The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has officially released the notification for the Assistant Section Officer (ASO) / Assistant Grade Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE), 2025 vide notification reference number No. 4/2/2026-CONF-5, dated 25 June 2026. A total of 341 vacancies are available — 318 posts under the Central Secretariat Service (CSS) cadre managed by the Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT), and 23 posts under the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Cadre Cell. This is a promotion-based internal departmental examination — it is NOT open to the general public. Only eligible serving Upper Division Clerks (UDC) / Senior Secretariat Assistants in CSS (DoPT) or MEA (Cadre Cell) with a minimum of 6 years of approved service in the grade as on 01 July 2025 are eligible. Online applications can be submitted at ssc.gov.in from 25 June 2026 to 16 July 2026 (till 11:00 PM). The printed application hard copy must be forwarded through the candidate’s Head of Department/Head of Office to SSC (Northern Region), New Delhi, to reach by 23 July 2026 (6:00 PM). The Computer Based Examination is scheduled tentatively in August 2026 and will be held only at centres in Delhi-NCR — no other centres will be provided.
Quick Facts
| Online Last Date | 16 July 2026 |
| Total Vacancies | 341 |
| CSS (DoPT) | 318 |
| MEA Cadre | 23 |
| Total Marks | 400 |
| Pay Scale | Level-7 |
IMPORTANT — NOT FOR GENERAL PUBLIC
This is a Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE) open only to eligible serving employees of the Central Secretariat Service (CSS) under DoPT and the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Cadre Cell. General/open market candidates cannot apply. Verify your eligibility fully before applying.
1. Complete Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Staff Selection Commission (SSC) — Headquarters, New Delhi |
| Exam Name | Assistant Section Officer (ASO) / Assistant Grade Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE), 2025 |
| Notification Reference | No. 4/2/2026-CONF-5, dated 25 June 2026 |
| Post Name | Assistant Section Officer (CSS) / Assistant Grade (MEA) — Group B, Non-Gazetted |
| Participating Cadres | Central Secretariat Service (CSS) under DoPT + Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Cadre Cell |
| Total Vacancies | 341 posts — CSS (DoPT): 318 | MEA Cadre Cell: 23 |
| PwBD Reservation | 19 posts reserved for PwBD (within 318 CSS vacancies) across identified disability categories |
| Exam Type | Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE) — NOT open to general public |
| Who Can Apply | Serving UDC/SSA in CSS (DoPT) cadre OR serving employees of MEA Cadre Cell with minimum 6 years’ approved service in the grade as on 01 July 2025 |
| Application Window | Online: 25 June 2026 to 16 July 2026 (till 11:00 PM/2300 hrs) at ssc.gov.in |
| Hard Copy Deadline | 23 July 2026 (6:00 PM) via HoD/HoO to SSC (NR), New Delhi | Abroad/A&N/Lakshadweep: 30 July 2026 |
| Application Fee | Not specified for LDCE candidates — refer to official notification for confirmation |
| Exam Mode | Computer Based Examination (CBE) — tentatively in August 2026 |
| Exam Location | Delhi-NCR only — no other centre will be allotted; no request for centre change entertained |
| Pay Scale | Pay Level-7 — ₹44,900 to ₹1,42,400 (7th CPC Pay Matrix) + DA + HRA + TA and other allowances |
| Total Marks for Selection | 400 marks — Part I CBE (Paper-I: 150 + Paper-II: 150 = 300 marks) + Part II APAR evaluation (100 marks) |
| Crucial Date (Eligibility) | Minimum 6 years in the grade, reckoned as on 01 July 2025 |
| Official Website | ssc.gov.in | Results & Admit Cards: ssc.gov.in/home/candidate-result |
2. Vacancy Details — 341 Posts across CSS & MEA
| Category | Posts | Details |
|---|---|---|
| CSS (DoPT) | 318 | Central Secretariat Service Vacancies |
| MEA Cadre | 23 | Ministry of External Affairs Cadre Cell |
| PwBD (CSS) | 19 | Reserved within 318 CSS posts |
| Total Posts | 341 | Both cadres combined |
Important Vacancy Notes
- The 318 CSS vacancies are under the Central Secretariat Service, a Group A/B service with postings across various Ministries and Departments of the Government of India in New Delhi
- The 23 MEA Cadre Cell vacancies are for the Ministry of External Affairs and may include postings at MEA Headquarters and potentially in Indian Missions/Posts abroad
