SSC SSA / UDC Recruitment 2026 notification has been released by the Staff Selection Commission on 25/06/2026 for 65 Senior Secretariat Assistant (SSA) / Upper Division Clerk (UDC) positions in the Central Secretariat Clerical Service (CSCS). This is an internal, limited departmental competitive examination open exclusively to serving Lower Division Clerks (LDCs) of DoPT. Online applications are open until 16/07/2026 at 11:00 PM.
This is a departmental promotion pathway-a rare opportunity for LDCs to advance to the next grade. The examination is competitive and will be held in a computer-based format in August 2026 at Delhi-NCR test centres.
Quick Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | Staff Selection Commission (SSC) |
| Post Name | Senior Secretariat Assistant (SSA) / Upper Division Clerk (UDC) |
| Total Vacancies | 65 |
| Cadre | Central Secretariat Clerical Service (CSCS), DoPT |
| Notification Number | 4/8/2026-CONF-5 |
| Pay Level | Level-4 (₹25,500 – ₹81,100) |
| Exam Mode | Computer-Based Examination (CBE) |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Official Website | https://www.ssc.gov.in |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Published | 25/06/2026 |
| Online Application Start | 25/06/2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 16/07/2026 (11:00 PM) |
| Last Date for Hard Copy Submission (General) | 23/07/2026 (6:00 PM) |
| Last Date for Hard Copy (Abroad/A&N/Lakshadweep) | 30/07/2026 (6:00 PM) |
| Computer-Based Examination | August 2026 |
Eligible candidates must submit the online application by 16/07/2026 at 11:00 PM. Separately, printed applications with supporting documents must reach the Regional Director, SSC (Northern Region), New Delhi by 23/07/2026 at 6:00 PM. Missing the hard copy deadline makes the application void, regardless of online submission.
Eligibility Criteria
SSC SSA / UDC Recruitment 2026 is open only to Lower Division Clerks (LDCs/JSA) regularly appointed and serving in the Central Secretariat Clerical Service under DoPT. As per the official SSC notification dated 25/06/2026, all candidates must satisfy the following conditions on or before the crucial date of 01/08/2025.
Length of Service Requirement
Candidates must have rendered at least 5 years of approved and continuous service in the LDC grade as on 01/08/2025. If the candidate was appointed through a competitive examination (including a Limited Departmental Competitive Examination), the examination results must have been declared at least 5 years before 01/08/2025, and the candidate must have rendered at least 4 years of approved and continuous service in that grade.
Typewriting Test Condition
Unless exempted, candidates must have passed the typewriting test held by UPSC or SSC for confirmation in the LDC grade on or before the notification date. Candidates with exemption orders must quote the exemption order number and date in the application form.
Service Status
LDCs on deputation to ex-cadre posts with competent authority approval are eligible to apply if all other criteria are met. Candidates appointed to ex-cadre posts or transferred to another service without retaining a lien in the LDC grade are not eligible. Candidates who resign, quit, or whose services are terminated after applying will not be eligible for appointment.
Vacancy Breakdown
| Service/Cadre | Total Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Central Secretariat Clerical Service (CSCS), DoPT | 65 |
Category-wise vacancy distribution (UR, SC, ST, PwBD) will be communicated by the cadre controlling authority in due course. Candidates should check the official SSC website for updated category-wise details.
About the SSA / UDC Role
The Senior Secretariat Assistant / Upper Division Clerk position involves advanced clerical work, administrative support, and documentation responsibilities in central government ministries and departments. UDC-grade staff handle coordination between departments, maintain official records, draft communications, and manage parliamentary procedures under senior officers. As a Group C non-gazetted post at Pay Level-4, this role represents a clear advancement from the LDC grade with enhanced responsibilities and career progression within the central secretariat.
Pay Scale and Salary
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Pay Level | Level-4, 7th Pay Commission |
| Basic Pay Range | ₹25,500 – ₹81,100 per month |
| Group | Group C, Non-Gazetted |
| Allowances | DA, HRA, TA, and other applicable central government allowances as per rules |
At Pay Level-4, the estimated in-hand monthly salary ranges from approximately ₹30,000 to ₹45,000 after statutory deductions, depending on location, experience, and allowance eligibility. DA and HRA vary by posting location. Ex gratia and other allowances are admissible as per government policy.
