SSC CHSL Eligibility Criteria 2026
SSC CHSL Eligibility Criteria 2026 cover age, educational qualification, nationality, age relaxation and post-specific requirements. For the standard 18 to 27 age limit, candidates must be born between 2 August 1999 and 1 August 2008, both dates inclusive, as the age is reckoned on 1 August 2026.
Candidates must generally have passed Class 12 or an equivalent examination by 7 October 2026. However, candidates applying for specified DEO and DEO Grade A posts in the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Staff Selection Commission and Ministry of Culture must have passed Class 12 in the Science stream with Mathematics.
Apart from age and qualification, SSC CHSL eligibility also covers age relaxation, nationality, PwBD provisions, Ex-Servicemen rules, typing and skill tests, and post-specific physical or medical requirements. Candidates should verify every applicable condition before submitting the application because eligibility is checked against the documents at later stages.
The complete SSC CHSL eligibility requirements can be understood through the following table.
| Eligibility Parameter | SSC CHSL 2026 Requirement |
| Examination | Combined Higher Secondary (10+2) Level Examination, 2026 |
| Conducting Body | Staff Selection Commission |
| Minimum Age | 18 years |
| Maximum Age | 27 years |
| Age Reckoning Date | 1 August 2026 |
| Standard DOB Range | 2 August 1999 to 1 August 2008 |
| Basic Educational Qualification | Class 12 or equivalent |
| Qualification Cut-Off Date | 7 October 2026 |
| Specified DEO Qualification | Class 12 Science with Mathematics |
| Nationality | Indian citizen or other eligible nationality categories |
| General/UR Age Relaxation | No standard category-based relaxation |
| OBC Relaxation | 3 years |
| SC/ST Relaxation | 5 years |
| PwBD Relaxation | 10, 13 or 15 years depending on category |
| LDC/JSA Skill Requirement | Typing Test |
| DEO/DEO Grade A Requirement | Data Entry Skill Test |
| Attempts | No separate fixed attempt limit |
Candidates should not rely on only one parameter. A candidate can satisfy the age limit and still be ineligible for a particular post because of an educational, typing, skill, physical or medical requirement.
Read the complete SSC CHSL Notification 2026 in detail.
The SSC CHSL age limit 2026 is 18 to 27 years as on 1 August 2026 under the standard age condition. Candidates must have been born not before 2 August 1999 and not later than 1 August 2008.
The SSC CHSL age requirement is based on the date of birth recorded in the candidate’s Matriculation or Secondary Examination Certificate.
| Age Requirement | SSC CHSL 2026 |
| Minimum Age | 18 years |
| Maximum Age | 27 years |
| Age Reckoning Date | 1 August 2026 |
| Earliest Eligible DOB | 2 August 1999 |
| Latest Eligible DOB | 1 August 2008 |
This exact date range is more important than calculating your current age manually. A candidate can appear to be 27 according to a normal age calculation and still be ineligible if the date of birth falls outside the SSC-prescribed range.
Check official SSC CHSL exam date 2026
The SSC CHSL age limit for general or Unreserved (UR) candidates is 18 to 27 years as on 1 August 2026. General category candidates do not receive the standard SC/ST or OBC upper-age relaxation.
For the General/UR category, the eligible date of birth is:
2 August 1999 to 1 August 2008
Both dates are included.
| General Category Age Requirement | Details |
| Minimum Age | 18 years |
| Maximum Age | 27 years |
| Age Calculated On | 1 August 2026 |
| Earliest Eligible DOB | 2 August 1999 |
| Latest Eligible DOB | 1 August 2008 |
| Standard Age Relaxation | None |
The phrase SSC CHSL age limit for general should not be interpreted as “I must simply be between 18 and 27 on the application date.”
SSC specifies an age-reckoning date and then converts the age requirement into an exact date-of-birth range.
For SSC CHSL 2026:
This is why candidates should always compare their date of birth with the official DOB range instead of relying only on their current age.
No standard category-based upper-age relaxation is available to General/UR candidates.
