SSC CHSL 2026 — Complete Guide: Syllabus, Eligibility, Salary & Cut-off
Last Updated: 23 August 2026 · By SarkariPaper Editorial
SSC CHSL 2026 Overview
SSC CHSL (Combined Higher Secondary Level) recruits candidates with Class 12 qualification for clerical and data entry posts in Central Government Ministries, Departments, and attached offices.
SSC CHSL 2026 is expected to notify approximately 3,712 vacancies for posts including Lower Division Clerk (LDC), Data Entry Operator (DEO), Postal Assistant (PA), Sorting Assistant (SA), and Court Clerk. The exam is conducted in three tiers: Tier 1 (CBT), Tier 2 (Descriptive), and Tier 3 (Skill Test / Typing Test).
CHSL is one of the most popular 12th-pass government exams with 30+ lakh applicants annually. Selected candidates join at Pay Level 2–4 with in-hand salary of ₹25,000–₹45,000/month. Posts like DEO in CAG and PA in Department of Posts offer strong job security and promotion prospects.
SSC CHSL 2026 Important Dates
| Notification Release | 1 June 2026 |
| Application Opens | 1 June 2026 |
| Application Last Date | 25 June 2026 |
| Tier 1 Exam Date | 15 August 2026 |
| Tier 2 Exam Date | 20 October 2026 |
| Official Website | https://ssc.gov.in |
SSC CHSL Eligibility Criteria 2026
Educational Qualification
12th Pass (Higher Secondary) from a recognized Board or University
Age Limit
18–27 years (as on 1st January 2026)
OBC: +3 years, SC/ST: +5 years, PwD: +10 years, Ex-Servicemen: as per rules
Nationality
Indian Citizen
SSC CHSL Selection Process
Tier 1 — Computer Based Test (CBT): 100 marks, 60 minutes
Tier 2 — Descriptive Paper: Essay & Letter writing, 100 marks
Tier 3 — Skill Test / Typing Test (post-specific, qualifying)
Document Verification
SSC CHSL Exam Pattern 2026
Tier 1
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General Intelligence | 25 | 50 |
| General Awareness | 25 | 50 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 50 |
| English Language | 25 | 50 |
| Total | 100 | 200 |
Tier 2 (Descriptive)
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Essay Writing | 1 | 50 |
| Letter / Application Writing | 1 | 50 |
| Total | 2 | 100 |
SSC CHSL Syllabus 2026
Full Syllabus →General Intelligence
General Awareness
Quantitative Aptitude
English Language
Download the complete SSC CHSL topic-wise syllabus PDF →Premium (₹199/yr)
SSC CHSL Posts — Which is Best?
SSC CHSL offers 4+ posts across different departments. Here's a comparison to help you decide your target post before filling the form.
| Post | Salary | Promotion |
|---|---|---|
Lower Division Clerk (LDC) Pay Level 2 TOP PICK | ₹25,000 – ₹35,000 | medium |
Data Entry Operator (DEO) Pay Level 4 | ₹35,000 – ₹45,000 | medium |
Postal Assistant (PA) Pay Level 4 | ₹35,000 – ₹45,000 | fast |
Sorting Assistant (SA) Pay Level 4 | ₹35,000 – ₹45,000 | medium |
SSC CHSL Salary Structure
Salary varies based on post, city tier (X/Y/Z) for HRA, and DA rate. Figures above are indicative for 2026 DA rates.
SSC CHSL Cut-off Marks
All Cut-offs →SSC CHSL 2025 Tier 1 Cut-off
SSC CHSL 2024 Tier 1 Cut-off
Cut-offs vary by post. Detailed post-wise cut-offs (2015–2026) available withSarkariPaper Premium →
SSC CHSL Preparation Strategy
Phase 1: Foundation (Month 1–2)
- ›Master 12th-level Maths formulas and shortcuts
- ›Read Lucent GK for static portion
- ›Practice 25 reasoning questions daily
- ›Build English vocabulary — 15 words/day
Phase 2: Mock Test Mode (Month 3)
- ›Attempt full Tier 1 mocks under 60 minutes
- ›Practice Tier 2 essay & letter writing weekly
- ›Start typing practice early for Tier 3
- ›Revise weak topics from mock analysis