The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has released the Senior Secretariat Assistant / Upper Division Clerk Grade Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE) 2026 notification for 65 vacancies in the Central Secretariat Clerical Service (CSCS) cadre of DoPT. Eligible Lower Division Clerk (LDC) departmental candidates can apply online from 25 June 2026 to 16 July 2026 at Click here to visit official website. Promotion is to Pay Level-4 (₹25,500 – ₹81,100).
Apply online: 25 June – 16 July 2026 (11 PM) · Exam: August 2026 · Centre: Delhi-NCR only · Vacancies: 65 (CSCS, DoPT) · Type: Departmental LDCE
This is an in-service promotional examination — not direct recruitment. Applications must be verified and forwarded by Head of Department / Head of Office. Self-submitted applications without departmental endorsement are not valid.
Also open: SSC ASO LDCE 2026 — 341 Assistant Section Officer posts (separate examination for UD Grade officers).
Browse SSC Jobs and Government Jobs for more notifications.
SSC SSA/UDC LDCE 2026 — Quick Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organization | Staff Selection Commission (SSC) |
| Examination | SSA / UDC Grade LDCE 2025 (conducted 2026) |
| Cadre | Central Secretariat Clerical Service (CSCS), DoPT |
| Post Name | Senior Secretariat Assistant (SSA) / Upper Division Clerk (UDC) |
| Total Vacancies | 65 (tentative, UR — category-wise TBA) |
| Pay Level | Level-4 (Group C Non-Gazetted) |
| Pay Matrix | ₹25,500 – ₹81,100 (7th CPC) |
| Application Mode | Online + printed form via department |
| Exam Mode | Computer Based Examination (CBE) |
| Exam Location | Delhi-NCR only |
| Crucial Date | 1 August 2025 |
| 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 (Notice No. 4/8/2026-CONF-5) was uploaded on 25 June 2026. Download and read the official PDF before applying.
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 | 30 July 2026 (6:00 PM) |
| Computer Based Examination | August 2026 (tentative) |
| Exam centre | Delhi-NCR only |
| Admission certificate | 3–4 days before exam (sscnr.nic.in) |
Submit applications well before the deadline. Late or improperly channelled applications will be summarily rejected.
Vacancy Details — 65 Posts
| Service / Cadre | UR | SC | ST | PwBD | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central Secretariat Clerical Service (CSCS), DoPT | 65 | —* | —* | —* | 65 |
Category-wise vacancies (SC, ST, PwBD) shall be informed in due course by the Cadre Controlling Authority.
Vacancies are tentative for recruitment year 2025. Final selection depends on vacancies confirmed at the time of allotment.
Who Can Apply — Eligibility Criteria
Only serving Lower Division Clerks in the participating cadre may apply. This examination is not open to external candidates or fresh graduates.
Service length (crucial date: 1 August 2025)
- General rule: At least 5 years of approved and continuous service in the Lower Division Grade of CSCS as on 1 August 2025
- If appointed via competitive exam / LDCE: If results were announced not less than 5 years before the crucial date, 4 years of approved continuous service in LDC grade is sufficient
- Military service: Period of absence on military duties may be counted toward prescribed service (per DoPT OM dated 22.11.1995)
Typewriting test
- Must have passed the typewriting test held by UPSC or SSC (MoPPG&P) for confirmation in LDC grade
- Exemption from typewriting test (if granted) must be valid
- Test must be passed on or before the date of notification of the examination
Other conditions
- LDCs on deputation to ex-cadre posts (with competent authority approval) are eligible if otherwise qualified
- Candidates who resign, quit service, or lose lien in JSA/LDC grade before result processing may become ineligible
- Application must be forwarded by Head of Department / Head of Office
- Submit only one application — duplicates are rejected
- OTR on ssc.gov.in is mandatory (old ssc.nic.in OTR not valid)
Reservation
- SC, ST, and PwBD reservation as per vacancies reported by CCA
- Relaxed standards may apply if sufficient reserved-category candidates are not available at prescribed standards
Pay Scale & Benefits
| Component | Detail |
|---|---|
| Grade | Senior Secretariat Assistant / Upper Division Clerk |
| Classification | Group ‘C’ Non-Gazetted |
| Pay Level | Level-4 (7th CPC) |
| Pay Matrix | ₹25,500 – ₹81,100 |
| Allowances | DA, HRA, TA, and other Central Government benefits |
Promotion from LDC to SSA/UD Grade is a key career milestone in Central Secretariat clerical service.
Selection Process
Total assessment: 300 marks across two parts.
