SSC Stenographer
Staff Selection Commission — Stenographer (Grade C & D)
SSC Stenographer Grade C & D Examination
The SSC Stenographer Examination is conducted by the Staff Selection Commission (SSC), Government of India, to recruit Stenographers in Grade C and Grade D for various ministries, departments and subordinate offices of the Government of India. Selected candidates work in the Central Secretariat, attached and subordinate offices where they take down dictation and transcribe official documents, correspondence and minutes in English or Hindi. Grade C posts are filled in ministries and attached offices, while Grade D posts are filled in subordinate offices of the Central Government. The examination is held periodically, typically once a year (a national-level recruitment cycle announced through an official notification on ssc.gov.in). The current cycle announced by SSC should be checked on the official website for exact dates and vacancies, as figures below that are tentative are clearly marked.
Overview / Key Highlights
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | Staff Selection Commission (SSC), Government of India |
| Exam Level | National level, Central Government recruitment |
| Mode of Examination | Computer Based Test (CBT) – online; Skill Test (Stenography) – offline/computer aided |
| Medium of Examination | English and Hindi (Skill Test dictation in either language, as opted) |
| Selection Stages | Paper 1 (CBT) → Stenography Skill Test (Qualifying) |
| Number of Papers / Stages | 2 stages (CBT + Skill Test) |
| Negative Marking | 0.25 marks deducted for each wrong answer |
| Exam Duration | 2 hours (CBT) |
| Official Website | https://ssc.gov.in |
Selection Process
The selection process for SSC Stenographer consists of two stages. There is no separate Mains paper; the CBT itself is the only written stage. The Skill Test is qualifying in nature and does not carry marks for merit.
- Stage 1 – Computer Based Test (Paper 1): An objective online examination of 200 questions for 200 marks in 2 hours. It covers General Intelligence & Reasoning, General Awareness, and English Language & Comprehension. Candidates have to qualify this paper to be shortlisted for the Skill Test.
- Stage 2 – Stenography Skill Test (Qualifying): Shortlisted candidates appear for a dictation-based skill test. The dictation is given for 10 minutes and candidates must transcribe it within the allotted time. The skill test is qualifying only – candidates must pass it, and final merit is drawn on the basis of the CBT scores among those who clear the skill test.
- Document Verification / Medical Examination: Candidates whose names appear in the final merit list are called for verification of documents and, where applicable, medical fitness as per the post requirements.
Exam Pattern
The CBT is divided into three parts as per the official SSC pattern (tentative, based on the latest cycle). The total marks are 200 and the duration is 2 hours.
| Part | Section / Subject | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part I | General Intelligence & Reasoning | 50 | 50 | 2 hours (120 minutes) |
| Part II | General Awareness | 50 | 50 | |
| Part III | English Language & Comprehension | 100 | 100 | |
| Total | 200 | 200 | 2 hours | |
Important notes:
- Negative marking: 0.25 marks are deducted for each incorrect answer. No deduction for unattempted questions.
- The questions in Parts I and II will be bilingual (English and Hindi) where applicable, while the English Language & Comprehension section is in English only.
- There is no separate interview or mains for SSC Stenographer.
- The Skill Test is a separate qualifying stage and is not included in the CBT total marks.
- Approximately a fixed ratio of candidates (e.g., around 8–10 times the number of vacancies) are shortlisted for the Skill Test based on CBT merit, subject to the minimum qualifying standard.
Detailed Syllabus
The syllabus below is based on the standard SSC Stenographer syllabus (tentative, from the previous cycle). Candidates should confirm the exact syllabus from the official notification PDF on ssc.gov.in.
