SSC Recruitment 2026: Apply Online for 227 Senior Secretariat Assistant (SSA) / Upper Division Clerk (UDC) Posts
The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has released the official notification for the Senior Secretariat Assistant (SSA) / Upper Division Clerk (UDC) Grade Limited Departmental Competitive Examination 2025, offering a total of 227 vacancies across various Central Government departments and organizations.
The recruitment drive is intended exclusively for eligible serving government employees belonging to specified cadres. Interested candidates can submit their online applications through the official SSC website within the prescribed dates.
Overview of SSC SSA/UDC Recruitment 2026
Post Name: Senior Secretariat Assistant (SSA) / Upper Division Clerk (UDC)
Total Vacancies: 227
Organization: Staff Selection Commission (SSC)
Examination Type: Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE)
Mode of Application: Online
Job Location: Across India
Important Dates
Start Date for Online Applications: 05 June 2026
Last Date for Online Applications: 26 June 2026 (11:00 PM)
Last Date for Receipt of Printed Application (General Candidates): 03 July 2026 (06:00 PM)
Last Date for Receipt of Printed Application (Candidates Abroad, A&N Islands, Lakshadweep): 10 July 2026 (06:00 PM)
Computer Based Examination (Tentative): July – August 2026
Written Examination (Paper-II): To be notified later
Evaluation of APARs: To be notified later
Vacancy Details
A total of 227 vacancies have been announced across 10 participating departments and organizations.
Department-wise Vacancy Distribution
- Central Passport Organisation – 76 Posts
- Armed Forces Headquarters Clerical Service – 42 Posts
- Railway Board Secretariat Clerical Service – 19 Posts
- Central Administrative Tribunal – 24 Posts
- Central Vigilance Commission – 6 Posts
- Election Commission of India – 12 Posts
- Forest Survey of India – 4 Posts
- National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO) – 8 Posts
- Directorate General Defence Estates – 8 Posts
- Office of Development Commissioner (MSME) – 28 Posts
Total Vacancies: 227
Eligibility Criteria
This recruitment is not open to the general public. Only eligible serving government employees working as Junior Secretariat Assistants (JSA), Lower Division Clerks (LDC), Junior Passport Assistants, Hindi Typists, and other specified cadres can apply.
Candidates must fulfill the eligibility requirements prescribed by their respective Cadre Controlling Authorities on the crucial date mentioned in the official notification.
Age Limit
Certain participating departments have prescribed upper age limits for candidates.
Age Relaxation
SC/ST Candidates: 5 Years
Disabled Defence Personnel: 3 Years
Disabled Defence Personnel (SC/ST): 8 Years
Candidates claiming age relaxation must submit the necessary supporting documents as specified in the notification.
Application Fee
The official notification does not mention any application fee.
Since this is a Limited Departmental Competitive Examination meant only for serving government employees, candidates are advised to refer to the official notification for any future updates regarding fees.
Selection Process
The selection process consists of two major stages:
Part-I: Examination (300 Marks)
Paper-I (Computer Based Examination)
Subjects:
- General Awareness
- English Language and Comprehension
Questions: 200
Marks: 200
Duration: 2 Hours
Paper-II (Descriptive Examination)
Subject:
- Noting
- Drafting
- Office Procedure
Marks: 100
Duration: 2 Hours
Negative Marking
A penalty of 0.25 marks will be deducted for every incorrect answer in Paper-I.
Part-II: APAR Evaluation (100 Marks)
Candidates shortlisted after Part-I will have their Annual Performance Assessment Reports (APARs) evaluated.
Marks obtained in APAR evaluation will be added to the final merit score.
SSC SSA/UDC Exam Syllabus
General Awareness
- Current Affairs
- Indian History
- Geography
- Economics
- Indian Polity
- Science
- Culture
- Scientific Research
English Language and Comprehension
- Vocabulary
- Grammar
- Synonyms
- Antonyms
- Sentence Structure
- Comprehension
- Idioms and Phrases
Noting, Drafting and Office Procedure
- Secretariat Office Procedure
- Government File Management
- Official Correspondence
- Reservation Policies
- Hindi Language Rules in Government Offices
- Parliamentary Procedures
How to Apply
Candidates can apply online through the SSC official website.
