SSC CHSL Syllabus 2026: Tier 1 and Tier 2 Subject-Wise Topics, Exam Pattern and Marks

The SSC CHSL Syllabus 2026 Tier 1 Tier 2 is published in the official Notice of Examination (F. No. HQ-C1102/5/2026-C-1, dated 7 September 2026). Tier 1 has 100 questions for 200 marks in 60 minutes, with a 15-minute sectional timer for each of the four parts. Tier 2 carries 405 marks in Session I plus a qualifying Skill Test or Typing Test in Session II. Tier 1 is scheduled from 30 November to 31 December 2026. The syllabus below is taken from paras 13.8 to 13.11 of the official notice, so every topic, mark and time limit here is exactly what the Staff Selection Commission has prescribed. Candidates preparing for the graduate-level exam can also read our SSC CGL Syllabus 2026 guide.

SSC CHSL Syllabus 2026 – Overview

SSC CHSL 2026 – Important Dates

Applications for this cycle are closed. The dates above are from the official notice and the SSC Important Notice dated 1 October 2026. The exact Tier 1 date, shift and city for each candidate will appear on the admission certificate, not in the notice.

SSC CHSL Tier 1 Exam Pattern 2026

Tier 1 is a qualifying computer based test used only to shortlist candidates for Tier 2. It has four parts of 25 questions each. Every part carries 50 marks, so the paper totals 100 questions and 200 marks in 60 minutes. The change that matters most in 2026 is the sectional timer: each part gets its own fixed 15 minutes, and the part closes automatically when its time ends. Unused time from one part cannot be carried to another.

Marking. Each correct answer carries 2 marks. There is a negative marking of 0.50 marks for each wrong answer. Parts II, III and IV are set in English, Hindi and the languages listed in Annexure-XV of the notice. Candidates eligible for a scribe get 80 minutes, with a 20-minute sectional timer for each part.

SSC CHSL Tier 1 Syllabus 2026 – Subject-Wise Topics

English Language (Basic Knowledge). Spot the Error, Fill in the Blanks, Synonyms and Homonyms, Antonyms, Spellings and Detecting mis-spelt words, Idioms and Phrases, One word substitution, Improvement of Sentences, Active and Passive Voice of Verbs, Conversion into Direct and Indirect narration, Shuffling of Sentence parts, Shuffling of Sentences in a passage, Cloze Passage, Comprehension Passage.

General Intelligence. Questions of both verbal and non-verbal type: Semantic Analogy, Symbolic operations, Symbolic and Number Analogy, Trends, Figural Analogy, Space Orientation, Semantic Classification, Venn Diagrams, Symbolic and Number Classification, Drawing inferences, Figural Classification, Punched hole and pattern-folding and unfolding, Semantic Series, Figural Pattern-folding and completion, Number Series, Embedded figures, Figural Series, Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, Emotional Intelligence, Word Building, Social Intelligence, Coding and de-coding, Numerical operations.

Quantitative Aptitude (Basic Arithmetic Skill). Number Systems (computation of whole numbers, decimals and fractions, relationships between numbers); Fundamental arithmetical operations (Percentages, Ratio and Proportion, Square roots, Averages, Interest Simple and Compound, Profit and Loss, Discount, Partnership Business, Mixture and Alligation, Time and distance, Time and work); Algebra (basic algebraic identities of school algebra, elementary surds, graphs of linear equations); Geometry (triangle and its centres, congruence and similarity of triangles, circle and its chords, tangents, angles subtended by chords, common tangents); Mensuration (triangle, quadrilaterals, regular polygons, circle, right prism, right circular cone, right circular cylinder, sphere, hemispheres, rectangular parallelepiped, regular right pyramid with triangular or square base); Trigonometry (trigonometric ratios, complementary angles, heights and distances, standard identities); Statistical Charts (histogram, frequency polygon, bar diagram, pie-chart).

General Awareness. Questions test general awareness of the environment and its application to society, knowledge of current events, and matters of everyday observation and experience in their scientific aspect. The test also includes questions on India and its neighbouring countries, especially History, Culture, Geography, Economic Scene, General policy and scientific research.

Note for visually handicapped candidates. For VH candidates with 40 percent and above visual disability, there is no component of Maps, Graphs, Diagrams or Statistical Data in the General Intelligence and Quantitative Aptitude parts.

SSC CHSL Tier 2 Exam Pattern 2026

Tier 2 decides the merit. It is held in two sessions on the same day. Session I lasts 2 hours and 15 minutes and has three sections. Session II has the Skill Test or Typing Test. The final merit is based on Sections I and II only, a total of 360 marks. Section III (Computer Knowledge) and Section IV (Skill Test or Typing Test) are qualifying, but a candidate must qualify every section of Tier 2.

