The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has released the official notification for the Assistant Section Officer / Assistant Grade Limited Departmental Competitive Examination, 2025. The examination is being conducted in 2026 to prepare select lists for promotion to Assistant Section Officer and Assistant Grade posts in the Central Secretariat Service (CSS) under the Department of Personnel and Training and the Ministry of External Affairs (Cadre Cell).
Under this SSC ASO Recruitment 2026 notification, a total of 341 vacancies have been reported. These vacancies include posts in the Central Secretariat Service and the Ministry of External Affairs. Candidates should note that this is not a direct recruitment opportunity for fresh graduates or general applicants. It is a departmental examination and is open only to eligible serving employees from the specified cadres who meet the required service conditions.
The online application process started on 25 June 2026. Eligible departmental candidates can submit their online application through the official SSC website until 16 July 2026, 11:00 PM. The Computer Based Examination is tentatively scheduled for August 2026 and will be conducted in Delhi-NCR only.
SSC ASO Recruitment 2026 Overview
| Recruitment Organisation | Staff Selection Commission (SSC) |
|---|---|
| Examination Name | Assistant Section Officer / Assistant Grade Limited Departmental Competitive Examination, 2025 |
| Advertisement Number | 4/2/2026-CONF-5 |
| Post Name | Assistant Section Officer / Assistant Grade |
| Total Vacancies | 341 Posts |
| Pay Level | Level-7, Group B Non-Gazetted |
| Pay Scale | Rs. 44,900 to Rs. 1,42,400 |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Exam Mode | Computer Based Examination |
| Exam Centre | Delhi-NCR Only |
| Official Website | www.ssc.gov.in |
SSC ASO Important Dates 2026
Applicants should not wait until the final day to complete their online registration. Apart from submitting the online application, candidates must also ensure that the printed application form and required service documents are forwarded through the proper departmental channel within the prescribed deadline.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release Date | 25 June 2026 |
| Online Application Start Date | 25 June 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 16 July 2026 |
| Last Time for Online Application | 11:00 PM |
| Last Date for Receipt of Application Through Department | 23 July 2026, 6:00 PM |
| Last Date for Candidates Serving Abroad / A&N / Lakshadweep | 30 July 2026, 6:00 PM |
| Computer Based Examination | August 2026 (Tentative) |
The final examination schedule, admit card information, and other updates will be published through the SSC website and SSC Northern Region website. Candidates should regularly check official notices to avoid missing any important update.
SSC ASO Vacancy 2026 Details
The 341 reported vacancies are distributed between the Central Secretariat Service under DoPT and the Ministry of External Affairs Cadre Cell. Vacancy details are tentative and may change depending on the final requirement communicated by the concerned cadre-controlling authorities.
| Service / Cadre | UR | SC | ST | Total Posts | PwBD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central Secretariat Service (CSS), DoPT | 189 | 71 | 58 | 318 | 19 |
| Ministry of External Affairs (Cadre Cell) | 23 | – | – | 23 | – |
| Total | 212 | 71 | 58 | 341 | 19 |
The PwBD vacancies shown above are horizontal vacancies under the CSS cadre. Candidates must refer to the official notification for category conditions, disability reservation rules, and departmental eligibility requirements.
SSC ASO Eligibility Criteria 2026
This departmental examination has specific service-based eligibility conditions. Applicants must be serving in the prescribed feeder grades of the participating services on the crucial date. General candidates, private-sector employees, and candidates who are not part of the listed government cadres cannot apply for this examination.
| Service / Cadre | Eligibility Condition | Crucial Date |
|---|---|---|
| Central Secretariat Service (CSS), DoPT | Officer in Upper Division Grade of Central Secretariat Clerical Service with at least six years of approved service in the grade. | 01 July 2025 |
| Ministry of External Affairs (Cadre Cell) | Upper Division Clerk Grade employee who has completed mandatory training prescribed by MEA and has at least six years of approved service in the grade. | 01 July 2025 |
Applicants must continue to be in service and must satisfy all eligibility requirements at the time of verification. Candidates who resign, leave service, or lose their lien in the eligible feeder grade may not be considered for appointment through this examination.
