SSC CHSL 2026: Applications fall by nearly 49%, competition drops to 620 candidates per vacancy

NEW DELHI: The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) Combined Higher Secondary Level (CHSL) recruitment 2026 has reportedly received 15,71,342 applications for 2,536 vacancies, according to figures based on Right to Information (RTI) data reported by a website. This works out to around 620 applicants per post, compared with approximately 981 applicants per vacancy in the 2025 recruitment cycle.The reported figures indicate that applications have fallen by about 48.8% year on year. A lower ratio alone does not mean selection will be easier; performance, eligibility and category-wise vacancies also matter.SSC CHSL application and vacancy trends

The recruitment covers Lower Division Clerk (LDC), Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA) and Data Entry Operator (DEO) posts in central government ministries, departments and offices.Sectional timers introduced in the examinationThe 2026 Tier 1 examination includes a 15-minute sectional timer for each of its four sections. Candidates must complete English Language, General Intelligence, Quantitative Aptitude and General Awareness within their respective time limits. When a section’s allotted time ends, it closes automatically.Tier 1 consists of 100 multiple-choice questions carrying 200 marks, with 25 questions worth 50 marks in each section. The total duration is 60 minutes, and each incorrect answer attracts a deduction of 0.50 marks.The reported information also states that sectional timers apply in Tier 2. Candidates should consult the official SSC notification for the complete Tier 2 structure, qualifying rules and timings.The lower reported application count reduces the applicant-to-vacancy ratio compared with 2025. However, this ratio alone cannot predict cut-offs or an individual candidate’s selection chances. Category-wise vacancies, attendance, exam difficulty and scores also affect competition.