All India Selection
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UPSC LDCE Recruitment 2026: Apply for SO & PS Grade B Posts
✓Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
📋 To be notified by Cadre Controlling Authorities Vacancies 🎓 Regular eligible serving employees in feeder cadres (Assistant Section Officers / Senior Secretariat Assistants / Personal Assistants / Stenographers Grade 'C' / Grade-II) as per DoPT LDCE Rules 🗺️ New Delhi (Central Ministries / Attached Offices) & All India Service Liability for specific services 💰 Level-8 / Level-10 in 7th CPC Pay Matrix 📅 Age: As per service-specific DoPT & CCA eligibility conditions 💳 Fee: Nil (Exempted / Handled through official departmental channels)
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⏰ Last Date: 06 October 2026 (18:00 Hrs)
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Job Overview
Total Vacancies
To be notified by Cadre Controlling Authorities
Organisation
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
Post Category
Central Government Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE)
Post Group
Group 'B' Gazetted (Section Officer / Private Secretary Cadre)
Pay Scale
Level-8 / Level-10 in 7th CPC Pay Matrix
Job Location
New Delhi (Central Ministries / Attached Offices) & All India Service Liability for specific services
Application Mode
Online Only
Qualification
Regular eligible serving employees in feeder cadres (Assistant Section Officers / Senior Secretariat Assistants / Personal Assistants / Stenographers Grade 'C' / Grade-II) as per DoPT LDCE Rules
Selection Process
Written Examination (Paper-I Objective + Paper-II & Paper-III Conventional) - Evaluation of Service Records (APARs/ACRs)
Official Website
Important Dates
Notification Released
16 September 2026
Application Start
16 September 2026
Last Date to Apply
06 October 2026 (18:00 Hrs)
Admit Card
Last working day of the preceding week of the examination date
Exam Date
12 December 2026 & 13 December 2026 (Common written exam for SO & Steno LDCE)
🔴 Application deadline has passed. This recruitment is now closed.
Full Details
The official UPSC LDCE Recruitment 2026 examination notifications have been released by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) under Notice No. F.No. 9/02/2026-E.IB (Combined Section Officers’ Grade ‘B’ LDCE 2026) and F.No. 9/01/2026-E.IB (Combined Stenographers’ Grade ‘B’/’I’ LDCE for Select Lists 2022, 2023 & 2024).
- Cadres & Participating Services: The departmental examination is conducted for accelerated promotion to Section Officer and Private Secretary Grade ‘B’ Gazetted cadres across 11 key participating services including CSS, IFS Branch ‘B’, RBSS, CSSS, RBSSS, AFHQ CS, AFHQSS, Intelligence Bureau, and ESIC.
- Pay Scale: Promoted officers will be inducted into Level-8 (₹47,600 – ₹1,51,100/-) of the 7th CPC Pay Matrix, with non-functional upgradation to Level-10 (₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500/-) upon completion of prescribed regular service.
- Eligibility: Confirmed and eligible regular departmental employees serving in feeder cadres (Assistant Section Officers, Personal Assistants, Stenographers Grade ‘C’, Managers Gr-II) fulfilling continuous approved service requirements.
- Selection Process: Combined Written Examination (Paper-I Objective, Paper-II & Paper-III Conventional) on 12 December 2026 & 13 December 2026 followed by Evaluation of Service Records (APARs/ACRs).
Eligible departmental candidates must complete their online application on the UPSC Online Portal by 06 October 2026 (18:00 Hrs), submit hard copies to their respective Ministry/Department immediately, and ensure transmission by CCAs to UPSC on or before 23 October 2026.
