SSC CHSL 2026 salary: LDC/JSA at Pay Level 2 (basic Rs 19,900, in-hand ~Rs 27,000 to 32,000) and DEO at Pay Level 4. See posts, job profile, pay levels, dates and exam pattern.
SSC CHSL 2026 (Combined Higher Secondary Level) recruits Class 12 (10+2) pass candidates into central government clerical and data-entry posts. The two main posts are Lower Divisional Clerk / Junior Secretariat Assistant (LDC/JSA) at Pay Level 2 and Data Entry Operator (DEO) at Pay Level 4, both under the 7th Pay Commission. An LDC/JSA starts with a basic pay of Rs 19,900 and an approximate in-hand of Rs 27,000 to Rs 32,000 a month, while a DEO starts higher at basic Rs 25,500 with an approximate in-hand of Rs 37,000 to Rs 42,000. Across the pay matrix, the overall salary range for these posts runs from Rs 19,900 to Rs 81,100.
Beyond the basic pay, the take-home figure depends on Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA) and Transport Allowance, which vary by posting city, so treat the in-hand numbers as indicative rather than fixed.
The table below shows the post-wise pay levels, basic pay and approximate monthly in-hand salary for the main SSC CHSL 2026 posts. HRA and DA push the in-hand higher in metros and revise over time.
| Post | Pay Level | Basic Pay | Approximate In-hand (per month) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower Divisional Clerk / Junior Secretariat Assistant (LDC/JSA) | Pay Level 2 | Rs 19,900 | Rs 27,000 to Rs 32,000 |
| Data Entry Operator (DEO) | Pay Level 4 | Rs 25,500 | Rs 37,000 to Rs 42,000 |
The overall pay range across these posts and grades spans Rs 19,900 to Rs 81,100 as basic pay rises with annual increments and promotions. On top of basic pay, employees receive DA, HRA, Transport Allowance and other admissible benefits. Because the DEO post sits at Pay Level 4 against Pay Level 2 for the LDC/JSA, a DEO earns a clearly higher starting salary, and this gap widens over the years as both grades draw their yearly increments on a larger base.
It helps to remember that basic pay is the fixed part set by the pay level, while the in-hand amount changes with your city category and the DA rate at the time. Two people in the same post but posted in a metro and a small town can therefore see a noticeable difference in monthly take-home pay, mostly through HRA and Transport Allowance.
SSC CHSL posts come with the standard central government benefits package, which meaningfully raises the value of the job beyond the basic pay. Common components include:
The job profile depends on which post you are allotted and which ministry or department you join. In broad terms:
An LDC/JSA handles routine clerical work in central government offices. Typical duties include maintaining files and records, drafting and processing routine letters, data entry, dealing with registers and dispatch, and general office assistance. It is a stable, desk-based role with fixed responsibilities.
A DEO works mainly on entering and managing data on computer systems for ministries, departments and offices such as those under the CAG. The role needs speed and accuracy on the keyboard, which is why the exam includes a typing and skill test. DEOs sit at Pay Level 4, higher than the clerical LDC/JSA post.
Both roles share the advantages of a central government job: predictable working hours, a defined career path with periodic promotions, and postings across ministries and offices in different cities. Over time, a candidate who starts as an LDC/JSA or DEO can move up through departmental exams and seniority, so the entry salary is only the starting point of a longer career.
To apply for SSC CHSL 2026 you must have passed Class 12 (10+2) from a recognised board, and your age should be between 18 and 27 years, with the usual relaxations for reserved categories. SSC has announced 3,000+ vacancies for 2026, and the exact vacancies, dates and pattern are always confirmed in the notification on the SSC official website before you apply. Key dates are:
The selection is a two-tier process. Tier-1 is a computer-based test of 100 questions for 200 marks in 60 minutes, with 4 sections of 25 questions each carrying 2 marks per question, and a negative marking of 0.50 for each wrong answer. The four sections are shown below.
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| English Language | 25 | 50 |
| General Intelligence | 25 | 50 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 50 |
| General Awareness | 25 | 50 |
| Total | 100 | 200 |
Tier-2 is more detailed. Paper-1 has a Mathematical Abilities and Reasoning module, an English and General Awareness module, and a Computer Knowledge module, followed by a Skill Test or Typing Test (DEST). Together, Tier-1, Tier-2 and the skill test decide the final merit and post allocation.
SSC CHSL 2026 offers a secure central government career for Class 12 pass candidates, with clear pay levels, dependable allowances and steady growth from Pay Level 2 and Pay Level 4 up to the higher reaches of the pay matrix. With 3,000+ vacancies and a defined two-tier pattern, the difference between a rank and a miss usually comes down to accuracy under time pressure. Practise with Quiz4Exam full-length and sectional SSC CHSL mock tests, live all-India mocks and detailed solutions in English, Hindi and Marathi to sharpen your speed and lock in a safe attempt strategy before the real exam.
Always confirm the latest dates, vacancies and pattern on the official website before applying.
For SSC CHSL 2026, a Lower Divisional Clerk / Junior Secretariat Assistant (LDC/JSA) at Pay Level 2 has a basic pay of Rs 19,900 and an approximate in-hand of Rs 27,000 to Rs 32,000 per month. A Data Entry Operator (DEO) at Pay Level 4 has a basic pay of Rs 25,500 and an approximate in-hand of Rs 37,000 to Rs 42,000 per month. The exact take-home depends on your posting city and the current DA and HRA rates.
You must have passed Class 12 (10+2) from a recognised board to apply for SSC CHSL 2026. The age limit is 18 to 27 years, with the usual relaxations for reserved categories. The exam is conducted by SSC for clerical and data-entry posts across central government departments.
The SSC CHSL 2026 notification was released on 30 April 2026 and applications are open from 30 April 2026 to 31 May 2026. The Tier-1 computer-based exam is tentatively scheduled from July to September 2026, and Tier-2 is tentatively planned for early 2027.
SSC CHSL 2026 Tier-1 is a computer-based test of 100 questions for 200 marks in 60 minutes, with 4 sections of 25 questions each: English Language, General Intelligence, Quantitative Aptitude and General Awareness. Each question carries 2 marks and there is a negative marking of 0.50 per wrong answer. Tier-2 has Paper-1 with Mathematical Abilities and Reasoning, English and General Awareness, and Computer Knowledge modules, plus a Skill Test or Typing Test (DEST).
One focused email a week: notifications, current-affairs recaps and prep strategies built for working aspirants.
The Lower Divisional Clerk / Junior Secretariat Assistant (LDC/JSA) is a clerical post at Pay Level 2 that involves file handling, records, drafting and general office work. The Data Entry Operator (DEO) is a data-focused post at Pay Level 4 that needs typing speed and accuracy, which is why a skill and typing test is part of selection. The DEO post carries a higher pay level and in-hand salary than the LDC/JSA post.
