SSC SSA / UDC DoPT LDCE Recruitment 2026 — 65 Posts Senior Secretariat Assistant / Upper Division Clerk Grade • CSCS Cadre, DoPT • Limited Departmental Competitive Examination 2025 • Two-Part Exam: CBE (200) + APAR (100) = 300 Marks • Apply Online by 16 July 2026 • ssc.gov.in
This Is a Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE) — Open Only to Regular LDC/JSA of CSCS Cadre, DoPT
This examination is exclusively for regularly appointed Lower Division Clerks (LDC) / Junior Secretariat Assistants (JSA) of the CSCS Cadre, DoPT who have completed at least 5 years of approved and continuous service in the LDC Grade as on 01.08.2025 AND have passed the SSC/UPSC typewriting test before the date of notification. General public, fresh candidates, or employees of other services/cadres are not eligible. Additionally, selection is based on two parts — CBE performance determines shortlisting for Part-II, and final merit is based on CBE + APAR evaluation combined.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Staff Selection Commission (SSC) Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Dept. of Personnel & Training (DoPT), Government of India Block No. 12, CGO Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi – 110003 |
| Notice No. | 4/8/2026-CONF-5 dated 25 June 2026 |
| Examination Name | Senior Secretariat Assistant / Upper Division Clerk Grade Limited Departmental Competitive Examination, 2025 (CSCS, DoPT) |
| Post Name | Senior Secretariat Assistant (SSA) / Upper Division Clerk (UDC) Grade |
| Pay Scale | Pay Level-4 — ₹25,500 – ₹81,100 (Group C, Non-Gazetted) |
| Cadre / Service | Central Secretariat Clerical Service (CSCS) — Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT) |
| Total Vacancies | 65 Posts — Category-wise (UR/SC/ST/PwBD) breakup to be informed in due course |
| Crucial Date for Eligibility | All eligibility (service length) reckoned as on 01 August 2025 |
| Online Application Opens | 25 June 2026 |
| Online Application Closes | 16 July 2026 at 2300 Hrs |
| Printed Copy to Reach SSC-NR by | 23 July 2026 (1800 hrs) — General | 30 July 2026 (1800 hrs) — Abroad / A&N / Lakshadweep |
| Application Mode | Online at ssc.gov.in — followed by printed copy forwarding via HoD/HoO |
| Exam Schedule (Tentative) | August 2026 — Computer Based Examination (CBE) |
| Exam Centre | Delhi-NCR Only — No change of centre entertained |
| Selection Process | Part-I: CBE (200 Marks) → Shortlisting → Part-II: APAR Evaluation (100 Marks) → Final Merit (300 Marks) |
| CBE Pattern | 200 MCQs — 3 hours (4 hrs for eligible PwBD scribe) — 4 Subjects × 50 Qs — Negative Marking: 0.25 per wrong answer |
| APAR Evaluation | 100 marks — Annual Performance Assessment Reports (APARs) evaluated after CBE shortlisting |
| Mode of Correspondence | SSC Northern Region — sscnr.nic.in |
| Sr. No. | Name of Service / Cadre | UR | SC | ST | Total | PwBD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Central Secretariat Clerical Service (CSCS), DoPT | — | — | — | 65* | — |
*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 reported by the CCA. The Commission may increase or decrease vacancies based on actual requirements and availability of eligible candidates.
Any regularly appointed Lower Division Clerk (LDC) / Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA) of the Central Secretariat Clerical Service (CSCS Cadre), DoPT
CSCS DoPT
Must have rendered not less than 5 years’ approved and continuous service in the LDC Grade of the service as on 01.08.2025
If appointed to LDC Grade through a Competitive Examination (including LDCE): results must have been announced not less than 5 years before 01.08.2025 AND must have rendered at least 4 years’ approved and continuous service
Must have passed the SSC/UPSC typewriting test (held for purpose of confirmation in LDC grade) on or before the date of this examination Notification — unless already exempted from this requirement
LDCs on deputation to ex-cadre post with approval of competent authority are eligible, if otherwise eligible
LDCs appointed to an ex-cadre post or another service on transfer without retaining a lien in the LDC Grade are not eligible
Any period of absence on Military duties may be counted towards the prescribed length of service in the LDC Grade, as per DoPT notification No. 12/3/93-CS.II dated 22.11.1995 (GSR No. 541 dated 09.12.1995). LDCs who joined military service during an emergency and cannot appear for the exam are also protected under DoPT provisions notified from time to time.
