UPSC Section Officers & Stenographers LDCE 2026 Notification Out – Apply Online, Eligibility, Exam Date & Last Date

UPSC Section Officers & Stenographers LDCE 2026 notification is out. Check eligibility, last date, exam date, vacancies, exam centres, application process and official links.

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

Both examination notices are dated 16 September 2026. The online application process has started and eligible candidates can submit their applications through the UPSC Online Application Portal. The last date to apply is 6 October 2026 up to 6:00 PM.

The written examinations for both LDCEs are scheduled to be conducted on 12 December and 13 December 2026.

Important: These are Limited Departmental Competitive Examinations (LDCEs). They are not open to the general public. Eligibility is restricted to serving government employees who satisfy the service, cadre and other conditions prescribed in the respective rules.

Important Deadline for Section Officers’ LDCE

Candidates applying for the Section Officers’ LDCE should not stop after submitting the online form.

The completed printed application has to be routed through the prescribed Ministry/Department and Cadre Controlling Authority. It must reach UPSC by 23 October 2026.

UPSC Section Officers & Stenographers LDCE 2026 – Who Can Apply?

This is one of the most important points candidates should understand before applying.

The UPSC Section Officers and Stenographers examinations are departmental competitive examinations. They are intended for eligible serving government employees belonging to the services/cadres covered by the respective LDCE rules.

Therefore, this recruitment should not be treated as a regular open-market UPSC recruitment where any graduate or job seeker can submit an application.

Candidates must satisfy the applicable service, cadre, appointment, qualifying service and other conditions prescribed in the relevant rules and examination notice.

UPSC Section Officers’ Grade-B LDCE 2026 – Categories

The Section Officers’ Grade-B LDCE notification covers the following categories/services:

Candidates should select the category for which they are eligible according to the applicable rules.

Are UPSC Section Officers LDCE Vacancies Released?

The notification does not provide finalized vacancy numbers for the various Section Officers’ categories at this stage.

The number of vacancies is to be finalized by the concerned Cadre Controlling Authorities (CCAs).

UPSC Stenographers LDCE 2026

The second examination is the Combined Stenographers’ (Grade-‘B’/Grade-‘I’) Limited Departmental Competitive Examination for the years 2022, 2023 & 2024.

The examination notice covers eligible departmental candidates under the applicable Stenographers LDCE rules.

UPSC LDCE 2026 Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility for the Section Officers and Stenographers LDCE is governed by the respective departmental examination rules.

The Section Officers’ Grade-B LDCE is conducted under the applicable rules notified by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT).

Because this is an LDCE, candidates must belong to the eligible service/cadre and satisfy the prescribed conditions relating to their appointment and qualifying service.

Important Eligibility Note

The exact eligibility requirements can differ according to the examination and participating service.

• Their present service/cadre
• Whether their post is covered by the LDCE
• Required qualifying service
• Grade/post requirements
• Appointment conditions
• Departmental eligibility
• Any category-specific conditions

Do not apply solely on the basis of a general eligibility summary. Always check the official examination notice and applicable rules.

• Candidates must select the examination centre according to the instructions in the application form.
• No request for change of examination centre will be entertained.
• The Commission may change the centres or dates at its discretion.

UPSC Section Officers & Stenographers LDCE Application Fee

The application fee should be checked in the Examination Specific Module on the UPSC Online Application Portal and in the respective official notification.

Candidates should not rely on fee figures published on third-party websites unless they match the latest official instructions.

UPSC Section Officers LDCE 2026 Exam Pattern

The Section Officers’ Grade-B LDCE includes objective-type and descriptive papers.

The examination notice refers to the following papers in the context of examination and tie-breaking:

Paper-II

Procedure of Practice in the Government of India Secretariat and attached Offices and General Financial and Service Rules, with relevant requirements of the respective service categories.

Paper-III

Noting and Drafting, Precis Writing

Objective-type question papers carry negative marking for incorrect answers as prescribed in the examination instructions.

Candidates should refer to the detailed examination notice for the complete paper-wise scheme, marks, duration and syllabus applicable to their examination/category.

UPSC Section Officers & Stenographers LDCE 2026 Selection Process

The selection process for the Section Officers’ LDCE includes the Written Examination and evaluation of Service Record, followed by the applicable final selection process.

Admission at every stage remains provisional until the Commission verifies that the candidate satisfies all prescribed eligibility conditions.

If a candidate is subsequently found ineligible, their candidature can be cancelled even after appearing in the examination or at a later stage.

UPSC Section Officers LDCE 2026 Tie-Breaking Rules

If two or more candidates obtain equal aggregate final marks, the tie will be resolved according to the prescribed order.

• Higher marks in the written examination.
• Higher combined marks in Paper-II and Paper-III.
• Higher marks in Paper-III.
• Seniority in age.
• Further tie, if required, as decided by the Commission.

