SSC CHSL (Combined Higher Secondary Level) is the main SSC exam for Class 12 pass candidates. It fills posts such as Lower Division Clerk (LDC), Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA) and Data Entry Operator (DEO) in central government offices.
This guide covers the complete SSC CHSL syllabus for 2026: the exam pattern for both tiers, every topic in each subject, and where to focus first.
SSC CHSL 2026 at a glance
SSC CHSL is held in two tiers. Tier 1 is a qualifying test. Tier 2 decides your rank, and it also includes the skill or typing test.
| Tier 1 | Tier 2 (Session I) | |
|---|---|---|
| Questions | 100 | 120 scored + 15 computer |
| Marks | 200 | 360 + 45 (computer, qualifying) |
| Time | 60 minutes | About 2 hours 15 minutes in total |
| Marks per question | 2 | 3 |
| Negative marking | 0.50 per wrong answer | 1 per wrong answer |
| Counts for final merit? | No (qualifying) | Yes (Sections I and II) |
Section timings in Tier 2 can change between notifications, so always check the official SSC CHSL 2026 notice on ssc.gov.in before your exam.
Tier 1 exam pattern
Tier 1 has four sections of 25 questions each, worth 50 marks per section.
- English Language: 25 questions, 50 marks
- General Intelligence: 25 questions, 50 marks
- Quantitative Aptitude (Basic Arithmetic Skill): 25 questions, 50 marks
- General Awareness: 25 questions, 50 marks
You get 60 minutes for the whole paper and can move between sections freely.
Tier 1 syllabus, subject by subject
English Language
- Grammar: spot the error, fill in the blanks, sentence improvement, active and passive voice, direct and indirect speech.
- Vocabulary: synonyms, antonyms, one-word substitution, idioms and phrases, spelling errors.
- Reading: comprehension passages, cloze test, sentence rearrangement (para jumbles).
General Intelligence
- Verbal: analogy, classification, series, coding-decoding, blood relations, direction sense, order and ranking, syllogism, word arrangement, mathematical operations.
- Non-verbal: mirror and water images, paper folding and cutting, embedded figures, figure series, counting figures.
Quantitative Aptitude
- Arithmetic: number system, simplification, percentage, ratio and proportion, average, profit and loss, discount, simple and compound interest, time and work, time, speed and distance, mixtures.
- Advanced (basic level): algebra, geometry (triangles, circles), mensuration, trigonometry, heights and distances.
- Data interpretation: tables, bar graphs and pie charts.
General Awareness
- Static GK: history, geography, polity, economy, art and culture.
- General science: physics, chemistry and biology at Class 10 level.
- Current affairs: the last 6 to 8 months of national and international events, sports, awards, schemes and appointments.
Practise each of these topics on its own with our SSC CHSL topic-wise practice before you move to full mocks.
Tier 2 exam pattern
Tier 2 Session I has three sections. Every question carries 3 marks, with 1 mark deducted for each wrong answer.
- Section I, Module I (Mathematical Abilities): 30 questions, 90 marks
- Section I, Module II (Reasoning and General Intelligence): 30 questions, 90 marks
- Section II, Module I (English Language and Comprehension): 40 questions, 120 marks
- Section II, Module II (General Awareness): 20 questions, 60 marks
- Section III, Module I (Computer Knowledge): 15 questions, 45 marks (qualifying)
Session II is the skill test or typing test. It is qualifying: you must pass it, but it does not add to your score. Sections I and II together (360 marks) decide your merit.
Tier 2 syllabus
Maths, Reasoning, English and General Awareness in Tier 2 cover the same topics as Tier 1, with harder questions and a bigger share for English (40 questions). The two new parts are:
- Computer Knowledge: computer basics and hardware, software and operating systems, MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint, internet and email, networking basics, and cyber security.
- Skill test: the Data Entry Speed Test for DEO posts (8,000 key depressions per hour), and the typing test for LDC and JSA posts (35 words per minute in English or 30 in Hindi).
Topics to study first
CHSL rewards accuracy more than difficulty. Start with the topics that come up every year and are fast to solve:
- Quant: percentage, ratio, profit and loss, and simplification. Together these form the base of most arithmetic questions.
- Reasoning: coding-decoding, series, analogy and classification. They are quick marks once you know the patterns.
- English: error spotting, fill in the blanks and vocabulary. English carries 120 marks in Tier 2, so build it daily from the start.
- General Awareness: static GK and science first, then current affairs in the last two months before the exam.
Once you have finished the syllabus once, take a full-length SSC CHSL mock test every week and analyse each mock before taking the next one.
If you are confused about when to attempt a question you are unsure of, read our guide on negative marking and when to guess.
Frequently asked questions
Is SSC CHSL Tier 1 counted in the final merit?
No. Tier 1 is a qualifying test used to shortlist candidates for Tier 2. The merit list is prepared from the Tier 2 marks of Section I and Section II.
What is the negative marking in SSC CHSL?
Tier 1 deducts 0.50 marks for every wrong answer (each question carries 2 marks). In Tier 2, each question carries 3 marks and 1 mark is deducted for a wrong answer.
Is the typing test in SSC CHSL qualifying?
Yes. The skill test or typing test in Tier 2 Session II is qualifying. You must pass it, but its marks are not added to your merit score.
What is the difference between the CHSL and CGL syllabus?
The subjects are the same (Reasoning, Quant, English and General Awareness), but CHSL questions are pitched at Class 10 to 12 level. CGL Tier 2 goes deeper into advanced maths and has a longer English section.
Who can apply for SSC CHSL?
Candidates who have passed Class 12 from a recognised board and are 18 to 27 years old, with age relaxation for reserved categories as per government rules. Check the official notification for the cut-off date.
