SSC ASO Online Form 2026

Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has officially released the SSC ASO Recruitment 2026 notification for the Assistant Section Officer / Assistant Grade Limited Departmental Competitive Examination, 2025. A total of 341 vacancies are available across the Central Secretariat Service (CSS) under DoPT and the Ministry of External Affairs (Cadre Cell). Eligible departmental candidates can apply online from 25 June 2026 to 16 July 2026 (up to 11:00 PM). The Computer Based Examination is scheduled tentatively in August 2026 in Delhi-NCR only.

SSC ASO Notification PDF Download 2026

The official SSC ASO Recruitment 2026 notification PDF has been uploaded on the SSC headquarters website. Candidates are strongly advised to download and read the full notification before applying, as it contains detailed instructions about eligibility, application process, exam scheme, scribe provisions, and malpractice rules. The SSC ASO official notification PDF is available at the link below.

SSC ASO Recruitment 2026 – Quick Overview

This is a Limited Departmental Competitive Examination open only to in-service government employees of the participating cadres. The SSC ASO Bharti 2026 is conducted to add candidates to the Select List for the grade of Assistant Section Officer / Assistant, a Group B Non-Gazetted post at Pay Level-7. The notification reference number is No. 4/2/2026-CONF-5, published on 25 June 2026.

Also Read: Check All Latest SSC Recruitment Notifications Apply Online

SSC ASO Notification 2026 – Important Dates

Candidates appearing in the SSC Assistant Section Officer Exam 2025 must strictly observe the schedule below. The online application window is open for just over three weeks, and hard copies forwarded through the department have a separate deadline. Missing any of these dates will result in rejection of candidature.

The last date to submit the SSC ASO online application is 16 July 2026. After submitting online, candidates must also send the printed application along with required documents through their Head of Department / Head of Office to SSC Northern Region, New Delhi, so as to reach by 23 July 2026.

SSC ASO Vacancy 2026 – Category-Wise Breakdown

The SSC ASO vacancy 2026 is distributed across two cadres - Central Secretariat Service under DoPT and the Ministry of External Affairs Cadre Cell. The CSS cadre carries category-wise reservation including 19 seats reserved for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD). MEA vacancies are all under the Unreserved category with no PwBD reservation reported.

*PwBD breakup for CSS: 6 seats for VH (Visually Handicapped), 4 for OH (Orthopedically Handicapped), 4 for HH (Hearing Handicapped), and 5 for Others.

SSC ASO Eligibility Criteria 2026 – Who Can Apply

The SSC ASO Limited Departmental Exam 2025 is not open to the general public. Only serving government officials of the specific feeder cadres are eligible. The crucial date for counting approved service is 1 July 2025 for both cadres. Candidates must ensure they meet the exact conditions as specified below before applying.

Eligibility for Central Secretariat Service (CSS), DoPT

Any officer in the Upper Division Grade of the Central Secretariat Clerical Service who, as on 01 July 2025, has rendered not less than six years' approved service in that grade is eligible to appear.

Eligibility for Ministry of External Affairs (Cadre Cell)

Officers in the Upper Division Clerk Grade of the MEA Service who, as on 01 July 2025, have (a) successfully completed such mandatory training programme(s) as prescribed by the Ministry of External Affairs and (b) rendered not less than six years' approved service in the grade are eligible.

Disqualification Conditions

A candidate who resigns, quits service, or whose services are terminated after applying will not be eligible for appointment on the result of this examination. Similarly, candidates appointed to an ex-cadre post or another service on "transfer" without a lien in the SSA/UDC grade are not eligible. This does not apply to candidates on deputation with the approval of the competent authority.

Also read: SSC SSA/UDC LDCE 2025 Notification Out - Apply Online for 227 Group C Posts

SSC ASO Apply Online 2026 – Step-by-Step Process

The SSC ASO Apply Online 2026 process involves two stages: One Time Registration (OTR) on the SSC portal, followed by filling the actual examination application. Candidates who had registered on the old website (ssc.nic.in) must create a fresh OTR on the new website (ssc.gov.in) as the old OTR is not functional on the new portal.

1. Visit the official SSC website: https://ssc.gov.in

2. Click on "Register Now" under the Login or Register section to complete One Time Registration (OTR) if not already done on the new website.

3. During OTR, opt for Aadhaar-Based Authentication as advised by the Commission.

4. After OTR is complete, log in using your Registration Number and password.

5. Click the "Apply" link under "Assistant Section Officer / Assistant Grade Limited Departmental Competitive Examination, 2025" in the Live Exam tab.

6. Fill in departmental details - select your Cadre/Service, joining date of feeder service, and length of service.

7. Capture a live photograph using webcam/smartphone as prompted (no pre-existing photo allowed).

8. Upload your scanned signature in JPEG format (10–20 KB, dimensions: 6 cm × 2 cm).

9. Upload mandatory documents including certified true copy of Service Book (first page) and particulars of service. PwBD candidates must also upload their disability certificate.

10. Review all entries in the Preview section, accept the declaration, and click Submit Application.

11. Take a printout of the submitted application form.

12. Submit the printed copy along with all required documents through your Head of Department / Head of Office to SSC (NR), New Delhi, by 23 July 2026.

Important: Only those candidates whose application is forwarded by their Head of Department / Head of Office will be considered for admission to this examination. Applications submitted directly without departmental forwarding will be rejected.

SSC ASO Exam Pattern 2026 – Scheme of Examination