UPSC SO/Steno Recruitment 2021: The examinations notification for UPSC SO/ Steno which was expected to release on September 16, 2020 is now delayed. UPSC will shortly declare new dates for UPSC SO/Steno. Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the recruitment procedure for Section Officer (SO) and Stenographers Grade B/Grade 1. Apply online at the official website i.e. upsc.gov.in, from September 16, 2020, to October 06, 2020. Moreover, UPSC has announced the complete schedule for UPSC SO/ Steno Recruitment 2021. The notification for 2021 session will be out on September 15, 2021. Get here complete details of UPSC SO/Steno Recruitment 2021 including admit card, application, selection process, result, etc.
Latest: UPSC SO/Steno 2021 notification release date is now delayed. Check the official declaration below.
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UPSC SO/Steno Recruitment 2021
Union Public Service Commission is carrying out UPSC SO/Steno recruitment 2021 as per the following schedule. Note all the important dates of UPSC SO/Steno recruitment 2021 from here so as to not miss any event.
| Important events | 2020 | 2021 |
| Release of Notification | 15 Sep 2021 | |
| Start date of application | 15 Sep 2021 | |
| Last date to apply | 05 Oct 2021 | |
| Issuance of admit card | To be announced | To be announced |
| Exam date | 12 Dec 2020 | 11 Dec 2021 |
UPSC SO/ Steno 2021 Notification – Delayed!
The notification for UPSC SO/ Steno was supposed to release on September 16, 2020. However, due to some unstated reasons, UPSC has not released the notification today.
Overview of UPSC SO/Steno
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is conducting the examination for Section Officer and Stenographer after 07 years. We can expect that several aspirants are aspiring to take this examination this year. Before going into the details of UPSC SO/Steno recruitment 2021, let us check out the exam at a glance.
- UPSC SO/Steno recruitment 2021 is conducted through a Combined Limited Departmental Competitive Examination.
- The exam is for the recruitment of Section Officers (SO) and Stenographers in different grades and cadres of the Indian Governmental departments.
- Candidates require prior experience in relevant cadres to apply for this recruitment.
- Eligible candidates are recruited through a written examination and a shorthand test in Hindi and English.
- Qualifiers of the written exam must go through an evaluation of service record which carries qualifying marks.
UPSC SO/Steno 2021 Exam Schedule
The dates schedule for UPSC SO/Stenographer is now out. We have added a snapshot of the schedule of examinations/recruitment tests for the year 2021. Candidates can refer to this and know about the programme of exam.
UPSC SO/ Steno Exam Calendar 2021
UPSC SO/ Steno Exam Calendar 2020
The information we have provided below are based on the UPSC SO/Stenographer previous year notification. UPSC soon will release SO/Stenographer notification. We will update it on our page once UPSC releases the notification.
UPSC SO/Steno Application Form 2021
The process of filling the application form for UPSC SO/Steno recruitment 2021 is conducted at the official website upsc.gov.in. Information and procedure given below are based upon the previous year’s notification. Once the official notification is out, we will update the procedure accordingly on this page.
How to apply?
To apply for UPSC SO/Steno recruitment 2021, candidates have to visit the official website, upscgov.in. Before applying, candidates have to register themselves by providing an email address and mobile number. After registration, a password is sent to the registered mobile number. Use the password for login and start filling the application form. Keep the documents ready to enter details – educational details, personal details, service information- correctly. Ensure that before submission, all the information is verified by the applicant. Submit the application form by clicking on the final submission.
Submission of Application Form
After the submission of the online application form for UPSC SO/Steno recruitment 2021, candidates have to send a printed copy of the application form to UPSC. Candidates have to send the form before the last of submission to – Under secretary (E-VI), Union Public Service Commission, Dholpur House, Shahjahan Road, New Delhi – 110069.
UPSC SO/Steno Eligibility 2021
Before applicants dive into the application procedure, we advise them to read the eligibility criteria. Different category under this recruitment requires separate educational qualification. We discussed the same in detail below:
Category 1 – Section Officers’ Grade of the Central Secretariat Service
- Candidates must have 5 years of approved work experience with 4 annual performance appraisal. A bachelor’s degree is required for the personal assistant of CSS.
Category 2 – Sections Officers’ Grade (Integrated Grade II & III) of the General Cadre of the Indian Foreign Service, Branch ‘B’
- Candidates must have 5 years of approved work experience of Grade IV general cadre OR Grade II of Cypher sub-cadre, branch B of IFS OR all the mentioned criteria.
Category 3 – Section Officers’ Grade of the Railway Board Secretariat Service
- Aspirants with 5 years of approved work experience in the assistant grade of Railways Board Secretariat Service OR Grade II or Grade C of Railway Board secretariat. Candidates fulfilling both eligibilities can also apply.
