Vacancies: ~2,536 (indicative) · Posts: LDC / JSA, DEO, DEO Grade ‘A’ · Type: Regular Government Service · Mode: Online · Fee: ₹100 (Women / SC / ST / PwBD / ESM: Nil) · Apply: 07 September 2026–07 October 2026 · Salary: Level-2 to Level-5 · Selection: Tier-I CBT + Tier-II CBT + DEST / Typing + DV · Location: All India
The 12th-pass pipeline into central ministries is thinner this cycle. Staff Selection Commission, an attached office of the Department of Personnel and Training under the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Government of India, has opened the Combined Higher Secondary (10+2) Level Examination, 2026 for about 2,536 tentative Group C seats. That is fewer than the previous CHSL cycle, which began with 3,131 tentative vacancies before a later upward revision.
Applications are live on ssc.gov.in from 07 September 2026 to 07 October 2026 (11:00 PM). The fee can be paid till 08 October 2026 (11:00 PM). Posts on offer are Lower Division Clerk / Junior Secretariat Assistant, Data Entry Operator and Data Entry Operator Grade ‘A’ in Ministries, Departments and Offices of the Government of India.
CHSL remains the main all-India clerical exam after Class 12. Pay starts at Level-2 (₹19,900 basic) for LDC/JSA and goes up to Level-5 (₹29,200 basic) for some DEO seats. Selection is a two-tier computer-based exam plus a qualifying typing or data-entry skill test. Post-wise and category-wise numbers will appear later under Tentative Vacancy on the Commission website.
On this page
Also Read: SSC JE Recruitment 2026 – Apply Online for 1748 Junior Engineer Posts
Who Should Apply?
- Class 12 / 10+2 pass from a recognised Board → LDC / JSA and most DEO / DEO Grade ‘A’ seats – ~2,536 tentative posts combined
- Class 12 Science with Mathematics → DEO / DEO Grade ‘A’ in the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Staff Selection Commission and the Ministry of Culture
- Women, SC, ST, PwBD and eligible Ex-Servicemen → same posts, with fee exemption and notified age relaxation
- Appeared-for-Class-12 candidates → may apply only if the Board declares the qualifying result on or before 07 October 2026. A result still “under process” does not count.
- Serving Central Government civilian employees with 3+ years’ regular service → extra age room (up to 40 years; 45 years for SC/ST), with NOC readiness for document verification
Post comparison at a glance
| Factor | LDC / JSA | DEO | DEO Grade ‘A’ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vacancies | Part of ~2,536 tentative pool | Part of ~2,536 tentative pool | Part of ~2,536 tentative pool |
| Minimum qualification | Class 12 or equivalent | Class 12; Science + Maths for named ministries | Class 12; Science + Maths for named ministries |
| Pay Level | Level-2 (₹19,900–63,200) | Level-4 or Level-5 | Level-4 (₹25,500–81,100) |
| Qualifying skill | Typing 35 wpm English or 30 wpm Hindi | DEST (key-depression test) | DEST (key-depression test) |
Who cannot apply
- Age above the absolute maximum after all notified relaxations as on 01 August 2026
- Class 12 result not declared by 07 October 2026
- Women candidates for any Border Roads Organisation vacancy that may be reported (BRO seats, if any, are male-only)
- A second CHSL 2026 application if you already submitted one for this examination
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification date | 07 September 2026 |
| Online application starts | 07 September 2026 |
| Last date to submit application | 07 October 2026 (11:00 PM) |
| Last date for online fee payment | 08 October 2026 (11:00 PM) |
| Application correction window (including correction-fee payment) | 14 October 2026 to 16 October 2026 (11:00 PM) |
| Tier-I Computer Based Examination | To be notified |
| Tier-II Computer-Based Examination | To be notified |
No extension has been announced. Exam cities and admit cards will follow on the same portal.
Quick Overview – SSC CHSL Recruitment 2026
- Organisation: Staff Selection Commission (SSC)
- Exam / Advertisement No.: Combined Higher Secondary (10+2) Level Examination, 2026 · F. No. HQ-C1102/5/2026-C-1
- Sector: Central Government / Public Administration
- Posts: Lower Division Clerk (LDC) / Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA), Data Entry Operator (DEO), Data Entry Operator Grade ‘A’
- Vacancies: Approximately 2,536 tentative/indicative Group C posts. Final, post-wise and category-wise figures will be uploaded later.
