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SSC CGL vs SSC CHSL – Eligibility, Salary, Posts, and Which Exam to Choose

Complete comparison of SSC CGL and SSC CHSL exams covering eligibility, salary, exam pattern, posts, career growth, and which SSC exam is better for you.

CitizenNest Editorial Team10 min read

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Disclaimer: This is an independent informational guide. We are NOT affiliated with any government body. Always verify on official websites.

Official Links

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SSC CGL vs SSC CHSL – Which SSC Exam Should You Choose?

SSC conducts multiple competitive exams, but CGL (Combined Graduate Level) and CHSL (Combined Higher Secondary Level) are the two most popular. Both lead to central government jobs, but differ in eligibility, posts, salary, and career growth. Here is a complete comparison.

Quick Comparison Table

Feature	SSC CGL	SSC CHSL
Full Form	Combined Graduate Level	Combined Higher Secondary Level
Education	Graduation (any discipline)	12th Pass (Higher Secondary)
Age Limit	18–32 years (varies by post)	18–27 years
Exam Stages	Tier 1 (CBT) + Tier 2 (CBT)	Tier 1 (CBT) + Tier 2 (CBT + Skill Test)
Tier 1 Duration	60 minutes	60 minutes
Tier 1 Questions	100 (200 marks)	100 (200 marks)
Tier 2 Papers	Multiple papers (Maths, English, GK, Computer)	1 paper (Maths + English) + Skill Test
Negative Marking	0.50 per wrong answer (Tier 1)	0.50 per wrong answer (Tier 1)
Key Posts	Tax Inspector, Auditor, Assistant, Sub-Inspector	LDC, DEO, Postal Assistant, Court Clerk
Pay Level	Level 4 to Level 7 (₹25,500–44,900)	Level 2 to Level 4 (₹19,900–25,500)
Starting Salary (approx)	₹35,000–65,000 (with DA, HRA)	₹25,000–40,000 (with DA, HRA)
Promotion Scope	Can reach Group A (Gazetted)	Can reach Section Officer level
Posting	All-India (central govt offices)	All-India (central govt offices)
Vacancies	7,000–10,000 per year	3,000–6,000 per year
Difficulty Level	Higher	Moderate
Competition	~30 lakh applicants	~20 lakh applicants

Key Differences

1. Eligibility

SSC CGL requires a Bachelor's degree (graduation) from a recognized university. Some posts like Statistical Investigator require specific degrees.

SSC CHSL requires only 12th pass (Higher Secondary) from a recognized board. Some posts require typing speed (DEO: 8,000 key depressions/hour, LDC: 35 WPM English or 30 WPM Hindi).

2. Posts and Departments

SSC CGL Posts:

Group B (Gazetted): Assistant Audit Officer, Assistant Accounts Officer, Assistant Section Officer (CSS)
Group B (Non-Gazetted): Tax Assistant, Sub-Inspector (CBI), Inspector (Preventive Officer), Inspector (Examiner)
Group C: Auditor, Accountant, Upper Division Clerk, Junior Statistical Officer

SSC CHSL Posts:

Lower Division Clerk (LDC) / Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA)
Data Entry Operator (DEO)
Postal Assistant / Sorting Assistant
Court Clerk

3. Exam Pattern Comparison

SSC CGL Tier 1:

Section	Questions	Marks
General Intelligence & Reasoning	25	50
General Awareness	25	50
Quantitative Aptitude	25	50
English Comprehension	25	50

SSC CHSL Tier 1: Same pattern as CGL Tier 1

SSC CGL Tier 2: Multiple sessions with subject-specific papers including Maths, English, GK, Computer Knowledge, and optional papers for specific posts.

SSC CHSL Tier 2: One session covering Maths, English, and General Awareness + Skill Test (typing/data entry).

4. Salary and Pay Scale

Post	Pay Level	Basic Pay	Approx. Gross (metro)
CGL – Assistant Section Officer	Level 6	₹35,400	₹55,000–65,000
CGL – Tax Assistant	Level 4	₹25,500	₹38,000–45,000
CGL – Inspector (CBN)	Level 7	₹44,900	₹65,000–75,000
CGL – Auditor	Level 5	₹29,200	₹42,000–50,000
CHSL – LDC/JSA	Level 2	₹19,900	₹28,000–35,000
CHSL – DEO	Level 4	₹25,500	₹35,000–40,000
CHSL – Postal Assistant	Level 4	₹25,500	₹35,000–40,000

5. Career Growth

SSC CGL offers significantly better career progression:

Tax Assistant → Income Tax Officer → Assistant Commissioner
Auditor → Senior Auditor → Assistant Audit Officer
ASO → Section Officer → Under Secretary → Deputy Secretary

SSC CHSL has limited but steady growth:

LDC → UDC → Assistant → Section Officer (after many years)
Postal Assistant → Head Postal Assistant → Inspector Posts

6. Difficulty and Preparation

SSC CGL is harder due to:

More competitive (higher stakes = more serious candidates)
Tier 2 has advanced Maths and English
Cut-offs are higher
Preparation needs 8–12 months

SSC CHSL is relatively easier:

Tier 1 is similar level to CGL
Tier 2 is simpler
Cut-offs are lower
Preparation needs 4–8 months

Which One Should You Choose?

Choose SSC CGL if:

You are a graduate or will be one before the exam
You want higher salary and better career growth
You are willing to put in 8–12 months of serious preparation
You aim for posts like Tax Inspector, Auditor, or ASO
You want faster promotion to gazetted officer rank

Choose SSC CHSL if:

You are 12th pass and want a government job quickly
You want to start earning while continuing education
You prefer moderate competition over intense CGL competition
You are comfortable with typing/data entry work
You want a central government job as a stepping stone

Smart Strategy:

If you are a graduate, appear for both CGL and CHSL simultaneously
CHSL serves as a safety net while you aim for CGL
The Tier 1 syllabus overlap is nearly 100%
Many CGL toppers started with CHSL

Can I Appear for Both CGL and CHSL?

Yes, absolutely. SSC conducts these exams at different times, so there is no date conflict. If you are a graduate, you should appear for both:

CGL as your primary target (higher salary, better growth)
CHSL as a backup (secure a job while retrying CGL)
Also consider SSC MTS and SSC GD for additional backup

Frequently Asked Questions

Is SSC CGL worth it over CHSL?

Yes, if you are a graduate. CGL posts have 40–70% higher salary and significantly better career growth. The extra preparation effort is worth it.

Can a CHSL employee appear for CGL later?

Yes. There is no restriction on government employees appearing for other exams, subject to age and attempt limits. Many LDC/DEO employees clear CGL while serving.

Which SSC exam has more vacancies?

SSC CGL typically has more vacancies (7,000–10,000) compared to CHSL (3,000–6,000). However, this varies each year.

Is CHSL typing test difficult?

The typing test requires 35 WPM in English or 30 WPM in Hindi. For DEO, 8,000 key depressions per hour are needed. With practice, most candidates clear this.

What is the best age to start preparing?

For CHSL, start after 12th (age 18). For CGL, start in final year of graduation. The earlier you start, the more attempts you have.

Can I get promoted from CHSL post to CGL-level post?

Yes, through departmental exams and promotions. An LDC can eventually become UDC → Assistant → Section Officer, which is a CGL-level post. However, this takes 10–15 years.