SSC CHSL Syllabus 2026: The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) Combined Higher Secondary Level (CHSL) exam is the most popular gateway for 12th-pass candidates to secure a government job in India. Every year, millions of aspirants compete for posts like Lower Division Clerk (LDC), Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA), and Data Entry Operator (DEO).
To help you clear this exam in your first attempt, we have provided the updated SSC CHSL 2026 Syllabus and exam pattern. Understanding the transition from the qualifying Tier 1 to the merit-defining Tier 2 is essential for your success. Below is everything you need to know about the SSC CHSL 2026 recruitment.
SSC CHSL Recruitment 2026 – Overview
| Feature | Details |
| Organization | Staff Selection Commission (SSC) |
| Exam Name | Combined Higher Secondary Level (CHSL) 2026 |
| Posts Offered | LDC, JSA, DEO, and DEO Grade ‘A’ |
| Eligibility | 12th Pass (10+2) |
| Selection Process | Tier 1 (Qualifying) & Tier 2 (Merit Based) |
| Job Location | All India (Central Government Departments) |
| Official Website | ssc.gov.in |
Important Dates for SSC CHSL 2026
Mark your calendars with these official and tentative dates released by the SSC.
| Event | Date |
| SSC CHSL 2026 Notification Date | April 30, 2026 |
| Online Application Start Date | April 30, 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | May 31, 2026 |
| SSC CHSL Tier 1 Exam Date | July – September 2026 |
| SSC CHSL Tier 2 Exam Date | To be Notified (Dec 2026 Approx) |
SSC CHSL Eligibility Criteria 2026
1. Educational Qualification
Candidates must have passed Class 12th (Standard) or equivalent examination from a recognized Board or University. For the post of Data Entry Operator (DEO Grade ‘A’) in the Office of Comptroller and Auditor General of India (C&AG), Science stream with Mathematics as a subject is mandatory.
2. Age Limit (As of 01/08/2026)
- Minimum Age: 18 Years
- Maximum Age: 27 Years
- Note: Candidates born not before 02-08-1999 and not later than 01-08-2008 are eligible. Standard age relaxations apply (SC/ST: 5 years, OBC: 3 years).
Stage 1: SSC CHSL Tier 1 Exam Pattern (Qualifying)
The Tier 1 exam is a Computer Based Examination (CBE) containing objective-type, multiple-choice questions. It serves as a screening test to shortlist candidates for Tier 2.
| Subject | Questions | Marks | Duration |
| English Language (Basic Knowledge) | 25 | 50 | 60 Minutes |
| General Intelligence (Reasoning) | 25 | 50 | (80 Mins for Scribe) |
| Quantitative Aptitude (Basic Math) | 25 | 50 | |
| General Awareness (GK) | 25 | 50 | |
| Total | 100 | 200 |
Negative Marking: 0.50 marks will be deducted for every incorrect answer.
Qualifying Nature: Marks in Tier 1 are normalized but not added to the final merit list.
Stage 2: SSC CHSL Tier 2 Exam Pattern (Merit Based)
Tier 2 is the most critical phase. Your final selection depends entirely on your performance in this stage. It is conducted in two sessions on the same day.
Session I: Written Modules (2 Hours 15 Minutes)
- Section 1: Mathematical Abilities (30 Qs) & Reasoning (30 Qs) = 180 Marks.
- Section 2: English Language (40 Qs) & General Awareness (20 Qs) = 180 Marks.
- Section 3 (Module I): Computer Knowledge (15 Qs) = 45 Marks.
Session II: Skill Test/Typing Test (Qualifying)
- Part A: Skill Test for DEO (15 Minutes).
- Part B: Typing Test for LDC/JSA (10 Minutes).
- Negative Marking in Tier 2: 1 mark will be deducted for each wrong answer in Section 1, Section 2, and Section 3 (Module I).
Detailed Subject-Wise Syllabus 2026
1. English Language & Comprehension
- Vocabulary: Synonyms, Antonyms, Homonyms, One-word substitution, Spelling detection.
- Grammar: Parts of Speech, Tenses, Active/Passive Voice, Direct/Indirect Speech.
