If you already work as a clerk or assistant in a central government office, this is the kind of news worth stopping for. There is a genuine promotion on the table — not another open exam where lakhs of outsiders compete with you.
The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has opened a departmental exam to fill 341 posts of Assistant Section Officer (ASO) / Assistant. It is meant only for people already inside the system — and it lifts you to Pay Level-7.
What the 341 posts are
The vacancies are split across two places:
- 318 posts in the Central Secretariat Service (CSS), under the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT).
- 23 posts in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Cadre Cell.
The grade is Assistant Section Officer / Assistant — a Group B (non-gazetted) post. In plain terms, it is a step up in both rank and pay for serving staff in these offices.
Who can apply — read this carefully
This is a Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE). The word “limited” is the key.
- It is only for serving government employees already working in the feeder grade just below — typically an Upper Division Clerk / Senior Secretariat Assistant in these cadres — who have completed the minimum service the notice asks for.
- The general public cannot apply. If you are preparing for a fresh SSC job from outside, this is not your exam.
So treat it as an in-house promotion route — a faster way up for people who are already in.
The pay: why Level-7 matters
The post sits at Pay Level-7 of the 7th Pay Commission pay matrix. That means:
- Basic pay from ₹44,900, rising up to ₹1,42,400 a month.
- On top of that you get Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA) for your city, Transport Allowance and other benefits — so your real in-hand pay is higher than the basic figure.
Want to see what Level-7 actually puts in your hand each month? Check the full breakdown on our Pay Level-7 page.
Dates you cannot miss
- Online application: 25 June to 16 July 2026 (up to 11 PM).
- Printed copy: after applying online, your signed application has to reach SSC (Northern Region) through your Head of Office by 23 July 2026.
- Exam: a computer-based test, tentatively in August 2026, held only in Delhi-NCR.
How the selection works
There are two parts that add up to 400 marks:
- Part I — computer-based test: two objective papers (Paper-I and Paper-II) of 150 marks each = 300 marks.
- Part II — service record: your APARs (annual performance reports) are assessed for 100 marks.
Your total across both decides the final merit list.
What to do now
- Check your eligibility — your cadre, your grade, and your years of service — against the official notice.
- Get your office’s go-ahead, since the printed copy must be routed through your Head of Office.
- Apply online by 16 July at ssc.gov.in, and keep the acknowledgement.
- Start revising — the exam is barely weeks away.
Bottom line
For serving Secretariat and MEA staff, this is a rare, clean shot at a Level-7 promotion with 341 seats. The window is short — the form closes 16 July 2026 and the exam is expected in August. If you are eligible, do not let this one slip.
Always confirm vacancies, eligibility, dates and the exam pattern on the official SSC notification at ssc.gov.in before you apply. Figures here are from that notice.