Exam Pattern and Syllabus
The SSC SSA / UDC examination consists of two parts: a Computer-Based Examination (Part I) carrying 200 marks and evaluation of service records (Part-II) carrying 100 marks, for a total of 300 marks.
Part I: Computer-Based Examination (200 Marks, 3 Hours)
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Comprehension and General English | 50 | 50 |
| Parliamentary Procedure | 50 | 50 |
| General Knowledge | 50 | 50 |
| Noting and Drafting | 50 | 50 |
| Total | 200 | 200 |
All questions are multiple-choice, objective-type. Negative marking applies at 0.25 marks per wrong answer. Candidates must attempt the exam in their chosen language (English or Hindi), except General English, which must be answered in English only.
Part-I Syllabus Details
Comprehension and General English: Simple composition and applied grammar.
Parliamentary Procedure: Basic questions on parliamentary sessions and handling of parliamentary questions.
General Knowledge: Current events, everyday observations, and general information about India.
Noting and Drafting: Questions from Chapters 7, 8, and 9 of the latest CSMOP guidelines on noting, communication, forms, channels, procedure, and drafting of communications.
Part-II: Evaluation of Service Records (100 Marks)
One hundred marks are allocated for the Annual Performance Appraisal Report (APAR) evaluation. Only candidates qualifying in Part I will be called for Part-II evaluation. Final merit is determined by the combined aggregate of Part-I and Part-II scores.
Selection Process
The SSC SSA / UDC selection process is a two-stage merit-based system:
- Stage 1 – Computer-Based Examination (Part I): 200 marks across four objective-type subjects. The Commission may fix minimum qualifying marks at its discretion.
- Stage 2 – Evaluation of Service Records (Part-II): 100 marks based on APAR evaluation. Only Part-I qualifiers proceed to this stage.
- Final Merit List: Candidates are ranked by aggregate marks (Part-I + Part-II = 300 marks). Names are arranged in order of merit for inclusion in the Select List.
Tie-Breaking Rules
If two or more candidates secure equal aggregate marks, ties are resolved in the following order:
- Marks in CBE overall
- Marks in Comprehension and General English
- Marks in Parliamentary Procedure
- Marks in General Knowledge
- Date of birth (older candidate ranked higher)
- Alphabetical order of names
How to Apply for SSC SSA / UDC Recruitment 2026
- Visit the official SSC website at https://www.ssc.gov.in and log in to the SSC recruitment portal.
- Click on the link for “SSA / UDC Limited Departmental Competitive Examination 2026” notification.
- Fill in the online application form with your personal, service, and educational details as per the notification.
- Upload a live photograph (captured via webcam or smartphone on the portal) and a scanned signature in JPEG format (10-20 KB).
- Upload a certified true copy (first page) of your Service Book, certified particulars of service, and typewriting test details or exemption order.
- Submit the online application. No application fee is required for departmental candidates.
- Print the submitted application form and collect the required documents (self-attested photocopies) from your Head of Department or Head of Office.
- Forward the hard copy with a covering letter through your departmental head to the Regional Director, SSC (Northern Region), New Delhi, ensuring receipt by 23/07/2026 at 6:00 PM.
Ensure all document uploads are clear, complete, and match the specifications. Incomplete applications will be rejected during document verification. The hard copy forwarding deadline is strict-applications arriving after 6:00 PM on 23/07/2026 will not be processed.
Common Mistakes to Avoid While Applying
- Missing hard copy deadline: Online submission alone is insufficient. Hard copies must reach the SSC Northern Region by 23/07/2026. Submitting the hard copy after this deadline makes your candidature void, even if the online application was submitted on time.
- Incomplete or unclear document uploads: Ensure the Service Book first page, certified service particulars, and typewriting test details are clearly scanned and uploaded. Blurry or partial uploads lead to rejection.
- Wrong photograph specifications: Uploading a photograph not captured live via webcam or smartphone on the portal, or using old photographs, will result in form rejection.
- Missing departmental forwarding: Some candidates submit online but fail to forward the printed application through their department. This omission leads to automatic cancellation.
- Incorrect service details: Entering wrong dates of appointment, scales of pay, or length of service will result in ineligibility determination at document verification.
