SSC CHSL Eligibility 2026: Age Limit, Educational Qualification & Relaxation Criteria
SSC CHSL examination 2026 is conducted for various posts. Candidates can check the eligibility criteria factors, including age limit, educational qualification, and others, for different posts,
SSC CHSL Eligibility 2026: The Staff Selection Commission conducts the Combined Higher Secondary Level (CHSL) exam to recruit candidates for non-technical and clerical jobs. According to the official CHSL notification, candidates must have completed class 12th to be eligible for final selection. Besides education, the SSC CHSL eligibility also depends on other factors such as age, nationality, category, and disabilities.
SSC CHSL examination is conducted for the recruitment of candidates in the posts of Lower Divisional Clerk/Junior Secretariat Assistant, Postal Assistant/Sorting Assistant, and Data Entry Operators in various Ministries/Departments/Statutory Bodies/Offices of the Government of India and various Constitutional Bodies/Tribunals, etc.
Every year, about 30 lakh candidates apply for the SSC CHSL exams, and around 15 lakh actually take the test. But looking at the current SSC recruitment patterns, there is expected to be a significant rise in the number of vacancies.
SSC CHSL Eligibility Criteria 2026
Candidates applying for the SSC CHSL exam are required to fulfil the following eligibility criteria to ensure their candidature is successfully entertained. These SSC CHSL eligibility criteria pertain to candidates' nationality, age, and educational qualification and post-wise specific requirements. The detailed eligibility criteria for appearing for the SSC CHSL examination are mentioned below:
SSC CHSL Eligibility Criteria 2026: Nationality
Candidates appearing for the CHSL Examination are required to ensure that they fulfill the below-mentioned nationality eligibility criteria:
The candidate must be either
- Citizen of India
- Subject of Nepal
- Subject of Bhutan
- Tibetan refugee who entered India before the 1st January 1962, with the only intent of settling in India
The SSC CHSL 2026 Exams are also open to Indian nationals who have migrated from the following countries with the intent to permanently settle in India:
- Pakistan
- Burma
- Sri Lanka,
- East African Countries of Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania (Formerly Tanganyika and Zanzibar), Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia
- Vietnam
SSC CHSL 2026 Age Limit
Candidates applying for the SSC CHSL 2026 exam should be between the ages of 18 to 27 years as of the date prescribed in the official notification
There are several age relaxations available for candidates applying based on social category, gender, and other criteria. The detailed Category-Wise Age Relaxation is mentioned below:
SSC CHSL 2026: Category-Wise Age Relaxation
There are several provisions for age relaxation in the SSC combined-higher secondary (10+2) examination. There are different age relaxations for SSC CHSL applicants based on their gender, social class, and profession. Below is a table that illustrates these age relaxations:
|
Category |
Age relaxation permissible beyond upper age limit |
|
SC/ST |
5 years |
|
OBC |
3 years |
|
PwBD (Unreserved) |
10 years |
|
PwBD (OBC) |
13 years |
|
PwBD (SC/ST) |
15 years |
|
Ex-Servicemen (ESM) |
3 years following the date on which the military duty was actually performed minus the real age. |
|
Defense personnel who became injured during hostilities with any foreign country or in a volatile situation and were subsequently discharged |
3 years |
|
Defense personnel who became unable to perform their duties while engaged in combat with any foreign nation or in a volatile situation and were subsequently discharged (SC/ST) |
8 years |
|
Central Govt. Civilian Employees with a minimum of three years of uninterrupted, regular employment as of the application deadline. |
Up to 40 years of age |
|
Central Govt. Civilian Employees who belong to SC/ST with a minimum of three years of uninterrupted, regular employment as of the application deadline. |
Up to 45 years of age |
|
Divorced Women/ Widows/Women judicially separated and who have yet to remarry |
Up to 35 years of age |
|
Divorced Women/ Widows/Women judicially separated and who have yet to remarry and also belong to SC/ST category |
Up to 40 years of age |
SSC CHSL 2026 Educational Qualification
Candidates applying for the SSC CHSL 2026 examination must have a minimum qualification of 10+2 from any recognized board. However, the post-wise specific educational requirement is mentioned below:
- For JSA, PA/ LDC/ SA, and DEO (except DEOs in C&AG): Candidates should have qualified the 12th Standard or equivalent exam from a recognized Board or University.
- For Data Entry Operator (DEO Grade ‘A’) in the Office of Comptroller and Auditor General of India (C&AG): 12th Standard pass in Science stream with Mathematics as a subject from a recognized Board or equivalent.
The candidates must possess Essential qualifications on or before the closing date for receipt of online applications as prescribed in the SSC CHSL official notification.
SSC CHSL permissible disabilities
|
Post |
|
|
Postal Assistant/ Sorting Assistant |
One leg affected (OL), One arm affected (OA), One arm and one leg affected (OAL), Both legs affected but not arms (BL), Muscular weakness and limited physical endurance (MW), Cerebral Palsy, Leprosy cured, Dwarfism, Acid Attack victims, Blind (B), Low Vision (LV), Hard of Hearing (HH), Specific learning disability. Multiple disabilities from amongst disabilities mentioned above |
|
Data Entry Operators (DEOs) |
One arm affected (OA), One leg affected (OL), One arm and one leg affected (OAL), Both Legs affected (BL), Hearing handicapped (HH) and Low Vision (LV) are eligible for the posts of Data Entry Operators |
|
Lower Division Clerk/ Junior Secretariat Assistant |
One arm affected (OA), Both legs affected (BL), One leg affected (OL), One arm and one leg affected (OAL), Blind (B), Low Vision (LV) & Hearing Handicapped (HH) |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can a candidate apply for SSC CHSL Exam 2026 if he/she has done their class 12 in commerce?
All candidates who have completed 12th grade are eligible to apply for SSC CHSL.
What was the last date to apply for SSC CHSL 2026?
The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has not yet started the SSC CHSL registration process for 2026.
When did the application process began for SSC CHSL 2026?
The SSC CHSL 2026 application process has not yet begun. The SSC will soon release the CHSL application form.
What is the Vacancy in SSC CHSL 2026?
The SSC CHSL 2026 vacancy will be released along with the notification on the official website.
What is the minimum education eligibility for SSC CHSL 2026?
Candidates applying for the SSC CHSL 2026 must have a minimum 10+2 pass qualification.
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