The Staff Selection Commission has released the notification for the Combined Higher Secondary (10+2) Level Examination, 2026. The recruitment drive has been announced for approximately 2,536 tentative vacancies for the posts of Lower Divisional Clerk, Junior Secretariat Assistant, and Data Entry Operator across various ministries, departments, offices, constitutional bodies, statutory bodies, and tribunals of the Government of India.
The online application process started on September 7, 2026. Eligible candidates can submit their applications until October 7, 2026, at 11:00 PM. The last date for online fee payment is October 8, while the application correction window will remain open from October 14 to October 16, 2026. SSC has not yet announced the examination dates for Tier I and Tier II.
Table of Contents
SSC CHSL Recruitment 2026 Overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Recruiting Authority | Staff Selection Commission |
| Examination | Combined Higher Secondary (10+2) Level Examination, 2026 |
| Posts | LDC, JSA, DEO, and DEO Grade A |
| Tentative Vacancies | Approximately 2,536 |
| Application Start Date | September 7, 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | October 7, 2026 |
| Age Limit | 18 to 27 years |
| Qualification | Class 12 or equivalent |
| Application Mode | Online |
SSC has clarified that the 2,536 vacancies are tentative. The final number of vacancies will be determined after scrutiny of the requirements received from the participating departments. Post-wise and category-wise vacancy details will be published separately.
Vacancy Details
The SSC CHSL 2026 examination will be used to fill Group C posts under different Central Government ministries and departments.
The notified posts include:
- Lower Divisional Clerk
- Junior Secretariat Assistant
- Data Entry Operator
- Data Entry Operator Grade A
According to the notification, there are approximately 2,536 tentative vacancies. SSC does not collect state-wise or zone-wise vacancy information, so candidates should not interpret this figure as a state-wise allocation.
The final post-wise and category-wise vacancies will be published by the Commission at a later stage.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | September 7, 2026 |
| Online Application Begins | September 7, 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | October 7, 2026, 11:00 PM |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | October 8, 2026, 11:00 PM |
| Application Correction Window | October 14 to October 16, 2026 |
| Tier I Examination | To be notified |
| Tier II Examination | To be notified |
Candidates should avoid waiting until the final day to submit the application. SSC has specifically advised applicants to complete the process early to avoid problems caused by heavy traffic on the application portal.
Educational Qualification
Candidates applying for most LDC, JSA, and DEO posts must have passed Class 12 or an equivalent examination from a recognized board or university.
For Data Entry Operator and DEO Grade A posts in the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Staff Selection Commission, and Ministry of Culture, candidates must have passed Class 12 in the Science stream with Mathematics as a subject.
The educational qualification must be acquired on or before October 7, 2026.
Candidates who have appeared in their Class 12 examination can also apply, but they must have passed the qualifying examination by the prescribed cut-off date.
Age Limit
The age limit for SSC CHSL 2026 is 18 to 27 years as on August 1, 2026.
Candidates must have been born between August 2, 1999, and August 1, 2008, both dates inclusive.
Upper-age relaxation is available to eligible reserved categories under the Government rules.
| Category | Age Relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC/ST | 5 years |
| OBC | 3 years |
| PwBD | 10 years |
| PwBD (OBC) | 13 years |
| PwBD (SC/ST) | 15 years |
Ex-servicemen and certain other eligible categories are also entitled to age relaxation according to the conditions prescribed in the notification.
Application Fee
The application fee for SSC CHSL 2026 is Rs 100.
Women candidates and candidates belonging to SC, ST, eligible Ex-Servicemen, and PwBD categories are exempted from paying the application fee.
The fee can be paid online through BHIM UPI, Net Banking, or supported Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, and RuPay cards.
The last date for making the online fee payment is October 8, 2026, at 11:00 PM.
