The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the examination notices for the Combined Section Officers’ (Grade-‘B’) Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE), 2026 and the Combined Stenographers’ (Grade-‘B’/Grade-‘I’) LDCE for the years 2022, 2023 and 2024, both dated 16.09.2026. These are departmental examinations — only serving employees of the participating Central Government services can appear, not the general public. The online application window is open from 16.09.2026 to 06.10.2026 (till 6:00 PM), and the written examination for both exams is common and will be held on 12 and 13 December 2026.
Quick Navigation
- UPSC SO and Steno LDCE 2026 Overview
- Important Dates
- Participating Services and Categories
- Eligibility Criteria
- Selection Process
- Conditions Attached to These Examinations
- Exam Centres
- How to Apply for UPSC SO and Steno LDCE 2026
- Documents Required
- Exam Day Rules
- Helpdesk
- Important Links
- Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Frequently Asked Questions
UPSC SO and Steno LDCE 2026 Overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Examination Name | 1. Combined Section Officers’ (Grade-‘B’) LDCE, 2026 2. Combined Stenographers’ (Grade-‘B’/Grade-‘I’) LDCE, 2022, 2023 and 2024 |
| Organization | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Notification / File No. | F.No. 9/02/2026-E.IB (Section Officers’ LDCE, 2026) F.No. 9/01/2026-E.IB (Stenographers’ LDCE, 2022, 2023 and 2024) |
| Location | All India / Central Govt (exam centres: Chennai, Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Nagpur) |
| Total Vacancies | Not indicated — the number of vacancies in the various categories has not yet been finalised by the Cadre Controlling Authorities (CCAs) |
| Who Can Apply | Only serving, eligible officers of the participating services listed below (departmental exam). Eligibility conditions are in the DoPT Rules published in the Gazette of India dated 16.09.2026 |
| Age Limit | No age limit is prescribed in the examination notice |
| Application Fee | Not specified in the notice (fee is paid inside the Examination Specific Module of the online form) |
| Selection Process | Written Examination → Evaluation of Service Record → Final Selection |
| Exam Date | 12.12.2026 and 13.12.2026 (written exam common to both examinations) |
| How to Apply | Online at upsconline.nic.in, followed by a printed copy routed through your Ministry/Department and CCA |
| Official Notification | Section Officers LDCE 2026 PDF | Stenographers LDCE 2022-2024 PDF |
| Official Website / Apply Online | upsconline.nic.in (Commission website: upsc.gov.in) |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Date of notification of examination | 16.09.2026 |
| Online application starts | 16.09.2026 |
| Last date to fill the online application | 06.10.2026 (till 06:00 P.M.) |
| Last date for receipt of the printed application in the Commission through the CCA | 23.10.2026 |
| e-Admit Card released | Last working day of the week preceding the exam |
| Written examination (both exams) | 12.12.2026 and 13.12.2026 |
| Representation window on question paper and provisional answer keys | 5 days — from the 3rd day after the exam date to 06:00 P.M. of the 7th day |
Participating Services and Categories
Candidates must clearly state in the application the Category they are competing for.
Combined Section Officers’ (Grade-‘B’) LDCE, 2026
| Category | Service / Grade |
|---|---|
| Category I | Section Officers’ Grade of the Central Secretariat Service (CSS) |
| Category II | Section Officers’ Grade of the General Cadre of the Indian Foreign Service, Branch ‘B’ |
| Category III | Section Officers’ Grade of the Railway Board Secretariat Service (RBSS) |
| Category VIII | Section Officers’ Grade of the Intelligence Bureau (IB) |
| Category X | Section Officers in Armed Forces Headquarters Civil Service (AFHQ CS) |
| Category XI | Assistant Director / Section Officer / Manager Grade-‘I’ in Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) |
Combined Stenographers’ (Grade-‘B’/Grade-‘I’) LDCE, 2022, 2023 and 2024
| Category | Service / Grade |
|---|---|
| Category IV | Private Secretary Grade of the Central Secretariat Stenographers’ Service (CSSS) |
| Category V | Private Secretary Grade of the Stenographers Cadre of the Indian Foreign Service, Branch ‘B’ |
| Category VI | Private Secretary of the Armed Forces Headquarters Stenographers’ Service |
| Category VII | Grade-‘B’ / Private Secretary Grade of the Railway Board Secretariat Stenographers’ Service |
| Category IX | Private Secretary Grade in Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) |
Eligibility Criteria
This is a Limited Departmental Competitive Examination, so it is open only to serving officers of the feeder grades of the services listed above — for example Assistant Section Officers for the Section Officers’ exam and Personal Assistants for the Stenographers’ exam. The examination notice itself does not repeat the detailed service and APAR conditions; they are laid down in the Rules published by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) in the Gazette of India dated 16th September 2026. Check those Rules, and the instructions issued by your own Cadre Controlling Authority, before applying.
