The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has released the notification for the Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA) / Lower Division Clerk (LDC) Grade Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE), 2025 vide Notice No. 4/4/2026-CONF-5, to fill 149 vacancies across 12 Central Government departments and cadres. The online application window is open from 05th June 2026 to 26th June 2026 (up to 11:00 PM). Please note this is a limited departmental examination - only existing regular Group 'C' / Multi-Tasking Staff (MTS) employees of the participating cadres are eligible, and every application must be forwarded through proper channel by the Head of Department/Office. The Computer Based Examination is tentatively scheduled for July–August 2026 and will be held in Delhi-NCR only. Check the complete eligibility, vacancy break-up, exam pattern, and step-by-step process below.
Important: Who Can Apply (and Who Cannot)
Because this is an LDCE (Limited Departmental Competitive Examination), eligibility is far narrower than an open recruitment. Read this before anything else - it is the most common point of confusion.
You CAN apply only if all of the following are true:
- You are a regularly appointed Group 'C' employee or Multi-Tasking Staff (MTS) in Level-1 / Grade Pay ₹1,800 of one of the 12 participating cadres listed below.
- You have completed at least 3 years of regular service in that grade as on your cadre's crucial date.
- You have passed Class 12th (Higher Secondary) or equivalent from a recognised Board.
- Your application is forwarded by your Head of Department / Head of Office to SSC (Northern Region).
You CANNOT apply if:
- You are a fresh candidate / general public with no qualifying government service - this exam is not open to private-sector or unemployed applicants.
- You work in a department that is not among the 12 participating cadres.
- Your application is not forwarded through proper channel - direct/self-submitted hard copies will be summarily rejected.
SSC JSA / LDC LDCE 2025 - Vacancy Distribution (Cadre-wise)
The 149 posts are spread across 12 services/cadres, as reported by their respective Cadre Controlling Authorities. The reservation break-up is given below:
| Sl. | Service / Cadre / Organization | UR | SC | ST | Total | PwBD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Central Passport Organisation, Ministry of External Affairs | 50 | – | – | 50 | – |
| 2 | Armed Forces Headquarters Clerical Service | 31 | – | – | 31 | – |
| 3 | Ministry of External Affairs (Cadre Cell) | 06 | 01 | – | 07 | 01 (OH) |
| 4 | Railway Board Secretariat Clerical Service | 08 | 02 | 02 | 12 | 02 (VH) |
| 5 | Central Administrative Tribunal | 01 | 02 | 01 | 04 | – |
| 6 | O/o Registrar General of India | 17 | – | – | 17 | – |
| 7 | National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO) | 07 | 01 | 01 | 09 | – |
| 8 | Dept. of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare | 01 | – | – | 01 | – |
| 9 | O/o Development Commissioner (MSME) | 12 | 01 | – | 13 | 01 (VH) |
| 10 | Central Translation Bureau | 02 | – | – | 02 | – |
| 11 | Official Language Wing, Legislative Dept., M/o Law & Justice | 01 | – | – | 01 | – |
| 12 | Bureau of Police Research & Development, MHA | 02 | – | – | 02 | – |
| Total | 138 | 07 | 04 | 149 | 04 |
Note: Vacancies are tentative and may change as per actual requirements reported by the cadre authorities. SSC has no role in determining the number of vacancies.
SSC JSA / LDC LDCE 2025 Notification Out
The official notice for the Junior Secretariat Assistant / Lower Division Clerk Grade Limited Departmental Competitive Examination, 2025 has been uploaded on the SSC website on 05.06.2026. Candidates are strongly advised to read the full notification PDF - especially the eligibility conditions and crucial date applicable to their own cadre - before applying.
SSC JSA / LDC LDCE 2025 Notification PDF - Download from ssc.gov.in
SSC JSA / LDC LDCE 2025 - Highlights
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | Staff Selection Commission (SSC), Northern Region |
| Notice No. | 4/4/2026-CONF-5 |
| Examination Name | Junior Secretariat Assistant / Lower Division Clerk Grade LDCE, 2025 |
| Post Name | Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA) / Lower Division Clerk (LDC) |
| Total Vacancies | 149 |
| Pay Level | Pay Level-2, Group 'C' Non-Gazetted (₹19,900 – ₹63,200) |
| Eligibility | In-service Group 'C' / MTS of participating cadres + 12th pass + 3 years' service |
| Mode of Application | Online (via OTR on the new SSC website) |
| Application Start Date | 05-06-2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 26-06-2026 (11:00 PM) |
| Hard Copy to Reach SSC-NR | 03-07-2026 (6:00 PM) - 10-07-2026 for candidates abroad / A&N / Lakshadweep |
| Exam Schedule (Tentative) | July – August 2026 |
| Exam Mode | Paper-I: Descriptive (Written) + Paper-II: Computer Based (Objective) |
| Exam Centre | Delhi-NCR only |
| Application Fee | No application fee prescribed for this departmental exam |
| Official Websites | ssc.gov.in (HQ) · sscnr.nic.in (Northern Region) |
| Help Desk | 1800-309-3063 (Toll-free) · SSC-NR: 011-24363343 |
Also Read: Browse the latest Sarkari Naukri notifications →
SSC JSA / LDC LDCE 2025 - Important Dates
Apply well before the deadline. SSC will not be responsible for failure to submit on account of heavy website load in the closing days, and no application received after the last date and time will be entertained under any circumstances.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Released | 05-06-2026 |
| Online Application Begins | 05-06-2026 |
| Last Date & Time to Apply Online | 26-06-2026 (11:00 PM) |
| Forwarded Hard Copy to Reach SSC-NR | 03-07-2026 (6:00 PM) |
| Hard Copy Deadline (Abroad / A&N / Lakshadweep) | 10-07-2026 (6:00 PM) |
| Computer Based Examination | July – August 2026 (Tentative) |
| Admission Certificate Download | 3–4 days before the exam |
SSC JSA / LDC LDCE 2025 - Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
Candidates must have passed the 12th standard (Higher Secondary) examination from a recognised Board or equivalent. For the Railway Board Secretariat Clerical Service, candidates are additionally required to pass a typing test (35 w.p.m. in English or 30 w.p.m. in Hindi on computer) within one year of appointment.