SC/ST and OBC candidates receive specific relaxations under the prescribed rules. PwBD candidates, Ex-Servicemen and certain other specified groups can also receive applicable relaxations.
A General/UR candidate should therefore use the standard 18 to 27 years age limit unless the candidate falls under another separately eligible category with a specific relaxation provision.
No separate upper-age relaxation is provided merely on the basis of EWS status.
For age eligibility in the SSC CHSL recruitment, an EWS candidate follows the standard age requirement unless the candidate also qualifies for another applicable age-relaxation category under the rules.
EWS is primarily relevant to reservation and related certificate requirements. Candidates claiming EWS reservation must possess the prescribed Income and Asset Certificate.
Checking examples is the easiest way to understand the SSC CHSL age rule.
| Date of Birth | General/UR Eligibility |
| 1 August 1999 | Not eligible under standard age condition |
| 2 August 1999 | Eligible |
| 15 August 1999 | Eligible |
| 1 January 2000 | Eligible |
| 1 August 2008 | Eligible |
| 2 August 2008 | Not eligible |
A candidate born on 1 August 1999 completes 27 years on 1 August 2026. However, the notification says that candidates must be born not before 2 August 1999.
Therefore, this candidate is not eligible under the standard 18 to 27 age condition.
A candidate born on 2 August 1999 falls exactly on the lower boundary of the prescribed DOB range.
Therefore, the candidate is eligible under the standard age requirement, subject to all other eligibility conditions.
A candidate born on 1 August 2008 completes 18 years on 1 August 2026.
Therefore, the candidate falls within the permitted DOB range.
A candidate born on 2 August 2008 is one day short of the minimum required age on the reckoning date.
Therefore, the candidate is not eligible under the standard age condition.
SSC determines age using the date of birth entered in the online application and the date of birth recorded in the candidate’s Matriculation or Secondary Examination Certificate.
Candidates must therefore ensure that their application contains the same date of birth as their Class 10 certificate.
SSC does not accept a later request to change the date of birth after submission where the notification states that the recorded DOB will be treated as final.
The Matriculation or Secondary Examination Certificate is the key document used for determining the candidate’s date of birth.
Candidates should not enter their date of birth based on:
The date entered in the SSC application should match the Matriculation or Secondary certificate.
Being exactly 27 years old does not automatically determine SSC CHSL eligibility.
The correct test is the prescribed date-of-birth range.
For SSC CHSL 2026, a General/UR candidate must be born on or after 2 August 1999 and on or before 1 August 2008.
Therefore, a candidate whose 27th birthday falls on 1 August 2026 is outside the standard DOB range, while a candidate born on 2 August 1999 satisfies the lower boundary.
This is why checking the exact DOB range is more reliable than simply asking whether you are “27 years old.”
Eligible candidates belonging to specified categories can claim relaxation in the upper age limit according to the Government of India rules mentioned in the notification.
| Category | Permissible age relaxation beyond the upper age limit |
| SC/ST | 5 years |
| OBC | 3 years |
| Persons with Disabilities (PwD-Unreserved) | 10 years |
| PwD + OBC | 13 years |
| PwD + SC/ST | 15 years |
| Ex-Servicemen | 03 years after deduction of the military service rendered from the actual age as on the closing date. |
| Candidates who had ordinarily been domiciled in the State of Jammu & Kashmir during the period from 1st January 1980 to 31st December 1989. | 5 years |
| Defence Personnel disabled in operation during hostilities with any foreign country or in a disturbed area and released as a consequence thereof. | 3 years |
| Defence Personnel disabled in operation during hostilities with any foreign country or in a disturbed area and released as a consequence thereof (SC/ST). | 8 years |
| Central Government Civilian Employees: Who have rendered not less than 3 years regular and continuous service as on closing date for receipt of online applications. | Up to 40 years of age |
| Central Government Civilian Employees: Who have rendered not less than 3 years regular and continuous service as on closing date for receipt of online applications (SC/ST). | Up to 45 years of age |
| Widows/Divorced Women/Women judicially separated and who are not remarried. | Up to 35 years of age |
| Widows/Divorced Women/Women judicially separated and who are not remarried (SC/ST). | Up to 40 years of age |
SSC CHSL Eligible SC/ST candidates receive 5 years of upper-age relaxation.
