SSC CHSL 2026 Notification: 2536 Vacancies for LDC, JSA and DEO – Apply Online by 7 October
SSC has released the CHSL 2026 notification with 2,536 tentative vacancies for LDC/JSA, DEO and DEO Grade A posts. Online applications close on 7 October 2026. Check eligibility, age limit, fee, exam pattern, salary and how to apply.
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SSC CHSL 2026: Overview
The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) released the Combined Higher Secondary (10+2) Level Examination, 2026 notification on 7 September 2026. This is one of the biggest 12th-pass government job opportunities of the year, with 2,536 tentative vacancies for clerical and data entry posts across central government departments.
Online applications are open now and close on 7 October 2026 at 11:00 PM (23:00 hrs).
| Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam name | Combined Higher Secondary (10+2) Level Examination, 2026 |
| Conducting body | Staff Selection Commission (SSC) |
| Notice number | F. No. HQ-C1102/5/2026-C-1 |
| Total vacancies | 2,536 (tentative) |
| Qualification | 12th pass |
| Age limit | 18 to 27 years (as on 01.08.2026) |
| Application dates | 7 September 2026 to 7 October 2026 |
| Application fee | ₹100 (free for women, SC, ST, PwBD, ESM) |
| Exam date | To be notified later |
| Official website | ssc.gov.in |
Posts Offered
The CHSL 2026 notification covers three posts:
- Lower Divisional Clerk (LDC) / Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA)
- Data Entry Operator (DEO)
- Data Entry Operator Grade 'A' (DEO Grade 'A')
The post-wise and category-wise vacancy breakup has not been released yet. SSC has stated that the figure of 2,536 is tentative and may change. Candidates should ignore any post-wise list circulating on social media until SSC publishes it.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification released | 7 September 2026 |
| Online application starts | 7 September 2026 |
| Last date to apply | 7 October 2026 (23:00 hrs) |
| Last date for online fee payment | 8 October 2026 (23:00 hrs) |
| Application correction window | 14 October to 16 October 2026 (up to 23:00 hrs) |
| Tier-I exam date | To be notified later |
| Tier-II exam date | To be notified later |
Note: some websites show the last date as 11:59 PM. The official notice says 23:00 hrs, which is 11:00 PM. Do not wait until the last hour.
Eligibility
Educational Qualification (as on 7 October 2026)
- LDC / JSA and DEO in most departments: 12th Standard or equivalent pass from a recognised Board or University.
- DEO / DEO Grade 'A' in the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, in SSC, and in the Ministry of Culture: 12th Standard pass in Science stream with Mathematics as a subject.
- Candidates appearing in Class 12 can apply, provided they pass by the cut-off date.
Age Limit
- 18 to 27 years as on 1 August 2026.
- Candidates must have been born not before 2 August 1999 and not after 1 August 2008.
Age Relaxation (upper age limit)
| Category | Relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC / ST | 5 years |
| OBC | 3 years |
| PwBD (UR / EWS) | 10 years |
| PwBD (OBC) | 13 years |
| PwBD (SC / ST) | 15 years |
| Ex-Servicemen | 3 years after deducting military service rendered |
Other special categories (such as certain widows and divorced women, and defence personnel disabled in operations) are listed in the official notice. Check the notice for your exact case.
Application Fee
- General / OBC / EWS (male): ₹100
- Women, SC, ST, PwBD and eligible Ex-Servicemen: Nil
- Payment is online only, through BHIM UPI, net banking, or Visa / MasterCard / Maestro / RuPay cards.
- Correction window charges are separate: ₹200 for the first correction and ₹500 for the second correction.
Selection Process
Tier-I (Computer Based Exam)
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| English Language | 25 | 50 |
| General Intelligence | 25 | 50 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 50 |
| General Awareness | 25 | 50 |
| Total | 100 | 200 |
- Duration: 60 minutes, with a 15-minute sectional timer for each part.
- Negative marking: 0.50 mark for each wrong answer.
Tier-II (Computer Based Exam)
Session-I (2 hours 15 minutes):
- Section-I: Mathematical Abilities (30 questions) + General Reasoning (30 questions), 180 marks, 1 hour
- Section-II: English Language & Comprehension (40 questions) + General Awareness (20 questions), 180 marks, 1 hour
- Section-III: Computer Knowledge (15 questions, 45 marks), 15 minutes
- Negative marking: 1 mark per wrong answer
Session-II: Skill Test / Typing Test, qualifying in nature.
After Tier-II, shortlisted candidates go for Document Verification.
Minimum Qualifying Marks
| Category | Minimum |
|---|---|
| UR | 30% |
| OBC / EWS | 25% |
| All other categories | 20% |
Salary
| Post | Pay Level | Pay Scale |
|---|---|---|
| LDC / JSA | Level 2 | ₹19,900 – ₹63,200 |
| DEO | Level 4 or Level 5 | ₹25,500 – ₹81,100 or ₹29,200 – ₹92,300 |
| DEO Grade 'A' | Level 4 | ₹25,500 – ₹81,100 |
The exact level depends on the department and post. In-hand salary also includes DA, HRA and other allowances as applicable, and SSC does not publish a take-home figure.
How to Apply Online
- Go to ssc.gov.in and complete your One Time Registration (OTR) if you have not already done it on the new SSC portal.
- Log in with your Registration Number / registered email and password.
- Open the "Combined Higher Secondary (10+2) Level Examination, 2026" application link.
- Fill in personal, educational and category details exactly as in your documents.
- Upload your photograph and signature in the prescribed format.
- Pay the ₹100 fee online, if applicable.
- Submit and save the PDF of your final application for your records.
- If you spot a mistake, use the correction window from 14 to 16 October 2026 (charges apply).
Points to Remember
- The vacancy figure of 2,536 is tentative, SSC usually revises it later in the cycle.
- Tier-I and Tier-II exam dates are not announced yet. SSC will publish them on ssc.gov.in.
- Your name, date of birth and category must match your documents exactly, since mismatches cause rejection at document verification.
- Only one application per candidate is considered. If multiple forms are submitted, SSC takes the latest completed one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is the last date to apply for SSC CHSL 2026? 7 October 2026 up to 11:00 PM (23:00 hrs). The fee can be paid until 8 October 2026, 11:00 PM.
Q2. How many vacancies are there in SSC CHSL 2026? 2,536 tentative vacancies. The post-wise split has not been announced.
Q3. What is the age limit? 18 to 27 years as on 1 August 2026, with relaxation for reserved categories.
Q4. Can a 12th appearing student apply? Yes, provided you pass Class 12 by 7 October 2026, which is the crucial date for the qualification.
Q5. Is there any fee for female candidates? No. Women, SC, ST, PwBD and eligible Ex-Servicemen candidates pay no fee.
Q6. When will the CHSL 2026 exam be held? SSC has said the date will be notified later. Keep checking ssc.gov.in.
Q7. Is a Science stream compulsory? Only for DEO and DEO Grade 'A' posts in the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, SSC and the Ministry of Culture, where 12th with Science and Mathematics is required. For LDC/JSA, any stream is fine.
Conclusion
SSC CHSL 2026 is a strong opportunity for 12th-pass candidates looking for a central government job with a clear promotion path. The application window closes on 7 October 2026, and the correction window is the only chance to fix errors, so apply early and check every detail before final submission.
Disclaimer: This article is based on the official SSC notice dated 7 September 2026 and details published on ssc.gov.in as of 19 September 2026. Always read the official notification before applying.