SSC Assistant Section Officer / Assistant Grade Limited Departmental Competitive Examination 2025

Basic eligibility paths

• ✓Central Secretariat Service (DoPT): an officer in the Upper Division Grade of the Central Secretariat Clerical Service with not less than six years' approved service in the grade as on 1 Jul 2025.
• ✓Ministry of External Affairs (Cadre Cell): an Upper Division Clerk Grade officer who has completed the mandatory training prescribed by the Ministry and rendered not less than six years' approved service in the grade.
• ✓A candidate who resigns, is transferred to another service without retaining a lien in the feeder grade, or whose service is terminated becomes ineligible for appointment on the result of this examination.
• ✓Reservation for SC, ST and PwBD candidates is determined and communicated by the respective Cadre Controlling Authority.

Relaxations & certificates

• SC/ST, OBC-NCL, PwBD and ex-servicemen relaxations follow the applicable notification.
• Always check the certificate format and cut-off date in the official notice.

Selection stages

1. 1Part-I Paper-I: computer-based objective examination of 150 marks in 3 hours, with 0.25 negative marking
2. 2Part-I Paper-II: computer-based objective examination of 150 marks in 3 hours, with 0.25 negative marking
3. 3Part-II: evaluation of record of service from APARs (100 marks)
4. 4Final selection on the aggregate of Part-I and Part-II

Syllabus snapshot

• Paper-I: general awareness with a focus on flagship programmes and major government initiatives; constitutional provisions and their application in the Government of India; parliamentary procedures under the Manual of Parliamentary Procedures and Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs instructions; reading comprehension in English or Hindi; the Central Secretariat Manual of Office Procedure; Allocation of Business Rules and Transaction of Business Rules; and noting and drafting.
• Paper-II: service rules including leave, conduct and CCA, pension and NPS rules; financial rules such as TA and LTC; legislation including the RTI Act 2005 and the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act 2013; records management; and precis writing.