Length of Service
A minimum of three years of regular service as a Group 'C' employee / MTS in Level-1 (Grade Pay ₹1,800) in the respective cadre, counted as on the crucial date applicable to that cadre.
Crucial Date (Varies by Cadre)
The crucial date for counting approved service and age is not the same for every department. Check yours carefully:
| Crucial Date | Applicable Cadres |
|---|---|
| 01-07-2025 | Central Passport Organisation, MEA (Cadre Cell), Bureau of Police Research & Development |
| 01-08-2025 | Railway Board Secretariat Clerical Service |
| 01-01-2025 | Central Administrative Tribunal, O/o Registrar General of India, NTRO, Dept. of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, O/o Development Commissioner (MSME), Central Translation Bureau, Official Language Wing |
Age Limit & Relaxation
For most participating cadres, the maximum age is 45 years (50 years for SC/ST) as on the crucial date. Candidates should confirm the exact age condition for their own cadre from the notification. Permissible relaxation beyond the upper age limit:
| Category | Age Relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC / ST | 5 years |
| Defence personnel disabled in operations | 3 years |
| Defence personnel disabled in operations (SC/ST) | 8 years |
SSC JSA / LDC LDCE 2025 - Application Fee
For this Limited Departmental Competitive Examination, the notice does not prescribe an application fee for submitting the form. (A separate, non-refundable charge of ₹50 per question applies only if a candidate later chooses to challenge the tentative answer key - this is unrelated to the application itself.)
How to Apply for SSC JSA / LDC LDCE 2025
The process has two parts - One Time Registration (OTR) followed by the application - plus a mandatory offline forwarding step. Follow these steps:
- Generate OTR on the new website. Visit ssc.gov.in and click "Register Now." Any OTR created on the old site (ssc.nic.in) will not work on the new portal.
- Opt for Aadhaar-Based Authentication during OTR (recommended). Candidates who skip Aadhaar must upload the prescribed proof documents.
- Log in with your Registration Number and password, then open the JSA/LDC LDCE 2025 link under the "Live Exam" tab and click Apply.
- Fill the application - service details, cadre, crucial date, length of service, and age-relaxation code (if any). Information auto-filled from OTR is non-editable; use "Modify Registration" if a correction is needed.
- Capture your live photograph and upload your signature as per the specifications (see below).
- Upload the required documents (listed below) and Submit. Take a printout of the submitted application.
- Forward the hard copy through proper channel. Your Head of Department / Head of Office must forward the printed application along with service documents to: The Regional Director, Staff Selection Commission (Northern Region), Block No. 12, CGO Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi – 110003, so as to reach by 03-07-2026 (6:00 PM) - or 10-07-2026 for candidates abroad/A&N/Lakshadweep.
Critical: Only applications forwarded by the Head of Department/Office will be admitted. A correctly submitted online form alone is not enough.
Documents to Keep Ready Before You Start
- Certified true copy of the first page of your Service Book (attested by HoD/HoO)
- Certified particulars of service (posts held, scale of pay, nature of appointment)
- Class 12th certificate / educational qualification proof (if applicable)
- Caste/Category certificate (SC/ST), if claiming reservation
- Disability certificate (Annexure-VII / VIII) for PwBD candidates
- A recent passport-size photo for the live capture reference, and a scanned signature
Photograph & Signature Specifications
- Photograph: Captured live via webcam/phone, in a well-lit area with a plain background. No cap, mask, or spectacles. Face must fill the on-screen red rectangle. Pre-existing/scanned photos are rejected.
- Signature: JPEG/JPG, 10–20 KB, dimensions about 6.0 cm × 2.0 cm. Sign so the signature fills at least 80% of the box. Blurred or miniature signatures are rejected.
