If you passed Class 12 and have been thinking about a central government clerical job, one deadline is close. Applications for the SSC Combined Higher Secondary Level (CHSL) Examination 2026 close on 7 October, so there are only a few days left. This is a short checklist of what to confirm before you press submit, and what to do if you have not started preparing yet.
The dates at a glance
The Staff Selection Commission released the notification on 7 September 2026 for 2,536 tentative vacancies. According to PW's summary of the notice and Adda247's, the schedule is:
Applications open: 7 September 2026
Last date to apply: 7 October 2026, 11 PM
Last date to pay the fee: 8 October 2026
Correction window: 14 to 16 October 2026
The Tier 1 exam date has not been confirmed, and sources differ on the likely timing. Adda247 expects January to February 2027, while Testbook lists December 2026. Treat both as guesses until the Commission announces a schedule.
Who can apply
Education: Class 12 pass from a recognised board. Some Data Entry Operator posts have additional subject conditions, according to Testbook, so check the notice for the post you want.
Age: 18 to 27 years as of 1 August 2026, with relaxations for reserved categories. Adda247 lists +5 years for SC/ST, +3 for OBC and +10 for persons with benchmark disabilities.
Posts: Lower Divisional Clerk (LDC), Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA) and Data Entry Operator (DEO).
The fee, and a scam warning
The application fee reported by all three sources is ₹100, with exemptions for women, SC/ST candidates, persons with benchmark disabilities and ex-servicemen. The sources differ on how the exemption applies to other categories, including EWS, so confirm your own category in the official notice.
If any website or agent asks you for more than the official fee, or asks for money to "guarantee" a form or a seat, walk away. Apply only through the official Staff Selection Commission portal, ssc.gov.in.
Before you fill the form
Complete One-Time Registration (OTR). It is mandatory for all applicants on the SSC portal. If you registered for an earlier SSC exam, log in and check that your details are still correct.
Keep your documents ready. You will need your personal and educational details, a live photograph and a signature to upload, as described by Testbook. Have your Class 10 and 12 certificates in front of you and enter names and dates exactly as printed.
Choose posts carefully. Read the eligibility for each post before you select it.
Do not wait for the last day. Portals can slow down near a deadline. Applying on 4 or 5 October leaves room to fix problems and to pay before the 8 October fee cut-off.
Save everything. Download the confirmation and keep the payment receipt.
The correction window from 14 to 16 October is there for mistakes, but do not plan around it. Some details may not be editable, so read the correction rules in the notice.
What Tier 1 looks like
According to Adda247, Tier 1 is a computer-based test with 100 multiple-choice questions for 200 marks in 60 minutes. It has four sections: English, General Intelligence, Quantitative Aptitude and General Awareness. Each section has its own 15-minute limit and each wrong answer costs 0.50 marks. Tier 2 includes a Computer Knowledge test, and a skill or typing test and document verification follow.
If you have not started preparing
Applying costs little (₹100, and nothing for many candidates), and it keeps the option open. A realistic plan for the months before the exam:
Weeks 1 to 2: download the official syllabus and previous papers. Take one full paper untimed to see where you are.
Weeks 3 to 8: work through each section in turn: basic arithmetic and percentages, reasoning patterns, English grammar and comprehension, and current affairs. Spend more time on the section where you scored lowest.
Weeks 9 to 12: take timed mock tests weekly. Because of sectional timers and negative marking, practise leaving out questions you are not sure of.
No plan can promise a selection, and competition for clerical posts is heavy. But a steady schedule beats a last-minute rush every time.
Dates and rules are as reported by the sources linked above on 3 October 2026. Always confirm them in the official SSC notification before you apply.