The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) conducts the SSC Stenographer (General) exam annually to recruit Grade C and Grade D stenographers via a Computer Based Examination and Skill Test. Candidates must possess a 12th-standard pass certificate from a recognized board to be eligible for this government recruitment. The selection process evaluates proficiency in English or Hindi shorthand alongside general intelligence and awareness. Successful appointees receive a competitive salary ranging from Level 4 to Level 6 under the 7th Central Pay Commission. The official notification and online application process are hosted on the SSC portal, requiring candidates to meet strict age and educational benchmarks for final selection.
The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) will hold an open competitive Computer Based Examination 2026 in the month of July-August 2026 for the recruitment of 731 Government Jobs Vacancy of Stenographer Grade ‘C’ (Group ‘B’, Non-Gazetted) and Stenographer Grade ‘D’ (Group ‘C’) for various Ministries/ Departments/ Organizations in the Government of India. Therefore, SSC invites online applications in the prescribed format for the Stenographers in various Ministries/ Departments/Organisations of the Government of India.
The Stenographer Group-C and Group-D Recruitment Examination 2026 is an annual recruitment examination of the SSC mandated by the Government of India to select and recruit suitable candidates for the posts of Stenographers. The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) holds an Open Competitive Computer Based Examination for the recruitment of Stenographer Grade 'C' (Group 'B', Non-Gazetted) and Stenographer Grade 'D' (Group 'C') for various Ministries/ Departments/Organizations in the Government of India annually. For the recruitment examination of Stenographers 2026, only candidates with the required skills in stenography are eligible to apply. This minimum qualification is the 12th pass for the vacancy of the Stenographer post.
The SSC Stenographer 2026 examination is a national-level recruitment drive administered by the Staff Selection Commission. The primary purpose of this examination is to identify and appoint proficient candidates to the posts of Stenographer Grade 'C' and Stenographer Grade 'D' in various central government organizations and attached offices. The exam operates on an annual cycle, ensuring consistent inflow of skilled personnel into government services.
The selection mechanism is structured in two major phases before the final verification stage. The first phase is the Computer-Based Test (CBE), which is an objective-type online assessment. This test evaluates a candidate's aptitude in three core domains: General Intelligence & Reasoning, General Awareness, and the English Language & Comprehension. The CBE is conducted in a bilingual format (English and Hindi) for all sections except English. The second phase, the Skill Test, is a qualifying practical assessment where candidates must prove their proficiency in stenography. This phase tests the candidate's capability to take down dictations at specific speeds—100 words per minute for Grade 'C' and 80 words per minute for Grade 'D'—followed by transcription on a computer within a stipulated timeframe. The final selection is based on the merit achieved in the Computer-Based Examination, provided the candidate qualifies for the mandatory Skill Test.
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| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | 24th April 2026 |
| Application Start Date | 24th April 2026 |
| Application End Date | 15th May 2026 |
| Correction Window | 20th-21st May 2026 |
| Exam Dates (CBT) | July-August 2026 |
A total of 1170 tentative vacancies have been announced for the Stenographer Grade ‘C’ and Grade ‘D’ positions. The commission is currently in the process of finalizing the department-wise and category-wise distribution of these posts. There is no state-wise or zone-wise vacancy bifurcation provided. Candidates are encouraged to check the official notification or the updated PDF linked below for periodic changes to vacancy numbers.
The SSC Stenographer examination consistently records a significant number of vacancies across various central government ministries and departments. While the current cycle has announced 1170 positions, the vacancy count is subject to updates as departments submit their requirements to the Staff Selection Commission. The trend shows that Grade 'D' posts often have a higher vacancy density compared to Grade 'C' posts. Candidates should understand that these figures are tentative and may fluctuate based on administrative requirements, and as such, they should remain updated via the official portal for any official notices regarding vacancy revisions.
| Post | Pay Level/Scale | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Stenographer Grade C | 9,300 – 34,800 (Grade Pay 4,200) | 100 w.p.m. Stenography |
| Stenographer Grade D | 5,200 – 20,200 (Grade Pay 2,400) | 80 w.p.m. Stenography |
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC | Rs. 100 |
| SC / ST / PwBD / ESM / Women | Exempted (No Fee) |
The age limit for the SSC Stenographer 2026 exam is calculated as of 1st August 2026. The specific range is defined for both grades:
The date of birth entered in the 10th-grade certificate is considered the final and binding proof for age calculation.
To be eligible for the SSC Stenographer 2026 recruitment, the applicant must have successfully completed the 12th standard (or equivalent examination) from a recognized board or university. This educational qualification must be obtained on or before 1st August 2026. Furthermore, candidates must possess the requisite proficiency in stenography, as the skill test is an integral part of the recruitment process. Candidates failing to meet these academic or technical criteria will not be permitted to participate in the examination.
The selection process for the SSC Stenographer 2026 exam is conducted in three distinct stages:
| Subject | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 50 | 50 | 30 Mins |
| General Awareness | 50 | 50 | 30 Mins |
| English Language & Comprehension | 100 | 100 | 60 Mins |
| Total | 200 | 200 | 2 Hours |
The salary structure for the SSC Stenographer is determined based on the grade of the post:
These figures are subject to various government allowances applicable to central government employees.
The Admit Card is the mandatory entry document for the examination. It contains crucial details such as the exam date, shift timing, center name, and candidate credentials. Admit cards are published solely on the official commission website. Candidates are expected to download their respective admit cards well in advance and print a hard copy to carry to the examination center. Without the admit card and a valid photo ID, entry into the exam hall will be denied.
Post-examination, the commission releases the official answer key to maintain transparency. Candidates can compare their responses with the official key to estimate their scores. If there are any discrepancies in the provisional answer key, the commission allows candidates to raise objections within a specified timeframe upon payment of a nominal fee. The final answer key, released after reviewing the objections, is considered final and binding.
The results for the SSC Stenographer examination are declared in phases, reflecting the performance in the Computer-Based Test and subsequently the qualifying Skill Test. The results are published on the official website (ssc.gov.in) alongside the category-wise cut-off marks. Candidates are advised to access their results using their registration number and password. Following the result announcement, successful candidates are typically called for the Document Verification process, which completes the selection cycle.
Regular practice using previous year question papers is essential. Use reputable online test series platforms that mimic the actual SSC exam interface to improve time management and identify weak areas in reasoning and English comprehension.
The cut-off marks for the SSC Stenographer exam serve as the qualifying benchmark for progression to the subsequent stages of recruitment. These marks are determined based on several factors, including the overall difficulty level of the question paper, the number of vacancies available, and the aggregate performance of the candidates across all regions. The cut-off is announced category-wise shortly after the declaration of the Computer-Based Test results. Aspirants should monitor the official website to view the specific cut-off scores as they are released by the commission.
The application for the SSC Stenographer 2026 exam is strictly online. Candidates must follow these steps to ensure their application is successful:
