SSC CGL Vs SSC CHSL: Know key differences between the exams
Confused whether to appear for SSC CGL or SSC CHSL? Check out the key differences between both the exams with respect to their posts, eligibility, paper pattern, difficulty level and salary.
The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) is a government body that is responsible for conducting different exams for recruitment of eligible candidates in the ministries, departments and organisations of Government of India. SSC CGL and SSC CHSL are the two most popular recruitment exams conducted by the Commission. Every year, lakhs of candidates appear for these exams while only a few thousand are selected for SSC recruitment.
However, when it comes to appearing for SSC CGL and CHSL, candidates are often seen getting confused regarding the differences between both the exams, which among both the exams is tougher, which exam offers better career and salary benefits, etc. This article aims to answer all such questions.
Also Read: All about SSC exams
SSC CGL Vs SSC CHSL: Key Differences
Given below are all the underlying differences between SSC CGL and CHSL with respect to their definitions, posts, vacancies, eligibility criteria, selection procedure, exam pattern, paper difficulty level and salary benefits.
What is SSC CGL & CHSL?
SSC CGL or SSC Combined Graduate Level exam is conducted to recruit candidates for various Group-B and -C posts in the ministries/departments/organisations of the Government of India.
SSC CHSL or SSC Combined Higher Secondary Level exam is conducted to recruit lower division clerks in the Government of India ministries/departments/organisations.
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SSC CGL & CHSL Posts
SSC CGL exam is conducted to fill vacancies for about 19 posts. On the other hand, SSC CHSL exam is conducted to fill vacancies for about six posts. Check out the SSC CGL and CHSL posts for which the exams are usually conducted below:
| SSC CGL Posts |
|
|---|---|
| Assistant Audit Officer |
Assistant Accounts Officer |
| Assistant Section Officer |
Assistant |
| Inspector (Central Excise) |
Inspector (Preventive Officer) |
| Inspector (Examiner) |
Assistant Enforcement Officer |
| Sub Inspector |
Inspector Posts |
| Assistant Superintendent |
Divisional Accountant |
| Junior Statistical Officer |
Statistical Investigator Grade-II |
| Inspector of Income Tax |
Auditor |
| Accountant |
Senior Secretariat Assistant/Upper Division Clerk |
| Tax Assistant |
- |
| SSC CHSL Posts |
|
| Lower Divisional Clerk (LDC) |
Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA) |
| Postal Assistant (PA) |
Sorting Assistant (SA) |
| Data Entry Operator (DEO) |
DEO (Grade A) |
SSC CGL & CHSL Vacancies
The number of vacancies released for SSC CGL and CHSL exams vary every year. However, given below are the tentative SSC CHSL and CGL vacancies 2019-20 to give a fair idea to candidates about the number of vacancies released by the Commission every year:
- Total tentative SSC CGL vacancies 2019-20: 9,488
- Total tentative SSC CHSL vacancies 2019-20: 4,893
Check complete post- and category-wise SSC CGL vacancies and SSC CHSL vacancies.
SSC CGL & CHSL Eligibility
The Staff Selection Commission prescribes eligibility criteria for both the exams majorly in terms of educational qualification and age limit. Check out the SSC CGL and CHSL eligibility criteria below:
| SSC CGL Eligibility Criteria |
SSC CHSL Eligibility Criteria |
|---|---|
| Education: Candidates should complete graduation from a recognised university/institute |
Education: Candidates should complete Class 12 from a recognised board |
| Age: Candidates should be aged between 18 and 32 years |
Age: Candidates should be aged between 18 and 27 years |
Check detailed SSC CGL eligibility and SSC CHSL eligibility.
SSC CGL & CHSL Selection Procedure
Both SSC CHSL and CGL are conducted in different stages called tiers. A candidate has to pass each stage/tier to qualify their respective exam (CGL or CHSL).
