SSC CGL ASO vs SSC CGL AAO (Accounts) | Eligibility, Vacancy, Salary, Powers, Responsibilities

Aspirants taking the SSC CGL Exam should be aware of the numerous tasks and duties as well as the comprehensive job description of the position they are looking for. In order to correctly organise their study plan, aspirants studying for the SSC Combined Graduate Level Exam (CGL) should be conversant with the curriculum. Employees of the SSC CGL are paid differently according to the position they have. Here we provide a comparison between SSC CGL ASO vs SSC CGL AAO positions. 

SSC CGL ASO vs SSC CGL AAO

Through the Combined Graduate Level (CGL) Exam, the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) offers one of the most prestigious positions. Assistant Section Officer (ASO), formerly known as Assistant in the Central Secretariat Service, is one of the most popular jobs (CSS). An ASO reports to a Section Officer, who is in charge of the section. A section is the lowest unit in the Indian government. CSS is the backbone of administrative operations in India’s central government, providing permanent bureaucracy and functionary workers. Another way to become a Gazetted Officer in the Government of India is to work as an Assistant Account Officer(AAO). It’s one of just two Gazetted officer positions available via the SSC CGL test.

SSC CGL ASO vs SSC CGL AAO (Accounts) Eligibility Criteria

When preparing for the SSC CGL exam, candidates often compare the SSC CGL Eligibility criteria for different posts to determine which positions they qualify for. Two such popular posts under SSC CGL are Assistant Section Officer (ASO) and Assistant Accounts Officer (AAO). While both offer prestigious career opportunities in various ministries and departments, their eligibility requirements particularly in terms of age and educational qualifications differ. The table below provides a detailed comparison of the SSC CGL ASO vs SSC CGL AAO eligibility criteria to help aspirants make an informed decision.

CriteriaAssistant Section Officer (ASO)Assistant Accounts Officer (AAO)
Nationality– Citizen of India- Subject of Nepal or Bhutan- Tibetan refugee (came before 1st Jan 1962)- PIO from select countries intending permanent settlement in India– Same eligibility as ASO
Age Limit– 20 to 30 years- Born between 1st Feb 1991 and 1st Jan 2001 (approx.)- Age relaxation applicable– Not exceeding 30 years- Born between 2nd Jan 1992 and 1st Jan 2004 (approx.)- Age relaxation applicable
Age Relaxation– 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 service)- Defence personnel disabled in duty: 3–8 years (based on category)– Same as ASO
Educational Qualification– Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized university– Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university- Desirable: CA, CMA, CS, M.Com, MBA (Finance), Master’s in Business Studies/Economics

SSC CGL ASO vs SSC CGL AAO (Accounts) Vacancy

From 2014 forward, the following table shows the total number of SSC CGL Vacancies available for various categories in the SSC CGL Exam. Before applying for the SSC CGL 2025, candidates should look at the table below to see the average vacancy.

YearVacancyDownload Link
2024 -2518,236Download PDF
20237,859Download PDF
202236,001Download PDF
20217,621Download PDF
20207,108Download PDF
20198,428Download PDF
201812,613Download PDF
20178,121Download PDF
201610,661Download PDF
20158,561Download PDF
201417,166Download PDF

SSC CGL ASO vs SSC CGL AAO (Accounts) Vacancy of the previous year

The list of vacant jobs is published in the SSC CGL announcement, along with a breakdown of vacancies by category and post. The openings for 2025 will be revealed shortly. The table below will assist candidates in understanding the departments and postings.

Post
Department
UREWSOBCSCSTTotalESMPwd
Assistant Accounts Officer (AAO)Indian Audit & Accounts Dept (C&AG)00000000
Assistant Section Officer (ASO)Central Secretariat Service (DoPT)69851131015106
Assistant Section Officer (ASO)Intelligence Bureau31011601
Assistant Section Officer (ASO)Ministry of External Affairs388241368904
Assistant Section Officer (ASO)AFHQ (Ministry of Defence)368201598804
Assistant Section Officer (ASO)Other Ministries & Orgs*826312001

SSC CGL ASO vs SSC CGL AAO (Accounts) Salary

The SSC CGL Salary scale for an Assistant Section Officer in several departments is shown in the table below.

DEPARTMENT/MINISTRYPAY BANDPAY GRADE
Intelligence Bureau (IB)Rs.9300- Rs.34800Rs.4600
Central Secretariat Service (CSS)Rs.9300- Rs.34800Rs.4600
Ministry of RailwayRs.9300- Rs.34800Rs.4600
Ministry of External AffairsRs.9300- Rs.34800Rs.4600
Other Organizations/Departments/MinistriesRs.9300- Rs.34800Rs.4600
Armed Forces Headquarters (AFHQ)Rs.9300- Rs.34800Rs.4600

The job’s greatest benefit is the ease with which it may be completed. Workplace stress is manageable, and you get numerous vacation days. Furthermore, the working hours are convenient. You will work a set shift from 9 AM to 5 PM There are no prospects of a move because the headquarters are in Delhi. You will only be assigned to the capital.

