SSC CHSL Exam Pattern 2026: Quick Answer
The SSC CHSL 2026 exam pattern has two computer-based tiers. Tier 1 has 100 questions for 200 marks in 60 minutes (English, General Intelligence, Quantitative Aptitude and General Awareness, 25 questions each), with a 15-minute sectional timer for every subject and 0.50 negative marking. Tier 2 has 135 objective questions for 405 marks in Session I — Maths 30, Reasoning 30, English 40, General Awareness 20 and a Computer Knowledge Test of 15 questions — at +3 and −1, followed by a skill test (DEO) or typing test (LDC/JSA) in Session II. Final merit is made from Tier 2 Section I + Section II only: 360 marks.
Key takeaway: Tier 1 is a screening test: its marks do not go into the final merit list. In Tier 2, the Computer Knowledge Test and the skill/typing test are qualifying only, but you must qualify every section separately — a high merit score cannot rescue a failed section.
Official source: the Combined Higher Secondary (10+2) Level Examination 2026 notice, uploaded on ssc.gov.in on 7 September 2026 (Para 13 for the scheme, Para 17 for the mode of selection). Tier 1 runs from 30 November to 31 December 2026, as per SSC's schedule notice of 1 October 2026. For the topic lists, see our SSC CHSL syllabus 2026 note.
SSC CHSL Exam Pattern 2026 at a Glance
| Stage | Papers / sections | Questions | Marks | Time | Negative marking | Counts in final merit? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | 4 subjects × 25 questions | 100 | 200 | 60 minutes | 0.50 per wrong answer | No (shortlisting only) |
| Tier 2, Session I, Section I | Mathematical Abilities 30 Q + Reasoning 30 Q | 60 | 180 | 1 hour | 1 per wrong answer | Yes |
| Tier 2, Session I, Section II | English 40 Q + General Awareness 20 Q | 60 | 180 | 1 hour | 1 per wrong answer | Yes |
| Tier 2, Session I, Section III | Computer Knowledge Test | 15 | 45 | 15 minutes | 1 per wrong answer | No (qualifying) |
| Tier 2, Session II, Section IV | Skill Test (DEO) / Typing Test (LDC/JSA) | 1 task | Qualifying | 15 or 10 minutes | — | No (qualifying) |
The 2026 notice recruits Lower Division Clerk / Junior Secretariat Assistant (Pay Level 2), Data Entry Operator (Level 4 and 5) and DEO Grade 'A' (Level 4). There is no interview in CHSL; after Tier 2, shortlisted candidates go through document verification.
SSC CHSL Tier 1 Exam Pattern 2026
English practice set: SSC CHSL English Questions with Answers: Solved Practice Set.
| Part | Subject | Questions | Marks | Sectional time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | English Language (Basic Knowledge) | 25 | 50 | 15 minutes |
| II | General Intelligence | 25 | 50 | 15 minutes |
| III | Quantitative Aptitude (Basic Arithmetic Skill) | 25 | 50 | 15 minutes |
| IV | General Awareness | 25 | 50 | 15 minutes |
| Total | 100 | 200 | 60 minutes |
- Each question carries 2 marks, and 0.50 mark is deducted for each wrong answer.
- There is a sectional timer of 15 minutes per subject. When a section's 15 minutes end, it closes automatically and you move on — you cannot carry unused time into the next section. Candidates eligible for a scribe get 80 minutes (20 minutes per subject).
- Parts II, III and IV are available in English, Hindi and 13 regional languages (Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Konkani, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Odiya, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu), as opted in the application. The English part is in English only.
- The notice says the parts are "not in sequence", so do not assume English always comes first.
- Tier 1 is held from 30 November to 31 December 2026. Scores across shifts are normalised under SSC's procedure of 2 June 2025.
SSC CHSL Tier 1 marking scheme: worked example
Suppose you attempt 80 questions, with 68 right and 12 wrong:
- Marks for correct answers: 68 × 2 = 136
- Penalty: 12 × 0.50 = 6
- Score = 136 − 6 = 130 out of 200
Every wrong answer costs a quarter of a correct one, so a guess is worth it only when you can eliminate options with real confidence. And because each section is locked at 15 minutes, 25 questions in 15 minutes means 36 seconds per question — practise each section on its own timer, not as one long 60-minute paper.
SSC CHSL Tier 2 Exam Pattern 2026 (Session I and Session II)
Tier 2 is held on one day in two sessions.
| Session | Section | Module | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Session I (2 hours 15 minutes) | Section I | A. Mathematical Abilities | 30 | 90 | 30 minutes |
| B. Reasoning and General Intelligence | 30 | 90 | 30 minutes | ||
| Section II | A. English Language and Comprehension | 40 | 120 | 40 minutes | |
| B. General Awareness | 20 | 60 | 20 minutes | ||
| Section III | Computer Knowledge Test | 15 | 45 | 15 minutes | |
| Session II | Section IV | Skill Test (DEO) / Typing Test (LDC/JSA) | 1 task | Qualifying | 15 or 10 minutes |
- Every Tier 2 objective question carries 3 marks; 1 mark is deducted for each wrong answer in Sections I, II and III.
- Merit marks: Section I (180) + Section II (180) = 360. The Computer Knowledge Test (45 marks) is qualifying.
- You must qualify every section separately. The minimum qualifying marks apply to Tier 1 and to Sections I, II and III of Tier 2: 30% for UR, 25% for OBC/EWS and 20% for all other categories.
- English (Module A of Section II) is in English only; the rest is in English, Hindi and the opted regional language.
- Scribe-eligible candidates get 40 minutes per module in Section I, 55 + 25 minutes in Section II, and 20 minutes for the CKT and the skill test (15 minutes for the typing test).
- Tier 2 will be notified separately after Tier 1; as of 6 November 2026 SSC has not announced a Tier 2 date in the material checked for this note.
SSC CHSL Tier 2 marking scheme: worked example
Section I: 50 attempted, 42 right, 8 wrong → 42 × 3 − 8 × 1 = 126 − 8 = 118 / 180. Section II: 55 attempted, 45 right, 10 wrong → 45 × 3 − 10 × 1 = 135 − 10 = 125 / 180. Merit total = 118 + 125 = 243 / 360, provided you also clear the CKT and the skill/typing test.
Notice how the penalty bites harder here than in Tier 1: one wrong answer cancels a third of a right one. In a 40-question English module worth 120 marks — a third of the entire merit total — careless guessing is the fastest way to lose a rank.
SSC CHSL Computer Knowledge Test (CKT) 2026
| Area | Official topics |
|---|---|
| Computer basics | Organisation of a computer, CPU, input/output devices, memory and memory organisation, backup devices, ports, Windows Explorer, keyboard shortcuts |
| Software | Windows OS; basics of MS Word, MS Excel, PowerPoint |
| Internet and e-mail | Browsing and searching, downloading and uploading, managing an e-mail account, e-banking |
| Networking and cyber security | Networking devices and protocols; hacking, viruses, worms, Trojans and preventive measures |
The CKT is 15 questions for 45 marks in 15 minutes, at +3/−1, and it is qualifying only — but failing it disqualifies you regardless of your merit marks. Fifteen questions decide whether your 360 merit marks count at all, so revise computer basics (shortcuts, MS Office, networking terms) once a week rather than leaving them to the last fortnight. Practise with our SSC CHSL Tier 2 Computer Knowledge Test Mock Test 04.
SSC CHSL Skill Test and Typing Test Rules 2026
| Test | For | Passage | Time | Speed required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part A: Skill Test | DEO / DEO Grade 'A' in the departments named at Para 8.1 | English, about 3,700–4,000 key depressions | 15 minutes | 15,000 key depressions per hour |
| Part B: Skill Test | DEO / DEO Grade 'A' in all other departments | English, about 2,000–2,200 key depressions | 15 minutes | 8,000 key depressions per hour |
| Part C: Typing Test | LDC / JSA | Hindi or English (chosen in the application form) | 10 minutes | English 35 wpm (about 10,500 KDPH); Hindi 30 wpm (about 9,000 KDPH) |
- No exemption from the DEO skill test.
- Hindi typing must be done in the Mangal font; any other font means you fail the test.
- The typing medium chosen in the application cannot be changed later.
- PwD candidates certified as unable to type (by a Civil Surgeon of a government institution, in the prescribed format) may be exempted from the LDC/JSA typing test; this does not cover visual or hearing disability alone.
- Errors are calculated up to 2 decimal places.
The full rules, error allowances and key-depression maths are in our SSC CHSL skill test 2026 note. Practise on our free SSC CHSL typing test (Hindi medium: SSC Hindi typing test), which works out key depressions per hour and full and half mistakes for you. 35 wpm in English means about 175 key depressions a minute, held for 10 minutes with few errors — that takes regular daily practice, so start now rather than after Tier 2.
SSC CHSL Qualifying Marks and Merit Rules 2026
| Category | Minimum qualifying marks (Tier 1 and Tier 2 Sections I, II, III) | Tier 1 (of 200) | Tier 2 Section I (of 180) | Tier 2 Section II (of 180) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UR | 30% | 60 | 54 | 54 |
| OBC / EWS | 25% | 50 | 45 | 45 |
| All others | 20% | 40 | 36 | 36 |
The percentages are official; the marks columns are our arithmetic on the maximum marks.
