SSC CHSL 2026: Eligibility, Syllabus, Exam Pattern, Posts & Salary

SSC CHSL 2026: The Best Government Job After 12th

The SSC CHSL (Combined Higher Secondary Level) exam is conducted by the Staff Selection Commission to recruit for posts like Lower Division Clerk (LDC), Postal Assistant/Sorting Assistant (PA/SA), and Data Entry Operator (DEO) across central government departments. Requiring only a 12th pass, it's a top choice for young aspirants.

Eligibility

Education: 12th pass (Higher Secondary) from a recognised board.
Age: 18 to 27 years (with category relaxations).

Not sure you qualify? Check with our free Eligibility Checker.

SSC CHSL 2026 Exam Pattern

Selection is through Tier I → Tier II.

Tier I (Computer Based, 60 minutes)

| Section | Questions | Marks | |---------|-----------|-------| | General Intelligence | 25 | 50 | | General Awareness | 25 | 50 | | Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 50 | | English Language | 25 | 50 |

Total: 100 questions, 200 marks. Negative marking of 0.50 per wrong answer.

Tier II (Computer Based)

Tier II has three sections covering Mathematical Abilities & Reasoning, English & General Awareness, and a Computer Knowledge module plus a short typing/skill test. It is now the deciding stage for final merit.

Posts & Salary

| Post | Pay Level | Approx. In-hand | |------|-----------|-----------------| | LDC / JSA | Level 2 | ₹25,500–₹29,000 | | Postal Assistant / SA | Level 4 | ₹29,000–₹35,000 | | Data Entry Operator | Level 4/5 | ₹30,000–₹36,000 |

All posts include DA, HRA, and central-government benefits like medical coverage and pension.

Syllabus Highlights

Quantitative Aptitude: Number systems, percentages, ratio, averages, time & work, geometry, mensuration, data interpretation.
English: Grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, sentence improvement, error spotting.
Reasoning: Analogies, coding-decoding, series, non-verbal reasoning.
General Awareness: Current affairs, static GK, science, polity, history, geography.

Preparation Strategy

Build accuracy in Quant and English — these decide your Tier I score.
Practise typing early if targeting DEO/PA posts — the skill test matters.
Solve previous year papers and take full-length mocks.
Revise current affairs daily via our Current Affairs section.

Choosing the Right Post: LDC/JSA vs DEO vs PA/SA

Your post preference matters because the skill test requirement differs by post. LDC/JSA candidates need typing speed of 35 wpm in English or 30 wpm in Hindi. Data Entry Operators need a much higher bar — 8,000 key depressions per hour, which requires dedicated typing practice, not casual keyboard familiarity. Postal Assistant/Sorting Assistant roles involve less typing pressure but more public-facing counter work. If you already type fast, rank DEO higher in your preference list — it usually has a better pay level (4/5) than LDC (Level 2) for similar eligibility.

Common Questions About SSC CHSL

Is Tier I alone enough to get selected? No. Since 2022, SSC restructured CHSL so that Tier II (not Tier I) is the deciding stage for final merit — Tier I is now primarily a screening/qualifying round to shortlist candidates for Tier II, so don't relax after clearing Tier I.

Can I apply for both SSC CHSL and SSC CGL in the same year? Yes. There's no restriction, and many candidates use CHSL as a backup while preparing for the more competitive CGL, since the core Reasoning, Quant, and English syllabus overlaps significantly.

How competitive is SSC CHSL compared to CGL? CHSL typically sees lakhs of applicants for a few thousand vacancies, similar competition intensity to CGL, but the syllabus difficulty is comparatively lower since it's designed for 12th-pass candidates rather than graduates.

Get Started

SSC CHSL is a fantastic launchpad for a stable central-government career right after school.

👉 Explore full details and dates on the SSC exam listings, and compare SSC CHSL with SSC CGL to plan your path.