The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has announced the Combined Higher Secondary Level (CHSL) Examination 2026, inviting applications for various Group C posts. This is a golden opportunity for 12th pass candidates seeking stable government employment as Lower Division Clerk (LDC), Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA), Data Entry Operator (DEO), and DEO Grade ‘A’ across numerous Central Government Ministries and Departments. With approximately 2,536 tentative vacancies, aspiring candidates should mark their calendars for the application period from 07 September 2026 to 07 October 2026.
Table of Contents
Overview Table
| ProJobAlert.com | |
| SSC CHSL 2026: LDC, JSA, DEO Recruitment Advertisement No.: F. No. HQ-C1102/5/2026-C-1 | |
| Recruitment Authority | Staff Selection Commission (SSC) |
| Post Name | Lower Division Clerk (LDC), Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA), Data Entry Operator (DEO), Data Entry Operator Grade ‘A’ |
| Total Vacancies | Approx. 2,536 (Tentative) |
| Job Location | Across India (Various Central Govt. Ministries/Departments) |
| Start Date to Apply | 07 September 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 07 October 2026 (23:00 Hours) |
| Qualification | 12th Standard Pass |
| Download Notification | Click Here |
| Official Website | Click Here |
| Apply Online Now | |
Important Dates
- Notification Released: 07 September 2026
- Application Start: 07 September 2026
- Last Date to Apply: 07 October 2026
- Last Date for Online Fee Payment: 08 October 2026
- Application Form Correction Window: 14 October 2026 to 16 October 2026
- Tier-I Exam Date (CBE): To be Notified
- Tier-II Exam Date (CBE): To be Notified
Application Fees
- General/OBC/EWS (Male): Rs. 100/-
- Women/SC/ST/PwBD/Ex-Servicemen (ESM): Exempted
- Correction Charges (1st time): Rs. 200/-
- Correction Charges (2nd time): Rs. 500/-
- Payment Mode: Online (BHIM UPI, Net Banking, Debit/Credit Cards)
Age Limit as on 01 August 2026
- Minimum Age: 18 Years
- Maximum Age: 27 Years
- Candidates born not before 02 August 1999 and not later than 01 August 2008 are eligible.
- Age Relaxation:
- SC/ST: 5 Years
- OBC: 3 Years
- PwBD: 10 Years
- PwBD (OBC): 13 Years
- PwBD (SC/ST): 15 Years
- Ex-Servicemen (ESM): 3 Years (after deduction of military service)
- Central Govt. Civilian Employees (3+ years service): Up to 40 Years
- Widows/Divorced Women: Up to 35 Years (40 for SC/ST)
Qualification Details
- For Data Entry Operator (DEO)/DEO Grade ‘A’ in Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, SSC, and Ministry of Culture: Candidates must have passed 12th Standard in Science stream with Mathematics as a subject from a recognized Board or equivalent.
- For LDC/JSA and DEO/DEO Grade ‘A’ (all other Departments/Ministries): Candidates must have passed 12th Standard or equivalent examination from a recognized Board or University.
- Candidates appearing for their 12th Standard exam can also apply, provided their qualifying result is declared on or before the cut-off date of 07 October 2026.
Full Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must meet specific eligibility criteria including nationality, educational qualification, and age limit as on the crucial dates. Ensure all conditions are fulfilled before applying for the SSC CHSL 2026 Examination.
| Criteria | Details |
|---|---|
| Nationality |
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| Educational Qualification (as on 07 October 2026) |
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| Age Limit (as on 01 August 2026) |
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Physical Test Criteria for LDC in Border Roads Organization (BRO)
Only male candidates opting for Lower Division Clerk (LDC) in BRO must meet specific physical standards and pass a Physical Efficiency Test (PET). These are mandatory for selection in BRO.
| Test/Standard | Criteria | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Efficiency Test (PET) | One Mile Run | Mandatory to complete within 10 minutes. |
| Physical Standards | Height | Minimum 152 cm to 162.5 cm depending on region. (e.g., Western Himalayan Region: 158 cm, Eastern Plain Region: 157 cm) |
| Chest (Unexpanded) | Minimum 75 cm to 76 cm depending on region. | |
| Chest Expansion | Minimum 5 cm. | |
| Weight | Minimum 47.5 Kgs to 50 Kgs depending on region. | |
| Relaxation (Sons of serving/Ex-GREF personnel) | Height: 2 cm, Chest: 1 cm, Weight: 2 Kgs | |
| Relaxation (DD cases) | Height: 2 cm, Chest: 1 cm, Weight: 2 Kgs | |
| Gorkhas (Indian Domicile) | Height: 152 cm, Chest: 75 cm (unexpanded), Weight: 47.5 Kgs | |
| Medical Standards | Visual Acuity | Not less than 6/12 each eye or Right eye 6/6, Left 6/24. Corrective spectacles permitted. |
| General Health | Free from nervous instability, sound health, no constitutional/acquired disability affecting duties in high altitude/hard areas. BMI less than 18 (permanent rejection), BMI above 30 (temporary rejection). | |
| Permanent Rejection Grounds | Abnormal Gait, Gross physical deformity, Deafness, Pronounced Stammering, Mental/nervous instability, Colour blindness, Cardiac murmur, Hypertension (BP>140/95 mm Hg), Gross myopia, Permanent body tattoos on non-permitted areas. |
Salary / Pay Scale
Selected candidates for SSC CHSL 2026 will receive competitive salaries as per the 7th Central Pay Commission. The pay levels vary based on the specific post, ensuring attractive remuneration for successful applicants.