Salary Details
The pay scale varies according to the post allotted to a candidate.
| Post | Pay Level | Pay Scale |
|---|---|---|
| LDC/JSA | Level 2 | Rs 19,900 to Rs 63,200 |
| DEO | Level 4 | Rs 25,500 to Rs 81,100 |
| DEO | Level 5 | Rs 29,200 to Rs 92,300 |
| DEO Grade A | Level 4 | Rs 25,500 to Rs 81,100 |
Final post allotment will depend on merit, post preference, and fulfillment of post-specific eligibility requirements.
Selection Process
The SSC CHSL 2026 selection process will consist of two computer-based examination tiers.
Candidates will first appear for Tier I. Those shortlisted based on Tier I performance will become eligible for Tier II.
Tier II will include objective examination modules along with a Skill Test or Typing Test, depending on the post.
The final merit list will be prepared based on performance in Tier II, subject to candidates qualifying in the mandatory qualifying sections.
Tier I Exam Pattern
Tier I will contain 100 objective-type multiple-choice questions carrying a total of 200 marks.
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| English Language | 25 | 50 |
| General Intelligence | 25 | 50 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 50 |
| General Awareness | 25 | 50 |
| Total | 100 | 200 |
The examination will last 60 minutes, with a 15-minute sectional timer for each subject.
There will be a negative marking of 0.50 marks for every incorrect answer.
Tier II Exam Pattern
Tier II will be conducted in two sessions on the same day.
Session I will include Mathematical Abilities, Reasoning and General Intelligence, English Language and Comprehension, General Awareness, and the Computer Knowledge Test.
Session II will consist of the Skill Test or Typing Test.
The Computer Knowledge Test and Skill Test/Typing Test will be qualifying in nature. Candidates must qualify all prescribed sections of Tier II.
There will be a negative marking of one mark for each incorrect answer in Sections I, II, and III of Tier II.
Typing and Skill Test Requirements
Candidates applying for DEO posts must qualify for the prescribed Data Entry Skill Test.
For certain DEO posts, a speed of 15,000 key depressions per hour will be required. For other DEO posts, the prescribed data-entry speed is 8,000 key depressions per hour.
For LDC and JSA posts, candidates opting for English must achieve a typing speed of 35 words per minute. Candidates choosing Hindi must have a typing speed of 30 words per minute.
The Typing Test will be qualifying.
How to Apply for SSC CHSL Recruitment 2026
Candidates must submit their applications online through the SSC application system or the mySSC mobile application.
Applicants who have not created a One-Time Registration on the new SSC system must first complete the OTR process. OTR created on the earlier SSC website will not work on the new portal.
After completing registration, candidates should:
- Log in using their registration credentials.
- Open the SSC CHSL 2026 application under the latest notifications section.
- Enter the required educational and personal details.
- Select three examination centers in order of preference within the same SSC region.
- Select the examination and typing-test medium.
- Capture a live photograph through the application module.
- Upload the prescribed scanned signature.
- Preview all information carefully.
- Submit the application.
- Pay the application fee where applicable.
- Save or print the submitted application for future reference.
Candidates must submit the completed application by October 7, 2026, at 11:00 PM.
Application Correction Window
SSC will provide an application correction facility from October 14 to October 16, 2026.
Candidates can modify and resubmit their application up to 2 times during this period.
The correction charge is Rs 200 for the first correction and Rs 500 for the second correction. These charges apply to all candidates, irrespective of category or gender.
Once the correction window closes, no further modification will be permitted.
Examination Center Selection
Candidates must choose three examination centers, in order of preference, within the same SSC region.
SSC has stated that requests to change examination centers will not be accepted at a later date. Candidates should therefore choose their preferred centers carefully while filling out the application.
The Commission may, however, add, cancel, or change examination centers as administrative requirements dictate.
Important Points for Candidates
Applicants should ensure that their name, date of birth, father’s name, and mother’s name match the details recorded in their Class 10 certificate.
SSC will use a live photograph during the application process. Candidates should not upload or capture an existing printed or digital photograph as their live image.
Only one online application should be submitted during the normal application period. Multiple applications may lead to rejection of candidature.
Candidates should also carefully check age, qualification, reservation status, and post-specific eligibility requirements before submitting the application.
