If you can type fast, take dictation, and want a court job with a good pay scale and real job security, the Allahabad High Court Stenographer post is worth your attention. This is one of the few UP government jobs where a pure skill (shorthand) decides your fate as much as a written paper does.
The last cycle brought in 583 posts, and lakhs of candidates applied. A new notification hasn't dropped yet as of this writing, but the pattern, syllabus, and pay structure rarely change year to year. So read this as your complete map for whenever the next notice comes, and start building your typing and shorthand speed right now, because that's the part you can't cram in a week.
Latest notification and important dates
As of July 2026, the Allahabad High Court has not released a fresh Stenographer notification. The last recruitment cycle (2024-25) is the most recent reference point, and its full cycle is now complete with final results out. Below are those dates for reference. Watch pareeksha.in/exams and pareeksha.in/news for the day the new notice is published.
| Event | Date (2024-25 cycle, for reference) |
|---|---|
| Notification released | October 2024 |
| Online application start | 4 October 2024 |
| Online application end | 24 October 2024 |
| Stage I written exam | 5 January 2025 |
| Stage I result / Stage II admit card | Early 2025 |
| Stage II exam | 6 March 2025 |
| Final result / merit list | April 2025 |
| Next notification | Not yet announced (tentative, watch official site) |
Keep checking allahabadhighcourt.in directly since court recruitment notices don't always follow a fixed yearly calendar like UPPSC or UPSSSC exams do.
What the job actually is
A Stenographer at the Allahabad High Court works as a personal assistant to judges, registrars, or senior court officers. Your main job is taking dictation in shorthand and converting it into a typed document, fast and error-free. Think judgments, orders, official letters, and internal notes.
It's not a desk job where you sit idle. Court proceedings move fast, and a judge dictating an order expects you to keep pace without asking them to repeat. You'll also handle some file management, correspondence, and coordination with other court staff. Postings are within the Allahabad High Court and its Lucknow bench, so you're looking at a fixed, respectable work location, not random transfers across UP like some other government jobs.
The prestige factor matters too. Working inside a High Court, even in a support role, gives you exposure to the legal system and a stable, well-regarded career path.
Vacancy details
In the last cycle, the split was:
| Post | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Stenographer (Hindi) | 517 |
| Stenographer (English) | 66 |
| Total | 583 |
Hindi stenographer posts form the bulk of vacancies, so most candidates prepare for that stream. English stenographer posts are fewer but draw candidates who are stronger in English shorthand and typing. The exact split changes with every notification depending on how many posts are vacant in each stream at the time, so don't assume the same ratio for the next cycle.
Eligibility
Age limit
You need to be between 18 and 40 years old as on the cut-off date fixed in the notification (it was 1 July 2024 for the last cycle).
| Category | Age relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC/ST/OBC (UP domicile) | 5 years |
| Skilled sportspersons (UP) | 5 years |
| Ex-servicemen | 3 years after deducting military service |
| PwD (UP domicile) | 15 years |
Education and skill requirement
You must hold a graduate degree in any discipline from a recognized university. On top of that, you need actual stenography skill, verified in the skill test:
- Hindi stream: 80 words per minute shorthand, 30 words per minute typing
- English stream: 100 words per minute shorthand, 40 words per minute typing
- A CCC certificate from NIELIT (DOEACC) is also required, along with basic computer typing speed (25 wpm Hindi / 30 wpm English on computer)
There's no separate physical standards requirement for this post since it's not a uniformed or field job.
Application process and fee
The whole process is online, through the official Allahabad High Court recruitment portal (a link is put up on allahabadhighcourt.in when the notification is live).
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC | ₹950 |
| EWS (UP) | ₹850 |
| SC/ST (UP) | ₹750 |
How to apply, step by step:
- Register on the official recruitment portal with your basic details and a valid mobile number and email.
- Fill the application form with education, category, and post preference (Hindi or English stream).
- Upload scanned photo, signature, and required certificates as per the specifications given.
- Pay the fee online through the mode given (net banking, card, UPI).
- Review everything carefully before final submission. There's usually a short correction window afterward, use it if you spot mistakes.
- Download and save the confirmation page for your records.
Don't wait for the last day to apply. Court websites tend to slow down badly in the final 24 hours before the deadline.
Exam pattern
Selection happens in two main stages plus a skill test.
Stage I: Written exam (screening)
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Total questions | 100 (objective type) |
| Total marks | 100 |
| Duration | 90 minutes |
| Negative marking | None |
| Subjects covered | General Knowledge, General Hindi, General English, General Aptitude/Reasoning |
The exact question split across the four subjects varies slightly with each notification, so treat all four as equally important rather than betting heavily on one. This is a qualifying-cum-screening stage; a set number of candidates (usually a multiple of vacancies) move ahead based on rank.
Stage II: Skill test (Shorthand and Typing)
| Component | Requirement | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Shorthand dictation | Hindi 80 wpm / English 100 wpm | Part of 100 |
| Transcription typing | Hindi 30 wpm / English 40 wpm | Part of 100 |
| Computer typing test | Hindi 25 wpm / English 30 wpm | Included |
Stage II is scored out of 100 and is where most candidates actually get eliminated, because shorthand speed and accuracy is hard to build without months of daily practice. Final merit is based on your combined Stage I and Stage II performance, so don't relax after clearing Stage I.
Detailed syllabus
General Knowledge Current affairs (national and international), important days, Indian history, Indian National Movement, books and authors, awards and honours, Indian polity and constitution basics, Indian economy, geography, and general science. Static GK forms a big chunk here, so don't only rely on daily current affairs.
General Hindi Grammar (vyakaran), vocabulary, sandhi, samas, muhavare (idioms), paryayvachi and vilom shabd, error correction, sentence formation, comprehension passages, and translation from English to Hindi.
General English Reading comprehension, cloze test / fill in the blanks, para jumbles, tenses, active-passive voice, direct-indirect speech, synonyms and antonyms, idioms and phrases, one-word substitution, and basic grammar rules like articles and prepositions.
General Aptitude / Reasoning and Mathematics Number series, coding-decoding, blood relations, direction sense, ratio and proportion, percentage, profit and loss, simple and compound interest, time speed distance, data interpretation, simplification, and basic inequality problems.
For structured topic practice, use free UP-level practice sets and go through the Quantitative Aptitude guide and Reasoning guide to build these sections without wasting time on random material.
Salary, pay scale, and career growth
Stenographer Grade-III at Allahabad High Court is placed in the pay scale of ₹5200-20200 with Grade Pay ₹2,800, which under the 7th Pay Commission structure works out to roughly ₹35,000 to ₹45,000 in-hand per month after allowances, depending on your posting and deductions. You also get DA, HRA, medical benefits, and other standard government allowances.
Career growth in court staff cadres works through seniority-based promotions. A Stenographer can move up to Stenographer Grade-II, then Grade-I, and further into senior confidential or administrative roles within the court establishment over the years. It's a slower ladder compared to some central government jobs, but it's steady and comes with pension-linked benefits under the New Pension Scheme.
Previous year cut-off
Stage I cut-off (2024-25 cycle, Hindi Stenographer, out of 100):
| Category | Cut-off |
|---|---|
| UR | 70 |
| OBC | 67 |
| EWS | 64 |
| SC | 62 |
| ST | 56 |
Stage II final cut-off (combined score, out of 200):
| Category | Cut-off |
|---|---|
| UR | 161.04 |
| OBC | 154.50 |
| EWS | 150.68 |
| SC | 143.66 |
| ST | 135.90 |
These numbers tell you something important: clearing Stage I with a decent score is not enough. Since Stage II carries equal weight and shorthand skill directly separates candidates, your final rank depends heavily on how well you've trained your hands, not just your brain.
Best books and preparation strategy
For the written paper, standard UP-level GK and reasoning books work fine. Lucent's General Knowledge, a good Hindi grammar book (Lucent or Arihant), and any standard reasoning book by RS Aggarwal cover most of what you need. For English, focus on a grammar refresher plus daily reading comprehension practice.