| Post Name | Pay Level | Pay Scale |
|---|---|---|
| Lower Division Clerk (LDC)/Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA) | Pay Level-2 | Rs. 19,900–63,200 |
| Data Entry Operator (DEO) | Pay Level-4 | Rs. 25,500–81,100 |
| Data Entry Operator (DEO) | Pay Level-5 | Rs. 29,200–92,300 |
| Data Entry Operator, Grade ‘A’ | Pay Level-4 | Rs. 25,500–81,100 |
- The above pay scales are as per the 7th Central Pay Commission.
- In-hand salary will include various allowances as applicable to Central Government employees.
Selection Process
The SSC CHSL 2026 selection process involves a rigorous Computer Based Examination (CBE) conducted in two tiers. Candidates must qualify in each stage to proceed further and secure a position.
- Tier-I Examination: This is an objective type, multiple-choice Computer Based Examination (CBE). Candidates are shortlisted for Tier-II based on their performance in Tier-I.
- Tier-II Examination: Also a Computer Based Examination (CBE), conducted in two sessions on the same day. It comprises four sections:
- Section-I: Mathematical Abilities and Reasoning & General Intelligence.
- Section-II: English Language & Comprehension and General Awareness.
- Section-III: Computer Knowledge Test (Qualifying in nature).
- Section-IV: Skill Test/Typing Test (Qualifying in nature).
- Mandatory Qualification: It is mandatory to qualify all sections of Tier-II.
- Document Verification (DV): Conducted by the User Ministries/Departments/Organizations after the declaration of the final result.
- Final Merit List: Prepared based on the overall performance in Tier-II Examination (aggregate marks in Section-I & Section-II), subject to qualifying Section-III and Section-IV.
- Post Preference: Candidates will submit their post preferences online before the final result declaration.
Exam Pattern
The SSC CHSL 2026 examination is structured into two tiers, both being Computer Based Examinations. Understanding the pattern for each tier is crucial for effective preparation.
Tier-I: Computer Based Examination (CBE)
| Part | Subject | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Time Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | English Language (Basic Knowledge) | 25 | 50 | 60 Minutes (with sectional timer of 15 minutes for each subject) (80 Minutes for candidates eligible for Scribe) |
| II | General Intelligence | 25 | 50 | |
| III | Quantitative Aptitude (Basic Arithmetic Skill) | 25 | 50 | |
| IV | General Awareness | 25 | 50 | |
| Negative Marking: 0.50 marks for each wrong answer. | ||||
Tier-II: Computer Based Examination (CBE)
Tier-II is conducted in two sessions on the same day, with different sections and time allocations. It is mandatory to qualify all sections.
| Session | Section | Subject | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Time Allowed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Session-I (2 hours 15 minutes) |
Section-I | A: Mathematical Abilities | 30 | 60 x 3 = 180 | 1 Hour (30 minutes each for Mathematical Abilities and Reasoning & General Intelligence) |
| B: Reasoning and General Intelligence | 30 | ||||
| Section-II | A: English Language and Comprehension | 40 | 60 x 3 = 180 | 1 Hour (40 minutes for English, 20 minutes for General Awareness) | |
| B: General Awareness | 20 | ||||
| Section-III | Computer Knowledge Test | 15 | 15 x 3 = 45 | 15 Minutes (Qualifying) | |
| Session-II | Section-IV (Skill Test/Typing Test) |
Part A: Skill Test for DEOs (specific Ministries) | – | – | 15 Minutes (15000 Key Depressions/hour) |
| Part B: Skill Test for DEOs (other Ministries) | – | – | 15 Minutes (8000 Key Depressions/hour) | ||
| Part C: Typing Test for LDC/JSA | – | – | 10 Minutes (English: 35 w.p.m., Hindi: 30 w.p.m.) | ||
| Negative Marking: 1 mark for each wrong answer in Section-I, Section-II, and Section-III. | |||||
- Computer Knowledge Test (Section-III) and Skill Test/Typing Test (Section-IV) are mandatory and qualifying in nature.