Where the normal upper age is 27 years, this generally allows an upper age of 32 years, subject to the applicable rules and all other eligibility conditions.
Candidates must produce the required SC/ST certificate during document verification.
SSC CHSL Eligible OBC candidates receive 3 years of upper-age relaxation.
For the normal 27-year upper age limit, this generally extends the upper age to 30 years.
However, simply belonging to an OBC community is not sufficient. Candidates claiming OBC reservation and age relaxation must satisfy the applicable Central List and Non-Creamy Layer conditions.
Candidates must also have the required OBC certificate for document verification.
The standard SSC CHSL age limit for eligible OBC candidates is effectively 18 to 30 years where the 3-year upper-age relaxation applies.
| OBC Eligibility | Requirement |
| Minimum Age | 18 years |
| Standard Maximum Age | 27 years |
| OBC Relaxation | 3 years |
| Effective Upper Age | 30 years |
| Main Condition | Eligible OBC status and applicable Non-Creamy Layer condition |
The lower age limit remains 18 years. Category-based relaxation applies to the upper age limit.
The upper-age relaxation for SC/ST candidates is 5 years.
| SC/ST Eligibility | Requirement |
| Minimum Age | 18 years |
| Standard Upper Age | 27 years |
| Relaxation | 5 years |
| Effective Upper Age | 32 years |
The candidate must possess a valid SC/ST certificate when required during document verification.
The age relaxation for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities depends on the category combination.
| PwBD Category | Relaxation |
| PwBD | 10 years |
| PwBD + OBC | 13 years |
| PwBD + SC/ST | 15 years |
PwBD candidates must select the correct disability sub-category in the application and produce the required disability certificate.
The age-relaxation benefit does not remove other post-specific eligibility requirements. Candidates should still verify the suitability of the post for their disability category.
Eligible Ex-Servicemen receive age relaxation according to the prescribed formula, which provides 3 years after deducting the period of military service from the candidate’s actual age as on 1 August 2026.
Ex-Servicemen candidates should carefully check the definition, service conditions and supporting-document requirements before claiming the benefit.
No. The Ex-Servicemen age-relaxation benefit is not available merely because a candidate is the son, daughter or dependent of an Ex-Serviceman.
Candidates should not select the Ex-Servicemen category only because a parent served in the armed forces.
Eligible Central Government Civilian Employees who have completed at least 3 years of regular and continuous service by the closing date of applications can receive the applicable upper-age benefit.
The prescribed upper limits are:
The service requirement and other conditions must be satisfied on the relevant closing date.
Eligible widows, divorced women and women judicially separated and not remarried can receive the specified upper-age benefit.
| Category | Maximum Age |
| Eligible Widows/Divorced Women/Women judicially separated and not remarried | Up to 35 years |
| Eligible SC/ST candidates in this category | Up to 40 years |
These provisions apply subject to the conditions and documentary requirements specified in the notification.
The SSC CHSL educational qualification 2026 is generally Class 12 or equivalent from a recognised Board or University.
However, certain DEO and DEO Grade A posts have an additional requirement of Class 12 Science with Mathematics.
| Post/Department | Educational Qualification |
| LDC/JSA | Class 12 or equivalent |
| DEO/DEO Grade A, except specified departments | Class 12 or equivalent |
| DEO/DEO Grade A in Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution | Class 12 Science with Mathematics |
| DEO/DEO Grade A in Staff Selection Commission | Class 12 Science with Mathematics |
| DEO/DEO Grade A in Ministry of Culture | Class 12 Science with Mathematics |
The Science with Mathematics requirement applies only to these specified DEO and DEO Grade A posts.
Candidates applying for Lower Divisional Clerk (LDC) or Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA) must have passed Class 12 or an equivalent examination from a recognised Board or University.
There is no requirement that the candidate must have studied Science or Mathematics in Class 12 for these posts.
Therefore, candidates from Arts, Commerce or Science streams can generally apply for LDC/JSA if they satisfy all other eligibility requirements.
