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The SSC CHSL Notification 2026 is the official document through which the Staff Selection Commission announces the Combined Higher Secondary Level Examination for the financial year 2026-27. Published on the official SSC website at ssc.gov.in, the notification PDF contains the total vacancies, post-wise and category-wise vacancy distribution, complete eligibility criteria, exam dates, exam pattern, application fee, exam centre list, and the full selection process.
For the 2026 cycle, the SSC CHSL notification was originally scheduled for April 30, 2026. However, for FY 2026-27, SSC was scheduled to release the SSC CHSL Notification 2026 on 30th April 2026, but due to administrative issues, the release has been delayed by a few days. It is now expected in May 2026. The SSC Annual Exam Calendar 2026-27 has already confirmed that the Tier 1 exam is scheduled between July and September 2026, making May 2026 the practical outer limit for the notification to allow sufficient application and preparation time.
| Parameter Details | |
| Conducting Body | Staff Selection Commission (SSC) |
| Exam Name | Combined Higher Secondary Level Examination 2026 |
| Notification Release | May 2026 (delayed from April 30, 2026) |
| Application Window | May to June 2026 (approximately 30 days) |
| Last Date to Apply | June 2026 (approximately 31 May per some sources) |
| Tier 1 Exam Dates | July to September 2026 (per SSC Calendar 2026-27) |
| Tier 2 Exam | Early 2027 (expected) |
| Expected Vacancies | 4,000 to 6,000 |
| Posts | LDC, JSA, PA, SA, DEO, DEO Grade A |
| Minimum Qualification | 12th Standard pass from a recognised board |
| Age Limit | 18 to 27 years (UR); relaxation for reserved categories |
| Application Fee | Rs 100 (General/OBC male); Exempt for Women, SC, ST, PwBD, ESM |
| Application Mode | Online only at ssc.gov.in |
| Official Website | ssc.gov.in |
The following schedule is based on the official SSC Annual Exam Calendar 2026-27 and the established pattern from previous CHSL cycles.
| Event Status Expected/Official Date | ||
| SSC CHSL 2026 Notification | Expected (delayed) | May 2026 |
| Online Application Opens | Expected | May 2026 (with notification) |
| Last Date to Apply | Expected | Approximately June 2026 |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | Expected | Same as application deadline |
| Application Correction Window | Expected | A few days after closing |
| Tier 1 Admit Card | Expected | 3 to 5 days before exam |
| SSC CHSL Tier 1 Exam | Official (Calendar) | July to September 2026 |
| Provisional Answer Key | Expected | Within 1 to 2 weeks of exam |
| Answer Key Objection Window | Expected | 1 week after answer key release |
| Tier 1 Result and Cutoff | Expected | November to December 2026 |
| Tier 2 Exam | Expected | Early 2027 |
| Final Result and Allotment | Expected | Mid 2027 |
The SSC CHSL 2026 notification was originally scheduled for April 30, 2026. It was delayed for administrative reasons, similar to the SSC CGL 2026 notification delay that occurred in the same cycle. SSC did not provide a specific reason in its public communication. Candidates should check ssc.gov.in directly for the official notification release, as SSC does not announce notification dates in advance on social media.
The delay does not affect the Tier 1 exam window (July-September 2026) as confirmed in the official calendar. It compresses the application and pre-exam preparation window from the notification date.
The exact number of vacancies will be announced in the official notification. Based on the five-year historical trend, 4,000 to 6,000 vacancies are expected.
| Exam Year Total Vacancies Announced | |
| CHSL 2024-25 | 3,131 (per official notification) |
| CHSL 2023-24 | 3,712 (approx.) |
| CHSL 2022-23 | 1,369 |
| CHSL 2021-22 | 4,500 (approx.) |
| CHSL 2020-21 | 4,726 (approx.) |
Vacancy counts vary significantly year to year based on departmental requirements communicated to SSC by indenting ministries. The lower count in 2022-23 (1,369) was an exception; the general trend has been 3,000 to 5,000 vacancies per cycle.
| Category Approximate Share | |
| Unreserved (UR) | 40% |
| Other Backward Classes (OBC-NCL) | 27% |
| Economically Weaker Section (EWS) | 10% |
| Scheduled Caste (SC) | 15% |
| Scheduled Tribe (ST) | 8% |
| Post Abbreviation Pay Level Basic Pay Primary Departments | ||||
| Lower Division Clerk | LDC | Level 2 | Rs 19,900 | All Central Ministries and Departments |
| Junior Secretariat Assistant | JSA | Level 2 | Rs 19,900 | Parliament, other secretariats |
| Postal Assistant | PA | Level 4 | Rs 25,500 | Department of Posts |
| Sorting Assistant | SA | Level 4 | Rs 25,500 | Department of Posts |
| Data Entry Operator | DEO | Level 4 | Rs 25,500 | Ministry of Finance, various departments |
| Data Entry Operator Grade A | DEO Grade A | Level 4 | Rs 25,500 | C&AG, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Ministry of Culture, SSC |
| Post Gross Monthly Salary | |
| LDC / JSA | Rs 28,000 to Rs 34,000 |
| PA / SA | Rs 35,000 to Rs 43,000 |
| DEO / DEO Grade A | Rs 35,000 to Rs 43,000 |
Salaries vary based on city classification for HRA purposes: X cities (Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata) attract the highest HRA; Y cities attract medium HRA; Z cities (rural and small towns) the lowest.
