Staff Selection Commission (SSC), under the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Government of India, has released a Notice (No. 4/7/2026-CONF-5 dated 25 June 2026) for the Junior Secretariat Assistant / Lower Division Clerk Grade Limited Departmental Competitive Examination, 2025 for the Central Secretariat Clerical Service (CSCS) Cadre of the Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT). A total of 49 vacancies are notified (category-wise breakup to be announced later). This is a Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE) — open only to permanent or regularly appointed temporary Group ‘C’ employees with Grade Pay of ₹1800 having at least 3 years of regular service as on 01 August 2025 and having passed 12th standard. The Computer Based Examination (CBE) consisting of 180 MCQs (3 hours, negative marking of 0.25) is tentatively scheduled in August 2026 at Delhi-NCR only. Online applications are open at ssc.gov.in from 25 June 2026 until 16 July 2026 (2300 hrs). The post carries Pay Level-2 (₹19,900–₹63,200).
Quick Facts
Total Posts
49
Cadre
CSCS, DoPT
Last Date Apply
16 July 2026
Starting Pay/Month
₹19,900
Exam (Tentative)
August 2026
Exam Type
LDCE — Dept. Exam Only
Important: This Is a Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE)
This examination is exclusively for serving Central Government employees — specifically, permanent or regularly appointed temporary Group ‘C’ employees with Grade Pay of ₹1800 who have rendered at least 3 years of regular service as on the crucial date of 01.08.2025 and have passed 12th standard.
General public/fresher/direct candidates are not eligible.
Applications must be forwarded through the candidate’s Head of Department/Head of Office — applications not forwarded through proper channel will be rejected.
The Commission’s decision in all matters is final and binding.
1. Recruitment Overview
Particulars
Details
Organisation
Staff Selection Commission (SSC) — Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, DoPT, GoI — Block No. 12, CGO Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi – 110003
Central Secretariat Clerical Service (CSCS) — DoPT
Total Vacancies
49 posts — category-wise (UR/SC/ST/PwBD) breakup to be informed in due course
Crucial Date for Eligibility
01 August 2025
Online Application Opens
25 June 2026
Online Application Closes
16 July 2026 at 2300 Hrs
Hard Copy Deadline (General)
23 July 2026 (1800 hrs)
Hard Copy Deadline (Abroad/A&N/Lakshadweep)
30 July 2026 (1800 hrs)
Application Mode
Online at ssc.gov.in, followed by forwarding printed copy through HoD/HoO
Application Fee
Nil — no fee mentioned in official Notice (LDCE)
Exam Schedule
Tentatively August 2026 — Computer Based Examination (CBE)
Exam Centre
Delhi-NCR Only — no change of centre entertained
Selection Process
CBE → Merit List → Recommendation for Select List
CBE Pattern
180 MCQs — 3 hours (4 hrs for eligible PwBD scribe candidates) — Negative Marking: 0.25 per wrong answer
Mode of Correspondence
SSC Northern Region — sscnr.nic.in
Official Website
ssc.gov.in
2. Vacancy Details — 49 Posts
Sr. No.
Service/Cadre
UR
SC
ST
Total
PwBD
1
Central Secretariat Clerical Service (CSCS), DoPT
—
—
—
49*
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Vacancy note: Category-wise vacancies (UR, SC, ST, OBC, EWS, PwBD) shall be communicated in due course by the Service/Cadre Controlling Authority (CCA). Reservation for SC, ST and PwBD will be as per the vacancy position in respective categories reported by the CCA as per extant Government Orders. Management reserves the right to increase or decrease vacancies based on business requirements and availability of qualified candidates.
3. Eligibility Conditions
Crucial date: 01 August 2025 — all conditions must be satisfied as on this date
Criteria
Requirement
Employee Type
Permanent or regularly appointed temporary Group ‘C’ employee with Grade Pay of ₹1800
Length of Service
Not less than 3 years’ regular service as a Group ‘C’ employee with GP ₹1800 as on 01.08.2025
Educational Qualification
Passed 12th standard from a recognised Board or equivalent
Typewriting Test
Must pass SSC periodical typewriting test — 30 wpm English/25 wpm Hindi (manual) or 35 wpm/30 wpm on computer, if not already passed
Additional Conditions
Condition
Requirement
Deputation to Ex-Cadre Post
Group ‘C’ employees on deputation to ex-cadre post with approval of competent authority are eligible, if otherwise eligible
Transfer to Ex-Cadre/Another Service
Group ‘C’ employees appointed to an ex-cadre post or another service on transfer but retaining a lien in Group ‘C’ post are eligible
Resigned/Quit Service
Candidates who resign, quit, or have services terminated before/after the exam are not eligible for appointment
Typewriting Exemption
Candidates declared permanently unfit for typewriting by a Civil Surgeon due to physical disability may be exempted, in consultation with DoPT
Important Eligibility Warnings
This is a Departmental Examination — general public and fresher candidates are not eligible
Applications must be forwarded through Head of Department/Head of Office only — direct applications are not accepted
The Head of Department/Office must verify eligibility before forwarding — it is their responsibility as per the Notice
Eligibility is determined as on the crucial date: 01 August 2025 — not the date of application
4. Exam Pattern — Computer Based Examination (CBE)
English & Hindi (General English section in English only)
General Knowledge
60
60
English or Hindi (as opted in application)
CSMOP (Ch. 5, 6, 10 — Dak Receipts, File Mgmt, Records Mgmt)
60
60
English or Hindi (as opted in application)
Total
180
180
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Key Exam Rules
All questions are Objective Type Multiple Choice — no descriptive paper
Negative Marking: 0.25 marks deducted for each wrong answer — attempt carefully
Duration: 3 hours (4 hours for candidates eligible for scribe/compensatory time)
Tentative Answer Keys will be placed on ssc.gov.in after exam — candidates may challenge for ₹50 per question (non-refundable) within the given time window
No re-evaluation/re-checking of scores at any stage
No Question Paper in Braille for Visually Handicapped candidates
Candidate must attempt in the language (English/Hindi) opted in the Application Form, except the ‘General English’ section which is in English only
5. Detailed Syllabus
Subject
Detailed Syllabus
Comprehension/General English
Tests simple composition and applied grammar — comprehension passages (in English/Hindi) and questions on basic grammar and written English proficiency. The ‘General English’ sub-section must be attempted in English only.