- Job Location: All India (All India Service Liability)
- Job Type: Regular Government Service
- Pay: Level-2 to Level-5 of the 7th CPC pay matrix
- Qualification: Class 12 pass (Science with Mathematics for specified DEO seats)
- Age: 18–27 years as on 01 August 2026
- Application mode: Online only on ssc.gov.in or the mySSC app
- Application fee: ₹100; nil for women, SC, ST, PwBD and eligible ESM
- Last date: 07 October 2026 (11:00 PM); fee till 08 October 2026 (11:00 PM)
- Selection: Tier-I CBT → Tier-II CBT → DEST / Typing Test → document verification by the user department
- Official Website: SSC official portal
- Apply Online: Apply online for SSC CHSL 2026 on the official SSC portal (opens till 07 October 2026)
- Notification PDF: Download SSC CHSL 2026 Official Notification PDF
What Posts Are Available? – SSC Vacancy & Eligibility 2026
These 2,536 seats are indicative. SSC does not collect state-wise or zone-wise figures for CHSL. Updated post-wise and category-wise numbers will appear under Tentative Vacancy after user departments confirm their demand.
Postal Assistant / Sorting Assistant and Court Clerk are not part of this cycle. The live designations are clerical (LDC/JSA) and data-entry (DEO / DEO Grade ‘A’).
| Post Name | Vacancies | Qualification | Pay Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower Division Clerk (LDC) / Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA) | Included in ~2,536 tentative total | Class 12 / 10+2 or equivalent from a recognised Board or University | Level-2 · ₹19,900–63,200 |
| Data Entry Operator (DEO) | Included in ~2,536 tentative total | Class 12 or equivalent; Science stream with Mathematics for MCAFPD, SSC and Ministry of Culture seats | Level-4 · ₹25,500–81,100 or Level-5 · ₹29,200–92,300 |
| Data Entry Operator, Grade ‘A’ | Included in ~2,536 tentative total | Class 12 or equivalent; Science stream with Mathematics for the same three organisations | Level-4 · ₹25,500–81,100 |
Interpretation: Treat the 2,536 figure as a planning number, not a final roster. Most seats in a typical CHSL cycle sit in LDC/JSA. DEO Grade ‘A’ is usually the smaller, higher-cut-off pocket. If you need a specific city or ministry, wait for the detailed vacancy file before locking preferences. Preferences are collected later through an online option form, not in the first application.
Confirmed vs not specified
- Confirmed: total tentative vacancies, three designations, pay levels, two-tier exam, DEST/typing standards, application window
- Not specified yet: post-wise count, category-wise roster, exact user-department list, Tier-I and Tier-II dates
What Is the Age Limit?
Age is reckoned as on 01 August 2026. Eligible UR dates of birth: not before 02 August 1999 and not later than 01 August 2008.
| Category | Age band | Maximum age as on 01 August 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| UR / EWS | 18–27 years | 27 years |
| OBC | +3 years | 30 years |
| SC / ST | +5 years | 32 years |
| PwBD (UR) | +10 years | 37 years |
| PwBD (OBC) | +13 years | 40 years |
| PwBD (SC / ST) | +15 years | 42 years |
| Ex-Servicemen | 3 years after deducting military service from actual age as on 01 August 2026 | As per service rendered |
| Central Govt civilian employees (3+ years regular service) | Up to 40 years (45 years for SC/ST) | 40 / 45 years |
| Widows / divorced / judicially separated women (not remarried) | Up to 35 years (40 years for SC/ST) | 35 / 40 years |
Age relaxation is not available to sons, daughters or dependants of Ex-Servicemen. ESM who have already taken a regular Group C/D civil post using ESM reservation do not get ESM reservation or fee concession again.
Examples:
✅ A 26-year-old UR candidate born on 02 August 2000 — eligible (within the 27-year limit as on 01 August 2026).
