Job Description
Overview
The Staff Selection Commission has initiated the recruitment process for the Assistant Section Officer (ASO) positions through the Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE) for 2025. This drive aims to fill 341 vacancies within the Central Secretariat Service and the Ministry of External Affairs. This internal competitive exam provides a significant career advancement opportunity for existing departmental staff to transition into higher-grade roles.
Key Responsibilities
- Managing administrative files and maintaining official records within the assigned ministry.
- Drafting official notes, memoranda, and correspondence in accordance with government procedures.
- Assisting senior officers in the implementation of flagship government programs and initiatives.
- Ensuring compliance with parliamentary procedures and constitutional provisions during daily operations.
- Handling financial matters, including leave rules, pension regulations, and travel allowances.
- Coordinating with various departments to ensure the smooth execution of business rules and administrative tasks.
Why Apply
Successful candidates will benefit from a promotion to a Group B Non-Gazetted position with a competitive pay scale under Level-7. This role offers enhanced job security, professional growth within the central government hierarchy, and the opportunity to contribute to critical national policy-making processes.
Important Dates
- Application Start: 25 June 2026
- Application End: 16 July 2026
- Exam Date: August 2026
Quick Facts
- Total Vacancies: 341
- Pay Level: 7
- Location: New Delhi
- Category: SSC Exams
SSC ASO LDCE Notification 2026 Overview
Registration Date
25 Jun 2026 –
16 Jul 2026
Exam Date
01 Aug 2026
Salary
Level-7 (Rs. 44,900 – Rs. 1,42,400)
Vacancies
341
Eligibility
6 years of approved service as UDC
Application Link
Vacancy Details
| Service/Cadre | UR | SC | ST | Total |
| CSS | 189 | 71 | 58 | 318 |
| MEA | 23 | 0 | 0 | 23 |
| Total | 212 | 71 | 58 | 341 |
How to Apply
- Visit the official SSC website at ssc.gov.in.
- Complete the One Time Registration (OTR) if you have not registered previously.
- Log in using your unique registration credentials.
- Navigate to the dashboard and select the link for the Assistant Section Officer LDCE 2025.
- Enter all required personal and service-related information accurately.
- Upload scanned copies of your photograph and signature as per the specified dimensions.
- Review all entered data carefully before submitting the online form.
- Download the submitted application form and take a printout.
- Submit the hard copy of the application along with necessary documents to your Head of Department or Head of Office before the specified deadline.
- Retain a copy of the submitted application for your personal records.
Cutoff Marks
To be determined by the Commission based on performance in the computer-based test and APAR evaluation.
Application Fee
Not specified in the notification. Please refer to the official portal for fee details if applicable.
Age Limit
As per the departmental service rules for the respective cadres.
Selection Process
The selection process is conducted in two distinct stages. The first stage is a Computer-Based Examination consisting of two papers, each carrying 150 marks. These papers test the candidate's knowledge of government procedures, parliamentary rules, and service regulations. A negative marking of 0.25 applies to incorrect answers. The second stage involves the evaluation of the Record of Service, specifically the Annual Performance Appraisal Reports (APARs), which carries 100 marks. The final ranking is determined by combining the scores from both the computer-based test and the APAR evaluation.
Exam Pattern
The examination consists of two objective-type papers. Paper-I covers General Awareness, Constitutional provisions, Parliamentary procedures, and Noting & Drafting. Paper-II focuses on Service Rules, Financial Rules, and relevant legislation like the RTI Act. Each paper is 3 hours long and carries 150 marks.
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Organization
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Frequently Asked Questions
There are a total of 341 vacancies available for the Assistant Section Officer posts. This includes 318 positions in the Central Secretariat Service (CSS) and 23 positions in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). Please check the official notification for the detailed category-wise distribution.
Candidates must be serving as Upper Division Grade Officers in the Central Secretariat Clerical Service or UDC grade in the Ministry of External Affairs. You must have completed at least six years of approved service as of 1 July 2025 to be eligible for this examination.
The online application process for the SSC ASO LDCE 2026 commenced on 25th June 2026. You can submit your application through the official SSC portal. Ensure you complete your registration well before the deadline to avoid any technical issues.
The deadline for submitting the online application is 16th July 2026, up to 11:00 PM. Additionally, the printed application must be submitted through your Head of Department by 23rd July 2026. Please adhere to these timelines strictly.
The selection process consists of two stages: a Computer-Based Examination (Paper-I and Paper-II) and an APAR Evaluation. Paper-I and Paper-II are objective-type tests, while the APAR evaluation carries 100 marks. Final rankings are based on the combined performance in these stages.
The selected candidates will be placed in Pay Level-7, which ranges from Rs. 44,900 to Rs. 1,42,400. This is a Group B Non-Gazetted position, offering competitive remuneration and benefits as per the central government pay structure.
You can apply by visiting the official website at ssc.gov.in. Complete the One Time Registration (OTR), log in with your credentials, fill in the required service details, upload your documents, and submit the form. Remember to print a copy for your records and submit it through your department.
Yes, there is a negative marking of 0.25 marks for every incorrect answer in both Paper-I and Paper-II of the Computer-Based Examination. It is advisable to answer carefully and avoid guessing to maintain a high score.
