HowIndiaEarns

Government jobPay Level 4Group CNon‑gazetted

Data Entry Operator (DEO)

डाटा एंट्री ऑपरेटर

Pay Level 4 post via SSC CHSL in central offices — high-speed data entry and record maintenance on computers.

Central government ministries and offices, including the C&AG · central government

In-hand pay at joining, per month

₹42,000–₹50,000

Lower in small towns, higher in metros. Work out your own city below.

Exam
SSC CHSL
Qualification
12th pass
Age limit
18–27 years
Transfers
Within your allotted zone/region
Work hours
Regular office hours
Probation
2 years

Estimated in-hand / month

₹44,500

Gross ₹48,780 · CTC ≈ ₹6.5 lakh/yr

Level 4

Where are you posted?

Joining

Data Entry Operator (DEO) · rates as of January 2026 (DA 60%). Excludes CGHS, GPF/insurance deductions and special allowances. Estimate only.

New to pay slips? Read how in-hand salary is worked out.

What you will actually do

  • Entering data from documents into departmental software
  • Verifying and correcting entered records
  • Generating routine reports and statements
  • Maintaining digital records and backups
  • Supporting the section with typing and e-Office work

A typical day

Most of the day is spent at a computer keying in data: vouchers in an accounts office, returns in a tax office, or records in a ministry. Speed and accuracy are checked. When data entry is light you are used as a general clerk for typing and filing. It is quiet, seated work with little contact with the public.

Stress1/5
CalmIntense
Public dealing1/5
LittleConstant
Field work1/5
DeskOutdoors

Promotion path

Timelines are ranges and vary by cadre. See how promotions and MACP work.

  1. Data Entry Operator (DEO) (joining)

    Pay Level 4

    ₹42,000–₹50,000 in-hand

  2. Data Entry Operator Grade B / Senior DEO

    5–10 years · Level 5 · via dpc

    ₹48,000–₹56,000 in-hand

  3. Higher DEO grades or Assistant level

    Further 8–12 years · Level 6 · via dpc

    ₹57,000–₹67,000 in-hand

Promotion timelines vary by cadre and vacancies. If not promoted, MACP gives a pay upgrade after 10, 20 and 30 years.

How to get in

SSC CHSLOnce a year

Staff Selection Commission

  1. 1.Tier-I computer-based test
  2. 2.Tier-II computer-based test with typing or skill test
  3. 3.Document verification

Eligibility: Class 12 pass. For DEO posts in the C&AG and some ministries, Class 12 in the Science stream with Mathematics is required. Skill test: 8,000 key depressions per hour (15,000 for C&AG). Age 18–27. SC/ST: 5 years, OBC: 3 years, PwBD: 10 years (more for SC/ST/OBC PwBD), as per the notification.

The good

  • Level 4 pay after Class 12, two levels above LDC
  • Simple, low-pressure work
  • Fixed hours

The hard parts

  • Few vacancies each year
  • Narrow cadre with limited promotion steps
  • Long hours of screen work

Postings

Depends on the department that takes you. C&AG posts are in Accountant General offices in the states; ministry posts are largely in Delhi.

Central government job securityNPS with a 14% government contributionLeave Travel Concession (LTC)Medical cover (CGHS in covered cities)

Questions people ask

What is the in-hand salary of Data Entry Operator (DEO)?+

Data Entry Operator (DEO) is a Pay Level 4 post with a starting basic pay of ₹25,500. At current rates (DA 60%, January 2026), the starting in-hand salary is roughly ₹42,000–₹50,000 a month, depending on whether you are posted in a Z, Y or X class city.

What is the qualification and age limit for Data Entry Operator (DEO)?+

Class 12 pass. For DEO posts in the C&AG and some ministries, Class 12 in the Science stream with Mathematics is required. Skill test: 8,000 key depressions per hour (15,000 for C&AG). Age: 18–27 years. Relaxation: SC/ST: 5 years, OBC: 3 years, PwBD: 10 years (more for SC/ST/OBC PwBD), as per the notification.

Which exam do I need to clear for Data Entry Operator (DEO)?+

SSC CHSL (Staff Selection Commission).

Do all DEO posts need Science with Maths?+

No. That condition applies to DEO posts in the C&AG and a few ministries. Check the post-wise eligibility in the notification.

Compare with similar posts

Data Entry Operator vs Lower Division Clerk / Junior Secretariat AssistantData Entry Operator vs Postal AssistantData Entry Operator vs Tax Assistant

Lower Division Clerk / Junior Secretariat Assistant

अवर श्रेणी लिपिक / कनिष्ठ सचिवालय सहायक

Pay Level 2

Pay Level 2 clerical post via SSC CHSL in central government offices — typing, diary, dispatch and basic file work.

₹32,000–₹37,000 in-handSSC CHSL

Postal Assistant

डाक सहायक

Pay Level 4

Pay Level 4 counter and back-office post in post offices, filled through SSC CGL — savings, mail booking and customer service.

₹42,000–₹50,000 in-handSSC CGL

Tax Assistant (CBDT / CBIC)

टैक्स असिस्टेंट

Pay Level 4

Pay Level 4 desk job in the Income Tax or GST/Customs department via SSC CGL — mostly office work, steady hours.

₹42,000–₹50,000 in-handSSC CGL

Books to prepare for SSC CHSL

  • Fast Track Objective Arithmetic

    Rajesh Verma (Arihant)

    Shorter and more shortcut-oriented than R.S. Aggarwal. Useful when time per question matters.

    See on Amazon

  • Lucent's General Knowledge

    Lucent Publications

    Compact static GK for history, polity, geography and science. It does not cover current affairs.

    See on Amazon

  • Lucent Samanya Gyan Hindi

    Lucent Publications

    The Hindi edition of Lucent's GK, widely used for SSC and railway exams.

    See on Amazon

All 7 books for SSC CHSL, MTS, GD, Stenographer and Delhi Police

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Sources

This profile is being reviewed. Confirm details in the latest official notification. Salary computed from pay rules as of January 2026.