The Staff Selection Commission has released the SSC SSA/UDC Recruitment 2026 notification for the Limited Departmental Competitive Examination. This drive offers 227 vacancies for Senior Secretariat Assistant and Upper Division Clerk positions at Pay Level-4 (Rs. 25,500 – Rs. 81,100). The examination comprises two parts: a computer-based and written test (300 marks), followed by an evaluation of service records (100 marks). Applications opened on 05 June 2026 and close on 26 June 2026 at 2300 hours. Visit the official portal at https://ssc.gov.in for complete details and to register online.
Notification Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | Staff Selection Commission (SSC), Block No.12, CGO Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi – 110003 |
| Notice Number | No. 4/1/2026-CONF-5 |
| Exam Name | Senior Secretariat Assistant / Upper Division Clerk Grade Limited Departmental Competitive Examination, 2025 |
| Post Name | Senior Secretariat Assistant (SSA) / Upper Division Clerk (UDC) Grade |
| Post Group | Group C Non-Gazetted |
| Total Vacancies | 227 Posts |
| Examination Type | Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (internal – serving JSA/LDC only) |
| Application Mode | Online via the SSC official website |
| Exam Centre | Delhi NCR only |
| Official Website | https://ssc.gov.in |
Important Dates
| Event | Date & Time |
|---|---|
| Start Date for Online Applications | 05 June 2026 |
| Last Date for Online Applications | 26 June 2026 (2300 hours) |
| Last Date for Receipt of Printed Application (General) | 03 July 2026 (1800 hours) |
| Last Date for Receipt of Printed Application (Abroad/A&N Islands/Lakshadweep) | 10 July 2026 (1800 hours) |
| Computer Based Examination Schedule (Tentative) | July – August 2026 |
| Written Examination (Paper-II) | To be notified later |
| Service Records Evaluation | To be notified later |
Age Limit
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Age Criteria | Varies by participating cadre; refer to the eligibility conditions table. You must make sure your age falls within the required limits by the designated cutoff date. |
| SC/ST Category | 5 years relaxation beyond the upper age limit |
| Defence Personnel (Disabled in Operation) | 3 years of relaxation |
| Defence Personnel SC/ST (Disabled in Operation) | 8 years of relaxation |
Educational Qualification
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Cadre-Specific Requirements | Serving employees must have completed their specified service requirements in their respective cadres. The Central Passport Organisation requires a Bachelor’s degree. Other cadres need you to have approval and continuous service of 3 to 5 years by the specified eligibility dates. Typewriting test requirement applies to the Railway Board Secretariat Clerical Service unless exempted. |
SSC SSA/UDC Vacancy Details by Cadre
| Service / Cadre / Organization | UR | SC | ST | Total | PwBD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central Passport Organisation, Ministry of External Affairs | 46 | 19 | 11 | 76 | 04 |
| Armed Forces Headquarters Clerical Service | 31 | 07 | 04 | 42 | 03 (VH, HH & OH) |
| Railway Board Secretariat Clerical Service, Ministry of Railways | 13 | 04 | 02 | 19 | 03 PH (2B/LV, 01 D/HH) |
| Central Administrative Tribunal | 15 | 06 | 03 | 24 | 02 (01-OH, 01-VH) |
| Central Vigilance Commission | 05 | 01 | – | 06 | 01 (any category) |
| Election Commission of India | 09 | 02 | 01 | 12 | 01 (UR-OH) |
| Forest Survey of India, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change | 03 | 01 | – | 04 | – |
| National Technical Research Organisation | 07 | 01 | – | 08 | – |
| Directorate General, Defence Estates | 07 | 01 | – | 08 | – |
| Office of Development Commissioner, Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises | 22 | 04 | 02 | 28 | 01 (VH) |
| Total | 158 | 46 | 23 | 227 |
Role & Responsibilities
Senior Secretariat Assistants and Upper Division Clerks manage sensitive correspondence, maintain official records, and coordinate between senior officials and field offices. These professionals handle the drafting of important government notes, prepare departmental files, organize meetings, and ensure seamless administrative workflow across ministries. The role demands organizational skills, proficiency in office procedures under the Manual of Office Procedure, and the ability to work while maintaining the confidentiality of government documents.
Career progression from this position typically leads to higher clerical grades, supervisory roles, or specialized administrative positions in the same or related cadres. Working in central government organizations like the Passport Office, Election Commission, Railway Board, or Defense establishments provides statutory benefits.
