SSC Stenographer Syllabus 2026: Exam Pattern, Skill Test & Preparation Guide
Access the comprehensive SSC Stenographer Syllabus and Exam Pattern to ace your CBT and Skill Test. Review detailed subject-wise topics, recommended books, and proven study strategies here.
SSC Stenographer Syllabus 2026
Mastering the SSC Stenographer Syllabus and Exam Pattern 2026 is the foundation of a successful preparation strategy. The Computer-Based Test (CBT) evaluates candidates across three primary sections: General Intelligence & Reasoning, General Awareness, and English Language & Comprehension. The selection process consists of a written examination followed by a shorthand skill test, with no interview phase. A deep dive into these requirements will significantly boost your performance and confidence.
SSC Stenographer Syllabus: Overview
Before exploring the specific subject-wise syllabus and exam structure, refer to the table below for essential updates and key exam highlights:
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | SSC Stenographer Grade C & D Exam 2026 |
| Conducting Body | Staff Selection Commission (SSC) |
| Notification Status | Released |
| Posts | Stenographer Grade C & Grade D |
| Vacancy | 1170 |
| Selection Process | CBT + Skill Test |
| Exam Mode | Computer-Based Test (Online) |
| CBT Subjects | General Intelligence, General Awareness, English Language |
| Total Questions | 200 |
| Total Marks | 200 |
| Exam Duration | 2 Hours |
| Negative Marking | 0.25 marks per wrong answer |
| Skill Test | Dictation + Transcription |
| Grade C Speed | 100 WPM |
| Grade D Speed | 80 WPM |
| SSC Stenographer Exam Date 2026 | July-August 2026 (Expected) |
| Job Location | Across India |
| Official Website | ssc.gov.in |
SSC Stenographer Selection Process
The SSC Stenographer recruitment process comprises the following two key stages:
| Tier | Type of Examination | Mode of examination |
| Tier-1 | Objective Multiple Choice | CBT (Online) |
| Tier-2 | Shorthand Skill Test | Transcription is to be done on a computer, and shorthand notes are to be taken in shorthand notepads. |
SSC Stenographer CBT Exam Pattern 2026
The Computer-Based Test (CBT) covers the following core sections:
- General Awareness
- General Reasoning & Intelligence
- English Comprehension
Please refer to the table below for a detailed breakdown of the SSC Stenographer Computer-Based Test marking scheme and structure:
| Parts | Sections | No. of Questions | Total Marks | Time Allotted |
|
I
|
General Intelligence and Reasoning
|
50 | 50 | 30 Mins |
|
II
|
General Awareness
|
50 | 50 | 30 Mins |
|
III
|
English Language
|
100 | 100 | 60 Mins |
| Total | 200 | 200 | 120 Mins | |
Is there negative marking in SSC Steno Exam?
Yes, the exam includes a negative marking policy. A penalty of 0.25 marks (1/4th of the total marks) is deducted for every incorrect answer provided.
SSC Stenographer Syllabus 2026 – Subject-wise
The detailed syllabus for General Intelligence & Reasoning, General Awareness, and English Language & Comprehension is outlined below. This information aligns with the official SSC notification, ensuring you have reliable content to streamline your study efforts.
General Intelligence and Reasoning Syllabus
- Space Visualization
- Problem-Solving
- Similarities & Differences
- Analysis, Judgement
- Discriminating Observation
- Decision Making
- Visual Memory
- Coding-Decoding
- Direction & Distance
- Blood Relation
- Order & Ranking
- Puzzle
- Venn Diagram
- Non-Verbal Reasoning
- Number Series
- Verbal Reasoning
General Awareness Syllabus
- Static Awareness
- Current Affairs
- History
- Culture
- Geography
- General polity
- Economic scene
- Scientific research
- Sports
- Indian constitution
- Science & Technology
English Comprehension Syllabus
- Spellings
- Phrases & Idiom Meaning
- Active & Passive Voice
- Reading Comprehension
- Synonyms & Antonyms
- Fill in the Blanks
- Direct & Indirect Speech
- Error Spotting
- Para Jumble & Sentence Jumble
- Phrase Replacement/ Sentence Correction
SSC Stenographer Syllabus PDF
We have compiled the complete SSC Stenographer Syllabus for your convenience. You can download the official PDF version via the link below to access all relevant topics and examination guidelines.
SSC Stenographer Skill Test 2026
The SSC Stenographer Skill Test evaluates proficiency using both traditional shorthand methods and computer transcription.
- A shorthand test will have to be done on the Shorthand Notepad, and the same has to be transcribed on a computer.
- Skill test language can be either English or Hindi.
- The language of the skill test has to be chosen by the candidates while filling up the form only.
- But if the candidate does not choose any language, then the skill test will be done in English only.