Category 4 – Private Secretary Grade of the Central Secretariat Stenographers’ Service
- Candidates must have minimum 3 years of approved work experience in Central Secretariat Grade Stenographer Service. To apply for this category, candidates should possess a bachelor’s degree.
Category 5 – Grade I of the Stenographers’ Cadre of the Indian Foreign Service, Branch ‘B’
- Candidates having 5 years of continuous work experience in Grade II of Steno Cadre of IFS, branch B are eligible.
Category 6 – Grade ‘A & ‘B’ merged of the Armed Forces Headquarters Stenographers’ Service
- Candidates must have 3 years for continuous work experience in Armed Force Headquatered service in Grade II/Grade C.
Category 7 – Grade ‘B’ of the Railway Board Secretariat Stenographer’s Service
- Candidates must have 3 years of continuous and approved work experience in Grade II/Grade C of Railway Board Stenographer Service.
Category 8 – Section Officers’ Grade of the Intelligence Bureau
- Candidates who are permanently or regularly appointed as temporary Assistant/Steno of IB provided that they have 4 years of work experience. In case, candidates are selected through LDCE, the exam must not held 5 years before the crucial date.
Category 9 – Private Secretary Grade in Employees’ State Insurance Corporation
- Applicants should have 3 years of approved and continuous work experience in Personal Assistant Grade in employees State Insurance Corporation.
Syllabus of UPSC SO/Steno Recruitment 2021 Exam
The Commission releases the complete and detailed syllabus of the UPSC SO/Steno recruitment 2021 exam with the official notification. The syllabus contains a disintegrated list of all the important and relevant topics from where the questions are set for the exam. Make sure that aspirant is aware of the syllabus and plan accordingly to prepare for the exam. We are providing the detailed syllabus of the exam here.
Paper-I
- The Indian Consitution
- Rules and procedure of conduct of business in Lok and Rajya Sabha
- Organisation in the machinery of the Government of India
- Designation and allocation of subjects between Ministries, Departments, Attached & Subordinate Offices
- RTI Act 2005
Paper-II
Category I, IV, VIII & IX
- Manual of office procedure
- Notes on office procedure issued by Institute of Secretarial Training and Management
- Central Civil Services (Pension Rules)
- Handbook of orders regarding use of Hindi for official purpose of the Union issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs (For category I & IV) only.
- Fundamental and supplementary rules (AGP&T’s compilation, Chaudhury’s compilation, Swamy’s compilation.
- Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules
- Central Civil Services (Leave) Rules
- Compilation of General Financial Rules (Revised & Enlarged)
- Delegation of Financial Power Rules
- Central Civil Services (classification, Control and Appeal) rules
- Intelligence Bureau Standing Orders (For Category VIII only).
For Category II & V
- Manual of office procedure
- Notes on office procedure issued by the ISTM
- Handbook of orders regarding use of Hindi for official purpose of the Union issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs
- Fundamental and Supplementary Rules (AGP&T’s compilation, Chaudhury’s compilation, Swamy’s compilation)
- Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules
- Central Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules
- Compilation of General Financial Rules (Revised & Enlarged)
- Delegation of Financial Power Rules
- Indian Foreign Service (PLCA) Rules
- Financial Powers of Government of India’s representatives abroad.
- Assisted Medical Attendance Schemes
- Indian Foreign Service (Conduct and Discipline) rules
For Category III & VII
- Manual of office procedure issued by the Ministry of Railways (Railway Board)
- Handbook of orders regarding use of Hindi for official purpose of the Union issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs
- Indian Railway Administration and Finance (Excluding Chapters V, VI, VIII & IX)
- Indian Railway Establishment Code Vol. I
- The Railway Services (Conduct) Rules, 1966
- The Railway Servants (Discipline and Appeal) Rule, 1968
- Indian Railway Financial Code Vol.I (Excluding Chapter II & VI)
For Category VI
- Manual of office procedure
- Notes on office procedure issued by the Institute of Secretarial Training and Management
- Central Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules
- Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules
- Handbook of orders regarding use of Hindi for official purpose of the Union issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs
- Fundamental and Supplementary Rules (AGP&T’s compilation, Chaudhury’s compilation, Swamy’s compilation)
- Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules
- Central Civil Services (Leave) Rules
- Financial regulation Part I
Part-III
Candidates are required to prepare notes and drafts on specific problems and precis from a passage.
Click here to get UPSC SO/Steno Syllabus 2021.
UPSC SO/Steno Exam Pattern 2021
Candidates can refer to the exam pattern for UPSC SO/Steno provided below. Exam pattern for examinations helps to understand the degree of exam, weightage of different sections and other aspects of the exam.