But the real battle here is shorthand and typing speed. No book alone builds that, only daily practice does.
A rough month-wise plan if you have 4-5 months before the exam:
- Month 1-2: Build your GK, Hindi, English, and reasoning basics. Simultaneously start shorthand lessons if you're not already trained, and practice typing daily for at least 30-45 minutes.
- Month 3: Start giving full-length mock tests for the written paper weekly. Push shorthand dictation speed gradually, don't jump straight to 80 or 100 wpm, build it in stages of 10 wpm increments.
- Month 4: Focus heavily on speed and accuracy in shorthand transcription. Time yourself strictly. Revise GK and current affairs daily in short bursts.
- Final month: Full mock exams under timed conditions, sectional revision, and shorthand speed tests every single day without skipping.
Use pareeksha.in/online-test-series for free mock tests to track your written paper preparation, and check pareeksha.in/current-affairs daily so GK doesn't become your weak section. A proper study plan also helps if you're preparing alongside a job or college.
Common mistakes and honest advice
Most candidates over-focus on the written paper and treat the skill test as an afterthought. That's backwards. The written exam has no negative marking and is genuinely manageable with 2-3 months of solid prep. Shorthand speed, on the other hand, takes real time to build and can't be rushed in the last month.
Another mistake: candidates practice shorthand only in exam-like short bursts instead of daily, sustained practice. Speed and accuracy both drop under pressure if you haven't built stamina for continuous dictation.
Also, don't ignore the General Hindi and General English sections thinking they're "easy." A lot of candidates lose marks here due to careless grammar mistakes, not because the questions were hard.
Lastly, don't wait for the notification to start shorthand training. By the time it's out, you'll have limited weeks before the exam, and shorthand speed simply cannot be built that fast.
FAQ
Is there a new Allahabad High Court Stenographer notification in 2026? Not as of July 2026. The last cycle (583 posts) has completed its full process. Keep checking the official site and pareeksha.in/news for updates.
What is the age limit for this post? 18 to 40 years, with relaxation for reserved categories as per UP government rules.
Is a stenography diploma compulsory? The notification requires graduation plus proven shorthand and typing speed. A stenography diploma or certificate helps but the real requirement tested is your speed in the skill test.
Is there negative marking in the written exam? No, the Stage I written paper has no negative marking.
What shorthand speed is needed for Hindi vs English stream? Hindi stream needs 80 wpm shorthand and 30 wpm typing. English stream needs 100 wpm shorthand and 40 wpm typing.
What is the pay scale for this post? ₹5200-20200 with Grade Pay ₹2,800, roughly ₹35,000-₹45,000 in-hand depending on posting and deductions.
How many stages are there in selection? Two: Stage I written exam, and Stage II skill test (shorthand dictation and typing). Final merit combines both.
Can candidates from outside UP apply? Yes, this post is open to all Indian citizens, but reserved category relaxations apply only to UP domicile holders.
What is a good target score for Stage I? Based on the last cycle, aim for at least 65-70 marks out of 100 to be safely in range for UR category, higher is always better.
Do I need a computer typing certificate too? Yes, a CCC certificate from NIELIT and basic computer typing speed are required along with your shorthand skill.
Related reads on Pareeksha
If you're preparing for multiple UP exams alongside this one, check out our guides on UP Lekhpal, UP Police Constable, and other UP recruitment exams on pareeksha.in/exams. If you're also eyeing central government exams, our SSC CGL and SSC CHSL guides cover similar stenographer-style openings at the national level.
For official updates, always cross-check with allahabadhighcourt.in directly, since third-party sites sometimes carry outdated information.
Final word
This job rewards patience and consistent practice more than last-minute cramming. The written paper is beatable with focused study, but your shorthand speed is the real gatekeeper here. Start building it now, don't wait for the notification, and use the months you have to push your wpm steadily instead of trying to force it in a panic later.
Keep an eye on the official site for the next notification, and till then, use free mock tests and the Reading Room to stay sharp on the written paper portion. When the notice does come, you'll already be ahead of most candidates who are only starting from zero.
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