What Do You Need for SSC CHSL?
SSC CHSL 2026 at a Glance
The Combined Higher Secondary Level exam recruits Class 12 pass candidates to clerical and data entry posts in central government ministries and offices.
Fee exempt: women, SC, ST, PwBD and eligible ex-servicemen. Always confirm details on ssc.gov.in.
Posts and Pay Levels
Group C posts under the 7th Pay Commission pay matrix.
| Post | Pay Level | Pay Scale (₹) |
|---|---|---|
| Lower Division Clerk / Junior Secretariat Assistant | 2 | 19,900–63,200 |
| Data Entry Operator | 4 / 5 | 25,500–81,100 / 29,200–92,300 |
| Data Entry Operator, Grade A | 4 | 25,500–81,100 |
Basic pay ranges; allowances (DA, HRA, TA) are paid in addition, depending on the posting.
Who Is Eligible for SSC CHSL 2026?
1. Age
18 to 27 years on 1 August 2026: born not before 2 August 1999 and not after 1 August 2008.
2. Qualification
Class 12 (10+2) or equivalent from a recognised board, passed by the cut-off date in the notification.
3. Age relaxation
Usually 5 years for SC/ST, 3 years for OBC and 10 years for PwBD (General), with other relaxations as per rules.
4. Nationality
Indian citizens, and certain other categories specified in the notification.
Tier 1 Pattern Qualifying
100 objective questions in 60 minutes. 2 marks for each correct answer, 0.50 deducted for each wrong answer.
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| English Language | 25 | 50 |
| General Intelligence | 25 | 50 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 50 |
| General Awareness | 25 | 50 |
| Total (60 min) | 100 | 200 |
Scores from different shifts are normalised. Candidates eligible for a scribe get 80 minutes.
Tier 2 Pattern
Held in two sessions on the same day. 3 marks for each correct answer, 1 deducted for each wrong answer. Sections I and II decide the merit.
| Section / Module | Qs | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| I — Mathematical Abilities | 30 | 90 | 1 h |
| I — Reasoning & General Intelligence | 30 | 90 | |
| II — English Language & Comprehension | 40 | 120 | 1 h |
| II — General Awareness | 20 | 60 | |
| III — Computer Knowledge Qualifying | 15 | 45 | 15 min |
| III — Skill / Typing Test Qualifying | — | — | 10–15 min |
| Merit (Sections I + II) | 120 | 360 | 2 h |
Session I: Sections I, II and III (Module I). Session II: Section III (Module II), the skill or typing test.
Skill Test and Typing Test
Qualifying, on a computer. The test depends on the post.
LDC / JSA — typing
English: 35 words per minute. Hindi: 30 words per minute. 10 minutes.
DEO — data entry
8,000 key depressions per hour on a computer. 15 minutes.
DEO in C&AG — data entry
15,000 key depressions per hour. 15 minutes.
Practise daily
Type for 20–30 minutes every day and focus on accuracy first, then speed.
Candidates eligible for a scribe get extra time. Exemptions for some PwBD candidates apply as per rules.
SSC CHSL Syllabus
The same four subjects appear in Tier 1 and Tier 2; Tier 2 questions are harder. Tap a subject to see its topics.
Quantitative AptitudeTier 1 · Maths in Tier 2
- Number system, HCF and LCM
- Percentage, ratio and proportion
- Profit and loss, discount
- Simple and compound interest
- Time and work, time and distance
- Averages and mixtures
- Algebra, geometry and mensuration
- Trigonometry and heights and distances
- Data interpretation — tables, bar and pie charts
General Intelligence & ReasoningTier 1 · Reasoning in Tier 2
- Analogy and classification
- Series — number, letter and figure
- Coding-decoding
- Blood relations and directions
- Syllogism and statements
- Venn diagrams
- Mirror and water images, paper folding
- Embedded and figure completion
- Matrices and word arrangement
English LanguageTier 1 · English in Tier 2
- Reading comprehension
- Error spotting and sentence improvement
- Fill in the blanks
- Synonyms and antonyms
- One-word substitution
- Idioms and phrases
- Spelling errors
- Active and passive voice
- Direct and indirect speech
- Cloze test and para jumbles
General AwarenessTier 1 · GA in Tier 2
- Current affairs — national and international
- Indian history and culture
- Indian and world geography
- Indian polity and Constitution
- Economy and budget
- General science — physics, chemistry, biology
- Awards, books, sports and important days
Computer KnowledgeTier 2 · Qualifying
- Computer basics — hardware, software, memory
- Input and output devices
- Windows and operating systems
- MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint basics
- Internet, e-mail and web browsing
- Networking basics and cyber security
Free SSC CHSL Study Material
Notes, practice questions and shortcuts for each subject.
These resources are being added subject by subject. Pages marked “Coming soon” are not published yet.
Quantitative Aptitude
Arithmetic, advanced maths and DI with shortcuts.
Coming soon →Reasoning
Verbal and non-verbal reasoning practice.
Coming soon →English Language
Grammar, vocabulary and comprehension.
Coming soon →General Awareness
Static GK, science and current affairs.
Coming soon →Computer Knowledge
Basics for the Tier 2 qualifying module.
Coming soon →SSC CHSL Mock Tests
Full-length tests in the real exam pattern with negative marking.
Under development. The mock tests below are planned and will open here when ready.
Tier 1 Full Mock
Tier 2 Full Mock
Sectional Tests
Typing Practice
SSC CHSL Previous-Year Papers
Shift-wise papers with answer keys and solutions.
Coming soon.
How to Prepare for SSC CHSL
Speed and accuracy win this exam.
Know the pattern
Understand both tiers, negative marking and the qualifying parts.
Build the basics
Revise Class 10 maths and English grammar before moving to shortcuts.
Read daily
Follow current affairs and revise static GK for General Awareness.
Take mock tests
Attempt full mocks weekly and analyse every mistake.
Prepare Tier 2 early
Tier 2 decides the merit — practise harder questions from the start.
Type every day
Start typing practice early so the skill test is not left to the end.
SSC CHSL 2026 Dates
Notification released in September 2026. Applications closed on 7 October 2026; the correction window was 14–16 October 2026. Tier 1 dates are yet to be announced. Always check the official website.
SSC CHSL FAQs
What is SSC CHSL?
The Combined Higher Secondary Level examination is held by the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) to recruit Class 12 pass candidates for Group C posts such as LDC/JSA and Data Entry Operator in central government offices. Official information is on ssc.gov.in.
What is the age limit?
18 to 27 years on 1 August 2026 — born not before 2 August 1999 and not after 1 August 2008. Age relaxation applies for SC/ST, OBC, PwBD, ex-servicemen and other categories as per government rules.
Do Tier 1 marks count in the final merit?
No. Tier 1 is qualifying. The final merit is based on Tier 2 (Sections I and II), subject to qualifying the computer knowledge module and the skill or typing test.
Is there negative marking?
Yes. 0.50 marks are deducted for each wrong answer in Tier 1, and 1 mark in Tier 2 Sections I, II and the Computer Knowledge module.
What typing speed is required?
For LDC/JSA: 35 words per minute in English or 30 words per minute in Hindi. For DEO: 8,000 key depressions per hour (15,000 for DEO in the Comptroller and Auditor General’s office), as per the skill test rules.
Can I apply after Class 12 results are pending?
Candidates must have passed Class 12 or equivalent by the cut-off date given in the notification. Check the exact date in the official notice.