# SSC CHSL 2026 Eligibility: Age Limit and Qualification > SSC CHSL 2026 eligibility: age 18 to 27 on 1 August 2026, age relaxation table, 12th pass rule, DEO maths rule and nationality conditions. Source: https://bunkpoint.com/article/ssc/ssc-chsl-2026/eligibility/ Category: [SSC](https://bunkpoint.com/article/ssc/) Guide: [SSC CHSL 2026](https://bunkpoint.com/article/ssc/ssc-chsl-2026/) ## In short - The age limit is 18 to 27 years on 1 August 2026. - A candidate must be born between 2 August 1999 and 1 August 2008. - A 12th standard pass is the base qualification. - Some DEO posts need Science stream with Mathematics. SSC CHSL 2026 eligibility has three parts: nationality, age and education. The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) sets the rules in the notice of 7 September 2026. Read the [SSC CHSL 2026 guide](/article/ssc/ssc-chsl-2026/) for the full overview, and the [notification page](/article/ssc/ssc-chsl-2026/notification/) for posts and pay. {{< callout type="official" >}} Para 4, 5 and 8 of the [official SSC CHSL 2026 notice](https://ssc.gov.in/api/attachment/uploads/masterData/NoticeBoards/Notice_of_adv_chsl_2026.pdf) set these rules. {{< /callout >}} ## Who meets SSC CHSL 2026 eligibility on nationality? A candidate must be one of the following: - A citizen of India. - A subject of Nepal. - A subject of Bhutan. - A person of Indian origin who migrated to settle in India. The notice names Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia and Vietnam. A candidate in the last three groups needs a certificate of eligibility from the Government of India. SSC can admit the candidate to the exam first. The offer of appointment comes only after SSC issues the certificate. ## What is the SSC CHSL 2026 age limit? The age limit is **18 to 27 years**. SSC fixed **1 August 2026** as the date to reckon age. A candidate must be born **not before 2 August 1999** and **not later than 1 August 2008**. SSC accepts the date of birth that the candidate filled in the form. It must match the matriculation or secondary certificate. SSC does not accept a later request to change it. ### How much age relaxation does SSC allow? | Category | Relaxation above the upper age limit | | --------------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | SC / ST | 5 years | | OBC | 3 years | | PwBD | 10 years | | PwBD (OBC) | 13 years | | PwBD (SC/ST) | 15 years | | Ex-Servicemen (ESM) | 3 years after deduction of the military service from the age on 1 August 2026 | | Defence personnel disabled in operations | 3 years (8 years for SC/ST) | | Central Government civilian employees with 3 years of regular service | Up to 40 years (45 years for SC/ST) | | Widows, divorced women and women judicially separated, not remarried | Up to 35 years (40 years for SC/ST) | A candidate must give the proper certificate when the user department asks for it. SSC cancels the candidature if the certificate is missing. ## What is the education qualification for SSC CHSL 2026? For LDC/JSA posts and most DEO posts, a candidate must pass the **12th standard** or an equivalent exam from a recognized board or university. SSC checks the qualification as on **7 October 2026**. DEO and DEO Grade 'A' posts in three bodies need **Science stream with Mathematics** in the 12th standard. These bodies are the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, the Staff Selection Commission and the Ministry of Culture. A candidate who appeared in the 12th standard exam can apply. The board must declare the result on or before 7 October 2026. The user department checks the original mark sheet at document verification. ## Which category certificates does a candidate need? - An EWS candidate needs an Income and Asset certificate valid for the financial year 2026-2027. It must use the income of 2025-2026. - An OBC candidate must not fall in the creamy layer on 7 October 2026. - A PwBD candidate must pick the right sub-category and give the disability certificate. SSC checks the category claim only at the time of document verification. A false claim leads to debarment. ## What is the next step? Learn the [application steps and fee](/article/ssc/ssc-chsl-2026/how-to-apply/). Then see how the [selection process](/article/ssc/ssc-chsl-2026/selection-process/) uses these categories. ## Frequently asked questions ### What is the age limit for SSC CHSL 2026? The age limit is 18 to 27 years. SSC reckons age on 1 August 2026. A candidate must be born not before 2 August 1999 and not later than 1 August 2008, before any age relaxation. ### What is the qualification for SSC CHSL 2026? A candidate must pass the 12th standard or an equivalent exam from a recognized board or university. The result must be declared on or before 7 October 2026. Some DEO posts need Science stream with Mathematics. ### Which DEO posts need Mathematics in the 12th standard? Three bodies need Science stream with Mathematics for DEO and DEO Grade 'A' posts. They are the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, the Staff Selection Commission and the Ministry of Culture. Other posts need only a 12th pass. ### How much age relaxation do SC, ST and OBC candidates get? SC and ST candidates get 5 years of relaxation. OBC candidates get 3 years. PwBD candidates get 10 years. PwBD (OBC) candidates get 13 years, and PwBD (SC/ST) candidates get 15 years. ### Can a candidate in the 12th standard exam apply? Yes. A candidate who appeared in the 12th standard exam can apply. The candidate must hold the pass result on or before 7 October 2026. Processing of the result by the board is not enough. ## More in this guide - [SSC CHSL 2026](https://bunkpoint.com/article/ssc/ssc-chsl-2026/): SSC CHSL 2026 guide with 2,536 tentative vacancies, Tier-I from 30 November 2026, age limit, fee, exam pattern, syllabus and past cutoffs. - [Notification](https://bunkpoint.com/article/ssc/ssc-chsl-2026/notification/): SSC CHSL notification 2026 lists about 2,536 tentative vacancies, pay levels for LDC, JSA and DEO posts, fee, key dates and Tier-I schedule. - [How to apply](https://bunkpoint.com/article/ssc/ssc-chsl-2026/how-to-apply/): SSC CHSL 2026 apply online steps: OTR, live photo, signature size, ₹100 fee, centre choice, correction charges and the closed dates. - [Selection process](https://bunkpoint.com/article/ssc/ssc-chsl-2026/selection-process/): SSC CHSL 2026 selection process: Tier-I, Tier-II, skill or typing test, qualifying marks, merit list, post preference and document verification. - [Exam pattern](https://bunkpoint.com/article/ssc/ssc-chsl-2026/exam-pattern/): SSC CHSL 2026 exam pattern: Tier-I has 100 questions and 200 marks, Tier-II has sectional timers, plus skill test, typing test and negative marking. - [Syllabus](https://bunkpoint.com/article/ssc/ssc-chsl-2026/syllabus/): SSC CHSL 2026 syllabus from the official notice: English, general intelligence, quantitative aptitude, general awareness and computer topics. - [Previous year cutoff](https://bunkpoint.com/article/ssc/ssc-chsl-2026/previous-year-cutoff/): SSC CHSL previous year cutoff for Tier-I 2024 and 2025: category-wise marks for LDC/JSA and DEO, shortlist counts and the change between years. - [Exam date](https://bunkpoint.com/article/ssc/ssc-chsl-2026/exam-date/): SSC CHSL exam date 2026: Tier-I is proposed for 30 November to 31 December 2026. See how SSC shares exam city and admission certificate dates. - [Admit card](https://bunkpoint.com/article/ssc/ssc-chsl-2026/admit-card/): SSC CHSL admit card 2026 guide: when SSC issues the admission certificate, valid photo ID list, photo rules, Aadhaar check and items to carry. - [Preparation strategy](https://bunkpoint.com/article/ssc/ssc-chsl-2026/preparation-strategy/): SSC CHSL 2026 preparation strategy built from the exam pattern, syllabus and 2024-2025 cutoffs: timer drills, scoring math and typing practice.