Important Links
| Official Notification | Click Here → |
| Apply Online | Click Here → |
| Official Website | Click Here → |
Download Official Documents
Vacancy Breakdown by Post
| Post Name | Dept / Ministry | Vacancies | Pay Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Category I: Section Officers' Grade of CSS | Central Secretariat Service (DoPT) | To be notified by CCA | Level-8 / Level-10 |
| Category II: Section Officers' Grade of IFS Branch 'B' | Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) | To be notified by CCA | Level-8 / Level-10 |
| Category III: Section Officers' Grade of RBSS | Railway Board Secretariat Service (MoR) | To be notified by CCA | Level-8 / Level-10 |
| Category IV: Private Secretary Grade of CSSS | Central Secretariat Stenographers' Service | To be notified by CCA | Level-8 / Level-10 |
| Category V: Private Secretary Grade of IFS Branch 'B' | Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) | To be notified by CCA | Level-8 / Level-10 |
| Category VI: Private Secretary Grade of AFHQSS | Armed Forces Headquarters (MoD) | To be notified by CCA | Level-8 / Level-10 |
| Category VII: Private Secretary Grade of ESIC | Employees' State Insurance Corporation | To be notified by CCA | Level-8 / Level-10 |
| Category VIII: Section Officers' Grade of IB | Intelligence Bureau (MHA) | To be notified by CCA | Level-8 / Level-10 |
| Category IX: Grade 'B' / Private Secretary of RBSSS | Railway Board (MoR) | To be notified by CCA | Level-8 / Level-10 |
| Category X: Section Officers in AFHQ CS | Armed Forces Headquarters Civil Service | To be notified by CCA | Level-8 / Level-10 |
| Category XI: Assistant Director / Section Officer / Manager Gr-I | Employees' State Insurance Corporation | To be notified by CCA | Level-8 / Level-10 |
* Vacancy numbers are tentative and subject to revision. Check official notification PDF for category-wise breakup.
State-wise Vacancy
| State | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Central Secretariat, Armed Forces HQ, Intelligence Bureau, Railway Board, ESIC, and Diplomatic Missions Worldwide (Vacancies to be declared post-wise by CCAs) |
* State-wise vacancy figures are as per the official notification and may change.
Category-wise Vacancy
| Category | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| UR, SC, ST, EWS & PwBD Vacancies | To be notified by individual Cadre Controlling Authorities (CCAs) prior to result declaration |
* Candidates must hold a valid category certificate to claim reservation benefits.
Salary Breakdown by Post
| Post Name | Pay Scale | Approx. Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Section Officer / Private Secretary (Level-8) | Rs. 47,600 - 1,51,100/- | Approx. Rs. 82,000 - 95,000/- per month (Starting Basic: Rs. 47,600/- + DA + HRA + Transport Allowance) |
| Section Officer / Private Secretary (Level-10 on NFSG) | Rs. 56,100 - 1,77,500/- | Approx. Rs. 98,000 - 1,15,000/- per month (Granted after 4 years of approved service) |
* Salary includes basic pay as per 7th Pay Commission. HRA, DA and other allowances are additional.
Age Relaxation
General Age Limit: As per service-specific DoPT & CCA eligibility conditions
| Category | Age Relaxation |
|---|---|
| Departmental Serving Employees | Upper age limits and service requirements as prescribed under DoPT LDCE Gazette Rules dated 16 September 2026 |
| SC / ST | Concessions admissible as per extant Government of India reservation directives |
| PwBD | Relaxations admissible as per DoPT guidelines and cadre-specific reservation rosters |
* Age relaxation is applicable as per Government of India rules. Candidates must provide valid category certificate at the time of document verification.
Eligibility Criteria
Nationality
Citizen of India (Must be a regular confirmed/eligible employee in participating Central Govt. Services)
Experience
Prescribed years of approved continuous regular service in feeder grades (generally 3 to 5 years as per specific cadre rules
- → This examination is exclusively a Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE) and is NOT open to direct private freshers or outside open-market candidates.
- → Eligible candidates must be regular serving employees in the feeder grades of participating Central Government services (CSS, IFS Branch 'B', RBSS, IB, AFHQ CS, ESIC, CSSS, RBSSS, AFHQSS).
- → Category I (CSS): Assistant Section Officers / Assistants of the Central Secretariat Service with requisite approved continuous service.
- → Category II (IFS Branch 'B'): General Cadre personnel of Indian Foreign Service, Branch 'B' meeting prescribed eligibility.
- → Category III (RBSS): Assistant Section Officers of Railway Board Secretariat Service (Subject to CAT OA No. 215/2022).