| Criterion | Detail |
|---|---|
| Type of examination | Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE) — serving departmental candidates only |
| Eligible officers | Officers of the prescribed feeder grade in the participating service (Categories listed above), as defined in the DoPT Rules dated 16.09.2026 |
| Service and APAR conditions | As prescribed in the DoPT Rules dated 16.09.2026 — not stated in the examination notice |
| Age limit | No age limit is prescribed in the examination notice |
| Forwarding of application | The printed application must be verified by your Ministry/Department and forwarded through the Cadre Controlling Authority; only such applications are considered |
| Nature of admission | Admission at all stages is provisional; candidature is cancelled at any stage if an eligibility condition is not met |
Selection Process
| Stage | Details |
|---|---|
| Stage 1 — Written Examination | Held on 12.12.2026 and 13.12.2026 at Chennai, Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai or Nagpur. The written examination is common to the Section Officers’ LDCE 2026 and the Stenographers’ LDCE 2022, 2023 and 2024. The notice names Paper-II (Procedure of Practice in the Govt. of India Secretariat and attached Offices, and General Financial and Service Rules) and Paper-III (Noting and Drafting, Precis Writing). There is a penalty (negative marking) for wrong answers in the objective type question papers. The full scheme of examination is given in the DoPT Rules dated 16.09.2026. |
| Stage 2 — Evaluation of Service Record | Candidates admitted to the examination are assessed on their service records in addition to the written examination, as stated in the instructions to candidates. |
| Stage 3 — Final Selection | Final selection and declaration of results is governed, among other things, by DoPT O.M. No. 36012/2016/2019-Estt (Res.) dated 12.04.2022, subject to the final outcome of Civil Appeal No. 629 of 2022 arising out of SLP (C) No. 30621/2011. |
| Tie-breaking | Marks are rounded off to two decimal places. Ties are broken in this order: higher written total; then Paper-II and Paper-III together; then Paper-III alone; then the candidate senior in age; and finally at the Commission’s discretion. |
Conditions Attached to These Examinations
| Category / Point | Condition stated in the notice |
|---|---|
| Category II — IFS, Branch ‘B’ (SO LDCE 2026) | Appointment and seniority in the Section Officers’ Grade will be subject to any judicial directive or judgement bearing on recruitment or seniority in that grade. |
| Category III — RBSS (SO LDCE 2026) | The seniority list of the Assistant Section Officers’ Grade is under challenge, so the Category III result for 2026 will be provisional, subject to the outcome of O.A. No. 215/2022 before the Central Administrative Tribunal, Principal Bench, New Delhi. |
| All categories | Final selection is subject to the outcome of Civil Appeal No. 629 of 2022 arising out of SLP (C) No. 30621/2011. |
| Vacancies | The number of vacancies has not been finalised by the Cadre Controlling Authorities, so the notice gives no vacancy figure. |
Exam Centres
| S.No. | Centre |
|---|---|
| 1 | Chennai |
| 2 | Delhi |
| 3 | Kolkata |
| 4 | Mumbai |
| 5 | Nagpur |
No request for a change of examination centre will be entertained, and a candidate who appears at a venue other than the one printed on the e-Admit Card will not be allowed to take the examination.
How to Apply for UPSC SO and Steno LDCE 2026
- Go to the UPSC online application portal upsconline.nic.in and create an account, then complete the Universal Registration (URN) and the Common Application Form (CAF) — these three modules are common to all UPSC examinations and can be filled at any time.
- Fill the Examination Specific Module for your examination between 16.09.2026 and 06.10.2026 (till 6:00 PM), choosing your Category and exam centre, and pay the fee if one applies to you.
- Upload your photograph and signature (sign three times, one below the other, in black ink on plain white paper) and complete the live photo capture asked for in the CAF.
- Submit the form, then take a printout of the online application — you must have it by 06.10.2026.
- Give the printed application to your Ministry/Department for verification; they forward it to your Cadre Controlling Authority, which must send it to the Under Secretary (E-VI), UPSC, Dholpur House, Shahjahan Road, New Delhi-110069 on or before 23.10.2026.
Note: Only candidates whose printed application is forwarded by the concerned CCA are admitted to the examination. Applications received after 23.10.2026 are summarily rejected, whatever the reason for the delay.
Documents Required
| Document | Format / Notes |
|---|---|
| Photograph | To be uploaded in the Common Application Form, as per the size and format given under “Instructions and FAQs” on the portal. Resize your photo and signature → |
| Live photograph | Captured live on the portal while filling the Common Application Form; it must be clear and must match the uploaded photograph. |
| Signature | Sign three times, one below the other, on plain white paper using black ink, and upload the scan. The signature must be identical in the form, the attendance list and all correspondence. |
| Date of birth proof | As sought in the Common Application Form. |
| Educational qualification documents | As sought in the Common Application Form. |
| ID document | Aadhaar Card is strongly advised by the Commission for smooth verification. |
| Official Identity Card | To be produced at the examination venue along with the e-Admit Card. |
| Printed copy of the online application | To be routed through your Ministry/Department and CCA so it reaches UPSC by 23.10.2026. |
Exam Day Rules
| Rule | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| Face authentication | Every candidate must undergo face authentication at the venue, so reach early for identity verification and frisking. |
| Entry closes 30 minutes early | Entry to the venue closes 30 minutes before each session starts. No one is allowed in after that, for any reason. |
| e-Admit Card and ID card | Carry the downloaded e-Admit Card and your official Identity Card. No admit card is sent by post. |
| Mobile phones and gadgets banned | Mobile phones (even switched off), pagers, smart or digital watches, AI enabled glasses, pen drives, cameras, Bluetooth devices and similar items are prohibited; breaking this rule can mean a ban from future examinations. |
| No safe-keeping at the venue | Do not carry valuables, bags or books — the Commission makes no arrangement to keep them and is not responsible for any loss. |
| No travelling allowance | Candidates are not entitled to any TA from the Commission for attending the examination. |
Helpdesk
| Contact | Details |
|---|---|
| Helpline numbers | 011-24041001 and 011-40303444 |
| upscsoap[at]nic.in | |
| Timing | 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM on all working days, from 16.09.2026 to 06.10.2026 |
| What it covers | Application process, fee payment, uploading of documents and examination details |
Important Links
| Link | Click Here |
|---|---|
| Download Section Officers’ (Grade-‘B’) LDCE 2026 Notification (PDF) | Download PDF |
| Download Stenographers’ (Grade-‘B’/Grade-‘I’) LDCE 2022, 2023 and 2024 Notification (PDF) | Download PDF |
| Apply Online / Official Portal | upsconline.nic.in |
| UPSC Official Website | upsc.gov.in |
| Join Telegram Channel | Join Telegram Channel |
| Join WhatsApp Channel | Join WhatsApp Channel |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Filling the online form and stopping there — the printed copy must reach UPSC through your Ministry and CCA by 23.10.2026, or your application is rejected.
- Leaving the form for the last day: the window closes at 6:00 PM on 06.10.2026, not at midnight.
- Editing your URN profile after submitting the application and assuming the change applies — changes only affect applications submitted after the profile is re-locked.
- Not stating the Category you are competing for; the notice requires it to be indicated clearly.
- Signing differently on the application form, the attendance list and later correspondence — a variation in signature can get your candidature cancelled.
- Guessing answers freely in the objective papers, forgetting that there is negative marking for wrong answers.
- Reaching the venue late — entry closes 30 minutes before the session, and carrying a switched-off mobile phone inside can mean a ban from future exams.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last date to apply for UPSC SO and Steno LDCE 2026?
The online application can be filled from 16.09.2026 to 06.10.2026 till 6:00 PM, and the printed copy must reach UPSC through your Cadre Controlling Authority by 23.10.2026.
Who can apply for the Combined Section Officers’ and Stenographers’ LDCE?
Only serving officers of the feeder grades in the participating services (CSS, IFS Branch ‘B’, RBSS, Intelligence Bureau, AFHQ and ESIC) who meet the conditions in the DoPT Rules dated 16.09.2026 — it is a departmental exam and is not open to the general public.
How many vacancies are there in this examination?
The notice gives no vacancy number because the vacancies in the various categories have not yet been finalised by the Cadre Controlling Authorities.
When will the UPSC SO and Steno LDCE 2026 exam be held?
The written examination for both examinations will be held on 12 and 13 December 2026, and it is common to the Section Officers’ LDCE 2026 and the Stenographers’ LDCE 2022, 2023 and 2024.
What are the exam centres for this LDCE?
Chennai, Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai and Nagpur, and no request for a change of centre will be entertained.
Is there an application fee for UPSC SO and Steno LDCE 2026?
The notice does not state a fee amount; the fee, if applicable, is paid inside the Examination Specific Module of the online application, and the UPSC helpline can be contacted for any fee-related issue.
When will the e-Admit Card be released?
The e-Admit Card will be available on upsconline.nic.in on the last working day of the week before the examination, and it is not sent by post.
Is there negative marking in this examination?
Yes, there is a penalty for wrong answers marked in the objective type question papers.
You may also want to read: UPSC Combined Stenographers Grade B LDCE 2020 Result and UPSC ESE Recruitment 2027.
Disclaimer: The information above has been compiled from the official notification for the convenience of job seekers. Candidates are advised to verify all details from the official website before applying.
