Last Updated on: 13 Feb 2026, 03:04 AM
SSC CHSL Exam 2026 – Complete All-in-One Guide
SSC CHSL Exam 2026 complete guide covering overview, eligibility, exam pattern, syllabus, cutoff, selection process, salary, posts and preparation strategy.
SSC CHSL Exam 2026 – Complete Guide to Eligibility, Syllabus, Exam Pattern, Salary & Selection Process
The SSC CHSL Exam (Combined Higher Secondary Level) is conducted by the Staff Selection Commission for recruitment to Group C posts in various Central Government departments. It is one of the most popular government exams for 12th pass candidates in India. This pillar page covers every important detail including eligibility, exam pattern, syllabus, selection process, salary, cutoff trends and preparation strategy.
📌 Overview of SSC CHSL Exam
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | SSC CHSL (Combined Higher Secondary Level) |
| Conducting Body | Staff Selection Commission (SSC) |
| Qualification | 12th Pass |
| Exam Mode | Computer Based Test |
| Posts | LDC, JSA, PA, SA, DEO |
| Selection Stages | Tier I & Tier II |
| Final merit is prepared based on Tier II performance | |
📅 SSC CHSL Important Dates (Tentative)
| Event | Expected Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Notification Release | April 2026 | Upcoming |
| Online Application Start | April 2026 | Upcoming |
| Last Date to Apply | May 2026 | Upcoming |
| Tier I Exam | July–August 2026 | Upcoming |
| Tier II Exam | November 2026 | Upcoming |
| Final dates will be announced in official SSC notification | ||
🎓 SSC CHSL Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification- Candidate must have passed 12th (10+2) from a recognized board.
- For DEO in CAG department – Mathematics required in 12th.
- Minimum Age: 18 years
- Maximum Age: 27 years
- Age relaxation applicable as per government rules.
📝 SSC CHSL Exam Pattern
Tier I Exam Pattern| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General Intelligence | 25 | 50 |
| General Awareness | 25 | 50 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 50 |
| English Language | 25 | 50 |
| Total: 100 Questions | 200 Marks | 60 Minutes | ||
- Negative marking: 0.50 marks
- Computer-based exam
- Normalization applied
| Module | Type | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | Objective | Merit |
| Reasoning | Objective | Merit |
| English | Objective | Merit |
| General Awareness | Objective | Merit |
| Skill Test / DEST | Qualifying | Required for specific posts |
🧭 SSC CHSL Selection Process
- Tier I – Qualifying Stage
- Tier II – Final Merit Stage
- Skill Test / DEST – Qualifying
- Document Verification
Final selection is based on Tier II marks only.
📚 SSC CHSL Syllabus
General Intelligence- Analogies
- Series
- Coding-Decoding
- Blood Relations
- Venn Diagrams
- History
- Geography
- Polity
- Economy
- Current Affairs
- Number System
- Percentage
- Ratio & Proportion
- Profit & Loss
- Time & Work
- Algebra
- Geometry
- Reading Comprehension
- Error Detection
- Synonyms & Antonyms
- Sentence Improvement
📊 SSC CHSL Cutoff
SSC CHSL cutoff varies every year depending on difficulty level and vacancies. Tier I cutoff is used for shortlisting, while Tier II determines final selection.
| Category | Previous Year Tier I Cutoff (Approx) |
|---|---|
| UR | 155–160 |
| OBC | 150–155 |
| SC | 135–140 |
| ST | 125–130 |
🏛️ Services & Posts Under SSC CHSL
| Post | Department |
|---|---|
| Lower Division Clerk (LDC) | Various Ministries |
| Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA) | Central Govt Offices |
| Postal Assistant (PA) | Department of Posts |
| Sorting Assistant (SA) | Postal Department |
| Data Entry Operator (DEO) | Various Departments |
💰 SSC CHSL in Hand Salary Structure
| Post | Pay Level | Approx Salary |
|---|---|---|
| LDC / JSA | Level 2 | ₹19,900 – ₹63,200 |
| PA / SA | Level 4 | ₹25,500 – ₹81,100 |
| DEO | Level 4/5 | ₹25,500 – ₹92,300 |
| Salary includes DA, HRA and other allowances | ||
📚 Recommended Book List for SSC CHSL Tier I & Tier II
Choosing the right books is very important for cracking the SSC CHSL exam. Below is a carefully selected list of standard and widely recommended books for both Tier I and Tier II preparation. These books cover all sections including Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, English, General Awareness and Skill Test preparation.
