SSC Stenographer Recruitment 2026 (12th Pass Grade 'C' & 'D')
Status: Notification Released / Apply Online Active
Staff Selection Commission (SSC) conducts the Stenographer Grade 'C' & 'D' Examination to recruit eligible 12th Pass candidates for Group 'B' (Non-Gazetted) and Group 'C' posts across Central Government Ministries, Armed Forces Headquarters, Election Commission, and Attached Offices.
SSC Stenographer Recruitment 2026 Key Summary
| Exam Name | SSC Stenographer Grade 'C' & 'D' Examination 2026 |
| Conducting Body | Staff Selection Commission (SSC) |
| Minimum Qualification | 12th Pass (Higher Secondary) from a recognized Board |
| Selection Stages | Stage 1: CBT Written Test | Stage 2: Stenography Skill Test |
| Pay Scale | Grade C: Level-6 (₹35,400 - ₹1,12,400) | Grade D: Level-4 (₹25,500 - ₹81,100) |
| Age Criteria | Grade C: 18 to 30 Years | Grade D: 18 to 27 Years |
| Application Fee | UR / OBC / EWS: ₹100 | SC / ST / PWD / Female: ₹0 (Exempted) |
Post-Wise Eligibility & Age Relaxations
- Educational Qualification: Candidates must have passed 12th Standard (10+2) or equivalent examination from a recognized State/Central Board on or before the cut-off date.
- Age Limit for Grade 'C': 18 to 30 years (Born not earlier than 02-08-1996 and not later than 01-08-2008).
- Age Limit for Grade 'D': 18 to 27 years (Born not earlier than 02-08-1999 and not later than 01-08-2008).
- Category Relaxations: SC/ST candidates get 5 years, OBC candidates get 3 years, and PwBD candidates get 10 years of relaxation in upper age limits.
SSC Stenographer CBT Exam Pattern (No Maths Subject)
The CBT written examination carries 200 multiple-choice questions for a total of 200 marks. Note that Mathematics is NOT part of this syllabus:
| Subject / Topic | Number of Questions | Maximum Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 50 | 50 |
| General Awareness (Current Affairs + GK) | 50 | 50 |
| English Language & Comprehension | 100 | 100 |
| Total Time: 2 Hours (120 Minutes) | 200 Questions | 200 Marks |
* Marking Scheme: 0.25 marks deducted for each wrong response. Questions will be bilingual (English and Hindi) except for the English section.
Stenography Skill Test Requirements & Transcription Time
Shortlisted candidates in CBT appear for the practical Stenography Skill Test on Computer (Qualifying Stage):
| Post Designation | Dictation Speed | English Transcription Time | Hindi Transcription Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stenographer Grade 'C' | 100 WPM (10 Mins) | 40 Minutes | 55 Minutes |
| Stenographer Grade 'D' | 80 WPM (10 Mins) | 50 Minutes | 65 Minutes |
Step-by-Step Online Application Process
- Go to the new official Staff Selection Commission website: ssc.gov.in.
- Click on Register Now to complete One-Time Registration (OTR) if you do not have an existing account on the new portal.
- Log in using your Registration Number and Password.
- Under the "Latest Notifications" tab, select Stenographer Grade 'C' & 'D' Examination 2026.
- Select your preferred Stenography Medium (English or Hindi) and three examination center choices in your region.
- Capture your live photo using the webcam / SSC official app and upload a scanned signature.
- Pay the ₹100 application fee using UPI, Net Banking, or Debit Card (Exempted for Women / SC / ST / PwBD).
- Submit the application form and keep a printed copy for future reference.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Is Mathematics required for SSC Stenographer 2026 exam?
Ans: No, Mathematics is completely excluded from the SSC Stenographer examination. Selection relies on General Intelligence & Reasoning (50 marks), General Awareness (50 marks), and English Comprehension (100 marks).
Q2: Can 12th Pass candidates apply for both Grade C and Grade D posts?
Ans: Yes, as long as you meet the age limit criteria (18-30 years for Grade C and 18-27 years for Grade D), you can select both posts in a single online application form.
Q3: What is the shorthand dictation speed required for Stenographer Grade C & D?
Ans: The dictation speed for Stenographer Grade 'C' is 100 words per minute (wpm) for 10 minutes, while Grade 'D' requires a speed of 80 words per minute (wpm) for 10 minutes.
Q4: Is a diploma or certificate in Stenography mandatory during registration?
Ans: No, SSC does not require a formal diploma or computer typing certificate at the time of online application. You only need to pass the official Stenography Skill Test conducted after the CBT result.
Q5: What is the probation period and salary structure for SSC Stenographer Grade D?
Ans: Stenographer Grade D is placed under Pay Level-4 (Basic Pay ₹25,500 to ₹81,100) with starting gross salary ranging around ₹38,000 to ₹44,000 depending on the city posting. The standard probation period is 2 years.