The SSC JSA/LDC LDCE 2025 is a limited departmental competitive examination exclusively for existing Central Government Group C employees and Multi-Tasking Staff (MTS) seeking promotion to Junior Secretariat Assistant or Lower Division Clerk positions. This examination differs from open recruitment drives, as it targets vetted civil servants with a minimum of three years of regular service in their respective cadres across 12 participating government departments and organizations.
The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) released the official notification on 05/06/2026, announcing 149 vacancies across organizations, including the Central Passport Organization, Armed Forces Headquarters Clerical Service, Railway Board Secretariat, and nine other departments. Candidates must apply online through ssc.gov.in, followed by the mandatory forwarding of printed applications through their Head of Department by 03/07/2026. The examination is tentatively scheduled for July-August 2026, combining a written descriptive paper, a computer-based objective test, and an evaluation of service records.
Notification Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | Staff Selection Commission (SSC) |
| Examination | Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA) / Lower Division Clerk (LDC) Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE) 2025 |
| Total Vacancies | 149 posts |
| Cadres Participating | 12 government departments and organizations |
| Mode of Application | Online |
| Exam Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) + Descriptive |
| Location | Delhi-NCR region |
| Official Website | https://ssc.gov.in |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Released | 05/06/2026 |
| Online Application Begins | 05/06/2026 |
| Last Date to Submit Online Application | 26/06/2026 (11:00 PM) |
| Hard Copy Submission Deadline (India) | 03/07/2026 (6:00 PM) |
| Hard Copy Submission Deadline (Abroad/A&N/Lakshadweep) | 10/07/2026 (6:00 PM) |
| Computer-Based Examination | July-August 2026 (Tentative) |
| Admission Certificate Download | 3-4 days before examination |
Eligibility at a Glance
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Employee Status | Regularly appointed Group C employee or Multi-Tasking Staff (MTS) in Level-1 / Grade Pay ₹1,800 in one of the 12 participating cadres |
| Minimum Service Required | 3 years of continuous regular service as on the specified cut-off date applicable to your cadre |
| Educational Qualification | Class 12th (Higher Secondary) or equivalent from a recognized board |
| Application Channel | Must be forwarded by the Head of Department / Head of Office to SSC (Northern Region) – direct or self-submitted applications are rejected |
| Maximum Age | Generally, 45 years (50 years for SC/ST candidates) as on the respective reference date |
| Reference Date Varies | Ranges from 01/01/2025 to 01/08/2025, depending on your cadre |
Cadre-Wise Vacancy Breakdown
| Sl. | Service / Cadre / Organization | UR | SC | ST | Total | PwBD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Central Passport Organisation, Ministry of External Affairs | 50 | – | – | 50 | – |
| 2 | Armed Forces Headquarters Clerical Service | 31 | – | – | 31 | – |
| 3 | Ministry of External Affairs (Cadre Cell) | 06 | 01 | – | 07 | 01 (OH) |
| 4 | Railway Board Secretariat Clerical Service | 08 | 02 | 02 | 12 | 02 (VH) |
| 5 | Central Administrative Tribunal | 01 | 02 | 01 | 04 | – |
| 6 | O/o Registrar General of India | 17 | – | – | 17 | – |
| 7 | National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO) | 07 | 01 | 01 | 09 | – |
| 8 | Dept of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare | 01 | – | – | 01 | – |
| 9 | O/o Development Commissioner (MSME) | 12 | 01 | – | 13 | 01 (VH) |
| 10 | Central Translation Bureau | 02 | – | – | 02 | – |
| 11 | Official Language Wing, Legislative Dept., M/o Law & Justice | 01 | – | – | 01 | – |
| 12 | Bureau of Police Research & Development, MHA | 02 | – | – | 02 | – |
| Total | 138 | 07 | 04 | 149 | 04 |
Educational Qualification
Candidates must have completed their Class 12th (Higher Secondary) examination from a recognized board or possess an equivalent qualification. For those applying from the Railway Board Secretariat Clerical Service, an additional requirement applies: candidates must demonstrate typing proficiency through a keyboard test within one year of appointment, achieving a minimum of 35 words per minute in English or 30 words per minute in Hindi on a computer.
Length of Service Requirements
A minimum tenure of three years in regular, continuous service is mandatory. This service must be completed as a Group C employee or Multi-Tasking Staff member at Level-1 (with a Grade Pay of ₹1,800) within the specific cadre from which you are applying. The determining date for calculating this service duration varies by cadre.
Important Dates by Cadre
| Cut-off Date | Applicable Cadres |
|---|---|
| 01/07/2025 | Central Passport Organisation, MEA (Cadre Cell), Bureau of Police Research & Development |
| 01/08/2025 | Railway Board Secretariat Clerical Service |
| 01/01/2025 | Central Administrative Tribunal, O/o Registrar General of India, NTRO, Dept. of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, O/o Development Commissioner (MSME), Central Translation Bureau, Official Language Wing |
Age Limit and Relaxation
The standard upper age limit for most cadres is 45 years as on the specified cut-off date, with an extended limit of 50 years for SC and ST candidates.
| Category | Age Relaxation (Years) |
|---|---|
| SC / ST | 5 |
| Defence Personnel Disabled in Operations | 3 |
| Defence Personnel Disabled in Operations (SC/ST) | 8 |
Application Fee
This Limited Departmental Competitive Examination does not require an application fee for online submission. However, if a candidate chooses to challenge the provisional answer key after the examination, a non-refundable charge of ₹50 per question applies.