SSC JSA / LDC LDCE 2025 - Exam Pattern & Scheme
The examination carries 260 marks in total - 200 for Part-I (the exams) and 60 for Part-II (service record). Note that Paper-I is descriptive (written) and Paper-II is the objective Computer Based Test (CBT).
Part-I: Written + Computer Based Examination (200 Marks)
| Paper | Type | Section | Questions | Max Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper-I | Descriptive (Written) | Short Essay | – | 100 | 1 hr 30 min* |
| Paper-II | Objective (CBT) | (a) Language - General English or Samanya Hindi | 50 | 50 | 2 hrs* |
| Paper-II | Objective (CBT) | (b) General Knowledge | 50 | 50 | (combined) |
*Scribe-eligible candidates get 2 hours for Paper-I and 2 hours 40 minutes for Paper-II, plus 20 minutes compensatory time per hour.
- Negative marking of 0.25 marks per wrong answer applies to Paper-II (CBT) only. There is no negative marking in the descriptive Paper-I.
- Candidates must attempt the exam in the language (English/Hindi) chosen in the application form.
Part-II: Evaluation of Record of Service (60 Marks)
60 marks are reserved for evaluation of the APARs (Annual Performance Appraisal Reports). These marks are added to determine the final rank. Once evaluated, no request to change APAR grading is entertained.
SSC JSA / LDC LDCE 2025 - Selection Process
This is a competitive, not qualifying examination. Selection proceeds stage by stage:
- Paper-II (CBT) qualifying: Candidates must clear the minimum marks fixed for Paper-II to have their Paper-I evaluated.
- Paper-I (Descriptive) evaluation: Only those qualifying in Paper-II have their descriptive paper assessed.
- APAR evaluation (Part-II): Based on the aggregate of Paper-I + Paper-II, shortlisted candidates move to service-record evaluation.
- Final merit: Prepared on the combined total of Paper-I + Paper-II + Part-II (APAR) = 260 marks, cadre-wise, subject to reservation. Ties are resolved by Paper-I marks, then Paper-II part (a), then Paper-II total, then date of birth (older ranked higher), then alphabetical order.
SSC JSA / LDC LDCE 2025 - Syllabus
- Paper-I (Short Essay): One essay of 400–500 words on any of the specified subjects.
- Paper-II (a) Language: Simple composition and applied grammar (in the chosen English/Hindi medium).
- Paper-II (b) General Knowledge: Current events, matters of everyday observation and experience, and general information about India.
SSC JSA / LDC Salary 2026
Selected candidates are appointed in Pay Level-2 (₹19,900 – ₹63,200 per month) under the 7th CPC, as Group 'C' Non-Gazetted staff. In addition to basic pay, employees are entitled to Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), Transport Allowance, and other benefits as admissible under Central Government rules for the respective department.
Common Reasons SSC Applications Get Rejected
A large share of LDCE applications fail on avoidable mistakes. Double-check all of these before submitting:
- Application not forwarded by the Head of Department/Office (the single biggest cause of rejection).
- Multiple applications submitted for the same exam.
- Photograph with a cap/spectacles, dark background, blurred, or a pre-existing (scanned) photo instead of a live capture.
- Signature that is blurred, miniature, or below the size norm.
- Wrong OTR details - name, father's/mother's name, or date of birth not matching the matriculation certificate (OTR data is non-editable).
- Hard copy reaching SSC-NR after the deadline, or incomplete documents.
What to Do If the SSC Website Is Slow
Traffic on the SSC portal spikes near the closing date. If you face issues:
- Apply during off-peak hours - late at night or early morning - rather than on the last day.
- Clear your browser cache/cookies, or use an incognito/private tab.
- Try a different browser (Chrome, Firefox, Edge) or switch between Wi-Fi and mobile data.
- Keep all documents pre-scanned and ready in the correct format so a session timeout doesn't cost you the whole form.
- Save a draft frequently and take a printout immediately after final submission.
Exam Day Guidelines
- The exam is conducted in Delhi-NCR only; there is no centre abroad. A candidate posted abroad must appear in India at their own expense.
- The Admission Certificate is issued online via sscnr.nic.in (3–4 days before the exam); it is never sent by post.
- Carry your original Departmental Identity Card along with a hard copy of the Admission Certificate.
- Candidates not Aadhaar-authenticated during OTR must report early with two passport-size photographs and an original photo ID showing date of birth.
- No Travelling Allowance is paid by SSC.
- Mobile phones, Bluetooth/wireless devices, smartwatches, and electronic gadgets are strictly prohibited. SSC conducts post-exam log, biometric, and CCTV analysis, and malpractice attracts debarment of 1 to 7 years depending on the offence.
Helpline & Official Links
- Help Desk (SSC-HQ): 1800-309-3063 (Toll-free)
- SSC (Northern Region): 011-24363343
- Official Websites: ssc.gov.in (HQ) · sscnr.nic.in (Northern Region)
Disclaimer: The above information is compiled from SSC Notice No. 4/4/2026-CONF-5 dated 05.06.2026. Candidates must verify all details - especially the eligibility and crucial date applicable to their own cadre - from the official notification on ssc.gov.in before applying.
