The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has released the official notification for the Combined Higher Secondary (10+2) Level Examination 2026. Online applications are open now, and the last date to apply is 7 October 2026 (11:00 PM).
SSC CHSL is one of the most popular exams for 12th pass candidates. It offers Group C jobs in various Ministries and Departments of the Government of India. If you have passed Class 12, this is a good chance to get a central government job.
SSC CHSL 2026 Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | Staff Selection Commission (SSC) |
| Exam Name | Combined Higher Secondary (10+2) Level Examination 2026 |
| Posts | LDC / JSA, Data Entry Operator (DEO), DEO Grade ‘A’ |
| Total Vacancies | Approx. 2536 (tentative) |
| Qualification | 12th pass (Science with Maths for some DEO posts) |
| Age Limit | 18 to 27 years |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Application Fee | ₹100 |
| Selection Process | Tier-I, Tier-II (CBT), Skill/Typing Test |
| Official Website | ssc.gov.in |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online application starts | 7 September 2026 |
| Last date to apply | 7 October 2026 (23:00) |
| Last date for fee payment | 8 October 2026 (23:00) |
| Application correction window | 14 to 16 October 2026 (23:00) |
| Tier-I exam date | To be notified later |
| Tier-II exam date | To be notified later |
Posts and Salary
| Post | Pay Level | Salary Range |
|---|---|---|
| Lower Divisional Clerk (LDC) / Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA) | Level 2 | ₹19,900 – ₹63,200 |
| Data Entry Operator (DEO) | Level 4 and Level 5 | ₹25,500 – ₹81,100 and ₹29,200 – ₹92,300 |
| Data Entry Operator Grade ‘A’ | Level 4 | ₹25,500 – ₹81,100 |
Vacancies
SSC has announced approximately 2536 tentative vacancies. The final number will be decided after the user departments submit their documents. Post-wise and category-wise vacancies will be published on ssc.gov.in under Candidate’s Corner > Tentative Vacancy.
SSC does not collect state-wise or zone-wise vacancies. For that information, you need to contact the concerned department.
Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification (as on 7 October 2026)
- LDC/JSA and most DEO posts: 12th pass from a recognized Board or University.
- DEO / DEO Grade ‘A’ in Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Staff Selection Commission and Ministry of Culture: 12th pass in Science stream with Mathematics from a recognized Board.
- Candidates who are appearing in their 12th exam can also apply, but they must have the required qualification on or before 7 October 2026.
Age Limit (as on 1 August 2026)
The age limit is 18 to 27 years. Candidates should be born between 2 August 1999 and 1 August 2008 (both dates included).
| Category | Age Relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC / ST | 5 years |
| OBC | 3 years |
| PwBD (General) | 10 years |
| PwBD (OBC) | 13 years |
| PwBD (SC/ST) | 15 years |
| Ex-Servicemen | 3 years (after deducting military service) |
Other relaxations for defence personnel and central government civilian employees apply as per the notification.
Nationality
You must be a citizen of India, or a subject of Nepal or Bhutan, or a person of Indian origin who has migrated from the countries listed in the notification with the intention of settling in India.
Application Fee
- General / OBC / EWS (men): ₹100
- Exempted from fee: Women, SC, ST, PwBD and Ex-Servicemen eligible for reservation
- Payment mode: BHIM UPI, Net Banking, Visa, MasterCard, Maestro or RuPay debit cards
- Correction charges: ₹200 (during the correction window only)
Fee once paid will not be refunded. If your fee is not received by SSC, your application will show as “Incomplete”.
Selection Process
- Tier-I: Computer Based Test
- Tier-II: Computer Based Test
- Skill Test / Typing Test: Qualifying in nature
- Document verification
Exam Pattern
Tier-I
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| English Language | 25 | 50 |
| General Intelligence | 25 | 50 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 50 |
| General Awareness | 25 | 50 |
| Total | 100 | 200 |
- Duration: 60 minutes
- Negative marking: 0.50 marks for each wrong answer
- Questions will be in English, Hindi and other languages opted by the candidate (except English Language part)
Tier-II
Tier-II has four sections:
- Section I: Mathematical Abilities and Reasoning & General Intelligence (60 minutes)
- Section II: English Language & Comprehension and General Awareness (60 minutes)
- Section III: Computer Knowledge Test (15 minutes, qualifying)
- Section IV: Skill Test / Typing Test (qualifying)
Negative marking is 1 mark for each wrong answer in Sections I, II and III. You must qualify in all sections of Tier-II.
Skill Test / Typing Test
| Post | Requirement |
|---|---|
| LDC / JSA | 35 w.p.m. in English or 30 w.p.m. in Hindi (10 minutes). You choose the medium in the application form, and it cannot be changed later. |
| DEO / DEO Grade ‘A’ (Consumer Affairs, SSC, Culture) | 15,000 key depressions per hour (15 minutes) |
| DEO / DEO Grade ‘A’ (other departments) | 8,000 key depressions per hour (15 minutes) |
How to Apply for SSC CHSL 2026
- Go to the official website ssc.gov.in or use the my SSC mobile app.
- Complete the One-Time Registration (OTR) if you have not done it already.
- Log in and select the SSC CHSL 2026 application link.
- Fill in your personal, educational and post preference details. Choose your typing test medium and three exam centres in order of priority.
- Upload your photograph and scanned signature (JPEG/JPG, 10 to 20 KB).
- Pay the fee if you are not exempted.
- Check the preview carefully, submit the form and save a printout.
Tip: Do not wait for the last day. Servers are usually slow in the final hours, and SSC is not responsible if you cannot submit due to heavy traffic.
Important Links
| Link | URL |
|---|---|
| Official Notification PDF | Download Here |
| Apply Online | ssc.gov.in |
| Official Website | ssc.gov.in |
Helpline: 1800-309-3063 (toll free) for any difficulty in filling the form.
Final Words
If you are a 12th pass candidate and fit the age limit, apply for SSC CHSL 2026 before 7 October 2026. Check your eligibility and documents carefully, as the information you fill in will be verified later by the user departments. Keep visiting GovtPath for the exam date, admit card, syllabus and result updates.
FAQs
Q1. What is the last date to apply for SSC CHSL 2026?
The last date to apply online is 7 October 2026 till 11:00 PM. Fee payment is allowed till 8 October 2026.
Q2. How many vacancies are there in SSC CHSL 2026?
There are approximately 2536 tentative vacancies. The final number will be updated later.
Q3. What is the qualification for SSC CHSL 2026?
You need to be 12th pass. For DEO posts in some departments (Consumer Affairs, SSC and Culture), you need Science stream with Maths.
Q4. What is the age limit for SSC CHSL 2026?
18 to 27 years as on 1 August 2026, with relaxation for reserved categories.
Q5. Is there any application fee for women candidates?
No. Women, SC, ST, PwBD and Ex-Servicemen candidates are exempted from the fee. Others pay ₹100.
Q6. Can I edit my form after submitting?
Yes, in the correction window from 14 to 16 October 2026 on payment of ₹200 correction charges.