A candidate who resigns, quits service, has services terminated, or is appointed to an ex-cadre post / another service on transfer without retaining a lien in JSA/LDC grade — after applying or appearing in the exam — will not be eligible for appointment on the result of this examination. This does not apply to candidates on deputation with competent authority approval.
- Commission may fix minimum qualifying marks for Part-I (CBE) — candidates not qualifying CBE are not eligible for Part-II
- Based on CBE performance, candidates are shortlisted for APAR evaluation (Part-II)
- Final selection is based on aggregate of Part-I + Part-II (CBE marks + APAR marks)
- Once APARs are evaluated, no request for change in APAR grading will be entertained under any circumstances
- This is a competitive examination, not a qualifying one — performance must be better than other candidates
| Subject | Questions | Marks | Language |
|---|---|---|---|
| (a) Comprehension / General English | 50 | 50 | English & Hindi (‘General English’ section — English only) |
| (b) Parliamentary Procedure | 50 | 50 | English or Hindi (as opted in application) |
| (c) General Knowledge | 50 | 50 | English or Hindi (as opted in application) |
| (d) Noting / Drafting (CSMOP Ch. 7, 8, 9) | 50 | 50 | English or Hindi (as opted in application) |
| TOTAL — Part-I CBE | 200 | 200 | — |
| Part-II — APAR Evaluation | — | 100 | — |
| GRAND TOTAL | — | 300 | — |
- All questions are Objective Type Multiple Choice — no descriptive/written paper
- Negative Marking: 0.25 marks deducted for each wrong answer — be careful
- Duration: 3 hours (4 hours for candidates eligible for scribe / compensatory time)
- No Question Paper in Braille for Visually Handicapped candidates
- Answer in English or Hindi as opted in application — ‘General English’ section in English only
- Tentative Answer Keys placed on ssc.gov.in after exam — challenge for ₹50/question (non-refundable, online only)
- No re-evaluation or re-checking of scores at any stage
| Subject | Detailed Syllabus |
|---|---|
| (a) Comprehension / General English | Candidate will be tested in simple composition and applied grammar. Includes comprehension passages (English/Hindi) and questions testing basic written English proficiency. ‘General English’ sub-section must be attempted in English only. |
| (b) Parliamentary Procedure | Simple questions relating to sessions of Parliament and handling of Parliament question — includes types of Parliamentary questions (starred, unstarred, short notice), sessions of Parliament, Parliamentary procedures, and the role of the Secretariat in managing Parliament-related work. |
| (c) General Knowledge | Knowledge of current events, matters of every day observation, experience, and general information about India — includes polity, economy, geography, history, science, national/international affairs, and government schemes. |
| (d) Noting / Drafting | Simple questions from Chapter 7 (Guidelines on Noting), Chapter 8 (Communication, Forms, Channels and Procedure), and Chapter 9 (Guidelines on Drafting of Communications) of the latest edition of the Central Secretariat Manual of Office Procedure (CSMOP). Use the most current edition. |
- SSA/UDC (this exam) has 4 subjects (200 marks CBE) + APAR evaluation (100 marks) = 300 total
- JSA/LDC exam has 3 subjects (180 marks CBE only) — no APAR component
- SSA/UDC has Parliamentary Procedure and Noting/Drafting (CSMOP Ch.7,8,9) as additional subjects
- JSA/LDC uses CSMOP Ch.5,6,10 (Dak Receipts, File Management, Records Management)
- SSA/UDC eligibility requires 5 years LDC service + typewriting test passed
SSA / UDC Grade — CSCS Cadre, DoPT
Pay Level-4 in the Pay Matrix (7th CPC) | Group C Non-Gazetted | DA, HRA, TA & other Central Government allowances as admissible
(Level-4 Min)
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Pay Level | Level-4 in Pay Matrix (7th CPC) — higher than LDC/JSA Level-2 |
