Job Description
Overview
The Staff Selection Commission has initiated the selection process for the Senior Secretariat Assistant and Upper Division Clerk Grade Limited Departmental Competitive Examination for the year 2025. This internal recruitment drive aims to fill 227 vacancies across ten distinct participating services and cadres. The examination is exclusively open to serving government employees, specifically Junior Secretariat Assistants and Lower Division Clerks, who meet the prescribed service tenure requirements. Successful candidates will be appointed to Group 'C' Non-Gazetted positions, contributing to the administrative efficiency of various central government departments.
Key Responsibilities
- Managing official correspondence and maintaining departmental records with high accuracy.
- Assisting senior officers in drafting notes, reports, and official communications.
- Handling office procedures in accordance with the Manual of Office Procedure.
- Processing files related to departmental business and ensuring timely movement of documents.
- Maintaining confidentiality of sensitive government information and records.
- Coordinating with different sections to ensure smooth administrative operations.
Why Apply
This departmental examination offers a significant career progression opportunity for existing JSA/LDC staff, allowing them to move into higher-level administrative roles. Selected candidates will benefit from the Pay Level-4 salary structure, enhanced job security, and the prestige of serving in key central government organizations.
Important Dates
- Application Start: 05 June 2026
- Application End: 26 June 2026
- Tentative Exam: July-August 2026
Quick Facts
- Vacancy: 227 Posts
- Pay: Level-4 (Rs. 25,500 - 81,100)
- Location: Delhi NCR
- Category: SSC Recruitment
SSC SSA/UDC Limited Departmental Competitive Examination 2025 Overview
Registration Date
05 Jun 2026 –
26 Jun 2026
Exam Date
01 Jul 2026
Salary
Rs. 25,500 - Rs. 81,100
Vacancies
227
Eligibility
Bachelor's degree
Application Link
Vacancy Details
| Service/Cadre | Total |
| Central Passport Organisation | 76 |
| Armed Forces Headquarters | 42 |
| Railway Board Secretariat | 19 |
| Central Administrative Tribunal | 24 |
| Central Vigilance Commission | 6 |
| Election Commission of India | 12 |
| Forest Survey of India | 4 |
| National Technical Research Organisation | 8 |
| Directorate General, Defence Estates | 8 |
| Office of Development Commissioner, MSME | 28 |
How to Apply
- Visit the official SSC website at https://ssc.gov.in.
- Complete the One Time Registration (OTR) process if not already done on the new portal.
- Log in and navigate to the application section for the SSA/UDC Limited Departmental Competitive Examination 2025.
- Fill in all required personal and service details accurately.
- Upload the necessary documents, including attested copies of service records and photographs.
- Submit the online application form.
- Print the submitted application form.
- Forward the printed copy through the proper channel via your Head of Department to the SSC Northern Region office by the specified deadline.
- Retain a copy of the forwarded application for your personal records.
Cutoff Marks
Minimum qualifying marks may be fixed by the Commission for Paper-I and Paper-II individually.
Application Fee
No application fee is required for this internal departmental examination.
Age Limit
As prescribed by the respective Cadre Controlling Authority for each service, with standard government relaxations for SC/ST and disabled defence personnel.
Selection Process
The selection process is a multi-stage competitive examination. Part-I consists of a Computer Based Examination (Paper-I) covering General Awareness and English Language, followed by a descriptive Written Examination (Paper-II) focusing on Noting, Drafting, and Office Procedure. Candidates must qualify in Paper-I to have their Paper-II evaluated. Part-II involves the evaluation of Service Records and Annual Performance Assessment Reports (APARs). Final merit is determined by the aggregate performance across all components, totaling 400 marks.
Exam Pattern
Paper-I is a 200-mark objective test (100 questions each on General Awareness and English) with a 2-hour duration and 0.25 negative marking. Paper-II is a 100-mark descriptive test on office procedures, also lasting 2 hours. Part-II adds 100 marks based on service record evaluation.
Latest Current Affairs (Key Points)
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India and Japan strengthen maritime security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.Global diplomatic efforts intensify regarding the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the Sahel region.
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 online application window closes on 26 June 2026 at 23:00 hours. After submitting online, you must ensure your printed application is forwarded through the proper channel by your Head of Department to reach the SSC Northern Region office by 03 July 2026. Candidates from specific remote areas have until 10 July 2026. Submit early to avoid delays.
This exam is exclusively for serving government employees, specifically Junior Secretariat Assistants (JSA) or Lower Division Clerks (LDC), within the 10 specified participating cadres. You must meet the minimum regular service requirement, which ranges from 3 to 6 years depending on your specific cadre. Check the official notification for your cadre's specific crucial date and service conditions.
There are a total of 227 tentative vacancies across 10 participating services. The Central Passport Organisation has the highest number with 76 posts, followed by the Armed Forces Headquarters Clerical Service with 42 posts. Please note that these figures are tentative and subject to change based on the requirements reported by the respective cadre authorities.
The exam consists of two parts totaling 400 marks. Part-I includes Paper-I (Computer Based Exam, 200 marks) and Paper-II (Descriptive Written Exam, 100 marks). Part-II involves the evaluation of Service Records/APARs, worth 100 marks. Paper-I features objective questions on General Awareness and English, while Paper-II tests your knowledge of office procedures and drafting.
Yes, there is a negative marking of 0.25 marks for every incorrect answer in the Computer Based Examination (Paper-I). Paper-II, which is a descriptive/conventional type written examination, does not have negative marking. It is advisable to answer carefully in Paper-I to avoid unnecessary score deductions.
The Computer Based Examination will be held exclusively in Delhi NCR. There are no examination centres at any Indian missions abroad. If you are currently posted abroad, you will need to travel to India at your own expense to appear for the exam. Keep an eye on the SSC Northern Region website for updates regarding your specific exam centre.
The Senior Secretariat Assistant (SSA) / Upper Division Clerk (UDC) Grade is a Group 'C' Non-Gazetted post. It falls under Pay Level-4 of the 7th Central Pay Commission, with a pay scale ranging from Rs. 25,500 to Rs. 81,100. This represents a promotional advancement from the JSA/LDC grade.
Final selection is based on your aggregate performance across all stages: Paper-I (CBE), Paper-II (Descriptive), and Part-II (APAR Evaluation). You must qualify in Paper-I to proceed to Paper-II evaluation, and qualify the aggregate of Part-I to be eligible for the APAR evaluation. The Commission may set individual qualifying marks for Paper-I and Paper-II to ensure merit-based selection.
You must apply online at https://ssc.gov.in. First, complete the One Time Registration (OTR) on the new portal. After filling the application form, print it and have it forwarded through the proper channel by your Head of Department to the SSC Northern Region office. Applications not forwarded through the proper channel will not be accepted.
Paper-II tests your practical knowledge of office procedures. You should study the Manual of Office Procedure, Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Parliament (Lok Sabha/Rajya Sabha), the Hand Book on the use of Hindi for official purposes, and Government orders regarding SC/ST reservation policies. Focus on your ability to write clear notes and drafts.