General Knowledge
Knowledge of current events, matters of everyday observation and experience, and general information about India — includes polity, economy, geography, history, science, and national/international affairs.
CSMOP
Simple questions from Chapter 5 (Management of Dak Receipts), Chapter 6 (File Management System), and Chapter 10 (Records Management) of the latest edition of the Central Secretariat Manual of Office Procedure (CSMOP). Candidates should use the most current/latest edition.
6. Pay Scale & Service Conditions
Component
Details
Pay Level
Level-2 in Pay Matrix (7th CPC)
Pay Range
₹19,900 – ₹63,200 per month (Grade Pay ₹1,900 equivalent)
Post Category
Group ‘C’ Non-Gazetted
Allowances
DA, HRA, TA, and other Central Government allowances as admissible
Nature of Appointment
Regular Government Service — JSA/LDC is a permanent cadre post, not tenure-based
Typewriting (Post-appointment)
Must pass SSC typewriting test within one year of appointment, failing which annual increments are withheld until test is passed
Probation/Reversion
Candidates who fail typewriting test within probation period are liable to be reverted to their substantive/temporary post
Posting
Selected candidates posted to CSCS Cadre, DoPT — postings as per Government requirement
7. Selection Process — Step by Step
One Time Registration (OTR) & Online Application — Register on ssc.gov.in (new website); OTR generated on old ssc.nic.in is not valid. Apply online by 16 July 2026 (2300 hrs). Submit only one application. Upload required documents including certified copy of Service Book page.
Forwarding Through Proper Channel — Printed copy of online application (with all required documents) must be forwarded by Head of Department/Head of Office to SSC Northern Region, New Delhi, to reach by 23 July 2026 (1800 hrs). Applications not forwarded through proper channel are rejected. HoD must verify eligibility and certify the application (Annexure-VI).
Provisional Acceptance & Admission Certificate — Commission issues Admit Card online on sscnr.nic.in approximately 10 days before the exam. Download facility available 3–4 days before exam. Admit Card not sent by post. Candidates must carry Departmental Identity Card (Original) to the exam centre.
Computer Based Examination (CBE) — 180 MCQs, 3 hours, at Delhi-NCR only, tentatively August 2026. Subjects: Comprehension/General English (60), General Knowledge (60), CSMOP (60). Negative marking: 0.25 per wrong answer. No TA from SSC for attending exam.
Result & Merit List — Commission may fix minimum qualifying marks. Final selection is purely based on CBE aggregate marks — this is a competitive exam, not qualifying. Merit list prepared category-wise up to the number of vacancies notified. Tie-breaking: Marks in Comprehension/English → GK → Date of Birth (older higher) → Alphabetical order.
Recommendation for Select List — Candidates in merit order recommended for inclusion in Select List for JSA/LDC Grade, CSCS Cadre, DoPT. Success does not confer right to selection unless the cadre authority is satisfied about the candidate’s service conduct and suitability.
8. Important Dates & Deadlines
Event
Date
Notice Release Date
25 Jun 2026
Online Application Opens
25 Jun 2026
Last Date — Online Application
16 Jul 2026 (2300 Hrs)
Hard Copy Deadline — General
23 Jul 2026 (1800 Hrs)
Hard Copy Deadline — Abroad/A&N/Lakshadweep
30 Jul 2026 (1800 Hrs)
Computer Based Examination (CBE)
August 2026 (Tentative)
⚠ Exam Centre is Delhi-NCR ONLY — no request for change of centre will be entertained under any circumstances. No TA paid by SSC for attending examination.
