SSC CHSL 2026: Eligibility, Exam Pattern, Syllabus, & Free Demo Class
SSC CHSL (Combined Higher Secondary Level) is the Staff Selection Commission’s national recruitment exam for Class 12 pass candidates, filling posts such as LDC/JSA, Postal Assistant/Sorting Assistant, and Data Entry Operator in central government departments. Selection runs across two stages—Tier 1 and Tier 2—both computer-based, followed by a skill or typing test for specific posts. Scholars SSC Academy runs SSC CHSL coaching batches in Delhi (South Extension & Saket), Guwahati, and Jamshedpur, with a free demo class before you enroll.
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What Is SSC CHSL?
SSC CHSL stands for the Combined Higher Secondary Level (10+2) Examination. It is conducted every year by the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) to recruit candidates who have passed Class 12, for clerical and assistant-level posts in Government of India ministries, departments and offices. Unlike SSC CGL, which needs a graduation degree, SSC CHSL only requires a Class 12 pass, which is why it attracts a large number of first-time government job aspirants.
The exam is currently conducted in two stages: Tier 1, an objective computer-based test that shortlists candidates, and Tier 2, a computer-based test that also includes a Skill Test or Typing Test depending on the post applied for. Final selection is based on Tier 2 performance.
SSC CHSL 2026 Exam Highlights
The table below summarises the current SSC CHSL exam structure. SSC had not yet released the SSC CHSL 2026 notification at the time of writing (checked 31 August 2026); exact dates, vacancies and post-wise details will be published as a notice on ssc.gov.in.
| Exam Name | Combined Higher Secondary Level (10+2) Examination – SSC CHSL |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | Staff Selection Commission (SSC) |
| Official Website | ssc.gov.in |
| Posts Offered | LDC / JSA, Postal Assistant / Sorting Assistant, Data Entry Operator (DEO & DEO Grade A) |
| Eligibility | Class 12 pass from a recognised board (Science with Maths for DEO in C&AG) |
| Age Limit | 18–27 years as on the cut-off date given in the official notification |
| Selection Stages | Tier 1 (Objective CBT) + Tier 2 (Objective CBT + Skill/Typing Test) |
| Mode of Exam | Fully online, computer-based |
| Application Mode | Online only, through One-Time Registration (OTR) on ssc.gov.in |
SSC CHSL Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
- Must have passed Class 12 (10+2) or an equivalent examination from a recognised Board or University.
- Candidates appearing in their Class 12 exam may also apply, subject to producing the pass certificate by the cut-off date in the notification.
- For Data Entry Operator in the Office of the Comptroller & Auditor General (C&AG): Class 12 pass in the Science stream with Mathematics as a subject.
Age Limit & Age Relaxation
The general age limit for SSC CHSL is 18 to 27 years. Category-wise age relaxation, as per Government of India norms, is given below.
| Category | Age Relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC / ST | 5 years |
| OBC | 3 years |
| Persons with Disabilities (PwD) | 10 years |
| PwD + OBC | 13 years |
| PwD + SC/ST | 15 years |
| Ex-Servicemen | 3 years after deducting the military service rendered, from the actual age, as on the closing date |
SSC CHSL Application Fee
- General / OBC / EWS (male) candidates: Rs. 100/-
- Fully exempted: women candidates of all categories, SC, ST, PwD (Persons with Disabilities) and Ex-Servicemen eligible for reservation.
- Fee is paid online only – net banking, UPI or debit/credit card – through the SSC application portal.
- Applications left incomplete due to non-payment of fee are summarily rejected, so pay before the last date shown in the notification.
SSC CHSL Exam Pattern 2026 (Tier 1 & Tier 2)
SSC revised the CHSL exam structure in 2022 to two tiers, the earlier separate Tier 3 skill test is now part of Tier 2. Always cross-check the marking scheme and timings against that year’s official notification, since SSC can revise details from one cycle to the next.
