1. Top Summary

Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has released the notification for Combined Higher Secondary Level (CHSL) Examination 2026, inviting online applications for approximately 2536 posts of Lower Divisional Clerk (LDC)/Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA), Data Entry Operator (DEO) and Data Entry Operator Grade ‘A’ in various Ministries, Departments and Offices of the Government of India. Online applications can be submitted from 07 September 2026 to 07 October 2026.

Source: Official SSC Notification (F. No. HQ-C1102/5/2026-C-1), Page 1

2. Job Overview

Source: Official Notification, Pages 1-2

3. Important Dates

Source: Official Notification, Page 1 and Page 24

Source: Official Notification, Page 1

4. Eligibility Criteria

Age Limit (as on 01 August 2026)

Minimum Age: 18 years | Maximum Age: 27 years (candidates must be born not before 02-08-1999 and not later than 01-08-2008).

Source: Official Notification, Page 4

Source: Official Notification, Pages 4-5

Educational Qualification (as on 07 October 2026)

DEO/DEO Grade ‘A’ in Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, SSC, and Ministry of Culture: 12th Standard pass in Science stream with Mathematics from a recognized Board. LDC/JSA and DEO/DEO Grade ‘A’ in other departments: 12th Standard or equivalent from a recognized Board/University. Candidates awaiting their 12th result may also apply, but must possess the qualification by the cutoff date of 07 October 2026.

Source: Official Notification, Page 11

5. Application Fee

Source: Official Notification, Page 13Payment modes: BHIM UPI, Net Banking, Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, RuPay Debit Cards (online only). Fee once paid is non-refundable and non-adjustable against any other exam. Correction charges: Rs. 200/- for the first correction re-submission and Rs. 500/- for the second, payable via the same modes.

Source: Official Notification, Pages 13-14

6. Vacancy Details

Source: Official Notification, Pages 1-2

Source: Official Notification, Page 2

7. Selection Process

Selection is through a two-tier Computer Based Examination (CBE).

Source: Official Notification, Page 16

Tier-I

Source: Official Notification, Pages 16-17Duration: 60 minutes total (sectional timer of 15 minutes per part; 80 minutes for scribe-eligible candidates). Objective type, MCQ only. Negative marking: 0.50 marks deducted per wrong answer.

Source: Official Notification, Page 17

Tier-II

Conducted in two sessions on the same day.

Source: Official Notification, Pages 17-21Negative marking in Tier-II Sections I, II and III: 1 mark deducted per wrong answer. Candidates must qualify all sections of Tier-II independently; the merit list is prepared from aggregate marks of Section-I and Section-II only, subject to qualifying Sections III and IV.

Source: Official Notification, Pages 19, 28

Source: Official Notification, Page 27

Skill Test / Typing Test Speed Requirements

DEO (Ministry of Consumer Affairs / SSC / Ministry of Culture): 15,000 key depressions per hour (15-minute test). DEO (other departments): 8,000 key depressions per hour (15-minute test). LDC/JSA Typing Test: English 35 wpm or Hindi 30 wpm (10-minute test); Hindi typing must be in Mangal font only, and the chosen medium (Hindi/English) is final once selected.

Source: Official Notification, Pages 20-21

Source: Official Notification, Page 30

8. How to Apply

1. Apply only online at the official SSC website (ssc.gov.in) or via the “my SSC” mobile app.
2. Generate a One-Time Registration (OTR) on the new website (the earlier ssc.nic.in OTR is not valid for this exam).
3. Opting for Aadhaar Based Authentication during OTR is recommended, as it exempts candidates from stricter photo/signature and physical ID verification rules.
4. A live photograph is captured via webcam during the application process; a pre-existing photo cannot be uploaded.
5. Upload a scanned signature in JPEG/JPG format, sized 10-20 KB, approximately 6.0 cm (width) x 2.0 cm (height).
6. Use the Preview/Print option to verify all details carefully before final submission.
7. Submit the application before 07 October 2026, 23:00 Hours.
8. Pay the application fee online by 08 October 2026, 23:00 Hours.
9. Use the correction window (14-16 October 2026) if any changes are required, on payment of applicable correction charges.

Source: Official Notification, Pages 11-13

9. Documents Required

For OTR (non-Aadhaar route): Proof of Name, Proof of Date of Birth, Proof of Address, Photograph, Proof of Gender (Aadhaar, Voter ID, PAN, Driving Licence, Birth Certificate, School Leaving Certificate, etc. are acceptable).

Source: Official Notification, Page 33At the exam venue: Printout of Admission Certificate, at least 2 passport-size colour photographs, and original valid Photo-ID proof (required only for candidates who did not undergo Aadhaar-based authentication).

Source: Official Notification, Pages 24-25At Document Verification: Matriculation/Secondary Certificate, Educational Qualification Certificate, Equivalence Certificate (if applicable), Caste/Category Certificate, PwBD Certificate, ESM documents, Age-relaxation certificate, NOC (if government employed), and name-change documents (if applicable).

Source: Official Notification, Pages 26-27

10. General Instructions / Terms

• The English version of the notice prevails in case of any dispute with the Hindi version.
• Only one application is allowed per candidate; multiple applications will lead to rejection of all and cancellation of candidature.
• Post/department preference, once submitted, is final and irreversible.
• Fee and correction charges are non-refundable under any circumstances.
• Success in the exam confers no right to appointment. Selected candidates undergo a 2-year probation period.
• All India Service Liability (AISL) applies – selected candidates may be posted anywhere in India.
• Only male candidates are eligible for Border Roads Organization (BRO) vacancies, which have separate physical standards and tests.

Source: Official Notification, Pages 29, 32-35

Source: Official Notification, Pages 30-32

11. Important Links

Source: Official Notification, Page 1

12. FAQs