SSC ASO LDCE 2026: The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has released the notification for the Assistant Section Officer (ASO) Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE) 2026. Eligible departmental candidates can submit their online applications from June 25 to July 16, 2026, for a total of 341 vacancies in the Central Secretariat Service (CSS) and the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
The recruitment drive is intended exclusively for eligible government employees seeking promotion to the post of Assistant Section Officer through the Limited Departmental Competitive Examination. The computer-based examination is scheduled to be conducted in August 2026.
SSC ASO LDCE 2026: Important Dates
The notification was issued on June 25, 2026, and the online application process began the same day. Candidates can complete their registration until 11:00 PM on July 16, 2026. Departments must forward printed application forms by July 23, 2026, while candidates posted abroad, including those in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep, have until July 30, 2026, to submit the required documents.
Eligibility Criteria
According to the notification, the recruitment is not open to direct applicants. For vacancies under the Central Secretariat Service (CSS), candidates must be serving as Upper Division Grade Officers of the Central Secretariat Clerical Service and should have completed at least six years of approved service as of July 1, 2025.
For vacancies in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), applicants must be serving as Upper Division Clerks (UDCs), have successfully completed the prescribed mandatory training, and possess a minimum of six years of approved service as of July 1, 2025.
How to Apply
Eligible candidates should visit the official SSC portal, log in using their registered credentials, and complete the ASO LDCE 2026 application form. After filling in the required service details and uploading the necessary documents, applicants should submit the form online, download the completed application, and forward the printed copy through their Head of Department or Head of Office.
What Candidates Should Know
The SSC ASO LDCE offers an important promotion opportunity for eligible departmental employees serving in the Central Government. Candidates are advised to verify their eligibility carefully, complete the application process before the deadline, and begin preparations for the computer-based examination scheduled for August 2026.
