SSC Stenographer 2026 Syllabus and Exam Pattern
Staff Selection Commission โ Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
๐ Vacancy Details
| Post Name | Stenographer Grade C and Grade D |
|---|---|
| Qualification | 12th Standard or equivalent from a recognized board or university. |
| Age Limit | Generally 18-30 years for Grade C and 18-27 years for Grade D (subject to official notification relaxations). |
| Salary | As per 7th CPC pay matrix; Grade C (Level 6/7) and Grade D (Level 4). |
| Application Fee | Usually Rs. 100 (Exempted for Women, SC, ST, PwBD, and Ex-Servicemen). |
| Selection Process | Computer-Based Test (CBT) followed by a qualifying Shorthand Skill Test. |
๐ Detailed Notification Information
Overview of SSC Stenographer 2026 Exam Pattern
The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) conducts the Stenographer examination to recruit candidates for Grade C and Grade D positions in various central government ministries and departments. The selection process is divided into two distinct stages: a Computer-Based Test (CBT) and a Shorthand Skill Test.
Examination Structure
| Stage | Format |
|---|---|
| Tier-1 | Objective Multiple Choice (CBT) |
| Tier-2 | Shorthand Skill Test (Qualifying) |
SSC Stenographer CBT Exam Pattern
The Tier-1 examination is conducted online. Candidates are evaluated on Reasoning, General Awareness, and English comprehension. The total duration is 2 hours (120 minutes), with 200 minutes provided to PwBD candidates.
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General Intelligence and Reasoning | 50 | 50 |
| General Awareness | 50 | 50 |
| English Language | 100 | 100 |
| Total | 200 | 200 |
Marking Scheme: Each correct answer carries 1 mark. A penalty of 0.25 marks is applied for every incorrect response. Unattempted questions do not incur a penalty.
Shorthand Skill Test Requirements
Candidates qualifying the CBT are eligible for the Skill Test. This stage involves dictation followed by transcription on a computer. The language of the test (English or Hindi) must be chosen during the application process.
| Post | Speed | English Transcription | Hindi Transcription |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade D | 80 w.p.m | 50 Minutes | 65 Minutes |
| Grade C | 100 w.p.m | 40 Minutes | 55 Minutes |
Detailed Syllabus for SSC Stenographer
General Intelligence and Reasoning
- Problem-solving, analysis, and judgment
- Similarities, differences, and space visualization
- Coding-Decoding, blood relations, and ranking
- Non-verbal reasoning, visual memory, and Venn diagrams
General Awareness
- Indian Constitution and Polity
- History, Geography, and Culture
- Current Affairs and Sports
- Science, Technology, and Economic trends
English Language
- Grammar: Active/Passive voice, Direct/Indirect speech, Error spotting
- Vocabulary: Synonyms, Antonyms, Idioms, and Phrases
- Comprehension: Reading ability, Para-jumbles, and Sentence correction
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Skill Test considered for the final merit list?
No, the Skill Test is strictly qualifying in nature. The final merit list is prepared based on the marks secured in the Computer-Based Test (CBT) only.
Can I change the skill test language later?
No, candidates must specify their preferred language at the time of application. If no choice is made, the default language for the Skill Test is English.
๐ Preparation Strategy for Staff Selection Commission
Securing a government position under Staff Selection Commission requires a disciplined and strategic approach. Candidates with 12th Standard or equivalent from a recognized board or university. qualifications should focus on the following:
- Analyze Syllabus & Pattern: Thoroughly review the official Staff Selection Commission exam syllabus. Understand the marking scheme, sectional cutoffs, and whether negative marking applies.
- Practice Previous Papers: Solving past Staff Selection Commission exam papers and taking timed mock tests is the most effective way to improve speed and accuracy.
- Time Management: Dedicate fixed study hours for quantitative aptitude, logical reasoning, general awareness, and language tests based on the weightage of marks in the Stenographer Grade C and Grade D examination.
โ ๏ธ Safe Application Checklist
To avoid fraud and secure your candidature for the Stenographer Grade C and Grade D position, always complete the following checks before submitting your application:
- Verify Official Domains: Ensure you apply only on official government portals. Check that the website URL ends in
.gov.in,.nic.in, or.ac.in. - Read PDF Notification: Always download and thoroughly read the official Staff Selection Commission notification PDF to check specific eligibility details, reservations, and document formats.
- Beware of Agents: Government recruitments by Staff Selection Commission are strictly based on merit. Never pay money to unauthorized agents promising guaranteed jobs.
How can I confirm if this Staff Selection Commission job posting is genuine?
Every job notification listed on ApplySarkariJob.com is cross-verified with official government gazettes, department portals, and national employment newspapers. We provide direct links to the official Staff Selection Commission website and the original notification PDF in the "Source/Official Links" section above. Candidates are strongly advised to verify all information on the official portal before applying for the Stenographer Grade C and Grade D post.
What should I do if the official application link or PDF does not open?
Staff Selection Commission portals often experience extremely high traffic when notifications are released or close to the deadline, causing official servers to slow down or crash. If a link or official PDF is unresponsive, please try accessing it during off-peak hours (early morning or late night) or check your internet connection.
Does ApplySarkariJob charge any fees for recruitment updates or alerts?
No. ApplySarkariJob.com is a 100% free informational portal. We never charge job seekers for notifications, study materials, or push alerts. If you receive any calls, emails, or messages requesting payment under our name, please ignore them as they are fraudulent.
What qualifications do I need for this Staff Selection Commission recruitment?
The educational qualification required for this recruitment is: 12th Standard or equivalent from a recognized board or university.. Please always refer to the official notification PDF linked in the "Source/Official Links" section above for the most accurate and complete eligibility criteria, including age limits, experience requirements, and category-specific relaxations.
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๐ Source/Official Links
Kavita Nair is an education policy researcher with a Ph.D. in Education from JNU. She contributes well-researched articles on teaching vacancies, UPSC Civil Services, and central government recruitment drives.