❌ A 28-year-old UR candidate born on 01 August 1998 — not eligible (exceeds the maximum age by 1 year).
Use our Age Eligibility Calculator to check instantly.
What Is the LDC, JSA and DEO Salary in Central Government Offices?
Pay follows the 7th CPC matrix. In-hand figures below are indicative for current DA around 55% and standard HRA/TA. Actual take-home depends on posting city, NPS and department deductions. Check with the 7th CPC Salary Calculator. This calculator gives an estimate; the official pay rules of the allotted department prevail.
| Post | Basic | DA ~55% | HRA (X-city 30%) | Illustrative gross (X-city) | Indicative in-hand (X-city) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LDC / JSA (Level-2) | ₹19,900 | ~₹10,945 | ₹5,970 | ~₹38,000–40,500 | ~₹33,000–36,000 |
| DEO (Level-4) | ₹25,500 | ~₹14,025 | ₹7,650 | ~₹49,000–51,000 | ~₹42,000–46,000 |
| DEO / selected seats (Level-5) | ₹29,200 | ~₹16,060 | ₹8,760 | ~₹55,000–58,000 | ~₹48,000–52,000 |
| DEO Grade ‘A’ (Level-4) | ₹25,500 | ~₹14,025 | ₹7,650 | ~₹49,000–51,000 | ~₹42,000–46,000 |
Y-class cities (20% HRA) and Z-class towns (10% HRA) pay less HRA. Transport Allowance also drops outside X-class cities. NPS contribution is 10% of basic plus DA.
Recruits join the National Pension System unless a later central rule says otherwise. Allowances such as dress, children’s education, and medical follow the allotted department’s rules, not a single CHSL circular.
What Is the Application Fee?
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| UR / OBC / EWS men | ₹100 |
| Women (all categories) | Nil |
| SC / ST | Nil |
| PwBD | Nil |
| Ex-Servicemen eligible for reservation | Nil |
Pay online through BHIM UPI, net banking, or Visa / Mastercard / Maestro / RuPay debit cards by 08 October 2026 (11:00 PM). The fee, once paid, is not refunded and is not adjusted against any other SSC exam.
Correction window charges (separate from the application fee): ₹200 for the first correction and ₹500 for the second. You may correct and re-submit the form twice between 14 and 16 October 2026.
How to Apply?
Applications are accepted only online on ssc.gov.in or through the mySSC mobile app from Google Play. An old One-Time Registration created on ssc.nic.in will not work.
- Open the SSC official portal and complete a fresh One-Time Registration if you do not already have one on the new site. Finish OTR within 14 days, or the draft will be deleted.
- Prefer Aadhaar-based authentication during OTR. Candidates who authenticate with Aadhaar are not rejected only because the photo or signature file fails the pixel rules.
- Log in and open Combined Higher Secondary (10+2) Level Examination, 2026 under latest notifications.
- Fill personal, category and Class 12 details exactly as they appear on the matriculation certificate.
- Capture a live photograph in the application module. Do not upload an old passport photo. Sit before a plain background, no cap, no mask, no spectacles.
- Upload the signature in the prescribed JPEG size. Use the Photo & Signature Resizer before you upload if the file is oversized.
- Submit the form by 07 October 2026 (11:00 PM) and pay the fee, if payable, by 08 October 2026 (11:00 PM).
- Download the application printout. Post preferences come later through a separate online option form, not in this first form.
Apply once for the examination. The notice states that only one online application is allowed for this examination. If a candidate submits multiple applications and appears at any stage more than once, candidature will be cancelled and the candidate can be debarred from Commission examinations. Fee paid on an extra form is not transferred.
