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Thorough exam-day preparation prevents avoidable problems at the examination centre. Every year, a small number of candidates face entry difficulties because they forgot a document, carried a prohibited electronic item, or did not understand the biometric and self-declaration requirements. The SSC CHSL 2026 Tier 1 exam is scheduled between July and September 2026, and the exam day guidelines for 2026 will be confirmed in the admit card instructions when released. This page is based on the official SSC CHSL 2025 exam day instructions and established SSC examination conduct rules.
The SSC CHSL Tier 1 exam is conducted in three shifts daily across all exam dates. Exact shift timings and the assigned shift for each candidate are printed on the admit card.
| Shift Reporting Time Gate Closes Exam Start Exam End | ||||
| Shift 1 (Morning) | 7:30 AM | 8:00 AM | 9:00 AM | 10:00 AM |
| Shift 2 (Afternoon) | 11:30 AM | 12:00 PM | 12:30 PM | 1:30 PM |
| Shift 3 (Evening) | 3:30 PM | 4:00 PM | 4:30 PM | 5:30 PM |
These timings are based on the SSC CHSL 2025 exam conduct pattern. The 2026 shift timings will be confirmed on the admit card.
Entry gates are closed at the time indicated. No candidate is allowed to enter after gate closure under any circumstance. Arriving at least 45 to 60 minutes before the gate closure time is essential to account for security checks, document verification, biometric capture, and seating allocation.
The admit card for SSC CHSL Tier 1 2026 is expected to be released 3 to 5 days before the exam date. Based on the 2025 pattern (exam November 12, 2025; admit card released a few days earlier), candidates should check ssc.gov.in daily starting from approximately one week before the scheduled exam window.
| Step Action | |
| 1 | Visit ssc.gov.in |
| 2 | Click on "Admit Card" in the top menu or the prominent homepage banner |
| 3 | Find the SSC CHSL Tier 1 2026 admit card link |
| 4 | Enter your Registration Number and Date of Birth |
| 5 | Enter the captcha code |
| 6 | Click Submit; the admit card PDF loads |
| 7 | Download the PDF and print on A4 paper |
| 8 | Print at least 2 copies; keep one at home |
Admit cards are also available through regional SSC websites (sscnr.net.in, sscsr.gov.in, etc.). If the main ssc.gov.in portal is slow due to traffic, try the regional portal for your zone.
| Field What to Check | |
| Candidate Name | Must match your Aadhaar or photo ID exactly |
| Registration Number | Matches your OTR registration |
| Roll Number | Your unique exam identification |
| Exam Date and Shift | Confirm date, shift, and reporting time |
| Reporting Time and Gate Close | Critical for planning arrival |
| Exam Centre Name and Address | Map the route; check travel time |
| Photograph | Should match your current appearance |
| Signature | Should be visible |
| Self-declaration area | Blank; to be filled at the centre only |
| LTI area | Blank; to be inked at the centre only |
Every candidate must carry the following documents to the exam centre on exam day. Entry is denied if any mandatory item is missing.
| Document Specification | |
| Printed Admit Card (E-Call Letter) | Hard copy, A4 size, printed clearly; digital copy not accepted |
| Original Valid Photo ID | One original government-issued ID (see accepted IDs below) |
| Photocopy of Photo ID | One photocopy of the same ID carried as original |
| Passport-size Photographs | Two to three recent colour photographs matching the application photo |
| Accepted ID Condition | |
| Aadhaar Card | Physical card or printed e-Aadhaar from uidai.gov.in |
| PAN Card | Must be valid |
| Voter ID Card (EPIC) | Must be valid |
| Passport | Within validity period |
| Driving Licence | Within validity period |
| Photo ID issued by Central or State Government | Issued by recognised government authority |
| Bank Passbook with Photo | Issued by a scheduled commercial bank |
The name on the photo ID must match the name on the admit card exactly. If there is any spelling difference or name format variation, carry a supporting document (Class 10 certificate, gazette notification) that explains or bridges both versions.
SSC enforces strict prohibitions on items at examination centres. Any candidate found with prohibited items may be disqualified and face action under the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024.
| Prohibited Item |
| Mobile phones (switched off or not) |
| Smartwatches and digital watches |
| Calculators (scientific or basic) |
| Bluetooth devices and earphones |
| Tablets, laptops, e-readers |
| Cameras of any kind |
| Any device capable of storing, transmitting, or receiving data |
| Prohibited Item |
| Books, notes, or study materials of any kind |
| Printed question papers from previous years |
| Rough sheets brought from home |
| Paper chits with any written content |
Note: SSC provides official rough sheets at the examination centre. Candidates must use only these and return them before leaving.
| Item Rule | |
| Bags and backpacks | No storage at most centres; leave outside |
| All metal jewellery (rings, chains, earrings) | Remove before arriving; metal detectors create delays |
| Caps, hats, or head coverings (non-religious) | Not permitted; face must remain visible |
| Food and beverages | Not permitted unless medical need declared |
SSC conducts multi-point biometric verification at exam centres. Candidates pass through several checkpoints.
| Activity Detail | |
| Admit card presentation | Security staff verify the printed admit card |
| Photo ID check | Original photo ID inspected |
| Photograph comparison | Live comparison of candidate's face with admit card photo |
| Biometric fingerprint | Fingerprint captured at some centres |
| Activity Detail | |
| Photograph affixing | One passport-size photograph is affixed on the attendance register |
| Attendance signature | Candidate signs in presence of invigilator |
| Left Thumb Impression (LTI) | Inked on attendance register |
This is a unique SSC requirement that candidates often overlook.
The admit card contains a self-declaration paragraph and spaces for signature and LTI. This must be:
Do not write, sign, or apply LTI on the self-declaration section before arriving at the centre. Pre-completed self-declarations are flagged as irregular conduct.
