The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has officially released the detailed notification for the Stenographer Grade 'C' and 'D' Examination, 2026. The official notice was uploaded on the new SSC website on April 24, 2026.
For candidates preparing for central government jobs, this is a major opportunity. The commission has announced approximately 731 tentative vacancies across various Ministries, Departments, and Organizations of the Government of India.
Below is a complete breakdown of the crucial dates, eligibility criteria, exam pattern, and application process to help you secure your spot in this recruitment cycle.
Important Dates to Remember
Missing a deadline can cost you an attempt. Keep these official schedule dates in mind:
- Online Application Start Date: April 24, 2026.
- Last Date to Apply Online: May 15, 2026 (up to 23:00 hrs).
- Last Date for Online Fee Payment: May 16, 2026 (up to 23:00 hrs).
- Application Correction Window: May 20, 2026, to May 21, 2026 (up to 23:00 hrs).
- Computer Based Examination (CBE) Date: Scheduled for July – August 2026.
Vacancy Details
- Total Tentative Vacancies: Approx. 731.
- The vacancies are distributed between Stenographer Grade 'C' (Group 'B', Non-Gazetted) and Stenographer Grade 'D' (Group 'C') posts.
- Updated post-wise and category-wise vacancies will be made available on the official SSC website under the "Tentative Vacancy" section in due course.
Eligibility Criteria
1. Educational Qualification (As on 01.08.2026)
- Candidates must have passed their 12th Standard (or equivalent) examination from a recognized Board or University.
- The qualifying result must be declared on or before the crucial cut-off date of August 1, 2026.
2. Age Limit (As on 01.08.2026)
- For Stenographer Grade 'C': 18 to 30 years. Candidates must be born between August 2, 1996, and August 1, 2008.
- For Stenographer Grade 'D': 18 to 27 years. Candidates must be born between August 2, 1999, and August 1, 2008.
Age Relaxation: Standard government age relaxations apply.
- SC/ST: 5 years relaxation.
- OBC: 3 years relaxation.
- PwBD (Unreserved/EWS): 10 years relaxation.
Application Fee
- General/OBC/EWS Male Candidates: ₹100/- (Rupees One Hundred Only).
- Exempted Categories: Women candidates, Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD), and eligible Ex-servicemen (ESM) do not have to pay any application fee.
- Fees can be paid online via BHIM UPI, Net Banking, Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, or RuPay Debit cards.
Selection Process & Exam Pattern
The SSC Stenographer 2026 selection process consists of two main stages: a Computer Based Examination (CBE) followed by a Skill Test in Stenography.
Stage 1: Computer Based Examination (CBE)
The exam will consist of Objective Type Multiple Choice questions.
|
Part |
Subject |
No. of Questions |
Maximum Marks |
Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
I |
General Intelligence & Reasoning |
50 |
50 |
2 Hours total. |
|
II |
General Awareness |
50 |
50 |
Sectional timer: 30 mins each for Part I & II. |
|
III |
English Language and Comprehension |
100 |
100 |
Sectional timer: 60 mins for Part III. |
- Language: Questions will be set in both English and Hindi (except for Part III).
- Negative Marking: There is a penalty of 0.25 marks for every incorrect answer.
Stage 2: Skill Test in Stenography
Candidates shortlisted from the CBE must appear for the mandatory Skill Test.
- Grade 'C' Requirement: Dictation at 100 words per minute for 10 minutes. Transcription time on computer is 40 minutes (English) or 55 minutes (Hindi).
- Grade 'D' Requirement: Dictation at 80 words per minute for 10 minutes. Transcription time on computer is 50 minutes (English) or 65 minutes (Hindi).
How to Apply Online for SSC Steno 2026
- New OTR System: Applications must be submitted on the new SSC website (https://ssc.gov.in) or through the "my SSC" mobile app. Note: Old OTRs from ssc.nic.in are no longer valid, so you must register fresh on the new portal.
- Aadhaar Authentication: The commission highly recommends completing your OTR with Aadhaar Based Authentication.
- Live Photograph: You do not need to upload a pre-existing photo. The application module will capture a live photograph of you using your computer or mobile camera. Ensure you are in a well-lit area with a plain background, and do not wear caps or spectacles.
- Upload Signature: Upload a scanned signature in JPEG/JPG format between 10 KB to 20 KB.
- Submit & Pay: Review the application preview, pay the required fee (if applicable), and submit the form before the May 15 deadline. Ensure you keep a printed copy for your records.