SSC Stenographer Grade C & D Examination 2026 — Complete Information
Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has released the Stenographer Grade C & D Examination 2026 notification with 1,715 total vacancies — Grade C (232 posts, Group B, Pay Level-7) and Grade D (1,483 posts, Group C, Pay Level-4). Any candidate who has passed 12th standard is eligible. Application window: 24 April to 15 May 2026. Fee just ₹100 for General/OBC (free for SC/ST/Women). Selection through Computer Based Exam followed by Stenography Skill Test.
Quick Facts at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Staff Selection Commission (SSC) |
| Exam Name | Stenographer Grade C & D Examination 2026 |
| Posts | Stenographer Grade C (Group B), Stenographer Grade D (Group C) |
| Total Vacancies | 1,715 (Grade C: 232 + Grade D: 1,483) |
| Pay — Grade C | Pay Level-7 — ₹44,900–₹1,42,400/month |
| Pay — Grade D | Pay Level-4 — ₹25,500–₹81,100/month |
| Notification Date | 24 April 2026 |
| Apply Start Date | 24 April 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 15 May 2026 (11:00 PM) |
| Form Correction | 20–21 May 2026 |
| Application Fee | ₹100 (General/OBC/EWS) — Free for SC/ST/PwBD/Women |
| Qualification | 12th Pass (Intermediate) from any recognized board |
| Age — Grade C | 18–30 years (as on 01 August 2026) |
| Age — Grade D | 18–27 years (as on 01 August 2026) |
| Exam Date (CBE) | July–August 2026 (Tentative) |
| Apply Mode | Online — ssc.gov.in |
About the Stenographer Post — What the Job Involves
Stenographers in the Central Government serve as secretarial support officers across various ministries, departments, and offices under the Government of India. The core skill is stenography (shorthand writing) — recording dictations from officers at speed and transcribing them accurately.
Grade C (Group B) is the senior position, posted in higher-level offices including Armed Forces HQ, ministry secretariats, and autonomous bodies. Grade D (Group C) is the entry-level position, widely placed in CBDT (Income Tax offices), EPFO, DoPT, and hundreds of other central government offices across India.
Day-to-day work: taking dictation from officers, typing letters/notes/minutes, managing correspondence, scheduling appointments, maintaining files and records. For candidates with strong typing speed and attention to detail, this is one of the best Group B/C central government entry points.
Vacancy Breakdown
| Post | Group | Pay Level | Vacancies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stenographer Grade C | Group B (Non-Gazetted) | Level-7 (₹44,900–₹1,42,400) | 232 |
| Stenographer Grade D | Group C (Non-Gazetted) | Level-4 (₹25,500–₹81,100) | 1,483 |
| Total | — | — | 1,715 |
Category-wise Vacancy (Final Vacancy List)
| Category | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| UR (Unreserved) | 830 |
| OBC | 400 |
| SC | 212 |
| EWS | 173 |
| ST | 100 |
| Total | 1,715 |
Top Departments (Grade D Postings)
| Department | Grade D Posts |
|---|---|
| CBDT / Income Tax | 493 |
| DoPT (Department of Personnel & Training) | 175 |
| EPFO (Employees' Provident Fund Organisation) | 162 |
| Armed Forces HQ | 139 (Grade D) + 75 (Grade C) |
| Other Central Govt. Offices | 514+ |
Salary — What You'll Take Home
Both Grade C and D are 7th Pay Commission posts with full central government benefits:
| Component | Grade C (Level-7) | Grade D (Level-4) |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Pay (Starting) | ₹44,900/month | ₹25,500/month |
| Dearness Allowance (~55% DA) | ~₹24,695 | ~₹14,025 |
| HRA (depends on city) | 8–27% of basic | 8–27% of basic |
| Approximate In-Hand (metro) | ₹55,000–₹68,000/month | ₹35,000–₹42,000/month |
| Basic Pay (Maximum) | ₹1,42,400/month | ₹81,100/month |
Additional benefits: Transport Allowance, Children's Education Allowance, Medical (CGHS), NPS pension with government contribution, LTC (Leave Travel Concession), and job postings across India.
