SSC CHSL 2026 Ex-Servicemen Vacancy: Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has released the Combined Higher Secondary (10+2) Level Examination, 2026 (CHSL 2026) notification for recruitment to various Group C posts in Government of India offices. This recruitment is particularly important for Ex-Servicemen (ESM) because the notification contains specific provisions relating to ESM reservation, age relaxation, fee exemption and eligibility for Group C posts reserved specifically for Ex-Servicemen.
Candidates looking for the latest Ex-Servicemen Government Jobs, ESM Vacancy 2026, SSC CHSL ESM Vacancy 2026 and 10+2 Government Jobs for Ex-Servicemen should carefully check the eligibility conditions before submitting the online application.
Important: The SSC notification mentions approximately 2,536 tentative vacancies overall. The final post-wise and category-wise vacancy position, including vacancies earmarked for Ex-Servicemen, will be determined later by the concerned Ministries/Departments/Organizations. Therefore, candidates should not assume that the entire 2,536 vacancies are available for ESM candidates.
Detailed Notification of CHSL 2026
SSC CHSL 2026 – Ex-Servicemen Vacancy Overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Recruitment Organization | Staff Selection Commission (SSC) |
| Examination | Combined Higher Secondary (10+2) Level Examination, 2026 |
| Recruitment Type | Central Government Recruitment |
| Posts | LDC/JSA, DEO and DEO Grade ‘A’ |
| Total Tentative Vacancies | Approx. 2,536 |
| ESM Reservation | As applicable and as reported by concerned Departments |
| ESM-Only Group C Eligibility | Matriculate ESM with at least 15 years Armed Forces service, subject to notification conditions |
| Age Limit | 18–27 years, with applicable ESM relaxation |
| ESM Age Relaxation | 3 years after deduction of military service from actual age |
| ESM Application Fee | Exempted |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Application Start Date | 07 September 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 07 October 2026, 11:00 PM |
| Fee Payment Last Date | 08 October 2026, 11:00 PM |
| Application Correction | 14–16 October 2026 |
| Official Recruitment Body | Staff Selection Commission |
The SSC notification states that reservation for SC, ST, OBC, EWS, ESM and PwBD candidates, wherever applicable, will be determined according to the requirements communicated by the concerned Ministries, Departments, Offices or Cadres.
Important Related Links |
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|---|---|---|
Source Title |
Issue Date |
Source Link |
Fill Online Form |
07/09/2026 |
Apply Now |
Exam Syllabus / Pattern |
07/09/2026 |
Read Now |
Full Notification |
07/09/2026 |
Download |
Official Website |
07/09/2026 |
Visit Now |
Special Opportunity for Ex-Servicemen Candidates
One of the most important provisions for former Armed Forces personnel appears in the eligibility section of the SSC CHSL 2026 notification.
According to the notification, a matriculate Ex-Serviceman who has completed not less than 15 years of service in the Armed Forces of the Union as on the closing date of applications will be considered eligible for appointment to Group C posts against posts reserved for ESM only.
This is a crucial point for Ex-Servicemen candidates.
In other words, a candidate who is a matriculate Ex-Serviceman and has completed at least 15 years of Armed Forces service by the closing date can be considered for Group C posts specifically reserved for Ex-Servicemen, subject to all other applicable conditions.
The notification specifically states that matriculate Ex-Servicemen who have not completed 15 years of service as on the closing date of applications are not eligible for these ESM-only posts.
Who Can Be Considered Under ESM Category?
The notification defines Ex-Servicemen under the applicable Ex-Servicemen Re-employment Rules. The definition includes eligible personnel who have served in the Regular Army, Navy or Air Force and have been retired, relieved or discharged under the conditions specified in the rules.
It also covers certain eligible categories such as personnel released on medical grounds attributable to military service, personnel released due to reduction in establishment, personnel completing the prescribed period of engagement and receiving gratuity, eligible Territorial Army personnel, certain Army Postal Service personnel, gallantry award winners and eligible ex-recruits released on medical grounds.