Marking. Each question in Sections I, II and III carries 3 marks, and 1 mark is deducted for each wrong answer in these sections. Each section closes automatically when its time ends, and there is a break for re-registration between Session I and Session II. Questions are set in English, Hindi and the language opted by the candidate, except for the English Language and Comprehension module, which is in English only.

SSC CHSL Tier 2 Syllabus 2026 – Subject-Wise Topics

Mathematical Abilities. The same topics as Tier 1 Quantitative Aptitude, with one addition: Statistics and probability — use of tables and graphs (histogram, frequency polygon, bar diagram, pie-chart), measures of central tendency (mean, median, mode, standard deviation), and calculation of simple probabilities.

Reasoning and General Intelligence. The same topic list as Tier 1 General Intelligence, tested at a higher level: semantic and figural analogy, classification, series, Venn diagrams, coding and de-coding, critical thinking, problem solving, emotional and social intelligence, and numerical operations.

English Language and Comprehension. Vocabulary, grammar, sentence structure, synonyms, antonyms and their correct usage, plus the Tier 1 English list (spot the error, fill in the blanks, idioms, one word substitution, voice, narration, cloze and comprehension passages). To test comprehension, two or more paragraphs are given: at least one simple paragraph based on a book or a story, and one paragraph based on a current affairs editorial or a report.

General Awareness. The same scope as Tier 1: current events, everyday observation in its scientific aspect, and India and its neighbouring countries in History, Culture, Geography, Economic Scene, General policy and scientific research.

Computer Knowledge (Section III, qualifying). Computer Basics (organisation of a computer, Central Processing Unit, input and output devices, computer memory, memory organisation, backup devices, PORTs, Windows Explorer, keyboard shortcuts); Software (Windows Operating System, basics of Microsoft Office like MS Word, MS Excel and PowerPoint); Working with Internet and e-mails (web browsing and searching, downloading and uploading, managing an e-mail account, e-Banking); Basics of networking and cyber security (networking devices and protocols, network and information security threats like hacking, virus, worms and Trojan, and preventive measures).

SSC CHSL Skill Test and Typing Test 2026

Skill Test for Data Entry Operators. The Skill Test is mandatory for DEO candidates, and no candidate is exempted. Part A applies to DEO and DEO Grade ‘A’ posts in the departments and ministries listed at para 8.1 of the notice: a speed of 15,000 key depressions per hour, tested over 15 minutes on a passage of about 3,700 to 4,000 key depressions. Part B applies to DEO and DEO Grade ‘A’ posts in other departments and ministries: a speed of 8,000 key depressions per hour, tested over 15 minutes on a passage of about 2,000 to 2,200 key depressions. Candidates eligible for a scribe get 20 minutes. Errors are calculated up to two decimal places.

Typing Test for LDC and JSA. Candidates type at 35 words per minute in English or 30 words per minute in Hindi, judged on the accuracy of typing a given passage in 10 minutes (15 minutes for scribe-eligible candidates). The medium chosen in the application form is final and cannot be changed later. Candidates who opt for Hindi must type in Mangal font only; using any other font leads to non-qualification. Persons with Disabilities who are certified by the competent medical authority as unable to type may be exempted from the Typing Test.

SSC CHSL 2026 – Age Limit and Eligibility

Age limit. Candidates must be 18 to 27 years old as on 1 August 2026, which means born not before 2 August 1999 and not later than 1 August 2008. Permissible relaxations in the upper age limit are: SC and ST 5 years, OBC 3 years, PwBD 10 years, PwBD (OBC) 13 years, PwBD (SC and ST) 15 years, and Ex-Servicemen 3 years after deducting military service from the actual age as on 1 August 2026. The date of birth in the Matriculation or Secondary Examination Certificate is accepted for determining age, and no later change is considered.

Educational qualification. Candidates must have passed Class 12 (10+2) or an equivalent examination from a recognised Board or University on or before 7 October 2026. Candidates can check the pay and post details in our SSC CHSL Salary Per Month guide, and the railway syllabus in our RRB NTPC Syllabus 2026 guide.

SSC CHSL Selection Process 2026

Stage 1 – Tier 1. Computer based test of 100 questions and 200 marks. It is qualifying in nature and is used only to shortlist candidates for Tier 2. There may be separate category-wise cut-offs for DEO posts in specified departments, other DEO posts, and LDC and JSA posts.

Stage 2 – Tier 2. Computer based test in two sessions on the same day. Merit is prepared on Sections I and II (360 marks). Section III and Section IV are qualifying, and every section must be qualified.

Stage 3 – Skill Test or Typing Test. Qualifying in nature, post-specific: Skill Test for DEO posts, Typing Test for LDC and JSA posts.

Stage 4 – Document Verification. Final allotment is made on merit-cum-preference of posts, and once a post is allotted, no change is made if a candidate fails to meet a post-specific physical, medical or educational standard.

