SSC ASO Recruitment 2026 — 341 Assistant Section Officer / Assistant Posts
ASO / Assistant Grade LDCE 2025 | CSS (DoPT) & MEA Cadre | Pay Level-7 | Delhi-NCR Exam | ssc.gov.in
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.
| 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 Upper Division Clerks (UDC) / Senior Secretariat Assistants (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 | Printed application must reach SSC (NR), New Delhi through Head of Dept/Office by 23 July 2026 (6:00 PM) | 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) | Service condition — minimum 6 years in the grade — to be reckoned as on 01 July 2025 |
| Official Website | ssc.gov.in | Results & Admit Cards: ssc.gov.in/home/candidate-result |
Vacancies
Cadre Cell
318 CSS posts
combined
- 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
| 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 |
- Must be a permanent serving Upper Division Clerk (UDC) / Senior Secretariat Assistant (SSA) in the Central Secretariat Service (CSS) under the Department of Personnel & Training (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
- 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
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.
| 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) | — | ||
- 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
- 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 negative marking provisions applicable to Paper-I and Paper-II
- 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
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 you have not already registered on the SSC portal, complete the One-Time Registration (OTR) at ssc.gov.in. SSC recommends opting for Aadhaar-based authentication during OTR. Note down your Registration ID and password. If you have previously registered, skip this step and log in with existing credentials.
Fill & Submit Online Application (by 16 July 2026, 11:00 PM)
Log in at ssc.gov.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 — multiple applications lead to cancellation. Upload a live photograph as directed by the portal (photographing a pre-existing photo is NOT allowed). Complete the online submission before 16 July 2026 at 11:00 PM.
Print the Completed Application Form
After online submission, take a printout of the filled application form. The printed copy must carry all the submitted details. Sign the printed form at the designated places. This is the hard copy that your department will forward to SSC.
Forwarding Authority — HOD / HOO Signs & Forwards
This is a critical step that many candidates miss. The printed application must be submitted to your Head of Department (HOD) / Head of Office (HOO) immediately after online submission. The HOD/HOO must sign the candidate’s photograph on the printed form and put a half-seal across the photograph. The HOD/HOO then forwards the hard copy application 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 that it reaches SSC Northern Region, New Delhi by 23 July 2026 at 6:00 PM. Candidates serving abroad or in Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep have a deadline of 30 July 2026. Inform your department well in advance to avoid delays.
Download Admit Card & Appear for CBE in August 2026
After processing, SSC will issue e-Admit Cards online before the examination. Download the admit card from ssc.gov.in and bring it to the Delhi-NCR examination centre along with valid photo ID. The Computer Based Examination is scheduled tentatively in August 2026. Exact date and exam city will be announced on ssc.gov.in and SSC Northern Region website.
- Not sending the hard copy via HOD/HOO: Completing only the online form is insufficient. The printed hard copy MUST be forwarded by your Head of Department to SSC NR
- HOD/HOO not signing the photograph: The forwarding authority must personally sign the candidate’s photograph and put a half-seal across the photo on the printed application. Without this, the application is summarily rejected
- Late receipt of hard copy: Hard copy not reaching SSC NR by 23 July 2026 (6:00 PM) will be rejected, regardless of online submission date. Inform your department immediately after applying online
- Uploading photograph of a pre-existing printed photo: The SSC online application captures a live photograph through the portal — uploading a photograph of a previously printed photograph leads to summary rejection
- Submitting more than one application: Multiple online applications for this examination lead to cancellation of all candidature — submit only one
- Applying without meeting the 6-year service requirement: Service calculated as on 01 July 2025 — not the application date. If less than 6 years, candidature will be rejected at verification stage
- Service terminated or resigned after applying: Candidates who leave service after applying are not eligible for appointment on the result of this examination
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 a CBE in Delhi-NCR. Total CBE marks: 300. SSC processes applications, verifies eligibility based on HOD/HOO forwarding, and issues admit cards to eligible candidates only.
