SSC CHSL Exam – Complete Guide

1. What is SSC CHSL Exam?

• SSC CHSL = Staff Selection Commission – Combined Higher Secondary Level Examination.
• Conducted every year by SSC.
• Recruits 12th pass candidates into various Group C & clerical-level posts in Central Government ministries, departments, and offices.
• One of the most popular entry-level government exams after Class 12.

2. Posts under SSC CHSL (Job List & Salary)

✅ SSC CHSL Posts

• Lower Division Clerk (LDC) / Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA)
• Postal Assistant (PA) / Sorting Assistant (SA)
• Data Entry Operator (DEO)
• Data Entry Operator, Grade A

💰 Salary Structure

📈 Promotions:

• LDC → UDC → Assistant → Section Officer.
• PA/SA → Supervisor → Inspector (Postal).
• DEO → Senior DEO → System Analyst.

3. Eligibility Criteria

(a) Nationality

• Must be an Indian citizen.

(b) Age Limit

• 18–27 years (as of notification date).
• Age Relaxation:
  • OBC: +3 years
  • SC/ST: +5 years
  • PwD: +10 years

(c) Educational Qualification

• Must have passed 12th (10+2) from a recognized board.
• For DEO in CAG → 12th with Science & Maths.

4. SSC CHSL Selection Process

The exam has 3 stages:

1. Tier I (Prelims – Computer Based Test)
   • Objective MCQs.
2. Tier II (Descriptive Paper)
   • Pen & Paper mode (Essay & Letter).
3. Tier III (Skill/Typing Test)
   • Typing speed test for LDC/JSA/PA/SA.
   • Skill test for DEO.

5. Exam Pattern

Tier I – Prelims (CBT)

🔹 Negative Marking: –0.50 per wrong answer.

Tier II – Descriptive

• Mode: Pen & Paper.
• Marks: 100
• Time: 60 mins
• Format:
  • Essay writing (200–250 words)
  • Letter/Application writing (150–200 words)

Tier III – Skill/Typing Test

• Typing Test (for LDC/JSA/PA/SA)
  • English: 35 words per minute (wpm)
  • Hindi: 30 wpm
• Skill Test (for DEO)
  • Data entry speed: 8000 key depressions per hour
  • For CAG DEO posts: Test based on correct entry of data in computer

6. Application Process

1. Visit ssc.nic.in.
2. Complete One-Time Registration (OTR).
3. Fill CHSL application form online.
4. Upload photo/signature.
5. Pay application fee.

Application Fee

• General/OBC: ₹100
• SC/ST/PwD/Ex-Servicemen/Women: No Fee

7. Syllabus Overview

(a) English Language

• Spotting Errors, Fill in the Blanks, Vocabulary, Grammar, Synonyms/Antonyms, Reading Comprehension, Sentence Improvement.

(b) General Intelligence

• Coding-Decoding, Analogy, Classification, Venn Diagrams, Series, Blood Relations, Puzzles, Logical Reasoning.

(c) Quantitative Aptitude

• Simplification, Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Percentages, Profit & Loss, Simple/Compound Interest, Time & Work, Data Interpretation.

(d) General Awareness

• History, Geography, Polity, Economics, Current Affairs, Science (basic).

8. Books & Resources

• English: Plinth to Paramount (Neetu Singh), Wren & Martin, Previous Year Papers & Magme’s Books
• Reasoning: R.S. Aggarwal – Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning & Magme’s Books
• Quantitative Aptitude: R.S. Aggarwal, NCERT (6–10), SSC PYQs & Magme’s Books
• General Awareness: Lucent GK, NCERTs, Current Affairs apps, The Hindu & Magme’s 360
• Practice: SSC CHSL previous years’ papers + Magme’s mock tests

9. Quick Facts Table

10. Preparation Strategy

Step 1 – Foundation

• Build basics in Maths & Grammar.
• Revise NCERT (Class 6–10) for GK.

Step 2 – Daily Practice

• Reasoning puzzles daily.
• Current affairs for last 6 months.

Step 3 – Mock Tests

• Attempt one mock daily after syllabus coverage.
• Analyze mistakes.

Step 4 – Speed + Accuracy

• Improve typing speed (for Tier III).
• Target 35–40 wpm in English / 30 wpm in Hindi.

11. Why Choose SSC CHSL?

• Eligibility after 12th – great entry point into Central Govt. jobs.
• Job Security – permanent, pensionable jobs.
• Work-life Balance – fixed hours, office jobs.
• Career Growth – promotions to higher ranks over time.
• Pan-India Posting – ministries, postal departments, CAG offices, etc.

✅ In short:

• Posts: LDC, JSA, PA, SA, DEO.
• Salary: ₹28,000–₹42,000.
• Exam: Tier I (Prelims) → Tier II (Descriptive) → Tier III (Typing/Skill).
• Best Prep: NCERTs + Lucent GK + Practice PYQs + Improve typing speed.