The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) offers one of the most prominent posts through the Combined Graduate Level (CGL) Exam. One of the most common occupations in the Central Secretariat Service is Assistant Section Officer (ASO), formerly known as Assistant (CSS). CSS is the backbone of administrative operations in India’s central government, providing permanent bureaucracy and functionary workers.
SSC CGL ASO Vs SSC CGL JSO
The role of Statistical Investigator is one of the various positions available through the SSC CGL Exam 2025 (Grade II). Candidates who are chosen for Statistical Investigator (Grade II) will be assigned to Group ‘B’ as Junior Statistical Officers (JSO). They will be assigned to the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation’s Subordinate Statistical Service (SSS) Cadre.
Aspirants taking the SSC CGL Exam should be aware of the various SSC CGL Posts, their tasks and responsibilities, as well as the detailed job description for the post they want. Employees of the SSC CGL are compensated differently depending on their roles. A comparison of SSC CGL ASO vs SSC CGL JSO positions is presented below.
SSC CGL ASO vs SSC CGL JSO 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 Junior Statistical Officer (JSO). 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 JSO eligibility criteria to help aspirants make an informed decision.
| Assistant Section Officer(ASO) | Junior Statistical Officers (JSO) | |
| Nationality | A candidate must be either; a citizen of India, or a subject of Nepal, or a subject of Bhutan, or a Tibetan refugee who came over to India, before the 1st of January 1962 to permanently settle in India, or a person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African Countries of Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania (Formerly Tanganyika and Zanzibar), Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia, and Vietnam intending to permanently settle in India. | A candidate must be either; a citizen of India, or a subject of Nepal, or a subject of Bhutan, or a Tibetan refugee who came over to India, before the 1st of January 1962 to permanently settle in India, or a person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African Countries of Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania (Formerly Tanganyika and Zanzibar), Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia, and Vietnam intending to permanently settle in India. |
| Age | 20-30 years However, according to the official notice, there is an age relaxation. | Not exceeding 30 years. However, according to the official notice, there is an age relaxation. |
| Age Relaxation | The following are the permissible higher age limits, as well as the category codes for claiming age relaxation as of the reckoning date: 3 years for OBC, 5 years for SC/ST 10 years PwD Gen PwD plus OBC 13 years, PwD plus SC/ST 15 years Ex-Servicemen 3 years after military service have been deducted from the actual age on the closure date Defense personnel who are handicapped while on duty during wars with a foreign country or in a troubled region are freed after three years 8 years of defence personnel who have been incapacitated in action during conflicts with a foreign nation or in a troubled region and have been freed as a result (SC/ ST) | The following are the permissible higher age limits, as well as the category codes for claiming age relaxation as of the reckoning date: The following are the permissible higher age limits, as well as the category codes for claiming age relaxation as of the reckoning date: 3 years for OBC, 5 years for SC/ST 10 years PwD Gen PwD plus OBC 13 years, PwD plus SC/ST 15 years Ex-Servicemen 3 years after military service have been deducted from the actual age on the closure date Defense personnel who are handicapped while on duty during wars with a foreign country or in a troubled region are freed after three years 8 years of defense personnel who have been incapacitated in action during conflicts with a foreign nation or in a troubled region and have been freed as a result (SC/ ST) |
| Educational Qualification | Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in any area from a recognized university | Applicants must hold a Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university or institute, with a minimum of 60% in mathematics in the Higher Secondary Examination, or any bachelor’s degree with statistics as one of the disciplines. |
SSC CGL ASO vs SSC CGL JSO Vacancies
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.
| Year | Vacancy | Download Link |
| 2024 -25 | 18,236 | Download PDF |
| 2023 | 7,859 | Download PDF |
| 2022 | 36,001 | Download PDF |
| 2021 | 7,621 | Download PDF |
| 2020 | 7,108 | Download PDF |
| 2019 | 8,428 | Download PDF |
| 2018 | 12,613 | Download PDF |
| 2017 | 8,121 | Download PDF |
| 2016 | 10,661 | Download PDF |
| 2015 | 8,561 | Download PDF |
| 2014 | 17,166 | Download PDF |
SSC CGL ASO vs SSC CGL JSO Salary
The SSC CGL Salary scale for an Assistant Section Officer in several departments is shown in the table below.
