The Staff Selection Commission holds the Combined Higher Secondary Level (CHSL) examination once a year and opens the entry to various functions in various ministries, departments, & government organizations. It is one of the heavily sought-after and attended examinations across the country by thousands of candidates aspiring for various Lower & Higher jobs such as Lower Division Clerk. With the tag of stable government careers and competitive pay attached to them, most students who have just finished their 12th standard prefer getting into SSC CHSL jobs. This examination demands a full comprehension of its syllabus, exam pattern & eligibility criteria, with a strategic approach to preparation.

SSC CHSL Exam Dates 2025: 

The SSC CHSL exam would be another challenge for candidates targeting government jobs in various ministries and departments. Candidates must know the exam schedule, know all the important dates, and prepare well before the exams. Here is detailed information on the dates set for the SSC CHSL 2025: 

Important Dates

Notification Release: 

• Notification for an official announcement of the dates and detailed instructions regarding SSC CHSL 2025 will most probably be released by December 2024 or January 2025. It is advised to check the official SSC website regularly to stay tuned to the latest updates.

Tier 1 Exam Date: 

• It will tentatively be conducted in April or May of 2025. The Tier 1 exam is computer-based and consists of multiple-choice questions under various sections of the following subject areas: General Intelligence, Quantitative Aptitude, English Language, and General Awareness.

Tier 2 (Descriptive Paper) Exam Date: 

• Once the Tier 1 result is announced, the successful candidates will go ahead to Tier 2. This Descriptive Paper will take place in July or August 2025 (tentative). This phase assesses candidates' writing skills using essay & letter writing.

Tier 3 (Skill/Typing Test): 

• The Tier 3 examination will be a typing test or skill test, and it will be conducted soon after the completion of Tier 2. It can be expected to happen in September 2025 (tentative).

To know more about the SSC CHSL exam dates, visit here.

Important Deadlines & Dates to Note 

Application Process: 

• The online application process starts right after the notification is published, usually in January 2025. Complete the registration process on or before the deadline to avoid last-minute hassles.

Admit Card Release: 

• The admit cards will be made available to the candidates through download for the Tier 1 test at least 10-15 days before the exam date. Keep checking the official website for that.

Result Declaration: 

• Results for all tiers will be declared separately. The result for Tier 1 would most probably be declared about a month after the exam ends, followed by the result for Tier 2.

Criteria for Eligibility SSC CHSL 2025

Before applying for the SSC CHSL 2025 exam, candidates must ensure that they are eligible according to the prescribed eligibility criteria. The criteria cover various factors such as age, educational qualification, & nationality. Below is detailed information for SSC CHSL 2025 eligibility criteria.

1. Age Limit & Relaxation:

The SSC CHSL 2025 candidate is said to be in consideration concerning the age taken as of 1st January 2025. The general age requirement is as follows :

• Minimum Age - 18 Years

• Maximum Age - 27 Years

However, the candidates from reserved categories can avail themselves of the age relaxation as per the rule of the government:

• SC/ST candidates: 5 years of relaxation

• OBC candidates: 3 years of relaxation

• PwD candidates: 10 years of relaxation (15 years for SC/ST and 13 years for OBC)

• Ex-servicemen: Military service-based age relaxation

2. Qualification of Education

Candidates should have at least passed the 12th standard or its equivalent from a recognized board of education. Specific qualifications are:

For LDC/JA (Lower Division Clerk/Junior Assistant): 

• 12th pass or equivalent from a recognized board or university.

For DEO (Data Entry Operator): 

• 12th pass with a science stream (Mathematics) from a recognized board.

For other positions: 12th pass or equivalent from any recognized board.

3. Nationality Criteria

The person must be:

• A Citizen of India

• A Subject of Nepal/Bhutan

• A Tibetan Refugee (who came to India before 01 January 1962)

• A Person of Indian Origin (who migrated from Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Burma, East African countries, etc.)

4. Important Notes

Candidates from the 12th final year may also appear for the examination, but their requisite proof will be needed at the time of document verification. Highest Education Qualification The proof is required at the time of actual documentation verification. Keeping this eligibility criterion will make the application valid and applicable under SSC CHSL 2025. Candidates are advised to visit the official notification for changes if necessary.

To learn more about SSC CHSL, visit the official college website.

SSC CHSL Syllabus 2025 

A few subject matters from this exam can be mentioned in the syllabus of the SSC CHSL 2025 exam. To pass the exam, the candidates are expected to thoroughly grasp the syllabus of all three tiers. The three-stage examinations will be: Tier 1 (computer-based test), Tier 2 (descriptive papers), and Tier 3 (skills/typing tests). The Tier 1 and Tier 2 syllabi are broken down here.

1. SSC CHSL Tier 1 Syllabus

Tier 1 is a CBT. It consists of multiple-choice questions in four sections:

• General Intelligence & Reasoning

• Analogies

• Series completion

• Blood relations

• Direction sense

• Coding-decoding

• Puzzles

• Non-verbal reasoning (mirror images, embedded figures, etc.)

