SSC CHSL (Staff Selection Commission – Combined Higher Secondary Level)

The SSC CHSL (Staff Selection Commission – Combined Higher Secondary Level) exam is another popular exam conducted by the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) for recruiting candidates for various posts in the Indian government. The SSC CHSL exam is aimed at recruiting candidates for roles in different government departments and ministries, specifically for posts that require a higher secondary (12th) qualification.

Key Details about the SSC CHSL Exam:

1. Eligibility Criteria:

• Age Limit: Generally, the age range for the SSC CHSL exam is between 18 to 27 years. There is age relaxation for reserved categories (SC, ST, OBC, etc.).
• Educational Qualification: Candidates must have passed the 12th standard or equivalent examination from a recognized board or university.
• Nationality: Indian citizens, citizens of Nepal, Bhutan, and others as defined by SSC are eligible.

2. Posts Offered:

The SSC CHSL exam recruits for various posts in government departments such as:

• LDC (Lower Divisional Clerk)
• JSA (Junior Secretariat Assistant)
• PA (Postal Assistant) / SA (Sorting Assistant)
• DEO (Data Entry Operator)

The positions vary in terms of job responsibilities, but all fall under Group ‘C’ in the pay matrix.

3. Selection Process:

The SSC CHSL selection process consists of three main stages:

• Tier 1: Computer-Based Test (CBT):
  
  • This is an objective-type exam with multiple-choice questions.
  • Subjects covered include:
    
    • General Intelligence (Reasoning)
    • General Awareness
    • Quantitative Aptitude
    • English Comprehension
• Tier 2: Descriptive Paper:
  
  • A written test that requires candidates to write an essay or letter/application in English or Hindi.
• Tier 3: Skill Test/Typing Test:
  
  • This test is required for certain posts like Data Entry Operator (DEO), where candidates are tested on their typing speed.
  • The typing test is conducted on a computer, and for the DEO post, the candidate should have a typing speed of 8,000 key depressions per hour.
  • For LDC and JSA posts, the typing test is conducted at a minimum speed of 35 words per minute (wpm) in English or 30 wpm in Hindi.

4. Syllabus for SSC CHSL:

• Tier 1:
  
  • General Intelligence and Reasoning: Analogies, classifications, series, coding-decoding, blood relations, and direction sense.
  • General Awareness: Current affairs, history, geography, economics, science, and culture.
  • Quantitative Aptitude: Arithmetic, number system, algebra, geometry, mensuration, and data interpretation.
  • English Comprehension: Vocabulary, grammar, reading comprehension, and error spotting.
• Tier 2:
  
  • Essay Writing (200-250 words).
  • Letter/Application Writing (150-200 words).
• Tier 3:
  
  • Skill/Typing Test depending on the post.

5. Exam Pattern for SSC CHSL:

• Tier 1 (CBT): 100 questions, 1 mark each, 60 minutes duration.
• Tier 2 (Descriptive Paper): 100 marks, 60 minutes duration.
• Tier 3 (Skill Test/Typing Test): No marks, but qualifying.

6. Salary and Benefits:

The salary for the posts offered through SSC CHSL varies:

• LDC/JSA/PA/SA: ₹19,900 – ₹63,200 per month (Level 2 of the 7th Pay Commission).
• DEO: ₹25,500 – ₹81,100 per month (Level 4 of the 7th Pay Commission).

In addition to the basic pay, there are other allowances like Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), and Transport Allowance (TA), which vary based on the job location.

7. Application Process:

• The application is done online through the SSC official website.
• The notification for the SSC CHSL exam is typically released in December/January, with exams being conducted between March to June.

Candidates are required to fill in personal, educational, and contact details, upload scanned copies of documents, and pay the application fee online.

8. Important Dates for SSC CHSL 2024:

• Application Start Date: December 2024 (tentative).
• Application End Date: January 2025 (tentative).
• Tier 1 Exam Dates: Expected in March-April 2025.
• Tier 2 (Descriptive): Tentative date is June 2025.
• Tier 3 (Skill/Typing Test): Post Tier 2 result.

9. Preparation Strategy:

• Tier 1: Focus on speed and accuracy. Solve previous year’s papers and take online mock tests.
• Tier 2: Practice writing essays and letters regularly to improve writing speed and quality.
• Tier 3: For typing posts, practice typing regularly to increase speed and accuracy.

Conclusion:

The SSC CHSL exam is an excellent opportunity for candidates who have completed their 12th standard and wish to secure a government job with good career growth prospects. Proper preparation, time management, and consistent practice can help you perform well in the exam.