Staff Selection Commission (SSC)
Quick Summary
Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has released the complete SSC CHSL 2026 Syllabus and exam pattern for Tier 1 and Tier 2. Check subject-wise topics for English, Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, General Awareness, Computer Knowledge, and typing/skill test criteria.
Job Location
All India
Salary / Pay Scale
Pay Level-2 (₹19,900 - ₹63,200) / Pay Level-4 (₹25,500 - ₹81,100)
Never Miss an Exam Alert or Job Update!
Join our official community for fast alerts, PDFs & exam notifications
Full Information
The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has released the complete SSC CHSL 2026 Syllabus covering two distinct examination stages—Tier 1 and Tier 2. Tier 1 evaluates candidates in English Language, General Intelligence, Quantitative Aptitude, and General Awareness, while Tier 2 encompasses Mathematical Abilities, Reasoning and General Intelligence, English Language and Comprehension, General Awareness, Computer Knowledge, and a qualifying Typing Test or Data Entry Skill Test (DEST). Candidates must prepare for both tiers comprehensively from day one as Tier 2 determines the final merit for appointment to posts like Lower Division Clerk (LDC), Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA), Data Entry Operator (DEO), and DEO Grade 'A'.
SSC CHSL 2026: Exam Structure at a Glance
| Tier / Section | Subjects Included | Nature of Test | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | English, Reasoning, Maths, General Awareness | Objective CBT | 200 | 60 minutes |
| Tier 2 Section-I | Mathematical Abilities & Reasoning | Objective CBT | 180 | 60 minutes |
| Tier 2 Section-II | English Language & General Awareness | Objective CBT | 180 | 60 minutes |
| Tier 2 Section-III | Computer Knowledge Test | Objective CBT (Qualifying) | 45 | 15 minutes |
| Tier 2 Section-IV | Typing Test / Skill Test (DEST) | Qualifying | — | 10–15 minutes |
SSC CHSL Tier 1 Syllabus 2026 – Detailed Breakdown
SSC CHSL Tier 1 consists of 4 subjects, each containing 25 questions worth 50 marks. Sectional timing of 15 minutes per section requires equal speed and precision across all areas:
| Subject | Questions | Marks | Allotted Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | 25 | 50 | 15 minutes |
| General Intelligence (Reasoning) | 25 | 50 | 15 minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude (Maths) | 25 | 50 | 15 minutes |
| General Awareness | 25 | 50 | 15 minutes |
| Total | 100 | 200 | 60 minutes |
Negative Marking in Tier 1: 0.50 marks will be deducted for each incorrect answer.
📖 English Language Syllabus (Tier 1 & Tier 2)
English is one of the highest-scoring subjects in SSC CHSL. The exam evaluates grammar concepts, vocabulary, sentence construction, and comprehension skills.
Tier 1 English Topics (25 Questions)
| Topic | Theory / What to Learn | Important Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Spotting Errors | Find grammatical errors in a sentence | Subject-verb agreement, tense, article, preposition, pronoun |
| Fill in the Blanks | Select the grammatically & contextually correct word | Grammar rules, vocabulary, phrasal verbs |
| Sentence Improvement | Improve the underlined part of a sentence | Verb forms, modifiers, parallelism, sentence structure |
| Synonyms & Antonyms | Understand similar and opposite word meanings | Frequently tested SSC vocabulary |
| Homonyms | Words with similar sound/spelling but distinct meanings | Context-based word usage |
| Spelling Test | Identify correctly and incorrectly spelt words | Commonly confused & silent-letter words |
| Idioms & Phrases | Understand figurative meanings of phrases | Meaning identification and sentence usage |
| One-Word Substitution | Replace a detailed phrase with one precise word | Profession, personality, action, and condition-based terms |
| Active & Passive Voice | Change sentence voice correctly | Tense-wise rules, modal verbs, interrogative sentences |
| Direct & Indirect Speech | Convert narration from direct to indirect form | Tense shifts, pronoun changes, reporting verbs |
| Sentence Rearrangement | Arrange shuffled sentence parts logically | Subject, verb, object, and connector identification |
| Para Jumbles | Arrange multiple sentences into a coherent paragraph | Opening sentence, logical flow, pronoun & connector clues |
| Cloze Test | Fill blanks within a passage accurately | Grammar rules, vocabulary, contextual flow |
| Reading Comprehension | Answer questions based on passage analysis | Main theme, inference, tone, vocabulary & direct facts |
Tier 2 English Syllabus (40 Questions – Advanced Level)
| Topic | What Candidates Should Prepare |
|---|---|
| Grammar | All grammar fundamentals, especially errors, tenses, voice, and narration |
| Vocabulary | Synonyms, antonyms, idioms, one-word substitutions, and spellings |
| Sentence Structure | Correction, logical rearrangement, and contextual usage |
| Cloze Test | Contextual grammar and advanced vocabulary in paragraphs |
| Reading Comprehension | Main idea, factual questions, inference, tone, and contextual vocabulary |
| Editorial / Report Passages | Practice current-affairs-based and analytical long passages |
🧠 General Intelligence & Reasoning Syllabus (Tier 1 & Tier 2)
The Reasoning section tests verbal and non-verbal problem-solving, pattern recognition, spatial orientation, and analytical decision-making.
