India·general

SSC CHSL

Combined Higher Secondary (10+2) Level Examination

SSC CHSL is the Staff Selection Commission's examination for Group C posts — Lower Division Clerk/Junior Secretariat Assistant and Data Entry Operator (including Grade ‘A’). The posts are in central government ministries, departments and offices, and in various constitutional and statutory bodies and tribunals. It is computer-based and held in two tiers. Tier-I shortlists candidates for Tier-II. The merit list comes from Sections I and II of Tier-II, subject to qualifying its Computer Knowledge Test and the skill test (Data Entry Operators) or typing test (clerk and assistant posts). Wrong answers cost 0.50 marks in Tier-I and 1 mark in Tier-II's objective sections. Posts are allotted on merit and the candidate's post preferences. Vacancies, dates and cut-offs are set in each year's notice.

Last updated 30 September 2026

Record your SSC CHSL score

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Full SSC CHSL guideSSC CHSL Exam Guide6 min read · verified 6 June 2026

Frequency

Once a year in SSC's examination calendar (2026 notice published 7 September 2026; Tier-I and Tier-II dates to be notified)

Duration

Tier-I: 60 minutes. Tier-II: Session-I is 2 hours 15 minutes; Session-II is a skill test (15 minutes, Data Entry Operator posts) or a typing test (10 minutes, LDC/JSA). Candidates eligible for a scribe get more time.

Format

Computer-based

Score range

Tier-I: four parts of 25 questions and 50 marks each, used to shortlist for Tier-II. Tier-II: Sections I and II, 180 marks each, decide merit; Section III (Computer Knowledge Test, 45 marks) and the skill/typing test are qualifying.

Eligibility

Class 12 (10+2) pass from a recognised board by 7 October 2026 (candidates who have appeared may apply). For Data Entry Operator posts in the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, SSC and the Ministry of Culture, Class 12 in the Science stream with Mathematics is required. Age 18–27 as on 1 August 2026, with category relaxations per the notice. Open to Indian citizens, and to certain others listed in the notice who hold a Government of India eligibility certificate.

Conducting body

Staff Selection Commission (SSC)

Registration fee

₹100 (CHSL 2026); women and SC, ST, PwBD and Ex-servicemen candidates eligible for reservation are exempt

Visit official website

Source: Staff Selection Commission (SSC). Details here are for guidance only — fees, dates and eligibility change each cycle, so confirm on the official site before applying.

Verified against: Staff Selection Commission (SSC) — official site; SSC — Notice of Combined Higher Secondary (10+2) Level Examination, 2026, published 7 Sep 2026 (§4 nationality, §5 age, §8 qualifications, §10 fee, §13 scheme of examination, §17 mode of selection) (PDF); SSC — Tentative Calendar of Examinations 2026-27 (PDF).

Last verified: 30 September 2026.