The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) conducts the SSC Stenographer Exam every year to recruit candidates for Grade C and Grade D stenographer positions in various government departments and ministries. It is a golden opportunity for aspirants looking for a stable government job with a decent salary and career growth. If you are interested in applying for the SSC Stenographer recruitment, this guide will provide you with all the necessary details, including eligibility criteria, exam pattern, syllabus, and preparation tips.
Overview of SSC Stenographer Recruitment
The SSC Stenographer recruitment process is conducted in three main stages:
- Computer-Based Test (CBT): This is an online objective test to assess candidates’ general intelligence, reasoning ability, general awareness, and English language skills.
- Skill Test in Stenography: Candidates who qualify in the CBT must appear for a skill test where their stenography speed and accuracy are tested.
- Document Verification: Finally, candidates who clear the skill test undergo document verification before being appointed.
Eligibility Criteria
Before applying for the SSC Stenographer exam, candidates must ensure they meet the eligibility requirements:
Educational Qualification
- Candidates must have passed Class 12th (Intermediate) or equivalent examination from a recognized board or university.
Age Limit
- Stenographer Grade C: 18 to 30 years
- Stenographer Grade D: 18 to 27 years
- Age relaxation is provided to reserved categories as per government norms.
Nationality
- Candidates must be citizens of India, Nepal, Bhutan, or Tibetan refugees who arrived in India before January 1, 1962, intending to settle permanently.
Exam Pattern
The SSC Stenographer exam consists of two main stages: the Computer-Based Test (CBT) and the Skill Test.
Computer-Based Test (CBT)
The CBT comprises multiple-choice questions (MCQs) divided into three sections:
| Subject | Number of Questions | Maximum Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 50 | 50 | 2 hours |
| General Awareness | 50 | 50 | 2 hours |
| English Language & Comprehension | 100 | 100 | 2 hours |
| Total | 200 | 200 | 2 hours |
- Each correct answer carries 1 mark, and 0.25 marks are deducted for each wrong answer.
Skill Test in Stenography
Candidates who qualify in the CBT must take a stenography skill test. The requirements are:
- Stenographer Grade C: Dictation at 100 words per minute (wpm), transcription in 40 minutes (English) or 55 minutes (Hindi).
- Stenographer Grade D: Dictation at 80 wpm, transcription in 50 minutes (English) or 65 minutes (Hindi).
- The skill test is qualifying in nature, and candidates must meet the prescribed speed to proceed.
Application Process
Candidates can apply for the SSC Stenographer exam online through the official SSC website. The steps include:
- Registration: Visit the SSC website (ssc.nic.in) and complete the One-Time Registration (OTR) process.
- Filling the Application Form: Log in with your credentials, fill in the application details, upload scanned documents, and select your preferred exam center.
- Fee Payment: Pay the application fee through online payment methods (debit/credit card, net banking, UPI) or offline through an SBI Challan.
- Submission: Review the form and submit it before the deadline.
Application Fee
- General/OBC: ₹100/-
- SC/ST/PWD/Women candidates: Exempted (No Fee)
Syllabus for SSC Stenographer Exam
1. General Intelligence & Reasoning
- Analogies
- Classification
- Coding-Decoding
- Number Series
- Problem-Solving
- Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning
2. General Awareness
- Current Affairs
- History
- Geography
- Polity
- Economics
- Scientific Research
3. English Language & Comprehension
- Vocabulary
- Grammar
- Sentence Structure
- Synonyms & Antonyms
- Reading Comprehension
- Error Detection
Preparation Tips
- Understand the Exam Pattern and Syllabus: Get familiar with the structure of the exam and allocate your time accordingly.
- Practice Regularly: Solve previous years’ question papers and take mock tests to improve accuracy and speed.
- Improve Stenography Skills: Daily practice of shorthand dictation is crucial to performing well in the skill test.
- Time Management: Allocate specific time slots for different subjects and maintain consistency in your study routine.
- Stay Updated with Current Affairs: Read newspapers and follow news portals to enhance general awareness.
Admit Card & Result
- The admit card is released a few weeks before the exam and can be downloaded from the SSC website.
- Results are announced in phases: first for CBT, then for the skill test, and finally, after document verification.