Exam pattern for Paper-I
| Mode of examination | Written exam |
| Type of questions | Objective questions |
| Number of questions | 150 questions |
| Duration | 02 hours |
Exam Pattern for Paper-II
| Mode of examination | Written exam |
| Type of questions | Objective questions |
| Number of questions | 150 questions |
| Duration | 02 hours |
Exam Pattern for Paper-III
| Type of questions | Subjective questions |
| Maximum marks | 200 marks |
| Duration | 03 hours |
Preparation Tips for UPSC SO/Steno 2021
The preparation strategy for the UPSC SO/Stenographer Recruitment 2021 exam is quite different from other competitive exams. This is because apart from the written exam, candidates must also prepare for the typing tests. Therefore, we have included some very important preparatory tips to ace the UPSC SO/Stenographer 2021 exam.
Preparation Tip No. 1
First and foremost, make a study plan. Paper-1 which is based on General Studies and General Knowledge carries 150 marks. Similarly, Paper-2 is based on procedures and practices of the Indian Government Secretariat. Make sure that your fundamentals, concepts and basic understanding of these topics are deep and profound.
Preparation Tip No. 2
To understand governmental processes and similar functions of the Secretariat, use flow charts and diagrams. This way, candidates can memorise and recall answers readily without much effort.
Preparation Tip No. 3
Make use of diverse learning resources. Besides guides and preparation books, utilise other resources such as practice papers, readymade notes, reference books etc.
Preparation Tip No. 4
Utilise previous year question papers to give an extra edge in the exam. This way aspirants can be better accustomed to the anticipated question pattern.
Preparation Tip No. 5
Aspirants can also solve mock tests and sample papers to learn how to use their time efficiently. Attempt to solve the mock tests within the specified duration for each paper.
Preparation Tip No. 6
Make short notes and objective notes for last minute revisions. Document these notes in clear handwriting and preferably with headings. This will make it easier to revise efficiently at a glance before the exam.
UPSC SO/Steno Admit Card 2021
The admit card for UPSC SO/Steno releases at the official website, upsc.gov.in. UPSC publishes e-admission ticket once the application process (including submission of the printed copy of application form) is over. To download admit card, candidates require their registered email address. Admission ticket releases 3 weeks before the commencement of the examination. Candidates are advised to check the official website for any update related to UPSC SO/Steno admit card. It is important for candidates to carry admit card to the examination centre along with identity card.
The details which are present on the admit card are as follows:
- Name of the candidate
- Complete address of test centre
- Month and year of the examination
- Complete address as provided by the candidate
- Registration Id/ roll number/ date of birth if allocated
UPSC SO/Steno 2021 Test Centres
Previously, UPSC SO/Steno recruitment 2021 exam was organized in the following centres. Candidates may refer to the test centre for UPSC SO/Steno recruitment 2021 below.
- Chennai
- Delhi
- Kolkata
- Mumbai
- Nagpur
UPSC SO/Steno Recruitment 2021 Cut-Off
Check the cut-off for previous year UPSC SO/Steno in the image below.
UPSC SO/Steno Recruitment 2021 Selection Procedure
Selection procedure of UPSC SO/Steno Recruitment 2021, based upon previous year’s notification is as follows:
- The selection of candidates is based on written examination and evaluation of service of candidates.
- Candidates are called for evaluation only after they are able to secure minimum qualifying marks.
- Once the evaluation of the service period of the aspirant is over, verification of eligibility criteria is done.
- If any candidate is found ineligible on or before written examination or evaluation of service record, then their candidature is cancelled.
UPSC SO/Steno Answer Key 2021
Similar to previous notification of the UPSC SO/Steno recruitment exam, the answer keys of the written exam are released by the UPSC after the exam. It contains the correct answers to all the questions asked in the SO/Steno written exam. Candidates can download the answer keys as they are released at the UPSC official website after the exam is conducted. Before the results are actually published, candidates can use the answer keys to estimate their scores in the exam. This way, candidates can anticipate their chances of making it to the next stage of the exam i.e. Main stage which is a descriptive type paper.
UPSC SO/Steno Result 2021
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) releases the result for UPSC SO/Steno Recruitment 2021 online. Candidates can check their result from upsc.gov.in. After the commencement of the written examination, the result for the same is released online. The candidates shortlisted have to undergo the evaluation process of their service. The final result is based on the stage of the selection process. The commission releases merit list prepared based on the aggregate marks awarded to the candidate for each paper.
UPSC releases category wise select list for SO/Steno. Category wise select list is based on a number of vacancies, candidates’ merit, preference indicated by the candidate and other eligibility norms.
Official website: upsc.gov.in