- Cut-offs can differ for three groups: DEO in Para 8.1 departments, other DEOs, and LDC/JSA.
- Final merit = Tier 2 Section I + Section II, subject to qualifying the CKT and the skill/typing test. There is no re-evaluation.
- Tier 1 cut-offs are fixed separately for shortlisting; Tier 1 marks play no part in the final merit.
How SSC CHSL Final Merit Is Prepared in 2026
| Post group | Merit is based on |
|---|---|
| LDC / JSA | Tier 2 Section I + Section II (360), subject to qualifying CKT and the typing test |
| DEO / DEO Grade 'A' (Para 8.1 departments) | Tier 2 Section I + Section II (360), subject to qualifying CKT and the Part A skill test |
| DEO / DEO Grade 'A' (all other departments) | Tier 2 Section I + Section II (360), subject to qualifying CKT and the Part B skill test |
Post preferences and document verification follow Tier 2 for shortlisted candidates. There is no interview at any stage.
SSC CHSL Exam Pattern 2026 vs Exam Strategy
| Pattern fact | What it means for your preparation |
|---|---|
| Tier 1 = 200 marks, 0.50 negative, 15-minute sectional timers | Accuracy matters and time cannot be borrowed across sections; practise each section in 15-minute blocks |
| Tier 1 not in final merit | Clear the cut-off comfortably, then switch fully to Tier 2 preparation |
| English carries 120 of 360 merit marks | English is the single biggest block in Tier 2 — give it the most weight |
| 1 mark negative in Tier 2 | One wrong answer cancels a third of a right one; skip low-confidence questions |
| CKT and skill/typing tests are qualifying but compulsory | Practise typing daily and revise computer basics weekly; either can end your run |
| Must qualify every section separately | Do not let one strong section cover for a weak one — bring every section above its qualifying mark |
SSC CHSL Exam Pattern 2026 FAQs
What is the SSC CHSL Tier 1 exam pattern 2026?
100 questions, 200 marks, 60 minutes: English, General Intelligence, Quantitative Aptitude and General Awareness, 25 questions (50 marks) each, with a 15-minute sectional timer per subject and 0.50 negative marking.
What is the SSC CHSL Tier 2 exam pattern 2026?
Session I (2 hours 15 minutes): Maths 30 + Reasoning 30 (1 hour), English 40 + GA 20 (1 hour) and the Computer Knowledge Test 15 questions (15 minutes), all at +3/−1. Session II: skill test for DEOs or typing test for LDC/JSA. Merit is Section I + Section II, 360 marks.
Are SSC CHSL Tier 1 marks added to the final merit?
No. Tier 1 is for shortlisting only; the final merit uses Tier 2 Section I and Section II marks only.
Is there negative marking in SSC CHSL 2026?
Yes. 0.50 mark per wrong answer in Tier 1, and 1 mark per wrong answer in Sections I, II and III of Tier 2.
What typing speed is required for SSC CHSL LDC/JSA?
35 wpm in English (about 10,500 key depressions per hour) or 30 wpm in Hindi (about 9,000 KDPH), in a 10-minute test. DEO skill tests need 15,000 KDPH (Part A) or 8,000 KDPH (Part B) over 15 minutes.
Is there an interview in SSC CHSL 2026?
No. Selection is through Tier 1, Tier 2 (including the skill/typing test) and document verification.
Practice Next for SSC CHSL
Expected cut-off: SSC CHSL expected cut-off 2026
Vacancies: SSC CHSL vacancy 2026
Exam hub: SSC CHSL 2026 exam page and free SSC CHSL mock tests.
Tier 1 practice: SSC CHSL 2026 Tier 1 Mock Test 26 (new pattern) and SSC CHSL Full Length Mock Test 12.
Tier 1 sectionals: General Intelligence Sectional 15, Quantitative Aptitude Sectional 15, English Sectional 10 and General Awareness Sectional 09.
Tier 2 computer: SSC CHSL Tier 2 Computer Knowledge Test Mock Test 04.
Calculators and typing: SSC CHSL 2026 marks calculator and SSC CHSL typing test.
Related notes: SSC CHSL syllabus 2026, SSC CHSL skill test 2026, SSC CHSL cut-off, SSC CHSL salary 2026, SSC CHSL eligibility and age limit 2026, SSC CHSL admit card 2026, SSC CHSL exam day guidelines 2026, SSC CHSL previous year question paper and SSC CGL syllabus 2026.
Browse all study notes.
Sources: SSC CHSL 2026 official notice (ssc.gov.in, 7 September 2026, Para 13 and Para 17); SSC exam schedule notice (1 October 2026); SSC normalisation procedure (2 June 2025). Figures as of 6 November 2026.