Staff Selection Commission (SSC) Combined Higher Secondary (10+2) Level Examination, 2026: Apply Online for 2,536 Vacancies (Notice No. F. No. HQ-C1102/5/2026-C-1)

The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has officially released the detailed notification for the Combined Higher Secondary (10+2) Level Examination, 2026.

This national-level competitive recruitment drive aims to fill approximately 2,536 tentative vacancies for Group C posts including Lower Divisional Clerk (LDC), Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA), Data Entry Operator (DEO), and DEO Grade ‘A’ across various ministries, departments, and offices of the Government of India. The online registration window opened on 7th September 2026, and applications can be submitted online up to 7th October 2026 (11:00 PM).

Recruitment Overview Matrix

Feature	Details
Conducting Body	Staff Selection Commission (SSC)
Examination Name	Combined Higher Secondary (10+2) Level Examination, 2026
Notice Number	F. No. HQ-C1102/5/2026-C-1
Post Designations	Lower Division Clerk (LDC), Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA), Data Entry Operator (DEO), DEO Grade ‘A’
Total Openings	2,536 Tentative Vacancies
Job Location / Cadre	Central Government Departments, Ministries & Offices (All India)
Application Mode	Online Only (via official SSC portal or mySSC app)
Online Application Start Date	7th September 2026
Last Date to Apply Online	7th October 2026 (11:00 PM)
Official Application Website	ssc.gov.in

Important Schedule & Timeline Matrix

Event Description	Official Dates & Timeline
Notification Release Date	7th September 2026
Commencement of Online Application Form	7th September 2026
Closing Date & Time for Online Applications	7th October 2026 (up to 23:00 Hours)
Last Date & Time for Online Fee Payment	8th October 2026 (up to 23:00 Hours)
Application Correction Window & Modification Dates	14th October to 16th October 2026 (up to 23:00 Hours)
Tier-I Computer-Based Examination (CBE)	To be notified later
Tier-II Computer-Based Examination (CBE)	To be notified later

Post-Wise Vacancy & Salary Structure Matrix

Post Name	Pay Level (7th CPC)	Official Pay Scale
Lower Division Clerk (LDC) / Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA)	Level 2	₹19,900 – ₹63,200/-
Data Entry Operator (DEO)	Level 4 & Level 5	₹25,500 – ₹81,100 / ₹29,200 – ₹92,300/-
Data Entry Operator Grade ‘A’	Level 4	₹25,500 – ₹81,100/-
Total Tentative Openings	2,536 Posts	—

Eligibility Criteria & Essential Parameters

1. Age Limit Parameters (As on 1st August 2026)

• Age Range: Candidates must be between 18 and 27 years (born between 02-08-1999 and 01-08-2008).
• Upper Age Relaxations:
  • SC / ST: 5 Years
  • OBC (Non-Creamy Layer): 3 Years
  • Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD – UR): 10 Years
  • PwBD + OBC: 13 Years
  • PwBD + SC/ST: 15 Years
  • Ex-Servicemen (ESM): 3 years after deduction of military service rendered.

2. Educational Qualifications

• For LDC / JSA and most DEO / DEO Grade ‘A’ Posts: Must have passed Class 12th (10+2) or equivalent examination from a recognized Board or University.
• For DEO / DEO Grade ‘A’ in specific ministries (Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, and Ministry of Culture): Class 12th pass in Science stream with Mathematics as a subject from a recognized board.
• Note: Candidates appearing in their Class 12th equivalent exam can also apply, provided they acquire the essential qualification on or before 7th October 2026.

Selection Process Structure

1. Tier-I Computer-Based Examination (Objective Type):
   • English Language (Basic Knowledge): 25 Questions / 50 Marks
   • General Intelligence: 25 Questions / 50 Marks
   • Quantitative Aptitude (Basic Arithmetic Skill): 25 Questions / 50 Marks
   • General Awareness: 25 Questions / 50 Marks
   • Total Duration: 60 Minutes (Negative marking of 0.50 marks for each wrong answer).
2. Tier-II Computer-Based Examination: Includes mathematical abilities, reasoning and general intelligence, English language and comprehension, general awareness, computer knowledge test, and skill test/typing test.
3. Skill Test / Typing Test: Mandatory for LDC/JSA and DEO positions (English typing speed of 35 words per minute or Hindi typing speed of 30 words per minute using Mangal font only for Hindi medium).

Application Fee Structure

• General, OBC, and Male Candidates: ₹100/-
• Women Candidates, SC, ST, PwBD, and Ex-Servicemen: Exempted from fee payments.
• Payment Mode: Online channels through BHIM UPI, Net Banking, or Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, RuPay Debit/Credit cards.

Special Application Guidelines (New SSC Rules 2026)

• One-Time Registration (OTR): Candidates must register on the new official portal (ssc.gov.in); legacy OTR accounts do not roll over.
• Live Photograph Capture: The application module captures a live photograph directly via webcam or mobile camera; pre-saved static images are replaced by the live capture feature.
• Aadhaar Authentication Rules: Aadhaar-based biometric authentication simplifies validation and provides relaxations on rigid photograph/signature dimensions, exempting candidates from carrying separate photo IDs to examination centers.

Step-by-Step Guide to Apply Online

1. Visit Official Portal: Navigate to the updated SSC website at ssc.gov.in.
2. Complete One-Time Registration (OTR): Create your profile credentials by submitting verified contact details and basic identity certificates.
3. Access CHSL Application Form: Select “Apply Online” under the active Combined Higher Secondary (10+2) Level Examination, 2026 tab.
4. Fill Personal & Academic Details: Input required educational data, select examination center preferences, and verify category parameters.
5. Live Photo & Signature Upload: Complete the live webcam capture protocol and upload a scanned signature in JPEG format (10 KB to 20 KB).
6. Pay Examination Fee: Complete the transaction via digital payment channels before 8th October 2026 (11:00 PM).
7. Final Submission & Printout: Save a digital copy and print the application receipt for future selection milestones.

🔗 Official Staff Selection Commission Website

📄 Download SSC CHSL 2026 Official Notification PDF

🔗 Direct Link to Apply Online via SSC Portal

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: What is the last date to apply online for SSC CHSL Recruitment 2026?

A: The online application portal closes strictly on 7th October 2026 at 11:00 PM.

Q2: How many total vacancies are announced in the SSC CHSL 2026 notification?

A: A total of 2,536 tentative vacancies have been notified for LDC, JSA, DEO, and DEO Grade ‘A’ posts.

Q3: What is the educational qualification required for SSC CHSL?

A: Candidates must have passed Class 12th (10+2) or an equivalent qualification from a recognized board.

Q4: Is a live photograph mandatory for the online form?

A: Yes, the application portal features a live photograph capture tool requiring a plain background and frontal view without caps or spectacles (unless Aadhaar authentication relaxations apply).

Q5: What font is mandatory for candidates opting for the Hindi typing test?

A: Candidates opting for the Hindi typing test must use Mangal font only.