SSC ASO LDCE Recruitment 2026: The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has opened applications for the Assistant Section Officer (ASO) Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE). Eligible departmental candidates can submit their applications through the official SSC portal. The recruitment drive aims to fill 341 vacancies in the Central Secretariat Service and the Ministry of External Affairs.

SSC Announces ASO LDCE Recruitment

The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has officially released the notification for the Assistant Section Officer (ASO) / Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE) 2025, with the recruitment process being conducted in 2026. Along with the notification, the online application process has also begun.

This departmental examination is intended to recruit eligible government employees for 341 vacancies in the Central Secretariat Service (CSS) and the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

Candidates interested in appearing for the examination can read the detailed notification and submit their application through the official SSC website before the closing date.

Important Dates

Applicants should carefully note the following schedule:

• Online application starts: Already commenced.

• Last date to submit online application: July 16, 2026 (11:00 PM).

• Last date for departments to submit printed application forms: July 23, 2026 (6:00 PM).

• Last date for candidates posted abroad, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, or Lakshadweep: July 30, 2026 (6:00 PM).

Candidates are advised not to wait until the final day to complete the online application process.

Total Vacancies

The recruitment drive will fill 341 posts in participating departments.

The vacancies are available under:

• Central Secretariat Service (CSS)

• Ministry of External Affairs (MEA)

The examination is scheduled to be conducted in August 2026 through a Computer-Based Test (CBT) at designated examination centres in the Delhi-NCR region.

How to Apply Online

Eligible candidates can complete the application process by following these steps:

1. Visit the official SSC website.

2. Complete the One-Time Registration (OTR) if you are a new user.

3. Log in using your registered credentials.

4. Open the SSC ASO LDCE 2025 application form.

5. Enter all required personal and service-related details.

6. Upload the prescribed scanned documents.

7. Carefully verify all information before final submission.

8. Submit the application form and download the confirmation page.

9. Take a printout for future reference.

After submitting the online application, candidates must ensure that the printed application form, along with the required documents, is forwarded through the Head of Department (HoD) or Head of Office within the prescribed deadline.

Applications not routed through the proper departmental channel may not be accepted.

Selection Process

The recruitment process consists of two stages.

Stage 1: Computer-Based Examination

Candidates will first appear for the online examination comprising:

• Paper I

• Paper II

Stage 2: APAR Evaluation

After the written examination, candidates' Annual Performance Appraisal Reports (APARs) will be evaluated.

The final merit list will be prepared by combining:

• Marks obtained in the Computer-Based Test.

• APAR evaluation score.

Candidates securing higher combined scores will be considered for selection.

Eligibility Criteria

The examination is not open to the general public. It is exclusively meant for eligible departmental employees working in participating government services.

For Central Secretariat Service (CSS) candidates:

• Applicants must be serving as Upper Division Grade Officers in the Central Secretariat Clerical Service.

• They should have completed at least six years of approved service as of July 1, 2025.

For Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) candidates:

• Applicants must be working as Upper Division Clerks (UDCs).

• They should have successfully completed the prescribed departmental training programmes.

• A minimum of six years of approved service as of July 1, 2025 is required.

In addition, all applications must be forwarded through the competent departmental authority. Direct applications without official departmental endorsement are liable to be rejected.

Final Advice for Applicants

Eligible departmental employees planning to appear for the SSC ASO LDCE examination should complete the online registration well before July 16, 2026, verify all service details, and ensure that the printed application reaches the concerned department within the specified timeline.

Candidates are also advised to carefully read the official notification to understand the detailed eligibility conditions, examination pattern, and document requirements before submitting their application.