The SSC Combined Higher Secondary Level (CHSL) exam is meant for candidates who have passed Class 12. It recruits for posts such as Lower Division Clerk (LDC), Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA), Postal Assistant, Sorting Assistant and Data Entry Operator. Many aspirants take both CHSL and CGL, so it helps to understand how the two syllabi differ. This page lists the CHSL topics subject by subject and shows how to plan your preparation.
Exam stages in brief
CHSL has a computer-based Tier 1 objective test, followed by a second stage that has changed in format over the years, and then a skill or typing test for certain posts, depending on the post you select. The Tier 1 paper has four sections of 25 questions each: English Language, General Intelligence, Quantitative Aptitude and General Awareness. That makes 100 questions, 200 marks in total, with 60 minutes to attempt them, and a negative mark of 0.50 for each wrong answer. SSC revises details from time to time, so confirm the current pattern, eligibility and age limits in the official notification before you apply.
English Language
The English section tests grammar, vocabulary and reading skill. A good score here can lift your overall result, because the questions are straightforward if your basics are sound.
- Grammar: error spotting, fill in the blanks, sentence improvement, active and passive voice, direct and indirect speech, tenses, articles and prepositions.
- Vocabulary: synonyms, antonyms, idioms and phrases, one-word substitution, spelling correction.
- Comprehension: reading passages and cloze tests.
- Sentence arrangement: para jumbles and sentence ordering.
General Intelligence
Reasoning questions are short and pattern based. Start with the topics that give quick marks and then move to figure-based questions.
- Verbal: analogy, odd one out, number and letter series, coding-decoding, blood relations, direction sense, ranking, alphabet tests.
- Logical: syllogism, Venn diagrams, statements and conclusions, calendar and clock.
- Non-verbal: mirror and water images, paper folding and cutting, embedded figures, counting figures, figure completion, matrix puzzles.
Quantitative Aptitude
The quant syllabus is school-level mathematics. CHSL generally has a lower difficulty than CGL, but the time limit makes speed essential.
- Arithmetic: number system, simplification, percentage, ratio and proportion, average, profit and loss, discount, simple and compound interest, time and work, time, speed and distance, mixtures.
- Algebra and geometry: basic algebraic identities, lines and angles, triangles, circles, quadrilaterals.
- Mensuration: area and volume of common 2D and 3D shapes.
- Trigonometry and statistics: basic ratios and identities, and simple data and graph reading.
Begin with arithmetic, because most questions come from there. Our percentage formulas page and profit and loss formulas page give you the shortcuts.
General Awareness
This section covers static subjects and current affairs.
- History, geography and polity: basic facts of Indian history, physical geography, the Constitution and the political system.
- Economy and science: basic economic terms, and general science up to the secondary level.
- Static GK and current affairs: important days, awards, books and authors, sports, government schemes, and news of the last 6 to 8 months.
Read a short current affairs update daily and revise NCERT summaries for the static portion.
CHSL versus CGL: what changes for you
The subjects are the same, and the CHSL level is generally easier, but the competition is high because of the number of applicants. If you are preparing for both exams, build the foundation once and then add CGL-level topics such as advanced geometry and trigonometry later. See our SSC CGL syllabus for the full comparison.
Skill and typing test
Some posts need a typing test or a data entry skill test, and it is usually qualifying in nature. Practise typing for 15 to 20 minutes a day in the final months, and check the required speed in the notification for the post you want.
A simple study approach
- Spend the first month on basics: grammar, arithmetic and school science.
- Spend the second month on topic-wise practice, 20 questions per topic.
- Take a full mock every week and review every wrong answer.
- In the last month, revise formulas, vocabulary and current affairs, and focus on speed and accuracy.
Practise with our free mock tests and watch your section-wise accuracy.
Tips to score higher in Tier 1
Attempt your strongest section first so you bank marks early, and keep a rough time budget of 15 minutes per section. Do not guess blindly, because each wrong answer costs 0.50 marks. If a question takes more than a minute, mark it for review and move on. Keep a notebook of mistakes from every mock test, grouped by topic, and revisit it every weekend. Most improvement in the last two months comes from fixing repeated errors, not from learning new topics.
Frequently asked questions
Who can apply for CHSL?
Candidates who have passed Class 12 (or are about to), subject to the age limit and any post-specific conditions in the notification.
Is CHSL easier than CGL?
Generally the questions are simpler, but cutoffs can be competitive, so accuracy matters a lot.
Can I prepare for both together?
Yes. The core syllabus overlaps, so one foundation covers both, and you can add CGL-only topics later.
GovAspirant is a private education portal and is not affiliated with any government body. Exam rules change, so always confirm dates, pattern and eligibility in the official notification.