EXAM SYLLABUS

The syllabus for SSC CHSL 2026 is indicative and follows the standard pattern from the official SSC notice. It is divided into Tier-I (qualifying in nature for shortlisting to Tier-II) and Tier-II (main merit-determining stage).

Tier-I

The syllabus for SSC CHSL is given below:

EXAM SYLLABUS

The syllabus for SSC CHSL 2026 is indicative and follows the standard pattern from the official SSC notice. It is divided into Tier-I (qualifying in nature for shortlisting to Tier-II) and Tier-II (main merit-determining stage).

Tier-I

The syllabus for SSC CHSL is given below:

GENERAL INTELLIGENCE DETAILED SYLLABUS

The detailed syllabus for General Intelligence along with Topic Description, Topic Example & Topic Difficulty is given below:

Note : The above examples to various topics are for illustrative purpose only.

GENERAL AWARENESS DETAILED SYLLABUS

The detailed syllabus for General Awareness along with Topic Description, Topic Example & Topic Difficulty is given below:

Note : The above examples to various topics are for illustrative purpose only.

QUANTITATIVE APTITUDE DETAILED SYLLABUS

The detailed syllabus for Quantitative Aptitude along with Topic Description, Topic Example & Topic Difficulty is given below:

Note : The above examples to various topics are for illustrative purpose only.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE DETAILED SYLLABUS

The detailed syllabus for English Language along with Topic Description, Topic Example & Topic Difficulty is given below:

Note : The above examples to various topics are for illustrative purpose only.

EXAM PATTERN

The SSC CHSL 2026 exam is conducted in two stages—Tier I (Objective) and Tier II (Objective + Skill Test). Tier I is a 60-minute computer-based test with 100 MCQs carrying 200 marks, covering Reasoning, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, and English. Tier II is mandatory and includes objective tests followed by a typing/skill test.

SSC CHSL Tier I Exam Format

Mode: Online (Computer Based Test)

Type: Objective (Multiple Choice Questions)

Total Questions: 100

Total Marks: 200

Time Duration: 60 minutes

Sections:

General Intelligence – 25 questions – 50 marks

General Awareness – 25 questions – 50 marks

Quantitative Aptitude – 25 questions – 50 marks

English Language – 25 questions – 50 marks

Marking Scheme:

Each correct answer: 2 marks

Negative marking: 0.50 marks deducted for each wrong answer

Purpose:

Tier I is qualifying in nature and is used to shortlist candidates for Tier II.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Candidates can check the SSC CHSL 2026 eligibility details in the official notification. The eligibility criteria specify the minimum requirements that a candidate must fulfill to apply for and appear in the examination. Applicants are advised to carefully review the SSC CHSL 2026 eligibility conditions before submitting the application form.


Nationality

A candidate must be either :

A Citizen of India or,

A subject of Nepal or,

A subject of Bhutan or,

A Tibetan Refugee who came over to India before 1st January 1962 to permanently settle in India or,

A person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African countries of Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania (formerly Tanganyika and Zanzibar), Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia, and Vietnam intending to permanently settle in India, shall be a person in whose favor a certificate of eligibility has been issued by the Government of India.

NOTE: Provided that a candidate belonging to categories (2), (3), (4) and (5) above shall be a person in whose favour a certificate of eligibility has been issued by the Government of India.

Age Limit

Candidates must be between the ages of 18-27 years. However, there is a certain age relaxation for certain categories.

Relaxation in the Upper Age Limit

Education Qualification

1. For LDC/ JSA and DEO/ DEO Grade ‘A’: Candidates must have passed 12th Standard or equivalent examination from a recognized Board or University.

2. The candidate must possess Essential Qualification.

IMPORTANT DATES

The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has released the SSC CHSL 2026 exam schedule through the SSC Calendar 2026. As per the calendar, the online application process will take place from April to May 2026, and the Computer-Based Test (CBT) is scheduled to be conducted between July and September 2026. Candidates should check and note the important dates related to the SSC CHSL 2026 examination.

EXAM ANALYSIS

Last Conducted SSC CHSL Tier I Exam (2025–26 Cycle)

Exam Dates and Schedule

The SSC CHSL Tier I 2025 exam was officially scheduled to start from 12 November 2025. Candidates could check their exam city, date, and shift via the City Intimation Slip before the exam.

The exam then ran over several days until 30 November 2025, accommodating lakhs of applicants appearing across different shifts.

Shift Details & Timings

The Tier I exam for 2025 was conducted in three shifts daily with standardized timings (as per SSC’s schedule published in official city slips and admit card details):

Shift 1: Reporting typically around 7:30 AM, exam from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM

Shift 2: Reporting typically around 11:30 AM, exam from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM

Shift 3: Reporting typically around 3:30 PM, exam from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM

Candidates must reach the centre well before the reporting time to complete entry formalities, including document verification and biometric checks.

