SSC CHSL Syllabus & Exam Pattern (Latest Scheme)

The Staff Selection Commission Combined Higher Secondary Level (SSC CHSL) exam is conducted for recruitment to posts like Lower Divisional Clerk (LDC), Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA), and Data Entry Operator (DEO) in various ministries. It is open to candidates who have passed Class 12 (10+2).

Understanding the latest syllabus and exam pattern is crucial to designing an effective preparation roadmap. This guide outlines the detailed topic-wise syllabus and exam structure.

SSC CHSL Exam Scheme

The recruitment process consists of two stages: Tier-1 and Tier-2. Both tiers are computer-based tests, followed by skill testing in Tier-2.

Tier-1 Exam Pattern

Tier-1 is qualifying in nature. It contains 100 questions worth 200 marks. There is a negative marking of 0.50 marks for every incorrect answer.

  • English Language: 25 Questions (50 Marks)
  • General Intelligence (Reasoning): 25 Questions (50 Marks)
  • Quantitative Aptitude (Basic Arithmetic Skills): 25 Questions (50 Marks)
  • General Awareness: 25 Questions (50 Marks)
  • Total Duration: 60 Minutes

Detailed Syllabus Breakdown

1. Quantitative Aptitude

Unlike SSC CGL, the CHSL Quant syllabus focuses heavily on basic arithmetic skills and coordinate geometry.

  • Arithmetic: Number Systems, Percentages, Ratio and Proportion, Square Roots, Average, Interest (Simple and Compound), Profit and Loss, Discount, Partnership Business, Mixture and Alligation, Time and distance, Time and work.
  • Algebra: Basic algebraic identities of School Algebra and Elementary surds, Graphs of Linear Equations.
  • Geometry: Familiarity with elementary geometric figures and facts: Triangle and its various kinds of centres, Congruence and similarity of triangles, Circle and its chords, tangents, angles subtended by chords of a circle, common tangents to two or more circles.
  • Mensuration: Triangle, Quadrilaterals, Regular Polygons, Circle, Right Prism, Right Circular Cone, Right Circular Cylinder, Sphere, Hemispheres, Rectangular Parallelepiped, Regular Right Pyramid with triangular or square Base.
  • Trigonometry: Trigonometric ratios, Complementary angles, Height and distances (simple problems only), Standard Identities.

2. General Intelligence & Reasoning

This section tests both verbal and non-verbal reasoning abilities.

  • Semantic Analogy, Symbolic/Number Analogy, Figural Analogy.
  • Classification: Semantic, Symbolic, Figural.
  • Series: Semantic Series, Number Series, Figural Series.
  • Coding & Decoding: Numerical coding, symbol coding, decoding operations.
  • Problem Solving: Venn Diagrams, Drawing inferences, folded language & pattern folding, critical thinking, emotional intelligence, social intelligence.

3. English Language & Comprehension

  • Grammar Errors: Spot the Error, Fill in the Blanks, Spellings/ Detecting mis-spelt words.
  • Vocabulary: Synonyms/ Homonyms, Antonyms, Idioms & Phrases, One-word substitution.
  • Sentence Improvement: Active/ Passive Voice of verbs, Conversion into Direct/ Indirect narration, Shuffling of Sentence parts, Shuffling of Sentences in a passage.
  • Comprehension: Cloze Passage, Reading Comprehension Passage.

4. General Awareness

Questions are designed to test the candidate’s general awareness of the environment around them and its application to society.

  • History & Culture: Ancient, Medieval, Modern Indian History, Art forms, and Classical Dances.
  • Geography: Physical geography, Indian climate, soil, rivers, agriculture, and minerals.
  • Polity & Constitution: Indian Constitution, Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles, Parliamentary system, Judiciary.
  • Economics: Basics of Micro/Macroeconomics, Indian Economy sectors, Five-Year Plans.
  • General Science: Physics, Chemistry, Biology (Class 10 level).

Tier-2 Exam Pattern (Mains)

The final merit list is prepared solely on the basis of marks scored in Tier-2. It is divided into two sessions:

  • 1.Session I (2 hours 15 mins):
  • Section 1: Mathematical Abilities (30 Qs) & Reasoning (30 Qs) - Total 60 Qs (180 Marks)
  • Section 2: English Language (40 Qs) & General Awareness (20 Qs) - Total 60 Qs (180 Marks)
  • Section 3 (Module-I): Computer Knowledge Test (15 Qs - 45 Marks) (Qualifying)
  • 2.Session II:
  • Section 3 (Module-II): Skill Test/ Typing Test (Qualifying)