5 Big Changes in SSC CHSL 2026 Exam, Candidates Must Know Before Applying

The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has released the SSC CHSL 2026 Notification on September 7, 2026, for recruitment to LDC/JSA, DEO and DEO Grade ‘A’ posts. Candidates who are preparing for the Combined Higher Secondary (10+2) Level Examination should note that the 2026 notification brings several changes compared with the SSC CHSL 2025 Notification. The changes are particularly important for candidates while filling out the application form and planning their examination strategy.

5 Big Changes in SSC CHSL 2026

The biggest change concerns how candidates select their examination centre. Another major change is the introduction of a sectional timer in Tier-I and Tier 2. The Commission has also reduced the fee for challenging an answer key, increased the application correction window and announced fewer tentative vacancies than in 2025.

This article explains all the major changes in SSC CHSL 2026 compared with SSC CHSL 2025.

Sectional Timing Introduced

SSC CHSL Tier-I now follows a sectional timing system according to the recent notification released by SSC, with 15 minutes allotted separately to each of the four sections. Candidates must complete each section within its prescribed time limit and cannot carry forward the unused time to another section. In Tier 2, subject-wise timing has also been introduced.

Answer Key Challenge Fee Reduced by 50%

The fee for challenging the tentative answer key has been reduced from Rs. 100 to Rs. 50 per question/answer challenged.

Sliding Mechanism and FRTA

Unlike in previous SSC CHSL cycles, the sliding mechanism and First Round of Tentative Allocation (FRTA) will now apply from the post-preference stage. Candidates must submit their post and department preferences through the Online Option Form before the final FRTA/Result. Preferences, once submitted, will be final and irreversible. Candidates who fail to submit their preferences within the given deadline will not be considered for FRTA/Result.

Application Correction Window Increased From 2 Days to 3 Days

The SSC CHSL application correction window will be open for three days. Candidates will be allowed to modify their application up to two times during this period. A correction fee of Rs. 200 for the first correction and Rs. 500 for the second correction will be applicable to all candidates, irrespective of their category or gender.

Exam Centre Rule & List Revised

Candidates must now select three examination centres from within the same SSC Region. The three centres have to be arranged in order of preference. Candidates have to give their options for three centres within the same Region, and requests for changing the examination centre at any stage of the examination will not be considered. A few new exam centres has been added

SSC CHSL 2026 vs SSC CHSL 2025

The SSC CHSL notification brings a few important changes compared to the previous recruitment cycle. The table below highlights the key differences between SSC CHSL 2026 and 2025 for quick reference.