- All 341 vacancies are for the grade of Assistant Section Officer (ASO)/Assistant — a Group B, Non-Gazetted post at Pay Level-7
- Of the 318 CSS posts, 19 are reserved horizontally for PwBD candidates across specified disability categories as per DoPT guidelines
- These are promotional vacancies — not open recruitment. The exam creates a Select List for promotion of eligible in-service candidates to the grade of ASO
3. Important Dates — Key Deadlines at a Glance
| Event | Date/Deadline | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Notification Released | 25 June 2026 | Published at ssc.gov.in |
| Online Application Opens | 25 June 2026 | Active from notification date |
| Online Application Last Date | 16 July 2026 (11:00 PM/2300 hrs) | Portal closes at 11 PM sharp |
| Hard Copy Submission Deadline | 23 July 2026 (6:00 PM) | Must reach SSC NR via Head of Office |
| Hard Copy (Abroad/A&N/Lakshadweep) | 30 July 2026 | Extended for specified remote locations |
| Eligibility Crucial Date | 01 July 2025 | 6 years’ service reckoned as on this date |
| Computer Based Examination | Tentatively August 2026 | Delhi-NCR centres only |
| Admit Card | Before exam date | Available online on ssc.gov.in |
⚠️ Two-stage deadline: Online submission closes 16 July 2026 at 11 PM. But this alone is not enough — the printed hard copy must also physically reach SSC Northern Region by 23 July 2026 at 6:00 PM through your Head of Department/Head of Office. Failure to do either will result in rejection of your application.
4. Eligibility Criteria — Who Can Apply
DEPARTMENTAL ONLY — General Candidates Cannot Apply
Eligible Category 1 — CSS (DoPT) Cadre Employees
- Must be a permanent serving Upper Division Clerk (UDC)/Senior Secretariat Assistant (SSA) in the Central Secretariat Service (CSS) under DoPT
- Must have rendered a minimum of 6 years of approved service in the grade of UDC/SSA in CSS as on 01 July 2025
- Must be currently in service — candidates who have resigned, left service, or whose service has been terminated are not eligible even if they applied
- Must have a clean disciplinary record — employees under any ongoing major penalty proceedings may be considered ineligible as per DoPT rules
Eligible Category 2 — MEA (Cadre Cell) Employees
- Must be a serving employee of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Cadre Cell at the equivalent grade with requisite service
- Minimum 6 years of approved service in the relevant grade as on 01 July 2025
- Applying specifically for the 23 MEA Cadre Cell posts under this notification
There is no age limit specified for this LDCE, since it is an internal departmental promotion exam for serving employees. Eligibility is determined solely by service condition (6 years in grade) as on 01 July 2025.
5. Exam Pattern — Part I (CBE) & Part II (APAR Evaluation)
The selection process has two parts. Part I is a Computer Based Written Examination with two papers. Part II is an evaluation of the candidate’s Annual Performance Appraisal Reports (APARs)/service record. The final merit is prepared by combining both parts.
Part I — Computer Based Examination (Total: 300 Marks)
| Paper | Subject/Coverage | Questions | Marks | Duration | Nature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper-I | General English — Grammar, Vocabulary, Comprehension, Précis, Composition, Idioms & Phrases, Sentence Correction, Fill in the Blanks | 150 | 150 | 3 Hours | Merit-based |
| Paper-II | General Studies — Indian History, Geography, Polity, Economy, Science & Technology, Current Affairs, Environment, General Awareness, Reasoning | 150 | 150 | 3 Hours | Merit-based |
| Part I Total | 300 | 6 Hours (total, 2 papers) | — |
Part II — APAR/Service Record Evaluation (Total: 100 Marks)
- 100 marks are awarded based on the evaluation of the candidate’s Annual Performance Appraisal Reports (APARs) — the official service record maintained by the department
- APARs for the last several years (typically 5 years) are evaluated — candidates with consistently high APAR gradings score higher in Part II
- This evaluation is conducted by the department/cadre controlling authority — it is not something candidates prepare for
- Part II ensures that only consistently high-performing employees — not just examination-focused candidates — are promoted
Final Merit Formula: Part I CBE (Paper-I 150 + Paper-II 150) + Part II APAR (100) = 400 Marks Total
Both papers in CBE carry equal weightage. APAR evaluation is added post-examination. Select List based on combined 400 marks.
