Latest official update
SSC’s 23 September notice confirms that the 2026 CBE was held on 9–12 and 15 September. The tentative-answer-key challenge period ended on 26 September. A separate 23 September addendum makes Mangal font mandatory for Hindi skill tests. The 2025 final result must not be used as the result of this recruitment.
At a glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Recruitment | Stenographer Grade C and D Examination 2026 |
| Original tentative vacancies | Approximately 731; read subsequent vacancy notices |
| Application status | Closed |
| CBE | Conducted in September 2026 |
| Answer-key objections | Closed 26 September |
| Next individual action | Follow the matching 2026 result/skill-test notice |
| Qualification | Class 12 or equivalent under the notice |
What changed in this cycle?
The current guide replaces the original anticipated examination months with the dates confirmed in the answer-key notice. Challenge fees in that notice are ₹50 per question/answer, reduced from ₹100; that window has closed. Hindi skill-test preparation must now use Mangal font.
Notification and official PDF
Read the SSC Stenographer 2026 notification with the September skill-test addendum. Grade C/D open recruitment is distinct from the Grade C limited departmental competitive examination.
Important dates
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Applications | 24 April–15 May 2026, 23:00 — closed |
| Fee deadline | 16 May 2026 — closed |
| Correction | 20–21 May 2026 — closed |
| CBE conducted | 9–12 and 15 September 2026 |
| Answer-key challenges | 23 September, 23:00 to 26 September, 23:00 — closed |
| Hindi font addendum | 23 September 2026 |
| Skill-test date | No date established by these notices |
Vacancies and posts
The original notice advertised approximately 731 tentative Grade C/D vacancies in central-government ministries, departments and organisations. Grade C is Group B non-gazetted; Grade D is Group C. The final department/category allocation depends on SSC’s vacancy notices and selection process; the original approximate figure is not a final vacancy guarantee.
Eligibility
The notice uses 1 August 2026 for age: Grade C 18–30 and Grade D 18–27 before prescribed relaxations. Class 12 or equivalent must be passed by the notification’s qualification cut-off. Check the full nationality, category and document conditions. Candidates must possess stenography skills; passing only the CBE is insufficient.
Application process and fees
Registration and correction windows have closed. The notice prescribed ₹100, exempting women, SC/ST, PwBD and eligible ex-servicemen under its conditions. Keep the submitted application and use SSC’s candidate portal only for the matching available stage. Do not describe the closed answer-key challenge login as an application form.
Exam pattern
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General Intelligence and Reasoning | 50 | 50 |
| General Awareness | 50 | 50 |
| English Language and Comprehension | 100 | 100 |
The ordinary duration is two hours for 200 questions/200 marks; each wrong answer deducts 0.25 mark. The notification specifies compensatory time for eligible candidates. Stenography is tested separately through the skill test.
Syllabus
- Reasoning: verbal/non-verbal analogies, similarities/differences, space visualisation, problem solving, analysis, judgment, decision making, visual memory, observation, relationships, classification, series and non-verbal series.
- General awareness: current events, everyday scientific awareness, sport, history, culture, geography, economy, polity, Constitution and scientific research, especially India and neighbouring countries.
- English: vocabulary, grammar, sentence structure, synonyms/antonyms and correct usage, together with comprehension and writing ability.
Continue to the Stenographer syllabus and skill-test guide for practice priorities.
Selection process and skill test
Skill-test dictation lasts ten minutes: 100 words per minute for Grade C and 80 for Grade D. Ordinary computer transcription time is 40 minutes in English or 55 in Hindi for Grade C, and 50 in English or 65 in Hindi for Grade D. Eligible scribe/compensatory-time cases follow the separate notification table. The skill test is qualifying.
Hindi skill-test change: the 23 September addendum requires Mangal font. Work typed in another font will not be evaluated and the candidate will be treated as not qualified. Practise in the required font before the test.
Salary and job profile
Detailed guide: SSC Stenographer Salary 2026: Grade C and D Pay Levels
Stenographers undertake dictation, transcription and office support appropriate to the allotted department. Grade and department determine the applicable pay arrangements; consult the specific post/vacancy details rather than assuming one take-home salary for all Grade C/D appointments.
Preparation and previous papers
Give English proportional practice attention because it accounts for 100 of the 200 CBE marks. Practise dictation and transcription daily, measure errors as well as speed, and use the appropriate grade’s time limit. Review the current exam-date and stage guide. Keep previous papers labelled with their actual exam year.
Previous-cycle archives
Official sources
Frequently asked questions
Can I still challenge the tentative key?
The cited window closed on 26 September 2026 at 23:00.
Can Hindi candidates use any font?
No. The 23 September addendum mandates Mangal font.
Is the 25 August 2026 final result for this cycle?
No. That result belongs to Stenographer Examination 2025.