SSC Stenographer Grade 'C' and 'D'
SSC Steno
The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) conducts the national-level Stenographer Grade 'C' (Group 'B', Non-Gazetted) and Grade 'D' (Group 'C', Non-Gazetted) exam annually to recruit skilled stenographers for various Ministries, Departments, and Organizations of the Government of India. This comprehensive hub provides updated information on eligibility criteria, exam patterns, complete syllabi, salary scales, and previous year question papers to power your preparation strategy.
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Syllabus & Pattern
Full syllabus & exam pattern
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Eligibility
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Eligibility Criteria
Age Limit
18
Min. Age
30
Max. Age
Qualifications Required
- 12th Pass or equivalent from a recognized Board or University
Age Relaxation
| Category | Relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC / ST | 5 Years |
| OBC | 3 Years |
| PwBD (Unreserved/EWS) | 10 Years |
| PwBD (OBC) | 13 Years |
| PwBD (SC / ST) | 15 Years |
| Ex-Servicemen (ESM) | 3 Years after deduction of military service rendered |
| Central Govt. Civilian Employees (General) | Up to 40 years of age |
| Widows / Divorced Women | Up to 35 years of age |
The crucial date for age calculation and checking educational qualification eligibility is strictly calculated based on the cutoff parameters explicitly outlined by the Staff Selection Commission in its annual notification booklet. Shorthand proficiency is mandatory for final selection.
Physical Standards
Candidates must meet medical eligibility standards prescribed by user departments, especially for specific border or defense-associated postings.
Selection Process
Stage 1
Computer-Based Test (CBT)
Stage 2
Shorthand Skill Test
Stage 3
Document Verification
Exam Pattern
Mode
CBT (Computer-Based)
Questions
200
Total Marks
200
Duration
120 Minutes (2 Hours)
Section-wise Breakdown
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 50 | 50 |
| General Awareness | 50 | 50 |
| English Language & Comprehension | 100 | 100 |
| Total | 200 | 200 |
Duration per Stage
Compensatory time of 40 minutes for CBT is allowed only for candidates eligible for scribes as per government guidelines.
Marking Scheme
- +1 for correct answers; -0.25 negative marking for incorrect responses
Exam Languages
English, Hindi
Salary & Pay Scale
Pay Level
Level 6 or Level 7 (Grade C) | Level 4 (Grade D)
Basic Pay Range
₹25,500 – ₹81,100
Career Growth & Promotions
Promotion & Career Growth
Stenographers enjoy a structured promotion pathway across central ministries:
- Stenographer Grade D
⬇ - Stenographer Grade C
⬇ - Personal Assistant (PA)
⬇ - Private Secretary (PS)
⬇ - Principal Private Secretary (PPS)
⬇ - Senior Principal Private Secretary (Senior PPS)
Syllabus Overview
1. General Intelligence & Reasoning
- Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning
- Analogies
- Similarities & Differences
- Spatial Visualization
- Spatial Orientation
- Problem Solving
- Analysis & Judgment
- Decision Making
- Visual Memory
- Discrimination & Observation
- Relationship Concepts
- Arithmetical Reasoning
- Verbal & Figure Classification
- Arithmetical Number Series
- Non-Verbal Series
2. General Awareness
- Static GK & Current Affairs
- History
- Culture
- Geography
- Economic Scene
- General Polity
- Indian Constitution
- Scientific Research
- Focus on India & Neighboring Countries
3. English Language & Comprehension
- Vocabulary
- Grammar Rules
- Sentence Structure
- Synonyms & Antonyms
- Correct Usage
- Spot the Error
- Fill in the Blanks
- Cloze Test
- Reading Comprehension
4. Shorthand Skill Test (Qualifying)
Grade C
- Speed: 100 words per minute (WPM)
- Dictation Duration: 10 Minutes
Grade D
- Speed: 80 words per minute (WPM)
- Dictation Duration: 10 Minutes
Prepare for SSC Steno
Key Subjects
Official Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
No, there is no interview phase. The final merit ranking is computed strictly based on your scores in the Computer-Based Test (CBT), provided you comfortably pass the qualifying shorthand skill test.
Yes, the baseline educational qualification requirement for both Grade C and Grade D stenographer positions is passing the 12th standard (10+2) or equivalent from a recognized education board.
Yes. Shorthand proficiency is mandatory. Candidates who clear the online written test must pass the physical dictation and transcription typing checks to be considered for final allocation.
The exam features negative marking. For every incorrect objective answer selection, 0.25 marks are deducted from the candidate's total score.