SSC CHSL Eligibility Criteria 2026: Age Limit, Qualification, Nationality & Relaxation
The SSC CHSL Eligibility Criteria 2026 defines the requirements for candidates applying for posts such as LDC, JSA, and DEO. It includes details on age limit, educational qualification, nationality, category-wise age relaxation, and other eligibility conditions. Candidates must have passed Class 12 from a recognized board and satisfy all prescribed criteria before submitting the application form.
SSC CHSL Eligibility Criteria 2026
The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) conducts the Combined Higher Secondary Level (CHSL) Examination to recruit candidates for posts such as Lower Division Clerk (LDC), Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA), and Data Entry Operator (DEO) in various Ministries and Government Departments. Candidates must fulfill the prescribed SSC CHSL Eligibility Criteria 2026, including age limit, educational qualification, nationality, and other conditions, before applying for the examination. A brief overview of the eligibility requirements is provided in the table below.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | SSC CHSL 2026 |
| Conducting Body | Staff Selection Commission (SSC) |
| Posts | Lower Division Clerk (LDC), Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA), Data Entry Operator (DEO) |
| Age Limit | 18 to 27 Years |
| Educational Qualification | 12th Pass |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Official Website | ssc.gov.in |
SSC CHSL Age Limit 2026
The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has prescribed specific age criteria for candidates applying through the SSC CHSL 2026 Examination. To be eligible, applicants must be at least 18 years of age and not more than 27 years as per the cut-off date mentioned in the official notification. Candidates must satisfy the prescribed age limit to fulfill the SSC CHSL Eligibility Criteria 2026.
| Post | Minimum Age | Maximum Age |
|---|---|---|
| LDC / JSA | 18 Years | 27 Years |
| DEO | 18 Years | 27 Years |
SSC CHSL Age Relaxation 2026
Candidates applying for SSC CHSL 2026 must meet the prescribed age criteria. The minimum age required is 18 years, while the maximum age limit is 27 years. However, the Staff Selection Commission provides age relaxation to candidates belonging to reserved categories as per Government of India rules. The category-wise age relaxation details are provided in the table below.
| Category | Permissible Age Relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC / ST | 5 Years |
| OBC | 3 Years |
| Persons with Disabilities (PwD - Unreserved) | 10 Years |
| PwD + OBC | 13 Years |
| PwD + SC / ST | 15 Years |
| Ex-Servicemen | 3 Years after deduction of military service rendered from actual age |
| Candidates domiciled in Jammu & Kashmir (01 Jan 1980 to 31 Dec 1989) | 5 Years |
| Defence Personnel disabled during hostilities or disturbed areas | 3 Years |
| Defence Personnel disabled during hostilities or disturbed areas (SC / ST) | 8 Years |
| Central Government Civilian Employees with at least 3 years of regular service (UR) | Up to 40 Years of Age |
| Central Government Civilian Employees with at least 3 years of regular service (SC / ST) | Up to 45 Years of Age |
| Widows / Divorced Women / Women Judicially Separated and Not Remarried | Up to 35 Years of Age |
| Widows / Divorced Women / Women Judicially Separated and Not Remarried (SC / ST) | Up to 40 Years of Age |
SSC CHSL Qualification 2026
Candidates applying for SSC CHSL 2026 must possess the prescribed educational qualification for the post they are applying for. For most posts, candidates must have passed Class 12 (Higher Secondary) or an equivalent examination from a recognized board. The post-wise educational qualification requirements are provided in the table below.
| Post Name | Educational Qualification |
|---|---|
| Data Entry Operator (DEO) / DEO Grade ‘A’ in the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution and Ministry of Culture | 12th Standard pass in the Science stream with Mathematics as a subject from a recognized Board or equivalent. |
| Lower Division Clerk (LDC) / Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA) and DEO / DEO Grade ‘A’ (except the above-mentioned DEO posts) | 12th Standard pass or equivalent examination from a recognized Board or University. |
SSC CHSL Nationality Criteria 2026
To be eligible for recruitment, candidates must possess one of the following nationalities:
- A citizen of India.
- A subject of Nepal.
- A subject of Bhutan.
- A Tibetan refugee who came to India with the intention of permanently settling in the country.
- A person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma (Myanmar), Sri Lanka, Kenya, Uganda, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire (Democratic Republic of the Congo), Ethiopia, Vietnam, or the United Republic of Tanzania (formerly Tanganyika and Zanzibar) with the intention of permanently settling in India.
SSC CHSL Physical Disability Criteria 2026
Candidates belonging to the Persons with Disabilities (PwD) category can apply for SSC CHSL posts based on the eligibility criteria specified in the official notification. The suitability of each post depends on the type and extent of disability. Candidates should carefully review the post-wise physical disability requirements before applying. The detailed SSC CHSL Physical Disability Criteria 2026 are provided in the table below.
| Post Name | Eligible Physical Disabilities |
|---|---|
| Data Entry Operator (DEO) |
Visual Disability: Low Vision Hearing Disability: Deaf, Hard of Hearing Locomotor Disability: One Arm Affected, Both Arms Affected, One Leg Affected, Both Legs Affected, One Arm & One Leg Affected, Cerebral Palsy, Leprosy Cured, Dwarfism, Acid Attack Victim, Muscular Dystrophy, Spinal Deformity/Spinal Injury |
| Lower Division Clerk (LDC) / Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA) |
Visual Disability: Blind, Low Vision Hearing Disability: Deaf, Hard of Hearing Locomotor Disability: One Arm Affected, Both Arms Affected, One Leg Affected, Both Legs Affected, One Arm & One Leg Affected, Cerebral Palsy, Leprosy Cured, Dwarfism, Acid Attack Victim, Muscular Dystrophy, Spinal Deformity/Spinal Injury |
SSC CHSL 2026 Number Of Attempts
There is no restriction on the number of attempts for the SSC CHSL 2026 Examination. Candidates can apply as many times as they wish, provided they meet the prescribed eligibility conditions. However, applicants must fall within the specified age limit of 18 to 27 years and satisfy all other eligibility requirements mentioned in the official notification.
Documents Required For SSC CHSL Eligibility Criteria Verification
Candidates claiming reservation benefits, age relaxation, or eligibility under special categories must produce the required certificates issued by the competent authority. Failure to submit valid supporting documents may result in the rejection of the claim and cancellation of candidature. During Document Verification, candidates are required to submit the following documents:
- Matriculation / Secondary School Certificate (Proof of Date of Birth).
- Educational Qualification Certificate.
- Caste / Category Certificate (SC, ST, OBC, EWS, etc.), if applicable.
- Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) Certificate in the prescribed format, if applicable.
- Serving Defence Personnel Certificate (for Ex-Servicemen), if applicable.
- Discharge Certificate issued by the Armed Forces, if applicable.
- Relevant Certificate supporting any claim for age relaxation.
- No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the employer, if currently employed in a Government Department or Public Sector Undertaking.