The Staff Selection Commission has issued the official notice for Stenographer Grade C and Grade D Examination 2026. This recruitment is for direct recruitment to Stenographer Grade C, a Group B Non-Gazetted post, and Stenographer Grade D, a Group C post, in various Government of India offices across different States and Union Territories.
The notification mentions approximately 731 tentative vacancies. SSC has also clarified that updated post-wise and category-wise vacancies will be made available later on the official website, and State-wise or Zone-wise vacancies are not collected by the Commission for this examination.
For most applicants, the key points are simple: the minimum qualification is 12th pass, stenography skill is compulsory, the application must be submitted online at ssc.gov.in, and the final selection will depend on performance in the Computer Based Examination after qualifying the skill test and meeting document verification requirements.
SSC Stenographer Recruitment 2026 Overview
SSC Stenographer Grade C and Grade D Examination 2026 is an open competitive recruitment examination for stenographer posts in Government of India offices. Candidates must have stenography skills because the recruitment includes a mandatory skill test after the Computer Based Examination.
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Recruiting body | Staff Selection Commission |
| Examination | Stenographer Grade C & D Examination, 2026 |
| Post type | Central Government stenographer posts |
| Grade C post group | Group B, Non-Gazetted |
| Grade D post group | Group C |
| Tentative vacancies | Approximately 731 |
| Application mode | Online only |
| Official website | ssc.gov.in |
Important Dates
Candidates should complete the online application and fee payment within the official deadline. SSC has also provided a short correction window after the application period.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification uploaded | 24 April 2026 |
| Online application starts | 24 April 2026 |
| Last date and time for online application | 15 May 2026, 23:00 hours |
| Last date and time for online fee payment | 16 May 2026, 23:00 hours |
| Application form correction window | 20 May 2026 to 21 May 2026, up to 23:00 hours |
| Computer Based Examination | July-August 2026 |
Vacancy Details
The notification states that there are approximately 731 tentative vacancies for Stenographer Grade C and Grade D posts. The exact post-wise and category-wise vacancies will be updated later on the SSC website.
| Post | Vacancy Status |
|---|---|
| Stenographer Grade C | Included in approximately 731 tentative vacancies |
| Stenographer Grade D | Included in approximately 731 tentative vacancies |
SSC has also stated that State-wise or Zone-wise vacancies are not collected by the Commission for this recruitment. Candidates should therefore track the official tentative vacancy page on ssc.gov.in for later updates.
Eligibility Criteria
The basic educational qualification is the same for both Grade C and Grade D posts. Candidates must have passed 12th standard or an equivalent examination from a recognized Board or University as on or before 01 August 2026.
| Post | Educational Qualification |
|---|---|
| Stenographer Grade C | 12th standard or equivalent from a recognized Board or University |
| Stenographer Grade D | 12th standard or equivalent from a recognized Board or University |
Only candidates who have stenography skills are eligible to apply, because the recruitment includes a stenography skill test after the Computer Based Examination.
Age Limit
The crucial date for calculating age is 01 August 2026. The age limit is different for Grade C and Grade D posts.
| Post | Age Limit as on 01 August 2026 | Eligible Date of Birth Range |
|---|---|---|
| Stenographer Grade C | 18 to 30 years | Born not before 02 August 1996 and not later than 01 August 2008 |
| Stenographer Grade D | 18 to 27 years | Born not before 02 August 1999 and not later than 01 August 2008 |
Age relaxation is applicable as per Government rules. The notification mentions relaxation such as 5 years for SC/ST, 3 years for OBC, 10 years for PwBD Unreserved/EWS, 13 years for PwBD OBC, 15 years for PwBD SC/ST and applicable relaxation for eligible Ex-servicemen.
Application Fee
The application fee for SSC Stenographer Recruitment 2026 is ₹100. The fee must be paid online by candidates who are not exempted.
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General, OBC and EWS candidates | ₹100 |
| Women candidates | Exempted |
| SC, ST, PwBD and eligible Ex-servicemen candidates | Exempted |
The fee can be paid through BHIM UPI, Net Banking, Visa, Mastercard, Maestro or RuPay Debit Card. The last date and time for online fee payment is 16 May 2026, 23:00 hours.
How to Apply Online
Applications must be submitted online only through the new SSC website or through the my SSC mobile application. Applications through any other mode are not valid.
- Visit the official SSC website at ssc.gov.in.