- → Category IV, V, VI, VII & IX (Stenographers/PS): Personal Assistants / Stenographers Grade 'C' of CSSS, IFS 'B', AFHQSS, ESIC, and RBSSS for Select Lists 2022, 2023 & 2024.
- → Category VIII (IB): Section Officers' Grade feeder staff in the Intelligence Bureau.
- → Category X (AFHQ CS): Feeder staff in Armed Forces Headquarters Civil Service.
- → Category XI (ESIC): Social Security Officers / Managers Grade-II / Superintendents in Employees' State Insurance Corporation.
- → Online application must be completed on the UPSC portal, and the printed application form must be submitted to the candidate's Head of Office/Department by 06 October 2026 for onward verification and transmission to UPSC by 23 October 2026.
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Application Fee
💡 Fee can be paid online via UPI, Net Banking, VISA/Mastercard/RuPay on the official portal.
Selection Process
1
Online Application Form submission via Universal Registration Number (URN) and Common Application Form (CAF)
2
Submission of physical printed copy of application to respective Ministry / Department / Head of Office by 06 October 2026
3
Scrutiny of eligibility and endorsement by Cadre Controlling Authorities (CCAs) and transmission to UPSC by 23 October 2026
4
Mandatory Face Authentication and Biometric Verification at Examination Venues
5
Combined Written Examination on 12 December 2026 & 13 December 2026 (Common for SO and Steno LDCE)
6
Evaluation of Service Records (APAR / ACR assessment) by UPSC for written-qualified candidates
7
Final Select List publication based on combined marks of Written Examination and Service Records
Exam Pattern
| Subject | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Common Written Examination (Held on 12 December 2026 & 13 December 2026) | |||
| Paper-I: General Studies & General Knowledge of Constitution of India and Machinery of Government | Objective Type | 100 Marks | Negative Marking applicable |
| Paper-II: Procedure and Practice in the Govt. of India Secretariat and Attached Offices, General Financial & Service Rules | Conventional / Objective Type | 100 Marks | |
| Paper-III: Noting and Drafting, Precis Writing | Conventional Descriptive Type | 100 Marks (Testing official communication and file drafting) | |
| Stage-II: Evaluation of Service Records (APARs/ACRs) | 100 Marks (Assessing integrity, work performance, and official record of service) | ||
| Tie-Breaking Order: 1. Written Total -> 2. Combined Marks of Paper-II & Paper-III -> 3. Marks in Paper-III (Noting & Drafting) -> 4. Seniority in Age. |
* Exam pattern is indicative — refer to the official notification for the final pattern.
Syllabus
| Subject | Topics Covered |
|---|---|
| Paper-I (General Studies & Official Framework) | Principles of the Constitution of India, Machinery of Central Government, Parliamentary Procedures, General Awareness, Contemporary Administrative & Socio-Economic Policies |
| Paper-II (Secretariat Procedures & Rules) | Central Secretariat Manual of Office Procedure (CSMOP), General Financial Rules (GFR 2017), Delegation of Financial Power Rules (DFPR), Fundamental Rules & Supplementary Rules (FR&SR), CCS (Conduct) Rules 1964, CCS (CCA) Rules 1965, CCS (Leave) Rules, Central Public Procurement Portal (CPPP) & GeM norms, Department-specific manuals (MEA, Railways, Defence, ESIC) |
| Paper-III (Noting, Drafting & Precis Writing) | File Noting on complex administrative matters, Drafting Official Memorandums (OM), Cabinet Notes, Inter-departmental references, D.O. letters, Summarization and Precis Writing of lengthy official correspondences |
| Evaluation of Service Records | Comprehensive assessment of Annual Performance Appraisal Reports (APARs), integrity records, and service achievements during feeder tenure |
How to Apply Online
1
Visit the official UPSC online portal at UPSC Online.
2
Log in using your Universal Registration Number (URN) or create a new account.
3
Upload your standard photograph, capture your live real-time photo, and upload the three-signature specimen sheet in black ink.
4
Navigate to the "Combined SO (Grade 'B') LDCE 2026" or "Combined Stenographers' (Grade 'B'/'I') LDCE 2022-2024" specific module.
5
Select your specific participating Category (Category I to XI) and choose your preferred Examination Centre.
