| Board | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| State | All India |
| Qualification | Any Graduate |
| Apply Mode | Online |
| Last Date | 23 Oct 2026 |
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has announced two Limited Departmental Competitive Examinations (LDCE) for eligible serving government employees. These are the Combined Section Officers' (Grade-'B') LDCE, 2026, and the Combined Stenographers' (Grade-'B'/Grade-'I') LDCE, covering examination years 2022, 2023, and 2024. Both examinations will be conducted on the same dates, and applications are to be submitted online.
This recruitment is for in-service candidates as per Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) Rules. Candidates must refer to the detailed rules published in the Gazette of India dated 16.09.2026 before applying, as eligibility conditions cannot be relaxed.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Examinations | Combined Section Officers' (Grade-'B') LDCE, 2026; Combined Stenographers' (Grade-'B'/Grade-'I') LDCE, 2022, 2023 & 2024 |
| Examination Type | Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE) |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Official Website | Click Here |
The application process and examination dates are common for both the Section Officers' and Stenographers' LDCEs.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Date of Notification | 16.09.2026 |
| Commencement of Online Application | 16.09.2026 |
| Last Date for Filling Application | 06.10.2026 (till 06:00 PM) |
| Last Date for Receipt of Printed Application (Section Officers' exam, through proper channel) | 23.10.2026 |
| Date of Examination | 12.12.2026 & 13.12.2026 |
| Helpdesk Operational Period | 16.09.2026 to 06.10.2026 (10:00 AM to 5:30 PM, working days) |
For the Combined Section Officers' (Grade-'B') LDCE, 2026, the notification lists various services and categories for recruitment. However, the exact number of vacancies in each category has not been finalized by the Cadre Controlling Authorities (CCAs) and is not specified in the current notice.
The services/categories for Section Officers' Grade-B recruitment include:
Candidates must clearly indicate the Category for which they are competing in their application. For Category II, appointment/seniority is subject to judicial directives. For Category III, the 2026 result is provisional, pending outcomes of specific legal cases.
For the Combined Stenographers' (Grade-'B'/Grade-'I') LDCE, 2022, 2023 & 2024, category-wise services and vacancy details are not specified in the provided notification excerpt.
Both examinations are Limited Departmental Competitive Examinations (LDCE). This means eligibility is restricted to serving government employees who meet the specific conditions for their respective service or cadre. The detailed eligibility conditions are outlined in the Rules published by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) in the Gazette of India dated 16th September 2026.
Specific qualification, minimum service period, and grade-pay eligibility conditions for candidates are not detailed in the provided notification excerpt. Applicants must consult the full official notification and the Gazette of India for complete eligibility requirements, as these cannot be relaxed.
Application fee details are not specified in the provided notification excerpts for either the Section Officers' or Stenographers' LDCE.
Candidates are advised to check the Examination Specific Module on the online application portal or the full official notification for applicable fee information.
Salary or pay scale details are not specified in the provided notification excerpts.
The selection process for these Limited Departmental Competitive Examinations (LDCE) involves a written examination. The specific exam pattern and details are not fully provided in the excerpt, but the examination dates are confirmed.
Final selection will be based on the performance in the examination and adherence to guidelines issued by DoPT, subject to judicial outcomes where applicable.
The Combined Section Officers' (Grade-'B') LDCE, 2026, will be held at the following five centres:
No request for a change of examination centre will be accepted. Candidates must appear at the venue indicated on their e-Admit Card. The Commission reserves the right to change centres and dates.
Eligible and interested candidates must apply online through the UPSC's common online application portal. The application process begins on 16.09.2026 and closes on 06.10.2026 at 06:00 PM.
For the Section Officers' exam, a printed copy of the application must also be sent to UPSC through the proper channel by 23.10.2026.
Candidates should ensure they have all necessary documents and information ready before starting the online application. It is crucial to read the detailed rules and notification before applying.
Q1: What are the examinations being conducted by UPSC?
A1: UPSC is conducting the Combined Section Officers' (Grade-'B') LDCE, 2026, and the Combined Stenographers' (Grade-'B'/Grade-'I') LDCE, 2022, 2023 & 2024.
Q2: Who is eligible to apply for these LDCEs?
A2: These are Limited Departmental Competitive Examinations, so only serving government employees who meet the prescribed conditions for their respective service/cadre are eligible.
Q3: What is the last date to apply online?
A3: The last date to apply online is 06.10.2026, until 06:00 PM.
Q4: When will the examination be held?
A4: The examination is scheduled for 12.12.2026 and 13.12.2026.
Q5: Are there any specific educational qualifications mentioned?
A5: Specific qualification details are not provided in the excerpt. Candidates must refer to the detailed Rules published in the Gazette of India dated 16.09.2026.
Q6: Is there an application fee?
A6: Application fee details are not specified in the provided notification excerpts.
Q7: Where can I find the detailed official notification?
A7: The official notification PDF is not specified in the provided source. Candidates should visit the UPSC official website for the complete notification.