Complete SSC Stenographer Exam Guide
Your comprehensive resource for SSC Stenographer Exam covering eligibility criteria, exam pattern, detailed syllabus, preparation strategy, recommended books, and professional form filling assistance.
10+2 Qualification
Minimum educational requirement
2 Tier Exam
Computer Based Test & Skill Test
2 Hours
Duration for Computer Based Test
200 Marks
Total marks for CBT
SSC Stenographer Exam Overview
The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) conducts the Stenographer exam to recruit candidates for Stenographer Grade ‘C’ and ‘D’ positions in various government departments and ministries. This is a great opportunity for candidates looking for a stable government career.
What is a Stenographer?
A stenographer is a professional who specializes in transcription writing, using shorthand to record spoken words quickly and accurately. In government offices, stenographers play a crucial role in documenting meetings, court proceedings, and official correspondence.
Note: Stenographer Grade ‘C’ positions are typically in pay level 4, while Grade ‘D’ positions are in pay level 3 of the 7th Central Pay Commission.
Why Choose SSC Stenographer Career?
Job Security
Government jobs provide excellent job security with permanent positions and minimal risk of layoffs.
Attractive Salary
As per 7th Pay Commission, the salary ranges from ₹25,500 to ₹81,100 with various allowances.
Work-Life Balance
Fixed working hours with weekends off and ample leave provisions ensure a good work-life balance.
Additional Benefits
Pension, medical facilities, housing accommodation (or HRA), and other government perks.
Eligibility Criteria
Before applying for the SSC Stenographer exam, candidates must ensure they meet the following eligibility criteria:
Nationality
A candidate must be either:
- A citizen of India, or
- A subject of Nepal, or
- A subject of Bhutan, or
- A Tibetan refugee who came over to India before 1st January 1962 with the intention of permanently settling in India, or
- A person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African countries of Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia and Vietnam with the intention of permanently settling in India.
Age Limit (as on 1st January of exam year)
The age limit varies for different categories:
| Category | Age Limit |
|---|---|
| General | 18-27 years |
| OBC | 18-30 years |
| SC/ST | 18-32 years |
| PwD (Unreserved) | 18-30 years |
| PwD (OBC) | 18-33 years |
| PwD (SC/ST) | 18-35 years |
Note: Age relaxation is applicable as per government rules. Ex-servicemen and other categories may get additional relaxation.
Educational Qualification (as on closing date of application)
Candidates must have passed:
- 12th Standard or equivalent from a recognized board or university
- Basic computer knowledge is essential
Important: Candidates appearing in the 12th standard examination are not eligible to apply. The educational qualification must be acquired before the closing date of application.
Exam Pattern & Selection Process
The SSC Stenographer examination consists of two stages:
Computer Based Test (CBT) Pattern
The CBT is an objective type test with multiple choice questions. The exam pattern is as follows:
| Subject | Number of Questions | Maximum Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 50 | 50 | 2 Hours (120 Minutes) |
| General Awareness | 50 | 50 | |
| English Language & Comprehension | 100 | 100 | |
| Total | 200 | 200 | 2 Hours |
Marking Scheme: 1 mark for each correct answer. 0.25 marks deducted for each wrong answer. No deduction for unanswered questions.
Skill Test in Stenography
Candidates who qualify the CBT are called for the Skill Test which consists of:
Dictation
10 minutes of dictation in English or Hindi at the following speeds:
- Stenographer Grade ‘D’: 80 words per minute
- Stenographer Grade ‘C’: 100 words per minute
Transcription
50 minutes (for English) or 65 minutes (for Hindi) to transcribe the dictated matter using computer. The transcription time includes:
- 10 minutes for preview
- 40 minutes (English) / 55 minutes (Hindi) for typing
Important: Candidates must achieve minimum qualifying marks in the skill test. The skill test is qualifying in nature and marks are not added to the final merit list.
Selection Process
The selection process for SSC Stenographer consists of the following stages:
Stage 1: Computer Based Test (CBT)
Objective type test with 200 questions from General Intelligence, General Awareness, and English Language.
Stage 2: Skill Test
Qualifying test in stenography at prescribed speed for the respective grade.
Stage 3: Final Merit List
Merit list is prepared based on performance in CBT only. Skill test is qualifying in nature.
Stage 4: Document Verification
Shortlisted candidates need to produce original documents for verification.
Stage 5: Medical Examination
Selected candidates undergo medical examination as per government standards.
