The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has issued the Combined Higher Secondary Level (CHSL) Examination 2026 notice inviting online applications for approximately 2,536 tentative vacancies for Lower Division Clerk (LDC)/Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA) and Data Entry Operator (DEO)/DEO Grade ‘A’ posts. Online applications open on 07 September 2026 and close on 07 October 2026; candidates must meet prescribed educational and age criteria and apply only via the SSC portal.
Key particulars
The table below summarises the main details of the recruitment as provided in the official notice.
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Recruiting body | Staff Selection Commission (SSC) |
| Name of exam | Combined Higher Secondary (10+2) Level Examination, 2026 |
| Posts | Lower Division Clerk (LDC)/Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA), Data Entry Operator (DEO), Data Entry Operator Grade ‘A’ |
| Total vacancies | Approx. 2,536 (tentative) |
| Application mode | Online only |
| Application period | 07 September 2026 to 07 October 2026 (23:00 Hours) |
| Job location | Various Ministries/Departments/Offices of the Government of India (across India) |
| Official website | https://ssc.gov.in/ |
Important dates
The following schedule is specified in the notification; examination dates will be announced later by SSC.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Start of online application | 07 September 2026 |
| Last date to submit online application | 07 October 2026 (23:00 Hours) |
| Last date for online fee payment | 08 October 2026 (23:00 Hours) |
| Application form correction window | 14 October 2026 to 16 October 2026 (23:00 Hours) |
| Tier-I and Tier-II exam dates | Not specified (to be notified later) |
Vacancy details
The notification provides an aggregate vacancy figure; detailed post-wise and category-wise breakup will be published later on the SSC website under Candidate’s Corner > Tentative Vacancy.
| Post name (combined) | No. of posts |
|---|---|
| Lower Division Clerk (LDC)/Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA), Data Entry Operator (DEO), DEO Grade ‘A’ | Approx. 2,536 (tentative) |
Eligibility and qualifications
Eligibility is assessed as on the cut-off date of 07 October 2026 and covers nationality and educational requirements.
- Nationality: A candidate must be a citizen of India, a subject of Nepal or Bhutan, or a person of Indian origin who has migrated to India from specified countries (such candidates require an eligibility certificate from the Government of India).
- Educational qualification: Class 12 (10+2) pass or equivalent from a recognised Board/University is required for LDC/JSA and DEO (general). For DEO/DEO Grade ‘A’ in the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, SSC, and Ministry of Culture, candidates must have passed Class 12 in the Science stream with Mathematics as a subject from a recognised Board.
- Candidates who have appeared for Class 12 exams may apply provided the qualifying result is declared on or before 07 October 2026; results ‘under process’ do not meet the requirement.
Age limit and relaxations
Age eligibility is prescribed as 18 to 27 years, reckoned as on 01 August 2026; specified relaxations apply as per government norms.
| Age provision | Details |
|---|---|
| Age range | 18 to 27 years as on 01 August 2026 (Candidates born not before 02 August 1999 and not later than 01 August 2008) |
Category-wise age relaxation follows government rules and is given below.
| Category | Age relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC/ST | 5 years |
| OBC | 3 years |
| PwBD | 10 years |
| PwBD (OBC) | 13 years |
| PwBD (SC/ST) | 15 years |
| Ex-Servicemen (ESM) | 3 years after deduction of military service rendered from actual age as on 01.08.2026 |
| Central Government civilian employees (with 3+ years regular service) | Age relaxed up to 40 years |
Salary
Pay levels for selected candidates are defined as per the 7th Central Pay Commission; in-hand or gross salary figures are not specified in the notification.
| Post | Pay level (7th CPC) |
|---|---|
| Lower Division Clerk (LDC)/Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA) | Pay Level-2 (Rs. 19,900–63,200) |
| Data Entry Operator (DEO) | Pay Level-4 (Rs. 25,500–81,100) and Pay Level-5 (Rs. 29,200–92,300) |
| Data Entry Operator, Grade ‘A’ | Pay Level-4 (Rs. 25,500–81,100) |
Application fee
The application fee and payment modes are specified in the notification; certain categories are exempted.
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General/OBC/EWS (Male) | Rs. 100 |
| Women (all categories) | Exempted |
| SC/ST | Exempted |
| PwBD | Exempted |
| Ex-Servicemen (ESM) | Exempted |
Fee payment modes: BHIM UPI, Net Banking, Visa/MasterCard/Maestro/RuPay debit cards. Last date for fee payment is 08 October 2026 (23:00 Hours). Fee once paid is not refundable or adjustable.
Selection process
Selection is through a two-tier Computer Based Examination (CBE) followed by document verification and other qualifying tests as applicable.
Tier-I is objective type (multiple choice) covering four subjects with negative marking; Tier-II includes multiple sections and qualifying tests.
| Tier-I: Part | Subject | Questions/Marks |
|---|---|---|
| I | English Language (Basic Knowledge) | 25/50 |
| II | General Intelligence | 25/50 |
| III | Quantitative Aptitude (Basic Arithmetic Skill) | 25/50 |
| IV | General Awareness | 25/50 |
Tier-I duration is 60 minutes with negative marking of 0.50 marks per wrong answer. Tier-II is conducted in multiple sessions and includes:
- Section-I: Mathematical Abilities and Reasoning & General Intelligence (objective; negative marking 1 mark per wrong answer)
- Section-II: English Language & Comprehension and General Awareness (objective; negative marking 1 mark per wrong answer)
- Section-III: Computer Knowledge Test (qualifying in nature)
- Section-IV: Skill Test/Typing Test for DEO and LDC/JSA posts (where applicable)
How to apply
Candidates must apply only through the SSC online portal or the SSC mobile application following One-Time Registration (OTR) on the new SSC website.
- Visit the SSC official portal or the “my SSC” mobile application and complete One-Time Registration (OTR) on the new website; OTR generated on the earlier website will not work.
- Log in and fill out the SSC CHSL 2026 online application form.
- Opt for Aadhaar-based authentication during OTR if desired to simplify photo/ID requirements at the exam venue.
- Upload required details and capture your photograph as per the application module instructions.
- Pay the application fee online (if applicable) before 08 October 2026.
- Submit the form and keep a printout for records.
Important instructions
Applicants should follow the notification guidelines and note key application rules highlighted by SSC.
- Applications are accepted only in online mode; offline applications are not permitted.
- Candidates may select up to three exam centres in order of priority.
- The correction window (14–16 October 2026) allows a maximum of two modifications/resubmissions; only applications with fee received (or fee-exempted) are eligible for correction.
- Applications remaining incomplete due to non-receipt of fee will be summarily rejected.
- Tier-I and Tier-II exam schedules will be announced separately on the SSC website.
- Final vacancies and post-wise/category-wise break-up will be published later on the SSC website under Candidate’s Corner > Tentative Vacancy.
Official links
Candidates should use the official SSC links below for applications and to read the full notification.