Therefore, candidates should verify their individual ESM status and supporting documents before claiming ESM benefits.
Educational Qualification for SSC CHSL 2026
The basic educational qualification depends on the post.
LDC/JSA
For Lower Divisional Clerk (LDC)/Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA), candidates must have passed the 12th Standard or equivalent examination from a recognized Board or University.
DEO / DEO Grade ‘A’
For most Data Entry Operator (DEO)/DEO Grade ‘A’ posts, candidates must have passed the 12th Standard or equivalent examination.
However, for DEO/DEO Grade ‘A’ posts in the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Staff Selection Commission and Ministry of Culture, the notification specifies 12th Standard pass in Science stream with Mathematics as a subject from a recognized Board or equivalent.
The educational qualification must be possessed on or before 07 October 2026. Candidates whose qualifying examination result has not been declared by the cut-off date will not meet the educational qualification requirement merely because they have appeared in the examination.
Special Point for Matriculate ESM Candidates
For ESM-only Group C vacancies, the notification specifically provides an important relaxation in educational eligibility: a matriculate Ex-Serviceman with at least 15 years of Armed Forces service can be considered eligible for appointment against Group C posts reserved for ESM only.
This provision is especially relevant to eligible retired personnel who may not otherwise possess the normal 12th-standard qualification required for regular CHSL posts.
SSC CHSL 2026 Age Limit for Ex-Servicemen
The normal age limit for SSC CHSL 2026 posts is 18 to 27 years as on 01 August 2026.
The notification states that candidates should have been born not before 02 August 1999 and not later than 01 August 2008 for the normal 18–27-year age range.
However, Ex-Servicemen receive an important age-relaxation provision.
ESM Age Relaxation
For Ex-Servicemen, the upper-age relaxation is:
3 years after deduction of the military service rendered from the actual age as on 01 August 2026.
This means the calculation is not simply a flat three-year increase to the normal maximum age. The prescribed military-service deduction is taken into account as specified in the notification.
The notification also clarifies that the period of Call Up Service of an Ex-Serviceman is treated as service rendered in the Armed Forces for the purpose of age relaxation.
Important ESM Condition – 15 Years of Service
This is perhaps the most important point for candidates searching specifically for SSC CHSL ESM Only Vacancy 2026.
A matriculate Ex-Serviceman must have completed at least 15 years of service in the Armed Forces of the Union as on 07 October 2026, the closing date for applications, to be considered for Group C posts against ESM-only reserved posts.
Therefore:
10th Pass + Ex-Serviceman + Minimum 15 Years Armed Forces Service = Eligible for consideration against ESM-only Group C posts, subject to the applicable conditions.
Candidates with less than 15 years of service should not assume that they can claim eligibility for the ESM-only Group C provision.
SSC CHSL 2026 Posts and Salary
The examination is being conducted for Group C posts including:
1. Lower Divisional Clerk / Junior Secretariat Assistant
Pay Level: Level-2
Pay Scale: ₹19,900 – ₹63,200
2. Data Entry Operator
Pay Level: Level-4 / Level-5
Pay Scale: ₹25,500 – ₹81,100 / ₹29,200 – ₹92,300
3. Data Entry Operator Grade ‘A’
Pay Level: Level-4
Pay Scale: ₹25,500 – ₹81,100
These are the pay levels and scales stated in the SSC CHSL 2026 notification.
Total SSC CHSL Vacancy 2026
SSC has reported approximately 2,536 tentative vacancies for CHSL 2026.
However, this figure is not the final ESM vacancy figure.
The Commission states that final vacancies will be determined after scrutiny of documents provided by the User Departments. Updated vacancies, including post-wise and category-wise vacancies, will be made available on the SSC website.
The Commission also states that it does not collect state-wise or zone-wise vacancies and candidates requiring such information should approach the concerned User Departments.
