The Staff Selection Commission has released the SSC SSA Recruitment 2026 notification for filling 65 Senior Secretariat Assistant and Upper Division Clerk Grade vacancies through the Limited Departmental Competitive Examination.
The official name of the examination is Senior Secretariat Assistant / Upper Division Clerk Grade Limited Departmental Competitive Examination, 2025, although the notification and application process were released in June 2026.
Online applications are being accepted from 25 June 2026 to 16 July 2026, and the Computer Based Examination is tentatively scheduled for August 2026. The examination will be conducted in Delhi-NCR only.
Important eligibility notice: This is not an open recruitment for fresh candidates or the general public. Only eligible serving Lower Division Clerks of the Central Secretariat Clerical Service cadre under DoPT can apply.
SSC SSA Recruitment 2026 Job Overview
| Recruitment Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Job Title | SSC Senior Secretariat Assistant / Upper Division Clerk Recruitment 2026 |
| Organisation | Staff Selection Commission |
| Department | Department of Personnel and Training |
| Service/Cadre | Central Secretariat Clerical Service |
| Examination Name | SSA/UDC Grade Limited Departmental Competitive Examination, 2025 |
| Notification Number | No. 4/8/2026-CONF-5 |
| Post Name | Senior Secretariat Assistant / Upper Division Clerk |
| Total Vacancies | 65 |
| Job Category | Central Government Departmental Promotion |
| Post Classification | Group C, Non-Gazetted |
| Pay Level | Pay Level 4 |
| Salary | ₹25,500 to ₹81,100 per month |
| Application Mode | Online followed by departmental forwarding of printed application |
| Examination Mode | Computer Based Examination |
| Examination Centre | Delhi-NCR only |
| Application Starting Date | 25 June 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 16 July 2026, up to 11:00 PM |
| Tentative Examination Date | August 2026 |
| Official Website | Staff Selection Commission |
The recruitment is intended to make additions to the Select List of Senior Secretariat Assistant/Upper Division Clerk Grade in the Central Secretariat Clerical Service cadre under DoPT.
SSC SSA Recruitment 2026 Job Full Description
SSC SSA Recruitment 2026 is a departmental promotion opportunity for eligible Lower Division Clerks serving in the Central Secretariat Clerical Service cadre. Through this examination, qualified departmental employees may be considered for promotion to the Senior Secretariat Assistant or Upper Division Clerk Grade.
A total of 65 tentative vacancies have been announced. The category-wise distribution for UR, SC, ST and PwBD candidates has not yet been published. SSC has stated that the category-wise vacancy breakup will be communicated separately in due course.
The selected candidates will be placed in Pay Level 4 of the Seventh Central Pay Commission Pay Matrix, carrying a salary range of ₹25,500 to ₹81,100 per month. The position is classified as a Group C, Non-Gazetted post.
Selection will be based on a Computer Based Examination carrying 200 marks and evaluation of the candidate’s service records or APARs carrying 100 marks. Final merit will be prepared using the combined marks obtained in both stages.
SSC SSA Recruitment 2026 Post Name
The notification covers the following combined departmental grade:
| Post Name | Number of Vacancies |
| Senior Secretariat Assistant / Upper Division Clerk Grade | 65 |
| Total | 65 |
SSC has treated Senior Secretariat Assistant and Upper Division Clerk as one combined grade under this Limited Departmental Competitive Examination. Separate vacancy numbers for SSA and UDC have not been provided.
SSC SSA Recruitment 2026 Category-Wise Vacancy Details
| Category | Vacancies |
| Unreserved | To be announced |
| Scheduled Caste | To be announced |
| Scheduled Tribe | To be announced |
| Persons with Benchmark Disabilities | To be announced |
| Total Vacancies | 65 |
The total number of vacancies is tentative. Reservation for SC, ST and PwBD candidates will be applied according to the vacancy details reported by the concerned Service or Cadre Controlling Authority.
SSC SSA Recruitment 2026 Job Location
The vacancies belong to the Central Secretariat Clerical Service cadre under the Department of Personnel and Training. SSC has not published a state-wise, city-wise or office-wise vacancy distribution in the notification.
The place of posting will be determined by the concerned cadre controlling authority. Candidates should not confuse the job posting location with the examination centre. The Computer Based Examination will be held in Delhi-NCR only.
| Service/Cadre | Vacancies | Posting Information |
| Central Secretariat Clerical Service, DoPT | 65 | Posting will be allotted by the concerned cadre authority |
| Examination Centre | Not applicable | Delhi-NCR only |
SSC SSA Recruitment 2026 Salary Details
The Senior Secretariat Assistant/Upper Division Clerk Grade carries Pay Level 4 under the Seventh Central Pay Commission.
| Post Name | Pay Level | Basic Pay Range |
| Senior Secretariat Assistant / Upper Division Clerk | Level 4 | ₹25,500–₹81,100 per month |
In addition to basic pay, selected employees may receive Dearness Allowance, House Rent Allowance, Transport Allowance and other admissible Central Government benefits according to applicable service rules and place of posting.
SSC SSA Recruitment 2026 Age Limit
The official notification does not prescribe a separate minimum or maximum age limit for this departmental examination.
Eligibility is primarily determined by the applicant’s regular appointment in the Lower Division Clerk Grade, length of approved service and fulfilment of the prescribed typewriting-test condition.
| Category | Age Limit |
| General/UR | No separate age limit specified |
| SC | No separate age limit specified |
| ST | No separate age limit specified |
| PwBD | No separate age limit specified |
Candidates must fulfil the departmental service eligibility conditions as of the crucial date, 1 August 2025.
SSC SSA Recruitment 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Only regularly appointed Lower Division Clerks of the Central Secretariat Clerical Service under DoPT are eligible to apply.
The candidate must have completed at least five years of approved and continuous service in the Lower Division Grade as of 1 August 2025.
Where the candidate was appointed to the Lower Division Grade through a competitive examination, including a departmental competitive examination, the result of that examination must have been announced at least five years before the crucial date. Such candidates must have rendered at least four years of approved and continuous service in the grade.
Lower Division Clerks serving on deputation to an ex-cadre post with the approval of the competent authority may also apply, provided they continue to hold a lien in the Lower Division Grade and otherwise satisfy all eligibility conditions.
SSC SSA Recruitment 2026 Educational Qualifications Required
The notification does not prescribe a fresh academic qualification such as Class 12, diploma or bachelor’s degree for this examination.
Since this is a Limited Departmental Competitive Examination, eligibility depends on the candidate’s departmental appointment and qualifying service.
Candidates must satisfy the following requirements:
- The applicant must be a regularly appointed Lower Division Clerk in the Central Secretariat Clerical Service.
- The applicant must possess the required length of approved and continuous departmental service.
- The applicant must have passed the typewriting test conducted by UPSC, SSC or the Ministry of Personnel for confirmation in the Lower Division Grade.
- Candidates formally exempted from the typewriting test may apply by providing the relevant exemption order details.
- The typewriting test must have been passed, or the exemption must have been granted, on or before the notification date.
SSC SSA Recruitment 2026 Typewriting Test Requirement
Passing the prescribed typewriting test is an important eligibility condition.
Candidates who have not been formally exempted must have passed the typewriting test held by UPSC, SSC or the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions for confirmation in the Lower Division Grade.
Applicants claiming exemption must provide the exemption order number, date and other required information in the online application.
SSC SSA Recruitment 2026 Application Fee
The official notification does not prescribe an application or examination fee for any category.
| Candidate Category | Application Fee |
| General/UR | No fee mentioned |
| SC | No fee mentioned |
| ST | No fee mentioned |
| PwBD | No fee mentioned |
Candidates should complete the application through the official SSC portal and should not make payments through unofficial websites or agents.
SSC SSA Recruitment 2026 Important Dates
| Recruitment Event | Important Date |
| Notification Release Date | 25 June 2026 |
| Online Application Starting Date | 25 June 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 16 July 2026 |
| Online Application Closing Time | 11:00 PM |
| Last Date for Receipt of Printed Application | 23 July 2026, up to 6:00 PM |
| Last Date for Candidates Residing Abroad, Andaman and Nicobar Islands or Lakshadweep | 30 July 2026, up to 6:00 PM |
| Tentative Computer Based Examination | August 2026 |
| Examination Centre | Delhi-NCR only |
Submitting the online form alone is not sufficient. The printed application and supporting documents must also be forwarded through the Head of Department or Head of Office so that they reach SSC Northern Region within the prescribed deadline.
SSC SSA Recruitment 2026 Selection Process
The SSC SSA/UDC selection process consists of the following stages:
- Computer Based Examination
- Shortlisting for evaluation of service records
- Evaluation of APARs or service records
- Preparation of combined merit list
- Verification by the cadre controlling authority
- Inclusion in the Select List, subject to vacancies and suitability
SSC may prescribe minimum qualifying marks for the Computer Based Examination. Only candidates who qualify in Part I will be considered for evaluation of service records under Part II.
Final selection will be based on the combined marks obtained in the Computer Based Examination and APAR evaluation. This is a competitive examination, and merely qualifying does not provide an automatic right to promotion or inclusion in the Select List.
SSC SSA Recruitment 2026 Examination Pattern
Part I: Computer Based Examination
| Subject | Questions | Maximum Marks |
| Comprehension and General English | 50 | 50 |
| Parliamentary Procedure | 50 | 50 |
| General Knowledge | 50 | 50 |
| Noting and Drafting | 50 | 50 |
| Total | 200 | 200 |
The examination duration is three hours. Candidates eligible for a scribe will receive four hours. All questions will be objective-type multiple-choice questions.
There will be a negative marking of 0.25 marks for every incorrect answer. Candidates can select English or Hindi as the examination medium, but the General English portion must be attempted in English.
