The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the notice for the Combined Section Officers’ (Grade-‘B’) Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE) — 2025 and the Combined Stenographers’ (Grade-‘B’/Grade-‘I’) LDCE (for select earlier years). The written examination is scheduled on 13 & 14 December 2025 at multiple centres across India. Read this post for exam highlights, how to apply, eligibility, important dates and links to apply on upsconline.nic.in.
Overview / Quick Highlights
| Exam | Combined Section Officers’ (Grade-‘B’) LDCE — 2025 & Combined Stenographers’ LDCE (2019–21) |
|---|---|
| Conducting body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Exam dates | 13 & 14 December 2025 (Written) |
| Apply online (start) | 17 September 2025 |
| Apply online (last) | 07 October 2025 (till 06:00 PM) |
| Last date for receipt of printed copy via channel | 24 October 2025 |
| Exam centres | Chennai, Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Nagpur, Noida (Gautam Buddha Nagar), Ghaziabad, Faridabad, Gurugram |
| Official apply link | Apply on UPSC Portal |
Services / Categories covered
Candidates must clearly indicate the Category they are competing for in the application. Recruitment will be made for the following categories (final vacancy numbers will be published by the Cadre Controlling Authorities):
- Category I: Section Officers’ Grade — Central Secretariat Service
- Category II: Section Officer Grade — General Cadre of Indian Foreign Service (Branch ‘B’)
- Category III: Section Officers’ Grade — Railway Board Secretariat Service (RBSS)
- Category VIII: Section Officers’ Grade — Intelligence Bureau
- Category X: Section Officers — Armed Forces Headquarters Civil Service
- Category XI: Assistant Director / Section Officers / Manager Gr.I — Employees’ State Insurance Corporation
Eligibility & Important Instructions
Before filling the application, candidates must read the Notice and Rules (Gazette of India dated 17th September 2025) carefully to confirm eligibility. Key points:
- The rules and eligibility conditions cannot be relaxed — ensure you meet the prescribed criteria.
- Admission to stages of the exam (written & service record evaluation) is provisional, subject to verification of eligibility.
- Candidates must select their exam centre from the list in the notice. No change of centre will be permitted later.
- Carry official identity card and downloaded e-Admit Card to the exam centre. No paper admit card will be issued.
- Signatures on application, attendance list and all correspondence must match exactly.
How to Apply — Step by Step
- Visit https://upsconline.nic.in/login. Create account and complete Universal Registration Number (URN) if not already done.
- Complete the Common Application Form (CAF) and then fill the Exam Specific Form for the LDCE during the window (17.09.2025 — 07.10.2025).
- Upload required documents (photograph & signature in .jpg; size 20 KB–300 KB). Photo must be less than 10 days old and face should occupy 3/4th of the frame.
- Submit online application and download the printed copy. Keep a copy for your records.
- Forward the printed copy to your Ministry/Department for verification. The Ministry/Department will forward to the Cadre Controlling Authority (CCA) and the CCA will forward the verified application to UPSC.
- Ensure your printed application reaches UPSC through the prescribed channel on or before 24 October 2025.
Important: Only candidates whose printed copies are forwarded by the CCAs will be considered for admission. UPSC is not responsible for delays in receiving printed copies.
Important Dates
| Event | Date / Time |
|---|---|
| Online application start | 17 September 2025 |
| Online application end | 07 October 2025 (06:00 PM) |
| Last date for printed copy (via Dept. → CCA → UPSC) | 24 October 2025 |
| Written Examination | 13 & 14 December 2025 |
Helpdesk & QPRep
For application help, UPSC has provided a helpline: 011-24041001 (10:00 AM to 5:30 PM on working days during the application window).
Post-exam, candidates may raise question paper representations only through the Online Question Paper Representation Portal (QPRep) at https://upsconline.gov.in/miscellaneous/QPRep/. Submissions are allowed within 7 days from the next date of the examination — no other mode of representation will be accepted.
Important Links
| Purpose | Link |
|---|---|
| Apply / Login | https://upsconline.nic.in/login |
| UPSC Portal — Apply | https://upsconline.nic.in/exam-apply |
| QPRep Portal | Question Paper Representation |
| UPSC Official Website | https://www.upsc.gov.in |
Conclusion
This Combined LDCE is an important internal recruitment pathway for central services. Candidates should apply online before 07 Oct 2025 (06:00 PM), ensure their printed application is forwarded via proper channels by 24 Oct 2025, and keep track of e-admit card uploads on the UPSC portal. Read the full Notice and Rules (Gazette dated 17 Sep 2025) before applying.
FAQs
- Q: Where do I apply online?
- A: Apply at upsconline.nic.in. Create URN and complete CAF before filling exam-specific form.
- Q: Is the printed copy mandatory?
- A: Yes — your printed and duly verified copy must reach UPSC through the prescribed departmental/CCA channel by 24 Oct 2025.
- Q: Will UPSC send a paper admit card?
- A: No. e-Admit Cards will be uploaded on the UPSC portal. Download and carry the e-Admit Card plus official ID to the exam centre.
- Q: How do I raise objections on questions?
- A: Use the QPRep portal within 7 days from the next date of exam; no other mode will be accepted.
অসমীয়া সাৰাংশ (Assamese Summary)
UPSC-এ Combined Section Officers’ (Grade-B) আৰু Combined Stenographers’ LDCE 2025-ৰ বিজ্ঞপ্তি মুক্তি কৰিছে। অনলাইন আবেদন আৰম্ভ হৈছে 17 ছেপ্টেম্বৰ 2025 ৰ পৰা আৰু শেষ সময় 07 অক্টোবৰ 2025 (06:00 PM)। লিখিত পৰীক্ষা 13 আৰু 14 ডিসেম্বৰ 2025 তাৰিখে অনুষ্ঠিত হ’ব। আবেদন কৰিবলৈ upsconline.nic.in ত লগ ইন কৰক আৰু ছপা অনুলিপি বিভাগ/CCA ৰ জৰিয়তে 24 অক্টোবৰ 2025 লগত UPSC লৈ পঠিয়াব।