Serving government employees should keep an NOC ready for document verification. The notice does not require you to upload the NOC at the application stage.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using an old ssc.nic.in OTR instead of registering on ssc.gov.in
- Uploading a saved photograph instead of the live camera capture
- Assuming a Class 12 result “under process” on 07 October 2026 will be accepted
- Selecting Hindi typing without practising on Mangal font (any other Hindi font fails the test)
- Waiting for post-wise vacancies before applying; the first form only registers you for the exam
- Treating BRO physical standards as optional if you later prefer a BRO vacancy (male candidates only)
एसएससी सीएचएसएल भर्ती 2026 – 2,536 अनंतिम एलडीसी, जेएसए और डीईओ पदों के लिए ऑनलाइन आवेदन
कक्षा 12 पास अभ्यर्थियों के लिए केंद्र सरकार की सबसे बड़ी लिपिकीय परीक्षा इस वर्ष लगभग 2,536 अनंतिम पदों के साथ खुली है। पिछले चक्र की तुलना में सीटें कम हैं, फिर भी एलडीसी, जेएसए और डेटा एंट्री ऑपरेटर पदों पर नियमित सरकारी नौकरी का यही मुख्य रास्ता है। ऑनलाइन आवेदन 07 सितंबर 2026 से 07 अक्टूबर 2026 रात 11 बजे तक ssc.gov.in पर चलेंगे।
कौन आवेदन कर सकता है?
मान्यता प्राप्त बोर्ड से 12वीं पास अभ्यर्थी एलडीसी/जेएसए और अधिकांश डीईओ पदों के लिए पात्र हैं। उपभोक्ता मामले, खाद्य और सार्वजनिक वितरण मंत्रालय, एसएससी और संस्कृति मंत्रालय के डीईओ पदों के लिए 12वीं विज्ञान और गणित अनिवार्य है। आयु 01 अगस्त 2026 को 18 से 27 वर्ष होनी चाहिए। 07 अक्टूबर 2026 तक परिणाम घोषित होना जरूरी है। केवल प्रोसेसिंग काफी नहीं है।
वेतन और चयन क्या है?
एलडीसी/जेएसए का पे लेवल-2 (मूल वेतन ₹19,900) है। डीईओ लेवल-4 या लेवल-5 पर आता है। महानगर में शुरुआती इन-हैंड वेतन लेवल-2 पर करीब ₹33,000–36,000 और लेवल-4 पर करीब ₹42,000–46,000 रह सकता है। चयन टियर-1 कंप्यूटर परीक्षा, टियर-2 परीक्षा और टाइपिंग या डेटा एंट्री स्किल टेस्ट से होगा। टियर-1 में हर खंड के लिए 15 मिनट का अलग टाइमर है।
आवेदन कैसे करें?
नए पोर्टल ssc.gov.in पर वन-टाइम रजिस्ट्रेशन बनाएं। पुरानी वेबसाइट ssc.nic.in का ओटीआर काम नहीं करेगा। फॉर्म में लाइव फोटो कैप्चर करनी है। महिलाओं, एससी, एसटी, दिव्यांग और पात्र पूर्व सैनिकों को ₹100 शुल्क से छूट है। सुधार विंडो 14 से 16 अक्टूबर 2026 तक खुलेगी। आधिकारिक सूचना ssc.gov.in पर उपलब्ध है।
How Are Candidates Selected?
Selection is a chain, not a single paper. Tier-I shortlists you for Tier-II. Final merit is drawn from Tier-II Section-I and Section-II marks, after you qualify Computer Knowledge, DEST or Typing, and document verification.
- Online application and fee
- Tier-I Computer-Based Examination (qualifying for the next stage)
- Tier-II Computer-Based Examination (merit from Sections I and II)
- Computer Knowledge Test (qualifying) and DEST / Typing Test (qualifying)
- Document verification and medical fitness by the user department (BRO seats also need PET/medical)
No separate interview stage is mentioned in the current notice. Appointment still depends on DV, medical fitness where required, and the reservation roster of the allotted department.
What’s changed this cycle
- Tentative vacancies opened at 2,536, below the previous cycle’s opening tally of 3,131
- Tier-I now runs with a 15-minute sectional timer for each of the four parts
- Application correction window is three days (14–16 October 2026), with paid corrections (₹200 then ₹500)
- Live photograph is captured inside the form; old scanned photos are not the intended route
- Aadhaar authentication is available at OTR; authenticated candidates get relief on photo/sign file rejection
- Hindi typing must be in Mangal font
- OTR from the retired ssc.nic.in site is invalid
- User departments conduct document verification after final results
Tier-I exam pattern
| Part | Subject | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | English Language (Basic Knowledge) | 25 | 50 | 15 minutes |
| II | General Intelligence | 25 | 50 | 15 minutes |
| III | Quantitative Aptitude (Basic Arithmetic Skill) | 25 | 50 | 15 minutes |
| IV | General Awareness | 25 | 50 | 15 minutes |
| Total | 100 | 200 | 60 minutes |
Negative marking: 0.50 marks for each wrong answer. When a section timer ends, that part closes.