Selection Process
This examination operates as a competitive merit-based assessment. The selection procedure unfolds in multiple stages:
| Stage | Description |
|---|---|
| Paper-II (CBT) Qualifying Stage | Candidates must achieve the minimum marks in the Computer-Based Test to proceed further. |
| Paper-I (Descriptive) Evaluation | Only candidates who clear the Paper-II threshold have their written essay papers assessed. |
| Service Record Assessment (APAR) | Shortlisted candidates undergo evaluation of their Annual Performance Appraisal Reports (APARs), valued at 60 marks. |
| Final Merit Ranking | Merit list is prepared on the aggregate of Paper-I (100 marks) + Paper-II (100 marks) + APAR (60 marks) = 260 marks total, arranged cadre-wise. |
Examination Pattern and Scheme
| Paper | Type | Content | Questions / Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper-I | Descriptive (Written) | One short essay (400-500 words) | 100 marks | 1 hour 30 minutes |
| Paper-II | Objective (CBT) | Language (General English or Samanya Hindi) + General Knowledge | 100 marks (50+50) | 2 hours |
Negative Marking: Applied only to Paper-II (CBT) at 0.25 marks per incorrect answer. Paper-I carries no negative marking.
Examination Syllabus
Paper-I (Descriptive Writing): Candidates compose one structured essay of 400 to 500 words from a selection of prescribed topics across specified subjects.
Paper-II (a) Language Component: Assesses practical writing skills through simple composition and applied grammar rules in the chosen medium, either General English or Samanya Hindi.
Paper-II (b) General Knowledge Component: Tests awareness of current affairs, everyday observations, and foundational knowledge about India’s geography, history, culture, and government systems.
Salary Structure and Benefits
Selected candidates receive an appointment at Pay Level-2 under the 7th Central Pay Commission, with a monthly salary range of ₹19,900 to ₹63,200. Beyond basic salary, appointees are entitled to Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), Transport Allowance, and other statutory benefits as per Central Government employment rules.
Documents Required
- Certified true copy of the first page of your Service Book, attested by your Head of Department or Head of Office.
- Certified statement detailing your complete service particulars.
- Class 12th passing certificate or equivalent educational proof.
- Caste or community certificate (if claiming SC/ST benefits).
- Medical disability certificate (if applying under PwBD category).
- Recent passport-sized photograph for live capture and a scanned digital signature.
Photograph and Signature Specifications
- Photograph: Must be captured live via webcam or mobile device camera in a well-lit area with a plain background. Do not wear caps, masks, or spectacles.
- Signature: Scanned in JPEG or JPG format, sized between 10 to 20 KB, with dimensions of about 6.0 cm (width) by 2.0 cm (height).
How to Apply for SSC JSA/LDC LDCE 2025
- Click the official apply link below.
Important Links
| Particulars | Link |
|---|---|
| Download Notification PDF | Download Here |
| Apply Online Portal | Apply Here |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Who is eligible to take the SSC JSA/LDC LDCE 2025 exam? Ans. This exam is specifically for current Central Government Group C employees and Multi-Tasking Staff (MTS) looking to move up to Junior Secretariat Assistant or Lower Division Clerk positions. You’ll need at least three years of regular service in your cadre to qualify, so it’s not open to the general public.
Q2. How many vacancies are available and which departments are hiring? Ans. There are 149 vacancies spread across 12 departments. Some of the main ones include the Central Passport Organisation with 50 spots, Armed Forces Headquarters Clerical Service with 31, and the Registrar General of India with 17. You can find the complete breakdown in the vacancy table above.
Q3. What does “cut-off date” mean for this exam? Ans. The cut-off date is the reference point used to calculate your three years of required service and check your age eligibility. Depending on your specific department, this date falls somewhere between January 1, 2025, and August 1, 2025. Be sure to check the official notification for your exact date.
Q4. Can I apply online without involving my current department? Ans. No, you must route your application through your Head of Department or Head of Office. If you try to submit it directly on your own, it will be rejected. Your supervisor has to forward the printed copy along with your service documents to the SSC Northern Region office.
Q5. How does the grading work for the LDCE exam? Ans. You’ll be evaluated out of 260 total marks. This includes a 100-mark descriptive essay (Paper-I), a 100-mark computer-based test covering language and general knowledge (Paper-II), and 60 marks based on your Annual Performance Appraisal Report (APAR). Your final rank depends on your combined score from all three parts.
Q6. What are the key dates I need to remember? Ans. Make sure to submit your online application by 11:00 PM on June 26, 2026. The printed version needs to reach the SSC Northern Region by July 3, 2026 (or July 10 if you’re in specific remote areas). The computer-based test is tentatively set for July or August 2026.
Q7. Do I have to pay an application fee? Ans. There is no application fee to apply or take the exam. The only time you’d pay is if you decide to challenge the provisional answer key later, which costs ₹50 per question.
