SSC Stenographer 2026 Notification Out
The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has officially released the SSC Stenographer Grade C & D Examination 2026 Notification on 24th April 2026 on its official website. This is a golden opportunity for candidates aspiring to join the Government of India as Stenographers in various Ministries, Departments, and Organizations. With approximately 731 vacancies announced (tentative), candidates must act fast — the application window opens today and closes on 15th May 2026.
Read this article carefully to get a complete breakdown of vacancies, eligibility, exam pattern changes, important dates, and how to apply.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | Staff Selection Commission (SSC) |
| Exam Name | Stenographer Grade ‘C’ & ‘D’ Examination 2026 |
| Notification Date | 24th April 2026 |
| Post Names | Stenographer Grade ‘C’ (Group B, Non-Gazetted), Stenographer Grade ‘D’ (Group C) |
| Total Vacancies (Tentative) | 731 |
| Application Start Date | 24th April 2026 |
| Application End Date | 15th May 2026 (23:00 hrs) |
| Fee Payment Last Date | 16th May 2026 (23:00 hrs) |
| Correction Window | 20th May – 21st May 2026 (23:00 hrs) |
| CBE Schedule | July – August 2026 |
| Official Website | ssc.gov.in |
| Helpline | 1800 309 3063 (Toll Free) |
Candidates must note the following critical dates to avoid missing any deadline:
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | 24th April 2026 |
| Online Application Opens | 24th April 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 15th May 2026 (11 PM) |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | 16th May 2026 (11 PM) |
| Application Correction Window | 20th May – 21st May 2026 |
| Computer Based Examination (CBE) | July – August 2026 |
Pro Tip: Do not wait until the last date. SSC’s website experiences heavy traffic close to deadlines. Apply early to avoid technical issues.
As per the official notification, there are approximately 731 tentative vacancies for SSC Stenographer 2026. The Commission is still in the process of collecting vacancies from indenting departments. Updated post-wise and category-wise vacancy details will be made available on the SSC website under For Candidates > Tentative Vacancy in due course.
Key Points on Vacancies:
Candidates must be a citizen of India or a subject of Nepal/Bhutan, or a person of Indian origin who has migrated from specified countries with the intent to permanently settle in India.
| Post | Age Limit | Birth Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Stenographer Grade ‘C’ | 18 to 30 years | 02.08.1996 to 01.08.2008 |
| Stenographer Grade ‘D’ | 18 to 27 years | 02.08.1999 to 01.08.2008 |
Age Relaxation:
| Category | Relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC/ST | 5 years |
| OBC | 3 years |
| PwBD (Unreserved/EWS) | 10 years |
| PwBD (OBC) | 13 years |
| PwBD (SC/ST) | 15 years |
| Ex-Servicemen (ESM) | 3 years after deduction of military service |
| Central Govt. Civilian Employees (Group C posts, 3+ yrs service) | Up to 40 years |
| Widows/Divorced Women (Unremarried) | Up to 35 years |
Candidates must have passed 12th Standard or equivalent from a recognized Board or University. Result must have been declared on or before 01.08.2026. Degrees obtained through Open and Distance Learning mode are also accepted, provided they are approved by the Distance Education Bureau, UGC.
Only candidates with stenography skills are eligible to apply. This is a mandatory prerequisite.
The SSC Stenographer 2026 examination consists of two stages:
⚠️ Important Change in Exam Pattern: The 2026 examination introduces a sectional timer for the CBE. Each section now has a defined time limit, unlike previous years where candidates could manage overall time freely. This is a significant change that will impact exam strategy.
| Part | Subject | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Time Allotted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part I | General Intelligence & Reasoning | 50 | 50 | 30 Minutes |
| Part II | General Awareness | 50 | 50 | 30 Minutes |
| Part III | English Language & Comprehension | 100 | 100 | 60 Minutes |
| Total | 200 | 200 | 2 Hours |
For candidates eligible for Scribe (as per Para 7.1, 7.2, 7.3):
Other Key Points:
| Category | Qualifying Marks |
|---|---|
| Unreserved (UR) | 30% |
| OBC / EWS | 25% |
| All Other Categories (SC, ST, PwBD, ESM) | 20% |
The Skill Test is mandatory but qualifying in nature. Final selection is based on CBE merit.
