SSC ASO Recruitment 2026
The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has released the SSC ASO Recruitment 2026 Notification for the Assistant Section Officer (ASO) / Assistant Grade Limited Departmental Competitive Examination, 2025. Through this recruitment drive, 341 vacancies will be filled in the Central Secretariat Service (CSS) under DoPT and the Ministry of External Affairs (Cadre Cell).
Eligible departmental candidates can submit their online applications from 25 June 2026 to 16 July 2026 (11:00 PM) through the official SSC portal. The Computer Based Examination is tentatively scheduled for August 2026 in Delhi-NCR only.
SSC ASO Recruitment 2026 Overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | Staff Selection Commission (SSC) |
| Examination Name | ASO / Assistant Grade Limited Departmental Competitive Examination, 2025 |
| Post Name | Assistant Section Officer (ASO) / Assistant Grade |
| Total Vacancies | 341 |
| Pay Level | Level-7 (₹44,900 – ₹1,42,400) |
| Group | Group B (Non-Gazetted) |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Exam Mode | Computer Based Examination (CBE) |
| Exam Centre | Delhi-NCR Only |
| Official Website | https://ssc.gov.in |
SSC ASO Notification 2026
The SSC has published the official notification for the Limited Departmental Competitive Examination. Candidates should carefully read the notification before submitting the application, as it contains complete information regarding eligibility, examination pattern, application process, required documents, scribe provisions, and important instructions.
SSC ASO Recruitment 2026 Important Dates
Candidates should complete both the online application and departmental forwarding process within the prescribed deadlines.
| Event | Date |
| Notification Release | 25 June 2026 |
| Online Application Starts | 25 June 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 16 July 2026 (11:00 PM) |
| Last Date for Hard Copy Submission (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 | August 2026 (Tentative) |
SSC ASO Vacancy 2026
A total of 341 vacancies have been announced under two participating cadres.
| Service / Cadre | UR | SC | ST | Total | PwBD |
| Central Secretariat Service (CSS), DoPT | 189 | 71 | 58 | 318 | 19 |
| Ministry of External Affairs (Cadre Cell) | 23 | — | — | 23 | — |
| Total | 212 | 71 | 58 | 341 | 19 |
PwBD Reservation in CSS
| Category | Vacancies |
| Visually Handicapped (VH) | 6 |
| Orthopedically Handicapped (OH) | 4 |
| Hearing Handicapped (HH) | 4 |
| Others | 5 |
SSC ASO Eligibility Criteria 2026
This examination is not open to the general public. Only eligible serving government officials of the specified feeder cadres can apply.
For Central Secretariat Service (CSS)
Candidates must:
- Be serving in the Upper Division Grade of the Central Secretariat Clerical Service.
- Have completed not less than six years of approved service in the grade as on 1 July 2025.
For Ministry of External Affairs (Cadre Cell)
Candidates must:
- Be serving in the Upper Division Clerk Grade of the MEA Service.
- Have completed the prescribed mandatory training programme(s).
- Have completed at least six years of approved service as on 1 July 2025.
Disqualification Conditions
Candidates will not be eligible if they:
- Resign from service after applying.
- Quit service.
- Have their services terminated.
- Are appointed to another service on transfer without retaining lien in the SSA/UDC grade.
The above condition does not apply to candidates on approved deputation.
SSC ASO Application Process 2026
Eligible candidates should complete the following steps:
- Visit the official SSC website.
- Complete One Time Registration (OTR) if not already registered on the new SSC portal.
- Opt for Aadhaar-Based Authentication during OTR.
- Log in using the Registration Number and password.
- Open the ASO/Assistant Grade Limited Departmental Competitive Examination application.
- Fill in departmental details.
- Capture the required live photograph.
- Upload the scanned signature.
- Upload all required documents.
- Verify the application and submit it online.
- Print the application form.
- Forward the printed application through the Head of Department/Head of Office to SSC Northern Region before the prescribed deadline.
Important: Applications sent directly by candidates without departmental forwarding will not be considered.
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Documents Required
| Document | Applicable For |
| Certified copy of first page of Service Book | All candidates |
| Certified particulars of service | All candidates |
| Disability Certificate | PwBD candidates |
| Certificate for physical limitation to write | Candidates using scribe facility |
| Live Photograph | All candidates |
| Scanned Signature (JPEG, 10–20 KB) | All candidates |
SSC ASO Exam Pattern 2026
The examination consists of two parts.
Part-I: Computer Based Examination
| Paper | Subjects | Marks | Duration |
| Paper-I | General Awareness, Constitution, 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, Précis Writing | 150 | 3 Hours |
Total Marks: 300
Negative Marking: 0.25 mark for every incorrect answer.
Eligible scribe candidates receive 4 hours for each paper.
Part-II: Evaluation of Service Records
| Particular | Details |
| Evaluation | APAR Assessment |
| Marks | 100 |
The final merit list is prepared by combining marks from Part-I and Part-II.
SSC ASO Selection Process 2026
The recruitment process consists of the following stages:
Stage 1
- Computer Based Examination
- Paper-I
- Paper-II
Stage 2
- Evaluation of APARs (Service Records)
Final Merit
Final selection will be based on:
- Part-I Marks (300)
- Part-II Marks (100)
Total: 400 Marks
Tie-Breaking Criteria
If two candidates obtain equal marks, ranking will be decided based on:
- Higher marks in Paper-I
- Higher marks in Paper-II
- Older age
- Alphabetical order of names
SSC ASO Salary 2026
| Particular | Details |
| Pay Level | Level-7 |
| Salary Range | ₹44,900 – ₹1,42,400 |
| Post Category | Group B (Non-Gazetted) |
Additional allowances are applicable as per government rules.
Also Read: UPSC Recruitment 2026 Notification Out – Apply Online for 450 Drug Inspector
Scribe and Compensatory Time
Eligible PwBD candidates can avail:
- Scribe facility
- Assistive technology support
- Compensatory time of 20 minutes per hour of examination
Candidates eligible under the prescribed provisions may also avail these benefits on producing the required certificates.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Candidates should avoid the following mistakes while applying:
- Using OTR created on the old SSC website.
- Not forwarding the printed application through the Head of Department.
- Uploading an old photograph instead of the required live photograph.
- Uploading unclear or miniature signatures.
- Entering personal details that do not match the Matriculation certificate.
- Submitting more than one application.
- Applying without completing the required service eligibility.
- Changing appearance significantly before the examination.
- Carrying electronic devices inside the examination hall.
Important Links
| Description | Link |
| Official Notification PDF | https://ssc.gov.in |
| Apply Online | https://ssc.gov.in |
| SSC Northern Region Website | https://sscnr.nic.in |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How many vacancies are available in SSC ASO Recruitment 2026?
A total of 341 vacancies have been announced.
2. Who can apply?
Only eligible serving government officials belonging to the specified CSS and MEA feeder cadres can apply.
3. What is the last date to apply online?
The last date to submit the online application is 16 July 2026 (11:00 PM).
4. Where will the examination be conducted?
The Computer Based Examination will be held in Delhi-NCR only.
5. What is the salary of an Assistant Section Officer?
The post carries Pay Level-7 with a salary ranging from ₹44,900 to ₹1,42,400.
6. Is there any application fee?
The notification does not specify any application fee for this Limited Departmental Competitive Examination.
7. What is the total selection process?
Selection includes:
- Computer Based Examination
- APAR Evaluation
- Final Merit List