Tier 1: Objective Computer-Based Test
100 questions for 200 marks, in a single 60-minute session. Every wrong answer carries a penalty of 0.50 marks. Tier 1 scores are normalised and used only to shortlist candidates for Tier 2 — they are not carried forward to the final merit list.
English Language
25 Questions – 50 Marks
General Intelligence & Reasoning
25 Questions – 50 Marks
Quantitative Aptitude
25 Questions – 50 Marks
General Awareness
25 Questions – 50 Marks
Tier 2: Computer-Based Test + Skill/Typing Test
- Conducted on the same day in two sessions: an objective test (Mathematical Abilities, Reasoning & General Intelligence, English Language & Comprehension, General Awareness, Computer Knowledge) followed by the Skill/Typing Test session.
- The objective sections of Tier 2 count towards the final merit list; negative marking applies per module as specified in the official notification.
- Skill Test for Data Entry Operator: 8,000 key depressions per hour, 15-minute duration, qualifying in nature.
- Typing Test for LDC/JSA and Postal/Sorting Assistant: 35 w.p.m. in English or 30 w.p.m. in Hindi, qualifying in nature.
SSC CHSL Syllabus (Tier 1)
Tap a section to see the topics it covers. Tier 2’s objective modules test the same core subjects at a slightly higher difficulty level, alongside basic computer knowledge.
General Intelligence & Reasoning
Logical reasoning, alphanumeric series, ranking/direction/alphabet test, data sufficiency, coded inequalities, seating arrangement, puzzle, tabulation, syllogism, blood relations, input-output, coding-decoding.
Simplification, profit & loss, mixtures & allegations, simple & compound interest, surds & indices, work & time, time & distance, mensuration, data interpretation, ratio & proportion, percentage, number systems, sequence & series, permutation, combination & probability.
Reading comprehension, cloze test, para jumbles, fill in the blanks, error spotting, one-word substitution, active/passive voice, sentence improvement.
History, culture, geography, economic scene, government policy, scientific research, current affairs, awards & honours, books & authors.
SSC CHSL Coaching at Scholars SSC Academy
Scholars SSC Academy runs a dedicated SSC coaching program that covers SSC CHSL alongside SSC CGL, MTS and GD Constable preparation, with small batches, daily classroom teaching and weekly SSC-pattern mock tests. Centres are located in South Extension Part I and Saket in Delhi, with additional branches in Guwahati and Jamshedpur.
Short-Term Course
₹9,640
4 months
- Daily 2-hour classroom sessions
- Weekly SSC-pattern tests
- Exhaustive syllabus coverage
Long-Term Course
₹15,360
6 months
- Daily 2-hour classroom sessions
- Weekly pattern tests + performance analysis
- One-on-one doubt-clearing sessions
See the full breakdown on the SSC Coaching Fees page, and try the free SSC CHSL mock test before you enrol.
SSC CHSL – Frequently Asked Questions
What is the age limit for SSC CHSL?
18 to 27 years as on the cut-off date given in the official notification, with age relaxation for SC/ST, OBC, PwD and Ex-Servicemen candidates as shown in the eligibility table above.
How many stages does SSC CHSL have?
Two — Tier 1 (objective computer-based test) and Tier 2 (objective computer-based test plus a Skill Test or Typing Test, depending on the post).
Is there negative marking in SSC CHSL?
Yes. Tier 1 deducts 0.50 marks for every wrong answer. Tier 2’s marking scheme varies by module, so check the year’s official notification for exact figures.
Who is eligible to apply for SSC CHSL?
Candidates who have passed Class 12 (or an equivalent exam) from a recognised board, and who are between 18 and 27 years old. DEO posts in the C&AG require Science with Mathematics in Class 12.
Where can I check the official SSC CHSL notification?
The Staff Selection Commission publishes the CHSL notification, exam dates and syllabus PDF on its official website, ssc.gov.in.
Ready to Start Your SSC CHSL Preparation?
Book a free demo class and sit in on an actual SSC CHSL session before you decide.