The SSC CHSL post list and salary matters to every 12th-pass aspirant planning a central government job. Through the Combined Higher Secondary Level exam, the Staff Selection Commission fills Group C posts such as Lower Division Clerk (LDC), Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA) and Data Entry Operator (DEO) in central ministries and offices.
These posts are placed at Level 2 to Level 5 of the pay matrix. This page explains each post, its pay, the skill test it needs, and how the career grows. Posts and vacancies change every year, so check the current notification.
- LDC / JSA are at Level 2, with a starting basic pay of ₹19,900.
- DEO posts are at Level 4 (₹25,500), and at Level 5 (₹29,200) in some departments.
- LDC/JSA need a typing test; DEO posts need a Data Entry Speed Test.
- Take-home pay also depends on DA, HRA and the city of posting.
SSC CHSL post list and pay levels
| Post | Pay level | Starting basic pay |
|---|---|---|
| Lower Division Clerk (LDC) / Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA) | Level 2 | ₹19,900 |
| Data Entry Operator (DEO) | Level 4 | ₹25,500 |
| Data Entry Operator (in some departments, such as the C&AG) | Level 5 | ₹29,200 |
| Data Entry Operator Grade 'A' | Level 4 | ₹25,500 |
In earlier years, Postal Assistant and Sorting Assistant posts (Level 4) were also filled through CHSL. Recent notices have not always included them, so check the post list of your year.
Pay ranges
| Pay level | Pay range |
|---|---|
| Level 2 | ₹19,900 - ₹63,200 |
| Level 4 | ₹25,500 - ₹81,100 |
| Level 5 | ₹29,200 - ₹92,300 |
Basic pay rises with the yearly increment and with promotions.
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What makes up the salary
- Basic pay - fixed by the pay level, as in the table above.
- Dearness Allowance (DA) - a percentage of basic pay, revised twice a year by the central government.
- House Rent Allowance (HRA) - depends on the city of posting. It has recently been 30%, 20% or 10% of basic pay for X, Y and Z class cities, if government housing is not taken.
- Transport Allowance - a fixed monthly amount that depends on the pay level and city.
- Deductions - mainly the employee's pension contribution (NPS, with an option for the Unified Pension Scheme), CGHS and income tax where it applies.
So two people at the same level can get different take-home pay, depending on the city. The 8th Pay Commission has been set up by the government; when its recommendations are put in place, all these figures will change.
Skill test for each post
| Post | Skill test (recent rules) |
|---|---|
| LDC / JSA | Typing test - 35 words per minute in English or 30 words per minute in Hindi on a computer |
| DEO / DEO Grade A | Data Entry Speed Test - 8,000 key depressions per hour on a computer |
| DEO in the C&AG | Data Entry Speed Test - 15,000 key depressions per hour |
The skill test is qualifying. It does not add marks, but you must pass it to get the post. DEO posts in some departments also need Mathematics in Class 12, as the notice says.
Job profile
- LDC / JSA - typing letters and notes, maintaining files and registers, diary and dispatch, and helping the section with office work.
- Data Entry Operator - entering and checking data on computers, preparing reports and maintaining records in digital form.
Both are office jobs with fixed hours, mostly in central ministries and their offices across India.
Promotion and career growth
- An LDC / JSA can be promoted to UDC / Senior Secretariat Assistant, then Assistant and Section Officer over the years, depending on the cadre.
- Many LDCs also take the SSC CGL later and move to higher posts like ASO or Inspector.
- Departmental exams, such as the LDCE, can help faster promotion in some cadres.
How to choose post preference
- Pay level - DEO posts start higher than LDC/JSA.
- Skill - choose DEO only if your data entry speed is strong; choose LDC/JSA if your typing is good.
- Education - check whether a DEO post needs Mathematics in Class 12.
- Future plans - if you plan to take CGL later, a Delhi-based post gives easy access to coaching and exam centres.
Exam stages in brief
- Tier 1 - 100 objective questions for 200 marks in 60 minutes, with 25 questions each on English, reasoning, quantitative aptitude and General Awareness; 0.5 marks cut for a wrong answer in recent cycles.
- Tier 2 - mathematics, reasoning, English and General Awareness, a qualifying computer module, and the skill or typing test for the chosen post; 1 mark cut for a wrong answer in recent cycles.
Final merit is based on Tier 2 marks, and the skill test only needs to be passed. Confirm the pattern in the current notice.
Eligibility in brief
SSC CHSL needs a Class 12 pass from a recognised board. The age limit has been 18 to 27 years, with relaxation for reserved categories. Selection is through Tier 1, Tier 2 and the skill or typing test. See our SSC CHSL exam guide for the full pattern and General Awareness syllabus.
CHSL vs CGL salary
| Point | SSC CHSL | SSC CGL |
|---|---|---|
| Qualification | Class 12 | Graduation |
| Pay levels | Level 2 to Level 5 | Level 4 to Level 8 |
| Starting basic pay | ₹19,900 to ₹29,200 | ₹25,500 to ₹47,600 |
| Main posts | LDC, JSA, DEO | ASO, Inspector, AAO, Auditor, Tax Assistant |
Many candidates start with CHSL after Class 12 and then clear CGL after graduation for a higher post.
Where you may be posted
CHSL posts are spread across central ministries in Delhi and their offices in States, such as regional offices, accounts offices and attached bodies. The department is decided by your rank and post preference.
Some posts have an all-India transfer liability, while others usually stay within a region. Read the department list in the notice before filling preferences.
Documents to keep ready
- Class 10 certificate for date of birth.
- Marksheets and certificates of the qualifying exam (Class 12 or graduation).
- Caste, EWS, non-creamy layer or disability certificate in the central government format, where relevant.
- Photo identity proof and recent photographs, as asked at document verification.
Make sure your name and date of birth match across all documents. Mismatches are a common cause of delay after selection.
Common mistakes
- Ignoring typing practice until after the written exam.
- Choosing DEO without checking the Class 12 subject condition.
- Using an old post list. Postal posts may not be in the current notice.
- Comparing only basic pay and forgetting city-based allowances.
For other SSC exams, see the SSC CGL post list and salary, SSC MTS and SSC Stenographer guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the salary of SSC CHSL LDC?
LDC and JSA posts are at Level 2 of the pay matrix, with a starting basic pay of ₹19,900. DA, HRA and other allowances are added, so take-home pay depends on the city.
Which is the highest-paid post in SSC CHSL?
Data Entry Operator posts in some departments, such as the C&AG, are at Level 5 with a starting basic pay of ₹29,200, the highest among CHSL posts.
What is the typing speed required for SSC CHSL?
LDC/JSA posts need 35 words per minute in English or 30 words per minute in Hindi. DEO posts need a data entry speed of 8,000 key depressions per hour, or 15,000 in the C&AG.
Is Postal Assistant still filled through SSC CHSL?
Postal and Sorting Assistant posts were filled through CHSL in earlier years, but recent notices have not always included them. Check the post list of the current notice.
Is the CHSL skill test counted in merit?
No. The typing test and data entry speed test are qualifying only, but you must pass them to get the post.
What is the promotion path for an LDC?
An LDC can be promoted to UDC or Senior Secretariat Assistant, then Assistant and Section Officer over time, depending on the cadre and departmental exams.