Tier 1 Reasoning Topics (25 Questions)
| Topic | Theory / What to Learn | Important Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Analogy | Identify relationships between two terms or figures | Word analogy, number analogy, figure analogy |
| Classification | Find the odd item or group property | Word, number, figure, and symbol classification |
| Number Series | Identify missing or incorrect numbers | Difference, multiplication, squares, cubes, mixed series |
| Alphabet Series | Find letter patterns and sequence progression | Letter positions (A=1, Z=26), reverse order, letter gaps |
| Coding-Decoding | Decode words, numbers, or symbols | Letter shifting, direct substitution, coding rules |
| Venn Diagrams | Understand set relationships between groups | Set-based logical diagrams & overlapping figures |
| Blood Relations | Identify family linkages and relations | Generational tree, gender roles, coded blood relations |
| Direction Sense Test | Track cardinal directions and spatial distance | North-South-East-West, turns, Pythagoras theorem |
| Order & Ranking | Determine position, rank, and totals in a row | Left-right, top-bottom, total-count calculation |
| Syllogism | Draw valid conclusions from given statements | All, some, no, and possibility-based cases |
| Embedded Figures | Locate hidden shapes inside complex figures | Visual observation and rotation angles |
| Mirror & Water Images | Identify reflected figures | Lateral (left-right) and vertical (top-bottom) inversions |
| Paper Folding & Cutting | Predict unfolded patterns after cuts | Symmetry axes and hole placements |
| Figure Completion | Identify the missing quadrant or segment | Pattern, curvature, and line continuity |
| Cube & Dice | Analyse visible faces and dice orientations | Opposite faces, open dice unfolding rules |
| Mathematical Operations | Symbol substitution in algebraic equations | BODMAS application with swapped operators |
| Logical Reasoning | Evaluate statements, assumptions, and conclusions | Cause & effect, statement & course of action |
Tier 2 Reasoning (30 Questions): Incorporates all Tier 1 topics with higher complexity, multi-step critical thinking, and advanced puzzle/seating arrangements.
➗ Quantitative Aptitude & Mathematical Abilities (Tier 1 & Tier 2)
Checks core arithmetic competence, algebra, geometry, mensuration, trigonometry, and statistical data interpretation.
