The Union Public Service Commission has released two Limited Departmental Competitive Examination notifications for the Combined Section Officers’ Grade-B LDCE 2026 and the Combined Stenographers’ Grade-B/Grade-I LDCE for the years 2022, 2023, and 2024. Both examinations are scheduled for December 12 and 13, 2026.
Online applications for both departmental examinations opened on September 16, 2026. Eligible departmental candidates can submit their applications until 6:00 PM on October 6, 2026. UPSC has also prescribed October 23, 2026, as the deadline for receipt of the printed application through the prescribed departmental channel.
The notices further clarify that the concerned Cadre Controlling Authorities have not yet finalized vacancy numbers. Therefore, no category-wise vacancy figures have been announced at this stage.
Table of Contents
UPSC LDCE 2026 Overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Authority | Union Public Service Commission |
| Examination Type | Limited Departmental Competitive Examination |
| Notifications Issued | September 16, 2026 |
| Online Application Start | September 16, 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | October 6, 2026, up to 6:00 PM |
| Printed Application Receipt Deadline | October 23, 2026 |
| Examination Dates | December 12 and 13, 2026 |
| Examination Centres | Chennai, Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Nagpur |
| Vacancy Position | Not yet finalized |
| e-Admit Card | Last working day of the week preceding the examination |
| Mode of Application | Online, followed by departmental forwarding of the printed application |
The two notifications cover different departmental services but follow the same broad application and examination timeline. The written examination for the Stenographers’ LDCE 2022, 2023, and 2024 and the Section Officers’ LDCE 2026 will be common, according to the Stenographers’ examination notice.
Candidates should also note that these are departmental competitive examinations, not open recruitment examinations for the general public. Applicants must satisfy the service and category-specific eligibility requirements prescribed under the applicable examination rules.
Combined Section Officers’ Grade-B LDCE 2026
The Combined Section Officers’ Grade-B Limited Departmental Competitive Examination 2026 will be held for eligible departmental candidates seeking selection in specified Section Officer-level services.
The examination covers the following categories:
| Category | Service |
|---|---|
| Category I | Section Officers’ Grade of the Central Secretariat Service |
| Category II | Section Officers’ Grade of the General Cadre of Indian Foreign Service, Branch B |
| Category III | Section Officers’ Grade of the Railway Board Secretariat Service |
| Category VIII | Section Officers’ Grade of the Intelligence Bureau |
| Category X | Section Officers in the Armed Forces Headquarters Civil Service |
| Category XI | Assistant Director/Section Officers/Manager Grade-I in Employees’ State Insurance Corporation |
UPSC has stated that candidates must clearly indicate the category for which they are competing while submitting their application.
The Commission has not announced the number of vacancies under these categories because the concerned Cadre Controlling Authorities have not yet finalized the vacancy position.
Combined Stenographers’ Grade-B/Grade-I LDCE 2022, 2023, and 2024
The second notification concerns the Combined Stenographers’ Grade-B/Grade-I Limited Departmental Competitive Examination for the Select Lists of 2022, 2023, and 2024.
The examination covers the following services:
| Category | Service |
|---|---|
| Category IV | Private Secretary Grade of the Central Secretariat Stenographers’ Service |
| Category V | Private Secretary Grade of the Stenographers’ Cadre of the Indian Foreign Service, Branch B |
| Category VI | Private Secretary of the Armed Forces Headquarters Stenographers’ Service |
| Category VII | Grade-B/Private Secretary Grade of Railway Board Secretariat Stenographers’ Service |
| Category IX | Private Secretary Grade in Employees’ State Insurance Corporation |
Candidates must specify the appropriate category in their applications.
Here too, UPSC has not disclosed vacancy numbers because the vacancies to be filled under the various categories are yet to be finalized by the concerned Cadre Controlling Authorities.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Released | September 16, 2026 |
| Online Application Begins | September 16, 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | October 6, 2026 |
| Application Closing Time | 6:00 PM |
| Last Date for Receipt of Printed Application | October 23, 2026 |
| Written Examination | December 12 and 13, 2026 |
| e-Admit Card | Last working day of the preceding examination week |
Applicants are required to have the printed copy of their online application by October 6. The completed printed application must then be submitted through the candidate’s respective Ministry or Department for verification and onward transmission through the concerned Cadre Controlling Authority.
The application must ultimately reach UPSC through the prescribed channel by October 23, 2026.
Examination Centres
Both examinations are scheduled to be held at five centers:
- Chennai
- Delhi
- Kolkata
- Mumbai
- Nagpur
UPSC has stated that no request for a change of examination center will ordinarily be entertained.
Candidates must appear only at the venue mentioned on their e-Admit Card. Appearing at another venue may result in the candidate being denied permission to take the examination.
How to Apply for UPSC LDCE 2026
Eligible candidates must apply through the UPSC online application system.
The application framework includes Account Creation, Universal Registration, Common Application Form, and an Examination Specific Module.
After registration, candidates receive a Universal Registration Number, or URN, which remains common across UPSC examinations. A separate Application Number is generated for each examination after submission of the examination-specific form.
Candidates should:
- Complete or verify their UPSC account and Universal Registration details.
- Fill in the Common Application Form.
- Complete the examination-specific module for the relevant LDCE.
- Upload the required photograph, signature, and supporting documents.
- Select the examination center carefully.
- Submit the online application by October 6, 2026.
- Take a printout of the submitted application.
- Forward the printed application through the respective Ministry or Department within the prescribed timeline.
UPSC has advised applicants to keep all supporting documents ready before starting the application process.
Live Photograph and Signature Requirements
The notifications contain specific instructions regarding photographs and signatures.
Candidates are required to upload a photograph and capture a live photograph while completing the Common Application Form.
For the signature, applicants must sign three times, one below the other, on plain white paper in black ink, and upload the image as instructed by UPSC.
Applicants should ensure that the uploaded photograph and signatures are clear and comply with the prescribed specifications.
Printed Application Must Also Reach UPSC
Submission of the online form alone does not complete the process.
Candidates must submit the printed application to their respective Ministry or Department. After verification and certification, it will be forwarded to the concerned Cadre Controlling Authority.
UPSC has clearly stated that only candidates whose printed online applications are forwarded through the concerned CCAs will be considered for admission to the examination.
Applications reaching the Commission after October 23, 2026, through the prescribed channel will not be entertained.
Negative Marking Applicable
Both notifications state that negative marking will apply to wrong answers in Objective Type Question Papers.
Candidates should therefore avoid random attempts and carefully review the marking provisions prescribed for the relevant papers.
UPSC will also provide an online window for representations regarding questions and provisional answer keys for objective papers.
The representation window will remain available for five days, beginning from the third day after the examination and closing at 6:00 PM on the seventh day.
Face Authentication Mandatory at Examination Venue
UPSC has introduced mandatory face authentication for candidates at the examination venue.
Candidates have been advised to arrive at the examination center well in advance to complete face authentication, identity verification, and frisking procedures.
Entry into the examination venue will close 30 minutes before the commencement of each session. No candidate will be permitted to enter after the entry closure time.
Vacancy Details Awaited
A key point in both notifications is that UPSC has not announced the number of vacancies.
The vacancies under individual categories will depend on figures finalized by the concerned Cadre Controlling Authorities. Candidates should therefore not rely on unofficial vacancy estimates.
The current notifications establish the examination schedule, application procedure, eligible services, and administrative requirements, while the final vacancy position will depend on subsequent departmental information.