Tier-II exam pattern
Tier-II is held in two sessions on the same day. All sections must be attempted and qualified.
| Session | Section | Content | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Session-I | Section-I | Mathematical Abilities + Reasoning & General Intelligence | 60 | 180 | 1 hour |
| Session-I | Section-II | English Language & Comprehension + General Awareness | 60 | 180 | 1 hour |
| Session-I | Section-III | Computer Knowledge Test (qualifying) | 15 | 45 | 15 minutes |
| Session-II | Section-IV | DEST (DEO) or Typing Test (LDC/JSA) | Qualifying | Qualifying | 15 minutes DEST / 10 minutes typing |
Negative marking: 1 mark for each wrong answer in Sections I, II and III. Minimum qualifying marks in Sections I–III: UR 30%, OBC/EWS 25%, all other categories 20%.
Skill test and typing standards
- DEO / DEO Grade ‘A’: Data Entry Skill Test. 15 minutes (20 minutes with scribe). Speed is 15,000 or 8,000 key depressions per hour, as specified for the post and passage in the notice.
- LDC / JSA: Typing test. 10 minutes (15 minutes with scribe). 35 words per minute in English or 30 words per minute in Hindi. Hindi must be typed in Mangal font. A medical certificate can be submitted to seek exemption only where the disability prevents typing.
Use the Cut-off Marks Calculator to map previous scores against this year’s vacancy size. Cut-offs change with vacancies and paper difficulty.
Previous cycle Tier-I cut-offs (CHSL 2025)
| Category | LDC / JSA | DEO Grade ‘A’ |
|---|---|---|
| UR | 144.25 | 169.54 |
| OBC | 143.83 | 169.49 |
| EWS | 141.42 | 169.54 |
| SC | 125.40 | 157.72 |
| ST | 115.25 | 152.78 |
| ESM | 68.26 | 128.52 |
| OH | 112.15 | — |
| HH | 75.38 | 118.61 |
| VH | 82.72 | — |
| PwD – Other | 55.33 | — |
These are last-cycle figures declared by SSC for CHSL 2025. They are only a reference. With fewer opening vacancies in 2026, UR and OBC cut-offs can move.
Physical standards for BRO seats (if reported)
Only male candidates can be considered for Border Roads Organisation vacancies. Those allotted to BRO undergo a Physical Efficiency Test (one-mile run to be completed in 10 minutes) plus physical and medical standards at GREF Centre / the notified recruitment centre. Exact medical tables are in the notice schedules. Use the Physical Standards Calculator only if you intend to prefer BRO.
Why Does Staff Selection Commission Matter?
Staff Selection Commission runs the main open exams for Group B and Group C posts in the Government of India. CHSL is the 10+2 stream of that system. It feeds Lower Division Clerks, Junior Secretariat Assistants and Data Entry Operators into ministries, attached offices, statutory bodies and selected field organisations.
Candidates search this exam because it is still one of the few all-India, 12th-pass routes into regular central service with 7th CPC pay and NPS. They also search “SSC CHSL salary”, “SSC CHSL apply online link”, “SSC CHSL eligibility” and “CHSL vs MTS vs CGL” every cycle. The Commission’s new website, live-photo capture and Aadhaar option have become part of that search as well.
The honest limitation is volume and wait. Tentative seats this year are lower than the last opening figure; papers attract a very large applicant pool, and joining often comes many months after Tier-I. Posting can be anywhere in India. That combination, not the syllabus, is what most selected candidates remember first.
Related reading: browse our SSC organisation page and central government jobs hub.
