SSC CGL Assistant Section Officer (ASO): Salary, CSS/MEA Posting, Eligibility & Career Growth
Parul Rishi27 Nov, 2025
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SSC CGL Assistant Section Officer: The position of Assistant Section Officer in the SSC CGL exam is important for aspirants. SSC CGL ASO is a Group 'B' role and candidates get postings in departments like CSS, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Railways, AFHQ, and Ministry of IT.. SSC CGL Assistant Section Officer (ASO) is a highly preferred post among SSC CGL aspirants due to its pay scale, work-life balance, and central government posting options
Check a complete overview of the SSC CGL ASO role, covering eligibility criteria, exam pattern, salary structure, job profile, career growth, and more.
Also Read: SSC CGL Exam Date
SSC CGL Assistant Section Officer
Staff Selection Commission (SSC) conducts the Combined Graduate Level (CGL) exam to select qualified candidates for the ASO position in various departments. ASO plays an important role in administrative functions in the Central Government of India. Given the intense competition for this role, it is important to understand the details such as salary, responsibilities, and career growth prospects for SSC CGL ASO.| SSC CGL Assistant Section Officer Overview | |
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Aspect |
Details |
|
Post Name |
Assistant Section Officer (ASO) |
|
Recruitment Through |
SSC CGL |
|
Post Type |
Group 'B' |
|
Departments/Ministries |
- Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) - Ministry of Railway - CSS (Central Secretariat Service) - AFHQ (Armed Forces Headquarters) - Ministry of Electronics & IT |
|
Pay Level |
Level 7 (₹44,900 – ₹1,42,400) |
|
Age Limit |
20 to 30 years or 18 to 30 years (varies by department) |
SSC CGL ASO Full Form
ASO stands for Assistant Section Officer, a job profile within various SSC CGL profiles. Given the intense competition with numerous candidates competing for this position, having comprehensive knowledge about the Assistant Section Officer job is crucial.- ASO Full Form: Assistant Section Officer
- ASO in CSS Full Form: Assistant Section Officer in Central Secretariat Service
- ASO in MEA Full Form: Assistant Section Officer in the Ministry of External Affairs
ASO Posting Variants
Check ASO Posting Variants in CSS and MEA:
ASO in CSS (Central Secretariat Service)
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Most common ASO posting
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Stable timings (9:30 AM – 6 PM)
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Work involves file noting, parliamentary replies, drafting letters.
ASO in MEA (Ministry of External Affairs)
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Foreign postings available
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Best perks, but competitive preference
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Knowledge of foreign language is helpful but not mandatory
SSC CGL Assistant Section Officer Job Profile
Assistant Section Officer role involves tasks such as file completion, report generation, routine notations, document drafting, and sending communications to higher authorities in the respective department. In addition to these primary duties, the SSC CGL ASO job profile includes significant responsibilities such as:SSC CGL Assistant Section Officer Career Growth
Upon initial appointment as an ASO, candidates can anticipate their first promotion after a tenure of 5-6 years, contingent upon successful completion of the departmental exam. Subsequently, the career growth is as follows:-
Assistant Section Officer
⬇ -
Section Officer (after departmental exam – 5–7 years)
⬇ -
Under Secretary
⬇ -
Deputy Secretary
⬇ -
Director
Annual Package for SSC CGL Assistant Section Officer
ASOs enjoy generous salaries and various other perks. The monthly salary for an ASO falls within the range of Rs. 44,900 to Rs. 1,42,400, translating to an annual package spanning from Rs. 5,38,000 to Rs. 17,14,800. The SSC CGL ASO salary and job profile significantly contribute to the substantial interest and participation in the SSC CGL exam.SSC CGL Assistant Section Officer Salary Structure
Following the implementation of the 7th Pay Commission, the Assistant Section Officer's Salary is categorized under Pay Level 7, which is outlined as follows:| SSC CGL ASO Salary Structure (Approx) | |
| Pay Level of ASO | Level 7 |
| ASO Pay Scale | Rs 44,900 to Rs 1,42,400 |
| Basic Pay of ASO | Rs 44900 |
| HRA of ASO | 12,123 |
| DA of ASO | 17,000 |
| TA of ASO | 3600 |
| Assistant Section Officer Salary | 76,000/month |
Note: SSC CGL ASO Salary may vary as per the latest modifications done by the government or concerned authorities.
SSC CGL Assistant Section Officer Allowances
In addition to a commendable income, the SSC CGL ASO position comprises various perks and allowances, maintaining consistency across different departments or ministries. The allowances for SSC CGL ASO include: House Rental Allowance, Dearness Allowance, Travel Allowance, Medical Benefit, Paid Leaves, and Pension. These allowances contribute to the overall salary packageSSC CGL Assistant Section Officer Eligibility
To be eligible to take the SSC CGL ASO exam, candidates must meet specific requirements. In order to sit for the SSC CGL ASO exam, a candidate must hold a bachelor's degree or its equivalent from an accredited Indian university in any discipline and must fall into specified age limit.Assistant Section Officer Educational Qualification
As per the SSC CGL eligibility requirements, candidates aspiring for the Assistant Section Officer (ASO) position must possess a Bachelor's degree from a recognized university or an equivalent qualification in any discipline. Additionally, candidates in the final year of their graduation are also eligible to apply for the ASO post.Assistant Section Officer Age Limit
For candidates applying for the ASO position, the age limit falls within the range of 18 to 30 years. Specific age relaxations are provided for various categories:- OBC: 3 years
- SC/ST: 5 years
- PwD + Gen: 10 years
- PwD + OBC: 13 years
- PwD + SC/ST: 15 years
- Ex-Servicemen: 3 years (after deduction of military service rendered from the actual age as on the closing date)
- Defence Personnel disabled in operation during hostilities with any foreign country or in a disturbed area and released as a consequence thereof: 3 years
- Defence Personnel disabled in operation during hostilities with any foreign country or in a disturbed area and released as a consequence thereof (SC/ST): 8 years
SSC CGL Assistant Section Officer Selection Process
The selection process includes Tier 1 and Tier 2 CBTs, followed by document verification. There’s no interview. Posts are allocated considering preferences and marks. A clean verification of documents and medical fitness is essential for the final appointment.
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Tier 1 Exam
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Tier 2 Exam
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Document Verification
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No interview
SSC CGL Assistant Section Officer Syllabus
The syllabus includes topics from Quantitative Aptitude, English Language, General Intelligence & Reasoning, and General Awareness for Tier 1. Tier 2 covers topics similar to Tier 1, additionally computer is included in Tier 2 exam.
SSC CGL Assistant Section Officer Exam Pattern
The SSC CGL ASO exam has two tiers. Tier 1 is a 200-mark CBT with four sections. Tier 2 includes Paper I with Tier 1 subjects and Computer+ DEST. All papers are objective-type. No separate paper exists for ASO, but selection is based on performance in tier 2 and document verification.
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