SSC Stenographer Grade C & D - Syllabus, Exam Pattern, Skill Test & Mock Tests
The SSC Stenographer Grade 'C' & 'D' Examination recruits 12th-pass candidates with shorthand skills as Stenographer Grade C (Group B, non-gazetted) and Grade D (Group C) in central ministries and departments. Selection has two stages: a 200-question Computer Based Examination that decides merit, and a qualifying skill test in stenography (a 10-minute dictation transcribed on a computer). The 2026 notice was issued on 24 April 2026 and the CBE was held on 9 to 12 and 15 September 2026; as of 13 November 2026 its result had not been declared.
Under 10 minutes · no account needed · real percentile at the end
What is the SSC Stenographer exam pattern?
One Computer Based Examination of 200 objective questions for 200 marks in 2 hours, set in English and Hindi, with separate sectional timers: 30 minutes for General Intelligence & Reasoning, 30 minutes for General Awareness and 60 minutes for English Language & Comprehension. Each wrong answer costs 0.25 marks. Minimum qualifying marks are 30% (UR), 25% (OBC/EWS) and 20% (others). Shortlisted candidates take one 10-minute dictation in English or Hindi at 100 wpm (Grade C) or 80 wpm (Grade D) and transcribe it on a computer in 40/55 minutes (Grade C, English/Hindi) or 50/65 minutes (Grade D, English/Hindi). The skill test is mandatory but qualifying; final allocation is on CBE merit and post preferences. Ties are broken by English marks, then General Awareness marks, then date of birth.
| Section | Questions | Max Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 50 | 50 |
| General Awareness | 50 | 50 |
| English Language & Comprehension | 100 | 100 |
Full exam pattern: Tier-wise marks, timers and qualifying rules →
What is the SSC Stenographer syllabus?
There is no separate Quantitative Aptitude part. General Intelligence & Reasoning covers verbal and non-verbal questions: analogies, similarities and differences, space visualisation, problem solving, analysis, judgment, decision making, visual memory, relationship concepts, arithmetical reasoning, verbal and figure classification, arithmetical number series and non-verbal series. General Awareness covers current events, everyday science, and India and its neighbouring countries: sports, history, culture, geography, economic scene, general polity including the Indian Constitution, and scientific research. English Language & Comprehension tests understanding of the language, vocabulary, grammar, sentence structure, synonyms, antonyms and correct usage, and the notice adds that writing ability is also tested.
Complete syllabus, subject by subject →
What is a good SSC Stenographer cut-off?
SSC publishes cut-offs only with results, and the 2026 CBE result is not out yet. In the 2025 cycle the normalised CBE cut-offs (out of 200) for the skill test were UR 142.42577, OBC 141.77465, EWS 137.83071, SC 135.44087 and ST 120.37748 for Grade C, and UR 132.30789, OBC 129.22305, EWS 125.13310, SC 117.77426 and ST 105.75225 for Grade D. Final selection closed higher: in the final result of 25 August 2026 the last-selected UR marks for Grade D departments with 10 or more UR vacancies ran from 144.11 to 162.02. The skill-test limit that cycle was up to 5% mistakes (UR) and 7% (reserved) for Grade C, and 7% and 10% for Grade D. These are last year's figures, not a forecast.
Official cut-offs and vacancies →
How should I prepare for SSC Stenographer?
English is half the paper and the first tie-break, so give it the largest share of your time; every part works out to 36 seconds a question. With +1 and −0.25 marking, a guess pays only when your chance of being right is better than 1 in 5. Start shorthand on day one and practise the full chain: a 10-minute dictation, then transcription on a computer within the official time, counting mistakes as a percentage. In the 2025 cycle only 12,564 of the 22,456 candidates shortlisted for the Grade D skill test appeared for it, so the skill test is where the field really narrows.
Preparation strategy built on the marks and timers →
Frequently asked questions
Is there Maths in SSC Stenographer?
There is no separate Quantitative Aptitude part. The paper has General Intelligence & Reasoning (50), General Awareness (50) and English Language & Comprehension (100). Arithmetical reasoning and number series appear inside the reasoning part.
What shorthand speed is required for SSC Stenographer?
One 10-minute dictation at 100 words per minute for Grade C and 80 words per minute for Grade D, in English or Hindi. It is transcribed on a computer in 40 minutes (Grade C English), 55 (Grade C Hindi), 50 (Grade D English) or 65 minutes (Grade D Hindi). Hindi must be typed in Mangal font.
Do skill test marks count in the final merit?
No. The skill test is mandatory but qualifying. Candidates who qualify it are allocated posts on the basis of their marks in the Computer Based Examination and their post preferences.
What is the age limit and qualification for SSC Stenographer 2026?
Class 12 pass. Age as on 1 August 2026: 18 to 30 years for Grade C and 18 to 27 years for Grade D, with relaxations such as 5 years for SC/ST and 3 years for OBC. The application fee is Rs 100; women, SC, ST, PwBD and eligible ex-servicemen are exempt.
How many vacancies are there in SSC Stenographer 2026?
The notice of 24 April 2026 says approximately 731. SSC's tentative list as on 4 June 2026 shows 1,021 for Grade D and 149 for Grade C. The final figure can change.