APAR Evaluation (Part II) — 100 Marks
The Annual Performance Appraisal Reports of all qualified candidates are evaluated by the concerned cadre controlling authority (DoPT for CSS / MEA for MEA Cadre Cell). This assessment of service record contributes 100 marks to the final merit. No separate exam is required for this part — it is based on your official APARs over the preceding years.
Final Merit List & Select List
SSC prepares the Final Merit List by combining Part I (CBE, 300 marks) + Part II (APAR, 100 marks) = 400 marks total. The merit list is prepared separately for CSS and MEA Cadre. Candidates are ranked on the Select List based on combined marks, and recommendations for promotion are made to the respective cadre controlling authorities.
Promotion & Appointment as ASO
Candidates on the Select List are promoted to the grade of Assistant Section Officer (ASO) / Assistant — Group B, Non-Gazetted — subject to availability of vacancy, satisfactory service record, and completion of any mandatory training as prescribed by DoPT / the concerned cadre authority.
Deadline 1 — Online Application: Complete and submit the online application on ssc.gov.in by 16 July 2026 at 11:00 PM. Missing this means you cannot apply at all.
Deadline 2 — Hard Copy via HOD/HOO: The printed application, signed and forwarded by your Head of Department/Head of Office, must physically reach SSC Northern Region, New Delhi by 23 July 2026 at 6:00 PM. Even if the online application is submitted on time, missing this hard copy deadline means your application will be summarily rejected. Both must be completed.
Part I — Computer Based Examination:
• Paper-I: General English — 150 questions / 150 marks / 3 hours
• Paper-II: General Studies — 150 questions / 150 marks / 3 hours
Subtotal Part I: 300 marks
Part II — APAR / Service Record Evaluation: 100 marks — evaluated by the cadre controlling authority based on the candidate’s Annual Performance Appraisal Reports over the preceding years
Final Merit = 300 (CBE) + 100 (APAR) = 400 marks total
The Select List for promotion to ASO is prepared in order of merit based on this combined 400-mark score.
Paper-II — General Studies (150 marks): Indian History (ancient, medieval, modern), Indian Geography (physical, economic, political), Indian Polity and Constitution, Indian Economy, General Science, Current Affairs and National/International Events, Environment and Ecology, and General Reasoning and Mental Ability.
Candidates are advised to prepare at a level appropriate for a Group B Central Government post — SSC CGL-level preparation for English and General Studies is a reliable benchmark.
Basic Pay: ₹44,900 to ₹1,42,400
Gross Salary in Delhi: Approximately ₹65,000–₹80,000/month including Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA at Delhi rates, 27% of basic), and Transport Allowance
MEA Cadre ASOs posted abroad additionally receive Foreign Allowance as per MEA rules — this varies significantly by country and can substantially enhance take-home pay during overseas postings.
Standard Central Government employee benefits include CGHS medical, NPS pension, gratuity, LTC (Leave Travel Concession), earned leave encashment, and access to departmental housing (if available). The ASO post also offers a defined career ladder — ASO → Section Officer → Under Secretary → Deputy Secretary.
This means candidates with consistently Outstanding, Very Good, or Good APAR grades in recent years score higher in Part II, which contributes to the final merit. Candidates who perform well in the CBE (Part I, 300 marks) but have lower APAR scores may still be displaced by candidates with higher APAR scores, since the final ranking is based on the combined 400-mark total. This system ensures that the exam rewards both academic/analytical ability (Part I) and actual work performance (Part II).
1. Availability of vacancies in the ASO grade at the time of recommendation — the 341 vacancies listed are tentative and based on current sanctioned strength
2. Satisfactory DPC (Departmental Promotion Committee) clearance as applicable
3. Clean vigilance/disciplinary record — any pending major penalty proceedings may delay or prevent promotion even if on the Select List
4. Completion of any mandatory pre-promotion training as prescribed by DoPT
A Reserve List may also be maintained to fill future vacancies, so candidates lower on the Select List may still be promoted as vacancies arise.
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