# SSC CHSL 2026 applications drop 49%, competition at 620 per vacancy 2026-10-23T07:17:00+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet Applications for the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) Combined Higher Secondary Level (CHSL) recruitment 2026 have fallen by nearly 49% to 15,71,342 for 2,536 vacancies, according to RTI data. The applicant-per-vacancy ratio is about 620, compared with 981 in the 2025 cycle. The recruitment covers Lower Division Clerk, Junior Secretariat Assistant and Data Entry Operator posts in central ministries. The Tier 1 examination introduces a 15-minute sectional timer for each of the four sections: English Language, General Intelligence, Quantitative Aptitude and General Awareness. When a section's time ends, it closes automatically. Tier 1 has 100 multiple-choice questions carrying 200 marks, with 0.50 marks deducted for each wrong answer. Sectional timers also apply in Tier 2. Candidates should refer to the official notification for the complete Tier 2 structure. ## Indian Opinion Analysis The reported fall in applications for SSC CHSL 2026 means over 1.5 lakh fewer candidates are competing for about 600 fewer vacancies compared to 2025. The applicant-per-vacancy ratio has dropped from 981 to 620, but that alone does not guarantee easier selection: cut-offs depend on attendance, exam difficulty, and category-wise reservation limits. The introduction of sectional timers in Tier 1 and Tier 2 is a significant procedural change that could affect time management strategies and final scores. Candidates still awaiting the official SSC notification for the complete Tier 2 structure face uncertainty on qualifying rules and timing. ## Coverage - timesofindia.indiatimes.com Leads with raw RTI-based figures, no government comment sought This brief was synthesised by AI from the source linked above. Tags: CHSL, RTI, SSC, Staff Selection Commission Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/ssc-chsl-2026-applications-drop-49-competition-at-620-per-vacancy/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/ssc-chsl-2026-applications-drop-49-competition-at-620-per-vacancy/#story-in-brief How this brief was made: an AI model read the report linked above and wrote this summary and analysis, which were published automatically. Published briefs are sampled every hour by an automated quality check; the editor verifies its findings and approves corrections, and corrected briefs carry a dated correction line. We do no original reporting. Methodology: https://indianopinion.org/ai-use-policy/