SSC SSA/UDC LDCE Departmental Exam 2025 Notification Out: Apply for 227 Posts
📅 Posted: 05/06/2026 📝 Updated: 06/06/2026
Total Vacancy227
SalaryPay Level-4 (₹25,500–₹81,100) [Approx. ₹38,000–₹45,000/Month]
LocationAll India
Last Date26/06/2026
Short Information: The Staff Selection Commission has opened applications for the Senior Secretariat Assistant (SSA) / Upper Division Clerk (UDC) Grade Limited Departmental Competitive Examination, 2025 — a promotion-based exam exclusively for serving Central Government employees in JSA/LDC grade across 10 participating cadres. If you're a Lower Division Clerk or Junior Secretariat Assistant who has put in years of hard work in a central ministry, this is your structured pathway to the UDC/SSA grade at Pay Level-4 (₹25,500–₹81,100), which translates to an in-hand salary of approximately ₹38,000–₹45,000 per month after DA, HRA, and other allowances.
The exam is conducted in Delhi NCR only, tentatively in July–August 2026, and covers 10 organizations including the Central Passport Organisation, Armed Forces HQ Clerical Service, Railway Board Secretariat, Central Administrative Tribunal, Election Commission of India, and more. Total vacancies stand at 227 posts with 15 PwBD reservations.
Applications open 05 June 2026 and close 26 June 2026 (11:00 PM). Crucially, your application must be forwarded by your Head of Department to SSC NR by 03 July 2026 — missing this forwarding deadline means rejection regardless of your online submission. Check your cadre's specific service length requirement carefully before applying.
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SSC SSA/UDC LDCE Departmental Exam 2025 Apply Online 2026Important Dates
| Notification Released | 05/06/2026 |
| Application Begin | 05/06/2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 26/06/2026 (11:00 PM) |
| Hard Copy Forwarding Deadline (General) | 03/07/2026 (06:00 PM) |
| Hard Copy Forwarding Deadline (Abroad/Islands) | 10/07/2026 (06:00 PM) |
| Exam Date (CBE) | Jul–Aug 2026 (Tentative) |
SSC SSA/UDC LDCE Departmental Exam 2025 Apply Online 2026Application Fee
| All Candidates | ₹0 |
Payment: N/A (No Fee)
SSC SSA/UDC LDCE Departmental Exam 2025 Notification Out: Apply for 227 PostsVacancy Details & Age Limit
Age Limit: As per respective cadre rules (Max 50 years for RBSCS; Max 45 years for DGDE on crucial date)
(SC/ST: 5 Years, Defence Personnel disabled in operations (General): 3 Years, Defence Personnel disabled in operations (SC/ST): 8 Years)
| Post Name | Total Post | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| Central Passport Organisation (MEA) | 76 |
|
| Armed Forces HQ Clerical Service | 42 |
|
| Railway Board Secretariat Clerical Service | 19 |
|
| Central Administrative Tribunal | 24 |
|
| Central Vigilance Commission | 6 |
|
| Election Commission of India | 12 |
|
| Forest Survey of India (MoEFCC) | 4 |
|
| National Technical Research Organisation | 8 |
|
| Directorate General, Defence Estates | 8 |
|
| Office of DC, MSME | 28 |
|
| Total Vacancy | 227 | |
| Note: Vacancies are tentative and subject to availability as reported by respective Cadre Controlling Authorities. | ||
Recruitment Table: Organisation-wise Category Vacancy (UR / SC / ST)
| Organisation | UR | SC | ST | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central Passport Organisation (MEA) | 46 | 19 | 11 | 76 |
| Armed Forces HQ Clerical Service | 31 | 7 | 4 | 42 |
| Railway Board Secretariat Clerical Service | 13 | 4 | 2 | 19 |
| Central Administrative Tribunal | 15 | 6 | 3 | 24 |
| Central Vigilance Commission | 5 | 1 | 0 | 6 |
| Election Commission of India | 9 | 2 | 1 | 12 |
| Forest Survey of India (MoEFCC) | 3 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| National Technical Research Organisation | 7 | 1 | 0 | 8 |