Slot Selection Feature

For the first time in SSC CHSL 2025, SSC introduced a slot selection window allowing candidates to choose their preferred exam city, date, and shift before the exams. This slot selection system was available from 22 to 28 October 2025, and remaining slots were auto-assigned if candidates didn’t choose.

Tier I Exam Pattern (2025 Cycle)

The Tier I exam consisted of a single objective paper with 100 questions (worth 200 marks) and 60 minutes duration. (Pattern remains the same for future cycles unless notified otherwise.)

Sections included:

General Intelligence

General Awareness

Quantitative Aptitude

English Language

There was negative marking (0.50 mark) for incorrect answers. Novice candidates often found time management and accuracy crucial because all questions had to be solved within one hour. (Common analysis from coaching and student feedback, based on observed trends.)

The general difficulty level for Tier I in 2025 was observed to be moderate, with reasoning and general awareness offering mix of easier and moderate questions, while arithmetic and English demanded careful calculation and comprehension. (Based on previous shift analytics posted by students and coaching sources.)

Impact of Multiple Shifts

Because the exam was conducted across multiple shifts and dates, SSC followed a normalisation process to adjust scores fairly across different shifts (this process balances out any variation in difficulty levels across shifts). This approach is the standard practice for large-scale multi-shift exams like CHSL. (Inferred from standard SSC policies and 2025 exam structure.)

Tier II Exam (2026 – for 2025 Cycle)

The Tier I results for 2025 CHSL were used to qualify candidates for Tier II (objective + skill/typing test). While exact SSC announcements on Tier II for 2025 were updated later, based on prior trends:

Expected Tier II Schedule

For the previous cycle, Tier II was expected to be conducted around February–March 2026 after the evaluation of Tier I and issue of results. This is similar to how SSC schedules CHSL — one exam stage, result, then the next stage.

Tier II typically comprises:

Session I (Objective Multiple Choice) — covers advanced questions on reasoning, maths, English and GA.

Session II (Typing/Skill Test) — conducted for posts like LDC/JSA (typing) or DEO (data entry speed test), and is qualifying in nature (does not carry marks for final selection).

Shift details and exact timings for Tier II are included in the admit card — usually with morning sessions for objective papers (about 9:00 AM start) and afternoon sessions for typing tests. Specific SSC announcements on timing are issued closer to the exam date.

Overall Analysis and Expectations for SSC CHSL 2026

Key Takeaways from 2025 Cycle

Tier I was spread over multiple dates with three daily shifts to accommodate large number of candidates.

Slot selection feature gave flexibility to candidates to choose their exam city and shift.

Reporting times were fixed well ahead of the exam to complete verification procedures.

The exam duration remained one hour with consistent pattern across all shifts.

Normalisation was applied due to varying shifts. (Standard SSC practice.)

Expectations for SSC CHSL 2026

SSC CHSL 2026 Tier I may be scheduled around mid-year (yearly cycle based on calendar trends), likely between August and October 2026 (tentative).

Multi-shift pattern will continue, with reporting times early morning, lunchtime, and evening slots, similar to the 2025 structure.

Slot or city/shift selection may again be introduced depending on SSC’s operational plan.

Tier II will follow a few months after Tier I results, possibly in early 2027, with objective and skill/typing modules.

Summary

The SSC CHSL Tier I exam for 2025 was conducted from 12 to 30 November 2025, in three shifts per day — morning, afternoon, and evening. Candidates needed to report well ahead of exam timing, and self-slot selection was introduced for the first time. The exam was one-hour long with objective sections and negative marking. Tier II followed months later, around February–March 2026, with multiple components including objective and skill tests.

For the 2026 cycle, a similar pattern is expected with multi-shift Tier I, early scheduling, and structured Tier II stages, allowing sufficient time for candidates to prepare effectively.

STUDY TIPS

The only deciding factor for the selection or rejection of a candidate is the Strategy & Planning which is used by them for their preparation for the SSC CHSL Examination. A good and result-oriented Strategy & Planning for the examination will definitely allow the candidates to make their way through SSC CHSL Examination.

1. Understand the Exam Pattern & Syllabus

First, go through the latest SSC CHSL syllabus and exam pattern for Tier 1 and Tier 2. Know the subjects: General Intelligence, English, Quantitative Aptitude, and General Awareness.

2. Make a Proper Study Plan

Create a daily timetable and give equal time to all subjects. Focus more on your weak areas and revise regularly.

3. Strengthen Basics

Clear your basic concepts, especially in Maths and English Grammar. Practice NCERT-level maths and basic grammar rules.

4. Practice Mock Tests & Previous Papers

Solve previous year question papers and take regular mock tests. This improves speed, accuracy, and time management.

