A clear 2026 comparison of SSC CGL and SSC CHSL covering eligibility, exam pattern, vacancies, salary and difficulty, so you can pick the right target for your qualification and goals.
The short answer: choose based on your qualification and career ambition. SSC CGL (Combined Graduate Level) needs a Bachelor's degree and leads to higher Group B and Group C posts, while SSC CHSL (Combined Higher Secondary Level) needs only a Class 12 pass and fills clerical and data entry roles. If you are a graduate aiming for gazetted-track posts and higher pay, target SSC CGL. If you have just finished Class 12 or want the fastest route into a central government job, target SSC CHSL. Both exams are conducted by the Staff Selection Commission, whose official website (ssc.gov.in) publishes every notification and update, and they share a very similar Tier 1 structure, so switching between them later is easy.
| Factor | SSC CGL 2026 | SSC CHSL 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Level | Graduate | Class 12 (10+2) |
| Eligibility | Bachelor's degree | Passed Class 12 |
| Age | 18 to 32 (most posts 18 to 30) | 18 to 27 |
| Vacancies | 12,256 | 3,000+ |
| Pay level | Level 4 to Level 8 | Level 2 to Level 4 |
| Top posts | Assistant Audit Officer, Inspector, ASO | LDC/JSA, Data Entry Operator |
The biggest deciding factor is your education. SSC CGL requires a Bachelor's degree from a recognised university, with the age band broadly 18 to 32 and most posts falling in the 18 to 30 range. SSC CHSL requires a Class 12 (10+2) pass, with an age band of 18 to 27. If you are still in college or have not graduated yet, CHSL is your entry point. If you already hold a degree, CGL opens far more and better-paid posts, though many graduates still sit for CHSL as a safety net because the syllabus overlaps heavily.
Both exams start with a computer-based Tier 1 of 100 questions, 200 marks, 60 minutes, split into four sections of 25 questions worth 2 marks each, with a negative marking of 0.50 per wrong answer. The four sections differ slightly in labelling but cover the same ground.
The Tier 2 stage is where the gap widens. SSC CGL Tier 2 Paper 1 carries Module 1 (Mathematical Abilities plus Reasoning and General Intelligence), Module 2 (English plus General Awareness), a Computer Knowledge module, and a Data Entry Speed Test, with negative marking of 1 for wrong answers in the MCQ sections. SSC CHSL Tier 2 Paper 1 carries a Mathematical Abilities and Reasoning module, an English and General Awareness module, a Computer Knowledge module, plus a Skill Test or Typing Test (DEST). The CGL Tier 2 is broader and more demanding, matching its higher pay grades.
SSC CGL 2026 is the bigger recruitment with 12,256 vacancies. Its notification came on 21 May 2026, applications closed on 25 June 2026, Tier 1 is tentatively in August to September 2026, and Tier 2 is tentatively in December 2026. SSC CHSL 2026 offers 3,000 plus vacancies. Its notification came on 30 April 2026, the application window ran from 30 April to 31 May 2026, Tier 1 is tentatively in July to September 2026, and Tier 2 is tentatively in early 2027.
Pay is the clearest reason many graduates prefer CGL. Both follow the 7th CPC, with House Rent Allowance of 27, 18 and 9 percent for X, Y and Z cities and Dearness Allowance around 58 percent.
| Exam | Sample post | Pay level | Approx in-hand |
|---|---|---|---|
| SSC CGL | Assistant Audit Officer | Level 8 | Up to Rs 81,000+ |
| SSC CGL | Inspector / ASO (range) | Level 4 to 8 | Rs 40,000 to 81,000+ |
| SSC CHSL | Data Entry Operator | Level 4 | Rs 37,000 to 42,000 |
| SSC CHSL | LDC / JSA | Level 2 | Rs 27,000 to 32,000 |
SSC CGL posts span Pay Level 4 to Level 8, with basic pay of roughly Rs 25,500 to Rs 47,600 and approximate in-hand of Rs 40,000 to Rs 81,000 plus, depending on the post and city. Top CGL posts include Assistant Audit Officer (Level 8), Assistant Section Officer, Inspector (Income Tax or CGST), Sub-Inspector (CBI or NIA), Junior Statistical Officer and Tax Assistant. SSC CHSL posts are Lower Divisional Clerk or Junior Secretariat Assistant (Level 2, basic Rs 19,900, in-hand around Rs 27,000 to 32,000) and Data Entry Operator (Level 4, basic Rs 25,500, in-hand around Rs 37,000 to 42,000). Across both exams the overall spread runs from Rs 19,900 to Rs 81,100.
At the Tier 1 level the two feel almost identical in difficulty, since the pattern, marks and negative marking match. The real difference is competition and depth. SSC CGL draws graduates competing for fewer high-value seats per post and its Tier 2 goes deeper, especially in Quantitative Aptitude and English. SSC CHSL is pitched at Class 12 level, so the core concepts are lighter, but the sheer number of applicants keeps cut-offs high. In practice, prepare seriously for either and you are most of the way ready for the other.
Pick SSC CGL if you are a graduate chasing higher pay, gazetted-track posts and long-term growth. Pick SSC CHSL if you have a Class 12 qualification or want the quickest entry into a stable government job. Because the Tier 1 syllabus overlaps so heavily, many aspirants prepare once and attempt both in the same cycle. Whichever you target, practise full-length SSC CGL mock tests on Quiz4Exam in the exact 2026 pattern so timing, section balance and negative marking never catch you off guard on exam day.
Always confirm the latest dates, vacancies and pattern on the official website before applying.
SSC CGL requires a Bachelor's degree from a recognised university with an age band broadly of 18 to 32, and most posts fall in the 18 to 30 range. SSC CHSL requires only a Class 12 (10+2) pass with an age band of 18 to 27. So graduates can target CGL, while Class 12 pass candidates target CHSL.
SSC CGL 2026 was notified on 21 May 2026, applications closed on 25 June 2026, Tier 1 is tentatively in August to September 2026 and Tier 2 tentatively in December 2026. SSC CHSL 2026 was notified on 30 April 2026, applications ran from 30 April to 31 May 2026, Tier 1 is tentatively in July to September 2026 and Tier 2 tentatively in early 2027.
Yes. SSC CGL posts span Pay Level 4 to Level 8 with approximate in-hand pay of Rs 40,000 to Rs 81,000 plus, including top posts like Assistant Audit Officer. SSC CHSL posts sit at Pay Level 2 to Level 4 with in-hand pay of roughly Rs 27,000 to Rs 42,000. Both follow the 7th CPC with HRA and DA on top.
At Tier 1 both share the same pattern of 100 questions, 200 marks and 60 minutes with 0.50 negative marking, so difficulty feels similar. SSC CGL is pitched at graduate level and its Tier 2 goes deeper in Quantitative Aptitude and English, while SSC CHSL is at Class 12 level. High applicant numbers keep cut-offs competitive in both.
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SSC CGL 2026 has 12,256 vacancies, which makes it the larger recruitment of the two. SSC CHSL 2026 has 3,000 plus vacancies. CGL fills higher Group B and Group C posts, while CHSL fills clerical and data entry roles.
