Stenographer Grade 'C' & 'D' Examination 2026
A Complete Guide to SSC's Open Competitive Recruitment for Central Government Stenographer Posts
The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has officially released the notification for the Stenographer Grade 'C' & 'D' Examination, 2026, opening up an exciting opportunity for candidates skilled in stenography to join Central Government services. This open competitive Computer Based Examination is being conducted for direct recruitment to Group 'B' (Non-Gazetted) Stenographer Grade 'C' posts and Group 'C' Stenographer Grade 'D' posts across various Ministries, Departments, and Organizations of the Government of India located in States and Union Territories.
The Commission is encouraging women candidates to apply, in line with the Government's vision of a workforce reflecting gender balance. Below is a comprehensive breakdown of everything candidates need to know about this examination.
1 Important Dates & Schedule
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online Application Submission Begins | 24 April 2026 |
| Last Date for Online Applications | 15 May 2026 (23:00 hrs) |
| Last Date for Online Fee Payment | 16 May 2026 (23:00 hrs) |
| Application Form Correction Window | 20–21 May 2026 (23:00 hrs) |
| Computer Based Examination Schedule | July – August 2026 |
2 Vacancies & Reservation
There are approximately 731 tentative vacancies. The Commission is still in the 10th class process of collecting final figures from User Departments. Updated post-wise and category-wise vacancies will be made available on the SSC website in due course. Note that State-wise or Zone-wise vacancies are not collected by the Commission.
Reservation Categories
Reservation will be provided as per extant Government Orders for:
3 Eligibility Criteria
Nationality
A candidate must be a citizen of India, a subject of Nepal/Bhutan, or a person of Indian origin who has migrated from specified countries (Pakistan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia or Vietnam) with the intention of permanently settling in India.
Age Limit (as on 01.08.2026)
Age Relaxation
| Category | Relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC / ST | 5 years |
| OBC | 3 years |
| PwBD (Unreserved/EWS) | 10 years |
| PwBD (OBC) | 13 years |
| PwBD (SC/ST) | 15 years |
| Ex-Servicemen (ESM) | 3 years (after deduction of military service) |
| Widows / Divorced Women (not remarried) | Up to 35 years (40 for SC/ST) |
| Central Govt Civilian Employees (3+ years service) | Up to 40 years (45 for SC/ST) AAO Final Result |
Educational Qualification (as on 01.08.2026)
4 How to Apply
Applications must be submitted only in online mode via the SSC Headquarters website (https://ssc.gov.in) or through the my SSC mobile application (available on Google Play Store).
Step-by-Step Process
- 1 One-Time Registration (OTR) on the new SSC website (https://ssc.gov.in). Earlier OTR from the old website (ssc.nic.in) will not work.
- 2 Opt for Aadhaar Based Authentication (recommended) — applications will not be rejected on photo/signature standards.
- 3 Capture a live photograph through the application module — no pre-existing photos. Avoid caps, masks, and spectacles.
- 4 Upload scanned signature in JPEG/JPG format (10–20 KB; ~6.0 cm × 2.0 cm).
- 5 Pay the application fee online via BHIM UPI, Net Banking, Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, or RuPay Debit cards.
- 6 Preview, submit, and retain a printout of the application form for personal records.
Application Fee Details
5 Examination Scheme & Syllabus
Computer Based Examination (CBE)
| Part | Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | General Intelligence & Reasoning | 50 | 50 |
| II | General Awareness | 50 | 50 |
| III | English Language & Comprehension | 100 | 100 |
| Total | 200 | 200 | |
Skill Test in Stenography
Shortlisted candidates will undergo a 10-minute dictation in English or Hindi (as opted in the application).
| Post | Dictation Speed | Transcription Time (English) | Transcription Time (Hindi) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stenographer Grade 'C' | 100 w.p.m | 40 minutes | 55 minutes |
| Stenographer Grade 'D' | 80 w.p.m | 50 minutes | 65 minutes |
Minimum Qualifying Marks (CBE)
6 Examination Centres
Candidates must indicate three preference Centres in order of priority. The Commission's 9 Regional Offices conduct the examination across the country:
HQ: Prayagraj
HQ: Kolkata
HQ: Bengaluru
HQ: Raipur
HQ: Guwahati
HQ: New Delhi
HQ: Chandigarh
HQ: Chennai
HQ: Mumbai
7 Mode of Selection
Final allocation of posts is Admit Card made based on the candidate's performance in the CBE and merit-cum-preferences of Posts/Departments. Skill Test is qualifying in nature; final merit is determined solely by CBE marks.
Tie-breaking Order
- Marks in Part-III (English Language & Comprehension)
- Marks in Part-II (General Awareness)
- Date of birth (older candidate placed higher)
- Alphabetical order of names
⚠ Action Against Malpractices
The Commission has laid down strict debarment provisions for candidates indulging in malpractices. Some key categories:
| Malpractice | Debarment Period |
|---|---|
| Possession of mobile phone, Bluetooth, or electronic gadgets | 3–5 years |
| Using unfair means / copying in examination hall | 7 years |
| Impersonation or procuring impersonation | 7 years |
| Taking snapshots / videos of question papers | 7 years |
| Hacking / manipulating examination servers | 7 years |
| Possession of firearms / weapons / assault on staff | 7 years |
📌 Key Highlights at a Glance
Final Word for Aspirants
The SSC Stenographer Grade 'C' & 'D' Examination 2026 represents a pathway to stable, prestigious Central Government employment for candidates with stenography skills. With approximately 731 vacancies on offer and a transparent multi-stage selection process, the examination remains highly competitive.
Candidates are strongly advised to:
- Submit applications well before the closing date to avoid last-minute server issues
- Complete Aadhaar-Based Authentication during OTR for hassle-free document handling
- Verify all entered details (name, DOB, parent names) match Matriculation certificate exactly
- Begin preparation early — particularly for stenography skill test (100 wpm for 'C' / 80 wpm for 'D')
- Regularly check the SSC website for updates on Admission Certificates and announcements
For full details, candidates should refer to the official Notice of Examination available at https://ssc.gov.in. In case of any dispute, the English version of the notice will prevail.
