1. Statutory Eligibility Criteria
18 to 27 Years as on crucial date. Standard category relaxations: +3 yrs for OBC-NCL, +5 yrs for SC/ST, +10 yrs for PwBD.
Must have passed 12th Standard or equivalent examination from a recognized Board or University. For DEO Grade A in the Office of Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG): 12th Standard pass in Science stream with Mathematics as a subject.
Citizen of India, subject of Nepal/Bhutan.
Unlimited attempts within the prescribed age ceiling.
2. Multi-Stage Selection Framework
100 questions (200 marks) across 4 sections: Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, English, and General Awareness. 60-minute duration. Qualifying for Tier-2.
Section-I (Math + Reasoning, 180 marks), Section-II (English + GA, 180 marks), Section-III (Computer Knowledge, qualifying), Section-IV (Skill Test / Typing Test, qualifying).
3. Examination Scheme & Syllabus
Pattern mirrors the 2-tier structure with 10+2 standard syllabus difficulty.
| Section / Paper | Questions | Marks | Duration | Negative Marking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tier-1: English Language (Basic Knowledge) | 25 | 50 | 60 Mins | 0.50 marks |
| Tier-1: General Intelligence | 25 | 50 | 60 Mins | 0.50 marks |
| Tier-1: Quantitative Aptitude (Basic Arithmetic) | 25 | 50 | 60 Mins | 0.50 marks |
| Tier-1: General Awareness | 25 | 50 | 60 Mins | 0.50 marks |
| Tier-2 Paper-I Sec-I: Math + Reasoning | 60 | 180 | 60 Mins | 1.00 mark |
| Tier-2 Paper-I Sec-II: English + GA | 60 | 180 | 60 Mins | 1.00 mark |
4. 7th CPC Pay Scale & Career Growth
Pay Level 2 (₹19,900–₹63,200) for LDC/JSA; Pay Level 4 (₹25,500–₹81,100) and Level 5 (₹29,200–₹92,300) for DEO.
Starting Basic & In-Hand Range:₹19,900 (LDC) / ₹25,500 (DEO) (Estimated in-hand: ₹31,000 to ₹45,000 per month depending on post level and posting city classification.)
- Entry: Lower Division Clerk / JSA (Pay Level 2)
- Promotion 1 (5-8 Yrs): Upper Division Clerk / Senior Secretariat Assistant (Pay Level 4)
- Promotion 2 (10-14 Yrs): Assistant Section Officer (Pay Level 7 through LDCE or seniority)
- Promotion 3: Section Officer (Pay Level 8)
5. Frequently Asked Questions (Combined Higher Secondary Level (10+2))
What is the minimum typing speed required for LDC in SSC CHSL?
For Lower Division Clerk (LDC) / JSA, the typing test speed requirement is 35 words per minute in English (10,500 key depressions per hour) or 30 words per minute in Hindi (9,000 key depressions per hour).
Is descriptive paper (Tier-2 essay/letter writing) still conducted in SSC CHSL?
No. The offline pen-and-paper descriptive paper (Essay and Letter writing) has been completely discontinued and replaced with the online Tier-2 objective computer-based test.
Can arts and commerce students apply for Data Entry Operator (DEO)?
Arts and Commerce stream students can apply for DEO in various ministries. However, for DEO Grade A in CAG, 12th standard pass in Science stream with Mathematics is mandatory.
Is negative marking present in SSC CHSL Tier-1?
Yes. Tier-1 carries a negative marking penalty of 0.50 marks for each incorrect response (1/4th penalty on 2-mark questions).
What is the in-hand salary of an LDC in a metropolitan city like Delhi?
An LDC at Pay Level 2 (Basic ₹19,900) in a Class X city (like Delhi) receives an approximate in-hand monthly salary of ₹33,000 to ₹35,200 post NPS deductions.