SSC CHSL 2026 Notification: 2,536 Vacancies, Dates and 9 Changes
SSC CHSL 2026 Notification: 2,536 Vacancies, Dates and 9 Changes
SSC uploaded the SSC CHSL notification for the Combined Higher Secondary (10+2) Level Examination, 2026 on 7 September 2026. It lists about 2,536 tentative vacancies for LDC/JSA, DEO and DEO Grade 'A' posts. Online forms are open till 7 October 2026, 11:00 PM.
This is not a copy of last year's notice. Tier 1 now has a sectional timer, all three centre choices must sit inside one SSC Region, and Hindi typing must be done in Mangal font. Below you get the vacancy picture, dates, fee, eligibility, selection stages and all 9 changes with their practical impact. For every CHSL topic in one place, keep our SSC CHSL complete guide handy.
SSC CHSL 2026 Notification at a Glance
SSC CHSL 2026 Vacancy: About 2,536 Posts (Tentative)
The notice gives only a total: "approx. 2536 tentative vacancies". SSC has not released the post-wise or category-wise breakup yet, so any table online that splits 2,536 into LDC, DEO, UR or OBC did not come from SSC. The updated figures will appear on ssc.gov.in under Candidate's Corner, then Tentative Vacancy.
SSC also says it does not collect state-wise or zone-wise vacancy data. For that, you have to ask the user department directly.
Posts and pay levels
The notice does not say which departments offer DEO posts at Level 5. LDC posts in the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) are open only to male candidates and carry physical standards. For in-hand figures by city, read our post-wise salary breakdown.
How 2026 compares with 2025
CHSL 2025 went from 3,131 tentative to 3,522 final (as reported by coaching sites, verify on ssc.gov.in). This year's opening number is 595 lower than last year's. My honest read: 2,536 may still rise, as it did by 391 last year, but it can also stay flat. Plan around the exam, not around a hoped-for revision.
SSC CHSL 2026 Important Dates
SSC has not fixed the Tier 1 date. It is expected between December 2026 and February 2027, as per coaching estimates; not official. As of 16 September 2026, the last date has not been extended.
The form closes on 7 October, but the fee can be paid till 8 October. A form without fee is marked "Incomplete" and rejected, and only candidates whose complete form and fee reached SSC in time can use the correction window.
City slip and admit card are two different things
About 10 days before the exam, SSC uploads your exam city and time table details. This is the city intimation slip. If your details are not visible one week before the exam, contact your SSC Regional Office with proof of your application.
The admit card (Admission Certificate) comes 2 to 3 days before the exam. It is issued online only, and you must carry a printout.
SSC CHSL 2026 Application Fee
EWS and OBC men get no exemption. Pay through BHIM UPI, net banking, or Visa, MasterCard, Maestro and RuPay debit cards; the fee is not refunded.
Corrections cost Rs 200 for the first and Rs 500 for the second, for every category including women and SC/ST. Only two are allowed. The full process is in our guide on how to fill the form.
SSC CHSL 2026 Eligibility in Short
- Age: 18 to 27 years as on 1 August 2026, so born not before 2 August 1999 and not later than 1 August 2008.
- Relaxation: SC/ST 5 years, OBC 3 years, PwBD 10 years (13 for OBC, 15 for SC/ST), plus separate rules for ex-servicemen and some other groups.
- Qualification: 12th pass by 7 October 2026. Any stream for LDC/JSA and most DEO posts.
- Science with Maths: needed for DEO and DEO Grade 'A' in the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, SSC and the Ministry of Culture.
- Appearing students can apply only if the 12th result is declared by 7 October 2026.
Date of birth is taken from your Matriculation certificate only. Relaxation details and document rules are in our full eligibility guide.
SSC CHSL 2026 Selection Process
- Tier 1 (CBT): 100 questions, 200 marks, 60 minutes, with a 15-minute timer per subject. A wrong answer costs 0.50 marks.
- Tier 2, Session I (CBT): Section I (Maths and Reasoning, 180 marks), Section II (English and General Awareness, 180 marks) and Section III (Computer Knowledge, 45 marks). Each question carries 3 marks, and a wrong answer costs 1.
- Tier 2, Session II: a qualifying data entry test for DEO or a Hindi or English typing test for LDC/JSA.
- Post preference: an Online Option Form filled before the FRTA/Result. Miss it and you are not considered.
- FRTA/Result: merit is Tier 2 Section I plus Section II (360 marks), if you qualify Sections III and IV.
- Document verification: done by the user department, not SSC.
Minimum qualifying marks are 30% for UR, 25% for OBC and EWS and 20% for others. The full marking scheme is in our exam pattern and 9 changes guide.
Skill test and typing speed
9 Changes in SSC CHSL 2026
I compared the 2026 notice with the rules of the 2025 cycle. A few changes hit your score directly; others matter to a smaller group.