Salary
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Pay Scale | Pay Level-4 as per the 7th Central Pay Commission |
| Basic Pay Range | Rs. 25,500 – Rs. 81,100 |
| Pay Commission | 7th Central Pay Commission |
Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| All Eligible Departmental Candidates | No fee (Limited Departmental Competitive Examination – internal) |
Selection Process
| Step | Details |
|---|---|
| Part I: Computer-Based Examination (Paper I) | 100 objective-type questions on General Awareness (100 marks) and English Language & Comprehension (100 marks) in 2 hours. Negative marking of 0.25 marks per wrong answer. Scribe-eligible candidates get 2 hours 40 minutes. Candidates qualifying Paper-I advance to Paper-II. |
| Part I: Written Examination (Paper II) | Descriptive paper on Noting, Drafting & Office Procedure (100 marks) in 2 hours. Scribe-eligible candidates get 2 hours 40 minutes. Aggregate performance in Paper-I and Paper-II determines eligibility for Part-II evaluation. |
| Part-II: Service Records Evaluation | 100 marks allocated for the evaluation of Annual Performance Assessment Reports (APARs). Marks obtained in Part-II are added for the final ranking. No change in APAR grading is entertained after evaluation. |
| Final Selection | Candidates ranked on aggregate performance across Paper-I (200 marks) + Paper-II (100 marks) + Part-II APAR evaluation (100 marks) = 400 total marks. Selection is competitive, not qualifying. Tie-breaking follows: Paper-II marks, English section marks, date of birth (older preferred), then alphabetical order. |
Examination Syllabus
Paper-I (Computer-Based Examination) – General Awareness (100 Marks): Questions assess awareness of the environment and contemporary issues. Topics include current events, everyday observations with a scientific perspective, history, culture, geography, economics, science, politics, and scientific research relating to India and neighboring regions.
Paper-I (Computer-Based Examination) – English Language & Comprehension (100 Marks): Tests understanding of English language fundamentals, including vocabulary, spelling, grammar, sentence structure, synonyms, antonyms, sentence completion, phrasal expressions, and passage comprehension. Question level is the matriculation standard.
Paper-II (Written Examination) – Noting, Drafting & Office Procedure (100 Marks): Candidates must demonstrate knowledge of office procedures in Secretariat and Attached Offices, ability to write and interpret official notes and drafts. Study materials include the Manual of Office Procedure (including Railway version), Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha Rules of Procedure, Ministry of Home Affairs Handbook on Hindi use in official communications, and government orders on SC/ST reservation policies.
How to Apply for SSC SSA/UDC Limited Departmental Competitive Examination 2025
Click the official apply link below to visit the official portal and complete your application.
Important Instructions for Applicants
Submission of only a single application form is mandatory; candidates filing multiple forms risk disqualification from the examination process. Your Head of Department or Head of Office must forward the printed application through proper official channels; applications not transmitted via this route will not be accepted for consideration. Any candidate who resigns from service, voluntarily quits employment, or whose services face termination after submitting their application will lose eligibility for appointment based on this examination’s result.
No corrections or amendments to information entered in the online application are permitted under any circumstances once the form is finalized. The examination will be conducted exclusively in the Delhi NCR region; no examination centers will be established at Indian missions or offices abroad, and candidates posted outside India must arrange to appear at their own expense. Admission certificates for the computer-based examination will be made available online on the Northern Regional Office website (https://sscnr.nic.in) and will not be issued by postal mail.
Candidates appearing in the examination must carry their original departmental identity card along with a hard copy of the admission certificate. If you have not completed Aadhaar-based authentication, bring at least two recent passport-sized color photographs and an original, valid photo identification document displaying your date of birth. The Commission does not provide re-evaluation or re-checking services for examination scores at any stage; no correspondence on this matter will be entertained.
After the computer-based examination, tentative answer keys are published on the SSC website; candidates may submit online objections within the specified period by paying Rs. 50 per question (non-refundable charge). Your appearance on the examination day must match the photograph submitted with your application; significant changes in appearance are not permitted. Address all communications to “The Regional Director, Staff Selection Commission (Northern Region), Block No. 12, C.G.O. Complex, Lodi Road, New Delhi-110003” with the subject line clearly stating “Senior Secretariat Assistant/Upper Division Clerk Grade Limited Departmental Competitive Examination, 2025”.