| Pay Range | ₹25,500 – ₹81,100 per month |
| Post Category | Group C Non-Gazetted |
| Allowances | DA (Dearness Allowance), HRA (House Rent Allowance), TA (Transport Allowance) and other Central Government allowances as admissible |
| Nature of Appointment | Regular Central Government Service — permanent cadre post, not contractual or tenure-based |
| Posting | CSCS Cadre, DoPT — postings as per Government/service requirements |
| Promotion | This is itself a promotion post for LDC/JSA via LDCE — further promotions within CSCS cadre as per DoPT service rules |
One Time Registration (OTR) & Online Application
Register on ssc.gov.in (new website — OTR from old ssc.nic.in is not valid). Apply online by 16 July 2026 (2300 hrs). Submit only one application. Upload certified copy of Service Book page, service particulars, typewriting test details, and disability certificate (if applicable).
Forwarding Through Proper Channel (Mandatory)
Printed copy of online application (with all documents) forwarded by Head of Department / Head of Office to SSC Northern Region, New Delhi — to reach by 23 July 2026 (1800 hrs). HoD must verify eligibility, sign the photo and affix seal (Annexure-VI). Applications not forwarded through proper channel are summarily rejected.
Admission Certificate & CBE
Admit Card uploaded on sscnr.nic.in about 10 days before exam — downloadable 3–4 days before. Appear for Part-I: Computer Based Examination — 200 MCQs, 3 hours, at Delhi-NCR only, tentatively August 2026. Carry Original Departmental Identity Card + Admit Card. No TA from SSC.
Part-II: APAR Evaluation (100 Marks)
Based on CBE performance, candidates are shortlisted for evaluation of service record. The Commission evaluates Annual Performance Assessment Reports (APARs) of shortlisted candidates, awarding up to 100 marks. Candidates not qualifying Part-I are not eligible for Part-II. Once evaluated, APAR grading cannot be changed.
Final Merit List & Recommendation
Final selection based on aggregate of Part-I (CBE) + Part-II (APAR) = 300 marks total. Merit list prepared category-wise. Tie-breaking order: (1) Total CBE marks → (2) Comprehension/English CBE marks → (3) Parliamentary Procedure CBE marks → (4) GK CBE marks → (5) Date of Birth (older higher) → (6) Alphabetical order of names.
Inclusion in Select List for SSA/UDC Grade
Selected candidates recommended for inclusion in Select List for SSA/UDC Grade, CSCS Cadre, DoPT. Success does not confer right to selection unless the cadre authority is satisfied about service conduct and suitability. Reservation for SC/ST/PwBD as per applicable orders.
Official Notice uploaded on ssc.gov.in
OTR + Application submission starts at ssc.gov.in
Last date & time for online submission at ssc.gov.in
Printed application to reach SSC-NR via HoD/HoO
Extended deadline for candidates serving outside India or on islands
Tentative — Delhi-NCR only — actual date to be announced on sscnr.nic.in
After CBE results — shortlisted candidates only — date to be announced separately
- Certified true copy of first page of Service Book (name, father’s name, nationality, caste, DoB) — attested by HoD/HoO
- Certified particulars of service — posts held, scale of pay, capacity (substantive/officiating/permanent/temporary) — attested by HoD/HoO
- Disability Certificate for PwBD candidates (Annexure-VII or Annexure-VIII)
- Typewriting test details — date passed, whether exempted (to be filled in application form S.No.30)
- Live photograph captured during application — no pre-existing photo; no cap/mask/spectacles
- Scanned signature — JPEG format — 10 to 20 KB — 6.0 cm × 2.0 cm
Complete One-Time Registration (OTR)
Visit ssc.gov.in → Register Now → Fill personal details, Aadhaar/alternate ID, mobile (OTP), email (OTP), matriculation details. Complete within 14 days or data deleted. OTR from old ssc.nic.in is invalid — must re-register on new website.
