With the SSC CHSL 2026 Notification officially expected on April 30, 2026, thousands of aspirants are beginning their preparation. The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) conducts the Combined Higher Secondary Level (10+2) exam to recruit for prestigious posts like LDC, JSA, and DEO.
To succeed, you must first master the exam structure. In this guide, we provide a deep dive into the SSC CHSL 2026 Exam Pattern for both Tiers and the complete syllabus for Tier 1 with topic-wise marks distribution.
SSC CHSL 2026 Exam Dates (Expected)
Stay ahead of the competition by marking these dates in your calendar:
Notification Release: April 30, 2026
Online Application Start: April 30, 2026
Last Date to Apply: May 31, 2026
Tier 1 Exam (CBE): July – September 2026
Tier 2 Exam: To be announced (Expected Dec 2026)
Part 1: SSC CHSL 2026 Selection Process
The recruitment process for SSC CHSL 2026 is conducted in two main stages, known as Tiers. Both stages are Computer-Based Examinations (CBE). It is important to note that while Tier 1 is qualifying in nature, the final merit list is prepared based solely on the marks obtained in Tier 2. Therefore, Tier 1 serves as the gateway that you must cross with a high enough score to meet the cut-off.
1. Tier 1 Exam Pattern (Qualifying)
The Tier 1 exam is an objective-type test consisting of 100 questions. Each question carries 2 marks, making the total marks 200. Candidates are given a total of 60 minutes (1 hour) to complete the entire paper. For candidates eligible for a scribe, the time limit is extended to 80 minutes.
The paper is divided into four sections:
- English Language (Basic Knowledge): 25 Questions / 50 Marks
- General Intelligence: 25 Questions / 50 Marks
- Quantitative Aptitude (Basic Arithmetic Skill): 25 Questions / 50 Marks
- General Awareness: 25 Questions / 50 Marks
Marking Scheme: +2 for each correct answer.
Negative Marking: 0.50 marks deducted for every wrong answer.
Nature: It is a qualifying exam; marks are not added to the final merit, but you must pass the cut-off.
2. Tier 2 Exam Pattern (Merit-Based)
Tier 2 is divided into Sessions and Sections. Your final selection depends entirely on your performance here.
It is more complex and is conducted in two sessions on the same day. Session I is for the written objective test, and Session II is for the Skill Test or Typing Test.2
Session I Details:
Section 1 includes Module-I (Mathematical Abilities) with 30 questions and
Module-II (Reasoning and General Intelligence) with 30 questions. Total questions in Section 1 are 60, carrying 3 marks each (180 marks total). You get 1 hour for this section.
Section 2 includes Module-I (English Language and Comprehension) with 40 questions and
Module-II (General Awareness) with 20 questions. Total questions are 60, carrying 3 marks each (180 marks total). You get 1 hour for this section.
Section 3 includes Module-I (Computer Knowledge Module) with 15 questions. This carries 45 marks and is qualifying in nature. You get 15 minutes for this.
Session II Details:
This session is for the Skill Test and Typing Test (Module-II of Section 3). This stage is qualifying. Part A is the Skill Test for Data Entry Operators (DEO), and
Part B is the Typing Test for Lower Division Clerk (LDC) and Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA).
Part 2: Detailed SSC CHSL Tier 1 Syllabus 2026
This is the most critical part of your early preparation. Here is the topic-wise breakdown for all four sections.
1. English Language (25 Questions)
This section tests your grammar, vocabulary, and reading skills.
Vocabulary: Synonyms, Antonyms, Homonyms, One-word substitution, Idioms & Phrases, Spelling detection.
Grammar: Spot the Error, Fill in the blanks, Active/Passive Voice, Direct/Indirect Speech (Narration).
Sentence Structure: Sentence improvement, Shuffling of sentence parts, Shuffling of sentences in a passage.
Comprehension: Cloze Passage, Reading Comprehension.
Weightage: Expect 5 questions from Cloze Test and 3-4 questions from Error Spotting.
2. General Intelligence & Reasoning (25 Questions)
Reasoning tests your logical thinking. It includes both verbal and non-verbal types.
Analogy: Semantic, Symbolic, and Figural Analogy.
Classification: Number and Figural Classification.
Series: Number Series, Semantic Series, and Figural Series.
Logical Reasoning: Venn Diagrams, Blood Relations, Syllogism, Seating Arrangement, Coding-Decoding.
Visual Reasoning: Paper folding/cutting, Embedded figures, Mirror images, Punched hole patterns.
Weightage: Coding-Decoding and Analogy usually carry the highest marks (approx. 6-8 marks).
3. Quantitative Aptitude (25 Questions)
Focuses on basic mathematical skills required at the 10+2 level.
Number System: Whole numbers, Decimals, Fractions, Relationship between numbers.
Fundamental Arithmetic: Percentages, Ratio and Proportion, Square Roots, Averages, Interest (Simple & Compound), Profit and Loss, Discount, Partnership, Time & Distance, Time & Work.
Algebra: School Algebra identities, Elementary surds, Linear equations.
Geometry: Triangles, Circles, Tangents, Quadrilaterals, Regular Polygons.
Mensuration: Area and Volume of Sphere, Hemisphere, Cylinder, Cone, etc.
Trigonometry: Ratios, Heights and Distances, Standard Identities.
Data Interpretation: Histograms, Frequency Polygons, Bar Diagrams, Pie-charts.
Weightage: Arithmetic covers 12-15 questions. Do not ignore Data Interpretation (usually 3 questions).
4. General Awareness (25 Questions)
This section is vast but very scoring if you follow daily news.
History & Culture: Ancient, Medieval, and Modern India; Indian Dance forms and Festivals.
Geography: Physical Geography of India and the World.
Polity & Economy: Indian Constitution, Five-year plans, Basic Economic terms.
Science: Biology, Physics, and Chemistry (10th-level basics).
Current Affairs: Events from the last 6-8 months (Sports, Appointments, Awards, Government Schemes).
Weightage: Current Affairs and Static GK make up nearly 50% of this section.
Frequently Asked Questions
”What is the negative marking in SSC CHSL 2026?”
Answer: The negative marking for SSC CHSL 2026 Tier 1 is 0.50 marks for every wrong answer.
“Is SSC CHSL Tier 1 qualifying in nature for 2026?”
Answer: Yes, SSC CHSL Tier 1 is qualifying. Marks are not added to the final merit list, but you must pass the cut-off to reach Tier 2.
”When will SSC CHSL 2026 notification be released?”
Answer: The official SSC CHSL 2026 notification is expected to be released on April 30, 2026.