CBE Exam — Key Rules
- Mode: Computer Based Examination (CBE) — objective type multiple choice questions
- Exam Centres: Delhi-NCR only — no centre outside Delhi-NCR will be allotted; no request for centre change entertained under any circumstances
- Negative Marking: As per SSC’s standard rules for departmental competitive examinations — refer to the official notification for exact provisions
- Scribe provision: Available for eligible PwBD candidates as per DoPT rules — detailed instructions in the official notification
- Candidates must bring their valid admit card to the exam centre — e-admit cards available online before exam
6. How to Apply — Two-Stage Process (Online + Hard Copy)
The application process has TWO mandatory stages — completing only one is not sufficient. Both must be done within their respective deadlines.
- One-Time Registration on ssc.gov.in — if not already registered, complete OTR at ssc.gov.in. SSC recommends Aadhaar-based authentication. Note your Registration ID and password. If already registered, log in with existing credentials.
- Fill & Submit Online Application (by 16 July 2026, 11:00 PM) — log in and fill the online application form for ASO/Assistant Grade LDCE 2025 (Notification No. 4/2/2026-CONF-5). Enter personal details, cadre (CSS or MEA), service details, APAR years, and other required information. Submit only ONE application. Upload a live photograph as directed by the portal (photographing a pre-existing photo is NOT allowed).
- Print the Completed Application Form — after online submission, take a printout of the filled application form. Sign the printed form at the designated places.
- Forwarding Authority — HOD/HOO Signs & Forwards — submit the printed application to your Head of Department (HOD)/Head of Office (HOO) immediately after online submission. The HOD/HOO must sign the candidate’s photograph and put a half-seal across the photograph. The HOD/HOO then forwards the hard copy to SSC (Northern Region). Without this, the application is summarily rejected.
- Hard Copy Must Reach SSC NR by 23 July 2026 (6:00 PM) — the Head of Department must dispatch the application so it reaches SSC Northern Region, New Delhi by this deadline. Candidates serving abroad or in Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep have until 30 July 2026. Inform your department well in advance.
- Download Admit Card & Appear for CBE in August 2026 — after processing, SSC will issue e-Admit Cards online before the examination. Download from ssc.gov.in and bring to the Delhi-NCR examination centre along with valid photo ID.
7. Critical Mistakes That Will Get Your Application Rejected
- Not sending the hard copy via HOD/HOO — completing only the online form is insufficient
- HOD/HOO not signing the photograph — the forwarding authority must personally sign the candidate’s photograph and put a half-seal across it on the printed application; without this, the application is summarily rejected
- Late receipt of hard copy — not reaching SSC NR by 23 July 2026 (6:00 PM) results in rejection, regardless of online submission date
- Uploading photograph of a pre-existing printed photo — the SSC portal captures a live photograph; uploading a photo of a previously printed photograph leads to summary rejection
- Submitting more than one application — multiple applications lead to cancellation of all candidature
- Applying without meeting the 6-year service requirement — service calculated as on 01 July 2025, not the application date
- Service terminated or resigned after applying — candidates who leave service after applying are not eligible for appointment on the result
8. Selection Process — From Exam to Select List
- Computer Based Examination (Part I) — August 2026 — Paper-I (General English, 150 marks, 3 hours) and Paper-II (General Studies, 150 marks, 3 hours) conducted as CBE in Delhi-NCR. Total CBE marks: 300.
- APAR Evaluation (Part II) — 100 Marks — Annual Performance Appraisal Reports of all qualified candidates evaluated by the concerned cadre controlling authority (DoPT for CSS/MEA for MEA Cadre Cell). No separate exam required.
- Final Merit List & Select List — SSC combines Part I (300 marks) + Part II (100 marks) = 400 marks total. Merit list prepared separately for CSS and MEA Cadre. Recommendations made to respective cadre controlling authorities.
- Promotion & Appointment as ASO — candidates on the Select List are promoted to ASO/Assistant (Group B, Non-Gazetted), subject to vacancy availability, satisfactory service record, and completion of any mandatory training.