9. How to Apply — Step by Step
Documents to Upload with Online Application
Certified true copy of first page of Service Book (name, father’s name, nationality, caste, date of birth) — attested by HoD/HoO
Certified particulars of service showing posts held, scale of pay, and capacity (substantive/officiating/permanent/temporary) — attested by HoD/HoO
Copy of certificate of educational qualification (12th pass), if applicable
Disability Certificate in case of PwBD candidates (Annexure-VII or Annexure-VIII as applicable)
Live photograph captured at the time of filling application — no pre-existing photograph; no cap/mask/spectacles; good light, plain background
Scanned signature — JPEG format — 10 to 20 KB — 6.0 cm × 2.0 cm
Application Steps
Complete One-Time Registration (OTR) — visit ssc.gov.in → Register Now → fill personal details, Aadhaar (or alternate ID), mobile (OTP verified), email (OTP verified), matriculation details. Complete within 14 days of starting or data will be deleted. OTR from old ssc.nic.in is not valid.
Fill Online Application Form — login with Registration Number & password → click “Apply” under “JSA/LDC LDCE 2025 (CSCS, DoPT)” in Live Exam tab → fill Cadre, Exam Year (2025), service details, joining date, HoD details, scribe info (if applicable), choose exam language. Capture live photo. Upload signature. Preview carefully before submitting.
Submit Online & Take Printout — submit by 16 July 2026 (2300 hrs). Take a printout. Only one application allowed — multiple submissions lead to rejection.
Forward Hard Copy via HoD/HoO (Mandatory) — the printed application + all required documents must be forwarded by your Head of Department/Head of Office to: “The Regional Director, SSC Northern Region, Block No. 12, CGO Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi – 110003” to reach by 23 July 2026 (1800 hrs). The HoD must sign the photograph and put their seal (Annexure-VI). Applications not forwarded through proper channel are summarily rejected.
Download Admit Card & Appear for Exam — Admit Card uploaded on sscnr.nic.in about 10 days before exam, downloadable 3–4 days before. Carry Original Departmental Identity Card + hard copy of Admit Card. Appear in Delhi-NCR only.
10. PwBD/PwD Provisions — Scribe & Compensatory Time
As per RPwD Act 2016 — Para 35 of the official Notice
Category
Scribe/Assistive Device Eligibility
Compensatory Time
PwBD — Blindness & Cerebral Palsy (Para 35a)
Scribe/Technology/Assistive Devices provided — must opt in application and upload disability certificate
20 minutes per hour of exam
Other PwBD categories (Para 35b)
On production of certificate from Chief Medical Officer/Civil Surgeon that physical limitation hampers writing (Annexure-II format)
20 minutes per hour of exam
PwD with <40% disability having writing difficulty (Para 35c)
On production of certificate as per Annexure-III (multi-specialist board certificate) — must be uploaded with application
20 minutes per hour of exam
PwBD/PwD eligible but choosing not to avail scribe
Not applicable (no scribe)
20 minutes per hour of exam (still provided)
PwBD Candidate Warnings
Must opt for scribe/assistive devices at the time of filling the online application — cannot be requested later
Must produce all relevant certificates at the time of examination — failure to produce leads to cancellation of candidature
Candidates without Medical Certificate will not be allowed to appear in examination
Facility for scribe provided only if the post is identified suitable for the relevant disability category
11. FAQs
#
Question
Answer
1
Can a general public/fresher candidate apply?
No. This is a Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE). Only permanent or regularly appointed temporary Group ‘C’ Central Government employees with GP ₹1800 and at least 3 years of regular service as on 01.08.2025 are eligible. General public, fresh graduates, and State Government/PSU employees are not eligible.
2
Is there negative marking in the CBE?
Yes — 0.25 marks deducted for each wrong answer. Unlike many SSC exams, this LDCE carries negative marking. No penalty for unattempted questions — only wrong answers are penalised.
3
Where will the exam be held? Can I choose my city?
Delhi-NCR Only. No request for change of centre will be entertained. Appearing at an unassigned centre leads to cancellation of candidature. No Travelling Allowance is paid by SSC.
4
Can I directly send my application to SSC?
No. After online submission, the printed copy must be forwarded by your Head of Department/Head of Office to SSC Northern Region. Applications received directly from candidates will not be considered. The HoD/HoO must also sign and seal the photograph (Annexure-VI).
5
What is the CSMOP subject? What should I study?
CSMOP stands for Central Secretariat Manual of Office Procedure. Candidates are tested on Chapter 5 (Dak Receipts), Chapter 6 (File Management System), and Chapter 10 (Records Management) of the latest edition. Use the most current version. Questions are described as “simple” in nature.
6
Is this a permanent government job or contractual?
This is a permanent regular government post. JSA/LDC in the CSCS Cadre of DoPT is a regular Group ‘C’ Central Government position (Pay Level-2). However, typewriting test requirements apply post-appointment, and failure within probation can lead to reversion to the previous post.
7
My OTR was done on the old SSC website (ssc.nic.in). Do I need to register again?
Yes. OTR from ssc.nic.in will not function on the new website (ssc.gov.in). All candidates must generate a fresh OTR on ssc.gov.in before applying. Once completed, it remains valid for future exams on the new website.
8
How is a tie resolved if two candidates score equal marks?
Resolved in order: (1) Marks in Comprehension and General English; (2) Marks in General Knowledge; (3) Date of Birth — older candidate placed higher; (4) Alphabetical order of names.
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