The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has officially released the Assistant Section Officer/Assistant Grade Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE) 2025 Notification for recruitment to the post of Assistant Section Officer (ASO) in the Central Secretariat Service (CSS) and Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). According to the official notification, a total of 341 vacancies have been announced, including 318 vacancies in CSS and 23 vacancies in MEA.

This is a departmental competitive examination, which means only eligible government employees belonging to the specified feeder cadres can apply. The recruitment will be conducted through a Computer Based Examination (CBE) followed by evaluation of service records (APARs).

Candidates can submit their online applications from 25 June 2026 to 16 July 2026, while the Computer Based Examination is tentatively scheduled for August 2026.

If you are planning to appear in the SSC ASO LDCE 2025 examination, this detailed guide covers every important aspect including vacancies, eligibility, salary, selection process, exam pattern, application process, important dates, and preparation strategy.

SSC ASO LDCE 2025 Recruitment Highlights

Particular	Details
Organization	Staff Selection Commission (SSC)
Examination Name	Assistant Section Officer/Assistant Grade Limited Departmental Competitive Examination 2025
Post Name	Assistant Section Officer (ASO)
Advertisement Number	4/2/2026-CONF-5
Job Type	Central Government Job
Category	Departmental Competitive Examination
Pay Level	Level-7
Salary	₹44,900 – ₹1,42,400
Total Vacancies	341
Application Mode	Online
Job Location	Across India
Exam Mode	Computer Based Test
Official Website	https://ssc.gov.in

SSC ASO LDCE 2025 Important Dates

Candidates should carefully note all important dates mentioned in the official notification.

Event	Date
Notification Release	25 June 2026
Online Application Starts	25 June 2026
Last Date to Apply	16 July 2026
Last Date (11 PM)	16 July 2026
Last Date for Forwarding Hard Copy	23 July 2026
Abroad/Andaman/Lakshadweep Last Date	30 July 2026
Computer Based Examination	August 2026 (Tentative)

The Commission has advised candidates not to wait until the last date because heavy traffic on the website may prevent successful submission of applications.

SSC ASO LDCE 2025 Vacancy Details

SSC has announced 341 tentative vacancies.

Category-wise Vacancy

Service	UR	SC	ST	Total
Central Secretariat Service (CSS)	189	71	58	318
Ministry of External Affairs	23	–	–	23
Grand Total	212	71	58	341

Additionally, 19 vacancies are reserved for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) in CSS, including vacancies for VH, OH, HH and other disability categories.

Participating Departments

This recruitment is conducted for the following services:

1. Central Secretariat Service (CSS)

The majority of vacancies belong to the Central Secretariat Service functioning under the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT).

Roles of Assistant Section Officer

An Assistant Section Officer performs various administrative and policy-related duties, including:

File processing
Drafting official correspondence
Policy implementation
Parliamentary work
Coordination among ministries
Record management
Office administration

2. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA)

Selected candidates posted in MEA may work in:

Headquarters
Indian Missions Abroad
Consulates
Diplomatic Offices

The responsibilities include administrative work, coordination with foreign missions, documentation, protocol management, and policy implementation.

SSC ASO Salary 2026

Assistant Section Officer is one of the most prestigious Group ‘B’ Non-Gazetted posts under the Central Government.

Pay Scale

Component	Details
Pay Level	Level-7
Basic Pay	₹44,900
Maximum Pay	₹1,42,400

Besides the basic salary, selected candidates are eligible for:

Dearness Allowance (DA)
House Rent Allowance (HRA)
Transport Allowance (TA)
Leave Travel Concession (LTC)
National Pension System (NPS)
Medical Facilities
Children’s Education Allowance
Central Government Holidays
Promotion Benefits
Pension-related benefits as per applicable rules

Depending upon the posting city, the in-hand salary generally ranges between ₹70,000 to ₹85,000 per month after including allowances (approximate).

Why SSC ASO is One of the Best Government Jobs?

Thousands of Central Government employees compete every year because the ASO post offers excellent career growth.

Key Benefits

✔ Level-7 Pay Matrix

✔ Central Government Employee Status

✔ Excellent Promotion Opportunities

✔ Work in Central Ministries

✔ Fixed Working Hours

✔ Pension Benefits

✔ Job Security

✔ Medical Facilities

✔ Government Accommodation (subject to availability)

✔ Exposure to National Policy Making

SSC ASO Career Growth

Promotion opportunities are one of the biggest attractions of this examination.

