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SSC5 min read·9 July 2026

SSC Stenographer Syllabus & Exam Pattern 2026 — Grade C & D Guide

Complete SSC Stenographer 2026 syllabus and exam pattern — Tier I CBT breakdown, shorthand skill test requirements for Grade C and Grade D.

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SSC Stenographer recruits Grade C and Grade D stenographers across central government ministries. Beyond the Tier I CBT, candidates must also clear a shorthand skill test — a stage that trips up many otherwise well-prepared candidates. This guide covers both.

SSC Stenographer 2026 Exam Pattern at a Glance

StageFormatMarksDuration
Tier I (CBT)200 Objective Questions2002 hrs
Tier II — Skill TestShorthand Dictation + TranscriptionQualifying10 min dictation

Tier I Syllabus (200Q · 200M · 2 Hrs · −0.25)

SectionQuestionsMarks
General Intelligence & Reasoning5050
General Awareness5050
English Language & Comprehension100100
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Watch out

English alone is worth 100 of the 200 marks — half the paper. If your English is weak, this is the single highest-leverage area to fix before attempting SSC Steno.

Tier II — Shorthand Skill Test

GradeDictation SpeedTranscription Time (English)Transcription Time (Hindi)
Grade C100 words per minute40 minutes55 minutes
Grade D80 words per minute50 minutes65 minutes

Dictation runs for 10 minutes at the target speed, and transcription must be completed within the time limits above. This stage is purely qualifying — no marks are added to your Tier I score.

How to Prepare for SSC Stenographer 2026

  1. 1Start shorthand practice from Day 1, in parallel with Tier I prep — stenography speed takes months to build, not weeks
  2. 2Prioritize English — Reading Comprehension, Error Detection and Vocabulary make up half the paper
  3. 3General Awareness rewards consistent daily revision more than last-minute cramming — start early
  4. 4Once comfortable with Tier I, shift a growing share of daily study time to shorthand speed drills as the skill test nears
💡
Pro tip

MockBlast has full-length SSC Stenographer Tier-I mocks in the exact pattern with chapter-wise practice. Start free — no card needed.

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