SSC ASO LDCE recruitment 2026: The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has issued the notification for the Assistant Section Officer (ASO)/Assistant Grade Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE) 2026, announcing 341 vacancies across the Central Secretariat Service (CSS) and the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). Eligible departmental candidates can submit online applications through the official SSC portal from June 25, 2026, to July 16, 2026.The recruitment process includes a computer-based examination scheduled for August 2026. The examination will be conducted only at centres located in Delhi-NCR.Vacancy details and recruitment processThe recruitment aims to fill 341 posts under the Central Secretariat Service and the Ministry of External Affairs through the Limited Departmental Competitive Examination. Only eligible departmental candidates can apply under the recruitment process prescribed by the commission. Candidates must complete the online application process within the notified period. Applications submitted after the closing deadline will not be accepted. The commission has also specified separate deadlines for departmental submission of printed applications and for candidates serving abroad or posted in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep.Application scheduleThe notification was released on June 25, 2026, and the online application window opened on the same day. Candidates can submit their applications until 11.00 pm on July 16, 2026.Departments must submit printed application forms by July 23, 2026, while candidates posted abroad, including those in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep, have until July 30, 2026, to complete the required formalities.Application processApplications must be submitted through the official SSC portal at ssc.gov.in. Before filling the application form, candidates who have not registered on the new portal must complete the One-Time Registration (OTR) process.The commission has advised applicants to complete registration and submit their forms within the prescribed timeline. The computer-based examination is scheduled for August 2026 and will be conducted exclusively at examination centres in Delhi-NCR. Further updates, including the release of the answer key, are awaited, and as of today, it has not been released.