Aside from a competitive salary, an Assistant Section Officer in one of the aforementioned departments is also entitled to the following benefits:

ALLOWANCES BASICCATEGORY XCATEGORY YCATEGORY Z
Basic449004490044900
Dearness Allowance139191391913919
Transport Allowance360018001800
House Rent Allowance1077671843592
NPS449044904490
Gross salary731956780364211
CGEGIS250025002500
CGHS325325325
Deductions731573157315
In-hand salary658806048856896

The salary scale for an SSC CGL Assistant Accounts Officer (AAO) are shown in the table below:

All numbers in INRX class citiesY class cities (Higher TA)Y class citiesZ class cities
Basic salary47,600/-47,600/-47,600/-47,600/-
HRA11,424/-7616/-7616/-3808/-
DA (31%)14756/-14756/-14756/-14756/-
TA4212/-4212/-2106/-2106/-
Gross salary77,992/-74184/-72078/-68270/-
DeductionsNPS5570/-5570/-5570/-5570/-
Income tax4000/-4000/-4000/-4000/-
Professional tax200/-200/-200/-200/-
CGEGIS60/-60/-60/-60/-
Total deductions9830/-9830/-9830/-9830/-
In-hand salary68162/-64354/-62248/-58440/-

The figures are based on publicly accessible information. The Assistant Accounts Officer (AAO) is paid at pay level 8, which starts at Rs. 47,600, according to the pay matrix of the 7th pay commission. As an Assistant Accounts Officer, your starting pay would be Rs. 47,600. This portion of your payment remains constant regardless of where you work or what you accomplish. HRA (House Rent Allowance), DA (Dearness Allowance), TA (Transport Allowance), and LTC are some of the perks you’ll get as an Assistant Accounts Officer (Leave Travel Concession).

SSC CGL ASO vs SSC CGL AAO (Accounts) Powers & Responsibilities

Both the Assistant Section Officer (ASO) and Assistant Accounts Officer (AAO) posts under SSC CGL offer unique roles and responsibilities in the Central Government. Understanding their key duties helps aspirants decide which post aligns with their skills and interests. Below is a detailed comparison of the powers and responsibilities of ASO and AAO:

AspectAssistant Section Officer (ASO)Assistant Accounts Officer (AAO)
Posting DepartmentVarious Ministries (e.g., MEA, DoPT, MoD)Indian Audit & Accounts Department (under CAG)
Job NatureAdministrative and policy-related desk jobFinance and accounts-related desk job
Core Responsibilities– Drafting, noting, submitting cases- Assisting in policy formulation & implementation- Reviewing and monitoring policy execution- Coordinating with Parliament and Central Secretariat- Preparing replies for litigation/court cases- Budget and cadre management– Passing government bills- Drafting payment receipts- Supervising subordinates and assigning duties- Maintaining departmental discipline and order- Keeping financial records/registers updated- Drafting reports and statutory accounts- Preparing budget forecasts and financial plans
Work TimingMostly 9 AM to 5:30 PM (govt. hours)Fixed hours: 9 AM to 5 PM (govt. office)
Work ModeDesk job with clerical and file movementDesk job with financial oversight
Skill FocusPolicy analysis, administrative knowledge, coordinationFinancial analysis, auditing, supervision, planning

FAQ’s

Q1. What does an Assistant Section Officer(ASO) do?

Ans. The primary responsibilities of an ASO in CSS include clerical tasks such as filing and preparing reports, routine notes, composing and submitting letters to higher authorities.

Q2. In CSS, what is an SSC CGL assistant section officer?

Ans. The Assistant Section Officer, or ASO, in the Central Secretariat Service (CSS), is a government of India Grade B position. They are essentially a desk position that serves as a link between the Parliament and the Central Secretariat.

Q3. Is SSC CGL a difficult exam?

Ans. Because the SSC CGL question paper is broken into four portions, the difficulty level of each of the four sections ranged from Easy to Moderate.

Q4. Is it a decent job to work for SSC CGL ASO?

Ans. It is the backbone of administrative operations in India’s Central Government, providing permanent bureaucracy and functionary workers. CSS’s “Assistant section officer” is regarded as one of the greatest occupations available through the SSC CGL Exam.

Q5. What is an SSC CGL Assistant Account Officer(AAO)?

Ans. Another way to become a Gazetted Officer in the Government of India is to work as an Assistant Account Officer(AAO). It’s one of just two Gazetted officer positions available via the SSC CGL test.

Q6. Is it possible for a candidate to apply for more than one position in the SSC CGL 2025?

Yes, a candidate can apply for more than one job at the same time for SSC CGL 2025 if they meet the eligibility requirements for both.

Q7. Is there any kind of reservation in the SSC CGL?

No, there are no reservations for government civil servants. Candidates who have served for at least 3 years in a regular, continuous capacity as of the application deadline are eligible for age relaxation.

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