| Subject | Recommended Book | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Quantitative Aptitude | Fast Track Objective Arithmetic – Rajesh Verma | Concept clarity & practice for Tier I & Tier II |
| Advanced Mathematics | SSC Mathematics – Rakesh Yadav | Tier II high-level practice |
| General Intelligence (Reasoning) | A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning – R.S. Aggarwal | Basic to advanced reasoning |
| Reasoning Practice | Analytical Reasoning – M.K. Pandey | High-level logical reasoning |
| English Language | Objective General English – S.P. Bakshi | Grammar, vocabulary & comprehension |
| English Practice | Word Power Made Easy – Norman Lewis | Vocabulary improvement |
| General Awareness | Lucent’s General Knowledge | Static GK & basic concepts |
| Current Affairs | Monthly Current Affairs Magazine (Any Standard Source) | Latest updates & exam relevance |
| Previous Year Papers | SSC CHSL Previous Year Solved Papers – Kiran Publication | Understanding exam pattern & trends |
| Typing / Skill Test | Typing Practice Software (English/Hindi) | DEST & Typing Speed improvement |
| Focus on limited standard books and revise them multiple times instead of using too many sources. | ||
🚀 SSC CHSL Preparation Strategy
- Understand latest exam pattern carefully
- Focus on speed & accuracy for Tier I
- Practice previous year papers
- Improve typing speed for DEST
- Revise General Awareness daily
- Attempt mock tests regularly
Consistent preparation and strong fundamentals are key to cracking SSC CHSL in first attempt.
Aspirants also read below articles ↓
- SSC CHSL Exam Pattern→
- SSC CHSL Eligibility Criteria→
- SSC CHSL Selection Process→
- SSC CHSL Syllabus→
- SSC CHSL Previous Year Cut Off→
- Subjects in SSC CHSL→
- SSC CHSL Admit Card→
- Recommended Booklist for SSC CHSL→
- Posts in SSC CHSL→
- SSC CHSL Analysis→
- SSC CHSL Answer Key→
- SSC CHSL Result→
- SSC CHSL Previous Year Question Papers→
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Freqently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is SSC CHSL exam?
SSC CHSL (Combined Higher Secondary Level) is a national-level exam conducted by the Staff Selection Commission to recruit candidates for Group C posts such as LDC, JSA, Postal Assistant, Sorting Assistant and Data Entry Operator in various central government departments.
What is the qualification required for SSC CHSL?
The minimum qualification required for SSC CHSL is passing 12th (10+2) from a recognized board. For certain DEO posts in specific departments, Mathematics in 12th may be mandatory.
What is the age limit for SSC CHSL?
The age limit for SSC CHSL is generally 18 to 27 years. Age relaxation is applicable for reserved categories as per government rules.
What is the salary of SSC CHSL posts?
The salary of SSC CHSL posts ranges from ₹19,900 to ₹92,300 depending on the post and pay level. LDC/JSA fall under Pay Level 2, while PA/SA and DEO are under higher pay levels.
What is the exam pattern of SSC CHSL?
The SSC CHSL exam consists of two tiers. Tier I is a computer-based objective test, and Tier II includes objective papers and a skill test or typing test depending on the post.
Is there negative marking in SSC CHSL?
Yes, there is negative marking in SSC CHSL Tier I. 0.50 marks are deducted for each wrong answer.
How many tiers are there in SSC CHSL exam?
SSC CHSL has two tiers: Tier I (screening stage) and Tier II (final merit stage). Additionally, a skill test or typing test is conducted for specific posts.
What is the cutoff for SSC CHSL?
SSC CHSL cutoff varies every year depending on exam difficulty, number of vacancies and number of candidates. Cutoff is released separately for each category.
Is SSC CHSL tough to crack?
SSC CHSL is considered moderate in difficulty. With consistent preparation and practice, it can be cleared in the first attempt.
What posts are offered under SSC CHSL?
Posts offered under SSC CHSL include Lower Division Clerk (LDC), Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA), Postal Assistant (PA), Sorting Assistant (SA) and Data Entry Operator (DEO).