A typical career progression is:

Assistant Section Officer (ASO)
Section Officer (SO)
Under Secretary
Deputy Secretary
Director
Joint Secretary (depending on service and career progression)

Promotions are based on seniority, departmental examinations, vigilance clearance, and service records.

Who Can Apply?

Unlike SSC CGL, this is not an open recruitment examination.

Only eligible government employees belonging to specified feeder cadres can apply through their respective departments. Applications must be forwarded by the Head of Department/Head of Office; otherwise, they will not be considered.

Documents Required During Application

Candidates must upload the following documents while applying online:

Certified copy of the first page of the Service Book
Service particulars certified by the Head of Department
Disability certificate (if applicable)
Live photograph captured during application
Scanned signature (JPEG format)
Other supporting documents, wherever applicable

Why You Should Read the Complete Notification

Before submitting the application, candidates should carefully verify:

Eligibility conditions
Length of qualifying service
Service category
Department forwarding requirements
Document checklist
Exam pattern
Selection process
Reservation rules
PwBD provisions

Failure to satisfy any eligibility condition may result in cancellation of candidature at any stage of the recruitment process.

SSC ASO LDCE 2025 Eligibility Criteria

Unlike SSC CGL or other open competitive examinations, the SSC Assistant Section Officer Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE) is exclusively meant for eligible Central Government employees working in specified feeder cadres.

Candidates must satisfy all eligibility conditions on the prescribed crucial date. If any information is found incorrect during verification, the candidature will be cancelled at any stage of recruitment.

Crucial Date for Eligibility

The official notification has fixed the following date for calculating eligibility:

Particular	Date
Crucial Date	01 July 2025

All service conditions, qualifying service, and departmental eligibility must be fulfilled on 1 July 2025.

Eligibility for Central Secretariat Service (CSS)

Candidates applying under the Central Secretariat Service (CSS) must satisfy the following conditions:

Required Service

Applicants must be working in:

Upper Division Grade
Central Secretariat Clerical Service (CSCS)

They should have completed:

Minimum 6 years of approved service
As on 01 July 2025

Only those fulfilling this service requirement are eligible to appear in the examination.

Eligibility for Ministry of External Affairs (MEA)

Candidates belonging to the Ministry of External Affairs must satisfy additional conditions.

Required Conditions

The candidate must:

Belong to Upper Division Clerk Grade
Successfully complete prescribed mandatory training
Complete minimum six years of approved service as on 01 July 2025

Only after satisfying all these requirements can the candidate apply for the examination.

What is Approved Service?

Approved service refers to the qualifying service counted by the department for promotion or departmental examinations.

It generally includes:

Regular service
Approved continuous service
Service recognized by the Cadre Controlling Authority

Candidates should verify the exact approved service from their department before applying.

Who Cannot Apply?

The following candidates are not eligible:

Private sector employees
State Government employees
Fresh graduates
SSC CGL aspirants
Candidates with less than six years of approved service
Employees from non-participating departments
Candidates whose applications are not forwarded through the proper channel

Applications not recommended by the Head of Department or Head of Office will not be considered.

Reservation Policy

Reservation will be provided according to Government of India rules and the vacancy position reported by the respective Cadre Controlling Authorities.

Reservation is available for:

Scheduled Castes (SC)
Scheduled Tribes (ST)
Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD)

The reservation applies only where admissible under the participating service/cadre.

PwBD Reservation

The notification provides reservation for eligible Persons with Benchmark Disabilities.

Reserved categories include:

Visual Handicap (VH)
Hearing Handicap (HH)
Orthopedically Handicapped (OH)
Other Benchmark Disabilities

For CSS, 19 PwBD vacancies have been earmarked across these categories.

Relaxation for Reserved Categories

If sufficient SC, ST, or PwBD candidates are not available under the normal standard, SSC may recommend candidates using the prescribed relaxed standard, subject to Government rules.

However:

Relaxed standards do not apply beyond notified provisions.
Candidates selected without relaxation will not be adjusted against reserved vacancies.

Scribe Facility for PwBD Candidates

SSC provides several facilities for eligible candidates with disabilities.

Eligible candidates may receive:

Scribe facility
Assistive technology
Compensatory time
Accessible examination arrangements

Candidates must upload the prescribed disability certificate and carry the original during the examination.

Compensatory Time

Eligible PwBD candidates will receive:

20 minutes extra per hour of examination

This benefit is available for candidates who are entitled to a scribe or assistive devices, as specified in the notification.

