SSC Stenographer 2026: Notification, Vacancy, Syllabus, Cut Off, Result

SSC Stenographer — the Stenographer Grade C and Grade D Examination — is conducted by the Staff Selection Commission to recruit for stenographer grade c and stenographer grade d in central government ministries, departments and organisations.

SSC Stenographer selection process

1. Computer Based Examination
2. Skill Test in Stenography
3. Document Verification

SSC Stenographer selection runs through the stages below, each of which must be cleared in sequence.

1. Computer Based Examination
2. Skill Test in Stenography
3. Document Verification

The Skill Test decides selection

Clearing the CBE only earns a place in the Skill Test. Candidates take dictation for 10 minutes at 100 words per minute for Grade C and 80 words per minute for Grade D, then transcribe it on computer. The Skill Test is qualifying, and a strong CBE score cannot compensate for failing it.

Document Verification

Original certificates are checked against everything declared in the application — qualification, category, age and any relaxation claimed. Certificates must be in the prescribed formats and dated on or before the cut-off date in the notice.

Final merit

Merit is prepared from the marks that count for this examination, and candidates are allotted posts by merit-cum-preference against the reported vacancies.

SSC Stenographer exam pattern

Qualifying marks

UR 30%, OBC and EWS 25%, all other categories 20%.

Negative marking

0.25 mark deducted for each wrong answer.

The Skill Test decides selection

Clearing the CBE only earns a place in the Skill Test. Candidates take dictation for 10 minutes at 100 words per minute for Grade C and 80 words per minute for Grade D, then transcribe it on computer. The Skill Test is qualifying, and a strong CBE score cannot compensate for failing it.

Why your score is not your raw marks

SSC conducts its Computer Based Examinations across multiple shifts with different question papers, so raw scores are normalised before shortlisting. This is why published cut offs carry five decimal places and can differ from any mark actually achievable on one paper.

What is next for SSC Stenographer

The Stenographer 2026 Computer Based Examination was held on 9 to 12 and 15 September 2026, and the tentative answer keys were released on 23 September 2026.

SSC Stenographer Eligibility

SSC Stenographer eligibility requires Class 12 (10+2) pass or equivalent from a recognised board. The age limit is 18 to 30 years for Grade C, and 18 to 27 years for Grade D, as on 01.08.2026.

Educational qualification

Class 12 (10+2) pass or equivalent from a recognised board.

Age limit

18 to 30 years for Grade C, and 18 to 27 years for Grade D, as on 01.08.2026.

Age relaxation

Nationality

Candidates must be citizens of India, or fall within the other categories of nationality set out in the Notice of Examination.

SSC Stenographer Application Form

SSC Stenographer applications are submitted online at ssc.gov.in. Candidates must complete a one-time registration before applying to any SSC examination.

Important dates — Stenographer 2026

Application fee

Fee is paid online through BHIM UPI, net banking, or Visa, Mastercard, Maestro and RuPay credit or debit cards. The fee is not refundable — unlike the RRB exams, SSC does not refund it on appearing.

How to apply

1. Complete One Time Registration (OTR) on ssc.gov.in if you have not already. The same OTR works for every SSC examination.
2. Log in and open the application link for this examination.
3. Fill in the details, choose your post preferences and examination centres.
4. Upload your photograph and signature to the prescribed specifications.
5. Pay the fee online and submit before the deadline.

Correction window

SSC opens a short correction window after the closing date, on payment of correction charges. It is the only opportunity to fix errors, and the charges rise for a second correction.

SSC Stenographer Vacancy

SSC Stenographer vacancies for Stenographer 2026: 1,275 tentative (Grade D 1,129 and Grade C 146, as revised on 10 August 2026; the notice had approx. 731).

Posts covered

Stenographer Grade C and Stenographer Grade D in central government ministries, departments and organisations.

Pay

Pay Level 4 for Grade D and Pay Level 6 for Grade C of the 7th CPC Pay Matrix.

How SSC announces vacancies

SSC publishes an indicative vacancy position with the Notice of Examination and then updates it on the Tentative Vacancy page as user departments report their requirements. The final count is confirmed before the result stage, so the number can move after the notice is issued.

Reservation

Vacancies are reserved for SC, ST, OBC, EWS, PwBD and Ex-servicemen candidates as per government rules, and the post-wise, category-wise break-up is published in the Notice of Examination.

SSC Stenographer Salary & Job Profile

SSC Stenographer posts carry Pay Level 4 for Grade D and Pay Level 6 for Grade C of the 7th CPC Pay Matrix, plus Dearness Allowance, House Rent Allowance and Transport Allowance. In-hand salary is higher than basic pay and varies with the posting city.

Posts and pay

Stenographer Grade C and Stenographer Grade D in central government ministries, departments and organisations.

Allowances

Because HRA and Transport Allowance are city-linked, two people on identical basic pay can take home noticeably different amounts — a metro posting pays more in allowances than a smaller town.

Career growth

Promotion follows departmental seniority and Departmental Competitive Examinations. Job security, pension benefits and medical cover form a significant part of the total value of these posts.