SSC Stenographer Grade ‘C’ & ‘D’ Examination 2025: Apply by June 26

Advt. No.: E/16/2025-C-2
The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) invites online applications for the Stenographer Grade ‘C’ & ‘D’ Examination 2025, an open competitive computer-based examination for direct recruitment to Stenographer Grade ‘C’ (Group B, Non-Gazetted) and Stenographer Grade ‘D’ (Group C) posts in various Ministries/Departments/Organizations of the Government of India, including their attached/subordinate offices and statutory bodies across States and Union Territories. Only candidates with stenography skills are eligible.

Important Dates

• Online Application Start Date: 06/06/2025, 10:00 AM IST
• Online Application Last Date: 26/06/2025, 11:00 PM IST
• Online Fee Payment Last Date: 27/06/2025, 11:00 PM IST
• Application Correction Window: 01/07/2025 to 02/07/2025, 11:00 PM IST
• Computer-Based Examination (CBE) Dates: 06/08/2025 to 11/08/2025
• Toll-Free Helpline: 1800-309-3063 (for application issues)

Vacancy Details

• Total Vacancies: Approximately 261 (tentative, subject to change).
• Post Details:
  • Stenographer Grade ‘C’: Group B, Non-Gazetted, Pay Level-6 (Rs. 35,400–1,12,400).
  • Stenographer Grade ‘D’: Group C, Pay Level-4 (Rs. 25,500–81,100).
• Vacancy Updates: Firm vacancies, post-wise, and category-wise details will be updated on https://ssc.gov.in under For Candidates > Tentative Vacancy.
• Note:
  • State/Zone-wise vacancies are not collected by SSC.
  • Vacancies in Border Roads Organization (BRO) for Stenographer Grade ‘D’ are for male candidates only.

Reservation

• Categories:
  • Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC), Economically Weaker Sections (EWS), Ex-Servicemen (ESM), Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD).
• ESM Reservation: Only for Stenographer Grade ‘D’ (Group C).
• PwBD Suitability: Posts identified suitable for PwBD as per Notification No. 38-16/2020-DD-III dated 04/01/2021 (amended):
  • Stenographer Grade ‘C’:
    • Functional Requirements: Sitting, Standing, Walking, Bending, Reading & Writing, Seeing, Hearing, Communication.
    • Suitable Disabilities: Blind (B), Low Vision (LV), Deaf (D), Hard of Hearing (HH), One Arm (OA), One Leg (OL), Both Legs (BL), One Arm & One Leg (OAL), Cerebral Palsy (CP), Leprosy Cured (LC), Dwarfism (Dw), Acid Attack Victims (AAV), Spinal Deformity/Injury (SD/SI) without neurological/limb dysfunction, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Specific Learning Disability (SLD), Mental Illness (MI), Multiple Disabilities (MD).
  • Stenographer Grade ‘D’:
    • Functional Requirements: Same as Grade ‘C’.
    • Suitable Disabilities: Blind (B), Low Vision (LV), Hard of Hearing (HH), One Arm (OA), One Leg (OL), One Arm & One Leg (OAL), Cerebral Palsy (CP), Leprosy Cured (LC), Dwarfism (Dw), Acid Attack Victims (AAV), Muscular Dystrophy (MDy), Spinal Deformity/Injury (SD/SI) without neurological/limb dysfunction, ASD (Mild), Intellectual Disability (ID), SLD, MI, MD.
• Note:
  • Suitability subject to exemptions by indenting Ministries/Departments.
  • SSC does not determine vacancy numbers or implement reservation policies; this is handled by User Departments.

Eligibility Criteria

Nationality

• Eligible Candidates:
  • Citizens of India.
  • Subjects of Nepal or Bhutan.
  • Persons of Indian origin migrated from Pakistan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia, or Vietnam with intent to settle permanently in India.
• Certificate of Eligibility: Required for non-Indian citizens (Nepal, Bhutan, or migrants); appointment offered only after issuance by Government of India.

Age Limit (as on 01/08/2025)

• Stenographer Grade ‘C’: 18–30 years (born between 02/08/1995 and 01/08/2007).
• Stenographer Grade ