SSC Exams in India: Which Exam Leads to Which Government Job
2 Nov 2026
Quick answer
A guide to the Staff Selection Commission's exams — CGL, CHSL, MTS, CPO, GD Constable, JE, Stenographer and Selection Post — covering the qualification each needs, the posts and departments each fills, and how to pick the right one, so a candidate from 10th-pass to graduate can see which SSC exam opens the job they want.
The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) is the single biggest recruiter of central-government non-gazetted staff, and it runs not one exam but a family of them, each pitched at a different qualification level. Picking the right SSC exam for your education and target post is the first decision — and the one most candidates get muddled.
This guide maps each SSC exam to what it opens. For the pay across these posts see the SSC salary guide; for openings, clerical and SSC vacancies.
The SSC exams at a glance
| Exam | Minimum qualification | Fills |
|---|---|---|
| CGL | Graduation | Group B and C posts — Inspector, Assistant Section Officer, Auditor, Tax Assistant and more |
| CHSL | 10+2 | Lower Division Clerk / Junior Secretariat Assistant, Data Entry Operator |
| MTS | Class 10 | Multi-Tasking Staff; Havaldar (CBIC/CBN) |
| CPO | Graduation | Sub-Inspector in Delhi Police and the CAPFs |
| GD Constable | Class 10 | Constable (General Duty) in the CAPFs, NIA, SSF and Assam Rifles |
| JE | Engineering diploma/degree | Junior Engineer (Civil, Electrical, Mechanical) in central departments |
| Stenographer | 10+2 | Stenographer Grade C and D |
| Selection Post | Varies (10th to graduate) | Assorted posts, in qualification-wise phases |
See the CGL hub, CHSL hub and MTS hub for the current cycles.
How to choose by qualification
- Class 10 → MTS or GD Constable.
- 10+2 → CHSL or Stenographer.
- Graduate → CGL (the flagship) or CPO (for a uniformed sub-inspector role).
- Engineering diploma/degree → JE.
- Any level, assorted one-off posts → Selection Post, which runs in phases by qualification.
The CGL is the most sought-after because it leads to the better Group B and C desk posts across ministries; CHSL and MTS are the high-volume school-level entries.
What SSC is (and isn't)
SSC recruits for central-government posts across ministries and departments — it is not a state recruiter. Almost all SSC posts are non-gazetted; the main exception is the Assistant Audit Officer post under CGL (in the Indian Audit & Accounts Department), which is Group B gazetted. Gazetted Group A officer posts are filled through the UPSC, not the SSC. A single SSC exam like CGL fills many different posts in many departments, with your final posting decided by rank and preference.
The common shape
Most SSC exams are computer-based (CBT) in tiers — a Tier-1 objective screen, a Tier-2 (and sometimes a skill test for typing/stenography or a physical test for uniformed posts) — followed by document verification and, for some, a medical. Normalisation is applied across shifts. The exact tiers and standards are in each notification.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which SSC exam is the best after graduation?
CGL is the flagship graduate-level exam, leading to Group B and C posts across central ministries. Graduates seeking a uniformed sub-inspector role take CPO instead.
What is the difference between CHSL and MTS?
CHSL needs 10+2 and fills clerk/DEO posts; MTS needs Class 10 and fills multi-tasking staff and Havaldar posts. CHSL is the higher qualification and grade.
Does SSC recruit for state government jobs?
No. SSC recruits for central-government non-gazetted posts. State posts are filled by the state public service commissions and subordinate boards.
What qualification do I need for SSC GD Constable?
Class 10. GD Constable fills General Duty constable posts in the CAPFs, NIA, SSF and Assam Rifles, and includes a physical test.
In Summary
The SSC runs a family of exams by qualification level — MTS and GD Constable (Class 10), CHSL and Stenographer (10+2), CGL and CPO (graduate), JE (engineering) and the phase-wise Selection Post — all for central-government non-gazetted posts. Match the exam to your education and target role, and start from the SSC salary guide and the clerical vacancies listing.
Sources
- Staff Selection Commission — SSC (ssc.gov.in)
- SSC examination notices and notifications