For most DEO and DEO Grade A posts, candidates must have passed Class 12 or an equivalent examination from a recognised Board or University.
However, candidates must not assume that the same qualification applies to every DEO position.
Certain departments have a specific Science-with-Mathematics requirement.
For DEO and DEO Grade A posts in the specified departments, candidates must have passed Class 12 in the Science stream with Mathematics as a subject.
The specified departments mentioned in the 2026 notification are:
A candidate who did not have Mathematics in Class 12 should therefore avoid selecting a post for which this specific qualification is mandatory.
No, Class 12 Mathematics is not compulsory for every SSC CHSL post.
Mathematics is compulsory for the specified DEO and DEO Grade A posts in the three departments mentioned above.
For:
Class 12 or equivalent is generally sufficient, subject to the post-specific conditions.
This distinction is important for candidates from Arts and Commerce backgrounds.
No separate minimum Class 12 percentage is prescribed as a general SSC CHSL eligibility requirement.
The key requirement is that the candidate must have passed Class 12 or the required equivalent qualification by the cut-off date.
Candidates should therefore focus on passing the required qualification rather than assuming that a particular percentage, such as 50% or 60%, is mandatory for SSC CHSL.
For post-specific requirements, candidates must still satisfy the exact qualification stated in the notification.
No. Graduation is not required for SSC CHSL.
The basic minimum qualification is Class 12 or equivalent for the applicable posts.
A graduate can also apply because having a higher qualification does not make a candidate ineligible, provided the candidate satisfies:
SSC CHSL is therefore open to both Class 12 candidates and graduates who satisfy the mentioned criteria.
Yes. Candidates appearing in Class 12 or an equivalent examination can apply for SSC CHSL 2026.
However, they must possess the essential qualification on or before 7 October 2026.
The result must be declared by the Board or University by the cut-off date and the candidate must have been declared passed.
| Candidate Status | Eligible? |
| Class 12 passed before 7 October 2026 | Yes |
| Class 12 result declared on or before 7 October 2026 and candidate passed | Yes |
| Class 12 examination appeared, result not declared by 7 October 2026 | No |
| Result declared after 7 October 2026 | No |
| Result under processing on 7 October 2026 | No |
Mere appearance in the Class 12 examination does not satisfy the eligibility condition.
No.
The candidate must have actually acquired the prescribed qualification by 7 October 2026.
For example, a candidate who appears in the Class 12 examination in 2026 but receives the result after 7 October 2026 would not satisfy the prescribed qualification cut-off for this recruitment.
Candidates should therefore check the expected result declaration date before applying.
The SSC CHSL nationality criteria 2026 permit candidates who fall under the nationality categories specified in the notification.
A candidate must be:
Candidates in the applicable categories other than Indian citizenship may need an eligibility certificate issued by the Government of India.
Yes. Subjects of Nepal and Bhutan are among the eligible nationality categories mentioned in the notification, subject to the applicable conditions.
Where an eligibility certificate is required, the candidate may be admitted to the examination, but appointment depends on the issue of the required certificate by the Government of India.
The exact SSC CHSL eligibility can vary according to the post.
| Post | Age Requirement | Educational Qualification | Post-Specific Requirement |
| LDC | 18 to 27 years | Class 12 or equivalent | Typing Test |
| JSA | 18 to 27 years | Class 12 or equivalent | Typing Test |
| DEO | 18 to 27 years | Class 12 or equivalent for applicable posts | Data Entry Skill Test |
| DEO Grade A | 18 to 27 years | Class 12 or equivalent for applicable posts | Data Entry Skill Test |
| Specified DEO/DEO Grade A | 18 to 27 years | Class 12 Science with Mathematics | Data Entry Skill Test |
Candidates eligible for age relaxation can claim it subject to the category and documentary requirements.
The SSC CHSL typing test eligibility mainly applies to LDC and JSA candidates.
Candidates can select English or Hindi as the typing-test medium while filling the application.
| Typing Medium | Required Speed | Test Duration |
| English | 35 words per minute | 10 minutes |
| Hindi | 30 words per minute | 10 minutes |
The typing test is qualifying in nature.