9. ASO/Assistant Grade — Job Profile, Salary & Career Growth
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Pay Scale | Pay Level-7 — Basic Pay ₹44,900–₹1,42,400 (7th CPC). Gross salary approx. ₹65,000–₹80,000/month in Delhi including DA, HRA, and allowances |
| Job Profile | File management, note-making, drafting, processing official correspondence, supervising UDCs, coordinating between sections and ministries, Parliament Q&A handling, policy implementation |
| MEA Posting Benefit | MEA cadre ASOs may be posted to Indian Embassies and High Commissions abroad — with Foreign Allowance, international exposure, and attractive overseas postings |
| Career Growth | ASO → Section Officer (SO) → Under Secretary → Deputy Secretary → Director — through DPC/LDCE-based promotions within CSS or MEA cadre |
| CGHS & Medical | Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) coverage for self and family at empanelled hospitals in Delhi and across India |
| Job Security | Permanent Group B Central Govt. post with NPS pension, gratuity, LTC, and full Government of India service benefits |
Posting: Delhi (primarily) | MEA: India & Abroad · Cadre: CSS (DoPT)/MEA · Group: B, Non-Gazetted · Pay Level: 7 (₹44,900–₹1,42,400)
10. FAQs
| # | Question | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Can a general public candidate apply? | No. This is a Limited Departmental Competitive Examination — exclusively for serving government employees. Only UDC/SSA of CSS (DoPT) and MEA Cadre Cell employees with min. 6 years’ approved service as on 01 July 2025 are eligible. External/open market candidates cannot apply under any circumstances. |
| 2 | What are the two deadlines — what happens if I miss either one? | Deadline 1 — Online Application: submit on ssc.gov.in by 16 July 2026, 11:00 PM. Deadline 2 — Hard Copy via HOD/HOO: must physically reach SSC Northern Region, New Delhi by 23 July 2026, 6:00 PM. Missing either means summary rejection — both must be completed. |
| 3 | Why is the exam only in Delhi-NCR? What if I’m posted outside Delhi? | CSS and MEA Cadre Cell are Delhi-based services, so SSC has designated Delhi-NCR as the only exam centre zone. Candidates posted outside Delhi (including on deputation or abroad) must still appear in Delhi-NCR. No request for centre change will be entertained under any circumstances. |
| 4 | What is the exam pattern — how many marks is the written exam? | Total 400 marks: Part I CBE — Paper-I General English (150 marks/3 hrs) + Paper-II General Studies (150 marks/3 hrs) = 300 marks. Part II — APAR evaluation = 100 marks. Final Merit = 300 + 100 = 400 marks total. |
| 5 | What is the syllabus for Paper-I and Paper-II? | Paper-I (General English): grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, précis writing, fill in the blanks, error detection/sentence correction, para-jumbles, cloze test. Paper-II (General Studies): Indian History, Geography, Polity, Economy, Science, Current Affairs, Environment, Reasoning. SSC CGL-level preparation is a reliable benchmark. |
| 6 | What is the salary of an ASO in CSS or MEA? | Group B, Non-Gazetted post at Pay Level-7. Basic Pay ₹44,900–₹1,42,400; gross salary in Delhi approx. ₹65,000–₹80,000/month including DA, HRA (27% of basic in Delhi), and Transport Allowance. MEA Cadre ASOs posted abroad additionally receive Foreign Allowance. Standard benefits include CGHS, NPS pension, gratuity, LTC. |
| 7 | What is APAR and how does it contribute to final merit? | APAR (Annual Performance Appraisal Report) is the annual confidential performance assessment prepared by reporting/reviewing officers. Evaluated by the cadre controlling authority and scored out of 100. Candidates with consistently high APAR grades score higher, which can outweigh strong CBE performance since final ranking is based on the combined 400-mark total. |
| 8 | Does qualifying this exam guarantee promotion to ASO? | No. Promotion is subject to: (1) availability of vacancies at the time of recommendation, (2) satisfactory DPC clearance, (3) clean vigilance/disciplinary record, (4) completion of any mandatory pre-promotion training. A Reserve List may also be maintained to fill future vacancies. |
Official Links & Resources
- Official ASO LDCE 2025 Notification PDF — ssc.gov.in (Ref: No. 4/2/2026-CONF-5)
- SSC Official Website — ssc.gov.in (Apply Online, OTR, Admit Card, Results)
- SSC Candidate Result/Admit Card Page — ssc.gov.in/home/candidate-result
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