Part II: Evaluation of Service Records
| Selection Component | Maximum Marks |
| Evaluation of APARs and service records | 100 |
| Computer Based Examination | 200 |
| Total Selection Marks | 300 |
Marks awarded for the evaluation of APARs will be added to the Computer Based Examination marks for determining the candidate’s final rank.
SSC SSA Recruitment 2026 Examination Syllabus
The Computer Based Examination will cover the following subjects:
Comprehension and General English: Questions will assess simple composition, comprehension and applied English grammar.
Parliamentary Procedure: Questions will cover sessions of Parliament, parliamentary questions and their official handling.
General Knowledge: This section will test knowledge of current events, everyday observations, general information and matters relating to India.
Noting and Drafting: Questions will be based on Chapters 7, 8 and 9 of the latest Central Secretariat Manual of Office Procedure, including noting, communication channels, official forms, procedures and drafting of official communications.
SSC Senior Secretariat Assistant Post Description
The Senior Secretariat Assistant Grade is a departmental promotional position under the Central Secretariat Clerical Service. The notification treats it as part of the combined SSA/UDC Grade.
The selected employee will hold a Group C, Non-Gazetted position at Pay Level 4. The notification does not publish a separate duty list for Senior Secretariat Assistant, but the examination syllabus indicates the importance of official noting, drafting, parliamentary procedures, correspondence and Central Secretariat office procedures.
SSC Upper Division Clerk Post Description
Upper Division Clerk is the alternate designation included within the same departmental grade notified by SSC. No separate UDC vacancy count, salary or eligibility criteria have been announced.
Candidates selected for the combined SSA/UDC Grade will be placed at Pay Level 4 and will be included in the Select List according to merit, available vacancies, reservation rules and the decision of the cadre controlling authority.
SSC SSA Recruitment 2026 Documents Required
Applicants must upload and later forward the required supporting documents, including:
- Certified copy of the first page of the Service Book, attested by the Head of Department or Head of Office.
- Certified service particulars showing the posts held, pay scale and nature of appointment.
- Typewriting-test pass details or exemption-order details.
- Disability certificate for PwBD candidates, where applicable.
- Scanned signature in the prescribed JPEG format.
- Live photograph captured through the SSC application system.
- Printed copy of the successfully submitted application.
- Departmental certification and forwarding by the competent authority.
Only self-attested photocopies should be attached to the printed application. Original certificates should not be sent with the application.
How to Apply for SSC SSA Recruitment 2026
- Visit the official Staff Selection Commission website.
- Click the Login or Register option on the homepage.
- Complete One-Time Registration on the new SSC website if not already registered.
- Log in using the registered username and password.
- Select the Senior Secretariat Assistant/Upper Division Clerk Grade Limited Departmental Competitive Examination, 2025.
- Enter the required personal, employment, cadre and service details.
- Provide the date of joining the LDC/JSA Grade and complete service information.
- Enter the details of the typewriting test or applicable exemption order.
- Capture a live photograph through the SSC application module.
- Upload the scanned signature and required departmental documents.
- Review all the information carefully using the Preview option.
- Submit the online application before 11:00 PM on 16 July 2026.
- Download and print the submitted application form.
- Attach self-attested copies of all required documents.
- Submit the printed application to the Head of Department or Head of Office.
- Ensure that the application is verified, endorsed and forwarded through the proper channel to the Regional Director, SSC Northern Region.
- The printed application must reach SSC Northern Region by 23 July 2026 at 6:00 PM.
- For candidates residing abroad, in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands or Lakshadweep, the printed application must reach by 30 July 2026 at 6:00 PM.
SSC SSA Recruitment 2026 Printed Application Address
The printed application, duly verified and forwarded through the proper departmental channel, must be sent to:
The Regional Director
Staff Selection Commission, Northern Region
Block No. 12, C.G.O. Complex
Lodhi Road
New Delhi – 110003
Only applications forwarded by the candidate’s Head of Department or Head of Office will be considered. Direct applications that are not properly verified and forwarded may be rejected.
SSC SSA Recruitment 2026 Important Links
| Important Link | Access Link |
| Official Notification PDF | Download SSC SSA/UDC Official Notification |
| Apply Online | Visit SSC Login and Application Portal |
| SSC Official Website | Visit Staff Selection Commission |
| SSC Northern Region Website | Visit SSC Northern Region |
SSC SSA Recruitment 2026 Important Instructions
Candidates should submit only one application. Submission of more than one application may result in rejection.
The photograph must be captured live through the application system. Candidates should not upload or capture an image of an existing printed photograph.
Applicants should ensure that the signature uploaded with the application matches the signature used during the examination and in departmental correspondence.
No changes will be permitted in the submitted application after final submission.
Candidates must carry their original departmental identity card and printed admission certificate to the examination centre.
The examination will be conducted only in Delhi-NCR. No request for changing the examination centre will normally be accepted.