Central Secretariat Clerical Service (CSCS) & Central Secretariat Stenographers’ Service (CSSS) – FAQs by DoP&T

CSCS & CSSS FAQs

Central Secretariat Clerical Service (CSCS) and Central Secretariat Stenographers’ Service (CSSS)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) — formatted for publication on a blog. The information below is arranged from the supplied DoP&T FAQ PDF. Please verify the applicable rules and latest official orders before relying on eligibility, recruitment, pay or transfer details.

Part 1: Central Secretariat Clerical Service (CSCS)

Q1. What is the role of CS.II Division?

CS-II Division looks after cadre management of CSSS and CSCS, including recruitment, promotion, posting, transfer, manpower requirements, training, and framing or amendment of Rules and Regulations. It also deals with matters relating to the personal staff of the Union Council of Ministers.

Q2. What is the composition of CSCS?

CSCS comprises the following grades:

S. No.	Group	Grade	Classification	Sanctioned strength	Pay scale (7th CPC)
1	C	Senior Secretariat Assistant (SSA)	Central Secretariat Clerical Services; Group C Ministerial	505	Level 4 / Level 6*
2	C	Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA)	Central Secretariat Clerical Services; Group C Ministerial	773	Level 2

* The 30% senior-most SSAs with five years of approved service as on the crucial date (1 July of the year) are eligible for NFSG in Pay Level 6.

Q3. What is the mode of recruitment in various grades of CSCS?

• Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA): vacancies are filled through Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE) — 30% — and Seniority Quota (SQ) — 70%.

• Senior Secretariat Assistant (SSA): vacancies are filled through Seniority Quota (SQ) — 75% — and LDCE — 25%.

Following acceptance of the recommendations of the First Cadre Review Committee of CSS, direct recruitment to the erstwhile LDC grade (now JSA) was stopped with effect from 03.10.2003. It was decided to abolish 85% of LDC posts as they became vacant and retain 15% to provide promotional avenues for Group D employees. It was further decided to abolish 90% of UDC posts as they fell vacant, retaining 10% for promotion of the remaining LDC cadre.

Q4. What are the eligibility conditions for appearing in the LDCE for SSA and JSA grades of CSCS?

For the SSA grade, under the Central Secretariat Clerical Service (Upper Division Grade Limited Departmental Competitive Examination) Regulations, 1966:

• At least five years of approved and continuous service in the Lower Division (JSA) grade on the crucial date.

• Not more than 50 years of age on the crucial date.

• Unless exempted, the candidate should have passed the typewriting test conducted by the SSC or Department of Official Language for confirmation in the lower division grade, on or before the examination notification date.

For the JSA grade, under the Central Secretariat Clerical Service (Amendment) Rules, 2010:

• At least three years of regular service as a Group C employee with Grade Pay of Rs. 1,800 on the crucial date.

• Not more than 45 years of age; the limit is 50 years for candidates belonging to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, on the crucial date.

• Must have passed the 12th standard examination from a recognised Board or equivalent.

Q5. How is eligibility for promotion to JSA and SSA grades determined?

Eligibility is determined on the basis of the prescribed qualifying service and the relevant crucial date. For SSA LDCE and JSA LDCE, the “crucial date” means:

• 1 January of the year if the examination is notified to be held before 1 July of that year.

• 1 August of the year if the examination is notified to be held on or after 1 July of that year.

Q6. What are the criteria for granting NFSG in the SSA grade of CSCS?

The senior-most 30% of SSAs (of the total sanctioned strength) in the cadre with five years of approved service as on the crucial date (1 July of the year) are considered for grant of NFSG in Pay Level 6 of the 7th CPC pay matrix, subject to other conditions.

Q7. What matters concerning the personal staff of members of the Union Council of Ministers are dealt with by CS.II Division?

The Division examines proposals, from the personnel angle, for creation of posts beyond the normal entitlement of Union Ministers’ personal staff. It also deals with relaxation of eligibility criteria for appointment to Ministers’ personal staff, with approval of the Cabinet Secretariat, and compiles consolidated instructions on these matters.

Q8. Where can the instructions governing appointment of Ministers’ personal staff be accessed?

The consolidated instructions may be accessed at: https://doptcirculars.nic.in/OM/ViewOMNew.aspx?id=299&headid=

Part 2: Central Secretariat Stenographers’ Service (CSSS)

Q1. What is CSSS, and which rules and regulations govern the cadre?

The Central Secretariat Stenographers’ Service (CSSS) was constituted in 1951 to meet stenographic requirements in the Central Secretariat and Attached Offices. The cadre is governed by the Central Secretariat Service Rules, 2010 and the Regulations, 2010 framed under them, covering 61 cadre units as stated in the supplied FAQ.

Q2. What are the grades/posts under CSSS, their groups, sanctioned strength and pay matrix levels?

The CSSS cadre comprises the following grades/posts:

Grade/Post	Group	Sanctioned strength	Pay matrix level (7th CPC)
Principal Staff Officer (PSO)*	Group A	339	Level 13 (Rs. 1,23,100–2,15,900)
Senior Principal Private Secretary (Sr. PPS)*	Group A	—	Level 12 (Rs. 78,800–2,09,200)
Principal Private Secretary (PPS)	Group A	1,217	Level 11 (Rs. 67,700–2,08,700)
Private Secretary (PS)	Group B, Gazetted	1,547	Level 8 (Rs. 47,600–1,51,100); Level 10 (Rs. 56,100–1,77,500) NFS after four years of approved service
Personal Assistant (PA)	Group B, Non-Gazetted	1,659	Level 7 (Rs. 44,900–1,42,400)
Stenographer Grade ‘D’	Group C	2,343	Level 4 (Rs. 25,500–81,100); Level 6 (Rs. 35,400–1,12,400) NFSG as per DoP&T zone on completion of five years of approved service

* The posts of Principal Staff Officer (PSO) and Senior Principal Private Secretary (Sr. PPS) are interoperable.

Q3. What is a Select List Year/Recruitment Year in CSSS?

A Select List Year/Recruitment Year runs from 1 July of one year to 30 June of the following year. For example, Select List Year 2026 covers 01.07.2026 to 30.06.2027.

Q4. At which grade does direct recruitment take place in CSSS, and what are the eligibility conditions?

Direct recruitment takes place only at the Stenographer Grade ‘D’ level. The FAQ lists the following conditions:

• 12th pass.

• Age of 18 years or above but less than 27 years on 1 August of the year in which the examination is held.

Q5. What is the Rotational Transfer Policy (RTP) applicable to CSSS officers/officials?

Under the RTP, CSSS officers/officials are transferred between Group A and Group B Ministries/Departments after completion of the prescribed tenure:

Grade	Prescribed tenure
Stenographer Grade ‘D’	10 years
Personal Assistant (PA)	8 years
Private Secretary (PS)	8 years
Principal Private Secretary (PPS)	6 years
Senior Principal Private Secretary (Sr. PPS)	6 years
Principal Staff Officer (PSO)	6 years

Q6. Is the prescribed RTP tenure reduced for any Ministries/Departments?

Yes. The prescribed tenure is reduced by one year for:

• Department of Personnel and Training

• Ministry of Home Affairs

• Ministry of Defence

• Department of Legal Affairs

• Department of Expenditure

Q7. Which officers/officials are exempted from transfer under RTP?

Officers/officials are exempted from RTP if they are due to retire on superannuation within two years, or are likely to be promoted within one year.

Q8. Are posting preferences obtained before transfer under RTP?

Yes. Posting preferences are sought from the concerned officers/officials before transfer. However, for postings to the PMO, Cabinet Secretariat or President’s Secretariat, willingness is not sought; officers may be posted to these offices even without completing their tenure in the cadre unit/Ministry/Department.

Q9. Is an officer liable to be transferred on promotion?

Yes. On completion of the prescribed tenure, transfer on promotion applies as per RTP guidelines.

Q10. Can an officer nearing retirement be exempted from transfer on promotion?

An officer due to retire on superannuation within two years may be exempted from transfer on promotion, subject to availability of a vacancy. If no vacancy is available, the officer may be transferred to another cadre unit. An officer due to retire within six months may be exempted even if no vacancy is available.

Q11. Are PwBD officers/officials and caregivers of dependent PwBD officers/officials exempted from transfer under RTP?

This is regulated under DoP&T Office Memorandum No. 36035/44/2023-Estt.(Res.II), dated 02.02.2024.

Q12. How are outstation vacancies in the PS, PA and Stenographer Grade ‘D’ grades filled?

1. The concerned cadre unit first circulates the vacancy within the Ministry/Department.

2. If no suitable official is available within that Ministry/Department, DoPT may be approached to circulate the vacancy among all participating Ministries/Departments.

3. The selected official will serve the prescribed tenure at the outstation office, regardless of the tenure already completed in Delhi.

Q13. How are outstation vacancies in PPS, Sr. PPS and PSO grades filled?

DoPT circulates outstation vacancies in the PPS, Sr. PPS and PSO grades among all Ministries/Departments. An officer selected for such an outstation posting will have a tenure of six years at that office.

Q14. Where should a CSSS officer/official report after completing deputation?

All CSSS officers/officials must report to CS.II Division, DoPT after completing deputation for further posting.

Q15. Is reporting to CS.II Division required after long leave or long-term training?

Yes. CSSS officers/officials must report to CS.II Division after completing long leave or long-term training exceeding six months, for further posting.

Q16. What training programmes are prescribed for CSSS officers/officials?

The Institute of Secretariat Training and Management (ISTM) conducts the following training programmes:

Training programme	Eligibility	Duration
Level-I Programme	Stenographer Grade ‘D’ with 7 years’ regular service	3 weeks
Level-II Programme	PA with 3 years’ regular service	2 weeks
Level-III Programme	PS with 4 years’ regular service	3 weeks
Level-IV Programme	PPS with 4 years’ regular service	4 weeks
Level-V Programme	Sr. PPS with 4 years’ regular service	3 weeks

Q17. Are these training programmes linked with promotion?

Yes. The supplied PDF states that Level-I to Level-IV training programmes are mandatory for promotion. The detailed promotion conditions should be verified from the applicable CSSS Cadre Training Plan and the relevant DoP&T Office Memoranda.