Job Description
Overview
The Staff Selection Commission has initiated the recruitment process for the Assistant Section Officer and Assistant Grade Limited Departmental Competitive Examination, 2025. This specialized recruitment drive is exclusively for serving government employees within the Central Secretariat Service (DoPT) and the Ministry of External Affairs (Cadre Cell). The initiative aims to fill 341 vacancies, providing a significant career advancement opportunity for eligible departmental personnel.
Key Responsibilities
- Managing official files and maintaining records in accordance with the Manual of Office Procedure.
- Drafting notes, letters, and official communications for departmental operations.
- Assisting senior officers in the implementation of government flagship programs and initiatives.
- Ensuring compliance with parliamentary procedures and transaction of business rules.
- Handling financial matters including TA and LTC claims as per established rules.
- Maintaining service records and assisting in the administration of leave and pension regulations.
Why Apply
Selected candidates will transition into a Group B Non-Gazetted role with enhanced pay scales and professional responsibilities. This role offers stable career progression within the central government framework and exposure to high-level administrative functions.
Important Dates
- Application Start: 25 June 2026
- Online Application Deadline: 16 July 2026
- Hard Copy Submission Deadline: 23 July 2026
Quick Facts
- Vacancy Count: 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 portal at https://ssc.gov.in.
- Complete the One Time Registration (OTR) process if not already 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.
- Fill in all required departmental service details accurately.
- Capture a live photograph using your device's webcam.
- Upload your scanned signature and mandatory documents, including the certified Service Book page.
- Review the application and submit it online.
- Print the submitted application form.
- Forward the printed copy along with all required documents through your Head of Department to SSC (NR), New Delhi, by 23 July 2026.
- Retain a copy of the submitted application for your personal records.
Cutoff Marks
To be determined by the Commission based on performance.
Application Fee
Nil. This is an internal departmental competitive examination.
Age Limit
As per departmental service rules for the feeder grade.
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 carrying 150 marks. Candidates must demonstrate proficiency in general awareness, parliamentary procedures, and service rules. 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, totaling 400 marks. Ties are resolved based on paper-specific marks, date of birth, and alphabetical order.
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 marks applies to every incorrect answer.
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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.