SSC ASO Salary 2026
Candidates selected through the SSC ASO Limited Departmental Competitive Examination will be placed in the Assistant Section Officer or Assistant Grade at Pay Level-7 under the 7th Central Pay Commission. The notified pay scale for the post is Rs. 44,900 to Rs. 1,42,400.
In addition to basic pay, selected candidates may receive Dearness Allowance, House Rent Allowance, Transport Allowance, medical facilities, leave benefits, pension-related benefits, and other admissible allowances according to Central Government rules and the policies of the concerned service or ministry.
SSC ASO Selection Process 2026
The SSC ASO recruitment process includes a Computer Based Examination and evaluation of the candidate’s service record. The examination is competitive in nature, so simply appearing in the test does not guarantee selection. Candidates must perform well in both papers to become eligible for the evaluation of their Annual Performance Appraisal Reports.
- Computer Based Examination – Paper I
- Computer Based Examination – Paper II
- Evaluation of Record of Service / APARs
- Final Merit List and Selection
The Computer Based Examination carries 300 marks in total. Paper I and Paper II carry 150 marks each. Candidates shortlisted through their combined performance in both papers will move to the service-record evaluation stage, which carries 100 marks. Final selection will be based on the aggregate marks obtained in the CBE and APAR evaluation.
SSC ASO Exam Pattern 2026
| Paper | Subjects / Topics | Type | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | General Awareness, Constitution, Parliamentary Procedure, Reading Comprehension, CS Manual of Office Procedure, Business Rules, Noting and Drafting | Objective Type | 150 | 3 Hours |
| Paper II | Service Rules, Financial Rules, RTI Act, Workplace Harassment Act, Records Management and Precis Writing | Objective Type | 150 | 3 Hours |
| Total CBE Marks | 300 | – | ||
There is a negative marking of 0.25 marks for every incorrect answer in both Paper I and Paper II. Candidates can choose English or Hindi as their examination language while filling out the online application form.
How to Apply for SSC ASO Recruitment 2026
Eligible candidates should complete the One-Time Registration process on the new SSC website before applying. After submitting the online form, applicants must print the application and submit it with the required service documents to their department or office for forwarding through the proper channel.
- Visit the official SSC website at ssc.gov.in.
- Complete One-Time Registration if you do not already have a valid OTR on the new SSC portal.
- Log in using your registration number and password.
- Open the “Live Exam” section and select the ASO / Assistant Grade LDCE 2025 application link.
- Enter service details, department information, employment history, and eligibility details carefully.
- Upload the required documents, photograph, signature, service certificate, and other prescribed records.
- Review the application form before final submission.
- Download and print the completed application form.
- Submit the printout and supporting documents to your Head of Department or Head of Office for forwarding to SSC Northern Region.
SSC ASO Recruitment 2026 Important Links
| Link Name | Link |
|---|---|
| Apply Online | Click Here |
| Official Notification PDF | Download Notification |
| SSC Official Website | Visit Official Website |
SSC ASO Recruitment 2026 FAQs
How many vacancies are available in SSC ASO Recruitment 2026?
A total of 341 vacancies have been reported for Assistant Section Officer and Assistant Grade posts under CSS and the Ministry of External Affairs Cadre Cell.
What is the last date to apply for SSC ASO Recruitment 2026?
The last date to submit the online application is 16 July 2026 up to 11:00 PM.
Can fresh graduates apply for SSC ASO Recruitment 2026?
No. This is a Limited Departmental Competitive Examination for eligible serving employees of the specified government cadres.
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What is the SSC ASO salary?
The post is placed at Pay Level-7, with a pay scale of Rs. 44,900 to Rs. 1,42,400.
Where will the SSC ASO examination be conducted?
The Computer Based Examination will be held in Delhi-NCR only.
Disclaimer: This article is prepared for informational purposes. Applicants must read the official SSC notification before applying. In case of any difference in dates, eligibility, vacancies, selection process, or instructions, the official SSC notification will be treated as final.