SSC Stenographer Recruitment 2026 — 731 Posts Stenographer Grade C (Group B) & Grade D (Group C) • Apply Online 24 April–15 May 2026 • 12th Pass Required • CBT + Skill Test • Grade C: 100 wpm | Grade D: 80 wpm • ssc.gov.in
The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has officially released the Stenographer Grade 'C' & 'D' Examination 2026 notification (F. No. E/13/2026-C-2) on 24 April 2026 for approximately 731 tentative vacancies across Central Government Ministries, Departments, and Organisations. Grade C is a Group B Non-Gazetted post (Pay Level-6: ₹35,400–₹1,12,400) and Grade D is a Group C post (Pay Level-4: ₹25,500–₹81,100). Minimum qualification: 12th standard (Class XII) pass from a recognised Board. Age limit: 18–30 years for Grade C and 18–27 years for Grade D as on 01.08.2026. Apply online at ssc.gov.in from 24 April to 15 May 2026. CBT exam scheduled for July–August 2026, followed by a Skill Test in Stenography. NEW for 2026: Sectional timers in CBT (30 min each for Parts I & II, 60 min for Part III) and live photograph capture during application.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | Staff Selection Commission (SSC), New Delhi |
| Advertisement No. | F. No. E/13/2026-C-2 |
| Notification Date | 24 April 2026 |
| Posts | Stenographer Grade 'C' (Group B Non-Gazetted) + Stenographer Grade 'D' (Group C) |
| Total Vacancies | 731 (tentative) — final post/category-wise figures at ssc.gov.in → Tentative Vacancy (to be updated) |
| Grade C Post | Group B, Non-Gazetted | Pay Level-6 | ₹35,400–₹1,12,400/month |
| Grade D Post | Group C | Pay Level-4 | ₹25,500–₹81,100/month |
| Educational Qualification | Passed 12th standard (Class XII) or equivalent from a recognised Board or University as on 01.08.2026. ODL acceptable if approved by Distance Education Bureau, UGC. |
| Application Opens | 24 April 2026 |
| Application Closes | 15 May 2026 (23:00 hrs) |
| Correction Window | 20–21 May 2026 (₹200 first correction; ₹500 second correction) |
| CBT Exam Date | Tentatively July–August 2026 |
| Age Limit (Grade C) | 18–30 years as on 01.08.2026 |
| Age Limit (Grade D) | 18–27 years as on 01.08.2026 |
| Application Fee | ₹100 (General/OBC/EWS Male) | Exempted: Women, SC, ST, PwBD, Ex-Servicemen |
| Ex-SM Reservation | Only for Grade D (Group C) — NOT for Grade C (Group B) |
| BRO Posts | Male candidates only for BRO Grade D posts (1-mile run + physical/medical standards) |
| AISL | All India Service Liability — can be posted anywhere in India |
| Selection Process | CBT → Skill Test (qualifying) → Document Verification → Appointment |
| Final Merit | Based on CBT marks (among Skill Test qualifiers); Skill Test is qualifying only |
| OTR Required | One-Time Registration on new ssc.gov.in portal (old portal OTR credentials will not work) |
| Live Photo Capture | NEW 2026 — live photograph captured via application module; no pre-existing photo upload |
| Official Website | ssc.gov.in |
Apply early — SSC portal experiences high traffic near last date15 May 2026
Yes — candidates can indicate their preference for Grade C, Grade D, or both in the online application form. If you meet the eligibility conditions for both grades (especially the age limit — Grade D requires max 27 years, stricter than Grade C's 30 years), you can apply for both. In the Skill Test, Grade C candidates attempt dictation at 100 wpm while Grade D candidates attempt at 80 wpm. If you're confident in stenography at 100 wpm, applying for both maximises your chances of selection.
