (as on 01.08.2026)
Candidates must be between 18 and 27 years old, which means they should have been born between 02.08.1999 and 01.08.2008. The upper age limit is relaxed as follows:
- SC and ST: 5 years
- OBC: 3 years
- Persons with benchmark disabilities: 10, 13, or 15 years depending on category
- Ex-servicemen: 3 years after deducting the length of military service
Other relaxations are listed in the notice.
Educational Qualification
Candidates must have passed Class 12 (or equivalent) on or before 07.10.2026. DEO posts in the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, in the Staff Selection Commission, and in the Ministry of Culture need the Science stream with Mathematics as a subject.
Application Fee
The application fee is Rs 100. Women candidates, SC and ST candidates, persons with benchmark disabilities, and eligible ex-servicemen do not have to pay it.
During the correction window, the charge was Rs 200 for the first correction and Rs 500 for the second. Challenging an answer key costs Rs 50 per question.
Exam Pattern
The examination has two tiers.
Tier-I
Tier-I is a computer-based test of 100 questions and 200 marks, to be solved in 60 minutes. Each of the four parts has a 15-minute sectional timer and carries 25 questions for 50 marks. Every wrong answer costs 0.50 marks.
| Part | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| English Language | 25 | 50 |
| General Intelligence | 25 | 50 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 50 |
| General Awareness | 25 | 50 |
Tier-II
Tier-II is held in two sessions. Session I has three sections, and Session II has a skill or typing test.
| Section | Content | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | Mathematics (30) and Reasoning (30) | 60 | 180 | 1 hour |
| II | English (40) and General Awareness (20) | 60 | 180 | 1 hour |
| III | Computer Knowledge Test (qualifying) | 15 | 45 | 15 minutes |
| IV | Skill or typing test (qualifying) | Not applicable | Not applicable | As per post |
The skill test depends on the post. DEO Part A requires 15,000 key depressions per hour for the specified ministries, and DEO Part B requires 8,000. The LDC and JSA typing test lasts 10 minutes. There is a negative mark of 1 in Sections I to III, and candidates must qualify in every section.
Qualifying Marks
The minimum marks in Tier-I and in Sections I to III of Tier-II are 30 percent for UR, 25 percent for OBC and EWS, and 20 percent for all other categories.
Selection Process
The merit list is built from the combined marks scored in Section I and Section II of Tier-II. A candidate must also qualify in Section III and Section IV to be considered.
How to Apply
Candidates could apply through the official SSC website or the mySSC mobile app.
Prepare With MockToOfficer
Tier-I is timed by section, so speed and accuracy in all four parts matter. Practise daily with our free resources.
Courses for 2026
- Ultimate Current Affairs 2026
- VocabMaster Course 2026
- Reading Comprehension Course
- All courses and the test portal
Daily Practice
- Take the daily current affairs quiz on our test portal
- Download the free daily Current Affairs PDF
- Download the free daily Editorial and Vocab PDF
- Browse more material in the Free Learning Hub
Official Links
- Official website: https://ssc.gov.in
Daily Current Affairs Quiz PDF and Vocabs PDF will be shared directly on our Telegram channel at 10:00 AM every day. Join us on Telegram.