SSC CHSL Cutoff 2026 – Tier 1 & Tier 2 Previous Year Cutoff Marks
SSC CHSL Cutoff 2026 will be released by the Staff Selection Commission after the Tier 1 and Tier 2 examinations. Until the official cutoff is announced, previous years’ data is the most reliable benchmark. This page covers Tier 1 and Tier 2 category-wise cutoff and analysis of trends.
SSC CHSL 2026 Cutoff — What to Expect
SSC CHSL cutoff is determined by exam difficulty, number of vacancies, and number of candidates. For 2026, vacancies are expected to be between 3,000 and 7,000 posts. Based on the 2023 cycle cutoff and expected difficulty, the General/UR Tier 1 cutoff for 2026 is expected between 130 and 145 marks.
SSC CHSL Tier 1 Cutoff — Previous Years Category-Wise
| Year | General (UR) | OBC | SC | ST | EWS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHSL 2023 | 136.00 | 130.00 | 118.00 | 110.00 | 132.00 |
| CHSL 2022 | 140.50 | 133.00 | 121.50 | 113.50 | 137.00 |
| CHSL 2021 | 143.25 | 136.75 | 124.00 | 116.00 | 140.00 |
| CHSL 2020 | 147.50 | 140.50 | 126.00 | 118.50 | 144.00 |
| CHSL 2019 | 131.00 | 124.50 | 113.50 | 105.50 | — |
SSC CHSL Tier 2 Cutoff — Previous Years
The Tier 2 cutoff (Section I CBT) for shortlisting to post preference:
| Year | General (UR) | OBC | SC | ST |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHSL 2023 | 220 | 208 | 195 | 183 |
| CHSL 2022 | 228 | 215 | 201 | 189 |
| CHSL 2021 | 235 | 222 | 208 | 196 |
SSC CHSL Post-Wise Final Cutoff (CHSL 2022 — Reference)
| Post | General (UR) | OBC | SC | ST |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Postal Assistant (PA) | 265 | 252 | 238 | 226 |
| Sorting Assistant (SA) | 260 | 247 | 233 | 221 |
| DEO (MHA) | 258 | 245 | 231 | 219 |
| LDC (Central Govt) | 232 | 220 | 207 | 196 |
| JSA (CSS) | 248 | 235 | 221 | 209 |
Factors Affecting SSC CHSL 2026 Cutoff
- Vacancies: More vacancies mean the cutoff may drop slightly. If 2026 announces 5,000+ posts, the cutoff would be more accessible.
- Difficulty Level: A harder Tier 1 paper pushes the cutoff down. An easier paper — like CHSL 2020 — pushed the cutoff up to 147 for UR.
- Number of Candidates: 25–30 lakh candidates typically register for CHSL each year, creating intense competition.
- Normalisation: SSC uses normalisation for multi-shift exams. The raw cutoff in the above table has been normalised — your actual raw score may need to be higher or lower than these figures.
Expected SSC CHSL 2026 Cutoff vs Previous Years
| Category | CHSL 2022 Tier 1 | CHSL 2023 Tier 1 | Expected CHSL 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| General / UR | 140.50 | 136.00 | 132–142 |
| OBC | 133.00 | 130.00 | 126–135 |
| SC | 121.50 | 118.00 | 114–123 |
| ST | 113.50 | 110.00 | 106–115 |
| EWS | 137.00 | 132.00 | 128–138 |
How to Check SSC CHSL Cutoff on Official Website
- Visit ssc.gov.in.
- Click on the “Result” section in the main menu.
- Find the SSC CHSL 2026 result link and click to download.
- The cutoff PDF is attached to the result notice for each tier.
- Tier 1 cutoff is released with the Tier 2 shortlisting notice. Final cutoff is released with the final result.
Target Score Strategy for SSC CHSL 2026
A smart approach to SSC CHSL 2026 preparation starts with a clear target score:
- General/UR: Target 150+ in Tier 1 (safe buffer of 10 marks over expected cutoff) and 260+ in Tier 2.
- OBC: Target 145+ in Tier 1 and 250+ in Tier 2.
- SC: Target 130+ in Tier 1 and 235+ in Tier 2.
- ST: Target 120+ in Tier 1 and 225+ in Tier 2.
Setting a target 10–15 marks above the expected cutoff provides a safety buffer for normalisation variance. Weak sections should be identified and drilled specifically to close the gap.