| SSC CGL Recruitment Stages |
SSC CHSL Recruitment Stages |
|---|---|
| Tier-I: Objective paper conducted in online mode |
Tier-I: Objective paper conducted in online mode |
| Tier-II: Objective test conducted in online mode. The test is further divided into four papers. |
Tier-II: Descriptive paper conducted in offline mode |
| Tier-III: Descriptive paper conducted in offline mode |
Tier-III: Skill/typing test |
| Tier-IV: Computer proficiency test/skill test or document verification |
- |
SSC CGL & CHSL Exam Pattern
The pattern of both SSC CGL and CHSL exams vary from each other. Given below are the exam pattern highlights for both the tests so that candidates can clearly make distinction between the two:
| Particulars |
SSC CGL Exam Pattern Highlights |
SSC CHSL Exam Pattern Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Number of exam stages/tiers |
4 tiers (2 objective tests, a descriptive test and a computer proficiency/skill test or document verification |
3 tiers (an objective test, a descriptive test and a skill/typing test) |
| Exam mode |
Tier-I: Online Tier-II: Online Tier-III: Offline Tier-IV: Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
Tier-I: Online Tier-II: Offline Tier-III: CBT
|
| Exam subjects/papers |
Tier-I: 4 sections (English Intelligence & Reasoning, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, English Comprehension) Tier-II: 4 papers (Quantitative Abilities, English Language and Comprehension, Statistics, General Studies) Tier-III: 1 paper (descriptive paper in English or Hindi) |
Tier-I: 4 sections (English Language, General Intelligence, Quantitative Aptitude and General Awareness) Tier-II: 2 questions (Essay and Letter/Application) |
| Exam duration |
Tier-I: 60 minutes Tier-II: 120 minutes for each paper Tier-III: 60 minutes |
Tier-I: 60 minutes Tier-II: 60 minutes |
| Type of questions asked in exam |
Tier-I: MCQs Tier-II: MCQs Tier-III: Descriptive |
Tier-I: MCQs Tier-II: Descriptive |
| Number of questions in exam |
Tier-I: 100 Tier-II: 500 Tier-III: 1 |
Tier-I: 100 Tier-II: 2 |
| Total marks |
Tier-I: 200 Tier-II: 800 Tier-III: 100 |
Tier-I: 200 Tier-II: 100 |
| Language of paper |
Tier-I: English and Hindi Tier-II: English and Hindi Tier-III: English and Hindi |
Tier-I: English and Hindi Tier-II: English and Hindi |
| Also Read: |
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SSC CGL Vs CHSL: Which is more difficult?
To compare the difficulty level of both the exams, let us consider some parameters mentioned below:
Number of applicants
Both SSC CGL and CHSL have more or less the same number of candidates appearing for the exams. However, the number of candidates appearing for SSC CHSL is sometimes more owing to the lower eligibility criteria.
As per media reports, about 25.97 lakh candidates registered for SSC CGL 2018 out of which roughly 8.34 lakh appeared for the exam. On the other hand, about 29.68 lakh candidates registered for SSC CHSL 2018 out of which approximately 13.17 lakh appeared for the exam. Therefore, the level of competition in SSC CHSL exam is slightly more than the SSC CGL exam.
Note: The data for number of candidates applied and appeared for SSC CGL 2019 and SSC CHSL 2019 has not been released yet.
Stages/tiers of exam
SSC CGL exam is conducted in four stages:
- Tier-I: It is an objective test of 200 marks held in online mode
- Tier-II: It is an objective test that is further divided into four papers (Paper-I: Quantitative Abilities, Paper-II: English Language and Comprehension, Paper-III: Statistics, Paper-IV: General Studies). Out of the four papers, it is compulsory for candidates to appear for the first two papers. Paper-III and -IV are valid for only few posts. Each paper holds 200 marks weightage and is held in online mode.
- Tier-III: It is a descriptive test of 100 marks held in offline mode
- Tier-IV: It is a computer proficiency/skill test that is only qualifying in nature
SSC CHSL exam is conducted in three stages:
- Tier-I: It is an objective test of 200 marks held in online mode
- Tier-II: It is a descriptive test of 100 marks held in offline mode
- Tier-III: It is a skill/typing test that is only qualifying in nature
Standard of questions
As per Staff Selection Commission, the difficulty level of questions asked in SSC CHSL exam is of Class 12. On the other hand, the difficulty level of questions asked in SSC CGL exam is of graduation level.
However, as per some industry experts and students, the difficulty level of tier-I of SSC CGL and CHSL is more or less the same. Many times, there are common questions seen in both the exams. However, there can be tougher questions asked in SSC CGL tier-II exam. Therefore, considering the tier-II exam of SSC CGL, it can be said that the exam is slightly tougher than the SSC CHSL exam.
Check the difficulty level of SSC CGL tier-I 2019-20 exam below:
Check the difficulty level of SSC CHSL tier-I 2019-20 exam below:
SSC CGL & CHSL Salary Comparison
The grade pay, pay level and pay scale for posts under SSC CGL is higher as compared to that of SSC CHSL exam. Therefore, the in-hand salary of candidates recruited through SSC CGL exam is usually higher than the salary of aspirants recruited through SSC CHSL exam.
SSC CGL Salary
The grade-pay for posts under SSC CGL ranges from 2,400 to 4,800. Check out the pay levels and pay scales prescribed for SSC CGL exam below:
| SSC CGL Pay Levels |
SSC CGL Pay Scales (in Rs) |
|---|---|
| 4 |
25,500-81,100 |
| 5 |
29,200-92,300 |
| 6 |
35400-1,12,400 |
| 7 |
44,900-1,42,400 |
| 8 |
47,600-1,51,100 |
Check complete details on SSC CGL salary.
SSC CHSL Salary
The grade-pay for posts under SSC CHSL ranges from 1,900 to 2,400. Check out the pay levels and pay scales prescribed for SSC CHSL exam below:
| SSC CHSL Pay Levels |
SSC CHSL Pay Scales (in Rs) |
|---|---|
| 2 |
19,900-63,200 |
| 4 |
25,500-81,100 |
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