Tier 1 Maths Topics (25 Questions)
| Topic | Theory / What to Learn | Important Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Number System | Properties and classification of numbers | HCF, LCM, divisibility rules, remainders, fractions |
| Simplification | Calculate numerical expressions rapidly | BODMAS, approximation, fractions & decimals |
| Percentage | Express quantities out of 100 | Increase/decrease, successive percentages, price & consumption |
| Ratio & Proportion | Compare quantities and shares | Direct & inverse ratios, partnership, age problems |
| Average | Central value of numerical observations | Weighted average, replaced observations, speed averages |
| Profit & Loss | Gain, loss, marked price, and discount calculations | Successive discount, dishonest seller, cost-selling comparisons |
| Simple Interest (SI) | Interest on principal over time | Formula application, rate-time relationships |
| Compound Interest (CI) | Interest on accumulated principal + interest | Annual, half-yearly compounding, SI-CI differences |
| Time & Work | Work efficiency and time required | Pipes & cisterns, alternate work, wages distribution |
| Time, Speed & Distance | Distance, speed, and time equations | Trains, boats & streams, relative speed concepts |
| Mixture & Alligation | Blending quantities at varying costs/ratios | Replacement problems and price alligations |
| Algebra | Standard algebraic identities & polynomial equations | Linear equations, quadratic roots, surds and indices |
| Geometry | Geometric shapes, angles, lines, and theorems | Triangles (congruence/similarity), circles, tangents, chords |
| Mensuration (2D & 3D) | Perimeter, area, total surface area, and volume | Cylinder, cone, sphere, hemisphere, prism, pyramids |
| Trigonometry | Angles, trigonometric ratios & identities | Sin, Cos, Tan identities, heights and distances |
| Statistical Charts (DI) | Extract and compute data from graphs | Bar charts, pie charts, tables, frequency polygons |
Tier 2 Mathematical Abilities Syllabus (30 Questions – Advanced Level)
| Topic Added / Expanded | Theory Coverage |
|---|---|
| Statistics | Calculation of Mean, Median, Mode, Variance, and Standard Deviation |
| Probability | Coin, dice, cards, and basic event probability principles |
| Advanced Data Interpretation | Multi-table and combination chart questions (Pie + Bar) |
| Advanced Arithmetic & Higher Algebra | In-depth multi-concept problems and advanced coordinate geometry |
🌍 General Awareness Syllabus (Tier 1 & Tier 2)
Tests candidates on contemporary events, Indian heritage, geography, polity, economics, scientific inventions, and regional affairs.
Tier 1 GA Topics (25 Questions)
| Area | Theory / What to Learn | Important Topics |
|---|---|---|
| Current Affairs | Recent national & international events | Awards, summits, government schemes, sports, appointments |
| Indian History | Chronology of Indian history | Ancient India (IVC, Buddhism), Medieval, Modern & Freedom Struggle |
| Geography | Physical and political geography | Rivers, mountain systems, climate, soils, national parks, mineral resources |
| Indian Polity & Constitution | Constitutional articles and governance | Preamble, Fundamental Rights, Parliament, President, Judiciary |
| Economics | Macro-economics & Indian economy | Union Budget, RBI & monetary policy, inflation, GDP, Five-Year Plans |
| General Science | Everyday scientific principles | Physics (optics, mechanics), Chemistry (reactions, periodic table), Biology (human body, diseases) |
| Static GK | Factual general knowledge | Books & authors, folk/classical dances, monuments, important days |
| Art & Culture | Indian heritage and traditions | UNESCO heritage sites, classical dance forms, regional fairs & festivals |
| Scientific Research | Space, defence & IT innovations | ISRO missions, DRDO missiles, AI and renewable energy advances |
| India & Neighbours | Regional international relations | Borders, capitals, currencies, treaties, and bilateral summits |
Tier 2 GA (20 Questions): Follows the same broad curriculum with greater emphasis on statement-based conceptual questions and recent socio-economic policies.