Documents Required for SSC ASO Application

Candidates must upload the following documents while submitting the online application.

Mandatory Documents

Certified copy of the first page of the Service Book
Service particulars certified by the Head of Department/Office
Disability certificate (if applicable)
Live photograph captured during application
Scanned signature (JPEG format)

The Commission may also call for additional service records whenever required.

Photograph Guidelines

SSC has introduced a live photograph capture system.

Candidates should ensure:

Plain background
Good lighting
Face clearly visible
No cap
No mask
No spectacles
Full frontal face

Photographs not meeting these standards are liable to rejection.

Signature Specifications

Candidates must upload a scanned signature with the following specifications:

Requirement	Details
Format	JPEG/JPG
Size	10–20 KB
Width	Approximately 6 cm
Height	Approximately 2 cm

Blurred or miniature signatures may result in rejection of the application.

Aadhaar-Based Authentication

SSC has advised candidates to complete One-Time Registration (OTR) using Aadhaar-based authentication on the new SSC website.

Candidates without Aadhaar authentication will need to provide alternative identity documents during registration and may have additional verification requirements.

Department Forwarding is Mandatory

One of the most important requirements of this examination is that the printed online application, along with the prescribed documents, must be forwarded through the Head of Department/Head of Office.

Applications that are not forwarded through the proper channel will not be considered for admission to the examination.

Address for Sending Hard Copy

After completing the online application, the verified application and supporting documents must be sent through the competent authority to:

Regional Director
Staff Selection Commission (Northern Region)
Block No. 12, CGO Complex
Lodhi Road, New Delhi – 110003

Candidates serving abroad, or in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep, have a separate extended deadline for receipt of the forwarded application.

Important Points Before Applying

Before submitting the application, candidates should verify:

Eligibility conditions
Approved service length
Department/service category
Documents
Photograph and signature specifications
Proper forwarding through the Head of Department
Correct personal details in OTR

Once submitted, changes to key One-Time Registration details are generally not permitted, so candidates should fill them carefully.

Common Reasons for Application Rejection

Avoid the following mistakes:

Multiple applications
Incomplete forms
Incorrect service details
Blurred photograph
Incorrect signature
Missing supporting documents
Application not forwarded by the department
False or misleading information

Any of these issues may lead to rejection of the candidature.

SSC ASO LDCE 2025 Selection Process

The Assistant Section Officer Limited Departmental Competitive Examination consists of two stages.

Stage 1 – Computer Based Examination (CBE)

This is an objective-type online examination carrying 300 marks.

Candidates have to appear in:

Paper-I
Paper-II

Each paper carries 150 marks.

Stage 2 – Evaluation of Service Records (APAR)

Candidates shortlisted after the Computer Based Examination will have their Annual Performance Appraisal Reports (APARs) evaluated.

The APAR evaluation carries 100 marks, which are added to the Computer Based Examination score for preparation of the final merit list.

SSC ASO Exam Pattern 2025

Paper	Subject	Marks	Duration
Paper-I	Administrative & Constitutional Subjects	150	3 Hours
Paper-II	Service Rules & Government Procedures	150	3 Hours
APAR Evaluation	Service Record	100	Department Evaluation

Total Marks = 400

Computer Based Examination Overview

The examination will be conducted in online mode.

Important features include:

Objective-type multiple-choice questions
Computer Based Test
Two separate papers
Merit-based selection
Conducted only in Delhi-NCR

Candidates must attempt the examination in the language selected in the application form.

Negative Marking

SSC has prescribed negative marking for incorrect answers.

Marking Scheme

Correct Answer	+1 Mark (as applicable)
Wrong Answer	-0.25 Mark
Unanswered	No deduction

Every incorrect answer attracts a penalty of 0.25 marks. Therefore, candidates should avoid random guessing.

SSC ASO Paper-I Syllabus

Paper-I is designed to test the candidate’s knowledge of administration, governance, constitutional provisions, office procedures, and communication skills.

