The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) is conducting the SSC Stenographer Grade C and Grade D Examination 2026 for candidates seeking stenographer positions in various Ministries, Departments and Organizations of the Government of India.
The SSC Stenographer 2026 recruitment is an important opportunity for candidates who have passed Class 12 and possess stenography skills. According to the latest official update, the Computer-Based Examination (CBE) will now be conducted from September 9 to September 15, 2026. SSC had earlier scheduled the examination from September 9 to September 12, but the Commission revised the dates through an official notice dated August 31, 2026.
Candidates should carefully check their examination city, download their Admission Certificate (Admit Card), and carry the required documents to the examination centre.
SSC Stenographer 2026: Overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | SSC Stenographer Grade C & Grade D Examination 2026 |
| Conducting Authority | Staff Selection Commission (SSC) |
| Posts | Stenographer Grade C and Grade D |
| Grade C | Group B, Non-Gazetted |
| Grade D | Group C |
| Approx. Initial Vacancies | 731 |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Application Dates | April 24 to May 15, 2026 |
| Examination Mode | Computer-Based Examination |
| Revised Exam Date | September 9 to September 15, 2026 |
| Admit Card | Online |
| Official Website | ssc.gov.in |
SSC's original notification mentioned approximately 731 vacancies, while also stating that the vacancies were tentative and could be updated as departments reported additional vacancies.
SSC Stenographer Admit Card 2026
The SSC Stenographer Admit Card, officially referred to as the Admission Certificate, is the document that allows an eligible candidate to enter the examination centre.
SSC has announced that candidates can view their examination city details by logging in through the designated login module on the SSC website. The Commission has also stated that the Admission Certificate is expected to be available approximately 2–3 days before the respective examination date.
Candidates should therefore regularly check the official SSC website and their respective regional SSC website.
How to Download SSC Stenographer Admit Card 2026
Candidates can follow these steps:
- Visit the official SSC website.
- Open the candidate login section.
- Log in using the required credentials.
- Select the Stenographer Grade C & D Examination 2026 option.
- Check the examination city and centre details.
- Click on the Admission Certificate/Admit Card option when it becomes available.
- Download the admit card.
- Take a clear printout for the examination.
Visit the official SSC website
SSC Stenographer 2026 Exam Date
The latest revised schedule is:
SSC Stenographer Grade C & D CBE: September 9 to September 15, 2026
This is an important correction to the earlier schedule. SSC's August 12 notice had originally fixed the examination for September 9–12, but the August 31 corrigendum extended the examination period to September 15.
Examination City Intimation
SSC has also issued an official notice regarding examination city information. Candidates can log in to the designated SSC portal to view their examination city details.
The Admission Certificate is expected to become available around 2–3 days before the candidate's examination date.
SSC Stenographer 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
Candidates must have passed the 12th standard or an equivalent examination from a recognized Board or University as of August 1, 2026.
In addition to the educational qualification, candidates must have the required stenography skills because the recruitment includes a qualifying Stenography Skill Test.
Age Limit
The age limit differs for Grade C and Grade D.
Stenographer Grade C:
- Minimum age: 18 years
- Maximum age: 30 years
- Age calculated as on August 1, 2026
Candidates for Grade C must have been born between August 2, 1996 and August 1, 2008, subject to applicable relaxations.
Stenographer Grade D:
- Minimum age: 18 years
- Maximum age: 27 years
- Age calculated as on August 1, 2026
Candidates for Grade D must have been born between August 2, 1999 and August 1, 2008, subject to applicable relaxations.
Age Relaxation
| Category | Relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC/ST | 5 years |
| OBC | 3 years |
| PwBD – UR/EWS | 10 years |
| PwBD – OBC | 13 years |
| PwBD – SC/ST | 15 years |
| Ex-Servicemen | As per SSC rules |
Other relaxations are applicable to certain eligible categories under the conditions specified in the official notification.
SSC Stenographer 2026 Vacancy
The original SSC notification mentioned approximately 731 tentative vacancies.
However, candidates should not consider 731 as a final permanent figure because SSC clearly stated that the vacancy numbers were tentative and updated post-wise and category-wise vacancies would be made available as the vacancy collection process progressed. SSC also does not collect vacancies on a state-wise or zone-wise basis.
The latest vacancy information should therefore always be checked on the official SSC website before making any final assessment of the number of available posts.
SSC Stenographer 2026 Exam Pattern
The Computer-Based Examination contains three sections:
| Part | Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | General Intelligence & Reasoning | 50 | 50 |
| II | General Awareness | 50 | 50 |
| III | English Language & Comprehension | 100 | 100 |
| Total | — | 200 | 200 |
The examination duration is 2 hours.
There is a sectional timer:
- Part I: 30 minutes
- Part II: 30 minutes
- Part III: 60 minutes
For eligible candidates who are provided a scribe under the specified rules, the examination duration is extended to 2 hours 40 minutes.
Negative Marking
There is a negative marking of 0.25 marks for every wrong answer in the Computer-Based Examination.
The question paper contains objective-type multiple-choice questions. Questions are set in both English and Hindi, except for the English Language and Comprehension section.
SSC Stenographer Syllabus 2026
General Intelligence & Reasoning
The Reasoning section may include topics such as:
- Analogies
- Similarities and differences
- Space visualization
- Problem solving
- Analysis
- Judgment
- Decision making
- Visual memory
- Relationship concepts
- Arithmetical reasoning
- Number series
- Verbal and figure classification
- Non-verbal series
- Abstract ideas and symbols
- Analytical functions
General Awareness
This section tests awareness of the world around the candidate and current events.