| Directorate General, Defence Estates | 7 | 1 | 0 | 8 |
| Office of DC, MSME | 22 | 4 | 2 | 28 |
| Total | 158 | 46 | 23 | 227 |
| Note:EWS/OBC reservation not applicable for Limited Departmental Competitive Examinations (promotion-based). Vacancies subject to availability. | ||||
Recruitment Table: PwBD Horizontal Reservation
| Organisation | PwBD Seats | Category |
|---|---|---|
| Central Passport Organisation (MEA) | 4 | Any PwBD |
| Armed Forces HQ Clerical Service | 3 | VH, HH & OH |
| Railway Board Secretariat Clerical Service | 3 | 2 B/LV + 1 D/HH (interchangeable if unavailable) |
| Central Administrative Tribunal | 2 | 1 OH + 1 VH |
| Central Vigilance Commission | 1 | Any PwBD |
| Election Commission of India | 1 | UR-OH |
| Forest Survey of India (MoEFCC) | 0 | - |
| National Technical Research Organisation | 0 | - |
| Directorate General, Defence Estates | 0 | - |
| Office of DC, MSME | 1 | VH |
| Note:PwBD categories: VH = Visual Handicap, HH = Hearing Handicap, OH = Orthopaedic Handicap, B/LV = Blind/Low Vision, D/HH = Deaf/Hard of Hearing. | ||
SSC SSA/UDC LDCE Departmental Exam 2025 Apply OnlineEligibility Criteria
- This is a Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE) — open ONLY to currently serving Central Government employees in the JSA (Junior Secretariat Assistant) or LDC (Lower Division Clerk) grade of the 10 participating cadres.
- Candidate must be a permanent or regularly appointed employee in the JSA/LDC grade of their respective participating service/cadre.
- Minimum service requirement varies by cadre: 6 years for Central Passport Organisation; 3 years for Election Commission of India; 5 years for all remaining 8 cadres — counted as on the crucial date specified for each cadre.
- Crucial dates differ by cadre: 01/07/2025 for CPO, AFHCS, ECI; 01/08/2025 for RBSCS; 01/01/2025 for CAT, CVC, FSI, NTRO, DGDE, DC-MSME.
- For Railway Board Secretariat Clerical Service: candidate must not exceed 50 years of age on 01/08/2025 and must have passed the typewriting test (or be exempted) before notification date.
- For Directorate General Defence Estates: candidate must be a Hindi Typist and not exceed 45 years of age on 01/01/2025.
- For Central Passport Organisation: a Bachelor's Degree from a recognized university is mandatory in addition to service requirement.
- Candidates on deputation to ex-cadre posts with competent authority approval, and those having lien in JSA grade, are eligible.
- Candidates who have resigned, quit service, or been appointed on transfer without retaining lien in JSA/LDC grade are NOT eligible.
- Application must be forwarded by the Head of Department/Office through proper channel — self-submitted applications will not be accepted.
SSC SSA/UDC LDCE Departmental Exam 2025 Apply OnlinePay Scale / Salary Structure
| Post Name | Salary Level |
|---|---|
| Senior Secretariat Assistant / Upper Division Clerk (All Cadres) | Pay Level-4 (₹25,500–₹81,100) [7th CPC] |
SSC SSA/UDC LDCE Departmental Exam 2025 Apply OnlineSelection Process Steps
- Paper-I: Computer Based Examination (CBE) — 200 Marks (General Awareness + English Language & Comprehension, 100 questions each)
- Paper-II: Written Examination (Descriptive) — 100 Marks (Noting, Drafting & Office Procedure)
- Part-II: Evaluation of Record of Service (APARs) — 100 Marks
- Final merit based on aggregate of Paper-I + Paper-II + APAR Evaluation (Total 400 Marks)
- Candidates not qualifying Paper-I (CBE) will not be evaluated for Paper-II
- Candidates not qualifying Paper-I + Paper-II combined will not be considered for APAR evaluation
SSC SSA/UDC LDCE Departmental Exam 2025 Apply OnlineDetailed Exam Pattern
Recruitment Details: Exam Overview
- Mode: Computer Based Examination (CBE) for Paper-I; Offline Written for Paper-II.
