SSC ASO Recruitment 2026: The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has released the official notification for the Assistant Section Officer / Assistant Grade Limited Departmental Competitive Examination 2025. A total of 341 vacancies have been announced for eligible departmental applicants serving under the Central Secretariat Service (CSS) and the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). The online application process started on 25 June 2026 and will remain open until 16 July 2026. The computer-based examination is scheduled tentatively for August 2026 in Delhi-NCR only. Applicants must complete the online application through the official SSC website and ensure that the printed application is forwarded through the head of the department within the prescribed timeline. The post carries Pay Level-7 under the 7th CPC with a salary ranging from Rs. 44,900 to Rs. 142,400 along with admissible government allowances. This post contains details related to the release of the respected recruitment and the details related to it.
SSC ASO Recruitment 2026 Overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | Staff Selection Commission (SSC) |
| Examination Name | Assistant Section Officer / Assistant Grade Limited Departmental Competitive Examination, 2025 |
| Post Name | Assistant Section Officer / Assistant |
| Total Vacancies | 341 |
| Article Category | Recruitment |
| Official Website | https://ssc.gov.in |
SSC ASO Notification 2026
SSC has issued the notification for the Limited Departmental Competitive Examination to prepare the select list for Assistant Section Officer and Assistant Grade posts. This recruitment is meant only for eligible serving government employees belonging to notified feeder cadres. The notification contains complete details regarding the eligibility examination scheme, service conditions, application procedure, documents required, scribe provisions, and important instructions.
SSC ASO Recruitment 2026 Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release Date | 25 June 2026 |
| Online Application Starts | 25 June 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 16 July 2026 (11:00 PM) |
| Hard Copy Submission (General) | 23 July 2026 |
| Hard Copy Submission (A&N, Lakshadweep & Abroad) | 30 July 2026 |
| Computer-Based Examination | August 2026 (Tentative) |
SSC ASO Vacancy 2026
| Service / Cadre | UR | SC | ST | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central Secretariat Service (DoPT) | 189 | 71 | 58 | 318 |
| Ministry of External Affairs | 23 | – | – | 23 |
| Total | 212 | 71 | 58 | 341 |
Who Can Apply?
- Applicants must be serving government employees.
- Applicants from the Central Secretariat Service should have completed six years of approved service in the Upper Division Grade as of 01 July 2025.
- Ministry of External Affairs candidates should have completed six years of approved service in the feeder grade.
- MEA applicants must have completed the prescribed mandatory training program.
- Applicants should satisfy all departmental eligibility conditions mentioned in the notification.
- Applicants who resign or lose lien in the feeder grade before appointment will not be eligible.
How to Apply Online
- Visit the official SSC website.
- Complete one-time registration on the new SSC portal if not already registered.
- Log in using your registration number and password.
- Open the Assistant Section Officer / Assistant Grade Limited Departmental Competitive Examination application.
- Capture the live photograph and upload the scanned signature along with the required documents.
- Take a printout of the application form.
SSC ASO Exam Pattern 2026
| Part | Subjects | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper-I | General Awareness, Constitutional Provisions, Parliamentary Procedures, Reading Comprehension, Manual of Office Procedure, Allocation of Business Rules, Noting & Drafting | 150 | 3 Hours |
| Paper-II | Service Rules, Financial Rules, RTI Act, POSH Act, Records Management, Precis Writing | 150 | 3 Hours |
| Part-II | Evaluation of APARs (Service Records) | 100 | As per SSC |
How Selection is Done
SSC follows a two-stage merit-based selection process for this departmental examination. Stage 1 Computer-Based Examination (Paper-I and Paper-II) and Stage 2 Evaluation of Annual Performance Appraisal Reports (APARs). Final merit is prepared on the combined score out of 400 marks, and separate merit lists are prepared for each participating cadre.
SSC ASO Recruitment 2026 FAQs
1. Who can apply for SSC ASO Recruitment 2026?
Ans. Only eligible serving government employees belonging to the notified feeder cadres of the Central Secretariat Service and the Ministry of External Affairs can apply.
2. What is the last date to apply online?
Ans. The last date for online registration is 16 July 2026 up to 11:00 PM. The printed application must reach the SSC through the head of the department by 23 July 2026.
3. What is the salary of an assistant section officer?
Ans. Selected candidates will receive Pay Level-7 under the 7th CPC with a salary ranging from Rs. 44,900 to Rs. 142,400 along with applicable allowances.
Important Links
| Description | Link |
|---|---|
| Apply Online | Click here |
| Official Notification | Click here |
| Official Website | https://ssc.gov.in |