The SSC CHSL (Staff Selection Commission - Combined Higher Secondary Level) exam is conducted annually by the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) to recruit candidates for various posts in government ministries, departments, and offices. It is one of the most popular exams for candidates who have completed their 10+2 (higher secondary) education.
Posts under SSC CHSL
- Lower Division Clerk (LDC) / Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA)
- Postal Assistant (PA) / Sorting Assistant (SA)
- Data Entry Operator (DEO)
- Data Entry Operator (Grade A) (in the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India)
Selection Process
The SSC CHSL exam is conducted in three tiers:
1. Tier-I (Computer-Based Exam)
- Objective type, multiple-choice questions.
- Sections: General Intelligence, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, and English Language.
- Total Marks: 200 (25 questions per section, 2 marks each).
- Duration: 60 minutes.
2. Tier-II (Descriptive Paper)
- Offline mode (Pen and Paper).
- Essay Writing (200–250 words) and Letter/Application Writing (150–200 words).
- Total Marks: 100.
- Duration: 60 minutes.
- Language: English or Hindi.
3. Tier-III (Skill Test / Typing Test)
- Typing Test for LDC/JSA: Minimum typing speed of 35 words per minute (English) or 30 words per minute (Hindi).
- Skill Test for DEO: Data entry speed of 8,000 key depressions per hour.
- Pay Level: 2 to 4 (as per the 7th Pay Commission).
- Initial salary (Approx.): ₹19,900–₹81,100 per month depending on the post.
Job Role of SSC CHSL Posts
The job responsibilities vary slightly by post, but they are primarily clerical and administrative in nature.
1. Lower Division Clerk (LDC) / JSA
- File maintenance and record keeping
- Typing and data entry
- Office correspondence and clerical support
- Maintaining registers, official documents
2. Postal Assistant / Sorting Assistant
- Handling customer queries at post offices
- Maintaining records of mail delivery
- Dispatch and sorting of mail/parcels
- Managing savings accounts and postal services
3. Data Entry Operator (DEO)
- Entering, updating, and verifying data on computers
- Handling office databases and spreadsheets
- Typing official data with accuracy and speed
Work Environment
- Mostly desk-based, computer-oriented roles
- Regular office hours (5–6 days/week)
- Less fieldwork compared to other government jobs
Career Growth and Promotions
Promotion Timeline (General)
Stage Designation
Entry LDC / JSA / PA / DEO
After 5–7 yrs Senior Clerk / Assistant
After 10–12 yrs Section Officer / Supervisor
Later Under Secretary (for some posts)
- Focus on time management and practice mock tests regularly.
- Revise previous years' question papers to understand patterns.
- Pay attention to current affairs for the General Awareness section.