Important areas include:
- Current affairs
- Sports
- History
- Culture
- Geography
- Indian economy
- General polity
- Indian Constitution
- Scientific research
- India and neighbouring countries
English Language & Comprehension
Important areas include:
- Vocabulary
- Grammar
- Sentence structure
- Synonyms
- Antonyms
- Correct usage of English
- Comprehension
- Writing ability
These areas are based on the syllabus provided in the official SSC notification.
SSC Stenographer Skill Test 2026
Candidates who qualify in the Computer-Based Examination are shortlisted for the Stenography Skill Test.
The skill test is mandatory but qualifying in nature. Final merit is based on the candidate's performance in the Computer-Based Examination among candidates who qualify the required skill test.
Stenography Skill Test Speed
Candidates are given a 10-minute dictation in English or Hindi.
| Post | Dictation Speed |
|---|---|
| Stenographer Grade C | 100 words per minute |
| Stenographer Grade D | 80 words per minute |
The dictated material has to be transcribed on a computer.
Transcription Time
| Post | Language | Normal Time |
|---|---|---|
| Grade D | English | 50 minutes |
| Grade D | Hindi | 65 minutes |
| Grade C | English | 40 minutes |
| Grade C | Hindi | 55 minutes |
Eligible candidates receiving the prescribed scribe-related accommodation receive additional time according to SSC rules.
Minimum Qualifying Marks
SSC has prescribed the following minimum qualifying percentages for the Computer-Based Examination:
| Category | Minimum Qualifying Marks |
|---|---|
| UR | 30% |
| OBC/EWS | 25% |
| All Other Categories | 20% |
These are minimum qualifying percentages and should not be confused with the final category-wise cut-off marks.
SSC Stenographer Application Fee
The application fee prescribed in the notification was ₹100.
Women candidates and candidates belonging to SC, ST, PwBD and eligible Ex-Servicemen categories are exempt from paying the application fee.
The application window was open from April 24 to May 15, 2026, with online fee payment available until May 16, 2026.
Documents Required at the Exam Centre
Candidates should carefully check the instructions printed on their Admission Certificate.
Candidates who have not authenticated themselves through Aadhaar are required to carry the Admission Certificate along with the required original valid photo identity document. SSC also specifies carrying recent passport-size colour photographs in such cases.
Accepted photo ID documents can include:
- Aadhaar Card/e-Aadhaar
- Voter ID
- Driving Licence
- PAN Card
- Passport
- School/College ID
- Government-issued photo ID
- Employer ID in eligible cases
- Other valid photo identity documents specified by SSC
If the photo ID does not show the date of birth, the candidate may need to carry an additional original document proving the date of birth.
SSC Stenographer 2026 Selection Process
The selection process broadly consists of:
1. Computer-Based Examination
Candidates first appear for the 200-question, 200-mark computer-based examination.
2. Stenography Skill Test
Candidates shortlisted on the basis of their CBE performance appear for the qualifying skill test.
3. Document Verification
Document Verification is conducted by the concerned User Departments/Organizations after the final result.
4. Final Allocation
Final allocation is based on CBE merit and the candidate's post/department preferences, subject to applicable requirements and vacancies.
Important Tips for SSC Stenographer Admit Card 2026
Candidates appearing for the September 2026 examination should:
- Check the examination city information as soon as it is available.
- Download the Admission Certificate immediately after it is released.
- Check name, photograph, examination date, reporting time and centre address.
- Carry the required original photo ID.
- Carry additional documents if the ID does not contain the date of birth.
- Reach the examination centre well before the reporting time.
- Follow all instructions printed on the Admission Certificate.
- Do not carry prohibited electronic devices.
Candidates who have opted for their own scribe should also carefully complete the required scribe registration/mapping process. SSC's August 31 notice stated that own-scribe OTR mapping for the Stenographer examination could be completed until September 7, 2026, 11:00 PM.
SSC Stenographer Admit Card 2026 – Direct Official Website
Candidates should download the SSC Stenographer Admission Certificate only through the official SSC website or the concerned SSC Regional Office website.
SSC Official Website – ssc.gov.in
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the SSC Stenographer 2026 exam be conducted?
The revised SSC Stenographer Grade C and Grade D Computer-Based Examination will be conducted from September 9 to September 15, 2026.
When will SSC Stenographer Admit Card 2026 be released?
SSC has stated that the Admission Certificate is expected to be available approximately 2–3 days before the respective examination date.
Is the SSC Stenographer Admit Card available online?
Yes. The Admission Certificate will be issued online through the SSC website/appropriate regional portal.
What is the SSC Stenographer 2026 qualification?
Candidates must have passed Class 12 or an equivalent examination from a recognized Board or University as of August 1, 2026. Candidates must also possess stenography skills.
What is the SSC Stenographer Grade C age limit?
The Grade C age limit is 18 to 30 years as on August 1, 2026, subject to applicable age relaxation.
What is the SSC Stenographer Grade D age limit?
The Grade D age limit is 18 to 27 years as on August 1, 2026, subject to applicable age relaxation.
How many questions are asked in the SSC Stenographer CBE?
There are 200 questions carrying 200 marks: 50 Reasoning, 50 General Awareness and 100 English Language & Comprehension questions.
Is there negative marking?
Yes. 0.25 marks are deducted for each incorrect answer in the Computer-Based Examination.
Conclusion
The SSC Stenographer Grade C and Grade D Examination 2026 is an important government recruitment examination for candidates who have completed Class 12 and possess stenography skills. The most important current update is that SSC has revised the CBE schedule to September 9–15, 2026.
Candidates should regularly check the official SSC website for their examination city, Admission Certificate, examination instructions and subsequent Skill Test updates. Since the Admission Certificate is expected only a few days before the respective examination date, candidates should keep their login details ready and avoid relying on unofficial websites for the hall ticket.
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