Overview
SSC has proposed to hold Tier-I of the Combined Higher Secondary (10+2) Level Examination (CHSL), 2026 from 30 November to 31 December 2026, as per its notice dated 1 October 2026. Every year, some candidates who prepared well still lose the attempt at the gate – because the date of birth on their ID did not match, they reached late, or they carried a phone in their pocket. This guide puts together the exam-day rules from the official CHSL 2026 notice so that you know exactly what to carry and what to leave at home.
All points below are taken from the SSC CHSL 2026 examination notice. SSC can add instructions on the admission certificate itself, so always read the instructions printed on your own admit card as well.
Also read
Key Dates
| Stage | Date / timing (as per SSC) |
|---|---|
| CHSL 2026 Tier-I (computer based) | 30 November to 31 December 2026 (proposed) |
| Admission certificate download | Usually made available 2–3 days before your exam |
| Reporting time (candidates without Aadhaar authentication) | Two hours before the scheduled start of the exam |
For eligibility, vacancies and the full exam calendar, see our earlier posts on SSC CHSL 2026 recruitment and the SSC exam dates for JE, CPO and CHSL.
Where the Admit Card Comes From
SSC issues the admission certificate online. The notice asks candidates to watch ssc.gov.in and the website of their SSC Regional Office. Download it as soon as it is available, check your name, photo, exam date, shift and venue, and take a clear printout – you must bring the printed copy into the exam hall.
What to Carry: It Depends on Aadhaar Authentication
The CHSL 2026 notice treats two groups of candidates differently:
| Your situation | What you need at the venue |
|---|---|
| You completed Aadhaar-based authentication | Admit card printout. The notice says these candidates do not have to produce colour photographs or an original photo ID at the venue. |
| You did not complete Aadhaar authentication | Admit card printout, at least two recent passport-size colour photographs, and an original valid photo ID showing your date of birth. Report two hours before the exam starts. |
Even if you completed Aadhaar authentication, carrying a photo ID is a sensible backup in case of any technical issue at the centre – it costs nothing to keep one in your folder.
Photo IDs Accepted by SSC
- Voter ID card
- Driving licence
- PAN card
- Passport
- Identity card issued by your university, college or school
- Employer ID card (Central/State Government or PSU)
- Ex-Serviceman discharge book
- Any other photo ID issued by the Central or State Government
The Date of Birth Trap
If your photo ID does not show a date of birth, the notice requires you to carry one more original document that does – for example your Class 10 certificate, birth certificate or passport. More seriously, if the date of birth on your admit card and on your photo ID do not match, SSC says you will not be allowed to sit the exam. Check this the day you download the admit card, not on the morning of the exam.
Items That Can Get You Debarred
The notice has a long table of malpractices with fixed debarment periods. The ones that matter most on exam day:
| Action at the centre | Consequence listed by SSC |
|---|---|
| Keeping a mobile phone, Bluetooth or wireless device, or spy camera in the hall | Debarment of 03 to 05 years |
| Using unfair means inside the hall | Debarment of 07 years |
| Impersonation (someone else writing your exam) | Debarment of 07 years |
| Taking rough sheets or the admit card out of the hall, or leaving before the exit process ends | Listed as malpractice |
| Looking at another candidate's screen or talking to others | Listed as malpractice |
SSC also says it may refer serious cases to the police. The safest habit is simple: leave your phone, smartwatch and earphones at home or with someone outside the centre. Your face should also match the photograph in your application – staff at the venue can stop a candidate whose appearance raises doubts.
Tier-I Paper at a Glance
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| English Language (Basic Knowledge) | 25 | 50 |
| General Intelligence | 25 | 50 |
| Quantitative Aptitude (Basic Arithmetic Skill) | 25 | 50 |
| General Awareness | 25 | 50 |
The paper lasts 60 minutes, with a sectional time limit of 15 minutes for each part, and 0.50 mark is deducted for every wrong answer. Since scores from different shifts are normalised as per SSC's published method, comparing raw scores with friends from another shift is not meaningful.
Scribe and Extra Time for PwBD Candidates
Eligible PwBD candidates get compensatory time of 20 minutes for every hour of the exam, whether or not they use a scribe. A candidate who brings their own scribe must have completed One-Time Registration and Aadhaar authentication, and the scribe's qualification must be one step below the candidate's. Carry the supporting medical certificate and scribe documents on exam day, as SSC asks for them both at the exam and at document verification.
Exam-Day Checklist
- Admit card printout (check date, shift and venue the night before).
- Original photo ID with date of birth, plus an extra DOB document if the ID does not show it.
- Two recent passport-size colour photographs if you are not Aadhaar-authenticated.
- PwBD certificate and scribe papers, if applicable.
- Plan to reach the centre well before reporting time; visit the venue a day earlier if it is in an unfamiliar area.
After the Exam: Answer Key
SSC publishes tentative answer keys after the exam. Objections can be raised only online within the window SSC announces, at a non-refundable fee of ₹50 per question. Requests sent by any other method are not considered.
FAQ
Will SSC send the admit card by post?
No. The notice describes online issue only, on ssc.gov.in and the Regional Office websites.
Is a photocopy of my ID enough?
No. Candidates who need to show an ID must bring the original.
Can I keep my phone switched off in my bag inside the hall?
No. SSC lists possession of a mobile phone in the hall as malpractice, so do not carry it in at all.
Do these rules apply to SSC JE and SSC CPO as well?
Each exam has its own notice. Many rules are similar, but read the notice and admit card of your own exam.
Official Links
- SSC CHSL 2026 examination notice (PDF)
- SSC notice dated 01.10.2026 – exam dates (PDF)
- Staff Selection Commission official website
This is a private information website and is not connected with any government body. Always confirm details on the official website.