SSC JHT 2026: Exam Date, Syllabus, Eligibility & Free Mocks

SSC JHT is a national-level recruitment examination conducted by the Staff Selection Commission to fill translation posts across central government ministries, departments and subordinate offices. The posts include Junior Hindi Translator, Junior Translation Officer, Senior Hindi Translator and Hindi Pradhyapak, all of which involve translating official documents, correspondence and reports between Hindi and English.

These posts exist because the Official Languages Act requires central government communication to be available in both Hindi and English. Translators ensure that notifications, circulars, reports and parliamentary material are accurately rendered in both languages. The examination is uniquely specialised — it demands genuine bilingual command rather than general aptitude.

SSC JHT is popular with Hindi and English post-graduates because it offers Pay Level 6 with a basic pay of ₹35,400 in a specialised field where the applicant pool is far smaller than for general SSC examinations.

The eligibility requirement — a master’s degree in Hindi or English with the other language studied at degree level — narrows the field dramatically compared with SSC CGL, where any graduate may apply. For candidates who already hold these qualifications, the competition is a fraction of that for general posts at the same pay level.

The work is also distinctive: translators sit close to policy and parliamentary processes, handling material before it is published, and the role offers departmental progression to Senior Hindi Translator and Assistant Director (Official Language).

• Pay Level 6 in a specialised, low-competition field
• Applicant pool restricted to Hindi and English post-graduates
• Work close to policy, parliamentary and official documentation
• Progression to Senior Hindi Translator and Official Language cadre

Expected schedule for the 2026 cycle, based on the Commission’s annual calendar.ssc.gov.in — Examination Calendar

The most recent SSC JHT cycle carried approximately Notified per cycle vacancies.

SSC JHT vacancies are relatively small in number compared with other SSC examinations, reflecting the specialised nature of translation posts, and are aggregated across many ministries and departments. Junior Hindi Translator and Junior Translation Officer typically carry the larger share.

Vacancies are notified post-wise and department-wise in the official notification.ssc.gov.in — Official Notification

To apply for SSC JHT 2026 a candidate must hold a master’s degree in Hindi with English as a compulsory or elective subject at degree level, or a master’s degree in English with Hindi at degree level, or an equivalent qualification with a recognised translation diploma or experience.

Educational Qualification

A master’s degree from a recognised university in Hindi with English as a compulsory or elective subject or as the medium of instruction at degree level; OR a master’s degree in English with Hindi as a compulsory or elective subject or as the medium of instruction at degree level; OR a master’s degree in any subject with Hindi and English as compulsory or elective subjects at degree level, together with a recognised Diploma or Certificate course in translation from Hindi to English and vice versa, or two years’ experience of translation work in a central or state government office.

• The qualification requirements differ slightly between Junior Hindi Translator, Senior Hindi Translator and Hindi Pradhyapak — read the post-wise table in the notification.
• Hindi Pradhyapak posts typically carry an additional requirement relating to teaching qualification or experience.
• Candidates must possess the qualification as on the cut-off date stated in the notification.

Age Limit

The age limit for SSC JHT is 18 to 30 years. The upper age limit is generally 30 years for Junior Hindi Translator and Junior Translation Officer posts, with different limits applying to some Senior Hindi Translator and Hindi Pradhyapak posts. Confirm the post-wise limits in the notification.

Nationality

• A citizen of India, or
• A subject of Nepal or Bhutan, or
• A Tibetan refugee who came to India before 1 January 1962 with the intention of permanently settling in India, or
• A person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African countries, Vietnam or Ethiopia with the intention of permanently settling in India.

SSC JHT has two papers — Paper I is a 200-mark objective test of Hindi and English language in 2 hours with 0.25 negative marking, and Paper II is a 200-mark descriptive translation and essay paper in 2 hours with no negative marking.

1. 1Online application on the SSC portal with post preferences.
2. 2Paper I — objective computer-based examination in General Hindi and General English.
3. 3Paper II — descriptive translation and essay paper, typed on computer.
4. 4Document verification against the qualification and category claimed.
5. 5Final merit list based on the combined Paper I and Paper II scores.
6. 6Allocation of post and department.

The SSC JHT syllabus covers General Hindi and General English grammar, vocabulary and comprehension in Paper I, and translation craft plus essay writing in both languages in Paper II — with no general studies component at all.

SSC JHT posts are placed in Pay Level 6 under the Seventh Pay Commission with a basic pay of ₹35,400 to ₹1,12,400, giving an approximate in-hand salary of ₹44,000 to ₹50,000 per month depending on city classification.

Allowances and Benefits

• Dearness Allowance (DA) — revised twice a year
• House Rent Allowance (HRA) — 27%, 18% or 9% of basic pay by city class
• Transport Allowance (TA) — city-dependent, with DA on TA
• National Pension System (NPS) with government contribution
• Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) medical coverage

The decisive SSC JHT strategy is to practise actual translation daily, because Paper II is descriptive and cannot be cleared by objective preparation — it rewards genuine bilingual craft that takes months to build.