Educational Qualification:
- Must have passed 12th standard (Class XII) or equivalent examination from a recognised Board or University
- Qualification must be completed as on or before 01 August 2026 (the age/qualification cutoff date)
- Degrees/diplomas/certificates acquired through Open and Distance Learning (ODL) mode are accepted if approved by the Distance Education Bureau, UGC for the relevant year
- Graduate, postgraduate, or any higher qualification candidates are eligible — there is no upper qualification bar for this post
- Stenography skills are tested in the Skill Test — stenography training is not required at application stage but candidates must be able to take dictation and transcribe at the required speed
Age Limit (as on 01 August 2026):
| Grade | Category | Age Range | Date of Birth Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade C | General (UR) / EWS | 18–30 years | 02.08.1996 to 01.08.2008 (both inclusive) |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 18–33 years (+3 yrs) | 02.08.1993 to 01.08.2008 | |
| SC / ST | 18–35 years (+5 yrs) | 02.08.1991 to 01.08.2008 | |
| Grade D | General (UR) / EWS | 18–27 years | 02.08.1999 to 01.08.2008 (both inclusive) |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 18–30 years (+3 yrs) | 02.08.1996 to 01.08.2008 | |
| SC / ST | 18–32 years (+5 yrs) | 02.08.1994 to 01.08.2008 | |
| PwBD candidates receive additional age relaxation (10–15 years depending on category combination). Ex-Servicemen: service period + 3 years additional relaxation for Grade D. All age relaxations as per Government of India rules. | |||
- Government/PSU employees: Must obtain and submit a No Objection Certificate (NOC) or undertaking from their employer at the time of application
- Nationality: Indian citizens. Also eligible: subjects of Nepal/Bhutan, Tibetan refugees (before 01.01.1962), and persons of Indian origin from Myanmar, Sri Lanka, East Africa (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi) etc. — require eligibility certificate from competent authority
- Ex-SM reservation: Available only for Grade D (Group C) posts; Ex-SM candidates are fee-exempted for both grades
- BRO restriction: Grade D BRO posts are male candidates only; additionally, BRO candidates must pass a 1-mile run in 10 minutes and meet medical/physical standards
- AISL (All India Service Liability): Both Grade C and Grade D are AISL posts — selected candidates can be posted at any centre in India
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General (UR) / OBC (NCL) / EWS — Male candidates | ₹100/- (online payment only) |
| Women / SC / ST / PwBD / Ex-Servicemen | Exempted (₹0) |
| Payment via BHIM UPI, Net Banking, or Debit/Credit card at ssc.gov.in. Correction window fee: ₹200 (first correction) and ₹500 (second correction) — no category exemption for correction fees. | |
| Post | Group | Pay Level (7th CPC) | Pay Scale | Est. In-Hand |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stenographer Grade C | Group B (Non-Gazetted) | Level-6 | ₹35,400–₹1,12,400 | ~₹44,000–₹50,000/month |
| Stenographer Grade D | Group C | Level-4 | ₹25,500–₹81,100 | ~₹33,000–₹38,000/month |
| In-hand salary varies by city classification (X/Y/Z category for HRA). Estimated figures include basic pay + DA + HRA for Y-class city. Central govt employees receive additional benefits: children education allowance, LTC, medical reimbursement, advances, and annual increments. | ||||
| Part | Section | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part I | General Intelligence & Reasoning | 50 | 50 | 30 min NEW |
| Part II | General Awareness | 50 | 50 | 30 min NEW |
| Part III | English Language & Comprehension | 100 | 100 | 60 min NEW |
| Total | 200 | 2 hours | ||
| Objective MCQ — bilingual (Hindi & English) except English section (English only). Negative marking: –0.25 per wrong answer. No deduction for unattempted questions. Marks normalised if multiple shifts. No re-evaluation of scores. Sectional timer is new in 2026 — candidates cannot switch sections before the timer expires; once time is up, the system moves automatically to the next part. | ||||
Minimum Qualifying Marks in CBT (to be shortlisted for Skill Test):
| Category | Minimum % Required in CBT |
|---|---|
| General (UR) | 30% — i.e., 60 out of 200 |
| OBC (NCL) / EWS | 25% — i.e., 50 out of 200 |
| SC / ST / PwBD / Ex-Servicemen | 20% — i.e., 40 out of 200 |
| These are minimum qualifying marks, not cut-off marks. Actual shortlisting cut-off will be much higher based on competition. SSC may also prescribe qualifying marks in each individual part/section of the CBT. Clearing qualifying marks does not guarantee a call for the Skill Test — only top performers within each category are shortlisted. | |
- Sectional timing is new for SSC Stenographer 2026. In previous years, candidates could freely navigate between all sections during the 2-hour window. From 2026, Part I (30 min) and Part II (30 min) must be completed within their fixed timers before the system moves you to Part III (60 min). You cannot return to previous parts.
- Strategy: Complete General Awareness in 30 minutes — identify quick wins (current events, static GK) first. For Reasoning, manage time tightly at 36 seconds per question.
- English gets 60 minutes for 100 questions — this is comfortable at 36 seconds per question. However, comprehension passages take longer, so attempt vocabulary and grammar questions first.
- New live photograph requirement: The application module now captures your live photograph — ensure good lighting, plain background, no spectacles, and proper framing. Applications with poor or non-compliant photos will be rejected.
