LDCE 2026 — UPSC Combined Section Officers' (Grade-B) Exam
Limited Departmental Competitive Examination
Conducted by Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for Central Government Employees
Quick Facts
Total Vacancies
Multiple Categories
Final vacancy count to be notified by CCAs
Exam Dates
Dec 12-13, 2026
Application Deadline
Oct 6, 2026
Conducting Body
UPSC
Notification Date
Sept 16, 2026
Exam Centres
5 Cities
Chennai, Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Nagpur
What is LDCE 2026?
The Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE) is a promotion examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for central government employees seeking career advancement to Section Officer and equivalent grades.
LDCE 2026 has been notified for multiple vacancies across six service categories: Central Secretariat Service (CSS), Indian Foreign Service Branch 'B' (IFS), Railway Board Secretariat Service (RBSS), Intelligence Bureau (IB), Armed Forces Headquarters Civil Service (AFHQ), and Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC).
The exam tests candidates on three papers: General Studies & Constitution (Paper I, 150 marks), Government Secretariat Procedure & Financial Rules (Paper II, 150 marks), and Noting & Drafting with Precis Writing (Paper III, 200 marks), plus evaluation of service record (100 marks).
Posts & Categories
LDCE 2026 is notified for the following service categories. The final vacancy count for each category will be specified by the respective Cadre Controlling Authorities.
| Category | Service | Eligibility Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Category I | Section Officers' Grade — Central Secretariat Service (CSS) | Assistant Section Officer / Personal Assistant (Steno Grade-C) in CSS |
| Category II | Section Officers' Grade — Indian Foreign Service, Branch 'B' | Assistant Grade / Personal Assistant (Steno Cadre) / Cypher Assistant in IFS Branch 'B' |
| Category III | Section Officers' Grade — Railway Board Secretariat Service (RBSS) | Assistant Section Officer / Personal Assistant (Steno Grade-C) in RBSS |
| Category VIII | Section Officers' Grade — Intelligence Bureau (IB) | Assistant Section Officer / Stenographers Grade-II (Personal Assistant) in IB |
| Category X | Section Officers — Armed Forces Headquarters (AFHQ) Civil Service | Assistant Section Officer in AFHQ Civil Service |
| Category XI | Assistant Director / Section Officer / Manager Grade-I — Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) | Social Security Officer / Manager Grade-II / Superintendent in ESIC |
Vacancy counts per category will be announced by the respective Cadre Controlling Authorities. Category III results for 2026 are provisional subject to outcome of O.A. No.215/2022 before CAT.
LDCE 2026 Exam Pattern
The Combined Section Officers' (Grade-B) LDCE 2026 consists of three written papers plus evaluation of service record, totaling 600 marks. The examination is conducted by UPSC as per the rules notified in the Gazette of India.
Paper I
General Studies & Constitution
150 marks | 2 Hours | Objective
Covers Five Year Plans, Indian Economy, Developmental Schemes, current affairs, Constitution of India, Parliamentary procedures, RTI Act 2005, and machinery of Government.
Paper II
Secretariat Procedure & Financial Rules
150 marks | 2 Hours | Objective
Tests knowledge of Government of India Secretariat procedures, General Financial Rules, Conduct Rules, Leave Rules, and Service Rules relevant to the respective service categories.
Paper III
Noting & Drafting, Precis Writing
200 marks | 3 Hours | Subjective
Evaluates noting techniques, drafting skills, precis writing, and office correspondence. Candidates may answer in English or Hindi (Devanagari).
Service Record Evaluation
APAR Assessment
100 marks | Based on APARs
Evaluation of Annual Performance Appraisal Reports. Minimum 40% required. Marks based on APARs available to the Assessment Board at the time of meeting.
Negative Marking
One-third of marks assigned to a question will be deducted for each wrong answer in objective papers (Paper I & II). No penalty for unanswered questions.
LDCE 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Service Requirement
Candidates must have not less than 5 years of approved service in the eligibility grade and must have earned at least 4 Annual Performance Appraisal Reports (APARs). The crucial date for determining eligibility is July 1, 2026. Candidates expecting to complete the requisite eligibility on the crucial date can apply.
2020 Batch Relaxation
In pursuance of DoPT Order No.21/06/2026-CS.I(P) dated 15.09.2026, Direct Recruit ASOs of 2020 batch in CSS having 3 years' approved service and minimum 3 APARs are permitted to appear in LDCE 2026. Similar relaxations apply for 2020 batch DR ASOs in IFS Branch 'B' and RBSS, and DR ASOs in IB.