How to Prepare for SSC CHSL 2026 With the Sectional Timers

Practise each Tier 1 part inside 15 minutes. The sectional timer removes the old strategy of borrowing time from an easy part to cover a weak one. Take mock tests with a hard 15-minute cap per part, and fix the order in which you attempt questions inside each part.

Give Tier 2 English 40 minutes of its own. Section II gives 40 minutes to 40 English questions and only 20 minutes to 20 General Awareness questions. English carries the same marks as the whole of Section I, so it deserves the largest share of preparation time after Maths.

Do not ignore the Computer Knowledge Test. It is only 45 marks and qualifying, but failing it disqualifies a candidate regardless of the written score. Cover the four official topics: computer basics, MS Office, internet and e-mail, and networking and cyber security.

Start typing practice early. The 35 words per minute (English) or 30 words per minute (Hindi) test is qualifying, but it is failed often. Practise daily on a computer keyboard, and Hindi-medium candidates should practise in Mangal font only.

Important Links

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the SSC CHSL syllabus 2026 for Tier 1?

The Tier 1 syllabus has four parts: English Language (Basic Knowledge), General Intelligence, Quantitative Aptitude (Basic Arithmetic Skill) and General Awareness. Each part has 25 questions for 50 marks, and the official indicative syllabus is given in para 13.10 of the SSC notice dated 7 September 2026.

How many questions and marks are there in SSC CHSL Tier 1 2026?

Tier 1 has 100 questions for 200 marks, to be answered in 60 minutes. Each of the four parts has 25 questions for 50 marks, with a fixed 15-minute sectional timer per part. Each correct answer carries 2 marks and 0.50 marks are deducted for each wrong answer.

What is the 15-minute sectional timer rule in SSC CHSL Tier 1?

In the 2026 notice, each of the four Tier 1 parts has its own 15-minute timer inside the total 60 minutes. A part closes automatically when its 15 minutes end, and unused time cannot be carried to another part. Scribe-eligible candidates get 80 minutes with a 20-minute timer per part.

What is the SSC CHSL Tier 2 exam pattern and how many marks does it carry?

Tier 2 Session I has 135 questions for 405 marks in 2 hours and 15 minutes: Section I (Maths and Reasoning, 60 questions, 180 marks), Section II (English and General Awareness, 60 questions, 180 marks) and Section III (Computer Knowledge, 15 questions, 45 marks). Session II has the Skill Test or Typing Test, which is qualifying.

Which sections decide the merit in SSC CHSL Tier 2?

The final merit is based on Section I and Section II only, a total of 360 marks. Section III (Computer Knowledge) and Section IV (Skill Test or Typing Test) are qualifying in nature, but a candidate must qualify every section of Tier 2.

What is the Computer Knowledge syllabus for SSC CHSL Tier 2?

The Computer Knowledge syllabus covers computer basics (CPU, input and output devices, memory, backup devices, Windows Explorer, keyboard shortcuts), software (Windows OS, MS Word, MS Excel and PowerPoint), working with internet and e-mails (browsing, downloading, e-Banking), and basics of networking and cyber security (threats like hacking, virus, worms and Trojan, and preventive measures).

What is the typing speed required for LDC and JSA posts?

LDC and JSA candidates must type at 35 words per minute in English or 30 words per minute in Hindi, judged on a passage typed in 10 minutes. The medium chosen in the application form is final, and Hindi typing must be done in Mangal font only.

What is the DEO Skill Test speed in SSC CHSL 2026?

For DEO and DEO Grade ‘A’ posts in the departments listed at para 8.1 of the notice, the Skill Test speed is 15,000 key depressions per hour over 15 minutes. For DEO posts in other departments and ministries, the speed is 8,000 key depressions per hour over 15 minutes.

What is the age limit for SSC CHSL 2026?

The age limit is 18 to 27 years as on 1 August 2026, which means candidates must be born not before 2 August 1999 and not later than 1 August 2008. Relaxations are 5 years for SC and ST, 3 years for OBC, and 10 to 15 years for PwBD candidates as per category.

When is the SSC CHSL Tier 1 2026 exam?

Tier 1 is proposed from 30 November to 31 December 2026, as per the SSC Important Notice dated 1 October 2026. The exact date, shift and city for each candidate will be given on the admission certificate. Tier 2 dates are yet to be notified.

For more government jobs and daily updates, browse the Latest Jobs section of New Sarkari Results, and always verify the final details in the official Notice of Examination F. No. HQ-C1102/5/2026-C-1 on ssc.gov.in before applying.

Written by Ravi Singh

Ravi Singh is the Editor (Government Jobs) at New Sarkari Results, covering SSC, Railways, Banking, Teaching and state recruitment updates. Every article he publishes is checked against the official notification PDF before it goes live.

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