Eligibility Conditions by Cadre
| Service / Cadre | Cutoff Date | Eligibility Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Central Passport Organisation | 01.07.2025 | Junior Passport Assistant with 6 years’ service in grade on a regular appointment basis and a Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university. |
| Armed Forces Headquarters Clerical Service | 01.07.2025 | Minimum 5 years of approved continuous service in JSA Grade. If appointed via competitive exam (including LDCE), results must be announced at least 5 years before appointment, with a minimum of 4 years of continuous service rendered. JSAs on deputation to ex-cadre posts with approval or having lien in JSA grade are eligible. |
| Railway Board Secretariat Clerical Service | 01.08.2025 | Minimum 5 years of approved continuous LDC service. If a competitive exam is appointed, a minimum of 5 years from the result announcement, with a minimum of 4 years of service. Must have passed typewriting test unless exempted. Your age must not be over 50 years by the specified cutoff date (relaxable by the Central Government). |
| Central Administrative Tribunal | 01.01.2025 | Five years of regular service in the LDC Grade. JSAs on deputation to ex-cadre posts with approval or having lien in JSA grade are eligible. |
| Central Vigilance Commission | 01.01.2025 | JSA who has rendered a minimum of 5 years of regular service at the current pay level. |
| Election Commission of India | 01.07.2025 | JSA/LDC with a minimum of 3 years of regular service. If a competitive exam is appointed, a minimum of 3 years from the result announcement, with a minimum of 2 years of service. JSAs on deputation to ex-cadre posts with approval or having lien in JSA grade are eligible. |
| Forest Survey of India | 01.01.2025 | LDC with 5 years of regular service in the Forest Survey of India grade. JSAs on deputation to ex-cadre posts with approval or having lien in JSA grade are eligible. |
| National Technical Research Organisation | 01.01.2025 | JSA/LDC of NTRO with 5 years of regular service in the grade. JSAs on deputation to ex-cadre posts with approval or having lien in JSA grade are eligible. |
| Directorate General, Defence Estates | 01.01.2025 | Hindi Typist with 5 years of regular service. Make sure you are 45 years old or younger by the cutoff date. |
| Office of Development Commissioner (MSME) | 01.01.2025 | LDC at Level-2 (7th CPC) in MSME-DO with 5 years regular service. JSAs on deputation to ex-cadre posts with approval or having lien in JSA grade are eligible. |
Documents Required for Application
Applicants must upload certified true copies of the first page of their service book, authenticated by their Head of Department or Head of Office, displaying name, father’s name, husband’s name (if applicable), nationality, SC/ST designation (if applicable), and date of birth. Additionally, furnish certified service particulars attested by departmental authorities showing posts held, pay scales, and nature of appointment (whether substantive, officiating, permanent, or temporary). Submit copies of certificates for essential educational qualifications where applicable, disability certificates for persons with disabilities, and valid discharge certificates for defense personnel claiming disability benefits. Include a live photograph taken through the application module (plain background, no headgear, mask, or eyeglasses; full-frontal view) and scanned signature in JPEG format (10-20 KB, dimensions approximately 6.0 cm width by 2.0 cm height).
Important Links
| Particulars | Link |
|---|---|
| Apply Online | Apply Here |
| Download Official Notification | View Notification |
| Official Website | Click Here |
| Northern Regional Office | Click Here |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Who is eligible for the SSC SSA/UDC Recruitment 2026?
Ans. You can apply if you’re currently working as a Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA) or Lower Division Clerk (LDC) in one of the 10 specified participating services or cadres. You also need to have put in the required service time—usually between 3 and 6 years, based on your cadre’s guidelines—by the designated deadline.
Q2. How many total vacancies are available?
Ans. There are 227 tentative vacancies overall. This total is split into 158 for UR, 46 for SC, and 23 for ST categories. The positions are spread across 10 different central government organizations based on their specific needs.
Q3. When is the deadline to submit the application?
Ans. The online application window closes on 26 June 2026 at 2300 hours. Make sure your printed application, sent through proper official channels, reaches the SSC Northern Region office by 03 July 2026 at 1800 hours. If you’re stationed abroad or in the A&N Islands/Lakshadweep, you have until 10 July 2026.
Q4. Do I need to pay an application fee?
Ans. No, there isn’t any application fee for this Limited Departmental Competitive Examination since it’s meant exclusively for serving government employees from the specified cadres.
Q5. How does the exam pattern work and what are the total marks?
Ans. The entire process is out of 400 marks and is divided into two parts. Part I has a Computer-Based Examination worth 200 marks (General Awareness and English) and a Written Examination worth 100 marks (Noting, Drafting & Office Procedure). Part II involves a 100-mark evaluation of your service records and APARs.
Q6. Where will the exam centers be located?
Ans. All exam centers will be set up exclusively within the Delhi NCR region. There won’t be any centers abroad or at Indian missions, so if you are posted outside of India, you’ll need to travel to India at your own expense to take the test.
Q7. What documents should I upload with my online form?
Ans. You must upload certified copies of your service book’s first page, service particulars with details of posts held and pay scales, educational certificates, and any applicable disability certificates. You also need to provide a recent live photograph with a plain background and a scanned signature in JPEG format (between 10 and 20 KB).