6
Submit the online form before 06 October 2026 (18:00 Hrs) and take an immediate printout of the submitted application.
7
Submit the complete printed application copy to your respective Department / Head of Office on or before 06 October 2026.
8
Ensure your Cadre Controlling Authority (CCA) verifies, endorses, and transmits your dossier to UPSC (Under Secretary E-VI, Dholpur House, New Delhi) on or before 23 October 2026.
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Job Role
Working Hours
Standard Central Secretariat office hours (9:00 AM to 5:30 PM, Monday to Friday; flexible hours during Parliamentary Sessions).
Department
Central Ministries & Departments (DoPT, MEA, MoR, MoD, MHA, Ministry of Labour & Employment).
Posting Location
New Delhi (Central Secretariat / Ministries), Armed Forces HQ, Railway Board, with overseas posting opportunities for IFS Branch 'B' officers.
Responsibilities:
Supervising section staff, examining complex administrative, legal, and financial proposals, and submitting reasoned notes on files (Section Officer).
Managing confidential correspondence, scheduling high-level appointments, and maintaining official liaison for Joint Secretaries, Additional Secretaries, and Ministers (Private Secretary).
Formulating draft Cabinet Notes, parliamentary questions (starred/unstarred), assurances, and legislative bills.
Interpreting service rules (FR&SR, GFR, CCS Rules) and ensuring strict compliance with financial delegation protocols.
Overseeing general administration, procurement through GeM, and human resource deployments in central ministries.
Daily Work:
File management via e-Office, scrutiny of policy drafts, coordination with attached/subordinate offices, and parliamentary briefing preparation.
Working Environment:
High-level corporate secretariat, air-conditioned ministerial office environment with advanced IT and e-Governance infrastructure.
Supervising section staff, examining complex administrative, legal, and financial proposals, and submitting reasoned notes on files (Section Officer).
Managing confidential correspondence, scheduling high-level appointments, and maintaining official liaison for Joint Secretaries, Additional Secretaries, and Ministers (Private Secretary).
Formulating draft Cabinet Notes, parliamentary questions (starred/unstarred), assurances, and legislative bills.
Interpreting service rules (FR&SR, GFR, CCS Rules) and ensuring strict compliance with financial delegation protocols.
Overseeing general administration, procurement through GeM, and human resource deployments in central ministries.
Daily Work:
File management via e-Office, scrutiny of policy drafts, coordination with attached/subordinate offices, and parliamentary briefing preparation.
Working Environment:
High-level corporate secretariat, air-conditioned ministerial office environment with advanced IT and e-Governance infrastructure.
Career Growth
Promotion Timeline
Placement in Level-10 (NFSG) after 4 years of approved service; promotion to Under Secretary / PPS cadre typically occurs within 5 to 7 years based on vacancy rosters and seniority-cum-merit.
Promotion Hierarchy:
Section Officer / Private Secretary (Level-8)
Section Officer / Private Secretary (NFSG - Level-10)
Under Secretary / Principal Private Secretary (Level-11)
Deputy Secretary / Senior Principal Private Secretary (Level-12)
Director / Principal Staff Officer (Level-13)
Joint Secretary (in situ / Central Staffing Scheme - Level-14)
Represents the premier fast-track gateway for secretariat personnel to elevate from clerical and ministerial feeder roles into the Group 'A' executive administrative decision-making cadre of the Government of India
Section Officer / Private Secretary (Level-8)
Section Officer / Private Secretary (NFSG - Level-10)
Under Secretary / Principal Private Secretary (Level-11)
Deputy Secretary / Senior Principal Private Secretary (Level-12)
Director / Principal Staff Officer (Level-13)
Joint Secretary (in situ / Central Staffing Scheme - Level-14)
Represents the premier fast-track gateway for secretariat personnel to elevate from clerical and ministerial feeder roles into the Group 'A' executive administrative decision-making cadre of the Government of India
Training
Training Duration
2 to 4 weeks specialized mid-career executive orientation.
Training Location
Institute of Secretariat Training & Management (ISTM), Old JNU Campus, New Delhi.
