SSC ASO/LDCE 2025 notification out at ssc.gov.in; eligibility criteria

The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has issued the notification for the Assistant Section Officer (ASO)/Assistant Grade Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE) 2025. Applicants can read the full notification on the official website of SSC at ssc.gov.in.

The online registration process has already started and the applicants can submit the forms till July 16, 2026, 11 pm. This recruitment aims to fill 341 vacancies in the Central Secretariat Service (CSS) and the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

The last date for departments to submit the printed application forms is July 23, 2026, by 6 pm. For candidates posted abroad or those serving in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep, the deadline for receipt of printed applications is July 30, 2026, by 6 pm.

Also read UPPSC PCS notification 2026 out at uppsc.up.nic.in; apply online till July 27

SSC ASO/LDCE Recruitment 2025: Steps to apply

To apply for the SSC ASO/LDCE 2025, follow the steps given below”

• Visit the official SSC website at ssc.gov.in
• Complete the one-time registration (OTR) on the new SSC portal, if not already registered
• Log in using the registered credentials
• Access the Assistant Section Officer/Assistant Grade LDCE 2025 application form
• Enter the required personal and service-related details
• Upload the necessary documents, photograph and signature in the prescribed format
• Review the application details before final submission
• Submit the application and download the confirmation page
• Print the application form and submit it, along with the required documents, through the Head of Department/Head of Office before the prescribed deadline

The recruitment exam is going to be computer-based in August 2026 at examination centres located exclusively in Delhi-NCR.

SSC ASO/LDCE 2025 Notification: Eligibility criteria

The examination is open only to eligible departmental candidates serving in the participating services. For the CSS, applicants must be upper division grade officers of the central secretariat clerical service with a minimum of six years of approved service as on July 1, 2025.

Also read ICAI CA May 2026 Foundation results on July 3; download scorecard at icai.nic.in

Candidates applying from the MEA should be serving in the upper division clerk grade, have successfully completed the required mandatory training programmes, and possess at least six years of approved service as of the same date.

In addition, all applications must be submitted through the respective head of department or head of office, as applications not forwarded through the proper departmental channel will not be accepted.

SSC ASO/LDCE Notification 2025: Selection process

The selection process will comprise two stages: computer-based examination (paper I and paper II) and the evaluation of annual performance appraisal reports (APARs). The final merit list will be prepared by combining the marks secured in the written examination with the APAR evaluation scores.