- Old SSC portal OTR credentials: If you registered on the OLD SSC portal (ssc.nic.in), your credentials do not work on the new ssc.gov.in portal. Complete fresh OTR on the new portal.
| Detail | Grade C | Grade D |
|---|---|---|
| Dictation Speed | 100 wpm | 80 wpm |
| Dictation Duration | 10 minutes | 10 minutes |
| Transcription — English | 40 minutes (computer) | 50 minutes (computer) |
| Transcription — Hindi | 55 minutes (computer) | 65 minutes (computer) |
| Language Choice | English OR Hindi — chosen at application time — cannot be changed later | |
| Qualifying Marks (UR/EWS) | 40% accuracy required | |
| Qualifying Marks (Others) | 35% accuracy required (SC/ST/OBC/PwBD/Ex-SM) | |
| Nature | Qualifying only — marks NOT added to final merit list | |
| Post-Appointment | Proficiency in BOTH English and Hindi stenography required to successfully complete probation | |
| The Skill Test is qualifying — passing it is mandatory for selection but marks scored have no role in final merit. Only CBT marks determine the final merit list and selection order. Candidates who fail the Skill Test are eliminated from selection regardless of CBT performance. | ||
- Practice shorthand daily — 100 wpm (Grade C) or 80 wpm (Grade D) requires months of consistent practice. Pitman and Gregg are the most widely taught shorthand systems in India. Start immediately — do not wait until the CBT result is out.
- Transcription accuracy matters more than speed: The test has a fixed dictation speed, but your transcription accuracy (40%/35% required) determines whether you pass. One error in shorthand notation cascades into multiple transcription errors.
- Language choice is final: Choose English if your shorthand is stronger in English notation systems; choose Hindi if you're trained in Devanagari shorthand. The longer transcription time for Hindi (55 min Grade C, 65 min Grade D) compensates for the complexity.
- Post-appointment bilingual requirement: Even though you choose only one language for the Skill Test, BOTH English and Hindi stenography proficiency are required during probation. Begin learning the second language shorthand before joining.
- Computer transcription: The matter is transcribed on a computer (not typewriter). Ensure your typing speed in the chosen language is adequate for the allocated transcription time.
Complete OTR on the New SSC Portal — ssc.gov.in
Visit ssc.gov.in and complete the One-Time Registration (OTR) if not done already. Note: if you registered on the old SSC portal (ssc.nic.in), those credentials will NOT work — register fresh on the new portal. During OTR, provide: Name (as in 10th certificate), Date of Birth, Gender, Aadhaar number, mobile number, and email ID. Create a strong password. Save your Registration Number — you will need it for all future SSC applications and admit card downloads.
Login and Open Stenographer Grade C & D Exam 2026
Login with your Registration Number and Password. Navigate to the "Live Exam" tab and find "Stenographer Grade 'C' & 'D' Examination-2026". Click Apply. Read the complete instructions carefully. Check eligibility requirements, ensure your qualification and age are as per the notification, and proceed.
Capture Live Photograph (New for 2026)
NEW — Live photograph capture via application module. Instead of uploading a pre-taken photo, the system will capture your photograph live using your device camera. Ensure: plain/neutral background, no spectacles, good lighting (face clearly visible), formal attire. Applications where the live photograph does not meet requirements will be rejected. Upload your signature (scanned, 10–20 KB, JPEG) in the designated field.
Fill Application Form — Education, Post Preference & Exam Centre
Fill in: educational qualification details (board/university, year of passing, marks/grade), post preference (Grade C, Grade D, or both), preferred exam city, language preference for Skill Test (English or Hindi — this choice is final), and category details. Columns 1–18 are auto-filled from OTR. If OTR details need correction, click "Modify Registration" before proceeding. Double-check all entries — corrections after submission require the paid correction window.
Pay ₹100 Fee, Submit & Print by 15 May 2026
General/OBC/EWS male candidates pay ₹100 via BHIM UPI, Net Banking, or Debit/Credit card. Women/SC/ST/PwBD/Ex-SM candidates are fee-exempted — select the "Exempted" option. Click "Final Submit" after verifying all details and checking the "I agree" declaration. Download and print the confirmation PDF immediately — SSC recommends retaining application documents for at least 3 years. The correction window is available from 20–21 May 2026 if any permitted field needs changes.
Stenographer Grade C (Group B Non-Gazetted) and Grade D (Group C) are posted across Central Government Ministries, Departments, Attached/Subordinate Offices, and Statutory Bodies including high-profile organisations like CBIC (Customs & Indirect Taxes), CBDT (Income Tax), Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Finance, and the Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT). Stenographers are responsible for taking dictation from senior officers in shorthand and transcribing it accurately — a skill-based role that combines administrative work with language proficiency. Grade C posts carry supervisory functions in addition to stenographic duties. Both posts offer a structured career path with promotions to Personal Assistant (PA), Private Secretary (PS), and further ranks over time, making stenography one of the most respected career streams in the Indian civil service.
Never Miss an SSC Stenographer Admit Card, Answer Key, or Result!
Join 1000+ job seekers on WhatsApp & the JobTheta App — free, instant, no spam.
With a strong interest in recruitment trends and exam processes, he regularly publishes well-structured articles covering railway, SSC, banking, and apprenticeship opportunities. His content focuses on delivering accurate information along with practical guidance such as document verification tips, selection process breakdowns, and application support.
Through Jobtheta, his goal is to simplify complex job notifications and help candidates make better decisions during their preparation and application journey.