Important for ESM Candidates
The SSC notification says reservation for ESM candidates, wherever applicable and admissible, will be determined and communicated by the concerned Indenting Ministries/Departments/Offices/Cadres according to existing Government Orders.
Therefore, the exact number of ESM-only vacancies cannot be stated from the present notification until the relevant vacancy details are updated.
SSC CHSL 2026 Application Fee for Ex-Servicemen
The normal application fee is ₹100.
However, the following candidates are exempted from payment of the application fee:
- Women candidates
- SC candidates
- ST candidates
- PwBD candidates
- Ex-Servicemen (ESM) eligible for reservation
Therefore, an eligible ESM candidate does not have to pay the ₹100 examination fee.
SSC CHSL 2026 Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification / Application Start | 07 September 2026 |
| Online Application Last Date | 07 October 2026 |
| Last Time to Apply | 11:00 PM |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | 08 October 2026 |
| Last Time for Fee Payment | 11:00 PM |
| Application Correction Window | 14–16 October 2026 |
| Tier-I Exam | To be notified |
| Tier-II Exam | To be notified |
The SSC notice specifies that online applications are accepted from 07 September 2026 to 07 October 2026, with the last date/time being 07 October 2026 at 23:00 hours.
How Ex-Servicemen Can Apply for SSC CHSL 2026
Applications are required to be submitted online through the SSC website or the MySSC mobile application.
Candidates who have not created a One-Time Registration (OTR) on the new SSC website must first complete the new OTR process. The notification specifically states that an OTR created on the old SSC website will not function on the new website.
After completing OTR, candidates can proceed to submit the CHSL 2026 application.
Application Steps
- Visit the SSC official website.
- Complete One-Time Registration on the new SSC website, if required.
- Login using the registered credentials.
- Select Combined Higher Secondary (10+2) Level Examination, 2026.
- Fill in personal, educational and service-related information.
- Select the appropriate category and claim ESM benefits only if eligible.
- Check the post preferences carefully.
- Upload/complete the required photograph and signature requirements.
- Preview the application carefully.
- Submit the application.
- Eligible ESM candidates can proceed without paying the examination fee.
- Save and print/download the submitted application for future reference.
SSC advises candidates to submit applications well before the closing date instead of waiting until the last day because heavy website traffic or technical problems may prevent timely submission.
Important Documents for Ex-Servicemen
ESM candidates should keep their relevant service and category documents ready.
Candidates claiming reservation or age relaxation must be able to produce the prescribed certificate from the competent authority when required during document verification.
If the candidate fails to produce the required certificate supporting the ESM claim, the reservation/age-relaxation claim may not be accepted and the candidature can be cancelled.
The notification also contains an Undertaking to be given by Ex-Servicemen, which requires the candidate to certify their entitlement to ESM benefits under the applicable rules and provide information regarding previous civil employment where applicable.
Important Rule for ESM Candidates Already Employed in Government
Ex-Servicemen who have already secured regular civil employment in Government Group C or D posts after availing themselves of ESM reservation benefits are generally not eligible to claim reservation in the ESM category and fee concession again.
The notification provides a specific exception concerning candidates who had already submitted applications for various vacancies before joining their initial civil employment and had furnished the required self-declaration/undertaking to the concerned employer.
Candidates in this situation should carefully read the applicable ESM rules before claiming the benefit.
ESM Benefit Is Not Available to Dependents
An important clarification in the SSC CHSL 2026 notification is that age relaxation available to Ex-Servicemen is not admissible to sons, daughters or dependents of Ex-Servicemen.
Therefore, dependents should not select the ESM category merely because their parent is an Ex-Serviceman.
SSC CHSL 2026 Selection Process
The SSC CHSL 2026 examination will be conducted in two tiers:
Tier-I: Computer Based Examination
Tier-II: Computer Based Examination followed by the applicable Skill Test/Typing Test requirements.
