SSC Stenographer — Syllabus & Exam Pattern

Free preparation for SSC Stenographer — the official exam pattern and topic-wise syllabus are below. Start preparing from home.

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Exam Pattern

SSC Stenographer Grade 'C' & 'D' Examination is conducted by the Staff Selection Commission for Stenographer Grade 'C' (Group 'B', Non-Gazetted) and Grade 'D' (Group 'C') posts in central ministries and departments. Eligibility: 12th pass from a recognized board; age 18-30 for Grade 'C' and 18-27 for Grade 'D' (2025 cycle, as on 01.08.2025; category relaxations apply). Two stages. Stage 1 — Computer Based Examination: one objective paper, 200 questions/200 marks, 2 hours — General Intelligence & Reasoning 50/50, General Awareness 50/50, English Language & Comprehension 100/100; negative marking 0.25 per wrong answer; marks normalized across shifts; questions in English and Hindi (except the English part). Stage 2 — Skill Test in Stenography (mandatory, qualifying): ONE dictation of 10 minutes in English or Hindi (as opted in the application) at 100 words per minute for Grade 'C' and 80 wpm for Grade 'D', transcribed on computer. Transcription time — Grade 'C': English 40 min, Hindi 55 min; Grade 'D': English 50 min, Hindi 65 min. Candidates opting the Hindi skill test must learn English stenography after appointment (and vice versa). Final merit is based on CBE marks among skill-test qualifiers. CONFIRMED against SSC Notice of Examination F.No. E/16/2025-C-2, Stenographer Grade 'C' & 'D' Examination, 2025 (ssc.gov.in).

Syllabus (topic-wise)

NOTE: The official notice publishes an 'Indicative Syllabus' in prose, not a granular topic list — detailed topic breakdowns on coaching sites are interpretations, not official. Re-verify each cycle's notice on ssc.gov.in.
General Intelligence & Reasoning (50 Q): verbal and non-verbal — analogies, similarities and differences, space visualization, problem solving, analysis, judgment, decision making, visual memory, discriminating observation, relationship concepts, arithmetical reasoning, verbal and figure classification, number series, abstract ideas and symbols, arithmetical computation.
General Awareness (50 Q): environment and its application to society, current events, everyday science, India and neighbouring countries — Sports, History, Culture, Geography, Economic scene, General Polity including Indian Constitution, Scientific Research.
English Language & Comprehension (100 Q): vocabulary, grammar, sentence structure, synonyms, antonyms, correct usage, writing ability.
Skill Test norms: 10-minute dictation at 100 wpm (Grade C) / 80 wpm (Grade D); computer transcription — Grade C: English 40 min / Hindi 55 min; Grade D: English 50 min / Hindi 65 min. Qualifying in nature; practise daily dictation at target speed.
Preparation tip from the pattern itself: English section carries HALF the CBE marks (100/200) — steno aspirants who practise only shorthand and neglect English grammar/vocabulary lose the ranking half of the paper.

Official source: https://ssc.gov.in/api/attachment/uploads/masterData/NoticeBoards/Notice_of_adv_steno_2025.pdf

⚠️ Always confirm against that year's official notification — the exam pattern and syllabus can change. This page is free guidance only.