💻 SSC CHSL Computer Knowledge Syllabus (Tier 2 – Qualifying)
The Computer Knowledge Test is mandatory and qualifying in nature (15 Questions, 45 Marks, 15 Minutes):
| Topic | Theory Coverage |
|---|---|
| Computer Basics | Organisation of a computer, CPU, input & output devices, computer generations |
| Memory & Storage | RAM, ROM, Cache memory, secondary storage (SSD, HDD, Optical drives) |
| Operating Systems | Windows operating system, file system management, control panel settings |
| MS Office Suite | MS Word (formatting, tables), MS Excel (formulas, charts), MS PowerPoint |
| Internet & Web Services | Browsers, search engines, URLs, downloading/uploading protocols (HTTP, FTP) |
| Email Communication | Sending, receiving, attachments, CC/BCC, spam management |
| Keyboard Shortcuts | Standard Windows & Microsoft Office operational shortcut keys |
| Networking Fundamentals | LAN, WAN, MAN, Routers, Modems, IP addressing, DNS |
| Cyber Security | Viruses, Trojan Horses, Ransomware, Phishing, Firewalls, Antivirus tools |
| Digital Services & E-Governance | E-banking, UPI safety, digital locker, DigiYatra, and cybersecurity precautions |
⌨️ SSC CHSL Typing Test & Skill Test Criteria (Tier 2 – Qualifying)
1. Typing Test for LDC / JSA Posts
| Medium of Test | Required Speed | Duration | Key Condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| English Medium | 35 words per minute (wpm) | 10 minutes | Accuracy-based evaluated on computer |
| Hindi Medium | 30 words per minute (wpm) | 10 minutes | Must be typed in Mangal font |
2. Skill Test (DEST) for Data Entry Operator (DEO) Posts
| DEO Post Category | Required Speed | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| DEO / DEO Grade 'A' in specific Ministries & Departments | 15,000 Key Depressions Per Hour (KDPH) | 15 minutes |
| Other DEO / DEO Grade 'A' Posts | 8,000 Key Depressions Per Hour (KDPH) | 15 minutes |
📊 SSC CHSL Syllabus: Tier 1 vs Tier 2 Comparison
| Feature | Tier 1 Exam | Tier 2 Exam |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Screening & shortlisting candidates | Decides Final Merit + Qualifying Stages |
| Mathematics | 25 questions (Quantitative Aptitude) | 30 questions (Maths + Statistics & Probability) |
| English Language | 25 questions (Grammar & Basic Vocab) | 40 questions (Deeper reading comprehension) |
| Reasoning | 25 questions | 30 questions (Higher difficulty level) |
| General Awareness | 25 questions | 20 questions |
| Computer Knowledge | Not included | Mandatory Qualifying Test (45 Marks) |
| Typing / Skill Test | Not included | Mandatory Qualifying Stage |
| Negative Marking | 0.50 marks per wrong answer | 1 mark per wrong answer (Sections I, II & III) |
| Final Merit Status | Marks not counted in final rank | 100% decisive for final selection |
SSC CHSL 2026: Official Important Links
| Official Links | Direct Link |
|---|---|
| Download SSC CHSL 2026 Official Notification PDF | Download PDF |
| SSC CHSL Notification 2026 – Apply Online for 2,536 Posts | View Post Details |
| Official SSC Website | ssc.gov.in |
Eligibility Criteria
Selection Process
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the exam pattern for SSC CHSL 2026 Tier 1?
Ans: Tier 1 consists of 100 objective questions (25 each in English, Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, and General Awareness) for 200 marks, with a total duration of 60 minutes and a negative marking of 0.50 marks per wrong answer.
Q: Is SSC CHSL Tier 1 marks counted for final merit?
Ans: No, Tier 1 is qualifying/shortlisting in nature. Final merit is prepared solely based on marks obtained in Tier 2 Section-I and Section-II, subject to qualifying the Computer Knowledge Test and Skill/Typing test.
Q: What new subjects are included in SSC CHSL Tier 2 Mathematics?
Ans: In addition to core arithmetic and algebra, Tier 2 Mathematical Abilities includes Statistics (Mean, Median, Mode, Standard Deviation) and Probability.
Q: Is the Computer Knowledge Test mandatory in SSC CHSL Tier 2?
Ans: Yes, the Computer Knowledge Test (15 questions, 45 marks, 15 minutes) is mandatory for all posts but is qualifying in nature.
Q: What is the required typing speed for LDC and JSA posts?
Ans: Candidates opting for English must have a minimum typing speed of 35 words per minute (wpm), while those opting for Hindi must have 30 wpm in Mangal font.
Q: What is the data entry speed required for DEO posts in SSC CHSL?
Ans: For DEO/DEO Grade A in specific ministries, it is 15,000 key depressions per hour (KDPH), and for other DEO posts, it is 8,000 KDPH in 15 minutes.
Q: What is the negative marking in SSC CHSL Tier 2?
Ans: In Tier 2, there is a negative marking of 1 mark for each incorrect answer in Section-I, Section-II, and Section-III.
How to Download Staff Selection Commission (SSC) Syllabus 2026
- Scroll to the "Important Links" section below.
- Click on the "Download Syllabus" link.
- The official syllabus PDF will download to your device.
- Review the exam pattern and detailed syllabus topics.