The Staff Selection Commission(SSC) Stenographer exam is all India exam conducted by staff selection commission to recruit candidate for Grade C and Grade D stenographer post in various central government departments and ministries. SSC stenographer job offers stability, prestige, and a respectable work environment. This blog provides a comprehensive guide to understand the exam the job role, the latest pattern, syllabus, and everything in between.
Table of Contents
SSC Stenographer Job Profile
Before you begin your preparation, it’s important to know what is the job profile. Stenographers play a crucial role in government communication and documentation. Depending on the grade and department, your responsibilities might include:
- Transcribing speeches by senior officials
- Preparing press releases, notes, and reports
- Typing official letters and handling correspondence
- Assisting in parliamentary or legal proceedings documentation
Grade C vs. Grade D:
- Grade C Stenographers are generally posted in central government ministries in Delhi.
- Grade D Stenographers may be posted in various departments across India, including field offices.
The work hours are regular (9–5), and the job comes with perks like job security, health benefits, and pension schemes.
SSC Stenographer Eligibility Criteria
Criteria |
Details |
|---|---|
Nationality |
– Indian citizen |
Educational Qualification |
Must have passed 10+2 (12th) or equivalent from a recognized board or university |
Age Limit (as on 01.08.2025) |
Grade C: 18 to 30 years (Born between 02.08.1995 – 01.08.2007) |
Age Relaxation |
– SC/ST: 5 years |
Number of Attempts |
Unlimited (within the age limit) |
Experience Required |
No prior experience required |
Skill Test Requirement |
Must qualify in Stenography Skill Test (dictation and transcription) after clearing the CBT |
SSC Stenographer Exam Pattern
The selection of candidates for SSC Stenographer Grade C and D posts involves two stages. Stage I is based on a computer-based test followed by Stage II a skill test. The candidates who qualify for the computer-based examination get shortlisted for the Skill Test. Those candidates who pass both stages successfully are finally selected for the released vacant posts.
Stage I : Computer-Based Test (CBT)
Subject |
No. of Questions |
Marks |
Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
General Intelligence & Reasoning |
50 |
50 |
2 hours |
General Awareness |
50 |
50 |
|
English Language & Comprehension |
100 |
100 |
|
Total |
200 |
200 |
Negative Marking: 0.25 marks deducted for every wrong answer.
Stage II; Skill Test in SSC Stenographer
Candidates who qualify for the CBT exam are shortlisted for the Skill Test in Stenography. The skill test includes a dictation test and a transcription test. Details for the skill test are mentioned here below
Dictation test
You will be given a dictation passage of 10 minutes in English or Hindi.
Grades |
Speed |
Duration |
|---|---|---|
Stenographer ‘C’ |
100 w.p.m |
10 minutes |
Stenographer ‘D’ |
80 w.p.m |
10 minutes |
Transcription test
In this, candidates will be given a matter to be transcribed on a computer as per the time duration mentioned here.
Posts |
Language of Skill Test |
Time Duration |
Time Duration (in minutes) for the candidates who are allowed to use a scribe |
|---|---|---|---|
Stenographer ‘C’ |
Hindi |
55 minutes |
75 minutes |
English |
40 minutes |
55 minutes |
|
Stenographer ‘D’ |
Hindi |
65 minutes |
90 minutes |
English |
50 minutes |
70 minutes |
SYLLABUS For SSC Stenographer
Here is a concise overview of SSC Stenographer Syllabus (Detailed Section-Wise)
1. General Intelligence & Reasoning
|
2. General Awareness
|
3. English Language & Comprehension
|
HOW TO APPLY
Step-by-Step Guide to apply for SSC Stenographer post is given below
Steps |
Action |
Details |
|---|---|---|
1 |
Visit Official Website |
Go to https://ssc.nic.in |
2 |
Register as New User |
Click on “Register Now” to create your SSC account (only if you’re a new user) |
3 |
Fill Registration Form |
Enter basic details: Name, DOB, Email, Mobile No., Aadhar, etc. |
4 |
Login to Your Account |
Use registration ID and password sent to your email/mobile |
5 |
Click on Stenographer Grade ‘C’ & ‘D’ Examination |
Available in the “Latest Notifications” section |
6 |
Fill Application Form |
Provide personal, academic, and contact details |
7 |
Upload Documents |
Upload scanned photo and signature (as per SSC guidelines) |
8 |
Pay Application Fee |
₹100 for General/OBC (No fee for SC/ST/PwD/Female candidates) |
9 |
Preview and Submit |
Double-check all information before final submission |
10 |
Print Application Form |
Save or print for future reference |
Conclusion
The SSC Stenographer examination is a national –level examination and lakhs of candidates apply for stenographer posts. In SSC Stenographer exam competition is not as much as other SSC examination like, CGL, CHSL, MTS, etc as this exam require special skill test. The SSC Stenographer exam is a golden opportunity for candidates looking to join the central government workforce through a streamlined and fair selection process. With clarity on the job profile, exam pattern, and syllabus, all that remains is focused preparation and consistent practice—especially for the skill test, which plays a critical role in final selection.
Apart from SSC Stenographer exam, staff selection conduct many exams annually like SSC CGL (Combined Graduate Level), SSC GD (General Duty Constable), SSC Multi-Tasking (Non-Technical) Staff (SSC MTS), SSC CPO (Central Police Organization), SSC JE (Junior Engineer), SSC Selection Post, SSC CHSL, etc. If you are preparing for SSC Stenographer exam and you are graduate then you should also prepare for all other SSC exam as all SSC exam have nearly same syllabus. If you prepare for SSC CGL exam then no need to prepare for SSC Stenographer exam separately, just need to have stenographer skill for skill test. Many aspirant who prepare for SSC-CGL exam have crack other SSC exam like SSC MTS, CHSL, CPO and SSC Stenographer.
Start your preparation early, stay updated with the latest notifications on the SSC website, and most importantly, stay motivated. With the right guidance and effort, cracking the SSC Stenographer exam is well within reach.