Apply Online:
https://ssc.gov.in
After submitting the online application, candidates must send the printed application form through their Head of Department or Head of Office to:
The Regional Director
Staff Selection Commission (Northern Region)
Block No. 12, CGO Complex
Lodhi Road
New Delhi – 110003
Applications not forwarded through the proper channel will not be accepted.
Important Documents Required
- Service Book First Page
- Service Particulars Certificate
- Educational Qualification Certificates
- Disability Certificate (if applicable)
- Defence Personnel Certificate (if applicable)
- Live Photograph
- Scanned Signature
Important Instructions
Candidates should ensure that only one application is submitted. Multiple applications may result in rejection.
The examination will be conducted only in Delhi NCR.
Candidates must carry their Departmental Identity Card and Admission Certificate while appearing for the examination.
No re-evaluation or re-checking facility will be available after declaration of results.
Essential Links
Apply Online:
https://ssc.gov.in
Official Website:
https://ssc.gov.in
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Detailed Department-Wise Eligibility Conditions
Candidates applying for the SSC SSA/UDC Limited Departmental Competitive Examination must satisfy the eligibility conditions prescribed by their respective departments.
Central Passport Organisation (Ministry of External Affairs)
Candidates must be working as Junior Passport Assistants and should have completed six years of regular service in the grade. Applicants must also possess a Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized university.
Armed Forces Headquarters Clerical Service
Applicants must have completed at least five years of approved continuous service in the Junior Secretariat Assistant Grade. Candidates appointed through a competitive examination must have completed four years of approved service, provided the result of the examination was declared at least five years before the crucial date.
Railway Board Secretariat Clerical Service
Candidates should have rendered not less than five years of approved and continuous service in the Lower Division Grade. They must also have passed the prescribed typewriting test unless exempted. The upper age limit is 50 years as on the crucial date, subject to applicable relaxations.
Central Administrative Tribunal
Applicants should possess five years of regular service in the Lower Division Clerk Grade.
Central Vigilance Commission
Candidates must be Junior Secretariat Assistants who have completed five years of regular service in the prescribed pay level.
Election Commission of India
Applicants must have completed at least three years of regular service as Junior Secretariat Assistant or Lower Division Clerk. Those selected through competitive examinations should have completed two years of approved service after declaration of results.
Forest Survey of India
Candidates should have rendered five years of regular service as Lower Division Clerk in the organization.
National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO)
Applicants must have completed five years of regular service as Junior Secretariat Assistant or Lower Division Clerk.
Directorate General Defence Estates
Only Hindi Typists with five years of regular service are eligible. The prescribed upper age limit is 45 years.
Office of Development Commissioner (MSME)
Candidates must be Lower Division Clerks working in MSME Development Organisation with five years of regular service in the grade.
Understanding the SSC SSA/UDC Selection Process
The examination has been designed to identify candidates possessing administrative knowledge, communication skills, drafting ability, and office management expertise.
Stage 1: Computer-Based Examination
The Computer-Based Examination will assess candidates’ understanding of General Awareness and English Language & Comprehension.
Questions will test the candidate’s awareness of national and international events, government functioning, history, geography, polity, economics, and language skills.
Stage 2: Descriptive Examination
Candidates qualifying the first stage will appear in a descriptive paper covering noting, drafting, and office procedure.
The paper aims to evaluate a candidate’s ability to handle official correspondence, prepare government notes, draft communications, and understand office procedures.
Stage 3: Evaluation of Service Records
Performance Appraisal Reports (APARs) will be assessed for shortlisted candidates.
The APAR evaluation carries significant weightage and may influence the final ranking of candidates.
Tie-Breaking Criteria
In case two or more candidates secure equal marks, the following tie-breaking rules will be applied:
- Higher marks in Paper-II (Descriptive Examination).
- Higher marks in English Language and Comprehension.
- Older candidate by date of birth.
- Alphabetical order of names.
Why This Recruitment Is Important
The SSC SSA/UDC LDCE is one of the most significant departmental examinations for Central Government employees seeking career advancement.
Promotion to the Senior Secretariat Assistant or Upper Division Clerk grade provides:
- Better salary structure.
- Higher responsibilities.
- Improved promotion prospects.
- Administrative exposure.
- Career progression within government departments.
Employees who qualify this examination gain opportunities to move into higher clerical and administrative positions in prestigious government organizations.
