SSC CHSL 2026 applications open until October 7
SSC has invited applications for the Combined Higher Secondary Level (10+2) Examination 2026, covering Lower Divisional Clerk (LDC), Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA), Data Entry Operator (DEO) and DEO Grade 'A' posts across central government ministries, departments and offices, with approximately 2,536 tentative vacancies. Applications are open from September 7 to October 7 (23:00 hours), online fee payment closes October 8 (23:00 hours), and the correction window runs October 14-16; Tier-I and Tier-II examination dates will be announced separately. Candidates must be 18 to 27 years old as on 1 August 2026 (born between 2 August 1999 and 1 August 2008) and must have passed Class 12 or an equivalent examination by 7 October 2026; for specified DEO/DEO Grade 'A' posts, Class 12 with Science and Mathematics is compulsory. The usual SC/ST/OBC/PwBD/Ex-Servicemen age relaxations apply. Selection involves two Computer-Based Test stages, Document Verification and a Medical Examination; initial pay is Rs 19,900 (Level 2, 7th CPC) for LDC and JSA posts and Rs 25,500 (Level 4) for DEO posts.
Important dates
- Application start
- 2026-09-07
- Application end
- 2026-10-07
- Fee payment deadline
- 2026-10-08
- Correction window
- 2026-10-14 to 2026-10-16
- Exam date
- To be announced
What this means for you
Before applying, check eligibility against the notice itself: your age as on 1 August 2026, a Class 12 pass by 7 October 2026, and, for DEO posts, Science with Mathematics in Class 12. Apply well before the last day, as the website can slow down near deadlines, and keep your photo, signature and certificate details ready. Then plan preparation around the scheme: Tier-I only shortlists candidates for Tier-II, final merit is based on Sections I and II of Tier-II, and the computer knowledge test and the typing or data-entry skill test in Tier-II are qualifying but compulsory, so start typing practice now rather than after Tier-I. Post preferences are collected later through an online option form and cannot be changed once submitted. Verify every detail in the official SSC notice.