SSC Stenographer
Recruitment as Stenographer Grade 'C' (Group B) and Grade 'D' (Group C) in central ministries, departments and attached offices.
Eligibility
Class 12 pass from a recognised board. Age is 18–30 years for Grade C and 18–27 years for Grade D, with relaxation of 5 years for SC/ST, 3 years for OBC and 10 years for PwBD. Shorthand is tested at the skill-test stage, not as a formal qualification.
Age limit: 18–30 years (Grade C); 18–27 years (Grade D)
Exam pattern
Computer-based examination of 200 objective questions for 200 marks in 2 hours: General Intelligence and Reasoning (50), General Awareness (50) and English Language and Comprehension (100), with 0.25 marks deducted per wrong answer. Shortlisted candidates take a qualifying shorthand Skill Test: 10 minutes of dictation at 100 words per minute (Grade C) or 80 words per minute (Grade D). Transcription time on computer is 40 minutes in English or 55 in Hindi for Grade C, and 50 minutes in English or 65 in Hindi for Grade D. Final merit is based on CBE marks among those who qualify the skill test.
Syllabus at a glance
English carries half the marks: grammar, error spotting, vocabulary, idioms, sentence improvement and comprehension. Reasoning covers verbal and non-verbal items. General Awareness covers static GK, science, history, geography, polity, economy and current affairs. The skill test examines shorthand speed and accurate transcription.
Upcoming dates
| Event | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| CBE provisional answer key (CBE held Sep 2026) | Oct – Nov 2026 (expected) | expected |
| CBE result | Nov – Dec 2026 (expected) | expected |
| Shorthand Skill Test | Dec 2026 – Feb 2027 (expected) | expected |
| Steno 2027 notification | Apr – Jun 2027 (expected) | expected |
Expected dates follow the usual calendar; confirm on the official notification before planning.
Free prep material
Standard books
- Pitman Shorthand Instructor and Key – Isaac Pitman
- Objective General English – S.P. Bakshi (Arihant)
- Plinth to Paramount (English) – Neetu Singh
- A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning – R.S. Aggarwal
- Lucent's General Knowledge – Lucent Publications
- SSC Stenographer Grade C & D Solved Papers – Kiran Prakashan
How toppers play it
- English is 100 of the 200 marks. Make grammar rules, one-word substitutions, idioms and reading comprehension your daily core, since this section largely decides who is called for the skill test.
- Practise shorthand daily from the start, building from 60–70 to 100 words per minute. Many candidates clear the CBE but fail the skill test, and the gap after the result is short.
- Practise transcribing on a computer, not on paper. The skill test is typed, and errors are counted against permissible limits.
- Attempt the paper in this order: Reasoning, then English, then General Awareness. At 0.25 marks lost per wrong answer, guessing after eliminating two options is worth it.