Dictation: Candidates are given a 10-minute dictation in English or Hindi (as opted in the application form).
| Post | Language | Dictation Speed | Transcription Time | Time for Scribe-Eligible Candidates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stenographer Grade ‘D’ | English | 80 wpm | 50 minutes | 70 minutes |
| Stenographer Grade ‘D’ | Hindi | 80 wpm | 65 minutes | 90 minutes |
| Stenographer Grade ‘C’ | English | 100 wpm | 40 minutes | 55 minutes |
| Stenographer Grade ‘C’ | Hindi | 100 wpm | 55 minutes | 75 minutes |
Note: Transcription is done on a computer. Candidates opting for Hindi Skill Test must learn English Stenography after appointment, and vice versa, as per the functional requirement of the User Office.
Covers both verbal and non-verbal questions — analogies, similarities and differences, space visualization, problem solving, analysis, judgment, decision making, visual memory, discriminating observation, relationship concepts, arithmetical reasoning, figure classification, number series, abstract ideas, symbols, and analytical functions.
Note for VH candidates (40%+ visual disability): No Maps, Graphs, Diagrams, or Statistical Data in this section.
Tests general awareness of the environment and its application to society. Includes current events, India and neighbouring countries, Sports, History, Culture, Geography, Economic Scene, General Polity, Indian Constitution, and Scientific Research. No special study of any discipline is required.
Tests understanding of English — vocabulary, grammar, sentence structure, synonyms, antonyms, correct usage, and writing ability.
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS (Male) | ₹100/- |
| Women Candidates | Nil (Exempt) |
| SC / ST | Nil (Exempt) |
| PwBD (eligible for reservation) | Nil (Exempt) |
| Ex-Servicemen (eligible for reservation) | Nil (Exempt) |
Payment Mode: Online only — BHIM UPI, Net Banking, Visa/Mastercard/Maestro/RuPay Debit Cards.
Correction Window Charges:
Applications must be submitted online only at ssc.gov.in or through the mSSC mobile application (available on Google Play Store).
Step 1 — One Time Registration (OTR)
Step 2 — Fill the Application Form
Step 3 — Upload Photograph & Signature
Step 4 — Preview & Submit
Step 5 — Pay the Fee
Candidates must choose 3 examination centres in order of preference. The exam is conducted across all regions of India. Some notable centres include:
Note: No request for change of examination centre will be entertained at any stage after submission.
Final Allocation: Based on CBE merit and merit-cum-preference of posts/departments submitted by candidates through the Online Option Form before the First Round of Tentative Allocation (FRTA).
Important: Candidates who do not submit their post preferences within the stipulated time will not be considered for any post. Options once submitted are final and cannot be changed.
In case of equal marks, ties are resolved in the following order:
Given the revised sectional timer in the CBE, candidates need to significantly change their preparation and exam strategy:
The SSC Stenographer 2026 Notification is a significant recruitment opportunity for candidates who have passed Class 12 and possess stenography skills. With 731 vacancies, a revised sectional timer in the CBE, and an application window open until 15th May 2026, aspirants should start their preparation immediately.
Apply early, practice with updated mock tests, and stay tuned to PracticeMock for the latest updates, free mock tests, and study material for SSC Stenographer 2026.
Q1. When is the last date to apply for SSC Stenographer 2026? The last date for submitting the online application is 15th May 2026 (23:00 hours).
Q2. What is the total number of vacancies in SSC Stenographer 2026? Approximately 731 tentative vacancies have been announced. Updated figures will be available on the SSC website.
Q3. What is the biggest change in SSC Stenographer 2026 exam pattern? A sectional timer has been introduced — Part I (30 min), Part II (30 min), and Part III (60 min). Candidates can no longer spend extra time from one section on another.
Q4. Is the Skill Test marks-based or qualifying? The Skill Test is qualifying in nature. Final merit is decided on the basis of CBE scores only.
Q5. Can I apply for both Grade C and Grade D posts? Yes. While filling the application form, candidates can opt for Stenographer Grade ‘C’, Grade ‘D’, or both.
Q6. What is the application fee? The fee is ₹100/- for male General/OBC/EWS candidates. Women, SC, ST, PwBD (eligible for reservation), and ESM candidates are exempted.
Q7. Is there negative marking in SSC Stenographer 2026? Yes. There is a negative marking of 0.25 marks for each wrong answer.
Q8. Where can I apply? Applications must be submitted at ssc.gov.in or through the mSSC mobile app (Google Play Store).
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