UPSC LDCE 2026 Important Examination Instructions

• Face authentication is mandatory at the examination venue.
• Entry to the examination venue closes 30 minutes before the commencement of each session.
• Candidates will not be permitted to enter after the entry closing time.
• Mobile phones and prohibited electronic devices are not allowed inside the examination venue.
• Smart watches, Bluetooth devices, programmable devices, cameras and other prohibited electronic equipment should not be carried to the examination venue.
• Candidates must carry the required identity document and e-Admit Card.
• Candidates should carefully follow the instructions printed on the e-Admit Card.
• Candidates should avoid carrying valuable items because the Commission does not provide a safe-keeping facility.

UPSC LDCE 2026 Representation Against Questions and Answer Keys

Candidates who appear in the examination will have an opportunity to submit representations concerning questions and provisional answer keys for objective-type papers.

The representation window will operate within the period specified by UPSC after the examination.

Representations must be submitted through the prescribed online facility. Representations sent through email, post or other modes will not be accepted.

How to Apply for UPSC Section Officers & Stenographers LDCE 2026

Eligible candidates can apply through the UPSC Online Application Portal.

Step 1: Visit UPSC Online
Go to the official UPSC application portal and access the online application system.

Step 2: Complete Account Creation and Universal Registration
Candidates who have not already completed the required UPSC registration modules should complete the account creation, Universal Registration and Common Application Form as instructed by UPSC.

Step 3: Complete the Common Application Form
Enter the required personal, educational and other details carefully.

Step 4: Fill the Examination Specific Form
Select the relevant LDCE and complete the examination-specific application during the application window.
The application window is from 16 September 2026 to 6 October 2026 up to 6:00 PM.

Step 5: Upload Required Photograph and Signature
Upload the photograph and signature according to the technical specifications provided by UPSC.
Candidates should ensure that uploaded documents are clear and properly visible.

Step 6: Submit the Application
Review all information carefully before final submission.
After submission, save or print the completed application for future reference.

Step 7: Section Officers LDCE – Forward Printed Application
Candidates applying for the Section Officers’ LDCE must follow the prescribed procedure for forwarding the printed application through their Ministry/Department and concerned Cadre Controlling Authority.
The printed application must reach UPSC by the prescribed deadline of 23 October 2026.

Step 8: Download the e-Admit Card
Candidates admitted to the examination can download their e-Admit Card from the UPSC website/online portal when it is released.
No physical admit card will be sent by post.

UPSC LDCE 2026 – Documents and Details to Keep Ready

Before beginning the application, candidates should keep the required information and documents ready, including:

• Valid email ID
• Active mobile number
• Identity details
• Photograph
• Signature
• Educational qualification details
• Service/cadre details
• Date of birth details
• Applicable departmental/service documents
• Other documents required under the respective LDCE notice

Candidates should follow the exact document requirements specified in the official notification.

What Happens After Applying for UPSC LDCE 2026?

After submitting the application, eligible candidates should monitor the official UPSC website for:

• Application-related updates
• Admit Card release
• Examination instructions
• Examination centre details
• Question paper/answer-key related notices
• Results
• Further selection-related instructions

Candidates should regularly check the official UPSC website instead of depending only on social media updates.

UPSC Section Officers & Stenographers LDCE 2026 – Important Links

Section Officers LDCE Notification – Downnload Notification

Stenographers LDCE Notification – Download Notification

Apply Online: https://upsconline.nic.in/

Official Website: https://upsc.gov.in/

UPSC Section Officers & Stenographers LDCE 2026 – FAQs

Q1. What is UPSC Section Officers and Stenographers LDCE 2026?

UPSC has notified the Combined Section Officers’ Grade-B LDCE 2026 and the Combined Stenographers’ Grade-B/Grade-I LDCE for 2022, 2023 and 2024.

Q2. Who can apply for UPSC LDCE 2026?

The examinations are intended for eligible serving government employees who satisfy the applicable service, cadre and other conditions prescribed under the respective LDCE rules.

Q3. What is the last date to apply for UPSC Section Officers and Stenographers LDCE 2026?

The last date to submit the online application is 6 October 2026 up to 6:00 PM.

Q4. When will the UPSC Section Officers and Stenographers LDCE exam be conducted?

The examination is scheduled for 12 and 13 December 2026.

Q5. Are UPSC Section Officers LDCE vacancies finalized?

The Section Officers’ LDCE notice states that the number of vacancies in the various categories has not yet been finalized by the concerned Cadre Controlling Authorities.

Q6. Is UPSC LDCE 2026 open to all candidates?

No. These are Limited Departmental Competitive Examinations. Candidates must meet the applicable departmental/service eligibility conditions.

Q7. Where can I apply for UPSC LDCE 2026?

Eligible candidates can apply through the UPSC Online Application Portal at upsconline.nic.in.

Q8. What is the exam date for UPSC Section Officers LDCE 2026?

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

Q9. What is the exam centre for UPSC Section Officers LDCE?

The notified centres are Chennai, Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai and Nagpur.

Q10. Is there negative marking in the UPSC Section Officers LDCE?

The examination notice provides for negative marking in the objective-type question papers. Candidates should check the detailed examination instructions for the applicable marking scheme.

UPSC Section Officers and Stenographers LDCE 2026 Notification Out – Apply Online by 6 October 2026 | jobss4all.com