The notification PDF is the single most important document in the entire application process. Everything that governs eligibility, selection, and post allocation is defined in this PDF.
| Section Content | |
| Post details | Names of all posts, pay levels, and initial pay |
| Vacancy table | Total vacancies, post-wise and category-wise breakdown by department |
| Eligibility criteria | Nationality, age limit (with crucial date), educational qualification |
| Age relaxation | Category-wise relaxation in upper age limit |
| Selection process | Tier 1, Tier 2 (Session 1 Objective, Session 2 Skill/Typing), Document Verification |
| Exam pattern | Questions, marks, duration, negative marking for both tiers |
| Application fee | Amount by category, payment modes |
| How to apply | Step-by-step online application instructions |
| Document upload | Photograph and signature specifications |
| Exam centre list | State-wise and city-wise options |
| OTR instructions | One-Time Registration guidance for new applicants |
| General instructions | Rules on multiple applications, canvassing, medical fitness |
| Annexures | Certificate formats for SC/ST, OBC-NCL, EWS, PwBD, ESM |
Once the notification is released on ssc.gov.in, follow these steps:
| Step Action | |
| 1 | Visit ssc.gov.in |
| 2 | Click on "Latest News" or the "Recruitment" section on the homepage |
| 3 | Find the link for "Notice for Combined Higher Secondary Level Examination, 2026" |
| 4 | Click the link to open the PDF in browser or download it |
| 5 | Save the PDF to your device |
| 6 | Read the full notification before starting the application |
The notification is also available on regional SSC websites (such as sscnr.net.in for Northern Region). The official notification PDF is always hosted on ssc.gov.in first.
| Category Fee | |
| General (UR) and OBC male | Rs 100 |
| Women (all categories) | Nil (Exempted) |
| Scheduled Caste (SC) | Nil (Exempted) |
| Scheduled Tribe (ST) | Nil (Exempted) |
| PwBD (all categories) | Nil (Exempted) |
| Ex-Servicemen (ESM) | Nil (Exempted) |
The fee of Rs 100 can be paid through Net Banking, Debit Card, Credit Card, or UPI. The fee is non-refundable under any circumstances.
The SSC CHSL 2026 selection process has two exam tiers followed by document verification and, for applicable posts, a typing or skill test.
| Stage Type Marks Nature | |||
| Tier 1 (CBT) | Computer-Based Objective Test | 200 | Qualifying |
| Tier 2 Session 1 (Objective) | Computer-Based Objective Test | 403 | Merit-determining |
| Tier 2 Session 2 (DEST/TST) | Data Entry Speed Test or Typing Skill Test | Qualifying | Qualifying |
| Tier 2 Session 2 Module 1 (Computer Knowledge) | Computer-Based Test | Qualifying | Qualifying |
| Document Verification | Verification of certificates | -- | Mandatory |
The final merit list is based entirely on Tier 2 Session 1 objective scores. Tier 1 is qualifying only and its marks do not carry forward.
The 2025 cycle is the best reference for what to expect in 2026.
| Event 2025 Cycle Dates | |
| Notification Released | June 23, 2025 |
| Application Window | June 23 to July 18, 2025 |
| Tier 1 Exam | November 12 to 30, 2025 |
| Provisional Answer Key | December 8 to 11, 2025 |
| Tier 1 Result and Cutoff | February 27, 2026 |
| Candidates Shortlisted for Tier 2 | 37,520 |
| Tier 2 Exam | April 10, 2026 |
The 2025 notification was released on June 23, 2025, with a total of 3,131 vacancies announced. Based on the 2026 notification delay and the longer July-September exam window, the 2026 cycle is expected to have more vacancies and a more extended exam schedule.
Many candidates appear in both exams. The notification differences are worth understanding.
| Aspect SSC CHSL SSC CGL | ||
| Minimum Qualification | Class 12 | Graduation |
| Target Group | Post-12th aspirants | Graduates |
| Typical Notification Month | May to June | March to June |
| Typical Tier 1 Window | July to September | June to September |
| Posts | Group C (LDC, PA, DEO) | Group B and C (Inspector, ASO, Auditor) |
| Pay Scale | Level 2 to Level 4 | Level 4 to Level 8 |
| Application Fee | Rs 100 | Rs 100 |
| OTR | Required (same as CGL) | Required |
Candidates who are graduates and also want to appear in CHSL can do so. Being a graduate does not disqualify a candidate from SSC CHSL. Both exams can be prepared for simultaneously using a unified study plan, with minor adjustments for the CHSL's slightly lower difficulty level.
The notification is expected in May 2026, and the exam is in July-September 2026. That window is narrow for candidates who begin only after notification release. The CHSL Tier 1 syllabus has been stable for years and can be studied immediately.
Start topic-wise preparation today. Use the SSC CHSL Syllabus Tracker to map every topic across all four sections and mark progress as you cover each. Use the SSC CHSL Tier 1 Test Series with 400 tests to begin topic-wise practice immediately and progress to full mock tests in the final weeks before the exam.
When will the SSC CHSL 2026 notification be released? The notification was originally scheduled for April 30, 2026, but has been delayed. It is now expected in May 2026 at ssc.gov.in.
How many vacancies are expected in SSC CHSL 2026? Based on the five-year trend, 4,000 to 6,000 vacancies are expected. The exact figure will be confirmed in the official notification.
Can I apply for SSC CHSL without a graduation degree? Yes. Class 12 pass is the minimum qualification. Graduates are also eligible.
Is the SSC CHSL 2026 exam date confirmed? The SSC Annual Exam Calendar 2026-27 confirms the Tier 1 exam is scheduled between July and September 2026. The exact dates will be announced with the admit card.
What is the application fee for SSC CHSL 2026? Rs 100 for General and OBC male candidates. Women, SC, ST, PwBD, and ESM candidates are exempt from the fee.
What is the difference between LDC and DEO eligibility? LDC requires Class 12 in any stream. DEO requires Class 12 specifically in the Science stream with Mathematics as a compulsory subject.