SSC CHSL Eligibility Criteria 2026 is defined by the Staff Selection Commission in the official notification. Candidates must satisfy age limit, educational qualification, nationality conditions, and category relaxation rules before applying for the Combined Higher Secondary Level Examination.

SSC CHSL is one of the most popular government exams after Class 12 because it offers stable central government jobs such as:

• Lower Division Clerk (LDC)
• Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA)
• Data Entry Operator (DEO)
• Postal Assistant
• Sorting Assistant

If a candidate does not meet eligibility, their candidature can be cancelled even after selection.

To apply SSC CHSL 2026, candidates must be:

Minimum Age → 18 years
Maximum Age → 27 years

Age is calculated as per the date mentioned in official notification.

This means candidates must fall within the prescribed birth date range.

Government provides relaxation to reserved categories.

Candidates must have passed:

12th Standard (10+2) from a recognized board.

Important:

For DEO (CAG department):

Mathematics compulsory in 12th.

Important rules:

Qualification must be completed before cut-off date.

Candidates appearing in 12th:

Not eligible unless result declared.

Open school:

Allowed if recognized.

Distance education:

Allowed if board recognized.

Candidate must be:

Citizen of India

OR

Citizen of Nepal/Bhutan

OR

Tibetan refugee settled before 1962

OR

Person of Indian origin from:

Pakistan
Myanmar
Sri Lanka
East African countries

Nationality certificate required.

SSC does not impose attempt limits.

Candidates can attempt:

Unlimited times until age limit.

Candidates appearing in 12th:

Not eligible.

Only candidates who have passed 12th before cutoff date can apply.

Candidate:

Age → 24
Qualification → 12th

Eligible.

Candidate:

Age → 29
Category → OBC

Eligible due to relaxation.

Candidate:

Age → 28
Category → General

Not eligible.

Candidate:

Age → 32
Category → SC

Eligible due to relaxation.

Same eligibility applies.

No different qualification.

However:

Fee exemption available.

All categories need:

12th pass.

Difference:

Only age relaxation.

No:

Physical test
Running
Height requirement

This is a desk job.

Basic medical fitness required.

No strict medical test.

Eligibility verified during:

Document verification.

Documents checked:

DOB proof
Qualification
Category certificate

Mismatch leads to cancellation.

Candidates must produce:

10th certificate (DOB proof)
12th certificate
Caste certificate
PwD certificate
ID proof
Nationality proof

12th pass and age 18–27.

12th pass.

18–27 years.

Unlimited.

Indian citizen.

No.

Only DEO CAG.

No.

No.

10th and 12th certificates.

12वीं पास।

18 से 27 वर्ष।

Unlimited।

नहीं।

नहीं।