UPSC Section Officers and Stenographers LDCE Recruitment 2026

Overview

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released notifications for two Limited Departmental Competitive Examinations (LDCE): the Combined Section Officers' (Grade-'B') LDCE, 2026 and the Combined Stenographers' (Grade-'B'/Grade-'I') LDCE for 2022, 2023 & 2024. This is an internal recruitment process specifically for eligible serving government employees.

Key Examination Details

• Organization: Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
• Exam Type: Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE)
• Application Mode: Online
• Exam Dates: December 12th and 13th, 2026

Important Dates

• Notification Date: 16.09.2026
• Application Start Date: 16.09.2026
• Application Deadline: 06.10.2026 (until 06:00 PM)
• Hard Copy Submission Deadline (Section Officers): 23.10.2026
• Examination Dates: 12.12.2026 & 13.12.2026

Eligibility Criteria

• Restriction: Only serving government employees who meet the conditions prescribed for their respective service/cadre are eligible.
• Regulations: Recruitment is conducted as per DoPT Rules published in the Gazette of India dated 16.09.2026.

Section Officers' Grade-B Categories

Candidates can compete for various categories including:

• Central Secretariat Service
• Indian Foreign Service (General Cadre, Branch 'B')
• Railway Board Secretariat Service
• Intelligence Bureau
• Armed Forces Headquarters Civil Service
• Employees' State Insurance Corporation

Examination Centres

The exam will be conducted at the following centers:

• Chennai
• Delhi
• Kolkata
• Mumbai
• Nagpur

Selection Process & Exam Pattern

• Pattern: Includes both Objective Type Question Papers and Descriptive Papers.
• Negative Marking: Applicable for objective papers.
• Key Papers: Focus on Government of India Secretariat procedures, General Financial and Service Rules, and Noting/Drafting/Precis Writing.
• Selection: Based on written examination and verification of service records.