SSC Stenographer Recruitment 2026 — Apply Online for 731 Grade C & D Posts
The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has released the official notification for the Open Competitive Computer Based Examination for direct recruitment to the posts of Stenographer Grade 'C' (Group 'B', Non-Gazetted) and Stenographer Grade 'D' (Group 'C') for 2026. The Commission has announced approximately 731 tentative vacancies across various Ministries, Departments, and Organizations of the Government of India.
This is a massive opportunity for 12th pass candidates who possess skills in stenography. Eligible male and female candidates can submit their online applications on the new SSC portal between April 24, 2026, and May 15, 2026
SSC Stenographer 2026 — Key Highlights
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | Staff Selection Commission |
| Post Name | Stenographer Grade 'C' & Stenographer Grade 'D' |
| Total Vacancies | 731 |
| Salary / Pay Scale | As per norms |
| Qualification | See eligibility |
| Job Location | India |
| Apply Last Date | 15 May 2026 |
| Official Website | Visit Official Site |
SSC Stenographer 2026 Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Released | 24 Apr 2026 |
| Application Begin | 24 Apr 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 15 May 2026 |
| Fee Payment Last Date | 16 May 2026 |
| Correction Window | 19 May 2026 – 21 May 2026 |
Application Fee
The application fee can be paid online through BHIM UPI, Net Banking, or by using Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, or RuPay Debit cards up to May 16, 2026. Women candidates and candidates belonging to Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) and Ex-servicemen (ESM) are completely exempted from payment of fee.
| Category | Fee Amount |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS | ₹ 100/- |
| SC / ST / PwBD / ESM / Women | Nil (Exempted) |
Vacancy Details
There are approximately 731 tentative vacancies for this recruitment drive. Updated vacancies, Post-wise & category-wise will be made available on the official website of the Commission in due course. Note that only male candidates are eligible for the vacancies in the post of Stenographer Grade 'D' in the Border Roads Organization (BRO).
Note: The final number of vacancies may undergo change after getting firm numbers from Cadre Controlling Authorities.
Eligibility Criteria
Age Limit
Stenographer Grade 'C': 18 to 30 years (candidates born between 02.08.1996 and 01.08.2008).Stenographer Grade 'D': 18 to 27 years (candidates born between 02.08.1999 and 01.08.2008).
Age relaxations in the upper age limit are strictly applicable as per Government rules:
- SC/ST Candidates: 5 Years
- OBC Candidates: 3 Years
- PwBD (Unreserved/EWS): 10 Years
Qualification
Candidates must have passed 12th standard or equivalent examination from a recognized Board or University as on or before the cut-off date i.e., 01.08.2026. Note: Only those candidates who have skills in stenography are eligible to apply.
Selection Process
Computer Based Examination (CBE) followed by a mandatory Skill Test in Stenography.
- Computer Based Examination (CBE): An objective-type test consisting of three parts.
- Skill Test in Stenography: Candidates shortlisted in the CBE will appear for a dictation and transcription test. This test is mandatory but qualifying in nature.
- Document Verification (DV): Conducted by the User Departments/Organizations after the declaration of the final result.
Exam Pattern & Syllabus
The Computer Based Examination will be of Objective Type Multiple Choice only and will be conducted for a total duration of 2 Hours.
- Part I: General Intelligence & Reasoning (50 Questions, 50 Marks)
- Part II: General Awareness (50 Questions, 50 Marks)
- Part III: English Language and Comprehension (100 Questions, 100 Marks)
Negative Marking:
There will be a negative marking of 0.25 marks for each wrong answer.
Stenography Skill Test:
Candidates will be given one dictation for 10 minutes in English or Hindi.
- Grade 'C': Speed of 100 words per minute (w.p.m.)
- Grade 'D': Speed of 80 words per minute (w.p.m.)
- The transcription will be done on a computer.
How to Apply for SSC Stenographer 2026
- 1
Applications must be submitted only in online mode at the new SSC Headquarter website: https://ssc.gov.in before May 15, 2026 (23:00 Hrs).
- 2
Candidates must complete their One-Time Registration (OTR) on the new portal (old OTRs from ssc.nic.in will not work).
- 3
Live Photo Capture: The application module requires you to capture a live photograph using your webcam or smartphone. Ensure you have a plain background, look straight into the camera, and do NOT wear a cap, mask, or spectacles.
- 4
Signature Upload: Upload a scanned signature in JPEG/JPG format (10 to 20 KB) with dimensions of 6.0 cm (width) x 2.0 cm (height).
- 5
Pay the application fee (if applicable) and take a printout of the final application for your records.
Photo & Signature Rejection Warning: SSC strictly rejects applications with blurred or miniature signatures. Do not capture a photo of a pre-existing photograph. Use our free Signature Compressor Tool on FreeApplyTools.com to get your signature to the exact 10-20KB size and dimensions required by SSC!
Complete application before: 15 May 2026 at 5:30 PM
Free Application Toolkit
Use our free official tools to resize your photos, compress PDFs, and calculate your exact age to ensure your form is not rejected.
Important Links
Frequently Asked Questions
To be eligible, candidates must have passed their 12th Standard (Intermediate) or an equivalent examination from a recognized board on or before August 1, 2026. Additionally, candidates must possess the necessary shorthand (stenography) skills in either English or Hindi.
Yes! As per government rules, all women candidates, regardless of their category, are completely exempted from paying the ₹100 application fee. Candidates belonging to SC, ST, PwBD, and Ex-Servicemen are also exempted.
The Staff Selection Commission has announced approximately 731 tentative vacancies for Grade 'C' and Grade 'D' posts across various Central Government Ministries and Departments.
The selection process consists of two stages: A Computer Based Examination (CBE) and a qualifying Stenography Skill Test. The CBE syllabus covers three sections: General Intelligence & Reasoning (50 marks), General Awareness (50 marks), and English Language & Comprehension (100 marks).
The last date to submit your online application is May 15, 2026. The Computer Based Examination is tentatively scheduled to be conducted in July – August 2026.
SSC Stenographers receive a highly attractive Central Government salary under the 7th Pay Commission. Stenographer Grade 'D' generally falls under Pay Level 4 (Basic Pay ₹25,500), while Grade 'C' falls under Pay Level 6 or 7 (Basic Pay ₹35,400 to ₹44,900), excluding additional allowances like DA, HRA, and TA.
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