Please refer to the table below for the specific requirements and parameters of the Skill Test:
Candidates will be required to take dictation at the speeds specified below.
- For Stenographer Group ‘D’: 80 words per minute (w.p.m) for 10 Minutes
- For Stenographer Group ‘C’: 100 words per minute (w.p.m) for 10 Minutes
Following the dictation, candidates must transcribe their shorthand notes onto a computer. Note that the Skill Test is qualifying in nature.
| Post | Language of Skill Test | Time Duration | Time Duration for candidates Who are allowed the scribe |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stenographer Grade D | English | 50 Minutes | 70 Minutes |
| Stenographer Grade C | Hindi | 65 Minutes | 90 Minutes |
| Stenographer Grade C | English | 40 Minutes | 55 Minutes |
| Stenographer Grade D | Hindi | 55 Minutes | 75 Minutes |
SSC Stenographer Skill Test Syllabus 2026
The Skill Test syllabus focuses on accuracy and speed. Candidates will transcribe passages dictated in either English or Hindi. Review the table below for a detailed breakdown of the evaluation criteria to ensure your preparation is on the right track.
| SSC Stenographer Syllabus for Skill Test | |
| Tier | Syllabus |
| Syllabus Tier 2 |
|
Qualifying Criteria For SSC Stenographer Skill Test
To advance to the Skill Test, candidates must successfully clear the cut-off marks established by the SSC for the computer-based examination.
- The minimum qualifying marks vary for Grade C and Grade D posts. Candidates scoring higher in the CBT may be shortlisted for both Grade C and Grade D Skill Tests, which comprise Tier II of the selection process.
- Only those who clear the written exam will be eligible to appear for the shorthand skill test, which is qualifying in nature.
- The final merit list will be based solely on the marks obtained in the written test.
The following section outlines the qualifying standards for the shorthand skill test for both Grade C and Grade D positions.
| Category | Permissible Mistake out of total words | |
|---|---|---|
| Grade C | Grade D | |
| General | 5% | 7% |
| OBC/SC/ST/Ex-servicemen | 5% | 10% |
SSC Stenographer Best Books List
Candidates can enhance their preparation by referencing our recommended subject-wise book list for the SSC Stenographer 2026 examination.
| SSC Stenographer Book List 2026 | ||
| Subject | Books | Author |
| English | Objective General English | S.P. Bakshi |
| Plinth to Paramount | Neetu Singh | |
| Word Power Made Easy | Norman Lewis | |
| GK | General Knowledge (GK) |
Lucent Publication
|
| NCERT Books |
From Class 6th to 12th
|
|
| Current Affairs |
Monthly Magazine & Newspaper
|
|
| Reasoning | A New Approach to Reasoning Verbal, Non-Verbal and Analytical |
B.S Sijwali, Indu Sijwali
|
| Verbal & Nonverbal Reasoning | R.S Aggarwal | |
| Analytical Reasoning | M. K Pandey | |
SSC Stenographer Preparation Tips 2026
To excel in the SSC Stenographer 2026 exam, follow the effective preparation tips provided below. We suggest integrating these habits into your daily study schedule for maximum results.
- Study the Official Syllabus: Review the official syllabus and concentrate on key topics.
- Plan Your Schedule: Develop a study schedule with realistic deadlines for each subject.
- Use Trusted Material: Utilise official SSC materials and recommended books for your preparation.
- Practice Tests daily: Work through previous papers and take mock tests to enhance time management skills.
- Work on Weak Areas: Identify your weak points and allocate more time to improve them.
- Stay Updated: Keep abreast of current affairs, especially in General Awareness.
- Manage Time Well: Practice effective time management and focus on sections with higher marks.
- Revise Regularly: Consistently review topics to aid retention.
- Be Consistent: Adhere to your study plan diligently.
- Get Guidance: Seek assistance from teachers or mentors if needed.
- Stay Informed: Monitor SSC notifications for any updates.
FAQs
The SSC Stenographer 2026 CBT covers three sections: General Intelligence & Reasoning, General Awareness, and English Language. Additionally, candidates must pass the shorthand skill test to be considered for selection.
Yes, a negative marking of 0.25 marks applies to each incorrect response.
The SSC Stenographer examination consists of a total of 200 questions.
The SSC Stenographer examination is conducted for a maximum of 200 marks.
Yes, the SSC Stenographer Skill Test is strictly qualifying in nature.
The selection process includes a two-stage format: the Computer-Based Test (CBT) and the Shorthand Skill Test. There is no interview stage.
Candidates are provided with a total duration of 2 hours (120 minutes) to complete the CBT.
The Skill Test is qualifying in nature, and the final merit list is determined by the marks obtained during the Computer-Based Test.