The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has released the Assistant Section Officer / Assistant Grade Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE) 2026 notification for 341 vacancies in the Central Secretariat Service (CSS) and Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). Eligible departmental candidates can apply online from 25 June 2026 to 16 July 2026 at Click here to visit official website. Selected officers are placed in Pay Level-7 (₹44,900 – ₹1,42,400).
Apply online: 25 June – 16 July 2026 (11 PM) · Exam: August 2026 · Centre: Delhi-NCR only · Type: Departmental (in-service) LDCE — not open to general public
This is a promotional examination for serving Central Government employees. Applications must be endorsed and forwarded by the Head of Department / Head of Office — self-applications without departmental forwarding will not be considered.
Browse more updates on our SSC Jobs and Government Jobs pages.
SSC ASO LDCE 2026 — Quick Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organization | Staff Selection Commission (SSC) |
| Examination | ASO / Assistant Grade LDCE 2025 (conducted 2026) |
| Post Name | Assistant Section Officer (ASO) / Assistant Grade |
| Total Vacancies | 341 (tentative) |
| Pay Level | Level-7 (Group B Non-Gazetted) |
| Pay Matrix | ₹44,900 – ₹1,42,400 (7th CPC) |
| Application Mode | Online + printed form via department |
| Exam Mode | Computer Based Examination (CBE) |
| Exam Location | Delhi-NCR only |
| Official Website | Click here to visit official website |
Official Notification & Apply Links
| Document | Official Link |
|---|---|
| Download Notification PDF | Click here to download notification PDF |
| Apply Online (OTR + Application) | Click here to apply online |
| SSC Northern Region (exam updates) | Click here to visit SSC NR website |
| Official Website | Click here to visit official website |
The notification was uploaded on 25 June 2026. Always download and read the official PDF before applying — eligibility is strictly for in-service departmental candidates only.
Important Dates
| Event | Date & Time |
|---|---|
| Notification released | 25 June 2026 |
| Online application starts | 25 June 2026 |
| Last date to apply online | 16 July 2026 (11:00 PM / 23:00 hrs) |
| Department to forward printed application | 23 July 2026 (6:00 PM) |
| Deadline for abroad / A&N Islands / Lakshadweep candidates | 30 July 2026 (6:00 PM) |
| Computer Based Examination | August 2026 (tentative) |
| Exam centre | Delhi-NCR only |
| Admission certificate | 3–4 days before exam (online at sscnr.nic.in) |
Apply well before the closing date — heavy server load near the deadline may prevent submission. The Commission will not accept late applications under any circumstances.
Vacancy Breakdown — 341 Posts
Vacancies are tentative for recruitment year 2025, as reported by respective Cadre Controlling Authorities (CCAs).
Service-Wise Vacancies
| Service / Cadre | UR | SC | ST | PwBD | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central Secretariat Service (CSS), DoPT | 189 | 71 | 58 | 19* | 318 |
| Ministry of External Affairs (Cadre Cell) | 23 | — | — | — | 23 |
| Grand Total | 212 | 71 | 58 | 19 | 341 |
PwBD breakdown (CSS): 6-VH, 4-OH, 4-HH, 5-Others
Final allotment depends on vacancies confirmed by the respective Service / Cadre Controlling Authority at the time of selection.
Who Can Apply — Eligibility Criteria
Important: This is not a direct recruitment for fresh candidates. Only serving government employees meeting the conditions below may apply.
For CSS (Central Secretariat Service) Vacancies
- Must be serving in Upper Division Grade of the Central Secretariat Clerical Service
- Must have rendered not less than 6 years of approved service in the grade as on the crucial date 1 July 2025
For MEA (Ministry of External Affairs) Vacancies
- Must be serving as Upper Division Clerk (UDC) in MEA Cadre Cell
- Must have successfully completed mandatory training programme(s) prescribed by MEA
- Must have rendered not less than 6 years of approved service in the grade as on 1 July 2025
Other eligibility conditions
- Application must be forwarded by Head of Department / Head of Office — candidates without departmental endorsement will not be admitted
- Candidate’s parent Service / Cadre must be one of the participating cadres (CSS or MEA)
- Candidates who resign, quit service, or lose lien in SSA/UDC grade before result processing may become ineligible
- Only one application per candidate — multiple applications lead to rejection
- OTR on the new portal (ssc.gov.in) is mandatory — old ssc.nic.in OTR will not work
Reservation
- SC, ST, and PwBD reservation as per vacancies reported by CCAs
- Relaxed standards may apply for SC/ST/PwBD if sufficient candidates are not available at prescribed standards
Pay Scale & Benefits
| Component | Detail |
|---|---|
| Grade | Assistant Section Officer / Assistant Grade |
| Classification | Group ‘B’ Non-Gazetted |
| Pay Level | Level-7 (7th CPC) |
| Pay Matrix | ₹44,900 – ₹1,42,400 |
| Allowances | DA, HRA, TA, and other Central Government benefits as applicable |
Promotion to ASO through LDCE is a significant career advancement for departmental clerical staff in CSS and MEA.
