SSC CHSL Eligibility 2026 – Age Limit, Qualification & Age Relaxation
SSC CHSL Eligibility 2026 requires candidates to have passed Class 12 (10+2 Intermediate) from a recognised board. The eligibility criteria include age limit, educational qualification, nationality, and post-specific requirements. Check all criteria before applying to avoid disqualification.
SSC CHSL 2026 Eligibility — Quick Summary
| Criteria | Details |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Indian Citizen (or eligible categories) |
| Education | Class 12 pass from recognised board |
| Minimum Age | 18 years |
| Maximum Age | 27 years (with relaxation for reserved categories) |
| Minimum Marks | No minimum percentage required |
| DEO at C&AG special requirement | Science with Maths in Class 12 |
SSC CHSL 2026 Educational Qualification
The basic qualification for SSC CHSL 2026 is passing Class 12 (Intermediate / Senior Secondary) from a board of education or university recognised by the Central Government.
- LDC / JSA / PA / SA / DEO: Class 12 pass from any stream (Arts, Science, Commerce). No minimum percentage required.
- DEO Grade A (Office of C&AG): Class 12 pass in the Science stream with Mathematics as a subject. Minimum 60% marks in Class 12.
Candidates currently in their final year of Class 12 are NOT eligible to apply for SSC CHSL. The degree (board certificate) must be obtained before the application closing date.
SSC CHSL 2026 Age Limit (Post-Wise)
| Post | Minimum Age | Maximum Age |
|---|---|---|
| Lower Division Clerk (LDC) | 18 years | 27 years |
| Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA) | 18 years | 27 years |
| Data Entry Operator (DEO) | 18 years | 27 years |
| DEO Grade A (C&AG) | 18 years | 27 years |
| Postal Assistant / Sorting Assistant | 18 years | 27 years |
SSC CHSL 2026 Age Relaxation
Age relaxation is applied on the maximum age limit of the post. Candidates must provide the relevant certificate at the time of document verification.
| Category | Age Relaxation |
|---|---|
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 3 years |
| SC / ST | 5 years |
| PwBD – General | 10 years |
| PwBD – OBC | 13 years |
| PwBD – SC / ST | 15 years |
| Ex-Serviceman | As per government rules (typically 3 years after service deduction) |
| Candidates from J&K (domiciled between 1980–89) | 5 years |
SSC CHSL 2026 Nationality Requirement
A candidate must satisfy one of these nationality conditions:
- Citizen of India, or
- Subject of Nepal or Bhutan, or
- Tibetan refugee who came to India before 1 January 1962 with the intention of permanently settling in India, or
- Person of Indian origin who migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, or East African countries with intent to permanently settle in India.
Candidates other than Indian citizens need an eligibility certificate from the Government of India.
SSC CHSL 2026 — Typing Speed Requirement
In addition to educational qualification and age limit, CHSL candidates applying for LDC/JSA/PA/SA posts must be prepared to demonstrate typing speed in Tier 2:
- English Medium Typing: 35 words per minute (wpm) on computer.
- Hindi Medium Typing: 30 words per minute (wpm) on computer (Krutidev / Unicode font).
- DEO: Data entry speed of 8,000 key depressions per hour (DEO other than C&AG) or 15,000 key depressions per hour (DEO Grade A at C&AG).
Typing speed is a qualifying requirement — not a selection criterion. However, failing the typing/skill test means you are not considered for the post even if your CBT score is above the cutoff.
Physical and Medical Standards
SSC CHSL does not prescribe specific physical or medical standards (unlike SSC CPO or SSC CGL Inspector posts). Candidates must be medically fit as per general government service requirements. Candidates with major disabilities that would prevent them from performing their official duties may face issues during medical examination.
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 Cutoff 2026
- SSC CHSL 2026 Notification — Apply Now
- SSC CGL Eligibility 2026 — Comparison
- SSC Exams 2026 — Master Guide
Frequently Asked Questions — SSC CHSL Eligibility 2026
Can a Class 12 failed student apply for SSC CHSL 2026?
No. SSC CHSL 2026 requires passing Class 12 from a recognised board. Students who have failed or are appearing for Class 12 are not eligible. The board certificate must be obtained before the application closing date.
Can graduates apply for SSC CHSL 2026?
Yes. Graduates and postgraduates can apply for SSC CHSL 2026 provided they are within the age limit of 27 years. However, SSC CGL may be a better option for graduates as it offers higher-level Group B posts.
Is there any stream restriction for SSC CHSL 2026?
No stream restriction for most posts. Arts, Science, and Commerce graduates are all equally eligible for LDC, JSA, PA, SA, and DEO posts. Only DEO Grade A at C&AG specifically requires Science stream with Maths in Class 12.
What is the maximum age for OBC candidates in SSC CHSL 2026?
OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) candidates get 3 years of age relaxation, making the maximum age 30 years for SSC CHSL 2026 (27 + 3). SC/ST candidates can appear up to age 32 years (27 + 5).
Is there a limit on the number of attempts in SSC CHSL?
No. SSC CHSL has no attempt limit. Candidates can appear every year as long as they are within the eligible age limit. Once the upper age limit is crossed (with applicable relaxation), they can no longer apply.
SSC CHSL 2026 Eligibility — Step-by-Step Self-Check
Before starting your CHSL 2026 application, run through this eligibility checklist:
- Age check: Subtract your birth date from the application closing date. Compare against the 18–27 limit. Add category relaxation if applicable.
- Education check: Confirm your Class 12 certificate is from a board recognised by the Government of India. Check the website of your board if unsure.
- DEO at C&AG: If targeting this post, confirm your Class 12 is from the Science stream with Mathematics, and that you scored at least 60% marks overall.
- Nationality: Indian citizens apply directly. Others must arrange the eligibility certificate before document verification.
- Typing speed: For LDC/JSA/PA/SA, practice and achieve at least 35 wpm in English or 30 wpm in Hindi before the Tier 2 skill test.
Can I Apply for SSC CHSL While Awaiting Class 12 Results?
No. Unlike SSC CGL (which allows final-year graduation students to apply), SSC CHSL requires the Class 12 certificate to already be in hand at the time of application. Students awaiting their board results or supplementary exams are not eligible to apply.
OTR (One Time Registration) and CHSL Application
All SSC exams including CHSL now require candidates to register on the SSC OTR (One Time Registration) portal at ssc.gov.in before applying. OTR stores personal and educational details permanently so candidates do not need to re-enter them for each exam. This speeds up the application process significantly. Register on OTR as early as possible to avoid last-minute issues.
SSC CHSL 2026 Age Limit — Summary
| Category | Age Limit | Upper Limit |
|---|---|---|
| General / UR | 18–27 | 27 years |
| OBC | 18–30 | 30 years (3 yrs relaxation) |
| SC / ST | 18–32 | 32 years (5 yrs relaxation) |
| PwBD General | 18–37 | 37 years (10 yrs relaxation) |
| PwBD OBC | 18–40 | 40 years (13 yrs relaxation) |
| PwBD SC/ST | 18–42 | 42 years (15 yrs relaxation) |