Topics Included

1. General Awareness

Questions will focus on:

Current Affairs
Government Schemes
National Developments
Flagship Programmes
Public Administration
Governance

2. Constitutional Provisions

Candidates should prepare topics like:

Preamble
Fundamental Rights
Directive Principles
Fundamental Duties
President
Parliament
Judiciary
Constitutional Amendments
Emergency Provisions

3. Parliamentary Procedures

Candidates should study:

Parliamentary Practices
Question Hour
Zero Hour
Government Bills
Parliamentary Committees
Office Memorandums
Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs Guidelines

4. Reading Comprehension

Questions will be asked from:

English
Hindi

Topics include:

Passage-based comprehension
Vocabulary
Understanding
Interpretation

5. Central Secretariat Manual of Office Procedure (MOP)

Important areas include:

File Management
Office Communication
Disposal of Files
Official Correspondence
Digital Office
Record Maintenance

6. Allocation of Business Rules

Candidates should study:

Allocation of Ministries
Responsibilities
Government Business Distribution
Executive Functions

7. Transaction of Business Rules

Important concepts include:

Cabinet Procedures
Government Decision Making
Inter-Ministerial Consultation
Administrative Workflow

8. Noting and Drafting

One of the most important sections.

Candidates should practice:

Official Notes
Office Memorandums
Government Letters
File Drafting
Administrative Communication
Office Orders

These topics form a significant portion of Paper-I.

SSC ASO Paper-II Syllabus

Paper-II mainly tests knowledge of service rules and government procedures.

Topics include:

1. Service Rules

Candidates should prepare:

Leave Rules
Conduct Rules
CCS (CCA) Rules
Pension Rules
National Pension System (NPS)

2. Financial Rules

Questions may be asked on:

Travelling Allowance (TA)
Leave Travel Concession (LTC)
Government Financial Rules
Official Expenditure
Reimbursement Rules

3. Government Legislations

Important Acts include:

Right to Information Act, 2005
Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013

4. Records Management

Candidates should study:

Digital Records
File Indexing
Record Retention
Office Records
e-Office

5. Precis Writing

Questions may assess:

Summarisation
Official Language
Government Writing Style
Administrative Communication

These topics are prescribed for Paper-II in the official syllabus.

Medium of Examination

Candidates can choose:

English
Hindi

The examination must be attempted in the medium selected during the application process.

SSC ASO APAR Evaluation (100 Marks)

Unlike open competitive examinations, SSC ASO LDCE includes evaluation of Annual Performance Appraisal Reports (APARs).

Total Marks

100 Marks

The APAR score is added to the Computer Based Examination marks while preparing the final merit list. Once APAR evaluation is completed, requests for changing APAR grading are not entertained.

Final Merit List

The final merit is prepared based on:

Component	Marks
Paper-I	150
Paper-II	150
APAR Evaluation	100
Grand Total	400

Candidates with the highest aggregate marks are recommended against available vacancies, subject to eligibility and reservation rules.

Minimum Qualifying Marks

The Commission may prescribe minimum qualifying marks separately for:

Paper-I
Paper-II

Only candidates who qualify in the Computer Based Examination are considered for APAR evaluation.

Resolution of Tie Cases

If two or more candidates secure equal aggregate marks, SSC resolves the tie in the following order:

Higher marks in Paper-I
Higher marks in Paper-II
Older candidate (earlier date of birth)
Alphabetical order of the candidate’s name

These criteria are applied sequentially until the tie is resolved.

Preparation Strategy for SSC ASO LDCE

1. Master the Office Manuals

Focus on:

Manual of Office Procedure
Noting & Drafting
Records Management

These topics are highly important for departmental examinations.

2. Revise Government Rules

Give priority to:

CCS Leave Rules
Conduct Rules
Pension Rules
NPS
TA/LTC Rules

3. Strengthen Constitutional Knowledge

Prepare:

Constitutional Articles
Parliament
Executive
Judiciary
Governance
Constitutional Amendments

4. Improve Administrative Writing

Regular practice of:

Official Notes
Drafting
Office Memorandums
Precis Writing

will help improve accuracy and speed.

5. Avoid Negative Marking

Since every wrong answer attracts a penalty of 0.25 marks, candidates should answer carefully and avoid blind guessing.

Key Takeaways

Computer Based Examination: 300 Marks
APAR Evaluation: 100 Marks
Total Merit: 400 Marks
Two Objective Papers
Negative Marking: 0.25 Marks
Exam Centre: Delhi-NCR Only
Final Selection based on CBE + APAR
Tie-breaking starts with Paper-I marks

How to Apply for SSC ASO LDCE 2025?

Eligible departmental candidates must complete both One-Time Registration (OTR) and the online application through the official SSC portal.

Step 1: Complete One-Time Registration (OTR)

Candidates who have not registered on the new SSC website must first create a One-Time Registration (OTR).