Selection Process
SSC ASO LDCE 2026 selection has two parts with a total of 400 marks:
Part-I: Computer Based Examination (300 Marks)
| Paper | Subject Areas | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper-I | General awareness (flagship programmes), Constitutional provisions, Parliamentary procedures, Reading comprehension (English/Hindi), CS Manual of Office Procedure, Allocation of Business Rules, Noting & Drafting | 150 | 3 hours* |
| Paper-II | Service Rules (Leave, CCA, Pension/NPS), Financial Rules (TA, LTC), RTI Act, POSH Act, Records Management, Precis Writing | 150 | 3 hours* |
4 hours for candidates eligible for scribe assistance
- Question type: Objective Multiple Choice (MCQ)
- Language: English or Hindi (as opted in application — no change allowed)
- Negative marking: 0.25 marks (25%) deducted per wrong answer in both papers
- Minimum qualifying marks: SSC may fix minimum marks for Paper-I and Paper-II individually
Part-II: Evaluation of Record of Service (100 Marks)
- Based on APAR (Annual Performance Appraisal Report) evaluation
- Only candidates qualifying in Paper-I + Paper-II are considered for Part-II
- APAR marks are added to CBE marks for final ranking
Final Selection
- Aggregate of Part-I (CBE) + Part-II (APAR) determines merit
- Separate merit lists for CSS and MEA cadres
- Tie-breaker order: Paper-I marks → Paper-II marks → older date of birth → alphabetical order
- This is a competitive examination — qualifying does not guarantee selection; only top merit candidates up to vacancy count are recommended
Exam Pattern — Paper-I Syllabus Topics
- General awareness with focus on flagship programmes and path-breaking initiatives of the Government
- Knowledge of Constitutional provisions and their general application in Government of India
- Parliamentary procedures (Manual of Parliamentary Procedures, MoPA OMs)
- Reading comprehension in English / Hindi
- Central Secretariat Manual of Office Procedure
- Allocation of Business Rules and Transaction of Business Rules
- Noting and Drafting
Exam Pattern — Paper-II Syllabus Topics
- Service Rules — Leave Rules, Conduct & CCA Rules, Pension and NPS Rules
- Financial Rules — TA, LTC, etc.
- Legislations — RTI Act 2005, POSH Act 2013
- Records Management
- Precis Writing
Documents Required
Upload with online application
- Certified true copy of first page of Service Book (attested by HoD/HoO)
- Certified true copy of particulars of service showing posts held, scale of pay, and capacity (substantive/officiating)
- Disability certificate (for PwBD candidates)
Carry to examination centre
- Departmental Identity Card (original) issued by employer
- Hard copy of Admission Certificate
- Valid Photo ID with date of birth (Voter ID, Driving Licence, PAN, Passport, or other government photo ID)
- Two passport-size photographs (if Aadhaar authentication not done during OTR)
With printed application (via department)
- Self-attested photocopies of all supporting documents
- Printed online application form — forwarded by Head of Department / Head of Office to:
The Regional Director, Staff Selection Commission (Northern Region), Block No. 12, C.G.O. Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi – 110003
How to Apply Online — Step by Step
- Visit ssc.gov.in and open the candidate portal.
- Complete One-Time Registration (OTR) if not already done on the new portal.
- Use Aadhaar-based authentication when prompted
- OTR from old ssc.nic.in is not valid
- Log in and select ASO LDCE 2026 application link.
- Fill personal, service, and cadre details accurately (must match Service Book / matriculation certificate).
- Choose examination language — English or Hindi (cannot be changed later).
- Upload Service Book page, service particulars, and disability certificate (if applicable).
- Capture live photograph and upload scanned signature (JPEG, 10–20 KB).
- Preview, submit online application, and download confirmation page.
- Print the application and attach self-attested document copies.
- Submit through your Head of Department / Head of Office for forwarding to SSC Northern Region before 23 July 2026.
Key application rules
- Submit only one application — duplicates are rejected
- No correction allowed after online submission
- Application without departmental forwarding is not valid
- Commission is not responsible for delay in departmental forwarding
PwBD / PwD Candidates — Scribe & Compensatory Time
- Scribe / assistive device facility available for eligible PwBD/PwD candidates (must request during application)
- Compensatory time: 20 minutes per hour of examination
- Relevant medical certificates (Annexure-II / III / VII / VIII) must be uploaded
- PwBD candidates must produce documents at the exam centre
Answer Key & Representations
- Tentative answer keys published on SSC website after the CBE
- Representations accepted online only — ₹50 per question (non-refundable)
- No re-evaluation or re-checking of marks at any stage
Frequently Asked Questions
Is SSC ASO LDCE 2026 a direct recruitment?
No. It is a Limited Departmental Competitive Examination for in-service promotion. Fresh graduates and the general public cannot apply.
Can I apply from any state?
You can apply online from anywhere, but the examination will be held only in Delhi-NCR. Candidates at Indian missions abroad must travel to India at their own expense.
What if my department does not forward my application in time?
Your candidature will be cancelled. The Commission does not accept applications received after the prescribed deadline through proper channel.
Is there an application fee?
The official SSC notice does not prescribe any application fee for this departmental examination.
When will the admit card be released?
Admission certificates will be available for download 3–4 days before the exam on sscnr.nic.in. No admit card is sent by post.
Related SSC & Government Job Updates
- Government Jobs — all central and state notifications
- SSC Jobs — SSC CGL, CHSL, MTS, and departmental exams
- UPSC Recruitment 2026 — 538 Posts (Advt 06)
- UPSC Recruitment 2026 — 450 Posts (Advt 07)
Source: SSC official notification dated 25 June 2026 (Notice No. 4/2/2026-CONF-5). Vacancies and exam schedule are tentative and subject to change — confirm on ssc.gov.in before applying.