UPSC Section Officers & Stenographers LDCE 2026 – Apply Online Last Date 6 October

UPSC LDCE 2026: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the notification for the Combined Section Officers’ (Grade-‘B’) Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE) 2026, held together with the Combined Stenographers’ (Grade-‘B’/Grade-‘I’) LDCE for 2022, 2023 and 2024. Eligible serving Central Government employees in specified cadres can apply online at upsconline.nic.in up to 6 October 2026.

UPSC LDCE 2026 refers to the Combined Section Officers’ (Grade-B) Limited Departmental Competitive Examination, conducted together with the Combined Stenographers’ (Grade-B/Grade-I) LDCE for the years 2022, 2023 and 2024. Being a Limited Departmental Competitive Examination, UPSC LDCE 2026 is open only to serving Central Government employees in specified feeder cadres, not to the general public.

UPSC LDCE 2026 – Overview

Candidates eligible for UPSC LDCE 2026 belong to specific service categories, including Category I (Central Secretariat Service), Category II (Indian Foreign Service, General Cadre, Branch B), Category III (Railway Board Secretariat Service), Category VIII (Intelligence Bureau), Category X (Armed Forces Headquarters Civil Service) and Category XI (Employees’ State Insurance Corporation). The exact eligibility rules and cadre-wise service conditions vary by category and are decided by the respective Cadre Controlling Authorities.

Important – Who Can Apply

This is a Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE), not an open recruitment. Only serving Central Government employees belonging to the specified feeder cadres are eligible to apply, through the following service categories:

• Category I – Central Secretariat Service
• Category II – Indian Foreign Service (General Cadre), Branch ‘B’
• Category III – Railway Board Secretariat Service
• Category VIII – Intelligence Bureau
• Category X – Armed Forces Headquarters Civil Service
• Category XI – Employees’ State Insurance Corporation

Candidates should check the detailed eligibility rules and cadre-wise service conditions in the official notification before applying, as these vary by category and are decided by the respective Cadre Controlling Authorities. The exact number of vacancies for this cycle has not been indicated at the notification stage and will be intimated separately.

To apply for UPSC LDCE 2026, eligible candidates should visit upsconline.nic.in, register and generate a Universal Registration Number (URN) if not already available, fill out the examination-specific application form, and submit it online before 6 October 2026, 6:00 PM. A printout of the submitted application must then be forwarded through proper channel to the concerned Cadre Controlling Authority by 23 October 2026. The tentative exam date for UPSC LDCE 2026 is 12-13 December 2026. Candidates should regularly check the official notification for any updates regarding the schedule or vacancy details.

How to Apply for UPSC LDCE 2026

1. Visit the official UPSC online application portal at upsconline.nic.in.
2. Register and generate a Universal Registration Number (URN), if not already available.
3. Fill out the examination-specific application form for the Combined SO/Stenographers’ LDCE 2026.
4. Upload the required documents and submit the form online before 6 October 2026, 6:00 PM.
5. Take a printout of the submitted application and forward it through proper channel (via your Ministry/Department) to the concerned Cadre Controlling Authority by 23 October 2026.

Official Notification

Download the official notice here: UPSC Combined SO & Stenographers’ LDCE 2026 Official Notification (PDF)

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Since UPSC LDCE 2026 is a limited departmental exam, serving Central Government employees in the eligible cadres who meet the service and qualification requirements should coordinate with their Ministry or Department well in advance to ensure their application is forwarded through proper channel in time. Candidates are encouraged to read the complete official notification carefully before applying.