Candidates eligible for the mentioned compensatory time receive additional time according to the notification.
Yes. Candidates can select Hindi as the typing-test medium for the applicable SSC CHSL LDC/JSA posts.
Candidates choosing Hindi typing must use Mangal Font.
The typing medium selected during the online application is treated as final, so candidates should select the language they are confident in.
No. Candidates should select the typing medium carefully while filling the SSC CHSL application because the chosen medium cannot be changed later according to the applicable conditions.
The SSC CHSL DEO Skill Test is applicable to Data Entry Operator candidates and is qualifying in nature.
The required speed depends on the DEO post.
| DEO Category | Required Speed | Test Duration |
| DEO/DEO Grade A in specified departments | 15,000 key depressions per hour | 15 minutes |
| Other DEO/DEO Grade A posts | 8,000 key depressions per hour | 15 minutes |
Candidates eligible for compensatory time receive the additional time prescribed by SSC.
Yes. Candidates applying for DEO posts must appear in the applicable Skill Test and satisfy the prescribed standard.
The SSC CHSL Skill Test is qualifying in nature, but failing to qualify it can prevent appointment to the applicable DEO post.
The SSC CHSL 2026 notification includes specific eligibility and examination-support provisions for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities.
The identified disability categories vary according to the post.
Candidates should check the suitability of the specific post rather than assuming that every post has identical disability requirements.
Eligible candidates can receive a scribe or assistive technology facility according to the applicable conditions.
For certain categories, a medical certificate may be required to establish physical limitations affecting writing.
Eligible candidates receive 20 minutes of compensatory time per hour of examination under the applicable provisions.
The facility can also apply to eligible candidates who do not use a scribe but fall within the relevant provisions.
Candidates must satisfy the prescribed documentation requirements during the examination and document verification.
Yes, where permitted.
An own scribe must complete the required registration and Aadhaar authentication process, and the scribe must satisfy the qualification requirements prescribed in the notification.
A candidate appearing in the same examination cannot act as a scribe for another candidate.
The SSC CHSL notification provides specific provisions for Ex-Servicemen relating to age relaxation and reservation.
Candidates claiming Ex-Servicemen benefits must satisfy the prescribed definition and provide the required documents.
The notification also contains special conditions for candidates who have already secured regular civil employment after using Ex-Servicemen reservation benefits.
Candidates in such situations should verify their eligibility carefully before selecting the Ex-Servicemen category.
OBC candidates must satisfy the applicable conditions for claiming reservation and age relaxation.
The important requirements include:
An OBC candidate who does not satisfy the Non-Creamy Layer condition should not claim OBC reservation or related benefits.
Candidates claiming EWS reservation must possess the prescribed Income and Asset Certificate.
For SSC CHSL 2026, the certificate requirement is linked to the prescribed financial years.
| EWS Requirement | SSC CHSL 2026 |
| Certificate | Income and Asset Certificate |
| Applicable Financial Year | 2026-27 |
| Income Basis | Financial Year 2025-26 |
| Issuing Authority | Competent Authority |
| Verification | At the applicable later stage |
EWS candidates do not receive a separate age relaxation simply because they belong to the EWS category.
The SSC CHSL notification contains special provisions for the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) if relevant vacancies are reported.
Only male candidates are eligible for the applicable BRO vacancy or vacancies.
Candidates opting for such a post must satisfy the prescribed:
Therefore, BRO should not be selected without checking the applicable physical and medical requirements.
For the relevant SSC CHSL BRO Group C post, the Physical Efficiency Test includes a one-mile run to be completed within 10 minutes.
Passing the test is mandatory for candidates selected for the relevant BRO post.
The notification also prescribes region-wise physical standards relating to height, chest and weight, along with medical fitness requirements.
There is no separate fixed number of attempts prescribed for SSC CHSL 2026.
Candidates can apply in successive recruitment cycles as long as they continue to satisfy the applicable:
Therefore, the practical limit on attempts depends on how long a candidate remains eligible under the age and other recruitment conditions.
