What Do You Need for SSC Stenographer?
SSC Stenographer 2026 at a Glance
Recruits Class 12 pass candidates with shorthand skills as Stenographer Grade C and Grade D in central government offices.
Fee exempt: women, SC, ST, PwBD and eligible ex-servicemen. Always confirm details on ssc.gov.in.
Posts, Vacancies and Pay
7th Pay Commission pay levels.
| Post | Vacancies | Pay (₹) |
|---|---|---|
| Stenographer Grade C | 1,021 | Level 6 35,400– |
| Stenographer Grade D | 149 | Level 4 25,500– |
| Total | 1,170 |
Tentative 2026 vacancies as reported; final numbers may change.
Who Is Eligible?
1. Age
As on 1 August 2026: 18–30 years for Grade C, 18–27 years for Grade D.
2. Qualification
Class 12 or equivalent, passed on or before 1 August 2026.
3. Age relaxation
5 years SC/ST, 3 years OBC, 10–15 years PwBD, and others as per rules.
4. Shorthand
No certificate needed to apply, but you must pass the skill test.
Computer-Based Test Pattern
Each section has its own timer. 1 mark per question; 0.25 deducted for each wrong answer.
| Section | Qs | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 50 | 50 | 30 min |
| General Awareness | 50 | 50 | 30 min |
| English Language & Comprehension | 100 | 100 | 60 min |
| Total | 200 | 200 | 2 h |
Minimum qualifying marks: 30% UR, 25% OBC/EWS, 20% others (as reported). Time left in one section cannot be used in another.
Skill Test in Stenography Qualifying
10 minutes of dictation, then transcription on a computer in English or Hindi.
| Grade | Dictation | English | Hindi |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade C | 100 wpm | 40 min | 55 min |
| Grade D | 80 wpm | 50 min | 65 min |
English and Hindi columns show transcription time. Candidates eligible for a scribe get more time (Grade C: 55/75 min; Grade D: 70/90 min).
SSC Stenographer Syllabus
English carries half the marks. Tap a subject to see its topics.
General Intelligence & Reasoning50 questions
- Analogy, classification and series
- Coding-decoding
- Blood relations and directions
- Seating arrangement and puzzles
- Paper folding and mirror images
- Venn diagrams and syllogism
- Basic arithmetic reasoning
General Awareness50 questions
- Current affairs — last one to two years
- History, art and culture
- Geography
- Indian polity
- Economy
- General science and technology
- Sports, summits, awards and books
English Language & Comprehension100 questions
- Vocabulary — synonyms, antonyms, one-word substitution
- Grammar and error spotting
- Sentence improvement and fill in the blanks
- Idioms and phrases, spellings
- Active/passive and direct/indirect speech
- Reading comprehension and cloze test
- Sentence rearrangement
Free SSC Stenographer Study Material
Notes for the written test and practice for shorthand.
These resources are being added step by step. Pages marked “Coming soon” are not published yet.
Reasoning
Practice sets with simple tricks.
Coming soon →General Awareness
Static GK and current affairs.
Coming soon →English
Grammar, vocabulary and comprehension.
Coming soon →Shorthand Basics
Outlines, phrases and speed-building drills.
Coming soon →Transcription Typing
Type accurately in English and Hindi.
Coming soon →Mock Tests and Dictation Practice
Written mocks in the new pattern, plus timed dictation sets.
Under development. The practice sets below are planned and will open here when ready.
CBT Full Mock
English Sectional
Dictation — Grade C
Dictation — Grade D
Previous-Year Papers
Shift-wise papers with answer keys and solutions.
Coming soon.
How to Prepare
Two skills: the written test and shorthand.
Focus on English
It carries 100 of 200 marks — read daily and practise grammar.
Respect the timers
Practise each section within its own time limit.
Shorthand every day
Take dictation daily and raise speed slowly towards 80 or 100 wpm.
Transcribe accurately
Practise typing your notes on a computer within the time limit.
Read GK regularly
Questions often link static GK to recent events.
Take weekly mocks
Attempt full CBT mocks and analyse every mistake.
SSC Stenographer 2026 Dates
Applications ran from 24 April to 15 May 2026. The computer-based test was held on 9–15 September 2026. The result and skill test dates are awaited. Always check the official website.
SSC Stenographer FAQs
What is the SSC Stenographer exam?
The Stenographer Grade ‘C’ and ‘D’ examination is held by the Staff Selection Commission to recruit stenographers for central government ministries, departments and offices. Official information is on ssc.gov.in.
What is the age limit?
As on 1 August 2026: 18–30 years for Grade C and 18–27 years for Grade D. Relaxation: 5 years SC/ST, 3 years OBC, 10–15 years PwBD, and others as per rules.
Does the skill test count in the merit?
No. The skill test is qualifying. The merit list is based on the computer-based test, for candidates who qualify the skill test.
Can I take the skill test in Hindi?
Yes. Candidates choose English or Hindi for the skill test in the application. Transcription time is longer for Hindi.
What speed is needed?
Dictation for 10 minutes at 100 words per minute for Grade C and 80 words per minute for Grade D, followed by transcription on a computer.
Is there negative marking?
Yes. 0.25 marks are deducted for each wrong answer in the computer-based test.