The Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions (Department of Personnel and Training) has officially published the rules for the Combined Section Officers' (Grade-'B') Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE) for the year 2026. The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) will conduct this examination to select candidates for the Section Officers' Grade across various participating Central Government services.
Key Highlights
- The examination will be conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).
- The crucial date for determining eligibility for the SO LDCE 2026 is July 1, 2026.
- Specific relaxations in service length have been granted to Direct Recruit (DR) Assistant Section Officers (ASOs) of the 2020 batch in certain cadres.
- The selection involves a written examination of 500 marks and an evaluation of the service record for 100 marks.
- There is a penalty (negative marking) of one-third of the assigned marks for wrong answers in the objective-type question papers.
Eligibility Criteria & Participating Services
The examination is open to permanent or regularly appointed temporary officers of specific grades who meet the required approved service length by July 1, 2026.
| Category & Service | General Eligibility Conditions | Special Relaxations |
|---|---|---|
| Category I: Central Secretariat Service (CSS) | Not less than 5 years' approved service and at least 4 APARs in ASO or PA Grade. | DR ASOs of 2020 batch with 3 years' approved service and 3 APARs are permitted. |
| Category II: Indian Foreign Service (IFS), Branch 'B' | Not less than 5 years' approved service and at least 4 APARs in Assistant, Cypher Assistant, or PA Grade. | DR ASOs of 2020 batch (3 years' service/3 APARs) and DR PAs of 2020 batch (4 years' service/3 APARs) are eligible. |
| Category III: Railway Board Secretariat Service (RBSS) | Not less than 5 years' approved service and at least 4 APARs in ASO or PA Grade. | None specified. Result subject to outcome of O.A. No.215/2022. |
| Category VIII: Intelligence Bureau (IB) | Not less than 5 years' approved service and at least 4 APARs as ASO or Steno Grade-'II'. | DR ASOs of 2020 batch are provisionally allowed, subject to a separate order. |
| Category X: Armed Forces Headquarters (AFHQ) Civil Service | Not less than 5 years' approved and continuous service in ASO grade. | None specified. |
| Category XI: Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) | Social Security Officer/Manager Grade-'II'/Superintendent with 2 years regular service in PB-2 (Rs. 9300-34800) with Grade Pay of Rs. 4600. | None specified. |
Scheme of Examination
The examination consists of a written part (500 marks) and an evaluation of the candidate's service record (100 marks). Candidates must appear in all three written papers to qualify.
| Paper | Subject | Type | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | General Studies & Knowledge of Constitution, Govt Machinery, Parliamentary Procedure, and RTI Act. | Objective | 150 | 2 Hrs |
| Paper II | Procedure and Practice in Govt. Secretariat, General Financial and Service Rules. | Objective | 150 | 2 Hrs |
| Paper III | Noting and Drafting, Precis writing. | Subjective | 200 | 3 Hrs |
Important Instructions for Candidates
- Minimum Score in APAR: Candidates must obtain a minimum of 40% marks in the evaluation of their record of service (APARs) to be considered for ranking.
- Medium of Examination: For Paper III, candidates have the option to answer in either Hindi (Devanagari) or English. The intention must be clearly indicated in the online application.
- Scribe Facility: Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (blindness, locomotor disability affecting both arms, cerebral palsy) are eligible for a scribe and compensatory time of 20 minutes per hour. Other specific disability categories may avail of this upon producing valid medical certificates.
- Illegible Handwriting: Up to 5% of maximum marks in the subjective paper can be deducted for illegible handwriting.
Conclusion
The SO LDCE 2026 provides an important career progression opportunity for eligible Group 'B' non-gazetted staff in the Central Secretariat, Armed Forces Headquarters, Railways, IB, IFS, and ESIC. Candidates should ensure their service records are updated and prepare thoroughly in accordance with the prescribed syllabus and examination rules.
⚠️ Disclaimer
- Educational Purpose Only: The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only.
- Accuracy & Mistakes: While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, human errors or omissions may occur.
- No Liability: Under no circumstances shall the author or this website be held liable for any loss arising from the use of this information.
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