Probation
Usually 1 to 2 Years on regular promotion rolls as prescribed under individual service cadre rules.
Bond Period
Not Applicable
In-depth executive training on public policy analysis, public finance management, e-Office administration, and parliamentary procedures.
Documents Required
Recent passport size colour photograph (clear frontal view, plain background, no cap/spectacles)
Live photograph captured via webcam or smartphone camera module during online application
Scanned Signature: Candidate must sign three times (one below the other) using black ink on white paper
Official Government Employee Identity Card (Mandatory to carry to examination hall along with e-Admit Card)
Matriculation / 10th Standard Certificate (as Date of Birth proof)
Official Service Book entries and Order of Regular Appointment in feeder cadre
Caste / Category Certificate (SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwBD) in prescribed Central Govt format (if claiming relaxation)
Printed Application Form with official departmental verification endorsement and vigilance clearance
Valid Photo ID Proof (Aadhaar Card, Voter ID, PAN Card, Driving License, Official Govt ID)
Recruitment Overview
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially notified the Combined Section Officers' (Grade 'B') LDCE 2026 and the Combined Stenographers' (Grade 'B'/'I') LDCE covering the Select Lists for 2022, 2023, and 2024. Established as a fast-track merit channel for confirmed Central Government employees, this examination allows meritorious personnel in ministerial feeder ranks to transition into gazetted managerial roles. Covering 11 participating services across vital central ministries, the combined examination offers immediate elevation to Level-8 pay scales and long-term administrative leadership pathways.
About the Organization
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is India's constitutional recruiting authority under Article 315 of the Constitution of India. In addition to open-market recruitment drives, UPSC is entrusted with conducting prestigious Limited Departmental Competitive Examinations (LDCE) on behalf of the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT). These departmental exams uphold meritocracy within the civil services, ensuring that dedicated in-service officials with deep institutional memory are propelled into policymaking and supervisory cadres.
About the Job Profile
Appointed Section Officers and Private Secretaries form the administrative backbone of Central Government ministries and departments. Section Officers manage branch workflows, examine legislative and budgetary proposals, interpret service conditions, and draft comprehensive Cabinet summaries for senior joint secretaries and ministers. Private Secretaries handle high-level confidential protocol, parliamentary interactions, and office secretariats of top administrative officials. Appointees ensure administrative continuity, statutory compliance, and smooth inter-ministerial coordination.
Career Opportunities
Clearing the UPSC LDCE provides accelerated career mobility, enabling staff to bypass years of seniority-based stagnation. Appointees enter Level-8 (Rs. 47,600 – Rs. 1,51,100/-) with non-functional upgradation to Level-10 after 4 years, followed by regular promotion avenues to Under Secretary (Level-11), Deputy Secretary (Level-12), and Director (Level-13) under the Central Staffing Scheme. The role offers administrative authority, central government housing, and substantial policy influence in national governance.
Preparation Tips
Because the written examination is common across both notifications, candidates must thoroughly prepare for all three test components. Master the Central Secretariat Manual of Office Procedure (CSMOP), Fundamental Rules & Supplementary Rules (FR&SR), and General Financial Rules (GFR 2017) for Paper-II. Regular practice of official noting and drafting, precis writing, and official correspondence formats is critical for scoring high in Paper-III. In addition, keep abreast of constitutional provisions and parliamentary workflows for Paper-I while maintaining an unblemished APAR track record for the Service Record evaluation stage.
JobDex Expert Advice
Applicants must exercise diligence regarding the multi-step submission protocol; submitting the online application on the UPSC portal before 06 October 2026 is only the first step. Candidates must submit a printed copy to their Head of Office immediately, ensuring their Cadre Controlling Authority (CCA) scrutinizes eligibility, verifies vigilance status, and transmits the dossier to UPSC Dholpur House before 23 October 2026. Ensure that your official signature sheet contains three specimen signatures placed vertically in black ink before locking your profile.
Dakshesh Makwana
✅ Verified Author
Publisher · 2 yrs exp
Dakshesh Makwana is the creator of JobDex.in. He is an independent researcher specializing in Indian competitive examinations, government schemes data mapping, and rapid information discovery frameworks for career portals.
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