Tier-I consists of four parts:
- English Language
- General Intelligence
- Quantitative Aptitude
- General Awareness
There are 25 questions in each part, with 50 marks per part. The Tier-I examination has negative marking of 0.50 marks for each wrong answer.
Tier-II includes Mathematical Abilities, Reasoning and General Intelligence, English Language and Comprehension, General Awareness and Computer Knowledge, along with the applicable Skill/Typing Test.
For LDC/JSA candidates, the applicable Typing Test forms part of Tier-II. DEO candidates have the applicable Skill Test.
Final Merit for SSC CHSL 2026
The notification states that the final merit list/final selection will be prepared on the basis of the candidate’s overall performance in Tier-II, subject to qualifying the prescribed sections and applicable standards.
Post allocation will also take into account the candidate’s post preferences.
Candidates should therefore exercise their post preferences carefully because once the applicable preference/allotment is made, subsequent requests for changing the allocation will generally not be entertained.
SSC CHSL 2026 Ex-Servicemen Vacancy – Important Points
For quick reference, Ex-Servicemen candidates should remember the following:
✔ Recruitment: SSC CHSL 2026
✔ Posts: Group C LDC/JSA, DEO and DEO Grade ‘A’
✔ Overall tentative vacancies: Approximately 2,536
✔ ESM reservation: As applicable and reported by concerned departments
✔ ESM-only Group C provision: Matriculate ESM candidates with at least 15 years of Armed Forces service
✔ Normal age limit: 18–27 years
✔ ESM age relaxation: 3 years after deduction of military service from actual age
✔ ESM fee: No application fee for ESM candidates eligible for reservation
✔ Application mode: Online
✔ Last date: 07 October 2026, 11:00 PM
✔ Correction window: 14–16 October 2026
✔ Tier-I: Computer Based Examination
✔ Tier-II: Computer Based Examination plus applicable Skill/Typing Test
Important Note for Ex-Servicemen
Candidates should not confuse ESM reservation with a separate recruitment examination exclusively conducted for Ex-Servicemen.
The uploaded SSC CHSL 2026 notice is a general SSC CHSL examination notification that includes provisions for ESM reservation and specifically provides that eligible matriculate Ex-Servicemen with 15 years of service can be considered against Group C posts reserved for ESM only.
The notification does not, at this stage, provide a final separate number of ESM-only vacancies. The final post-wise and category-wise vacancy information is to be updated after the concerned departments provide and scrutinize the vacancy details.
Therefore, Ex-Servicemen candidates should regularly check the updated vacancy information before making final post preferences.
Conclusion
SSC CHSL 2026 can be an important Central Government employment opportunity for eligible Ex-Servicemen. The notification contains a specific provision for matriculate Ex-Servicemen who have completed at least 15 years of Armed Forces service, allowing consideration for Group C posts against vacancies reserved for ESM only.
Eligible ESM candidates can also benefit from the prescribed age relaxation and application-fee exemption. However, candidates must carefully verify their ESM status, service period, educational qualification, age calculation and documentary evidence before submitting the application.
The overall tentative vacancy figure is approximately 2,536, but the exact number of vacancies earmarked for ESM candidates is subject to the vacancy information reported by the concerned Ministries/Departments/Organizations and subsequent updates by SSC.
For Ex-Servicemen who are looking for SSC CHSL 2026 ESM Vacancy, 10th/12th Pass Government Jobs, Central Government Jobs for Ex-Servicemen and latest ESM recruitment updates, it is important to follow the official SSC updates and keep all required documents ready.
Website for Latest Ex-Servicemen Job Updates
For more Ex-Servicemen Government Jobs, ESM Vacancy, Defence Job Updates, Central Government Jobs and recruitment information, visit:
Disclaimer: This article has been prepared from the uploaded SSC CHSL 2026 examination notice. Vacancy figures, post-wise/category-wise vacancies and examination schedules may be updated by SSC. Candidates should verify the latest information and official instructions before applying.
