SSC CHSL 2026 Syllabus

SSC CHSL 2026 Exam Overview

The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) conducts the Combined Higher Secondary Level Examination (SSC CHSL) 2026 for 10+2 level posts: Lower Division Clerk (LDC) / Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA), Data Entry Operator (DEO) and Data Entry Operator Grade 'A'. The notification was released on 7 September 2026, and applications run from 7 September 2026 to 7 October 2026 (11:00 PM). Tentative vacancies are approximately 2,536, with the post-wise and category-wise break-up to be released separately. How often the exam is held is stated in the official notification on ssc.gov.in.

Selection has three stages: Tier 1 (CBT), Tier 2 (CBT plus Skill Test/Typing Test) and Document Verification. Knowing the syllabus early helps you split your time sensibly across all four subjects.

SSC CHSL 2026 Exam Pattern

Session 1 of Tier 2 lasts 2 hours 15 minutes and Session 2 lasts 25 minutes. Tier 2 carries 405 marks across Section 1, Section 2 and Section 3 Module 1. Tier 1 marks only shortlist candidates for Tier 2. Final merit is built from Section 1 and Section 2 of Tier 2.

Subject-wise SSC CHSL Syllabus 2026

1. General Intelligence and Reasoning

• Semantic, symbolic/number and figural analogy
• Semantic, symbolic/number and figural classification
• Series, coding-decoding and other verbal and non-verbal reasoning topics listed in the notification

2. English Language and Comprehension

• Active and passive voice
• Direct and indirect narration
• Shuffling of sentence parts and of sentences in a passage
• Cloze passage and comprehension passage
• Grammar, vocabulary and error spotting as listed in the notification

3. Quantitative Aptitude (Mathematical Abilities in Tier 2)

• Number Systems: whole numbers, decimals, fractions and relationships between numbers
• Fundamental Arithmetic: percentages, ratio and proportion, square roots, averages, simple and compound interest, profit and loss, discount
• Remaining arithmetic, algebra, geometry, mensuration, trigonometry and statistics topics as listed in the official syllabus

4. General Awareness

• Current events of national and international importance
• History, culture and geography of India and neighbouring countries
• Indian polity and economic scene
• General policy and scientific research
• Static GK: awards and honours, books and authors, sports

5. Computer Knowledge (Tier 2, Section 3, Module 1)

• Computer basics: organisation of a computer, CPU, input/output devices, memory, back-up devices, ports, Windows Explorer, keyboard shortcuts
• Software: Windows basics, MS Word, MS Excel and related tools
• Internet: searching, downloading and uploading, managing an email account, e-banking
• Networking and cyber security: devices, protocols, hacking, viruses, worms, Trojans and preventive measures

6. Skill Test / Typing Test (Tier 2, Section 3, Module 2)

• DEO/DEO Grade 'A' within the concerned Department/Ministry: 15,000 key depressions per hour, passage of about 3,700 to 4,000 key depressions, 15 minutes
• DEO/DEO Grade 'A' outside the concerned Department/Ministry: 8,000 key depressions per hour, passage of about 2,000 to 2,200 key depressions, 15 minutes
• LDC/JSA: qualifying typing test of 10 minutes

How Cut-offs Are Decided

No verified cut-off mark for SSC CHSL 2026 is listed in the source material, so none is quoted here. Check the official score card or result PDF on ssc.gov.in for the real figures. Cut-offs are moved by:

• The number of vacancies, post-wise and category-wise
• The difficulty level of the paper in each shift
• The number of candidates who appear
• Category relaxation for reserved groups

Do not confuse cut-offs with minimum qualifying marks. The minimum qualifying percentage for Tier 1 and for Section 1, Section 2 and Section 3 Module 1 of Tier 2 is 30% for UR, 25% for OBC/EWS and 20% for all other categories (SC/ST/PwBD/Ex-Servicemen, etc.).

Recommended Books

• Reasoning: A Modern Approach to Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning by R.S. Aggarwal
• Quantitative Aptitude: Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations by R.S. Aggarwal; Fast Track Objective Arithmetic by Rajesh Verma
• English: High School English Grammar and Composition by Wren and Martin; Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis
• General Awareness: Lucent's General Knowledge by Dr. Binay Karna and Manohar Pandey; NCERT books for Classes 6 to 12
• Computer: Objective Computer Awareness by Arihant Experts

Preparation Strategy

Start with the syllabus, not question banks. Map each topic to your strong and weak areas, then build a subject-wise timetable. A structured plan of three to four months suits most candidates, with three to four hours of focused study each day for working aspirants and more for full-time ones.

• Give English and Reasoning daily practice, since they are skill-based.
• Rotate Quantitative Aptitude and General Awareness on alternate days.
• Prioritise arithmetic, comprehension, analogy, series and current affairs, which are named in the syllabus.
• Solve 3 to 5 years of previous papers before starting mock tests.
• Take one full mock each week early on, then increase the frequency in the final month, and review every wrong answer.
• If you target DEO posts, add daily typing practice.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Ignoring negative marking: Tier 1 deducts 0.50 marks and Tier 2 deducts 1 mark per wrong answer, so avoid blind guessing.
• Skipping Computer Knowledge: it is qualifying, but failing it ends your chances.
• Neglecting typing practice until the last moment.
• Treating Tier 1 as final: only Tier 2 Section 1 and Section 2 marks decide merit.
• Studying outside the syllabus instead of mapping topics first.
• Not practising sectional timing: Tier 2 gives 1 hour per section.