Preparation Strategy for SSC SSA/UDC Examination
Focus on General Awareness
Candidates should regularly read newspapers and government publications to stay updated with current affairs.
Important areas include:
- Indian Polity
- Constitution
- Government Schemes
- Economy
- Science & Technology
- International Relations
Improve English Language Skills
Practice grammar, comprehension passages, vocabulary, sentence correction, and idioms daily.
Candidates should solve previous years’ SSC papers to improve speed and accuracy.
Master Office Procedure
The descriptive paper requires thorough understanding of:
- Manual of Office Procedure
- Government Note Writing
- Drafting Techniques
- Official Correspondence
- Record Management
- Reservation Policies
- Parliamentary Procedures
Practice Drafting
Since Paper-II is descriptive in nature, candidates should regularly practice:
- Office Notes
- Memorandums
- Official Letters
- Circulars
- Reports
Strong drafting skills can significantly improve performance in the examination.
Important Instructions for Applicants
Candidates must ensure that all details entered in the online application form are accurate.
No corrections will be allowed after final submission.
Applications must be forwarded through the Head of Department or Head of Office. Direct applications will not be accepted.
Applicants serving abroad will have to appear in the examination in India at their own expense.
Candidates should regularly visit the SSC website for updates regarding admit cards, examination schedules, answer keys, and results.
SSC SSA/UDC Recruitment 2026: A Major Opportunity for Departmental Candidates
With 227 vacancies spread across multiple ministries and government organizations, the SSC SSA/UDC Limited Departmental Competitive Examination offers an excellent opportunity for eligible government employees to secure promotion and advance their careers.
Interested candidates should carefully review the official notification, confirm their eligibility, complete the online application process within the prescribed deadline, and begin preparation well in advance to maximize their chances of success.
Essential Links
Apply Online:
https://ssc.gov.in
Official Website:
https://ssc.gov.in
WhatsApp Channel:
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va4siJi0LKZ9NXUoSx3
For JKSSB recruitment updates, syllabus, results, and notifications:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the total number of vacancies announced under SSC SSA/UDC Recruitment 2026?
The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has announced a total of 227 vacancies for the post of Senior Secretariat Assistant (SSA) / Upper Division Clerk (UDC) under the Limited Departmental Competitive Examination.
2. Who can apply for SSC SSA/UDC Recruitment 2026?
This recruitment is open only to eligible serving government employees belonging to the specified participating cadres such as Junior Secretariat Assistants (JSA), Lower Division Clerks (LDC), Junior Passport Assistants, Hindi Typists, and other eligible departmental staff.
3. What is the last date to apply online?
The last date for submission of online applications is 26 June 2026 (11:00 PM).
4. Is this recruitment open to the general public?
No. This is a Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE) and is meant only for eligible serving government employees of the notified departments and cadres.
5. What is the selection process for SSC SSA/UDC Recruitment 2026?
The selection process consists of:
- Computer Based Examination (Paper-I)
- Descriptive Written Examination (Paper-II)
- Evaluation of APARs/Service Records
Final selection will be based on aggregate marks obtained in all stages.
6. Is there any negative marking in the examination?
Yes. A negative marking of 0.25 marks will be applied for every incorrect answer in Paper-I (Computer Based Examination).
7. What is the mode of examination?
Paper-I will be conducted in Computer-Based Mode, while Paper-II will be a Descriptive Written Examination.
8. What subjects are included in Paper-I?
Paper-I includes:
- General Awareness
- English Language and Comprehension
9. What topics are covered in Paper-II?
Paper-II covers:
- Noting
- Drafting
- Office Procedure
- Government Correspondence
- Secretariat Practices
10. Is there any application fee?
The official notification does not mention any application fee. Candidates should refer to the official notification for any updates.
11. Where will the examination be conducted?
The examination will be conducted only in Delhi NCR.
12. What is the tentative schedule for the Computer-Based Examination?
The Computer-Based Examination is tentatively scheduled to be held during July–August 2026.
13. Can candidates submit multiple applications?
No. Candidates are advised to submit only one application. Multiple applications may result in rejection of candidature.
14. How will admit cards be issued?
Admit cards will be made available online through the SSC Northern Region website. They will not be sent by post.
15. What is the official website for applying?
Candidates can apply online through the official SSC website: