Government jobPay Level 2Group CNon‑gazetted
Lower Division Clerk / Junior Secretariat Assistant
अवर श्रेणी लिपिक / कनिष्ठ सचिवालय सहायक
Pay Level 2 clerical post via SSC CHSL in central government offices — typing, diary, dispatch and basic file work.
Central government ministries, departments and attached offices · central government
In-hand pay at joining, per month
₹32,000–₹37,000
Lower in small towns, higher in metros. Work out your own city below.
- Exam
- SSC CHSL
- Qualification
- 12th pass
- Age limit
- 18–27 years
- Transfers
- Within your allotted zone/region
- Work hours
- Regular office hours
- Probation
- 2 years
Estimated in-hand / month
₹33,876
Gross ₹37,260 · CTC ≈ ₹5.0 lakh/yr
Where are you posted?
Lower Division Clerk / Junior Secretariat Assistant · rates as of January 2026 (DA 60%). Excludes CGHS, GPF/insurance deductions and special allowances. Estimate only.
New to pay slips? Read how in-hand salary is worked out.
What you will actually do
- Typing letters, notes and statements
- Diarising incoming papers and dispatching outgoing ones
- Maintaining registers and filing papers
- Entering data and moving files on e-Office
- Helping the section with bills and routine returns
A typical day
You are the junior-most clerk in a section. The day is a mix of typing what officers and assistants hand you, entering receipts in the diary, sending out letters, and finding old files when someone asks. Nobody expects decisions from you; they expect accuracy and that things are not lost. There is usually spare time, which many use to prepare for departmental or other exams.
Promotion path
Timelines are ranges and vary by cadre. See how promotions and MACP work.
Lower Division Clerk / Junior Secretariat Assistant (joining)
Pay Level 2
₹32,000–₹37,000 in-hand
Senior Secretariat Assistant / Upper Division Clerk
5–10 years, or sooner through a departmental exam · Level 4 · via dpc
₹42,000–₹50,000 in-hand
Assistant level
Further 8–12 years · Level 6 · via dpc
₹57,000–₹67,000 in-hand
Promotion timelines vary by cadre and vacancies. If not promoted, MACP gives a pay upgrade after 10, 20 and 30 years.
How to get in
Staff Selection Commission
- 1.Tier-I computer-based test
- 2.Tier-II computer-based test with typing or skill test
- 3.Document verification
Eligibility: Class 12 pass from a recognised board. A typing test (35 words per minute in English or 30 in Hindi) is qualifying. Age 18–27. SC/ST: 5 years, OBC: 3 years, PwBD: 10 years (more for SC/ST/OBC PwBD), as per the notification.
The good
- A central government job after Class 12
- Light workload and fixed hours
- Time to study for higher exams
The hard parts
- Level 2 pay is low, especially in big cities
- Slow promotions
- Routine work with no authority
Postings
Vacancies are spread over many departments nationwide. The department and city depend on your rank and preferences. Some offices transfer staff across India, many do not.
Questions people ask
What is the in-hand salary of Lower Division Clerk / Junior Secretariat Assistant?+
Lower Division Clerk / Junior Secretariat Assistant is a Pay Level 2 post with a starting basic pay of ₹19,900. At current rates (DA 60%, January 2026), the starting in-hand salary is roughly ₹32,000–₹37,000 a month, depending on whether you are posted in a Z, Y or X class city.
What is the qualification and age limit for Lower Division Clerk / Junior Secretariat Assistant?+
Class 12 pass from a recognised board. A typing test (35 words per minute in English or 30 in Hindi) is qualifying. Age: 18–27 years. Relaxation: SC/ST: 5 years, OBC: 3 years, PwBD: 10 years (more for SC/ST/OBC PwBD), as per the notification.
Which exam do I need to clear for Lower Division Clerk / Junior Secretariat Assistant?+
SSC CHSL (Staff Selection Commission).
Is LDC the same as JSA?+
Yes. Junior Secretariat Assistant is the current name for Lower Division Clerk in most offices.
Can a graduate apply?+
Yes. Class 12 is the minimum; many selected candidates are graduates.
Compare with similar posts
Data Entry Operator (DEO)
डाटा एंट्री ऑपरेटर
Pay Level 4 post via SSC CHSL in central offices — high-speed data entry and record maintenance on computers.
Senior Secretariat Assistant / Upper Division Clerk
वरिष्ठ सचिवालय सहायक / उच्च श्रेणी लिपिक
Pay Level 4 clerical post via SSC CGL in central government offices — file work, noting and record keeping.
Multi-Tasking Staff (MTS)
मल्टी टास्किंग स्टाफ
Pay Level 1 support post via SSC MTS in central offices — carrying files, upkeep of the office and general help.
Books to prepare for SSC CHSL
- See on Amazon
Fast Track Objective Arithmetic
Rajesh Verma (Arihant)
Shorter and more shortcut-oriented than R.S. Aggarwal. Useful when time per question matters.
- See on Amazon
Lucent's General Knowledge
Lucent Publications
Compact static GK for history, polity, geography and science. It does not cover current affairs.
- See on Amazon
Lucent Samanya Gyan Hindi
Lucent Publications
The Hindi edition of Lucent's GK, widely used for SSC and railway exams.
All 7 books for SSC CHSL, MTS, GD, Stenographer and Delhi Police
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. It costs you nothing extra and does not affect which books we list.
Sources
- SSC CHSL 2026 notice (official PDF)
- Staff Selection Commission — official website
- Department of Personnel and Training
This profile is being reviewed. Confirm details in the latest official notification. Salary computed from pay rules as of January 2026.