Detailed Syllabus
The SSC Stenographer syllabus covers three main subjects. Here’s a detailed breakdown:
General Intelligence & Reasoning Syllabus
This section tests logical thinking and analytical ability. Key topics include:
- Number Series
- Letter Series
- Analogies
- Classification
- Coding-Decoding
- Blood Relations
- Direction Sense
- Syllogism
- Venn Diagrams
- Statement & Conclusions
- Pattern Completion
- Figure Series
- Mirror Images
- Embedded Figures
- Paper Folding & Cutting
General Awareness Syllabus
This section tests knowledge of current events and everyday observations. Key topics include:
- National & International Events
- Sports News
- Important Awards & Honors
- Books & Authors
- Summits & Conferences
- Ancient India
- Medieval India
- Modern India
- Indian National Movement
- World History
- Indian Geography
- World Geography
- Physical Geography
- Economic Geography
- Environmental Geography
- Indian Constitution
- Political System
- Panchayati Raj
- Public Policy
- Rights Issues
- Basic Economics
- Indian Economy
- Planning
- Poverty & Unemployment
- Economic Reforms
English Language & Comprehension Syllabus
This section tests English language skills and comprehension ability. Key topics include:
- Spotting Errors
- Sentence Improvement
- Fill in the Blanks
- Idioms & Phrases
- Active & Passive Voice
- Synonyms & Antonyms
- One Word Substitution
- Spelling Mistakes
- Word Usage
- Homophones
- Reading Comprehension
- Cloze Test
- Para Jumbles
- Theme Detection
- Passage Completion
Preparation Strategy & Tips
A well-planned strategy is key to success in the SSC Stenographer exam. Here’s a comprehensive preparation guide:
Study Plan for SSC Stenographer
3-Month Intensive Plan
Month 1: Focus on understanding concepts and building foundation in all subjects
Month 2: Practice questions and take topic-wise tests
Month 3: Full-length mock tests and revision
Daily Study Schedule
Morning (2 hours): New topics and concepts
Afternoon (1 hour): Revision of previous topics
Evening (2 hours): Practice questions and mock tests
Subject-wise Preparation Tips
General Intelligence & Reasoning
- Practice different types of questions regularly
- Learn shortcuts and tricks for faster calculation
- Focus on topics like series, analogies, and coding-decoding
General Awareness
- Read newspapers daily for current affairs
- Focus on static GK topics like history, geography, and polity
- Make notes of important facts and revise regularly
English Language & Comprehension
- Improve vocabulary by learning new words daily
- Practice grammar rules regularly
- Read English newspapers and magazines to improve comprehension
Stenography Skill Development
Building Speed
- Practice regularly to improve writing speed
- Start with lower speed and gradually increase
- Use standard shorthand manuals for practice
Transcription Practice
- Practice transcription within time limits
- Focus on accuracy along with speed
- Use computer software for transcription practice
Recommended Books & Resources
Choosing the right study material is crucial for effective preparation. Here are the recommended books for SSC Stenographer exam:
Best Books for SSC Stenographer
| Subject | Book Title | Author/Publisher |
|---|---|---|
| General Intelligence | A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning | R.S. Aggarwal |
| General Awareness | Lucent’s General Knowledge | Dr. Binay Karna & Manwendra Mukul |
| English Language | Objective General English | S.P. Bakshi |
| Complete Guide | SSC Stenographer Grade C & D Exam Guide | Ramesh Publishing House |
| Practice Sets | SSC Stenographer 20 Practice Sets | Kiran Institute of Career Excellence |
| Previous Papers | Solved Papers SSC Stenographer | Arihant Publications |
Online Resources & Platforms
Mock Test Platforms
- Gradeup
- Testbook
- Adda247
- BYJU’S Exam Prep
Current Affairs Sources
- Pratiyogita Darpan
- GKToday
- Jagran Josh
- Drishti IAS
YouTube Channels
- Study IQ Education
- Adda247
- BYJU’S SSC Exam Prep
- wifistudy
Cut-off Trends & Analysis
Understanding previous years’ cut-off trends helps in setting realistic targets for the examination.
SSC Stenographer Cut-off Trends
The cut-off marks for SSC Stenographer vary each year based on difficulty level, number of vacancies, and number of applicants. Here’s a general trend analysis:
Note: Cut-off marks are category-wise and vary for different states/regions. The following are approximate trends.
| Category | Approximate Cut-off Range (out of 200) | Difficulty Level |
|---|---|---|
| General | 140-160 | High |
| OBC | 130-150 | Medium-High |
| SC | 110-130 | Medium |
| ST | 100-120 | Medium |
| EWS | 130-150 | Medium-High |
Factors Affecting Cut-off
Exam Difficulty
Higher difficulty usually results in lower cut-off, and vice versa.
Number of Applicants
More applicants typically lead to higher competition and higher cut-off.
Vacancies
More vacancies often result in relatively lower cut-off marks.
Candidate Performance
Overall performance of candidates affects the normalization process.
Professional Form Filling Service
Avoid errors and ensure your application is correctly submitted with our expert form filling assistance service.
ApplyAnywhere Form Filling Service
Let our experts handle your SSC Stenographer application to ensure 100% accuracy and avoid rejection due to form errors.
Our service includes:
- Complete form filling with accurate information
- Document verification and upload
- Payment processing assistance
- Final review and submission
- Application status tracking
Note: Our team will reach out to you within 1 hour of payment confirmation. Please keep your documents ready and phone accessible for a quick process. We recommend applying at least 48 hours before the last date to avoid last-minute technical issues.
By using our service, you agree to our Terms and Conditions.
Start Your SSC Stenographer Journey Today!
With comprehensive preparation guidance and expert form filling assistance, your government career is just a step away.