SSC ASO Recruitment 2026: The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has officially announced the Assistant Section Officer (ASO)/Assistant Grade Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE) 2025 Notification for eligible departmental candidates. Through this drive, the SSC will recruit for 341 vacancies in the Central Secretariat Service (CSS) and the Ministry of External Affairs (Cadre Cell).
Interested & eligible candidates can apply online from 25 June 2026 to 16 July 2026 on the official website of SSC.
SSC ASO Recruitment 2026 Overview
| Organization | Staff Selection Commission (SSC) |
| Examination Name | Assistant Section Officer/Assistant Grade Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE) 2025 |
| Post Name | Assistant Section Officer (ASO)/Assistant Grade |
| Job Location | Across India |
| Total Vacancies | 341 |
| Application Mode | Online |
Also Read: UPPSC PCS Recruitment 2026 Notification Out: Apply Online Now for PCS & Other Posts
SSC ASO Recruitment 2026 Vacancy Details
| Service/Cadre | UR | SC | ST | Total |
| Central Secretariat Service (CSS), DoPT | 189 | 71 | 58 | 318 |
| Ministry of External Affairs (Cadre Cell) | 23 | — | — | 23 |
| Grand Total | 212 | 71 | 58 | 341 |
PwBD Vacancies (CSS): 19 Posts (VH-6, OH-4, HH-4, Others-5).
SSC ASO Recruitment 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must satisfy all the eligibility conditions mentioned in the official notification before applying.
Educational Qualification
| Assistant Section Officer (CSS) | Candidate must be serving in the Upper Division Grade of the Central Secretariat Clerical Service (CSCS) and should have completed at least six years of approved service as on 01 July 2025. |
| Assistant Grade (Ministry of External Affairs) | Candidate must be working as an Upper Division Clerk (UDC) in the Ministry of External Affairs, must have completed the prescribed mandatory training programme, and should possess not less than six years of approved service as on 01 July 2025. |
Age Limit
The official notification does not prescribe any minimum or maximum age limit for this Limited Departmental Competitive Examination.
SSC ASO Recruitment 2026 Application Fee
| Category | Application Fee |
| All Categories | Not mentioned in the official notification |
SSC ASO Recruitment 2026 Salary
Selected candidates will be appointed as Assistant Section Officer (ASO)/Assistant Grade in Pay Level-7 under the 7th Central Pay Commission.
| Component | Details |
| Pay Level | Level-7 |
| Pay Scale | ₹44,900 – ₹1,42,400 |
| Group | Group ‘B’ (Non-Gazetted) |
| Additional Benefits | DA, HRA, TA, NPS and other allowances as per Central Government rules |
SSC ASO Recruitment 2026 Selection Process
The selection process consists of the following stages:
- Computer-Based Examination (Paper-I & Paper-II)
- Evaluation of Annual Performance Appraisal Reports (APARs)
- Preparation of Merit List
- Document Verification
- Final Selection
Candidates must qualify for both Computer-Based papers to become eligible for APAR evaluation. The final merit list will be prepared based on the combined marks obtained in the Computer-Based Examination and the evaluation of service records.
SSC ASO Recruitment 2026 Exam Pattern
Part I: Computer-Based Examination
| Paper | Subject | Marks | Duration |
| Paper-I | General Awareness, Constitution, Parliamentary Procedure, Reading Comprehension, Manual of Office Procedure, Business Rules, Noting & Drafting | 150 | 3 Hours |
| Paper-II | Service Rules, Financial Rules, RTI Act, Records Management, Precis Writing | 150 | 3 Hours |
Exam Highlights
- Total Marks: 300
- Objective Type Multiple Choice Questions
- Negative Marking: 0.25 mark for each incorrect answer
- Examination Medium: English or Hindi (as opted by the candidate)
Important Links:
How to Apply for SSC ASO Recruitment 2026
Eligible candidates can apply online by following these steps:
- Visit the official SSC website.
- Complete the One-Time Registration (OTR), if not already registered.
- Log in using your Registration Number and Password.
- Fill in the online application form carefully.
- Upload the required documents and scanned signature.
- Capture and upload the live photograph as instructed.
- Verify all the details before final submission.
- Submit the online application before 16 July 2026.
- Take a printout of the submitted application.
- Forward the printed application along with the required documents through the Head of Department/Office so that it reaches SSC before the prescribed deadline.
Important Dates
| Notification Release | 25 June 2026 |
| Online Application Begins | 25 June 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 16 July 2026 |
| Last Date for Online Application Submission | 16 July 2026 (11:00 PM) |
| Last Date for Submission of Printed Application | 23 July 2026 |
| Last Date (Candidates Residing Abroad/Islands) | 30 July 2026 |
| Computer-Based Examination | August 2026 |
Documents Required for SSC ASO Recruitment 2026
Candidates should keep the following documents ready while applying:
- Service Book (attested copy)
- Service Certificate
- Disability Certificate (if applicable)
- Scanned Signature
- Live Photograph
- Valid Government ID Proof
- Other supporting documents as mentioned in the notification
FAQs on SSC ASO Recruitment 2026
1. Which organization has released the SSC ASO Recruitment 2026 notification?
Ans. The notification has been released by the Staff Selection Commission (SSC).
2. How many vacancies are available?
Ans. A total of 341 vacancies have been announced.
3. What is the last date to apply online?
Ans. The last date for online application submission is 16 July 2026.
4. When will the examination be conducted?
Ans. The Computer-Based Examination is scheduled for August 2026.
5. What is the salary of an Assistant Section Officer?
Ans. The pay scale is ₹44,900–₹1,42,400 (Pay Level-7).
