UPSC Section Officers and Stenographers LDCE 2026 Notification Out – Apply Online by 6th October 2026

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released notifications for the Combined Section Officers’ (Grade-B) Limited Departmental Competitive Examination, 2026 and the Combined Stenographers’ (Grade-B/Grade-I) Limited Departmental Competitive Examination for 2022, 2023 and 2024.

UPSC Section Officers and Stenographers LDCE 2026

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UPSC Section Officers and Stenographers LDCE 2026 – Overview

Particulars	Details
Organization	Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
Examination Type	Limited Departmental Competitive Examination
Examination 1	Combined Section Officers’ (Grade-B) LDCE, 2026
Examination 2	Combined Stenographers’ (Grade-B/Grade-I) LDCE, 2022, 2023 & 2024
Notification Date	16 September 2026
Application Mode	Online
Application Start Date	16 September 2026
Last Date to Apply	6 October 2026
Exam Date	12 & 13 December 2026
Official Application Portal	upsconline.nic.in
Official Website	upsc.gov.in

UPSC LDCE 2026 Important Dates

Online Application Starts	16 September 2026
Last Date for Online Application	6 October 2026
Printed Copy Submission for Section Officers’ LDCE	23 October 2026
Admit Card	Last working day of the week preceding the examination
Examination	12 & 13 December 2026
Result	Notified Soon

UPSC Section Officers and Stenographers LDCE Vacancy Details

This recruitment is different from a regular open-market vacancy advertisement. The number of vacancies for the Section Officers’ categories had not been finalized by the concerned Cadre Controlling Authorities at the notification stage. Therefore, a fixed total vacancy number should not be assumed. 

Section Officers’ Grade-B LDCE 2026

Category	Service
Category I	Section Officers’ Grade of Central Secretariat Service
Category II	Section Officers’ Grade of General Cadre of Indian Foreign Service, Branch ‘B’
Category III	Section Officers’ Grade of Railway Board Secretariat Service
Category VIII	Section Officers’ Grade of Intelligence Bureau
Category X	Section Officers in Armed Forces Headquarters Civil Service
Category XI	Assistant Director/Section Officers/Manager Grade-I in Employees’ State Insurance Corporation

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UPSC LDCE 2026 Eligibility Criteria

The UPSC Section Officers and Stenographers LDCE 2026 is not an open recruitment examination for all graduates or job seekers.

It is a departmental competitive examination restricted to serving government employees who satisfy the service, cadre, post and other conditions prescribed under the respective LDCE rules. 

The Section Officers’ examination is conducted according to the rules issued by the Department of Personnel and Training. Candidates should carefully verify their:

• Present post and cadre

• Regular service requirements

• Department/service eligibility

• Category-specific conditions

• Other conditions prescribed under the applicable LDCE rules

UPSC LDCE 2026 Age Limit

The examination is governed by departmental LDCE rules rather than a standard age limit applicable to open-market recruitment.

Therefore, candidates should check the applicable service/cadre rules for age and other eligibility conditions.

Age Relaxation: As per applicable government/LDCE rules.

UPSC LDCE 2026 Application Fee

The available notification information does not provide a sufficiently verified fee amount for publication as a fixed figure.

UPSC Section Officers LDCE 2026 Exam Pattern

The Section Officers’ Grade-B LDCE includes objective-type papers as well as descriptive components.

The notification refers to:

• Paper-II: Procedure and Practice in the Government of India Secretariat and attached offices, along with relevant General Financial and Service Rules.

• Paper-III: Noting and Drafting and Precis Writing.

There is negative marking for wrong answers in the objective-type question papers. The exact penalty should be checked in the detailed examination notice. 

The detailed examination structure for the Stenographers’ LDCE should be checked from its specific notice and applicable rules.

UPSC LDCE 2026 Selection Process

The selection process is based on the applicable Limited Departmental Competitive Examination rules.

For the Section Officers’ LDCE, admission to the written examination and evaluation of service records is provisional and subject to verification of eligibility. If a candidate is subsequently found not to satisfy the prescribed conditions, candidature can be cancelled. 

The Section Officers’ examination also provides for tie-breaking based on examination marks and other prescribed criteria.

Candidates should note that merely submitting an application does not guarantee admission or selection.

UPSC LDCE 2026 Salary / Pay Scale

The notification concerns progression/selection to posts and grades under the respective participating government services.

The exact pay level and allowances depend on the concerned service/cadre and applicable government rules.

Salary/Pay Scale: As per applicable service rules and the concerned cadre.

UPSC Section Officers and Stenographers LDCE 2026 Exam Centres

The Section Officers’ Grade-B LDCE is scheduled to be conducted at:

• Chennai

• Delhi

• Kolkata

• Mumbai

• Nagpur

The examination centre selected in the application cannot ordinarily be changed, and candidates must appear at the venue mentioned on their e-Admit Card. 

How to Apply for UPSC LDCE 2026

Eligible departmental candidates can follow these steps:

1. Visit the UPSC Online Application Portal.

2. Complete the required account creation and Universal Registration process.

3. Complete the Common Application Form.

4. Select the relevant Section Officers’ or Stenographers’ LDCE examination.

5. Fill in the required service and cadre details carefully.

6. Select the applicable examination category/centre.

7. Upload the required photograph, signature and documents.

8. Check all details before final submission.

9. Submit the application before 6 October 2026.

10. For Section Officers’ LDCE, take a printout and submit it through the prescribed departmental channel so that it reaches UPSC by 23 October 2026.

11. Download the e-Admit Card when released before the examination.

The UPSC online process requires candidates to complete the relevant examination-specific module after completing the common registration requirements. 

Important Instructions for Candidates

Candidates should keep the following points in mind:

• This is a departmental LDCE and is not open to the general public.

• Eligibility must be verified according to the applicable service/cadre rules.

• Candidates should enter accurate service and personal details.

• Section Officers’ LDCE candidates must ensure forwarding of the printed application through the prescribed channel.

• Face authentication is mandatory at the examination venue.

• Candidates must carry the required identity document and e-Admit Card.

• Electronic devices such as mobile phones and smart devices are prohibited at the examination venue.

• No request for examination-centre change will ordinarily be entertained.

Important Links

Apply Online	Click Here
Official Notification	Click Here
Official Website	Click Here
More Updates	Click Here
Join WhatsApp Channel	Click Here

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FAQs UPSC Section Officers and Stenographers LDCE 2026

1. What is UPSC Section Officers and Stenographers LDCE 2026?

It consists of the Combined Section Officers’ (Grade-B) LDCE 2026 and Combined Stenographers’ (Grade-B/Grade-I) LDCE for examination years 2022, 2023 and 2024. Both are departmental competitive examinations for eligible serving government employees.

2. What is the last date for UPSC LDCE 2026?

The last date to submit the online application is 6 October 2026. For the Section Officers’ LDCE, the printed application must reach UPSC through the prescribed channel by 23 October 2026. 

3. When will the UPSC Section Officers LDCE 2026 exam be conducted?

The Section Officers’ Grade-B LDCE 2026 is scheduled for 12 and 13 December 2026. 

4. Who can apply for UPSC Section Officers and Stenographers LDCE 2026?

Only serving government employees who satisfy the applicable departmental, cadre and service conditions can apply. The examination is not intended for general public candidates. 

5. How to apply online for UPSC LDCE 2026?

Eligible candidates must use the UPSC Online Application Portal, complete the required registration modules and submit the examination-specific application before 6 October 2026. Section Officers’ candidates also have to submit the printed application through the prescribed channel.