At the assigned workstation:
| Tip Reason | |
| Clean hands, no mehndi, no nail polish | Fingerprint capture works best on clean, dry fingertips |
| No heavy moisturiser before exam | Residue interferes with fingerprint sensors |
| Full face visible at all times | Webcam requires clear facial capture |
| Carry the same photo as in application | Face matching depends on similarity with application photo |
Left Thumb Impression is required on the attendance register and on the admit card self-declaration section. The centre provides an ink pad.
| Step Action | |
| 1 | Press left thumb firmly on the ink pad provided at the centre |
| 2 | Press the inked thumb firmly on the designated LTI box on the attendance register |
| 3 | Repeat for the LTI box on the admit card self-declaration section |
| 4 | Hold steady for 2 to 3 seconds; do not smear |
| 5 | Wipe the thumb clean with the cloth provided |
A smudged, partial, or unclear LTI may require re-inking. Inform the invigilator immediately if the impression is not clear.
Candidates with benchmark disabilities who require a scribe or additional time must follow these specific steps.
| Requirement Detail | |
| Original disability certificate | Must be carried to each session; self-attested copies alone not sufficient |
| Extra time | 20 minutes per hour of exam (standard provision); for Tier 1 (60 minutes), this means 80 minutes total |
| Scribe form | Signed declaration about scribe's identity and qualifications must be submitted at the centre |
| Scribe eligibility | Must not be appearing in the same exam; must not be a relative; must not be from a higher qualification |
| Pre-registration | Scribe requirement must have been declared in the application form; cannot be requested on exam day without prior registration |
| Rule Detail | |
| Do not start the computer until instructed | Wait for the invigilator's signal |
| Read on-screen instructions | Full instructions appear before the exam begins |
| Check workstation function | Report any issues immediately before starting |
| Do not begin answering before the exam timer activates | Questions are locked until the countdown reaches zero |
| Sign the attendance sheet | Sign in the invigilator's presence before starting |
| Rule Detail | |
| Maintain silence | Talking is not permitted |
| Move between sections freely | No sectional time limit; use the full 60 minutes across all sections |
| Use only official rough sheets | Write calculations and rough work only on provided rough sheets |
| No photography or screen sharing | Strictly prohibited; grounds for immediate disqualification |
| Washroom break | Permitted with invigilator's permission; exam timer continues |
| No leaving until exam ends | Cannot exit before the 60-minute duration is complete |
| Rule Detail | |
| Return all rough sheets | Mandatory; must be submitted before leaving workstation |
| Do not share question content | Sharing questions on any platform violates the PEA Act 2024 |
| Retain admit card | Required for all subsequent stages including Tier 2 |
The 0.50 mark deduction per wrong answer (on a 2-mark question) represents a 25 percent effective penalty per attempted wrong answer. Candidates must apply the following discipline on exam day:
If you know the answer with confidence: Attempt. Correct answers add 2 marks.
If you have narrowed down to two options: Attempt only if you can apply logical elimination. Do not guess randomly between two options.
If you have no idea: Skip. A blank question costs 0 marks. A wrong answer costs 0.50 marks and the 2 marks you could have scored, resulting in a 2.50-mark swing per careless wrong attempt.
On a 100-question paper, 10 careless wrong answers cost 5 marks in penalty and 20 marks in opportunity cost, a total swing of 25 marks. At a cutoff of 157, 25 marks of careless errors is the difference between qualifying and failing.
| Item Action | |
| Admit card printed (2 copies) | Done / Print now |
| Original photo ID ready | In document folder |
| Photocopy of photo ID | In folder |
| Two to three passport-size photographs | In folder |
| Exam centre address and route mapped | Done; travel time estimated |
| Departure time planned | Set for 45-60 min before gate closure |
| Alarm set and tested | Done |
| Mobile phone plan | Leave at home or with companion outside centre |
| Metal accessories | Removed; left at home |
| Clothing prepared | Light, simple, comfortable |
| Sleep planned | 7-8 hours; no late-night revision |
| Water and light snack | Optional; consumed before entering the centre |
| Problem Recommended Action | |
| Forgot admit card | Entry will be denied; contact SSC regional helpline immediately; no on-spot duplicate |
| Name mismatch between admit card and ID | Carry supporting document (Class 10 certificate or gazette notification); explain to gate authorities proactively |
| Workstation malfunction | Inform invigilator immediately; do not attempt to fix yourself |
| Power failure | Exam software automatically saves responses; remain calm |
| Biometric failure | Inform invigilator; manual verification process available |
| Arrived after gate closure | Cannot appear; gate is closed; contact SSC for rescheduling (no guarantee of accommodation) |
Can I carry a digital copy of the admit card? No. Only a printed hard copy is accepted. Digital copies on mobile phones, tablets, or laptops are not valid. Phones are also prohibited inside the hall.
What if I arrive late? Entry is not permitted after gate closure. Plan to arrive at least 45 to 60 minutes before the gate closes.
Is there a dress code for SSC CHSL? No formal dress code is specified. Wear light, simple clothing without excessive metal accessories. Avoid caps and head coverings unless they are religious in nature.
What documents do I need if my name is different on the ID and admit card? Carry a supporting document that connects both versions of your name, such as a Class 10 certificate, gazette notification, or sworn affidavit. Explain the discrepancy to gate security proactively.
Can I carry a water bottle? A transparent water bottle may be allowed at the entry point at some centres. Check the specific instructions on your admit card. Do not carry opaque containers or food.
What is the penalty for carrying a mobile phone inside? Discovery of a mobile phone inside the examination hall is grounds for immediate disqualification of candidature. No exceptions are made.