- Sentence Structure: Error Spotting, Fill in the blanks, Sentence improvement, Shuffling of sentence parts.
- Comprehension: Cloze Passage and Reading Comprehension.
2. General Intelligence & Reasoning
- Verbal Reasoning: Analogy, Classification, Series (Number & Alphanumeric), Coding-Decoding, Blood Relations, Syllogism, Venn Diagrams.
- Non-Verbal Reasoning: Mirror Images, Paper Folding/Cutting, Embedded Figures, Pattern Completion, Cubes and Dice.
- Critical Thinking: Emotional Intelligence, Social Intelligence, Problem Solving.
3. Quantitative Aptitude (Arithmetic & Advanced)
- Number System: Whole numbers, Decimals, Fractions, Relationships between numbers.
- Arithmetic: Percentage, Ratio & Proportion, Square Roots, Average, Interest (Simple & Compound), Profit & Loss, Discount, Time and Distance, Time and Work.
- Algebra: Basic identities, School Algebra, Graphs of Linear Equations.
- Geometry: Triangles, Circles, Tangents, Congruence and Similarity.
- Mensuration: Area, Volume, Perimeter of 2D and 3D figures (Prism, Cone, Cylinder, Sphere).
- Trigonometry: Trigonometric ratios, Height and Distances (Simple problems).
- Statistics: Histogram, Frequency Polygon, Bar diagram, Pie-chart.
4. General Awareness
- Current Affairs: National and International events of the last 6-12 months.
- Static GK: History, Culture, Geography, Economic Scene, General Policy, and Scientific Research.
- India and Neighbors: Focus on sports, history, and geographical ties.
5. Computer Knowledge (Tier 2 Module)
- Computer Basics: CPU, Input/Output devices, Memory, Ports, Windows Explorer.
- Software: MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
- Networking: Internet, Web Browsing, Emailing, Hacking, Viruses, and Cyber Security.
SSC CHSL Salary Structure 2026 (Updated with 58% DA)
Selected candidates enjoy a handsome salary along with several perks. As of 2026, the estimated in-hand salary for different city categories (X, Y, Z) is as follows:
| Post Name | Pay Level | Basic Pay | Expected In-Hand (X City) |
| Lower Division Clerk (LDC) | Level 2 | ₹19,900 | ₹32,000 – ₹35,000 |
| Junior Secretariat Assistant | Level 2 | ₹19,900 | ₹32,000 – ₹35,000 |
| Data Entry Operator (DEO) | Level 4 | ₹25,500 | ₹42,000 – ₹45,000 |
| DEO (Grade A) | Level 5 | ₹29,200 | ₹48,000 – ₹52,000 |
Perks: HRA (9% to 27%), Dearness Allowance (DA), Transport Allowance (TA), LTC, and Medical Benefits.
Typing & Skill Test Requirements
- DEO: Requires a Data Entry Speed of 8,000 Key Depressions per hour on Computer.
- LDC/JSA: Typing speed of 35 wpm (English) or 30 wpm (Hindi) on Computer.
How to Prepare for SSC CHSL 2026?
- Analyze Previous Year Papers: Check the difficulty level and repeating topics.
- Master Arithmetic: Focus on speed and calculation tricks for Tier 1.
- Read Newspapers: Daily reading of The Hindu improves English comprehension and General Awareness.
- Practice Typing Early: Don’t wait for Tier 2; start practicing typing for 15 minutes every day.
- Mock Tests: Solve at least 2 online mocks per week on Test Book.
Recommended Books for SSC CHSL 2026
- Maths: Quantitative Aptitude by R.S. Aggarwal or Elementary Maths by Kiran Publications.
- English: Objective General English by S.P. Bakshi or Neetu Singh Volume 1.
- Reasoning: Analytical Reasoning by M.K. Pandey.
- GK: Lucent’s General Knowledge and Monthly Current Affairs Magazines.
Important Links
| Action | Link |
| Download SSC CHSL 2026 Syllabus PDF | Click Here |
| Official SSC CHSL Notification | Download PDF |
| Apply Online Link (OTR) | Click Here |