SSC CHSL Syllabus 2026
Staff Selection Commission Combined Higher Secondary Level
Conducted By
Staff Selection Commission (SSC)
Eligibility
10+2 (Higher Secondary) from a recognized Board
Age Limit
18-27 years (varies by post and category)
Exam Pattern
Tier I (CBE), Tier II (CBE + Descriptive/Skill Test)
The Combined Higher Secondary Level exam is conducted by SSC for jobs like Lower Division Clerk and Data Entry Officer in central ministries. It is open to candidates who have completed class twelve. The exam has two tiers. Tier I is a computer-based screening test checking English, Math, Reasoning, and GK. Tier II is descriptive and computer-based, testing mathematical abilities, writing skills, and typing speed. Accuracy in typing is extremely critical for final selection. Preparing for CHSL takes six to nine months of dedicated practice, especially in mathematical shortcuts and touch typing. Our syllabus tracker below lists all subjects and topics to help you cover the entire syllabus step-by-step without losing track.
Detailed Topic-wise Syllabus (38 topics)
Tier I - Preliminary
Computer Based Exam | 200 marks | 60 minutes | 100 MCQs
English Language (Basic Knowledge) 50 Marks
- Vocabulary - Synonyms, Antonyms, One Word Substitution
- Grammar - Error Detection, Sentence Correction
- Reading Comprehension - Short Passages
- Fill in the Blanks
- Idioms and Phrases
- Cloze Test
- Spelling Correction
General Intelligence 50 Marks
- Verbal Reasoning - Classification, Analogies
- Non-Verbal Reasoning - Series, Pattern
- Spatial Orientation and Visualization
- Coding-Decoding and Direction Sense
- Blood Relations
- Logical Venn Diagrams
- Number and Alphabet Series
Quantitative Aptitude (Basic Arithmetic Skill) 50 Marks
- Number System and Computations
- Percentage, Profit-Loss, Discount
- Ratio, Proportion and Unitary Method
- Average and Age Calculations
- Time, Work and Wages
- Speed, Distance and Time
- Mensuration - 2D Shapes, Area, Perimeter
- Simple Interest and Compound Interest
- Basic Statistics - Mean, Median, Mode
General Awareness 50 Marks
- Current Affairs - Last 6 Months
- India and Its Neighbouring Countries
- History - Ancient, Medieval and Modern India
- Indian Polity - Constitution, Fundamental Rights
- Geography - Physical & Economic Geography
- General Science - Everyday Phenomena
- Economic Concepts and Indian Economy
- Sports, Awards and Cultural Events
Tier II - Mains
Module I: Mathematical Abilities & Reasoning | Module II: English Language | Module III: Skill Tests
Module I: Mathematical Abilities & Reasoning/GI 60 Marks
- All Tier I Mathematics Topics (Advanced Level)
- All Tier I Reasoning Topics (Advanced Level)
Module II: English Language & Comprehension 60 Marks
- Reading Comprehension - Advanced Passages
- Grammar - Complex Structures, Voice, Narration
- Vocabulary - Advanced Word Usage
Module III: Typing/Skill Test 0 Marks
- Typing Test - 8000 Key Depressions/hour (LDC/JSA Post)
- Data Entry Skill Test - 2000 Key Depressions/hour (DEO Post)
Recommended Reference Books
| Subject | Book Title | Author / Publisher |
|---|---|---|
| English | Plinth to Paramount | Neetu Singh |
| Mathematics | Quantum CAT (for higher maths) | Sarvesh Kumar Verma |
| Reasoning | A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning | R.S. Aggarwal |
| General Awareness | Manorama Yearbook 2026 | Mammen Mathew |
Related Exams
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