Important Links — SSC CHSL 2026 Cluster
- SSC CHSL 2026 — Complete Guide (Pillar)
- SSC CHSL Salary 2026
- SSC CHSL Syllabus 2026
- SSC CHSL Exam Pattern 2026
- SSC CHSL Eligibility 2026
- SSC CHSL 2026 Notification
- SSC CGL Cutoff 2026 — Comparison
- SSC Exams 2026 — Master Guide
Frequently Asked Questions — SSC CHSL Cutoff 2026
What is the expected SSC CHSL 2026 Tier 1 cutoff for General category?
Based on previous years, the expected SSC CHSL 2026 Tier 1 cutoff for General/UR category is between 132 and 142 marks out of 200. The actual cutoff depends on exam difficulty and number of vacancies in 2026.
Is SSC CHSL Tier 1 cutoff counted in final merit?
No. From CHSL 2023 onwards, Tier 1 is only a qualifying round. The final merit list is based entirely on Tier 2 Section I CBT marks. Tier 1 cutoff is used to shortlist candidates for Tier 2 only.
Which CHSL post has the highest cutoff?
Postal Assistant (PA) consistently has the highest cutoff among CHSL posts due to high demand. JSA (CSS) and DEO posts also have high cutoffs. LDC typically has the lowest cutoff among CHSL posts.
When will SSC CHSL 2026 cutoff be released?
SSC releases CHSL cutoff with the result declaration. Tier 1 cutoff comes with the Tier 2 shortlisting notice. The final cutoff is released with the final result, typically 4–6 months after Tier 2.
Does SSC CHSL use score normalisation?
Yes. SSC CHSL is conducted in multiple shifts and scores are normalised using the standard SSC normalisation formula. The published cutoff is based on normalised scores, not raw scores. Your normalised score may be slightly higher or lower than your raw score depending on the shift difficulty.
SSC CHSL 2026 Cutoff — How Normalisation Affects Your Score
SSC CHSL is a multi-shift exam. Candidates in different shifts get different question papers. To maintain fairness, SSC uses normalisation to convert raw scores to a common scale. Key points:
- If your shift had an easier paper, the normalisation formula may reduce your effective score slightly.
- If your shift had a harder paper, normalisation may boost your effective score.
- The cutoff published by SSC is based on normalised scores, not raw scores.
- Aim for raw scores at least 10–15 marks above the expected cutoff to safely clear normalisation variance.
SSC CHSL 2026 Tier 2 Cutoff Strategy
Tier 2 Section I carries 360 marks across 4 modules (Maths, Reasoning, English, GK). Here is how to optimise your score for different post preferences:
- Targeting PA/SA or DEO (highest cutoff posts): Need 250+ in Tier 2. Prioritise English (40 Qs, 120 marks) and Maths (30 Qs, 90 marks) for heavy scoring. These two sections together make up 210 marks.
- Targeting LDC (lowest cutoff post): Need 200+ in Tier 2. Even moderate performance in all 4 sections achieves this. Focus on not leaving too many questions unattempted.
- Computer Knowledge (20 Qs, 60 marks): Most candidates find this easy — do not skip it. 60 marks from a relatively simple module can significantly boost your Tier 2 score.
SSC CHSL Cutoff and Vacancy Relationship
The relationship between vacancies and cutoff is straightforward: more vacancies generally mean a lower cutoff because more candidates qualify. For CHSL 2026, if SSC announces more than 5,000 vacancies, the cutoff may drop by 3–8 marks compared to 2023 levels. However, the increased applicant pool also counterbalances this effect partially.
Practising previous year SSC CHSL papers is one of the most effective preparation strategies. The question distribution across sections has remained consistent over the last 5 years, and question types repeat in cycles. Attempting all available previous year papers (2019–2023) under timed conditions before the real exam significantly improves accuracy and time management skills.
How to Use CHSL Cutoff Data for Preparation
The SSC CHSL cutoff is useful for setting a realistic target score. For General category, targeting 145 to 155 out of 200 in Tier-1 (normalised) and scoring 60+ in Tier-2 descriptive puts you in a safe position for most SSC CHSL posts. Candidates should focus on GK and English as these are the most differentiating sections — most aspirants are strong in Reasoning and average in Maths, making GK and English the actual tiebreakers in CHSL merit lists.
The overall cutoff for CHSL varies by post and state preference. DEO (Data Entry Operator) posts typically have higher cutoffs than LDC (Lower Division Clerk) posts in the same region because DEO posts are fewer in number and considered more desirable. When you clear the CBT, you will be allocated a post and state based on your merit rank, category, and preference choices submitted at the time of document verification.




