The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) conducts the Combined Higher Secondary Level (CHSL) examination every year to recruit 12th pass candidates for various Group C posts in central government ministries and departments. As per the SSC Examination Calendar 2026-27 released on the official website, the SSC CHSL 2026 cycle is upcoming, with the detailed notification expected to be published at ssc.gov.in and the Tier 1 examination tentatively scheduled in the July to September 2026 window. Interested aspirants are advised to go through the complete details below and keep a close watch on the official portal for the exact dates.
SSC CHSL 2026 Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Recruitment Body | Staff Selection Commission (SSC) |
| Post Name | Lower Division Clerk (LDC)/Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA), Data Entry Operator (DEO) |
| Category | Government Job (Group C) |
| Total Vacancies | To be announced in the official notification (around 3,000+ expected, as per recent cycles) |
| Job Location | Across India |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Official Website | https://ssc.gov.in |
Important Dates
Kindly note that the dates below are based on the SSC Examination Calendar 2026-27 and previous cycles. The exact dates will be confirmed only in the official notification PDF.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | Expected in 2026 (as per official calendar) – confirm on ssc.gov.in |
| Online Application Start | To be announced with the notification (tentative) |
| Last Date to Apply | To be announced with the notification (tentative) |
| Tier 1 Exam Date | Tentatively July to September 2026 (as per official calendar) |
Vacancy Details
The SSC CHSL 2026 recruitment is expected to fill a large number of vacancies for the posts of LDC/JSA and DEO across multiple central government offices. In the previous cycle, the Commission had announced around 3,131 vacancies. The exact, post-wise and category-wise (UR/SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwD) break-up for 2026 will be specified in the official notification, so candidates are advised to confirm the final figures before applying.
Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
Candidates must have passed the 12th Standard (10+2) or equivalent examination from a recognised board or university. For certain DEO posts in specific ministries, candidates may be required to have studied Science with Mathematics at the 12th level, as per the official notification.
Age Limit
The age limit for SSC CHSL is generally 18 to 27 years. The crucial cut-off date for calculating age will be mentioned in the official notification. Age relaxation is provided to reserved categories as per government rules:
- SC/ST: 5 years
- OBC: 3 years
- PwD (Unreserved): 10 years (additional relaxation for PwD-OBC/SC-ST as applicable)
- Ex-Servicemen: 3 years (after deduction of military service)
Candidates are advised to verify the exact upper age limit and cut-off date from the official notification.
Application Fee
- General/OBC/EWS: Rs. 100/-
- SC/ST/PwD candidates: Nil (Exempted)
- All Female candidates: Nil (Exempted)
- Ex-Servicemen eligible for reservation: Nil (Exempted)
The fee is to be paid online. Aspirants should reconfirm the fee structure on the official website, as it is subject to change in the official notification.
Salary / Pay Scale
Selected candidates will be paid as per the 7th Central Pay Commission pay matrix:
- LDC/JSA: Pay Level 2 (Rs. 19,900 – Rs. 63,200)
- DEO: Pay Level 4 (Rs. 25,500 – Rs. 81,100) and certain DEO posts in Pay Level 5 (Rs. 29,200 – Rs. 92,300)
In addition to basic pay, employees are entitled to Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), Transport Allowance and other benefits as admissible.
Selection Process
The selection for SSC CHSL is conducted in the following stages:
- Tier 1: Computer Based Test (CBT) – objective type covering English Language, General Intelligence, Quantitative Aptitude and General Awareness (with negative marking).
- Tier 2: Computer Based Test covering Mathematical Abilities, Reasoning, English, General Awareness, Computer Knowledge and a Data Entry Speed Test/Typing Test (as applicable to the post).
- Document Verification and final selection as per merit.
How to Apply Online
- Visit the official SSC website at https://ssc.gov.in.
- Register on the SSC One Time Registration (OTR) portal, if not already registered.
- Log in and open the SSC CHSL 2026 online application link once it is active.
- Fill in your personal, educational and contact details carefully.
- Upload your photograph and signature in the prescribed format.
- Pay the applicable application fee online.
- Submit the form and download a copy of the confirmation page for future reference.
- Apply online only through the official website: https://ssc.gov.in
Important Links
Disclaimer: The above information is provided for general guidance only and is based on the SSC examination calendar and previous recruitment cycles. Vacancy numbers, dates, eligibility, fee and other details are tentative and subject to change. Candidates are strongly advised to read the official notification and verify all details on the official website (https://ssc.gov.in) before applying, as notifications can be revised at any time.