• Quantitative Aptitude

• Number system

• Simplification & approximation

• Arithmetic operations

• Algebra

• Geometry

• Trigonometry

• Data interpretation (charts, graphs)

• English Language 

• Reading comprehension

• Words with Opposites

• Sentence Improvement 

• Error Spotting 

• Fill in the Blanks 

• Para jumbling)

• General Awareness 

• Current Affairs (National and International).

• History, Geography, and Polity of India

• Economy and Budget

• Science - in Physics, Chemistry, Biology

• Sports and Awards

• Important Days and Events 

2. SSC CHSL Tier 2 Syllabus (Descriptive Paper)

Tier 2 is the descriptive paper concerning the writing part and is concerned with evaluating the candidate's writing skills. The syllabus includes:

Essay Writing: 

• Candidates will be given a topic to write an essay on, which is mostly related to current events or social issues.

Letter/Precis Writing: 

• They will provide a letter or precis (summary of a passage) based on given instructions.

3. SSC CHSL Tier 3 Syllabus (Skill/typing test)

This is the last tier, which judges the typing or skill ability of a candidate. The syllabus varies from one post to another.

Typing Test: 

• Typing speed of 35 words per minute in English or 30 words in Hindi.

Skill Test:

•  This will include Data Entry Operators and data Entry Tests. In this, candidates will have to enter the data within a specific period with accuracy.

Click here to explore the complete SSC CHSL syllabus in detail.

Marking Scheme and Exam Pattern for SSC CHSL 2025

The SSC CHSL 2025 exam has a prescribed format, which consists of three stages: Tier 1 (Computer-Based Test), Tier 2 (Descriptive Paper), and Tier 3 (Skill/Typing Test). The focus of each tier is on different skills being evaluated in the candidates. This section will shed light on the exam pattern and marking scheme.

1. SSC CHSL Tier 1 Exam Pattern

• Type of Exam: Computer-Based Test (CBT)

• Length of Exam: 60 minutes

• Total Marks: 200 marks

• Number of Questions: 100 questions (1 mark each)

Sections and Marks Distribution:

• General Intelligence and Reasoning: 25 questions (50 marks)

• Quantitative Aptitude: 25 questions (50 marks)

• English Language: 25 questions (50 marks)

• General Awareness: 25 questions (50 marks)

The marking scheme

• +1 for the correct answer

• -0.50 for a wrong answer (negative marking)

• 0 for unanswered question

2. SSC CHSL Tier 2 Exam Pattern

This Tier 2 test for SSC CHSL 2025 is where the candidate writes his or her pen-and-paper kind of the descriptive exam. For an hour duration, it carries 100 marks in total. The writing test is divided into two sections, which are Essay Writing and Letter/Precis Writing. The first, Essay Writing, involves writing an essay ranging from 200 to 250 words for 50 marks; whereas the second, Letter or Precis Writing, asks for some answers from 150 to 200 words, also for 50 marks. Unlike Tier I, Tier II does not have a negative marking scheme. In this examination, all candidates are judged based on the clarity of writing, correct grammar, & quality of content. This is the stage of assessment of the applicant in expressing ideas clearly and concisely in written form; thus, it is very important for the whole process of selection.

3. SSC CHSL Tier 3 Exam Pattern

• Type of Exam: Skill/Typing Test (will differ according to post)

• Typing Test: English: 35 words per minute (wpm); Hindi: 30 words per minute (wpm)

• Skill Test: Skill data entry operators, speed, and accuracy.

4. Important Points to Remember

• Tier 1-preliminary qualifying marks are considered and are instrumental in selecting candidates for Tier 2.

• Tier 2-Essential in assessing written communication skills.

• Tier 3-Qualifying in nature and will not affect the final merit.

Application Process for SSC CHSL 2025

The online application for SSC CHSL 2025 must be duly followed as per the steps mentioned for a candidate. The application process is generally set into motion with the release of an official notification. The following is a stepwise guide that will assist you through the process.

1. Registration on SSC Website

The first step in any application would normally be registration by candidates on the official site of the SSC, namelyhttps://ssc.nic.in. During registration, the individual is to give some basic details like name, email, contact number, and password for further login. After successful registration, a unique registration ID will be provided to the candidates. 

2. Filling out the Application Form

After registration, candidates are to fill out the application form. The application form shall require the following particulars:

• Personal particulars: Name, place, and date of birth, gender, nationality, etc.

• Qualification particulars: Details concerning the educational qualifications of the candidates, including 12th grade.

• Choice of Examination Centre: Candidates may choose exam centers depending on availability.

3. Documents Upload

Candidates must upload scanned copies of the listed documents as per the requirements:

• Photograph: A recent passport-size photograph

• Signature: Scanned signature

• Educational Certificates: 12th-grade mark sheet (if applicable)

4. Application Fee Payment

The fee for applying is to be made online using any of the modes like debit/credit cards, net banking, or UPI. The fee structure is as follows: 

• General/OBC: ₹100

• SC/ST/PWD/Ex-Servicemen: Exempted from payment

5. Submission and Confirmation

After completing the application form and paying the fee, candidates should check all their details before final submission. A confirmation email or SMS will be sent to indicate that the application has been submitted successfully.

Key Points to be Kept in Mind:

• Check your details before applying.

• Keep the Registration ID and password safe for reference in the future.

• Apply in time, lest you may face issues in the last hour.