The SahisarkariJobs.in Analyst’s Take
CHSL 2026 should be compared with SSC MTS and with state 12th-level clerk exams, not with IBPS PO. MTS is 10th-pass and Level-1. CHSL is 12th-pass and starts at Level-2, with a shot at Level-4/5 DEO. SSC CGL is the graduate ladder and should stay a parallel plan, not a substitute for this form.
Also Read: CSC Aadhaar Supervisor Recruitment 2026 – Apply Online for 19 Posts in Bihar, J&K and Jharkhand
Best fit: Class 12 candidates who can type 35 wpm (or 30 wpm Hindi on Mangal) and who want a regular central desk job rather than a state police or bank-clerk paper. Science-with-Maths students should keep DEO in the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, SSC and Culture on their later preference list.
Skip this if you cannot accept All India Service Liability. A first posting in a small-town ministry cell is common. Also skip if your Class 12 result will miss 07 October 2026, or if you are counting on a city-locked roster that SSC has not published yet.
Practical tip: File the application this week, then spend October–November on sectional timing drills and a daily 10-minute typing log. Tier-I now closes each part in 15 minutes. A strong English-Maths pair still dies if DEST or Mangal-font Hindi typing is left for after the Tier-II date.
What Documents Are Required?
Keep originals and scans ready. User departments call for documents after the final result.
- Class 10 certificate (name, father/mother name, date of birth)
- Class 12 marksheet and certificate with result date on or before 07 October 2026
- Photo ID used in the application (Aadhaar, voter ID, PAN, driving licence, etc.)
- Category certificate in the notice annexure format (SC/ST, OBC-NCL, EWS, PwBD)
- ESM discharge book and undertaking, if applicable
- Central government service certificate for age relaxation, if claimed
- NOC / vigilance clearance at DV if you are already in government service
- PwBD scribe and limitation certificates in the annexures, if used
- Live-photo appearance must match the face at the exam venue
Document alert: Matriculation spellings must match OTR. A one-letter mismatch in the date of birth across Class 10 and Aadhaar is a frequent rejection point at DV.
What Happens After Selection?
- SSC publishes results and then a First Round of Tentative Allocation after you fill the post-preference form.
- The allotted user department calls you for document verification and, where required, medical examination.
- BRO-allotted male candidates report for PET and medical standards before appointment.
- You receive an offer from the department, not from SSC HQ. Joining date, station and reporting officer are mentioned in that letter.
- Probation and confirmation follow the service rules of the allotted cadre. Most LDC/JSA and DEO posts carry a probation of about two years.
- After confirmation, you stay in Group C central service with annual increment, DA revision and departmental promotion exams (LDC → UDC / Senior Secretariat Assistant in many cadres).
Based on recent CHSL cycles, expect several months from application to joining. Sliding / reallocation rounds may run if first-allotment candidates do not join. Do not resign an existing job until the department issues a firm appointment letter.
Contact & Helpline
- SSC HQ helpdesk (application / CBE issues): 1800 309 3063 (toll-free)
- SSC (NR), New Delhi: 011-24363343
- SSC (CR), Prayagraj: 0532-2460511, 0532-6541021
- SSC (ER), Kolkata: 09477461228, 033-22902230
- SSC (WR), Mumbai: 09869730700, 07738422705
- SSC (SR), Chennai: 09445195946, 044-28251139
- SSC (KKR), Bengaluru: 080-25502520, 09483862020
- SSC (MPR), Raipur: 0771-2282507, 0771-2282678
- SSC (NER), Guwahati: 09085073593, 09085015252
- SSC (NWR), Chandigarh: 0172-2749378, 0172-2744366
- Website: ssc.gov.in
⚠️ Contact details sourced from the official notification/website. Verify before contacting. NEVER pay any money over phone or to any person claiming to offer job assistance. Report fraud to cybercrime.gov.in.
Important Links – SSC CHSL 2026
| Description | Link |
|---|---|
| Notification PDF | Download SSC CHSL 2026 Official Notification PDF |
| Apply Online | Apply online for SSC CHSL 2026 on the official SSC portal (open until 07 October 2026) |
| Official Website | Visit the SSC recruitment and notice board |
| Tentative Vacancy page | Check SSC tentative and post-wise vacancy updates |
| mySSC mobile app | Download mySSC from Google Play and apply through the same OTR |
FAQs – SSC CHSL Recruitment 2026
What is the last date to apply for SSC CHSL 2026?