5. Prepare for General Awareness Daily

Read newspapers and monthly current affairs. Focus on Static GK, History, Polity, Geography, and Economics basics.

6. Improve Speed & Accuracy

Time management is very important. Practice questions with a timer and avoid guesswork due to negative marking.

7. Revise Regularly

Keep short notes for formulas, vocabulary, and important facts. Revise them weekly.

STUDY PLANS

6 Month Study Plan

Month 1: Understand the complete syllabus and exam pattern. Start with basic concepts of Quant (Arithmetic) and English Grammar. Begin daily current affairs reading (30 minutes). Practice reasoning basics like series, coding-decoding, analogy.

Month 2: Cover advanced Arithmetic (Ratio, Percentage, Profit & Loss, Time & Work). Start Algebra & Geometry basics. Improve vocabulary and practice error detection & cloze tests. Solve sectional quizzes weekly.

Month 3: Complete remaining Quant topics (Mensuration, Data Interpretation). Practice full reasoning syllabus including puzzles and seating arrangement. Revise static GK (History, Polity, Geography). Attempt 1 mock test per week.

Month 4: Start intensive practice phase. Solve previous year papers of SSC CHSL. Focus on speed and accuracy in Maths. Revise grammar rules and practice comprehension daily.

Month 5: Increase mock tests to 2–3 per week. Analyze mistakes carefully. Strengthen weak topics. Revise current affairs of last 6 months and important static GK facts.

Month 6: Full revision month. Attempt mock tests regularly under exam timing (60 minutes). Revise formulas, vocabulary, and short tricks. Focus on accuracy to avoid negative marking and build confidence.

3 Month Study Plan

Month 1: Understand the complete syllabus and exam pattern. Build strong basics in Quant (Arithmetic topics) and English Grammar. Start Reasoning fundamentals and read daily current affairs for 30 minutes.

Month 2: Cover remaining Quant topics like Algebra, Mensuration, and Data Interpretation. Complete full Reasoning syllabus. Practice English comprehension, cloze test, and vocabulary daily. Start solving previous year papers.

Month 3: Focus on revision and mock tests. Attempt 2–3 full-length mocks per week and analyze mistakes carefully. Revise formulas, grammar rules, and static GK. Improve speed and accuracy to minimize negative marking.

1 Month Study Plan 

Week 1: Understand the complete syllabus and exam pattern. Start with basic Arithmetic (Percentage, Ratio, Profit & Loss) and English Grammar rules. Practice Reasoning topics like Coding-Decoding and Series daily.

Week 2: Cover remaining Quant topics such as Time & Work, SI-CI, and Mensuration. Practice English Comprehension and Vocabulary. Revise General Awareness (Static GK + Current Affairs of last 6 months).

Week 3: Solve previous year question papers and sectional mock tests. Focus on weak areas and revise important formulas, grammar rules, and reasoning shortcuts. Work on speed and accuracy.

Week 4: Attempt 3–4 full-length mock tests in exam-like conditions. Analyze mistakes carefully and revise short notes daily. Concentrate on minimizing negative marking and improving time management.

OVERVIEW

The Combined Higher Secondary Level (10+2) examination is conducted every year by Staff Selection Commission for recruitment to the posts of Lower Divisional Clerk / Junior Secretariat Assistant, Postal Assistant / Sorting Assistant and Data Entry Operator in various Ministries / Departments / Organisations. 

SELECTION PROCESS

The Staff Selection Commission conducts the SSC CHSL (Combined Higher Secondary Level) examination in two main tiers followed by document verification.

Tier I – Computer-Based Examination (CBT)

Mode: Online

Type: Objective (Multiple Choice Questions)

Duration: 60 minutes

Total Questions: 100

Total Marks: 200

Sections:

General Intelligence

General Awareness

Quantitative Aptitude

English Language

Marking Scheme:

2 marks for each correct answer

0.50 mark negative marking for each wrong answer

Tier I is conducted in multiple shifts and marks are normalized. Candidates are shortlisted for Tier II based on Tier I performance.

Tier II – Descriptive + Skill/Typing Test

Tier II is conducted in two parts.

Section I – Objective (CBT)

Subjects include:

Mathematical Abilities

Reasoning & General Intelligence

English Language & Comprehension

General Awareness

Negative marking applies as per official rules.

Section II – Skill Test / Typing Test (Qualifying Nature)

This stage depends on the post applied for:

For Data Entry Operator (DEO):

Data Entry Speed Test (DEST)

For Lower Division Clerk (LDC) / Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA):

Typing Test in English or Hindi

This stage is qualifying in nature but mandatory to clear.

Document Verification (DV)

Candidates who qualify Tier II are called for:

Verification of educational certificates

Identity proof

Category certificates (if applicable)

Final merit is prepared based on Tier I and Tier II (objective section) performance, subject to qualifying the skill/typing test.