When Staff Selection Commission announced the SSC CHSL Tier‑I 2024 India results on 6 September, a wave of relief – and a fresh set of worries – washed over nearly 40,000 hopefuls. The exam, held in computer‑based mode from 1 to 11 July, was meant to fill about 3,712 vacancies across a host of user departments.
Exam Overview and Schedule
The Combined Higher Secondary Level Examination (CHSL) is a staple of the central recruitment machinery. Candidates (roughly 2.1 million registered) logged into the CBT centres in every state, Union Territory and even the Andaman & Nicobar islands. The test covered three sections – General Ability, Numerical Ability and General English – each scored on a four‑point scale, later normalised to a 200‑point metric.
According to the official notice, the Tier‑I marks were uploaded on the commission’s portal ssc.gov.in within hours of the declaration. Aspirants had to enter their registration number and password, click ‘Result’, and download a PDF that listed their raw score, normalised score and category‑wise rank.
Cut‑off Scores by Category
The cut‑offs varied sharply across the 12 categories recognised by the commission. Here’s the snapshot that many candidates have been sharing on social media:
- Unreserved (UR): 157.36168 – 6,362 qualifiers
- Other Backward Classes (OBC): 156.61665 – 10,887 qualifiers (the highest headcount)
- Economically Weaker Section (EWS): 150.51731 – 6,656 qualifiers
- Scheduled Caste (SC): 139.68408 – 7,003 qualifiers
- Scheduled Tribe (ST): 129.44568 – 2,950 qualifiers
- Ex‑Servicemen (ESM): 78.23008 – 3,698 qualifiers (the lowest bar)
For persons with disabilities (PwD), the numbers were even more nuanced. Orthopedically Handicapped (OH) needed 124.70219 marks, Hearing Handicapped (HH) just 81.06810, Visually Handicapped (VH) 123.78593, and the “Other” PwD group 72.53530.
What the Results Mean for Aspirants
Out of the 39,835 candidates who cleared the LDC/JSA cut‑off, only 1,630 cleared the DEO/DEO‑Grade A threshold. These shortlisted candidates will now gear up for Tier‑II, a descriptive paper held in offline mode. The commission hinted that the Tier‑II schedule would appear on the website within the next two weeks.
"The excitement is palpable," said Rohit Sharma, a 23‑year‑old from Madhya Pradesh who topped the OBC list with a normalized score of 196.25. "But the real test begins in November when we face the written paper and the skill‑typing round."
Experts warn that clearing Tier‑I is no guarantee of a final appointment. The final merit list will factor in Tier‑II performance, skill test (where applicable) and document verification. Moreover, the cut‑off for Tier‑II often slides upward as the pool narrows.
Next Steps: Tier‑II Outlook
While the exact dates are pending, the pattern from previous years suggests a November‑December window for Tier‑II. Candidates should start polishing their descriptive writing, especially on topics like “Digital India” and “Skill Development”. The skill test for LDC/JSA will focus on typing speed and accuracy – a 35 WPM benchmark is the minimum.
In parallel, the commission will release answer keys for both qualified and non‑qualified candidates. This transparency move, introduced in 2022, lets aspirants appeal any scoring anomalies within a 15‑day window.
Historical Context of SSC CHSL
The CHSL recruitment drive dates back to 1978, when the commission first began filling clerk‑type posts for the central government. Over the decades, the exam has undergone several overhauls – from pen‑and‑paper to CBT in 2017, and now to a hybrid tiered structure that mirrors the UPSC model.
According to a 2023 report by the Ministry of Personnel, the CHSL exam consistently attracts the highest number of applicants among all SSC exams, underscoring its role as a gateway to stable government jobs for millions of fresh graduates.
Key Facts
- Date of result declaration: 6 September 2024
- Total LDC/JSA qualifiers: 39,835
- Total DEO/DEO‑Grade A qualifiers: 1,630
- Number of vacancies announced: ~3,712
- Tier‑II examination to be scheduled in November 2024
Frequently Asked Questions
How can candidates download their SSC CHSL Tier‑I score card?
Visit ssc.gov.in, click the ‘Result’ link on the home page, enter the registration number and password, and hit ‘Login’. The portal then displays a PDF containing the raw score, normalized score and category‑wise rank. Candidates can save or print the document for future reference.
What are the chances of clearing Tier‑II after qualifying Tier‑I?
While clearing Tier‑I is essential, the Tier‑II cut‑off usually hovers around the 180‑190 normalized mark range for LDC/JSA. Historically, about 60‑65 % of Tier‑I qualifiers progress to the final merit list, but this varies by category and the difficulty of the descriptive paper.
When will the Tier‑II schedule be announced?
The commission indicated that the Tier‑II timetable will be posted on the official website within the next two weeks. Candidates should keep checking the ‘Admit Card’ section regularly for the exact dates, which are expected to fall in November 2024.
What subjects are covered in the Tier‑II descriptive paper?
Tier‑II tests General Awareness, English Composition and Reasoning Ability. The General Awareness portion usually includes current affairs, Indian polity, and basic economics, while the English section focuses on grammar, comprehension and essay writing.
Are there any reservations for PwD candidates in the next round?
Yes. The PwD categories (OH, HH, VH, and ‘Other’) have specific cut‑offs, as released in the Tier‑I result. Those who meet the marks will be eligible for the same Tier‑II paper, with additional time allowances during the exam as per the government’s disability accommodation policy.