07 October 2026, 11:00 PM. The online fee can be paid till 08 October 2026, 11:00 PM. No extension is announced as of 08 September 2026. Submit early; the portal slows down on closing night.
What is the age limit for SSC CHSL?
18 to 27 years as of 01 August 2026 for UR and EWS. OBC gets 3 extra years, SC/ST get 5, PwBD gets 10 (13 for OBC-PwBD, 15 for SC/ST-PwBD). Eligible UR births fall between 02 August 1999 and 01 August 2008.
Is there an exam for SSC CHSL, or is it interview-based?
Yes, there is an exam. Tier-I and Tier-II are computer-based papers. DEST or typing is qualifying. No interview is mentioned in this notice. Final merit uses Tier-II Section-I and Section-II marks after you clear the qualifying parts and DV.
What is the salary of an SSC CHSL LDC or DEO?
LDC/JSA starts at Level-2 (basic ₹19,900). Indicative X-city in-hand is about ₹33,000–36,000. DEO Level-4 in-hand is about ₹42,000–46,000. Figures use DA around 55% and 30% HRA and will change with city class and NPS.
Can final-year or result-awaited Class 12 students apply for SSC CHSL 2026?
Yes, if the Board declares the Class 12 result on or before 07 October 2026. Mere processing of the result by that date does not meet the essential qualification. Carry the final marksheet to document verification.
Is SSC CHSL a permanent government job?
Yes. These are regular Group C posts in central ministries and offices, with 7th CPC pay and NPS. Probation and confirmation follow the allotted department’s rules. CHSL itself is an exam, not a contract.
Can candidates from other states apply for this recruitment?
Yes. This is an all-India examination. Indian citizens and other nationality categories listed in the notice with an eligibility certificate can apply. First posting can be anywhere in the country.
Where will I be posted if selected through CHSL?
Anywhere in India under All India Service Liability. You do not choose the first station in the application form. Preferences for post and department are taken later. Rural or small-city offices are common first allotments.
How many times can I attempt the Combined Higher Secondary Level exam?
There is no separate attempt cap in this notice. You may apply in every cycle as long as you stay within the age limit as on that year’s cut-off date. Age, not the number of previous tries, is the hard stop.
Is there negative marking in the 10+2 level SSC exam?
Yes. Tier-I deducts 0.50 marks per wrong answer. Tier-II deducts 1 mark per wrong answer in Sections I, II and III. Unanswered questions do not carry that penalty. Guessing every item is a poor plan on both papers.
What is the in-hand salary of a Lower Division Clerk in central government offices?
Around ₹33,000–36,000 a month in an X-class city at Level-2 with current DA near 55% and 30% HRA, after NPS. Y- and Z-class cities pay less HRA. The allotted department’s allowances decide the final slip.
Are 12th-pass central clerical jobs worth applying for if vacancies look lower this year?
Worth knowing before you apply: 2,536 tentative seats are fewer than last year’s opening number, so cut-offs can rise. The job is still a regular Group C post with promotion routes. If you need a guaranteed metro desk in year one, this exam will frustrate you.
Do I need a state domicile for central 10+2 clerk posts?
No. CHSL does not ask for a state domicile. Citizenship rules in the notice apply. Some user departments may later apply local language or transfer rules after joining. That is a service condition, not an application bar.
Final Checklist – Is This the Right Job for You?
- You meet the age and Class 12 criteria as on 01 August 2026 / 07 October 2026.
- You are comfortable with Regular Government Service and All India posting.
- You can arrange Class 10, Class 12, category and photo-ID papers before DV.
- You are prepared for the hardest stage for your post: sectional Tier-I timing plus DEST or Mangal-font typing.
- You understand vacancies are indicative, and the first form only registers you for the exam.
📄 Source: Official notification released by the Staff Selection Commission on 07 September 2026. All details are sourced from the SSC CHSL 2026 official notification PDF.
