The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has announced the Combined Higher Secondary (10+2) Level Examination, 2026, opening recruitment for approximately 2,536 tentative Group C posts across various Central Government ministries, departments and offices.

The examination provides eligible Class 12 pass candidates with an opportunity to apply for posts such as Lower Division Clerk (LDC), Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA) and Data Entry Operator (DEO).
The SSC CHSL 2026 recruitment notification was published on September 7, 2026, under Advertisement No. HQ-C1102/05/2026-C-1. Along with the notification, the Commission has commenced the online application process for eligible candidates.
Candidates interested in the recruitment can submit their applications through the official SSC application portal. The last date to apply is October 7, 2026, up to 11 PM. Applicants are advised to complete the registration and application process well before the deadline to avoid technical issues or last-minute delays.
The recruitment drive includes vacancies for Lower Divisional Clerk (LDC), Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA), Data Entry Operator (DEO) and DEO Grade 'A' posts.
SSC has announced approximately 2,536 tentative vacancies for the 2026 recruitment cycle. The final number of vacancies may be revised based on requirements received from participating ministries, departments and offices.
Candidates should keep track of the important dates associated with the recruitment process.
| Event | Date |
| Notification and application begins | September 7, 2026 |
| Last date to apply | October 7, 2026 up to 11:00 PM |
| Last date for fee payment | October 8, 2026 up to 11:00 PM |
| Application correction window | October 14 to 16, 2026, up to 11 PM |
| Tier-I examination | To be notified |
| Tier-II examination | To be notified |
The Commission will announce the Tier-I and Tier-II examination dates separately. Candidates are advised to regularly check SSC notifications for further updates.
Candidates applying for SSC CHSL 2026 must have passed Class 12 or an equivalent examination from a recognised board or institution.
For certain DEO and DEO Grade 'A' posts, candidates may be required to have passed Class 12 with Science and Mathematics as subjects. Applicants should therefore check the post-specific educational qualification before submitting the application.
The prescribed age limit is 18 to 27 years as on August 1, 2026. Candidates should have been born between August 2, 1999, and August 1, 2008, subject to the applicable conditions. Age relaxation will be available to eligible candidates belonging to reserved categories as per Government of India rules.
SSC CHSL offers different pay levels depending on the post. LDC and JSA positions are placed under Pay Level 2, with a salary range of approximately ₹19,900 to ₹63,200.
DEO positions carry higher pay levels, with the applicable scale depending on the post. Candidates appointed to DEO posts can receive pay in Level 4, while DEO Grade 'A' posts carry Pay Level 5. The pay scales are approximately ₹25,500 to ₹81,100 for Level 4 and ₹29,200 to ₹92,300 for Level 5.
In addition to basic pay, selected employees are eligible for allowances and benefits as applicable under central government service rules.
The application fee for eligible candidates is ₹100. However, several categories are exempt from paying the examination fee.
Women candidates, candidates belonging to SC, ST and PwBD categories, and eligible Ex-Servicemen (ESM) are exempt from the application fee, subject to the conditions specified in the official notification.
Candidates should complete the fee payment within the prescribed deadline of October 8, 2026, up to 11 PM.
Eligible candidates can apply online through the official SSC website. Applicants should complete the registration process, enter their personal and educational details, upload the required documents and complete the fee payment, wherever applicable.
After submitting the application, candidates should carefully verify all details and keep a copy of the submitted form and payment confirmation for future reference.
The SSC CHSL 2026 recruitment provides a major opportunity for candidates who have completed Class 12 and are looking for central government employment. With around 2,536 tentative vacancies, aspirants should complete their applications before the deadline and begin preparing for the Tier-I examination while awaiting the detailed exam schedule.