Job Description
Overview
The Staff Selection Commission has announced the Limited Departmental Competitive Examination for the Assistant Section Officer and Assistant Grade positions. This recruitment drive is specifically designed for in-service government employees currently working in the Central Secretariat Service under DoPT and the Ministry of External Affairs. It serves as a vital career progression opportunity for eligible departmental staff to transition into Group B Non-Gazetted roles.
Key Responsibilities
- Managing official correspondence and drafting notes for departmental files.
- Assisting senior officers in the implementation of government policies and flagship programs.
- Maintaining accurate records and ensuring compliance with the Manual of Office Procedure.
- Handling parliamentary procedures and responding to legislative queries as required.
- Processing financial matters including TA and LTC claims in accordance with government rules.
- Coordinating with various sections to ensure the smooth transaction of business within the ministry.
Why Apply
Selected candidates will benefit from a significant pay upgrade to Level-7, enhancing their financial stability and career trajectory. This role offers deep exposure to central government administrative processes and policy-making, providing a prestigious platform for professional growth within the civil services framework.
Important Dates
- Application Start: 25 June 2026
- Online Application Deadline: 16 July 2026
- Hard Copy Submission Deadline: 23 July 2026
Quick Facts
- Total Vacancies: 341
- Pay Level: Level-7
- Location: Delhi-NCR
- Category: SSC Recruitment
SSC ASO Recruitment 2026 Notification Out - Apply Online for 341 Assistant Section Officer / Assistant Posts Overview
Registration Date
25 Jun 2026 –
16 Jul 2026
Exam Date
01 Aug 2026
Salary
Rs. 44,900 – Rs. 1,42,400
Vacancies
341
Eligibility
Upper Division Grade service
Application Link
Vacancy Details
| Cadre | Total |
|---|---|
| CSS (DoPT) | 318 |
| MEA (Cadre Cell) | 23 |
How to Apply
- Visit the official SSC portal at https://ssc.gov.in.
- Complete the One Time Registration (OTR) process if you have not registered on the new website.
- Log in using your credentials and navigate to the 'Apply' section.
- Select the 'Assistant Section Officer / Assistant Grade Limited Departmental Competitive Examination, 2025'.
- Enter your departmental service details and upload a live photograph.
- Upload the required scanned documents, including your signature and service book details.
- Review the application thoroughly and submit it online.
- Print the submitted application form.
- Forward the printed application along with self-attested copies of required documents through your Head of Department or Head of Office to SSC (NR), New Delhi, by the specified deadline.
- Retain a copy of the forwarded application for your personal records.
Cutoff Marks
To be determined by the Commission based on performance in the Computer Based Examination.
Application Fee
Nil. This is an internal departmental competitive examination.
Age Limit
As per the departmental service rules applicable to the feeder cadres of CSS and MEA.
Selection Process
The selection process is a two-stage merit-based system. Stage 1 consists of a Computer Based Examination (CBE) comprising two papers, each worth 150 marks, focusing on general awareness, service rules, and office procedures. Candidates must qualify in this stage to proceed. Stage 2 involves the evaluation of Annual Performance Appraisal Reports (APARs), which carries 100 marks. The final merit list is prepared by aggregating the scores from both the CBE and the APAR evaluation, ensuring a comprehensive assessment of both technical knowledge and past performance.
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 Records Management. Each paper is of 3 hours duration and carries 150 marks. A negative marking of 0.25 applies to incorrect answers.
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Organization
The Staff Selection Commission has officially released the exam date for the Grade C Stenographers recruitment. The examination is scheduled to be held on 4th July, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
The SSC ASO Recruitment 2026 refers to the Assistant Section Officer / Assistant Grade Limited Departmental Competitive Examination, 2025, conducted by the Staff Selection Commission. It is a promotion-based exam open only to eligible serving government employees in the CSS (DoPT) and MEA (Cadre Cell) cadres.
A total of 341 vacancies are available - 318 in the Central Secretariat Service under DoPT and 23 in the Ministry of External Affairs (Cadre Cell). Of the CSS vacancies, 19 are reserved for PwBD candidates.
The last date to submit the online application is 16 July 2026 (up to 11:00 PM / 2300 hours). The printed hard copy must reach SSC (Northern Region), New Delhi through the Head of Department by 23 July 2026 (6:00 PM).
Candidates must be serving Upper Division Clerks / Senior Secretariat Assistants in CSS (DoPT) or MEA (Cadre Cell) with at least six years of approved service in the grade as on 01 July 2025. For MEA, completion of mandatory training programmes is also required.
The notification does not specify any application fee for this Limited Departmental Competitive Examination, as it is an internal departmental exam. Candidates should refer to the official SSC notification at ssc.gov.in for confirmation.
The Computer Based Examination will be held tentatively in August 2026 at centres in Delhi-NCR only. No other centre will be allotted, and no request for change of centre will be entertained under any circumstances.
The exam has two parts. Part-I is a Computer Based Examination with two objective-type papers of 150 marks each (Paper-I and Paper-II), totalling 300 marks, with a duration of 3 hours each. Part-II is an evaluation of service records (APARs) for 100 marks. Total marks for final selection: 400.
The SSC ASO post is at Pay Level-7 in the 7th Pay Commission Pay Matrix, with a pay scale of Rs. 44,900 to Rs. 1,42,400 per month. It is a Group B Non-Gazetted post, and additional allowances apply as per government regulations.
No. This is a Limited Departmental Competitive Examination. Only officers from the Central Secretariat Service (CSS) under DoPT and the Ministry of External Affairs (Cadre Cell) are eligible to apply. General public candidates cannot apply.
Along with the printed online application, candidates must forward a certified true copy of the first page of the Service Book, certified particulars of service, and disability certificate if applicable. These must be forwarded by the Head of Department or Head of Office to SSC (NR), New Delhi, by 23 July 2026.