SSC CHSL applications are accepted provisionally. Complete eligibility verification can take place at later stages.
During Document Verification, candidates may be required to produce original documents and supporting copies.
The concerned User Ministry, Department or Organisation verifies the candidate’s claims.
If a candidate cannot prove an eligibility claim entered in the application form, the candidature can be cancelled.
A candidate may successfully submit the SSC CHSL application and appear in the examination while still having provisional candidature.
For example:
Therefore, eligibility should be checked before application, not after the result.
Candidates should keep the following documents ready for later SSC CHSL verification.
| Eligibility Requirement | Supporting Document |
| Date of Birth | Matriculation/Secondary Certificate |
| Class 12 Qualification | Marksheet/Certificate/Pass Certificate |
| Equivalent Qualification | Equivalence certificate, where applicable |
| SC/ST Claim | Valid category certificate |
| OBC Claim | Valid OBC certificate and applicable NCL status |
| EWS Claim | Income and Asset Certificate |
| PwBD Claim | Prescribed disability certificate |
| Ex-Servicemen Claim | Relevant service/discharge documents |
| Age Relaxation | Prescribed supporting certificate |
| Government Employment | NOC where applicable |
| Name Change | Relevant legal supporting documents |
| PwBD Scribe | Prescribed scribe-related documents |
| Other Post-Specific Requirements | Documents specified for the concerned post |
Candidates should keep both original documents and required photocopies ready for the later verification process.
The SSC CHSL Eligibility 2026 criteria include several important conditions related to age, educational qualification, category certificates and post-specific requirements. Candidates should check each condition carefully before submitting the application because meeting the basic age and qualification criteria alone does not guarantee eligibility for every post. Verifying the date of birth, qualification cut-off date, category documents and post-specific requirements in advance can help avoid problems during document verification or final selection.
Candidates should avoid these common mistakes while checking the SSC CHSL eligibility criteria.
Use this checklist before submitting the SSC CHSL application.
| Check | Requirement |
| Age | I satisfy the age requirement as on 1 August 2026 |
| DOB | My DOB falls within the prescribed range |
| Age Proof | My DOB matches my Class 10 certificate |
| Qualification | I have passed Class 12 or an accepted equivalent |
| Qualification Date | I will possess the qualification by 7 October 2026 |
| DEO Qualification | I meet the Science with Mathematics requirement where applicable |
| Nationality | I satisfy the prescribed nationality condition |
| Category | My category claim is genuine and document-supported |
| OBC | I satisfy applicable Central List and NCL conditions |
| EWS | I have the prescribed Income and Asset Certificate |
| PwBD | My disability certificate supports the selected sub-category |
| Typing | I satisfy or can prepare for the applicable typing standard |
| DEO Skill Test | I understand the required data-entry speed |
| BRO | I meet the applicable physical and medical standards if selecting BRO |
| Documents | I have the original documents needed for later verification |
A candidate cannot apply for the SSC CHSL under the standard conditions if the candidate fails to meet any mandatory eligibility requirement.
Examples include:
No. The minimum educational qualification for the notified SSC CHSL posts is generally Class 12 or equivalent.
A candidate who has passed only Class 10 does not satisfy the basic educational eligibility.
Such a candidate needs to acquire the required Class 12 qualification and then satisfy the other eligibility conditions before applying in an applicable recruitment cycle.
A diploma should not automatically be treated as equivalent to the required Class 12 qualification.
Candidates who wish to rely on an equivalent qualification must ensure that the qualification is recognised for the relevant purpose and be prepared to provide the required equivalence or supporting documentation during verification.
The safest approach is to check whether the qualification is explicitly accepted as equivalent under the applicable rules.
Yes. A graduate can apply for SSC CHSL.
Graduation is a higher qualification than the basic Class 12 requirement and does not make a candidate ineligible.
However, the graduate must still satisfy:
Yes. Commerce students can apply for SSC CHSL posts for which the educational requirement is simply Class 12 or equivalent.
For example, LDC/JSA posts do not require Science with Mathematics in Class 12.
However, Commerce candidates should not select specified DEO or DEO Grade A posts that require Class 12 Science with Mathematics unless they actually satisfy that qualification.
