SSC CHSL
Recruitment as Lower Division Clerk (LDC)/Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA), Data Entry Operator (DEO) and DEO Grade 'A' in central ministries, departments and offices.
Eligibility
Class 12 pass from a recognised board. For DEO posts in the Comptroller and Auditor General's office, Class 12 with Science and Mathematics is required. Age must be 18–27 years, with relaxation of 5 years for SC/ST, 3 years for OBC and 10 years for PwBD.
Age limit: 18–27 years (relaxation for reserved categories)
Exam pattern
Tier 1 is a qualifying computer-based test: 100 questions for 200 marks in 60 minutes, across English, Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude and General Awareness (25 each), with 0.5 marks deducted per wrong answer. Tier 2 Session I has two merit sections. Section I covers Mathematical Abilities (30 questions) and Reasoning (30). Section II covers English (40) and General Awareness (20). Each question carries 3 marks, with 1 mark deducted per wrong answer. Section III (Computer Knowledge) is qualifying. Session II is a qualifying Skill Test for DEO posts or a Typing Test for LDC/JSA (35 words per minute in English or 30 in Hindi).
Syllabus at a glance
Arithmetic and elementary advanced maths (algebra, geometry, trigonometry, mensuration, data interpretation), with no calculus. Verbal and non-verbal reasoning. English grammar, vocabulary and comprehension. Static and current General Awareness. Basic computer knowledge and typing proficiency.
Upcoming dates
| Event | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 admit card / city intimation | Late Nov 2026 (expected) | expected |
| Tier 1 (CBE) | 30 Nov – 31 Dec 2026 | confirmed |
| Tier 1 result | Feb – Mar 2027 (expected) | expected |
| Tier 2 (including Skill/Typing Test) | Apr – May 2027 (expected) | expected |
Expected dates follow the usual calendar; confirm on the official notification before planning.
Free prep material
Standard books
- Fast Track Objective Arithmetic – Rajesh Verma (Arihant)
- Advance Maths – Rakesh Yadav
- A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning – R.S. Aggarwal
- Objective General English – S.P. Bakshi (Arihant)
- Lucent's General Knowledge – Lucent Publications
- SSC CHSL Chapter-wise Solved Papers – Kiran Prakashan
How toppers play it
- Start typing practice early, at least 20 minutes a day on a plain-text test. The Tier 2 Typing Test is qualifying, and many candidates fail it despite high written scores.
- In Tier 1, attempt General Awareness first (about 7 minutes) and Reasoning next. This banks time for Quant, where CHSL questions are lengthier than they look.
- Tier 2 has 1-mark negative marking on 3-mark questions. Prioritise accuracy in Section II's 40 English questions, the biggest single block of merit marks.
- The CHSL syllabus overlaps about 80% with CGL Tier 1. Solving CGL Tier 1 papers is excellent extra practice.