Fill Online Application Form
Login → Click “Apply” under “SSA/UDC LDCE 2025 (CSCS, DoPT)” in Live Exam tab → Fill Cadre (CSCS DoPT), Exam Year (2025), JSA/LDC service joining date, length of service, HoD details, typewriting test details (S.No.30), scribe info (if applicable), 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. Submit only one application — multiple applications lead to rejection. No change in application entries allowed at any stage.
Forward Hard Copy via HoD / HoO (Mandatory)
Printed application + all documents forwarded by 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). HoD must sign the photo and affix seal (Annexure-VI). HoD must also certify typewriting test status. Applications not forwarded through proper channel are rejected.
Appear for CBE & Await APAR Evaluation
Download Admit Card from sscnr.nic.in (10 days before exam — downloadable 3–4 days before). Carry Original Departmental Identity Card + Admit Card. Appear for CBE at Delhi-NCR. Shortlisted candidates’ APARs evaluated in Part-II. Final merit = CBE + APAR.
| 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 (Annexure-VII/VIII) | 20 minutes per hour of exam |
| Other PwBD categories (Para 35b) | On production of certificate from CMO/Civil Surgeon that physical limitation hampers writing (Annexure-II format) — upload with application | 20 minutes per hour of exam |
| PwD with < 40% disability having writing difficulty (Para 35c) | Certificate as per Annexure-III (multi-specialist board) — must be uploaded with application | 20 minutes per hour of exam |
| PwBD/PwD eligible but not availing scribe | Not applicable | 20 minutes per hour (still provided) |
- Must opt for scribe / assistive devices at the time of filling online application — cannot be requested later
- Must produce all relevant certificates at the time of examination — failure to produce leads to cancellation
- Candidates without Medical Certificate will not be allowed to appear in examination
- Scribe facility provided only if the post is identified suitable for the relevant disability category
Organisation: Staff Selection Commission (SSC), Government of India
Ministry: Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT)
Address: Block No. 12, CGO Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi – 110003
Notice No.: 4/8/2026-CONF-5 dated 25 June 2026
Exam Name: SSA/UDC Grade LDCE, 2025 (CSCS, DoPT)
Total Vacancies: 65 Posts (category-wise breakup to be notified)
Application Period: 25 June 2026 to 16 July 2026 (2300 hrs)
Hard Copy Deadline: 23 July 2026 (1800 hrs) via HoD/HoO
Pay: Level-4 ₹25,500–₹81,100 | Group C Non-Gazetted
Exam: August 2026 (Tentative) — Delhi-NCR Only | CBE: 200 MCQs/3 Hrs + APAR: 100 Marks
Total Marks: 300 (Part-I CBE 200 + Part-II APAR 100)
All updates — CBE date, Hall Ticket, shortlisting, results — published exclusively on sscnr.nic.in. SSC does not communicate through unofficial channels.
- Only regular LDC/JSA of CSCS Cadre, DoPT with 5 years service and typewriting test passed are eligible — general public not eligible
- Application must be forwarded by HoD/HoO — directly submitted applications are summarily rejected; HoD must sign photo and affix seal
- Negative marking of 0.25 per wrong answer in CBE — do not attempt randomly
- Final merit = CBE (200) + APAR (100) = 300 marks — APAR grading cannot be changed once evaluated
- Delhi-NCR only — no change of exam centre; no TA for appearing
- OTR from ssc.nic.in is invalid — re-register on new ssc.gov.in
- Submit only one application — multiple applications lead to rejection
- No change in online application entries permitted at any stage after submission
- Canvassing by any means leads to disqualification — Commission’s decision is final and binding
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