- Complete One Time Registration if you have not already registered on the new SSC website.
- Log in and open the application form for Stenographer Grade C & D Examination, 2026.
- Fill in personal details, educational details, post preference and other required information carefully.
- Complete the live photograph and signature-related steps as required by the SSC application module.
- Pay the application fee online if you are not exempted.
- Submit the form before 15 May 2026, 23:00 hours.
- Download or print the submitted application for future reference.
Selection Process
The selection process has two main examination stages: a Computer Based Examination and a stenography skill test. The skill test is mandatory but qualifying in nature.
- Computer Based Examination
- Shortlisting for skill test based on Computer Based Examination marks
- Skill Test in Stenography
- Final allocation or final selection based on Computer Based Examination merit, post preferences and eligibility conditions
- Document Verification by the concerned user departments or organizations
The minimum qualifying marks in the Computer Based Examination are 30% for UR, 25% for OBC/EWS and 20% for all other categories. Qualifying these marks does not automatically guarantee selection, because cut-off, skill test qualification, preferences and vacancies also matter.
Computer Based Examination Pattern
The Computer Based Examination will be objective type with multiple-choice questions. The paper will test reasoning, general awareness and English language skills.
| Part | Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | General Intelligence and Reasoning | 50 | 50 |
| II | General Awareness | 50 | 50 |
| III | English Language and Comprehension | 100 | 100 |
| Total | All sections | 200 | 200 |
The total duration is 2 hours, with sectional timing of 30 minutes each for Part I and Part II and 60 minutes for Part III. For eligible candidates using scribe-related provisions, the duration is 2 hours and 40 minutes as per the notice. There will be negative marking of 0.25 marks for each wrong answer.
Stenography Skill Test Details
Candidates shortlisted from the Computer Based Examination will have to appear for the Skill Test in Stenography. The dictation will be for 10 minutes in English or Hindi, as chosen by the candidate in the online application form.
| Post | Dictation Speed | Language | Transcription Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stenographer Grade D | 80 words per minute | English | 50 minutes |
| Stenographer Grade D | 80 words per minute | Hindi | 65 minutes |
| Stenographer Grade C | 100 words per minute | English | 40 minutes |
| Stenographer Grade C | 100 words per minute | Hindi | 55 minutes |
Eligible candidates with scribe-related provisions get additional transcription time as stated in the official notice. Candidates who take the skill test in Hindi may be required to learn English stenography after appointment, and candidates who take it in English may be required to learn Hindi stenography after appointment, depending on the functional requirement of the user office.
Documents and Application Points to Check
SSC will not conduct detailed eligibility scrutiny at the time of the written examination. The candidature is provisional, and the relevant documents will be checked later by the user departments or organizations.
- Matriculation or secondary certificate for name and date of birth.
- 12th standard or equivalent mark sheet and certificate.
- Category certificate, if claiming SC, ST, OBC, EWS, PwBD or ESM benefits.
- Valid photo identity and other OTR-related documents, especially for candidates who do not complete Aadhaar authentication.
- Correct and active mobile number and email ID.
- Post preference details, because preferences can affect allocation.
Candidates should fill the application form carefully because correction is allowed only during the official correction window and only as per SSC rules.
Admit Card and Exam City Information
Admission Certificates for the Computer Based Examination will be issued online on the SSC website and the relevant SSC regional office websites. Candidates should regularly check ssc.gov.in and the regional SSC website linked to their chosen exam centre.
Information about the examination, including timetable and city or centre details, is expected to be uploaded about 10 days before the date of examination. If a candidate does not find their details one week before the exam date, they should contact the concerned SSC Regional Office with proof of submitted application.
Official Links
Frequently Asked Questions
The last date to submit the online application is 15 May 2026 up to 23:00 hours.
SSC has announced approximately 731 tentative vacancies for Stenographer Grade C and Grade D posts.
Candidates must have passed 12th standard or an equivalent examination from a recognized Board or University as on or before 01 August 2026.
For Grade C, the age limit is 18 to 30 years as on 01 August 2026.
For Grade D, the age limit is 18 to 27 years as on 01 August 2026.
Yes. Only candidates with stenography skills are eligible, and shortlisted candidates must appear for the stenography skill test.
The application fee is ₹100. Women candidates and candidates belonging to SC, ST, PwBD and eligible ESM categories are exempted.
The Computer Based Examination is scheduled for July-August 2026.