1. Sectional timing in Tier 1 and Tier 2
Tier 1 now gives 15 minutes to each subject, and a section closes when its timer ends. Unused minutes do not carry over. Tier 2 splits time as 30 and 30 minutes for Maths and Reasoning, 40 and 20 for English and GA, and 15 for Computer.
CHSL 2025 Tier 1 had no sectional timer, so many students finished GA fast and spent the saved minutes on Quant. That option is gone. The notice also says subjects are "not in sequence", so do not count on a fixed order.
2. All three centre choices must be in the same region
You pick three centres in priority order, all within one of the nine SSC Regions. You cannot mix an Eastern Region centre with a Northern Region one. SSC will not change your centre later, so if you live near a regional border, check the region of each city first.
3. Answer key challenge fee is now Rs 50
A challenge now costs Rs 50 per question, down from Rs 100 in earlier cycles (as reported by coaching sites, verify on ssc.gov.in). It is still non-refundable, and SSC's guidelines dated 10 April 2026 apply. Cheaper challenges help, but raise one only when you have a solid source.
4. Mangal font is mandatory for Hindi typing
If you pick Hindi for the LDC/JSA typing test, you must type in Mangal font. Any other font means you are not qualified, whatever your speed. Many typists practise in Krutidev, so shift your practice to Mangal now. The typing medium you choose in the form is final.
5. Sliding mechanism formally adopted
The notice now says SSC "has adopted a Sliding Mechanism", with FRTA rules in notices dated 3 March 2026 and 8 April 2026. "Final Result" is now "FRTA/Result", and there is still no waiting list.
CHSL 2025 already had an FRTA, so this is not brand new. For you, the option form decides where you can move when seats fall vacant. Our sliding mechanism explainer covers fix and float options.
6. Aadhaar authentication is optional
It was compulsory last cycle (as reported by coaching sites, verify on ssc.gov.in); the 2026 notice only advises it. Do it if you can. Your form then cannot be rejected over photo or signature quality, and you skip extra photos and ID at the venue. Without it, you upload extra proofs and report 2 hours early with 2 photos and an original photo ID.
7. Exam centres go up to 136
There are now 136 centres. Last year's list had 130, with 13 added and 7 dropped this year (as reported by coaching sites, verify on ssc.gov.in). Check that your usual centre is still listed before you apply.
8. "Scribe" becomes "scribe/assistive technology"
The notice now uses "scribe/assistive technology", which covers assistive technology alongside a human scribe for eligible PwBD candidates. You must still opt for it in the form and upload your disability certificate then. An own scribe needs OTR and Aadhaar authentication and cannot be a candidate of this exam.
9. VH candidates exempt from Aadhaar face authentication
Visually handicapped candidates can skip Aadhaar face authentication at the application stage and verify through Aadhaar OTP. Biometric checks at the venue still apply. This removes a real barrier at the form stage.
Bonus: a 3-day correction window
The correction window now runs three days, 14 to 16 October 2026, against two last cycle (as reported by coaching sites, verify on ssc.gov.in). The last corrected form you submit successfully is the valid one.
ExamAtlas has 7 free SSC CHSL Tier 1 mock tests that run the same 15-minute sectional timer. Take one this week to see which section runs out of time for you.
Where to Check SSC CHSL 2026 Updates
- ssc.gov.in for the SSC CHSL notification PDF, notices and results.
- Candidate's Corner, then Tentative Vacancy, for the post-wise and category-wise split.
- The mySSC app on Google Play.
- Your SSC Regional Office, if city details are missing a week before the exam.
Apply only on ssc.gov.in or the mySSC app. The old ssc.nic.in One-Time Registration does not work, so create a fresh OTR. Ignore vacancy splits on Telegram unless the same notice is on ssc.gov.in.
What to Do Before 7 October
Apply in September, not in the last two days, when the site often slows down. Keep your Matriculation certificate beside you while typing names and date of birth. Save a copy of the submitted form, since SSC asks you to keep application records for at least 3 years.
SSC CHSL 2026 Notification FAQs
When was the SSC CHSL 2026 notification released?
On 7 September 2026, on ssc.gov.in.
How many vacancies are there in SSC CHSL 2026?
About 2,536 tentative. The post-wise and category-wise breakup is not out yet.
What is the SSC CHSL 2026 last date?
7 October 2026 (11:00 PM) for the form, and 8 October 2026 (11:00 PM) for fee payment.
When will SSC CHSL 2026 Tier 1 be held?
SSC has not announced this yet. It is expected between December 2026 and February 2027, as per coaching estimates; not official.
Is Aadhaar compulsory for SSC CHSL 2026?
No. It is optional, though SSC advises it.
Can I change my exam centre after applying?
No. SSC allows no centre change at any stage.
What is the answer key challenge fee?
Rs 50 per question, non-refundable.