Yes. Arts students can apply for LDC/JSA and other posts where Class 12 or equivalent is the prescribed qualification.
Arts candidates should pay special attention to DEO posts because certain specified positions require Science with Mathematics in Class 12.
Yes. A gap in education by itself does not create a separate SSC CHSL eligibility restriction.
The important conditions are that the candidate possesses the required qualification by the prescribed cut-off date and satisfies all other eligibility requirements.
Candidates should still ensure that their educational documents are genuine and can be produced during document verification.
Candidates holding qualifications through Open and Distance Learning can be eligible if their qualification satisfies the applicable recognition requirements.
The SSC CHSL notification contains specific provisions concerning recognition of Open and Distance Learning qualifications.
Candidates using such qualifications should retain the required approval or recognition documents because they may be required during Document Verification.
The SSC CHSL Eligibility Criteria 2026 require candidates to check much more than the basic 18 to 27 age rule. The main eligibility parameters are age, educational qualification and nationality, but category-wise relaxation, post-specific qualification, typing or skill tests, PwBD provisions, Ex-Servicemen rules and special physical or medical requirements can also determine whether a candidate is eligible for a particular post. Candidates can also use PracticeMock to support their SSC CHSL preparation with targeted practice and mock tests.
For candidates specifically checking the SSC CHSL age limit for general, the standard requirement is 18 to 27 years as on 1 August 2026, with the eligible date-of-birth range from 2 August 1999 to 1 August 2008. General/UR candidates do not receive the standard upper-age relaxation available to OBC or SC/ST candidates.
The basic educational qualification is Class 12 or equivalent, and there is no separate minimum percentage requirement specified as a general condition. However, candidates applying for specified DEO and DEO Grade A posts in the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Staff Selection Commission and Ministry of Culture must have passed Class 12 Science with Mathematics.
Candidates who are appearing in Class 12 can apply, but they must possess the required qualification by 7 October 2026. The result must be declared by the Board or University and the candidate must have been declared passed by the cut-off date.
Candidates should also pay attention to post-specific requirements. LDC/JSA candidates must qualify the applicable Typing Test, while DEO candidates must qualify the applicable Data Entry Skill Test. PwBD candidates have separate provisions for disability suitability, scribe support and compensatory time, while BRO vacancies, if reported, carry separate physical and medical requirements.
The SSC CHSL age limit for general category is 18 to 27 years as on 1 August 2026. General/UR candidates must be born between 2 August 1999 and 1 August 2008, both dates inclusive. General category candidates do not receive the standard OBC or SC/ST upper-age relaxation.
For General/UR candidates, the SSC CHSL age limit is 18 to 27 years. SSC will calculate age as on 1 August 2026. The permitted DOB range is 2 August 1999 to 1 August 2008. Candidates should check their exact date of birth instead of calculating their current age manually.
No standard category-based upper-age relaxation is available to General/UR candidates for SSC CHSL. The normal maximum age remains 27 years. However, separate provisions can apply to candidates who independently qualify under specific groups such as eligible PwBD or certain service-related categories according to the notification.
It depends on the exact date of birth. A General candidate must be born between 2 August 1999 and 1 August 2008. Therefore, a candidate born on 2 August 1999 is eligible, while someone born on 1 August 1999 is not eligible under the standard age condition.
Eligible OBC candidates receive 3 years of upper-age relaxation over the standard 27-year limit, making the effective upper age 30 years where the relaxation applies. The candidate must satisfy the applicable Central OBC and Non-Creamy Layer conditions and provide the required certificate.
Eligible SC/ST candidates receive 5 years of upper-age relaxation over the standard 27-year upper limit. This generally makes the effective upper age 32 years. The candidate must possess the required SC/ST certificate and satisfy all other SSC CHSL eligibility conditions.
No separate age relaxation is provided for SSC CHSL merely because a candidate belongs to EWS. EWS candidates follow the standard age requirement unless they independently qualify under another applicable relaxation category. EWS reservation requires the prescribed Income and Asset Certificate meeting the relevant financial-year conditions.