During OTR, candidates need to provide:

Aadhaar Number (preferred)
Mobile Number
Email ID
Matriculation Details
Personal Information
Permanent & Correspondence Address
Category Details
Identification Mark

Candidates who choose not to use Aadhaar authentication must upload alternative identity and address proof as specified in the notification.

Step 2: Login to SSC Portal

After successful registration:

Login using Registration Number
Enter Password
Select Assistant Section Officer/Assistant Grade LDCE 2025
Click Apply

Step 3: Fill the Online Application Form

Candidates should enter:

Department/Cadre
Examination Year
Date of Joining
Length of Approved Service
Examination Language
Ministry/Department Details
Head of Department Information
Employment Details
Complete Service History

All entries should match official departmental records.

Step 4: Upload Required Documents

Upload the following:

Live Photograph
Scanned Signature
Service Book Copy
Certified Service Particulars
Disability Certificate (if applicable)
Other documents wherever required

Ensure uploaded files meet the specifications prescribed by SSC.

Step 5: Preview the Application

Before final submission, carefully verify:

Name
Date of Birth
Department
Service Details
Photograph
Signature
Category
Disability Details
Email
Mobile Number

Incorrect details may lead to rejection of the application.

Step 6: Submit the Application

After verifying all details:

Accept the declaration
Submit the application
Download and save the application form
Print a copy for future reference

Department Forwarding is Mandatory

Merely submitting the online application is not sufficient.

The printed application form, along with supporting documents, must be forwarded by the Head of Department/Head of Office to the SSC Northern Region within the prescribed timeline.

Applications not received through the proper channel will not be considered.

Examination Centre

The Computer Based Examination will be conducted only in Delhi-NCR.

No request for change of examination centre will be entertained. Candidates serving abroad must appear in India at their own expense.

Important Instructions for Candidates

Candidates should remember the following:

Submit only one application.
Complete OTR on the new SSC portal.
Use a valid mobile number and email ID.
Ensure photograph and signature meet the required specifications.
Verify all details before submission.
Keep copies of the submitted application and supporting documents.
Regularly check the SSC website for updates regarding admit cards and examination schedule.

Important Links

Particular	Details
Recruiting Authority	Staff Selection Commission (SSC)
Post Name	Assistant Section Officer (ASO)
Total Vacancies	341
Online Application	25 June 2026 to 16 July 2026
Notification PDF	Click Here
Official Website	https://ssc.gov.in

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What is the full form of SSC ASO LDCE?

Answer: Staff Selection Commission Assistant Section Officer Limited Departmental Competitive Examination.

Q2. How many vacancies are available?

Answer: A total of 341 tentative vacancies have been notified.

Q3. Who can apply?

Answer: Eligible Central Government employees belonging to the notified feeder cadres who satisfy the prescribed service conditions.

Q4. What is the last date to apply online?

Answer: 16 July 2026 (11:00 PM).

Q5. What is the salary of an Assistant Section Officer?

Answer: Pay Level-7, ₹44,900–₹1,42,400, plus applicable allowances.

Q6. Is there negative marking?

Answer: Yes. 0.25 marks are deducted for every incorrect answer.

Q7. Where will the examination be conducted?

Answer: The examination will be held only in Delhi-NCR.

Q8. Is APAR evaluation part of the selection process?

Answer: Yes. APAR evaluation carries 100 marks and forms part of the final merit.

Q9. Can candidates edit OTR details later?

Answer: Key OTR details should be entered carefully, as incorrect information may lead to cancellation of candidature.

Q10. Is departmental forwarding mandatory?

Answer: Yes. The printed application must be forwarded by the Head of Department/Head of Office; otherwise, the application will not be considered.

Final Conclusion

The SSC Assistant Section Officer (ASO) Limited Departmental Competitive Examination 2025 is an excellent promotional opportunity for eligible Central Government employees to advance into Group ‘B’ Non-Gazetted positions within the Central Secretariat Service (CSS) and the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). With 341 vacancies, a Level-7 pay scale, strong career progression, and responsibilities in key government ministries, this examination is one of the most prestigious departmental promotions conducted by the Staff Selection Commission.

Candidates should ensure they meet all eligibility conditions, complete the online application correctly, obtain timely departmental forwarding, and prepare thoroughly for both the Computer Based Examination and APAR evaluation. Regularly visiting the official SSC website for updates on admit cards, examination dates, and notices is also essential.