📋 Complete Notification Details
SSC ASO Recruitment 2026: Golden Opportunity for Departmental Candidates
Quick Summary
Organization: Staff Selection Commission (SSC)
Post Name: Assistant Section Officer (ASO) / Assistant Grade
Total Vacancies: 341
Pay Level: Level-7 (Rs. 44,900 – Rs. 1,42,400)
Last Date to Apply Online: 16 July 2026
Official Website: https://ssc.gov.in
The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has released a Golden Opportunity for serving government employees. The official notification for the SSC ASO Recruitment 2026 is out for the Assistant Section Officer / Assistant Grade Limited Departmental Competitive Examination, 2025. This is a crucial Sarkari Naukri chance for eligible departmental candidates to secure a Group B Non-Gazetted post in the Central Secretariat Service (CSS) under DoPT and the Ministry of External Affairs. This Latest Notification 2026 brings 341 vacancies for a lucrative career with attractive pay and Sarkari Result stability.
SSC ASO Notification 2026 – Important Dates
Strict adherence to the schedule is mandatory. The online application window is brief. Note that hard copy submission through the department is a separate and mandatory step.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Published | 25 June 2026 |
| Online Application Start Date | 25 June 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 16 July 2026 (11:00 PM) |
| Last Date for Hard Copy (General) | 23 July 2026 (6:00 PM) |
| Last Date for Hard Copy (Abroad/A&N/Lakshadweep) | 30 July 2026 (6:00 PM) |
| Computer Based Examination (Tentative) | August 2026 |
SSC ASO Vacancy 2026 – Detailed Category-Wise Breakdown
A total of 341 vacancies are available across two major cadres. This detailed table helps you understand the Latest Government Jobs distribution for Central Government Jobs in Uttar Pradesh and across India.
| Sl. No. | Service / Cadre | UR | SC | ST | Total | PwBD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Central Secretariat Service (CSS), DoPT | 189 | 71 | 58 | 318 | 19* |
| 2 | Ministry of External Affairs (Cadre Cell) | 23 | – | – | 23 | – |
| Total | 341 | |||||
*PwBD breakup for CSS: 6 (VH), 4 (OH), 4 (HH), 5 (Others).
SSC ASO Eligibility Criteria 2026 – Who Can Apply?
This Apply Online for SSC ASO Vacancy is exclusively for serving departmental candidates. General public is not eligible. The crucial date for service calculation is 01 July 2025.
For Central Secretariat Service (CSS), DoPT:
- Officer in the Upper Division Grade of the Central Secretariat Clerical Service.
- Must have rendered not less than 6 years' approved service in that grade as on 01 July 2025.
For Ministry of External Affairs (Cadre Cell):
- Officers in the Upper Division Clerk Grade of the MEA Service.
- Must have successfully completed prescribed mandatory training.
- Must have rendered not less than 6 years' approved service in the grade as on 01 July 2025.
Note: Candidates who resign, are terminated, or move to ex-cadre posts without a lien are disqualified.
Pay Scale – SSC ASO Salary 2026
This is a prestigious Group B Non-Gazetted post with an excellent salary under the 7th Pay Commission.
- Pay Level: Level-7
- Salary Range: Rs. 44,900 – Rs. 1,42,400 per month
- Allowances: HRA, DA, TA, and other benefits as per Central Government rules.
SSC ASO Exam Pattern 2026 – Scheme of Examination
The SSC ASO Selection Process involves a two-part examination. Final merit is based on the combined score.
Part-I: Computer Based Examination (300 Marks)
| Subject | Type | Max. Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Awareness, Constitutional Provisions, Parliamentary Procedures, Secretariat Manuals, Noting & Drafting | Objective (MCQ) | 150 | 3 Hours |
| Subject | Type | Max. Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service/Financial Rules, RTI Act, POSH Act, Records Management, Précis Writing | Objective (MCQ) | 150 | 3 Hours |
Negative Marking: 0.25 marks for each wrong answer.
Part-II: Evaluation of Record of Service (APARs) (100 Marks)
Only candidates who qualify Part-I will have their Annual Performance Appraisal Reports evaluated.
SSC ASO Selection Process 2026
- Stage 1: Qualify the Computer Based Examination (Part-I).
- Stage 2: Undergo APAR Evaluation (Part-II) for 100 marks.
- Final Merit: Based on aggregate of Part-I (300) + Part-II (100) = 400 marks. Tie-breaking rules apply based on Paper-I marks, Paper-II marks, age, and name order.
SSC ASO Apply Online 2026 – Step-by-Step Guide
Apply Online for SSC ASO Vacancy at the official website. Follow these steps to avoid common mistakes.
- Visit https://ssc.gov.in.
- Complete One Time Registration (OTR) on the new website if not already done.
- Log in and click "Apply" under the ASO/Assistant Grade LDCE 2025 tab.
- Fill in departmental details, capture a live photograph, and upload signature.
- Upload required documents and submit the application.
- Critical Step: Take a printout and submit it through your Head of Department / Head of Office to SSC (NR), New Delhi, by 23 July 2026. Applications without departmental forwarding will be rejected.
Documents Required for SSC ASO Application 2026
| Document | Required For |
|---|---|
| Certified true copy of first page of Service Book | All candidates |
| Certified copy of service particulars (posts held, scale of pay) | All candidates |
| Disability Certificate (if applicable) | PwBD candidates |
| Live Photograph & Scanned Signature | All candidates |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – SSC ASO Recruitment 2026
Q1: What is the last date to apply online for SSC ASO 2026?
The last date to apply online is 16 July 2026.
Q2: Can general candidates apply for this SSC ASO vacancy?
No, this is a Limited Departmental Competitive Examination open only to in-service government employees of the specified cadres.
Q3: What is the salary for an SSC Assistant Section Officer?
The pay is at Level-7 (Rs. 44,900 – Rs. 1,42,400) plus allowances.
Q4: Is it mandatory to submit a hard copy of the application?
Yes. The printed application must be forwarded by your Head of Department and reach SSC by 23 July 2026.
Q5: What is the negative marking in the SSC ASO exam?
There is a negative marking of 0.25 marks for each incorrect answer in the CBE.
Q6: Where will the SSC ASO 2026 exam be conducted?
The Computer Based Examination will be held in Delhi-NCR only.
Q7: What is the crucial date for eligibility?
The crucial date for counting approved service is 01 July 2025.
Q8: Where can I download the official notification PDF?
You can download it from the official SSC website or via the link provided in the Important Links section above.