The SSC ASO 2026 LDCE is past its apply online stage. Applications closed on 16.07.2026, and the computer based exam was held on 23.08.2026 in Delhi NCR only. SSC then put out a tentative vacancy of 341 on 08.09.2026 and the tentative answer keys on 09.09.2026, with challenges open until 12.09.2026 at 6:00 pm. As on 26.09.2026 the final answer key and result had not been posted. SSC’s own notices call this the ASO / Assistant Grade LDCE, 2025, although the notice and exam fall in 2026.
Only serving Upper Division Clerks of CSS (DoPT) and the MEA Cadre Cell could apply. It was never open to fresh graduates.
Exam, answer key and result status
| Exam stage | Position on 26.09.2026 |
|---|---|
| Notice and application | Notice No. 4/2/2026-CONF-5 dated 25.06.2026, applications closed 16.07.2026 at 11:00 pm. |
| Computer based exam | Held on 23.08.2026, in Delhi NCR only. |
| Tentative vacancy | 341 posts, published 08.09.2026 and counted as on 03.09.2026. |
| Tentative answer key | Released 09.09.2026 with response sheets, through the candidate login. |
| Challenge window | 09.09.2026 6:00 pm to 12.09.2026 6:00 pm, at ₹50 a question. |
| Final answer key and result | Not posted on the SSC notice board as on 26.09.2026. |
Note: The response sheet and tentative key could be seen only inside the challenge window, and SSC says it will not provide them on request afterwards. For Grade C Stenographers LDCE, the parallel departmental exam, SSC posted the final answer key and final marks on 17.09.2026, so a similar notice is the next thing to look for here.
Important Links
| Link | Status on 26.09.2026 |
|---|---|
| Answer key notice, 09.09.2026 | Click here · Opens |
| Tentative vacancy PDF, 08.09.2026 | Click here · Opens |
| Notification PDF, 25.06.2026 | Click here · Opens |
| Challenge guidelines, 10.04.2026 | Click here · Opens |
| Candidate login | Click here · Live, challenge window closed 12.09.2026 |
| SSC website | Click here · Live |
Note: SSC shows answer keys, response sheets and results only inside the candidate login, with the examination roll number and password. The public notices above say when each stage opens.
Vacancy by cadre
| Cadre | Tentative vacancy as on 03.09.2026 |
|---|---|
| Central Secretariat Service, DoPT | 318 posts, UR 187, SC 74 and ST 57. |
| PwBD within CSS | 19 posts, VH 6, HH 4, OH 4 and other PwBD 5. |
| MEA Cadre Cell | 23 posts, all unreserved. |
| Total | 341 posts across both cadres. |
Note: The PwBD 19 are counted inside the CSS 318, not added to it. The June notice itself gave no cadre split, so this September table is the first to show that CSS holds 93% of the posts.
Eligibility and exam pattern
| LDCE rule | What the notice sets |
|---|---|
| CSS, DoPT | Upper Division Grade officer with at least 6 years approved service on 01.07.2025. |
| MEA Cadre Cell | UDC with 6 years approved service on 01.07.2025 and mandatory MEA training done. |
| Paper I and Paper II | Two objective computer based papers of 150 marks each, 300 in all. |
| Negative marking | 0.25 marks for each wrong answer in both papers. |
| Record of service | 100 marks for APAR evaluation, added after the written papers. |
Note: Paper I is 3 hours, with 4 hours for candidates eligible for compensatory time. There is no re-evaluation or rechecking of scores at any stage, and the Commission can fix separate qualifying marks for each paper.
Last checked on 26.09.2026 against the SSC notice board, the answer key notice of 09.09.2026, the tentative vacancy notice of 08.09.2026 and notification No. 4/2/2026-CONF-5.
Mock Tests — SSC
Practice with exam-pattern based mock tests. Instant results, section-wise analysis.
Tracks central and state government recruitment notifications, admit cards, results and cut-offs for Global Drishti, verified directly against official recruitment portals and notification PDFs. Trusted by students and job aspirants nationwide.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the SSC ASO LDCE exam held?
On 23.08.2026, as a computer based exam in Delhi NCR only.
Is the SSC ASO LDCE answer key out?
The tentative key came out on 09.09.2026, and challenges closed on 12.09.2026 at 6:00 pm. The final key was not out as on 26.09.2026.
How many vacancies are there in SSC ASO LDCE?
341 tentative vacancies as on 03.09.2026, 318 in CSS (DoPT) and 23 in the MEA Cadre Cell.
Who can apply for SSC ASO LDCE?
Only Upper Division Clerks of CSS (DoPT) or the MEA Cadre Cell with 6 years approved service on 01.07.2025.
Is the SSC ASO LDCE result declared?
Not as on 26.09.2026. The SSC notice board had nothing for this exam after the answer key notice of 09.09.2026.