Part-I: Computer Based Examination (200 Marks)
| Section | Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| (a) | Comprehension and General English | 50 | 50 |
| (b) | Parliamentary Procedure | 50 | 50 |
| (c) | General Knowledge | 50 | 50 |
| (d) | Noting and Drafting | 50 | 50 |
| Total | 200 | 200 |
| Particular | Detail |
|---|---|
| Duration | 3 hours (4 hours for scribe-eligible candidates) |
| Question type | Objective Multiple Choice (MCQ) |
| Language | English or Hindi (as opted in application) |
| General English section | Must be attempted in English only |
| Negative marking | 0.25 marks per wrong answer |
| Minimum qualifying marks | SSC may fix minimum marks for Part-I at its discretion |
Part-II: Evaluation of Record of Service (100 Marks)
- Based on APAR (Annual Performance Appraisal Report) evaluation
- Only candidates qualifying in Part-I CBE proceed to Part-II
- APAR marks added to CBE marks for final merit
Final Selection
- Aggregate of Part-I + Part-II determines rank
- Merit list prepared for SSA/UD Grade of CSCS up to vacancy count
- Competitive examination — qualifying does not guarantee selection
- Tie-breaker: Paper-I equivalent marks → older DOB → alphabetical order (as per rules)
- Cadre authority must be satisfied with candidate’s conduct in service before final selection
Syllabus — CBE Sections
(a) Comprehension and General English
- Simple composition and applied grammar
- Comprehension in English / Hindi (as per opted language)
(b) Parliamentary Procedure
- Sessions of Parliament
- Handling of Parliament questions
(c) General Knowledge
- Current events and matters of everyday observation
- General information about India
- Experience-based questions
(d) Noting and Drafting
- Chapters 7, 8, and 9 of latest CSMOP (Central Secretariat Manual of Office Procedure)
- Guidelines on Noting, Communication, Forms, Channels and Procedure
- Guidelines on Drafting of Communications
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 (posts held, scale of pay, capacity)
- Disability certificate (PwBD candidates)
Carry to examination
- Departmental Identity Card (original)
- Hard copy of Admission Certificate
- Valid Photo ID with date of birth
- Two passport-size photographs (if Aadhaar authentication not done during OTR)
Printed application (via department)
Forward to The Regional Director, SSC (Northern Region), Block No. 12, C.G.O. Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi – 110003 by 23 July 2026 (30 July 2026 for abroad / A&N / Lakshadweep).
How to Apply Online — Step by Step
- Visit ssc.gov.in and open the candidate portal.
- Complete One-Time Registration (OTR) on the new portal (not ssc.nic.in).
- Use Aadhaar-based authentication when prompted.
- Select SSA/UDC LDCE 2026 (CSCS, DoPT) application link.
- Fill personal, service, and cadre details matching Service Book records.
- Choose exam language — English or Hindi (cannot change later).
- Upload Service Book page, service particulars, and certificates.
- Capture live photograph and upload signature (JPEG, 10–20 KB).
- Submit online, download confirmation, and print application.
- Forward printed form with documents through Head of Department / Head of Office before 23 July 2026.
PwBD / PwD Provisions
- Scribe / assistive device on request during application
- Compensatory time: 20 minutes per hour
- Medical certificates (Annexure-II / III / VII / VIII) required
- Produce documents at exam centre
Answer Key & Representations
- Tentative answer keys published after CBE on SSC website
- Online representations only — ₹50 per question (non-refundable)
- No re-evaluation or re-checking at any stage
SSC SSA vs SSC ASO LDCE — Quick Comparison
| Detail | SSA/UDC LDCE 2026 | ASO LDCE 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Vacancies | 65 (CSCS, DoPT) | 341 (CSS + MEA) |
| Eligible cadre | Lower Division Clerk (LDC) | Upper Division Grade / UDC |
| Promoted to | SSA / UDC Grade | ASO / Assistant Grade |
| Pay Level | Level-4 (₹25,500–₹81,100) | Level-7 (₹44,900–₹1,42,400) |
| CBE marks | 200 (single exam) | 300 (Paper-I + Paper-II) |
| Apply till | 16 July 2026 | 16 July 2026 |
Both exams run in August 2026 in Delhi-NCR. Eligible candidates may need to apply separately if qualifying for both.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there an application fee for SSC SSA LDCE 2026?
The official notification does not prescribe any application fee for this departmental examination.
Can I change my application after submission?
No. The Commission does not allow any correction after online submission.
What happens if my department forwards my application late?
Your candidature will be cancelled. The Commission accepts only applications received through proper channel before the deadline.
Do I need to pass a typing test separately for this exam?
You must have already passed the typewriting test for LDC confirmation (unless exempted) before the notification date — this is an eligibility condition, not part of the LDCE CBE.
Related Updates
Source: SSC official notification dated 25 June 2026 (Notice No. 4/8/2026-CONF-5). Vacancies and schedule are tentative — confirm on ssc.gov.in before applying.