The basic educational qualification is Class 12 or equivalent from a recognised Board or University. However, for DEO and DEO Grade A posts in the specified departments, candidates must have passed Class 12 in the Science stream with Mathematics as a subject.
No. Mathematics is not compulsory for every SSC CHSL post. It is required for DEO and DEO Grade A posts in the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Staff Selection Commission and Ministry of Culture. LDC/JSA and other eligible posts generally require Class 12 or equivalent.
Yes, Class 12 appearing candidates can apply, but they must possess the required qualification by 7 October 2026. Their result must be officially declared by the Board or University by the cut-off date and they must be declared passed. Merely awaiting the result is not sufficient.
No separate minimum Class 12 percentage is prescribed as a general SSC CHSL eligibility condition. Candidates generally need to have passed the required Class 12 qualification. However, they must satisfy the specific educational conditions applicable to the post they select.
No. Graduation is not required for SSC CHSL because the basic qualification is Class 12 or equivalent. A graduate can also apply as long as the candidate satisfies the prescribed age, nationality, educational, category and post-specific eligibility conditions.
No. A candidate who has passed only Class 10 does not satisfy the minimum educational qualification for the SSC CHSL posts. The basic qualification is Class 12 or equivalent, subject to additional Science with Mathematics requirements for specified DEO and DEO Grade A posts.
SSC does not prescribe a separate fixed number of attempts for SSC CHSL. A candidate can apply in successive recruitment cycles as long as the candidate continues to meet the age limit, educational qualification, nationality and other eligibility requirements applicable to that recruitment.
SSC CHSL LDC/JSA candidates must achieve 35 words per minute in English or 30 words per minute in Hindi. The typing test is qualifying in nature. Candidates choosing Hindi must use Mangal Font, and the typing-test language selected during the application cannot be changed later.
The required SSC CHSL DEO Skill Test speed depends on the post. Specified DEO and DEO Grade A posts require 15,000 key depressions per hour, while other applicable DEO and DEO Grade A posts require 8,000 key depressions per hour. The Skill Test is mandatory and qualifying.
Yes. Commerce students can apply for SSC CHSL LDC/JSA and other posts where Class 12 or equivalent is the required qualification. However, certain DEO and DEO Grade A posts require Class 12 Science with Mathematics, so Commerce candidates should select posts according to their actual qualification.
Yes. Arts students can apply for posts where Class 12 or equivalent is sufficient, including SSC CHSL LDC/JSA and applicable DEO posts. Arts candidates should not select specified DEO or DEO Grade A posts that require Class 12 Science with Mathematics unless they satisfy that additional qualification.
Yes. Graduates can apply because SSC CHSL has Class 12 as its basic educational qualification. Having a higher qualification does not make a candidate ineligible. The graduate must still satisfy the prescribed age limit, nationality, post-specific qualification and other recruitment conditions.
Candidates may need the Matriculation or Secondary certificate, Class 12 marksheet or certificate, category certificate, OBC or EWS documents, PwBD certificate, Ex-Servicemen documents, age-relaxation certificate, NOC where applicable and documents supporting equivalent qualification or name change during Document Verification.
Candidates may lose the OBC reservation and age-relaxation benefit if they fail to produce the required OBC certificate during document verification. Therefore, candidates should select the OBC category only if they meet the SSC CHSL eligibility conditions and have a valid certificate.
Yes. PwBD candidates can apply for eligible SSC CHSL posts subject to the disability suitability, age-relaxation, educational qualification and other conditions. Eligible candidates can also receive applicable scribe, assistive technology and compensatory-time facilities according to the provisions in the notification.
Yes. Subjects of Nepal and Bhutan are among the eligible nationality categories specified by SSC, subject to the applicable conditions. Where a Government of India eligibility certificate is required, the candidate may be admitted to the examination but appointment is subject to issuance of the certificate.
No. If SSC CHSL BRO vacancies are reported, only male candidates are eligible for those vacancies and they must satisfy separate physical efficiency, physical and medical standards. The notification specifies a mandatory one-mile run within 10 minutes for the applicable Physical Efficiency Test.
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