SSC JSA LDC LDCE 2025 Notification: Apply Online for 149 Group C Posts @ ssc.gov.in

SSC JSA LDC LDCE 2025 Notification Out – 149 Vacancies, Apply Online Now

The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has released the official notification for the Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA) and Lower Division Clerk (LDC) Grade Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE) for the year 2025. A total of 149 vacancies will be filled across 12 Central Government departments and cadres.

The online application window is open from 5th June 2026 to 26th June 2026 (up to 11:00 PM). Please remember that this is a limited departmental examination. Only existing regular Group 'C' or Multi-Tasking Staff (MTS) employees of the participating cadres are allowed to apply. Every application must be forwarded through the proper channel by the Head of Department or Office. The Computer Based Examination is tentatively scheduled for July–August 2026 and will be held in Delhi-NCR only.

Important: Who Can Apply (and Who Cannot)

Because this is an LDCE (Limited Departmental Competitive Examination), the eligibility rules are much stricter than a normal open recruitment. Read this section very carefully before you do anything else.

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.

• 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 or 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 or 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 and cadres, as reported by their respective Cadre Controlling Authorities. The reservation break-up is given below in simple table format.

Please note that these 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. You can download the notification PDF directly from the official SSC website at ssc.gov.in.

SSC JSA / LDC LDCE 2025 – Highlights

This quick summary table gives you all the key information about the recruitment at a single glance. Keep this for your reference.

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. No application received after the last date and time will be entertained under any circumstances.

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 only, candidates are additionally required to pass a typing test of 35 words per minute in English or 30 words per minute 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 or MTS in Level-1 (Grade Pay ₹1,800) in the respective cadre is required. This service is counted as on the crucial date that is applicable to your specific cadre.

Crucial Date (Varies by Cadre)

The crucial date for counting approved service and age is not the same for every department. You must check yours carefully from the table below.

Age Limit & Relaxation

For most participating cadres, the maximum age is 45 years, and for SC/ST candidates it is 50 years, 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 is given below.

SSC JSA / LDC LDCE 2025 – Application Fee

For this Limited Departmental Competitive Examination, the notice does not prescribe any application fee for submitting the form. However, a separate non-refundable charge of ₹50 per question applies only if a candidate later chooses to challenge the tentative answer key. This charge 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 carefully.

Step 1: 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.

Step 2: Opt for Aadhaar-Based Authentication
Do this during OTR as it is recommended. Candidates who skip Aadhaar must upload the prescribed proof documents.

Step 3: Log in and find the exam link
Log in with your Registration Number and password, then open the JSA/LDC LDCE 2025 link under the "Live Exam" tab and click Apply.

Step 4: Fill the application form
Fill in your 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.

Step 5: Capture photo and upload signature
Capture your live photograph and upload your signature as per the specifications given below.

Step 6: Upload required documents
Upload all the necessary documents listed below and then Submit. Take a printout of the submitted application immediately.

Step 7: Forward the hard copy through proper channel
Your Head of Department or 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

This must reach by 03-07-2026 (6:00 PM) or by 10-07-2026 for candidates abroad / A&N / Lakshadweep.

Critical Note: Only applications forwarded by the Head of Department or Office will be admitted. A correctly submitted online form alone is not enough.

Documents to Keep Ready Before You Start

Make sure you have all these documents scanned and ready before you begin filling the online form. This will save you time and prevent mistakes.

• 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 or educational qualification proof

• 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

• A scanned signature in the required format

Photograph & Signature Specifications

Follow these specifications exactly as given. Wrong photo or signature is one of the most common reasons for rejection.

For Photograph:

• Must be captured live via webcam or phone in a well-lit area with a plain background.

• No cap, mask, or spectacles are allowed.

• Your face must fill the on-screen red rectangle.

• Pre-existing or scanned photos are rejected.

For Signature:

• Format: JPEG or JPG only

• File size: 10 to 20 KB

• Dimensions: About 6.0 cm × 2.0 cm

• Sign so that 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. Part-I is for 200 marks (the written exams) and Part-II is for 60 marks (service record evaluation). Paper-I is descriptive (written) and Paper-II is the objective Computer Based Test (CBT).

Part-I: Written + Computer Based Examination (200 Marks)

Note for scribe-eligible candidates: They 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 or Hindi) that they chose in the application form.

Part-II: Evaluation of Record of Service (60 Marks)

A total of 60 marks are reserved for evaluation of the APARs (Annual Performance Appraisal Reports). These marks are added to the exam scores 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 examination, not a qualifying one. The selection proceeds stage by stage as explained below.

Stage 1: Paper-II (CBT) qualifying
Candidates must clear the minimum marks fixed for Paper-II to have their Paper-I evaluated.

Stage 2: Paper-I (Descriptive) evaluation
Only those who qualify in Paper-II will have their descriptive paper assessed.

Stage 3: APAR evaluation (Part-II)
Based on the aggregate of Paper-I and Paper-II, shortlisted candidates move to service-record evaluation.

Stage 4: Final merit
The final merit list is prepared on the combined total of Paper-I + Paper-II + Part-II (APAR) = 260 marks. This is done cadre-wise, subject to reservation rules. In case of ties, they are resolved by Paper-I marks first, then Paper-II part (a), then Paper-II total, then date of birth (older ranked higher), and finally alphabetical order.

SSC JSA / LDC LDCE 2025 – Syllabus

Knowing the syllabus helps you prepare better. Here is what you need to study for each paper.

Paper-I (Short Essay): You will have to write one essay of 400 to 500 words on any of the specified subjects. Practice writing clear and structured essays on general topics.

Paper-II (a) Language: This section covers simple composition and applied grammar in the chosen medium (English or Hindi). Focus on basic grammar rules and sentence formation.

Paper-II (b) General Knowledge: This includes current events, matters of everyday observation and experience, and general information about India. Read newspapers and stay updated on current affairs.

SSC JSA / LDC Salary 2026

Selected candidates are appointed in Pay Level-2 under the 7th CPC, which is ₹19,900 to ₹63,200 per month, 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. The salary is good and comes with job security.

Common Reasons SSC Applications Get Rejected

A large number of LDCE applications fail on avoidable mistakes. Double-check all of these before submitting your form.

• Application not forwarded by the Head of Department or Office (this is the single biggest cause of rejection)

• Multiple applications submitted for the same exam

• Photograph with 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 like name, father's name, 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 being sent

What to Do If the SSC Website Is Slow

Traffic on the SSC portal spikes near the closing date. If you face issues, follow these simple tips.

• Apply during off-peak hours like late at night or early morning, rather than on the last day.

• Clear your browser cache and cookies, or use an incognito or private tab.

• Try a different browser like Chrome, Firefox, or Edge, or switch between Wi-Fi and mobile data.

• Keep all documents pre-scanned and ready in the correct format so a session timeout does not cost you the whole form.

• Save a draft frequently and take a printout immediately after final submission.

Exam Day Guidelines

Be well prepared on the exam day. Follow these guidelines to avoid any last-minute trouble.

• 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 to 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 or wireless devices, smartwatches, and electronic gadgets are strictly prohibited. SSC conducts post-exam log, biometric, and CCTV analysis. Malpractice attracts debarment of 1 to 7 years depending on the offence.

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