S.O./Steno (GD-B/GD-I) LDCE 2026: Notification, Exam Date & Eligibility

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially reserved the dates for the S.O./Steno (GD-B/GD-I) LDCE 2026 in its annual calendar. This is the premier opportunity for existing government employees serving in specific cadres to fast-track their promotion to Section Officer or Private Secretary levels.

Unlike open exams, this is a Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE). The notification is scheduled to be released on 16th September 2026, and the exam will be held in December 2026.

Are you eligible for this departmental jump? Do you have the required 5 years of approved service? We have decoded the complete eligibility, participating services, and exam pattern below.

Overview S.O./Steno (GD-B/GD-I) LDCE 2026

Notification Analysis: Participating Services

The S.O./Steno (GD-B/GD-I) LDCE 2026 is conducted to fill vacancies in the Section Officers’ Grade and Stenographers’ Grade B/Grade I. The exam covers 9 specific services.

The Categories are:

• Category I: Section Officers’ Grade of the Central Secretariat Service.
• Category II: Section Officers’ Grade of the Railway Board Secretariat Service.
• Category III: Section Officers’ Grade of the Indian Foreign Service, Branch ‘B’.
• Category IV: Section Officers’ Grade of the Armed Forces Headquarters Civil Service.
• Category V: Section Officers’ Grade of the Intelligence Bureau (IB).
• Category VI-IX: Stenographers’ Grade ‘B’/Grade ‘I’ of the services mentioned above.

Note: This exam is NOT for fresh graduates. It is strictly for serving employees.

Important Dates: UPSC Calendar 2026

Mark these dates to ensure your application is forwarded by your department on time.

Eligibility Criteria: Who Can Apply?

The eligibility for S.O./Steno (GD-B/GD-I) LDCE is complex and depends on your current post and length of service.

1. Service Requirement:

• Candidates must have rendered not less than 5 years of approved and continuous service in the lower grade (e.g., Assistant, Steno Grade C/D) as of the critical date (usually 1st July of the exam year).
• Example: An Assistant in CSS needs 5 years of service to apply for Section Officer (CSS).

2. Educational Qualification:

• No specific academic degree is required beyond what was needed for entry into the lower grade, but the candidate must be a permanent or regularly appointed employee.

3. Age Limit:

• There is generally no age limit for this departmental exam, provided the candidate has not reached the age of superannuation.

Read: SSC CGL 2025 Tier 1 Result Declared: 1.39 Lakh Students Qualify

Exam Pattern & Syllabus

The exam consists of three papers involving objective and subjective types.

Syllabus Highlights:

• Paper I: Constitution, Five Year Plans, Indian Economy, Current Events.
• Paper II: Manual of Office Procedure, Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha/Rajya Sabha, Service Rules.
• Paper III: Precis writing, Drafting of official letters/notes.

How to Apply (Step-by-Step Guide)

Since this is a departmental exam, the application process has an extra step.

1. Online Registration: Visit upsconline.nic.in when the link opens on 16 Sep 2026.
2. Fill Application: Select S.O./Steno (GD-B/GD-I) LDCE 2026.
3. Enter Service Details: Carefully enter your date of joining, current grade, and department.
4. Submit Online: Submit the form and print the hard copy.
5. Route Through Head of Department: The printed copy must be routed through your Head of Department/Office for verification of service particulars.
6. Final Forwarding: Your department will forward the verified application to the UPSC.

Direct Important Links

FAQs: S.O./Steno (GD-B/GD-I) LDCE

Q1: Can fresh graduates apply for S.O./Steno LDCE 2026?

Ans: No. This is a Limited Departmental Competitive Examination. Only serving government employees with 5 years of service in specific grades are eligible.

Q2: What is the exam date for UPSC SO/Steno LDCE 2026?

Ans: The exam is scheduled for 12th December 2026.

Q3: Which departments participate in this exam?

Ans: Major services include CSS (Central Secretariat), RBSS (Railways), IFS (MEA), AFHQ (Defence), and Intelligence Bureau (IB).

Q4: Is there a negative marking in Paper I?

Ans: Yes, there is a negative marking of 0.33 marks for every wrong answer in the objective paper (Paper I).

Q5: What is the role of “Record of Service”?

Ans: 100 marks are allocated for the evaluation of your APARs (Annual Performance Appraisal Reports) and service history.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is based on the official UPSC Annual Calendar. Dates are tentative and subject to change by the Commission. Please verify all details from the official website upsc.gov.in. We are an information portal.