Departmental Criteria
Candidates must be serving in the department/ministry for which the vacancy is notified. Applications must be submitted through the respective department after verification of service records. The Cadre Controlling Authority determines eligibility and forwards applications to UPSC.
Other Conditions
Candidates must not have attained the age of superannuation before the exam date. Those who have already appeared in LDCE for the same post are not eligible to apply again. Permanent officers on deputation to ex-cadre posts with competent authority approval are eligible.
Application Process
Check Eligibility
Verify you meet the service requirement and departmental criteria.
Apply Through Department
Submit your application through your respective department as per their internal process and timeline.
Departmental Verification
Your department verifies your eligibility and forwards your application to UPSC.
UPSC Admit Card
UPSC releases admit cards on their website. Download and carry it to the exam centre.
Important: Application deadline is October 6, 2026. Ensure your department forwards your application before this date.
Exam Centres
LDCE 2026 will be conducted at the following examination centres:
Delhi
Mumbai
Kolkata
Chennai
Nagpur
Important Dates
Notification Released
September 16, 2026
Online Application Deadline
October 6, 2026 (6:00 PM)
Last Date for Receipt of Printed Application through Department
October 23, 2026
e-Admit Card Release
Last working day of preceding week of exam
LDCE 2026 Examination
December 12-13, 2026
Result Declaration
To Be Announced
Download Official UPSC Notification
Get the complete UPSC notification PDF with detailed information about vacancies, eligibility, exam pattern, and important dates for LDCE 2026.
Download Official UPSC Notification (PDF)Source: upsc.gov.in
Frequently Asked Questions — LDCE 2026
What is LDCE 2026?
LDCE 2026 stands for Limited Departmental Competitive Examination 2026, officially called the Combined Section Officers' (Grade-B) Limited Departmental Competitive Examination. It is a promotion exam conducted by UPSC for central government employees seeking promotion to Section Officer and equivalent grades across six service categories.
What is the full form of LDCE?
LDCE stands for Limited Departmental Competitive Examination. The full official name is Combined Section Officers' (Grade-B) Limited Departmental Competitive Examination. It is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for departmental promotion of central government employees.
How many vacancies are there in LDCE 2026?
LDCE 2026 is notified for multiple vacancies across six service categories: Central Secretariat Service (CSS), Indian Foreign Service Branch 'B', Railway Board Secretariat Service (RBSS), Intelligence Bureau (IB), Armed Forces Headquarters Civil Service (AFHQ), and Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC). The final vacancy count per category will be specified by the respective Cadre Controlling Authorities.
What is the eligibility for LDCE 2026?
Candidates must have not less than 5 years of approved service in the eligibility grade and at least 4 Annual Performance Appraisal Reports (APARs). The crucial date for eligibility is July 1, 2026. Relaxations are available for 2020 batch Direct Recruit ASOs in CSS, IFS Branch 'B', RBSS, and IB.
What is the LDCE exam pattern?
LDCE 2026 consists of three written papers plus service record evaluation (total 600 marks): Paper I — General Studies & Constitution (150 marks, 2 hrs, objective); Paper II — Secretariat Procedure & Financial Rules (150 marks, 2 hrs, objective); Paper III — Noting & Drafting, Precis Writing (200 marks, 3 hrs, subjective); Service Record Evaluation (100 marks based on APARs).
Is there negative marking in LDCE?
Yes, there is negative marking in LDCE. For each wrong answer in objective type papers (Paper I and Paper II), one-third of the marks assigned to that question will be deducted. There is no penalty for unanswered questions.
How to apply for LDCE 2026?
Applications must be submitted online through UPSC website (upsconline.nic.in) by October 6, 2026. Candidates must apply through their respective departments after verification of service records. The printed application must be forwarded by the department to the Cadre Controlling Authority by October 23, 2026.
How to Apply for LDCE 2026
Check Eligibility
Verify you meet the service requirement: not less than 5 years of approved service and at least 4 APARs. The crucial date for eligibility is July 1, 2026.
Prepare Documents
Prepare required documents including URN, CAF, photograph, signature, and service record details. Ensure your URN profile is up to date.
Apply Online Through Department
Submit your application online through the UPSC website (upsconline.nic.in) by October 6, 2026. Your department will verify your service records and eligibility.
Department Forwarding
Your department forwards the printed application to the Cadre Controlling Authority (CCA) for verification. The CCA must transmit the application to UPSC by October 23, 2026.
Download e-Admit Card
Download your e-Admit Card from the UPSC website on the last working day of the preceding week of the exam. No Admit Card will be sent by post.
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