- Exam Centre: Delhi NCR only.
- Negative Marking: 0.25 marks deducted per wrong answer in Paper-I (CBE) only.
- Paper-II: Descriptive type — no negative marking.
- Duration Paper-I: 2 Hours (2 hours 40 minutes for PwBD eligible for scribe).
- Duration Paper-II: 2 Hours (2 hours 40 minutes for PwBD eligible for scribe).
- Medium: English or Hindi as opted in the application form.
- Total Marks: 400 (200 CBE + 100 Written + 100 APAR).
Recruitment Table: Paper-I: Computer Based Examination (200 Marks)
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General Awareness | 100 | 100 |
| English Language & Comprehension | 100 | 100 |
| Total | 200 | 200 |
Recruitment Table: Paper-II: Written Examination (Descriptive)
| Paper | Type | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Noting, Drafting & Office Procedure | Descriptive (Conventional) | 100 | 2 Hours |
Recruitment Table: Part-II: APAR (Record of Service) Evaluation
| Component | Marks |
|---|---|
| Evaluation of Annual Performance Appraisal Reports (APARs) | 100 |
Recruitment Table: Tie-Breaking Rules (Order of Application)
| Priority | Criterion |
|---|---|
| 1st | Higher marks in Paper-II (Descriptive) |
| 2nd | Higher marks in Part (b) of Paper-I — English Language & Comprehension |
| 3rd | Date of Birth — older candidate placed higher |
| 4th | Alphabetical order of name |
Recruitment Table: Participating Cadres & Crucial Dates
| Organisation | Crucial Date | Min. Service |
|---|---|---|
| Central Passport Organisation (MEA) | 01/07/2025 | 6 Years + Graduation |
| Armed Forces HQ Clerical Service | 01/07/2025 | 5 Years |
| Railway Board Secretariat Clerical Service | 01/08/2025 | 5 Years |
| Central Administrative Tribunal | 01/01/2025 | 5 Years |
| Central Vigilance Commission | 01/01/2025 | 5 Years |
| Election Commission of India | 01/07/2025 | 3 Years |
| Forest Survey of India (MoEFCC) | 01/01/2025 | 5 Years |
| National Technical Research Organisation | 01/01/2025 | 5 Years |
| Directorate General, Defence Estates | 01/01/2025 | 5 Years (Hindi Typist, Age ≤45) |
| Office of DC, MSME | 01/01/2025 | 5 Years (Level-2) |
SSC SSA/UDC LDCE Departmental Exam 2025 Apply OnlineSubject-wise Syllabus Topics
Syllabus is prescribed by SSC. Paper-I is of Matriculation/General standard; Paper-II tests knowledge of office secretariat procedures.
📚 General Awareness (Paper-I)
- Current Events & General Knowledge
- History, Culture, Geography of India
- Indian Economy & Polity
- Science & Scientific Research
- India and Neighbouring Countries
📚 English Language & Comprehension (Paper-I)
- Vocabulary, Spelling, Grammar
- Sentence Structure & Completion
- Synonyms & Antonyms
- Phrases & Idiomatic Usage
- Reading Comprehension Passage
📚 Noting, Drafting & Office Procedure (Paper-II — Descriptive)
- Manual of Office Procedure (MoP)
- Rules of Procedure — Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha
- Use of Hindi for Official Purposes (MHA Handbook)
- Reservation Policy for SC/ST in Services
- Writing and understanding notes and drafts in Secretariat style
SSC SSA/UDC LDCE Departmental Exam 2025 Apply OnlineHow to Apply
- Visit SSC official website: https://ssc.gov.in and complete One-Time Registration (OTR) if not already done — OTR from old website ssc.nic.in is NOT valid.
- Log in using your Registration Number and password, then click Apply under 'SSA/UDC Grade Limited Departmental Competitive Examination, 2025' in the Live Exam tab.
- Fill in department/cadre details, service length, joining date, and upload required documents (Service Book copy, service particulars, educational certificates, disability certificate if applicable).
- Capture live photograph as per instructions (no cap, no spectacles, plain background) and upload scanned signature in JPEG format (10–20 KB, 6.0×2.0 cm).
