NEW DELHI, India | September 8, 2026 —
SSC CHSL Recruitment 2026 registration has opened for approximately 2,536 tentative Group C vacancies, creating a major central government job opportunity for candidates who have completed Class 12. The Staff Selection Commission has invited online applications for posts including Lower Divisional Clerk, Junior Secretariat Assistant and Data Entry Operator across ministries, departments, constitutional bodies, statutory bodies and tribunals of the Government of India.
The application window opened on September 7 and will remain available until 11 PM on October 7, 2026.
Depending on the post, selected candidates can receive a basic pay ranging from ₹19,900 to ₹92,300 under the applicable pay levels.
The recruitment drive is particularly significant for candidates searching for government jobs after Class 12 because most CHSL posts require a 12th-standard pass or equivalent qualification. However, certain Data Entry Operator positions require candidates to have studied Science with Mathematics in Class 12.
SSC CHSL 2026 Vacancy: 2,536 Posts Announced
SSC has announced approximately 2,536 tentative vacancies through the Combined Higher Secondary (10+2) Level Examination 2026.
The recruitment covers three major job categories: Lower Divisional Clerk and Junior Secretariat Assistant, Data Entry Operator, and Data Entry Operator Grade A.
Candidates should note that the 2,536 figure is tentative.
SSC will determine final vacancies after receiving and scrutinizing requirements from participating government departments. The Commission will later publish post-wise and category-wise vacancy details.
This distinction matters because the final number of appointments may change during the recruitment process.
SSC CHSL Salary: Pay Can Reach ₹92,300
Salary is one of the biggest attractions of SSC CHSL recruitment.
For LDC and JSA posts, the pay falls under Level 2, with a basic pay range of ₹19,900 to ₹63,200.
Data Entry Operator posts can fall under Pay Level 4 or Pay Level 5, depending on the position. Level 4 carries a range of ₹25,500 to ₹81,100, while Level 5 ranges from ₹29,200 to ₹92,300.
DEO Grade A posts carry Pay Level 4, ranging from ₹25,500 to ₹81,100.
In addition to basic pay, appointed candidates may receive admissible government allowances depending on their posting and applicable rules.
Therefore, the final monthly salary can be higher than the basic-pay figure alone.
Who Can Apply for SSC CHSL 2026?
For most LDC, JSA and DEO posts, candidates must have passed Class 12 or an equivalent examination from a recognized board or university by October 7, 2026.
There is an important exception.
For specified DEO and DEO Grade A posts in the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Staff Selection Commission and Ministry of Culture, candidates must have passed Class 12 in the Science stream with Mathematics as a subject.
Candidates who have appeared for their Class 12 examination can also apply, but they must possess the required qualification on or before the eligibility cut-off date of October 7.
SSC CHSL Age Limit 2026
The standard age limit is 18 to 27 years as of August 1, 2026.
That means candidates should have been born between August 2, 1999 and August 1, 2008, inclusive.
SSC provides upper-age relaxation under government rules.
SC and ST candidates receive five years of relaxation, while OBC candidates receive three years. Eligible PwBD, ex-servicemen and certain other categories receive additional relaxation according to the conditions specified in the official notification.
Candidates should calculate their age carefully before submitting the application because SSC uses the date of birth recorded in the matriculation or secondary-school certificate.
SSC CHSL 2026 Important Dates
The most important dates candidates need to remember are:
- Application start date: September 7, 2026
- Last date to apply: October 7, 2026, 11 PM
- Last date for fee payment: October 8, 2026, 11 PM
- Application correction window: October 14 to October 16, 2026
- Tier-I exam date: To be announced
- Tier-II exam date: To be announced
Candidates should avoid waiting until the final day because heavy traffic on the SSC portal can create login or submission problems close to the deadline.
Application Fee Is ₹100
The application fee for SSC CHSL 2026 is ₹100.
Women candidates and eligible candidates belonging to SC, ST, Persons with Benchmark Disabilities and ex-servicemen categories are exempt from paying the application fee.
Candidates can make the payment online using supported digital payment options.
SSC has set October 8 at 11 PM as the deadline for completing the online fee payment.
Applications that require a fee but do not receive successful payment can remain incomplete and may be rejected.
How to Apply for SSC CHSL Recruitment 2026
Candidates must submit the application online through SSC’s official application system or the mySSC mobile application.
New applicants need to complete One-Time Registration, or OTR, before filling out the CHSL application.
The registration process requires basic personal information, a working mobile number and email address, Class 10 details and identity information. SSC also offers Aadhaar-based authentication, while candidates who do not use Aadhaar authentication must provide the prescribed identity documents.
Applicants should carefully verify their name, parents’ names, date of birth and matriculation details before final submission.
SSC has also introduced live photograph capture through its application system, so candidates should follow the photograph and signature instructions closely.
SSC CHSL Tier-I Exam Pattern
SSC will conduct the examination in two computer-based tiers.
Tier-I consists of 100 multiple-choice questions carrying 200 marks.
The paper includes English Language, General Intelligence, Quantitative Aptitude and General Awareness.
Each section contains 25 questions worth 50 marks.
Candidates receive 60 minutes to complete Tier-I, with a sectional timer of 15 minutes for each subject.
SSC will deduct 0.50 marks for every incorrect answer, making accuracy particularly important.
What Happens in Tier-II?
Candidates who qualify in Tier-I will move to Tier-II.
Tier-II includes Mathematical Abilities, Reasoning and General Intelligence, English Language and Comprehension, General Awareness and a Computer Knowledge Test.
It also includes the relevant Skill Test or Typing Test.
For LDC and JSA candidates, the typing test forms part of the qualifying process, while Data Entry Operator candidates must take the prescribed skill test.
SSC has made it mandatory for candidates to qualify in all applicable Tier-II sections.
Why SSC CHSL 2026 Is a Major Opportunity for 12th-Pass Candidates
SSC CHSL remains one of India’s most closely watched government recruitment examinations because it gives Class 12-qualified candidates a route into central government employment.
The 2026 recruitment drive combines more than 2,500 tentative vacancies with structured pay levels and positions across multiple government organizations.
However, competition is expected to remain intense.
Candidates who plan to apply should complete registration early and begin preparation for English, reasoning, mathematics and general awareness instead of waiting for SSC to announce the Tier-I examination date.
With the application window remaining open until October 7, SSC CHSL Recruitment 2026 now gives eligible candidates nearly a month to complete the application process and prepare for the next stage.