Documents Required
- Certified true copy of the first page of the Service Book (attested by the Head of Department or Head of Office)
- Certified particulars of service (posts held, scale of pay, nature of appointment)
- Typewriting test details (date, roll number) or exemption order number and date
- Certificate of Disability (if applicable, as per notification Annexures)
- Certificate for physical limitation to write (if availing scribe, per notification)
- Live photograph captured via webcam or smartphone in JPEG format
- Scanned signature in JPEG format (10-20 KB)
All photocopies must be self-attested. Original documents are not required with the hard copy submission.
What Happens After You Apply
- Online application window closes on 16/07/2026 at 11:00 PM.
- Hard copy applications must reach the SSC Northern Region by 23/07/2026 at 6:00 PM. Applications arriving after this deadline are rejected.
- SSC will verify and shortlist candidates based on eligibility criteria and document completeness.
- Admit cards for the Computer-Based Examination are released in August 2026 on the official website.
- Computer-based examination is conducted at Delhi-NCR centres in August 2026.
- Answer keys and candidate response sheets are published; objections can be submitted.
- Part I results are declared; candidates qualifying in CBE are shortlisted for APAR evaluation.
- Part-II (APAR) evaluation is completed for shortlisted candidates.
- The final select list is prepared based on aggregate marks (Part I + Part-II) and published on the official website.
- Selected candidates undergo document verification and are offered appointment orders by the cadre controlling authority.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What is the key difference between SSC SSA / UDC Recruitment 2026 and open-market SSC exams?
Ans. SSC SSA / UDC Recruitment 2026 is a Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE) exclusively for serving Lower Division Clerks of CSCS. It is not an open recruitment. Unlike open-market SSC exams, only departmental candidates with at least 5 years’ service in the LDC grade are eligible. Success does not guarantee appointment; final selection depends on the cadre authority’s suitability assessment and the availability of vacancies.
Q2. Is the typewriting test compulsory for all candidates applying for SSC SSA / UDC 2026?
Ans. The typewriting test is mandatory unless the candidate has been granted a formal exemption. If you have an exemption order, you must quote the order number and date in your application. Candidates without the typewriting test pass and without exemption will be rejected during document verification.
Q3. What is the crucial date for counting service length in SSC SSA / UDC Recruitment 2026?
Ans. The crucial date is 01/08/2025. All service calculations-5 years’ continuous service as LDC, or 5 years since examination declaration + 4 years’ service-are measured up to this date. Your service book entry as of 01/08/2025 determines your eligibility, not your current date.
Q4. Can I apply if I am on deputation to another post or ministry?
Ans. You can apply if you are on deputation to an ex-cadre post with the approval of the competent authority, and you meet all other eligibility criteria. However, if you have been transferred to another service without retaining a lien in the LDC grade, you are not eligible. Candidates on inter-service transfer without lien are excluded.
Q5. What happens if my hard copy application reaches SSC after 23/07/2026 at 6:00 PM?
Ans. Late hard copy submissions are rejected outright. The hard copy deadline is strict and non-negotiable. Even if your online application was submitted on time, the candidature becomes void if the printed application and documents do not reach the Regional Director’s office by the specified date and time.
Q6. Is there a negative marking in the SSC SSA / UDC Computer-Based Examination?
Ans. Yes. Negative marking is 0.25 marks per wrong answer in the objective-type questions. Only correct answers earn full marks. Unanswered questions do not attract any penalty. Plan your attempt strategy to minimise wrong answers, as they directly reduce your aggregate score.
Q7. Can I attempt the examination in Hindi?
Ans. You can attempt three subjects (Parliamentary Procedure, General Knowledge, and Noting and Drafting) in either English or Hindi as per your preference in the application form. However, the Comprehension and General English section must be answered in English only, regardless of your language choice.
Q8. What is the minimum qualifying mark required to clear Part I of the SSC SSA / UDC exam?
Ans. The Commission may fix minimum qualifying marks at its discretion. The official notification does not specify a fixed cut-off. Typically, departmental exams set qualifying marks to filter candidates for APAR evaluation. Candidates should prepare thoroughly to score well above the expected cut-off.
Important Links
| Particulars | Link |
|---|---|
| Download Official Notification | Download PDF |
| Apply Online | Apply Now |
| SSC Northern Region Website | Visit Website |
Staying Updated
Check the official SSC website at https://www.ssc.gov.in regularly for admit card release, exam schedules, answer keys, and final results. We recommend subscribing to our free job alert service at MyNaukriAlert.com to receive instant notifications about SSC exam dates, result declarations, and future SSC recruitment announcements directly to your inbox.