Part I – General Intelligence & Reasoning
- Analogy (word, number, letter and figure based)
- Classification / Odd one out (words, numbers and figures)
- Series – number series, alphabetical series, and mixed series
- Coding & Decoding (letter and number coding)
- Blood Relations and Family Trees
- Direction Sense Test
- Venn Diagrams and Syllogism
- Statement and Conclusion / Statement and Assumption
- Word arrangement, dictionary order and letter arrangements
- Mathematical Operations (symbols and number substitution)
- Arithmetic reasoning and simple numerical ability (age, ratio, average type)
- Clock and Calendar based questions
- Missing number and figure matrix questions
- Mirror images and water images
- Paper folding and cutting, embedded figures
Part II – General Awareness
- Current affairs (national and international, including sports, awards and personalities)
- Indian History – ancient, medieval and modern India, freedom struggle and important movements
- Indian Polity – Constitution, Parliament, fundamental rights and duties, Panchayati Raj
- Indian Geography – physical, economic and social geography, rivers, dams and climate
- Indian Economy – budget, banking, five-year plans, national income and economic terms
- Science & Technology – physics, chemistry and biology basics, space and defence programmes
- Static GK – important days, abbreviations, books and authors
- Sports and games, tournaments and sports personalities
- Environment and ecology, including recent environmental summits and agreements
- Miscellaneous national and international organisations (UN, WHO, etc.)
Part III – English Language & Comprehension
- Synonyms and Antonyms
- Idioms and Phrases
- One Word Substitution
- Fill in the blanks (grammar and vocabulary based)
- Spotting the error / Sentence correction
- Sentence Improvement
- Cloze Test (passage with blanks)
- Reading Comprehension passages
- Para jumbles / Rearrangement of sentences
- Spelling errors and incorrectly spelt words
- Active and Passive Voice
- Direct and Indirect Speech
- Prepositions, conjunctions and articles
- Subject-verb agreement and tenses
- Word usage, analogies and ordering of words
Marking Scheme
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Marks per question | 1 mark per question (total 200 marks) |
| Negative marking | 0.25 mark deducted per wrong answer |
| Qualifying marks (CBT) | Varies by category each cycle; SC/ST & PwBD candidates get some relaxation compared to UR/OBC (announced in the official notification) |
| Skill Test | Qualifying only; no marks counted in merit |
| Final selection basis | CBT marks of candidates who clear the qualifying skill test |
Since final selection is on the basis of CBT scores alone (after clearing the qualifying skill test), every single mark matters. Because of negative marking of 0.25, avoid blind guessing – it is often better to leave a question unanswered than to guess without basis.
Eligibility Criteria
| Criteria | Grade C | Grade D |
|---|---|---|
| Educational Qualification | 12th pass (10+2) or equivalent from a recognised board | 12th pass (10+2) or equivalent from a recognised board |
| Age Limit | 18 to 27 years (tentative, as per previous cycle) | 18 to 27 years (tentative, as per previous cycle) |
| Age Relaxation | SC/ST 5 years, OBC 3 years, PwBD up to 10 years, ex-servicemen as per rules | SC/ST 5 years, OBC 3 years, PwBD up to 10 years, ex-servicemen as per rules |
Age relaxation details: Relaxation in upper age limit is granted to candidates belonging to reserved categories as per the rules of the Government of India – SC/ST candidates get 5 years, OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) candidates get 3 years, and Persons with Benchmark Disabilities get up to 10 years (over and above the category relaxation, subject to the rules). Ex-servicemen and departmental candidates get relaxation as per the official notification. Age is calculated with reference to the cut-off date mentioned in the official notification.
Number of attempts: There is no separate cap on the number of attempts for SSC Stenographer as long as the candidate is within the age limit.
Application Process & Fees
Candidates apply online only through the official SSC website https://ssc.gov.in after the notification is released. The application window is usually open for about a month, and no other mode of application (offline/postal) is accepted.
| Fee Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS | ₹100 (tentative, as per previous cycle) |
| SC / ST / PwBD / Women | Exempted (No fee) |
| Ex-Servicemen (as applicable) | Exempted as per notification |
Important dates: The exam is held once a year in most cycles. Dates for the current cycle (application start, last date, CBT dates, skill test dates) are published in the official notification and on the SSC website. These are announced separately for each cycle and must be checked on ssc.gov.in.