- Preview the complete form carefully, check all details, then submit. Take a printout of the submitted application.
- Submit the printed application with all attested documents to your Head of Department/Office for forwarding to: The Regional Director, SSC Northern Region, Block No. 12, CGO Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi – 110003.
- Ensure your department forwards the hard copy to SSC NR by 03/07/2026 (6:00 PM). Candidates abroad/Andaman/Lakshadweep: 10/07/2026 (6:00 PM).
- Only those candidates whose applications are forwarded by their HoD/HoO will be admitted to the examination — direct submission to SSC is not accepted.
Recruitment Note: About Staff Selection Commission (SSC)
The Staff Selection Commission, established in 1975 under the Government of India, is one of the country's largest central recruitment bodies operating under the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions. SSC recruits personnel for Group B and Group C posts across Central Government Ministries, Departments, and Organisations. Its headquarters is located at CGO Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi, with regional offices spread across India. SSC conducts examinations such as CGL, CHSL, CPO, MTS, Steno, JE, and various Departmental Competitive Examinations annually, catering to lakhs of candidates. The Northern Regional Office (SSC-NR) specifically handles examinations for Delhi NCR and is the administering authority for this Limited Departmental Competitive Examination, 2025.
Recruitment Note: Job Profile — Senior Secretariat Assistant / Upper Division Clerk
The Senior Secretariat Assistant (SSA) / Upper Division Clerk (UDC) is a Group 'C' Non-Gazetted post that forms the backbone of day-to-day administrative functioning in Central Government ministries and attached offices. Typical responsibilities include processing and maintaining official files, drafting routine office notes and correspondence, coordinating between sections, handling receipts and dispatches, maintaining registers and records, preparing data summaries for senior officers, and assisting in budget and establishment matters. The role involves regular use of government e-Office platforms and familiarity with Manual of Office Procedure. Promotion prospects from UDC lead to Section Officer grade over time, making it a valued stepping stone in the Central Secretariat service hierarchy.
Recruitment Note: Benefits & Perks Beyond Salary
Selected candidates at Pay Level-4 are entitled to: Dearness Allowance (revised quarterly), House Rent Allowance based on city classification, Transport Allowance, Medical coverage under CGHS for self and dependents, Leave Travel Concession (LTC) for home town and anywhere in India, Provident Fund (GPF), Gratuity, and pension under National Pension System (NPS). Annual leave entitlements include 30 days Earned Leave, 20 days Half Pay Leave, and 8 Casual Leave days. Festival advance, children's education allowance, and group insurance (CGEGIS) are additional benefits. Post-retirement CGHS medical benefits are also available.
Recruitment Note: Photo & Signature Guidelines
The application module captures a live photograph — candidates cannot upload a pre-existing photograph. Ensure good lighting, plain background, direct frontal view, no cap or spectacles. The signature must be scanned in JPEG format, 10–20 KB, dimensions approximately 6.0 cm (width) × 2.0 cm (height), horizontally aligned and occupying at least 80% of the box. Applications with miniature, blurred, or tilted signatures are summarily rejected. Your appearance at the examination must match the photograph submitted in the application form.
SSC SSA/UDC LDCE Departmental Exam 2025 Apply OnlineImportant Official Links
| Apply Online Application Window: 05/06/2026 to 26/06/2026 | Click Here ↗ |
| Download Notification Advt No. 4/1/2026-CONF-5 | Click Here ↗ |
| Official Website | Click Here ↗ |
| SSC Northern Region Website | Click Here ↗ |
Disclaimer Information provided here is for quick reference. Verify all details on the official website before taking action.