| DEPARTMENT/MINISTRY | PAY BAND | PAY GRADE |
| Intelligence Bureau (IB) | Rs.9300- Rs.34800 | Rs.4600 |
| Central Secretariat Service (CSS) | Rs.9300- Rs.34800 | Rs.4600 |
| Ministry of Railway | Rs.9300- Rs.34800 | Rs.4600 |
| Ministry of External Affairs | Rs.9300- Rs.34800 | Rs.4600 |
| Other Organizations/Departments/Ministries | Rs.9300- Rs.34800 | Rs.4600 |
| Armed Forces Headquarters (AFHQ) | Rs.9300- Rs.34800 | Rs.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 a.m. to 5 p.m. 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 BASIC | CATEGORY X | CATEGORY Y | CATEGORY Z |
| Basic | 44900 | 44900 | 44900 |
| Dearness Allowance | 13919 | 13919 | 13919 |
| Transport Allowance | 3600 | 1800 | 1800 |
| House Rent Allowance | 10776 | 7184 | 3592 |
| NPS | 4490 | 4490 | 4490 |
| Gross salary | 73195 | 67803 | 64211 |
| CGEGIS | 2500 | 2500 | 2500 |
| CGHS | 325 | 325 | 325 |
| Deductions | 7315 | 7315 | 7315 |
| In-hand salary | 65880 | 60488 | 56896 |
The salary scale for an SSC CGL Assistant Accounts Officer (AAO) are shown in the table below:
| All numbers in INR | X class cities | Y class cities(Higher TA) | Y class cities | Z class cities |
| Basic salary | 47,600/- | 47,600/- | 47,600/- | 47,600/- |
| HRA | 11,424/- | 7616/- | 7616/- | 3808/- |
| DA (31%) | 14756/- | 14756/- | 14756/- | 14756/- |
| TA | 4212/- | 4212/- | 2106/- | 2106/- |
| Gross salary | 77,992/- | 74184/- | 72078/- | 68270/- |
| DeductionsNPS | 5570/- | 5570/- | 5570/- | 5570/- |
| Income tax | 4000/- | 4000/- | 4000/- | 4000/- |
| Professional tax | 200/- | 200/- | 200/- | 200/- |
| CGEGIS | 60/- | 60/- | 60/- | 60/- |
| Total deductions | 9830/- | 9830/- | 9830/- | 9830/- |
| In-hand salary | 68162/- | 64354/- | 62248/- | 58440/- |
The following is a pay breakdown for a Junior Statistical Officers. Applicants who are studying for the exam should go through the information to have a better understanding of the job description and compensation given.
The candidates applying for the posts with pay-level 6 must check the breakdown here.
| SSC CGL JSO Salary Components | Details |
| Pay Scale | ₹35,400 to ₹1,12,400 |
| Grade Pay | ₹4,200 |
| Basic Pay | ₹35,400 |
| House Rent Allowance (HRA) | |
| – X Cities (24%) | ₹8,496 |
| – Y Cities (16%) | ₹5,664 |
| – Z Cities (8%) | ₹2,832 |
| Dearness Allowance (DA @ 31%) | ₹10,974 |
| Travel Allowance (TA) | Cities: ₹3,600Other Places: ₹1,800 |
| Gross Salary (Approx.) | |
| – X Cities | ₹58,470 |
| – Y Cities | ₹55,638 |
| – Z Cities | ₹51,006 |
SSC CGL ASO vs SSC CGL JSO, Powers & Responsibilities
Both the Assistant Section Officer (ASO) and Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) 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 JSO:
| Assistant Section Officer (ASO) | Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) |
| Posted in various Central Government ministries | Mostly posted in NSSO or related ministry departments |
| Drafting, noting, composing, and sending official documents | Processing statistical data and preparing reports |
| Collecting and referencing important files, rules, and precedents | Conducting field surveys and data collection on socio-economic factors |
| Assisting in policy formulation and monitoring implementation | Supervised by NSSO Field Operations Division for field surveys |
| Ensuring timely action and following up on official cases | Providing statistical information to ministries and government units |
| Maintaining communication between Parliament and Central Secretariat | Combination of desk-based and fieldwork depending on assignment |
| Handling parliamentary questions, bills, and assurances | — |
| Managing cadre administration and budget planning | — |
| Preparing replies for court cases and supporting litigation work | — |
| Ensuring uniform government policy implementation | — |
FAQs
Ans. In the SSC, JSO is a technical post. It entails completing a series of examinations offered only to students in particular disciplines. As a result, one could expect a salary advantage, but JSO’s current GP is 4200, which is level -6.
Ans. The primary responsibilities of an ASO in CSS include clerical tasks such as filing and preparing reports, routine notes, and composing and submitting letters to higher authorities.
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.
Ans. The Assistant Section Officer, or ASO, in the Central Secretariat Service (CSS), is a government of India Grade B position. They are essentially desk position that serves as a link between the Parliament and the Central Secretariat.
Ans. 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.
Ans. 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. Although, the registration process has been closed for the SSC CGL 2025.