Staff Selection Commission (SSC) Combined Higher Secondary Level (CHSL) Examination 2026: Apply Online for 2,536 LDC, JSA & DEO Vacancies

The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has officially released the comprehensive notification for the Combined Higher Secondary Level (10+2) Examination, 2026, aiming to fill approximately 2,536 tentative vacancies for Lower Division Clerk (LDC), Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA), Data Entry Operator (DEO), and DEO Grade ‘A’ positions across various Central Government Ministries, Departments, and constitutional offices.

The online application portal went live on 7th September 2026, and candidates can submit their applications online through the official website up to 7th October 2026 (11:00 PM).

Recruitment Overview Matrix

Feature	Details
Conducting Organization	Staff Selection Commission (SSC), Government of India
Examination Name	SSC Combined Higher Secondary Level (10+2) Examination, 2026
Post Designations	Lower Division Clerk (LDC), Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA), Data Entry Operator (DEO), DEO Grade ‘A’
Total Tentative Openings	2,536 Vacancies
Job Location	Various Central Government Ministries & Departments across India
Application Mode	Online Only (via official SSC portal or official app)
Notification Release Date	7th September 2026
Online Application Start Date	7th September 2026
Last Date & Time to Apply	7th October 2026 (Up to 11:00 PM)
Official Website Portal	ssc.gov.in

Important Schedule & Timeline Matrix

Event Description	Official Dates & Timeline
Official Notification Publication Date	7th September 2026
Commencement of Online Application Window	7th September 2026
Closing Date & Time for Online Applications	7th October 2026 (Up to 23:00 Hours)
Last Date for Online Fee Payment	8th October 2026 (Up to 23:00 Hours)
Application Form Correction Window	14th October 2026 to 16th October 2026 (Up to 23:00 Hours)
Tier-I Computer-Based Examination (CBE)	30th November 2026 to 31st December 2026
Tier-II Examination Date	To be notified later

Post-Wise Vacancy & Classification Matrix

• Total Tentative Vacancies: 2,536 Posts
• Post Breakdown: Encompasses LDC, JSA, DEO, and DEO Grade ‘A’ profiles distributed across key ministries including the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Defence, Department of Telecommunications, Central Administrative Tribunal, and other central administrative branches.

Salary Scale & Compensation Structure Matrix

• Lower Division Clerk (LDC) / Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA): Pay Level-2 (₹19,900 – ₹63,200/-)
• Data Entry Operator (DEO): Pay Level-4 (₹25,500 – ₹81,100/-) and Level-5 (₹29,200 – ₹92,300/-)
• Data Entry Operator, Grade ‘A’: Pay Level-4 (₹25,500 – ₹81,100/-)
• Perks & Allowances: Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), Transport Allowance (TA), and other benefits as per Central Government rules.

Eligibility Criteria & Essential Parameters

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

• Age Range: Candidates must be between 18 and 27 years.
• Birth Criteria: Candidates must have been born not earlier than 2nd August 1999 and not later than 1st August 2008.
• Age Relaxations: Admissible upper age limits are relaxed by 5 years for SC/ST, 3 years for OBC, 13 years for PwBD (OBC), 15 years for PwBD (SC/ST), and as per guidelines for Ex-Servicemen (ESM).

2. Educational & Professional Qualifications (Post-Wise)

• For LDC / JSA and DEO / DEO Grade ‘A’ (in departments other than specified below): Must have passed 12th Standard or equivalent examination from a recognized Board or University.
• For DEO / DEO Grade ‘A’ in Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution and Ministry of Culture: 12th Standard pass in Science stream with Mathematics as a subject from a recognized Board or equivalent.

Selection Process & Examination Pattern

The recruitment process consists of a rigorous multi-tier evaluation system:

Tier-I: Computer-Based Examination (Objective Type)

• Mode: Online (CBT)
• Duration: 60 Minutes
• Total Questions: 100 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) for 200 Marks
• Sections:
  1. English Language (Basic Knowledge) – 25 Qs | 50 Marks
  2. General Intelligence – 25 Qs | 50 Marks
  3. Quantitative Aptitude (Basic Arithmetic Skill) – 25 Qs | 50 Marks
  4. General Awareness – 25 Qs | 50 Marks
• Negative Marking: 0.50 marks for every wrong answer.

Tier-II: Computer-Based Examination & Skill/Typing Test

• Includes Mathematical Abilities, Reasoning & General Intelligence, English Language & Comprehension, General Awareness, and Computer Knowledge modules, followed by mandatory Skill or Typing tests for LDC/JSA and DEO roles.

Application Fee Structure

Category of Applicant	Application Fee Amount
General / OBC / Unreserved Male	₹100/-
Women / SC / ST / PwBD / Ex-Servicemen	Exempted (Nil Fee)
Payment Mode: Online digital transaction via BHIM UPI, Net Banking, or Visa/MasterCard/Maestro/RuPay Debit Cards.

Step-by-Step Guide to Apply Online

1. Visit Official Portal: Go to the official Staff Selection Commission website at ssc.gov.in.
2. Complete One-Time Registration (OTR): New users must complete the OTR portal registration with basic personal information, a valid mobile number, and email ID. Existing users can log in directly with their credentials.
3. Access CHSL Form: Navigate to the candidate dashboard, click on the active link for “Combined Higher Secondary (10+2) Level Examination, 2026” under the ‘Live Examinations’ tab.
4. Fill Details: Enter academic records, personal particulars, and select up to three examination centers within the same regional jurisdiction.
5. Capture Live Photograph & Upload Documents: Follow instructions to capture a live photograph using your webcam/device camera and upload scanned copies of your signature (1–20 KB) and relevant documents.
6. Fee Payment & Final Submission: Remit the application fee of ₹100/- (if applicable), review all details carefully, and submit your application before 7th October 2026 (11:00 PM). Download and print a hard copy of the final submission confirmation.

🔗 SSC Official Website Portal

🔗 Direct Link to Apply Online via SSC OTR Dashboard

📄 Download SSC CHSL 2026 Official Notification PDF

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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

A: The online application submission deadline is 7th October 2026 up to 11:00 PM.

Q2: When is the SSC CHSL Tier-I Exam scheduled to take place?

A: The Tier-I Computer-Based Examination is scheduled to be conducted from 30th November 2026 to 31st December 2026.

Q3: How many total vacancies are announced in this notification?

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

Q4: What is the age limit for applicants?

A: Candidates must be between 18 and 27 years of age as on 1st August 2026, with allowable upper age relaxations for reserved categories.

Q5: Is there an application fee for women and reserved category candidates?

A: No, women candidates and applicants belonging to SC, ST, PwBD, and Ex-Servicemen categories are completely exempted from paying the application fee.