Last Verified: 2026-03-01 from official conducting body notifications.
Official Overview & Examination Scope
Purpose, Scope & Academic Impact
SSC CHSL is one of the largest competitive recruitment examinations for 10+2 passed candidates in India. It offers permanent central government appointments as Lower Division Clerks (LDC) and Data Entry Operators (DEO) in prestigious ministries like External Affairs, Defence, Home Affairs, and central tribunals.
Eligibility Criteria & Academic Qualifications
Exam Pattern & Test Structure
Total: 360 Marks (Tier-II Merit Score)| Section / Paper | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tier-I: General Intelligence | 25 Questions | 50 Marks | 60 Mins (Integrated) |
| Tier-I: General Awareness | 25 Questions | 50 Marks | 60 Mins (Integrated) |
| Tier-I: Quantitative Aptitude (Basic Arithmetic) | 25 Questions | 50 Marks | 60 Mins (Integrated) |
| Tier-I: English Language (Basic Knowledge) | 25 Questions | 50 Marks | 60 Mins (Integrated) |
| Tier-II: Math (30 Qs) + Reasoning (30 Qs) | 60 Questions | 180 Marks (+3, -1) | 1 Hour |
| Tier-II: English (40 Qs) + GA (20 Qs) | 60 Questions | 180 Marks (+3, -1) | 1 Hour |
| Tier-II: Computer Knowledge & Typing Skill Test | 15 Computer Qs (45 M) + Typing Test | Qualifying | 30 Minutes |
Tier-I: +2 correct, -0.50 wrong (Qualifying). Tier-II: +3 correct, -1 wrong. Merit calculated out of 360 marks.
Negative Marking Rule: -0.50 in Tier-I; -1 mark in Tier-II
Recommended Preparation Roadmap & Strategy
Cutoff Trends & Score Benchmark
Tier-I qualifying cutoff hovers around 145-155 out of 200. Tier-II final cutoff for LDC/JSA selection is typically 295-315 out of 360.
Recruited Posts, Services & Cadres
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the required typing speed for SSC CHSL?
For Lower Division Clerk (LDC/JSA), the typing speed required is 35 words per minute (wpm) in English or 30 wpm in Hindi. For DEO in CAG, the speed required is 15,000 key depressions per hour.
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