Eligibility Criteria
| Parameter | Grade C | Grade D |
|---|---|---|
| Nationality | Indian Citizen | Indian Citizen |
| Education | 12th Pass from any recognized Board | 12th Pass from any recognized Board |
| Minimum Age | 18 years (01/08/2026) | 18 years (01/08/2026) |
| Maximum Age | 30 years (01/08/2026) | 27 years (01/08/2026) |
| Date of Birth Range | 02/08/1996 – 01/08/2008 | 02/08/1999 – 01/08/2008 |
| Age Relaxation — SC/ST | 5 years | 5 years |
| Age Relaxation — OBC | 3 years | 3 years |
| Age Relaxation — PwBD (Gen/EWS) | 10 years | 10 years |
| Stenography Skill | Required (tested in Skill Test) | Required (tested in Skill Test) |
Computer Based Examination (CBE) — Exam Pattern
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 50 | 50 |
| General Awareness | 50 | 50 |
| English Language & Comprehension | 100 | 100 |
| Total | 200 | 200 Marks |
| Duration | — | 2 hours (120 minutes) |
| Negative Marking | — | 0.25 marks per wrong answer |
| Medium | — | English & Hindi (except English section) |
All questions are objective MCQ. The English Language & Comprehension section has higher weightage (100 marks out of 200) — strong English is key to cracking this exam.
Stenography Skill Test
| Grade | Dictation Speed | Transcription — English | Transcription — Hindi |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade C | 100 words per minute | 40 minutes | 55 minutes |
| Grade D | 80 words per minute | 50 minutes | 65 minutes |
Nature: Qualifying only. Skill test marks are NOT added to the merit list. Candidates who score above the CBE cutoff are called for the Skill Test. Only those who pass the Skill Test are included in the final merit list.
You can choose either English or Hindi medium for the Skill Test. English medium transcription has less time (40/50 min) compared to Hindi (55/65 min) — but choose based on your stronger language.
Selection Process — Step by Step
- Online Application — Apply at ssc.gov.in from 24 April to 15 May 2026
- Computer Based Examination (CBE) — 200 marks, 2 hours (July–August 2026)
- Skill Test in Stenography — Qualifying; Grade C at 100 wpm, Grade D at 80 wpm
- Document Verification — Originals checked for shortlisted candidates
- Final Merit List — Based solely on CBE marks (Skill Test is qualifying only)
Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS | ₹100 |
| SC / ST / PwBD / Ex-Servicemen | Nil (Free) |
| Women (all categories) | Nil (Free) |
| Form Correction — 1st attempt | ₹200 |
| Form Correction — 2nd attempt | ₹500 |
How to Apply Online
- Visit ssc.gov.in and click on the Stenographer Grade C & D 2026 notification
- Register/login at the SSC One Time Registration (OTR) portal — ssc.gov.in/login
- Fill in personal details, educational qualifications, and preferred exam centre
- Upload scanned photo (20–50 KB) and signature (10–20 KB) in JPG format
- Pay ₹100 fee (if applicable) via Debit/Credit Card, Net Banking, or UPI
- Submit and download the submitted form for reference
- Last date: 15 May 2026 (11:00 PM)
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is a stenography certificate required at the time of application?
No. You do not need any stenography certificate while applying. You only need to pass the 12th standard to be eligible. Your stenography skill is tested only in the Skill Test round — which comes after you clear the Computer Based Exam. You should, however, start practising shorthand and transcription now if you haven't already.
Q: Grade C has a higher age limit (30) than Grade D (27). Can I apply for both?
Yes. If you are between 27 and 30 years of age, you can apply for Grade C only. If you are below 27 (and above 18), you are eligible for both Grade C and Grade D. SSC will allocate posts based on merit and preference. Applying for both is beneficial since Grade D has 6× more vacancies.
Q: What happens if I fail the Skill Test? Do I lose my CBE score?
If you fail the Skill Test, you are not included in the final merit list for that cycle. Your CBE score stands only for that recruitment cycle — you would need to appear in the next SSC Stenographer exam. The Skill Test is qualifying, so only cleared candidates move to the final list.
Q: English section has 100 marks out of 200. Is this only for English medium candidates?
No — English Language & Comprehension is compulsory for all candidates regardless of medium. This section tests grammar, vocabulary, reading comprehension, and error detection. The remaining 100 marks (GI&R + GA) are available in both English and Hindi. This makes English preparation critical for all SSC Stenographer aspirants.
Q: What is the career growth path for a Stenographer?
Grade D Stenographers can be promoted to Grade C through Departmental Competitive Exam (DCE) after 5 years of service. Grade C Stenographers can further rise to Personal Assistant (PA) and then Private Secretary (PS) — both Gazetted Group B posts. Many Grade D stenos in CBDT/Income Tax have progressed to Inspector level through departmental promotions. The career trajectory is strong for performers.
Q: How many vacancies were there in SSC Stenographer previous years?
SSC Stenographer 2023: 2,006 posts. SSC Stenographer 2022: 756 posts. SSC Stenographer 2020: 1,370 posts. The 2026 figure of 1,715 is a strong notification compared to recent years. CBDT alone is taking 493 Grade D stenos — the largest single-department share.