Quick Overview
🚀 Recruitment Overview
Quick Summary of the Notification
| Organization |  SSC |
|---|---|
| Post Name | Senior Secretariat Assistant / UDC |
| Total Vacancy | 227 |
| Salary | Pay Level-4 (₹25,500–₹81,100) [Approx. ₹38,000–₹45,000/Month] |
| Job Location | All India |
| Apply Mode | Online |
| Last Date | 26/06/2026 |
| Official Website | Visit Website ↗ |
💡 Expert Tip
This exam has a dual deadline trap that catches many applicants off guard. Your online application closes on 26 June 2026 at 11 PM, but your department must physically forward the printed application to SSC Northern Region by 03 July 2026 (6 PM) — candidates residing abroad get until 10 July 2026. Submit your online form at least 10 days before the online deadline, then immediately hand the printout to your Head of Office with all required documents. The service book copy, service particulars certificate, and educational qualification certificate must be attested — a missing attestation seal is the most common reason for forwarding rejection. Also note: negative marking of 0.25 per wrong answer applies only to Paper-I (CBE); Paper-II is descriptive with no OMR penalties.
Common Questions (FAQs)
Q.1 What is the in-hand salary for Senior Secretariat Assistant / UDC? ▼
Ans: The SSA/UDC post falls under Pay Level-4 (₹25,500–₹81,100) as per 7th CPC. Starting basic pay is ₹25,500. After adding Dearness Allowance (~50% of basic), HRA (8–27% based on city), and Transport Allowance, the estimated in-hand salary at entry level is approximately ₹38,000 to ₹45,000 per month in a metro city like Delhi.
Q.2 What is the last date to apply online for SSC SSA/UDC Departmental Exam 2025? ▼
Ans: The last date to submit the online application is 26 June 2026 by 11:00 PM on the SSC website ssc.gov.in. However, candidates must also ensure that their printed application is forwarded by their Head of Department to SSC Northern Region, New Delhi by 03 July 2026 (6:00 PM). The forwarding deadline is equally critical — missing it means rejection.
Q.3 Is there any negative marking in the SSC Departmental Exam 2025? ▼
Ans: Yes. Negative marking of 0.25 marks applies for each wrong answer in Paper-I (Computer Based Examination). Paper-II is a descriptive written exam covering Noting, Drafting & Office Procedure — no negative marking applies there. Avoid guessing in Paper-I, especially in General Awareness where wrong answers can pull your score below qualifying marks.
Q.4 Who is eligible to apply for the SSC SSA/UDC Limited Departmental Competitive Exam? ▼
Ans: Only serving Central Government employees in the JSA (Junior Secretariat Assistant) or LDC (Lower Division Clerk) grade of the 10 specified participating cadres are eligible. Minimum service ranges from 3 years (Election Commission of India) to 6 years (Central Passport Organisation). Open/direct applicants cannot apply — this is a promotion exam for internal departmental candidates only.
Q.5 How to download the SSC SSA/UDC Departmental Exam 2025 Notification PDF? ▼
Ans: The official notification (Advt No. 4/1/2026-CONF-5) is available on the SSC headquarters website at ssc.gov.in. Visit the website, navigate to the 'Latest News' or 'Notice' section and look for 'SSA/UDC Grade Limited Departmental Competitive Examination, 2025'. The 44-page notice includes eligibility rules, syllabus, and application instructions.
Q.6 What is the educational qualification required for this exam? ▼
Ans: For most cadres, no separate educational qualification beyond the existing departmental service record is required. However, candidates applying for Central Passport Organisation must hold a Bachelor's Degree from a recognized university in addition to completing 6 years of approved service as Junior Passport Assistant. For all other 9 cadres, the primary requirement is meeting the prescribed length of regular service in JSA/LDC grade.
Q.7 What is the selection process for SSC SSA/UDC Departmental Exam 2025? ▼
Ans: Selection is based on three stages totalling 400 marks: Paper-I CBE (200 marks) → Paper-II Descriptive (100 marks) → APAR/Record of Service Evaluation (100 marks). Candidates must qualify Paper-I to be eligible for Paper-II evaluation, and must qualify Paper-I + Paper-II combined to have their APARs evaluated. Final merit list is drawn cadre-wise based on aggregate marks.
Q.8 Can candidates apply for multiple cadres simultaneously? ▼
Ans: No. Candidates must belong to one of the 10 specified participating cadres and can only apply for their own cadre's vacancy. The notification states that only those whose parent service/cadre is one of the participating services are eligible. Submission of multiple applications may lead to rejection of candidature. Candidates should carefully indicate their department and cadre in the application form.
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