Salary / Pay Scale
As per the 7th Central Pay Commission (7th CPC) pay matrix (tentative figures):
| Post | Pay Level | Pay Scale (7th CPC) | Approximate In-hand Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stenographer Grade C | Level 6 | ₹35,400 – ₹1,12,400 | Approx. ₹40,000 – ₹48,000 per month (with allowances) |
| Stenographer Grade D | Level 4 | ₹25,500 – ₹81,100 | Approx. ₹30,000 – ₹36,000 per month (with allowances) |
In addition to the basic pay, employees are entitled to Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA, if not provided government accommodation), Travel Allowance, and other allowances as per Central Government rules applicable at the place of posting.
Official Links & PDFs
- SSC Official Website – ssc.gov.in
- SSC Recruitment section (Stenographer) on ssc.gov.in
- Official notification & syllabus PDF: The official notification PDF, syllabus and skill test guidelines are published by SSC on its website whenever the examination is announced. The direct PDF link is released with each notification cycle and could not be pinned here; candidates should download the latest notification from the "Notifications" / "Recruitment" section of https://ssc.gov.in (the authoritative source). The CBT is held online through the SSC portal, and the skill test details (dictation speed, transcription time) are given in the notification.
Preparation Tips & Strategy
- Know the pattern and syllabus first: Download the latest official notification and syllabus PDF from ssc.gov.in and note the exact number of questions, negative marking and skill test norms before starting preparation.
- Give the highest weightage to English: Part III (English Language & Comprehension) carries 100 out of 200 marks – half the paper. Focus on grammar rules, error spotting, vocabulary, idioms and daily reading comprehension practice.
- Build vocabulary systematically: Learn 20–30 words a day along with synonyms, antonyms, one-word substitutions and idioms. Revise on a weekly basis.
- Practice General Intelligence & Reasoning daily: Solve puzzles, series, coding-decoding and blood relation questions under timed conditions to build speed and accuracy.
- Follow current affairs for General Awareness: Read newspapers and monthly current affairs compilations for the last 6–8 months before the exam. Make short notes of static GK topics.
- Attempt full-length mock tests: Take sectional tests and full mocks regularly in exam-like conditions to manage the 2-hour window and to practice skipping questions to avoid negative marking.
- Analyse mistakes: After every mock, review wrong answers and the questions you left out; note recurring weak areas in grammar and reasoning and revise them.
- Prepare for the skill test in advance: The dictation is 10 minutes; practise listening to passages at your chosen speed (English 100 wpm Grade C / 80 wpm Grade D; Hindi 80 wpm Grade C / 65 wpm Grade D – tentative) and transcription within the allotted time. Use shorthand practice regularly so that the skill test is comfortable after you clear the CBT.
FAQ
Q: What is the difference between Stenographer Grade C and Grade D?
Grade C posts are generally in ministries and attached offices of the Central Government, while Grade D posts are in subordinate offices. Grade C has a higher pay level (Level 6) and a higher dictation speed in the skill test than Grade D (Level 4).
Q: Is the SSC Stenographer skill test qualifying?
Yes. The stenography skill test is qualifying in nature. Candidates must pass it, but the final merit list is prepared on the basis of CBT scores among candidates who clear the skill test.
Q: What is the dictation speed required in the skill test?
For Grade C the dictation speed is 100 wpm in English or 80 wpm in Hindi; for Grade D it is 80 wpm in English or 65 wpm in Hindi (tentative, as per previous cycle). The dictation is given for 10 minutes and transcription must be completed within the time fixed in the notification.
Q: What is the age limit for SSC Stenographer?
The age limit is 18 to 27 years for both Grade C and Grade D (tentative, as per previous cycle), with category-wise relaxation for SC/ST, OBC, PwBD, ex-servicemen and departmental candidates as per rules.
Q: How many questions and what is the negative marking in the CBT?
The CBT has 200 questions for 200 marks in 2 hours, with 0.25 mark deducted for each wrong answer. There is no deduction for unanswered questions.
Q: What is the eligibility to apply for SSC Stenographer?
Candidates must have passed Class 12 (10+2) or equivalent from a recognised board and meet the age criteria. The detailed eligibility is given in the official notification.
Closing note: Exam dates, vacancies, fee details and syllabus can change from cycle to cycle. Always rely on the latest official notification published by the Staff Selection Commission and keep checking https://ssc.gov.in for updates, new notices and skill test instructions.