- Candidates must qualify all sections of Tier-II.
- The medium of examination for Tier-I (Part-II, III & IV) and Tier-II (except English Language) will be English, Hindi, and any language opted by the candidate.
- For LDC/JSA Typing Test, candidates opting for Hindi medium must type in Mangal Font only.
Post / Category Wise Vacancy Details
The SSC CHSL 2026 recruitment offers approximately 2,536 tentative vacancies for various posts. The final and detailed post-wise and category-wise breakdown will be released later on the official SSC website.
| S. No. | Post Name | No. of Posts |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lower Division Clerk (LDC)/Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA) | Approx. 2,536 (Tentative) |
| 2 | Data Entry Operator (DEO) | |
| 3 | Data Entry Operator Grade ‘A’ | |
| Total Vacancies | Approx. 2,536 | |
Job Profile & Responsibility
The SSC CHSL posts involve crucial administrative and data management tasks within various Central Government Ministries and Departments. These roles are essential for the smooth functioning of government operations across India.
| Post Name | Key Responsibilities |
|---|---|
| Lower Division Clerk (LDC) / Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA) |
|
| Data Entry Operator (DEO) / DEO Grade ‘A’ |
|
- These roles require strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and proficiency in computer applications.
- Selected candidates will be placed in various Ministries, Departments, and Offices of the Government of India, carrying an All India Service Liability (AISL).
How to Apply
Applying for the SSC CHSL Recruitment 2026 is an online process. Candidates must complete a One-Time Registration (OTR) on the new SSC website and then proceed with the application form submission.
- Visit the Official Website: Go to the new official SSC website, ssc.gov.in, or use the “my SSC” mobile application.
- Complete One-Time Registration (OTR): If you haven’t already, complete your One-Time Registration on the new portal. Previous OTRs from `ssc.nic.in` are not valid.
- Login and Apply: Log in using your Registration Number and password, then click on the “Apply” link for the Combined Higher Secondary (10+2) Level Examination 2026.
- Fill Application Form: Fill in all required details in the online application form. Ensure accuracy as per your matriculation certificate.
- Capture Live Photograph: The application module requires a live photograph capture. Ensure good lighting, a plain background, and no cap or spectacles. Applications with pre-existing or inappropriate photographs will be rejected (unless Aadhaar authenticated).
- Upload Scanned Signature: Upload your scanned signature in JPEG format (10-20 KB) with dimensions of 6.0 cm (width) x 2.0 cm (height).
- Pay Application Fee: Pay the requisite application fee online (if applicable) through BHIM UPI, Net Banking, or Debit/Credit Cards by 08 October 2026.
- Review and Submit: Carefully review all entered details using the “Preview/Print” option. After confirming correctness, click “I agree” to the declaration and submit the application.
- Print Application: Take a printout of the submitted application form for your records.
Important Links
| Apply Online | Click Here |
| Download Notification | Click Here |
| Official Website | Click Here |
| All India Govt Jobs | Click Here |
| SSC Jobs | Click Here |
| Latest Govt Jobs 2026 | Click Here |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are the posts available under SSC CHSL Recruitment 2026?
The recruitment is for Lower Division Clerk (LDC), Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA), Data Entry Operator (DEO), and Data Entry Operator Grade ‘A’ posts.
How many vacancies are there in SSC CHSL 2026?
There are approximately 2,536 tentative vacancies. The final post-wise and category-wise breakdown will be released later by SSC.
What are the important dates for SSC CHSL 2026 application?
The online application starts on 07 September 2026 and the last date to apply is 07 October 2026. The fee payment deadline is 08 October 2026.
What is the educational qualification required for SSC CHSL 2026?
Candidates must have passed 12th Standard or equivalent. For DEO/DEO Grade ‘A’ in specific Ministries, 12th Standard in Science stream with Mathematics is required.
What is the age limit for SSC CHSL 2026?
Candidates must be between 18 to 27 years as on 01 August 2026. Age relaxation is applicable for reserved categories as per government norms.
What is the selection process for SSC CHSL?
The selection process involves a Tier-I Computer Based Examination, followed by a Tier-II Computer Based Examination (including Skill Test/Typing Test), and finally Document Verification.
Is there any application fee for SSC CHSL 2026?
Yes, the application fee is Rs. 100/- for General/OBC/EWS (Male) candidates. Women, SC, ST, PwBD, and Ex-Servicemen candidates are exempted from fee payment.