Complete guide to SSC Stenographer Grade Notification 2026. Check the official exam date, calendar, detailed syllabus, eligibility criteria, salary structure, skill test rules, and step-by-step application process.
SSC Stenographer Calendar 2026: Key Dates & Deadlines
📅 Schedule & Key Deadlines
Official Notification Release:
24th April 2026
Online Application Window:
24 April – 15 May 2026
Application Fee Deadline:
16th May 2026 (23:00 Hrs)
Form Correction Window:
20th May – 21st May 2026
⏰ Examination Timeframes
CBT Exam Date:
July – August 2026
Skill Test (Stenography):
To Be Notified
Admit Card Release:
7-10 Days Before Exam
Result Declaration:
To Be Notified
SSC Stenographer Posts & Total Vacancies 2026
💼 Overall Vacancy Matrix
Total Declared Vacancies:
731 Posts (Tentative)
Post Categories:
Grade ‘C’ & Grade ‘D’
Departments Involved:
Central Govt. Ministries & Subordinate Offices
Posting Location:
All India (Based on Merit/Preference)
👑 Major Recruitment Posts
Stenographer Grade C:
Group B (Non-Gazetted)
Stenographer Grade D:
Group C
Grade D Group X:
Posted in Delhi & nearby regions
Grade D Group Y:
Posted across States/UTs in India
Latest SSC Stenographer Exam Pattern 2026 Changes
⏳ Exam Timing & Tech Updates
Total Duration:
2 Hours (120 Minutes)
Maths Section:
No Mathematics in this Exam!
Authentication Standard:
Voluntary Aadhaar Auth / Biometric
One-Time Registration (OTR):
Mandatory on new SSC Portal
📝 Skill Test in Stenography
Nature of Test:
Qualifying (Mandatory)
Dictation Details:
10 Minutes (Hindi or English)
Grade C Speed:
100 Words Per Minute (WPM)
Grade D Speed:
80 Words Per Minute (WPM)
Detailed Candidate Eligibility Criteria
👤 Age Limit (As on 01/08/2026)
Stenographer Grade C:
18 to 30 Years
Stenographer Grade D:
18 to 27 Years
OBC Category Age Relaxation:
+3 Years
SC / ST Category Relaxation:
+5 Years
PwBD Category Relaxation:
+10 to +15 Years
🎓 Degree & Special Qualifications
Basic Required Qualification:
12th Standard (10+2) Passed
Recognized Board:
Any recognized board/university
Professional Skill Required:
Stenography Skills (Short-hand)
Cut-off Date for Qualification:
Result must be declared by 01/08/2026
SSC Stenographer Form Filling: Signature Size & Photo Rules
✍️ SSC Signature Size 2026
Mandatory File Format:
JPEG or JPG only
SSC Signature Size:
10 KB to 20 KB
Image Dimensions:
4.0 cm (Width) x 2.0 cm (Height)
Use Official Examping Tool:
Use our Free Exam Image Resizer to set perfect pixel dimensions instantly.
Rejection Reasons:
Blurry, Miniature, or Cropped Uploads
📸 Live Photo Capture Standard
Standard Upload Process:
Scanned/Old Photos Banned
New 2026 Process:
Live Photo via Webcam/SSC App
Lighting & Background:
Plain Background, Even Lighting
Accessories Prohibited:
No Caps, Hats, or Spectacles
SSC Stenographer Salary 2026: Post-Wise Pay Scale Breakdown
💰 Grade C Pay Scale (Level 6)
Level 6 Basic Pay:
₹35,400 – ₹1,12,400
Approx. In-Hand Salary:
₹55,000 to ₹60,000
Allowances Included:
DA, HRA, Travel Allowance
Promotion Scope:
Principal Private Secretary (PPS)
💵 Grade D Pay Scale (Level 4)
Level 4 Basic Pay:
₹25,500 – ₹81,100
Approx. In-Hand Salary:
₹40,000+ (In X Cities)
Allowances Included:
DA, HRA, Travel Allowance
Promotion Scope:
Promoted to Grade C over time
Comprehensive SSC Stenographer Syllabus & Exam Pattern
📝 Computer Based Test (CBT)
Total Question Count:
200 Objective Questions (MCQs)
Total Marks & Duration:
200 Marks / 120 Minutes
Negative Marking Penalties:
0.25 Mark Deducted per Error
Level of Difficulty:
10+2 (Higher Secondary) Standard
📚 Core Syllabus Subjects (CBT)
Ensure you take high-quality examping.com mock tests to excel in these primary fields. Also, strengthen your GA section conceptually using our Complete Microeconomics Notes (PDF):
General Intelligence & Reasoning (50 Q)
General Awareness (50 Q)
English Language & Comprehension (100 Q)
SSC Stenographer Cut Off 2026: Safe Score & Past Trends
🎯 Target Safe Score (Out of 200)
Grade C (UR) Safe Target:
145 – 155+ Marks
Grade D (UR) Safe Target:
135 – 145+ Marks
OBC / EWS Safe Target:
130 – 145+ Marks
SC / ST Category Safe Target:
110 – 125+ Marks
📊 Factors Affecting Merit List
Normalization Process:
Applied across multiple shifts
Total Applicants vs Vacancies:
High competition for 731 posts
Final Merit List:
Based ONLY on CBT Marks
Skill Test Nature:
Qualifying (Marks not added)
SSC Stenographer Skill Test (Typing) Rules & Error Margin
⌨️ Transcription Time Allowed
Grade C (English):
40 Minutes
Grade C (Hindi):
55 Minutes
Grade D (English):
50 Minutes
Grade D (Hindi):
65 Minutes
❌ Maximum Permissible Errors
General (UR) Category:
Up to 5% (Grade C) / 7% (Grade D)
Reserved Categories:
Up to 7% (Grade C) / 10% (Grade D)
Evaluation Standard:
Full/Half mistakes counted strictly
Skill Test Exemption:
No Exemption (Mandatory for all)
SSC Stenographer Document Verification & Post Preference 2026
📁 Crucial Date & Certificate Rules
Crucial Date for Certificates:
15th May 2026 (Closing Date)
OBC/EWS Validity:
Must be valid for FY 2026-27
Format of Certificates:
Strictly as per Annexures in Notice
Who conducts DV?:
Respective Indenting Departments
🏢 Post Preference Submission
When to submit preference?:
Before final CBT result declaration
Submission Mode:
Online via SSC Candidate Dashboard
Medical Standards:
Standard requirements apply
Final Allocation Basis:
Merit-cum-Preference
SSC Stenographer Application Fee & Payment Mode 2026
💳 Category-Wise Fee Structure
General / OBC / EWS (Male):
₹ 100/-
Women Candidates (All Categories):
Exempted (₹ 0)
SC / ST / PwBD / ESM:
Exempted (₹ 0)
Form Correction Charge (1st Time):
₹ 200/-
🏦 Accepted Payment Methods
Online Modes:
BHIM UPI, Net Banking, Credit/Debit Cards
Offline Mode (Challan):
No Offline Challan (Fully Online Since 2024)
Fee Payment Deadline:
16th May 2026 (23:00 Hrs)
Refund Policy:
Fee is Non-Refundable
How to Apply Online for SSC Stenographer 2026
💻 Step-by-Step Registration Process (ssc.gov.in)
- Step 1 (OTR): Visit the new official website ssc.gov.in and complete your One-Time Registration (OTR) if you haven’t already.
- Step 2 (Login): Log in using your Registration Number and Password. Navigate to the ‘Apply’ section under ‘Stenographer Grade C & D Examination 2026’.
- Step 3 (Details & Preferences): Fill in your educational details, choose whether you are applying for Grade C, Grade D, or both, and select 3 Exam Center preferences within your region.
- Step 4 (Photo & Signature): Capture a Live Photo using your webcam/mobile. Upload your signature (10-20 KB). Pro Tip: Use our Free Exam Image Resizer to get the exact 4.0 cm x 2.0 cm dimensions required by SSC to avoid form rejection.
- Step 5 (Payment & Print): Pay the application fee (if applicable) and download the final submitted application PDF for future reference.
SSC Stenographer Detailed Topic-Wise Syllabus 2026
🧠 General Intelligence & Reasoning (50 Q)
Analogies & Similarities
Space Visualization
Problem Solving & Analysis
Blood Relations
Visual Memory & Observation
Coding-Decoding
Non-Verbal Series
🌍 General Awareness (50 Q)
(Read our Complete Microeconomics Notes for the Economy section)
India & Neighboring Countries
History, Culture & Heritage
Geography & Environment
Indian Economy & Polity
Constitution & Scientific Research
Current Affairs (Last 6 Months)
📖 English Language & Comprehension (100 Q)
This section carries the highest weightage. Candidates must focus deeply on grammar and vocabulary.
Vocabulary (Synonyms & Antonyms)
Grammar & Sentence Structure
Spot the Error & Fill in the Blanks
Active/Passive Voice of Verbs
Direct/Indirect Narration
Cloze Test & Reading Comprehension
Idioms & Phrases
Career Growth & Promotions for SSC Stenographer
📈 Departmental Promotion Hierarchy
Stenographers in Central Government Ministries enjoy excellent, time-bound promotions. A Grade D Stenographer can reach gazetted officer levels before retirement through departmental exams and seniority.
1. Stenographer Grade D
2. Stenographer Grade C
3. Private Secretary (PS)
4. Principal Private Secretary (PPS)
5. Senior Principal Private Secretary (Sr. PPS)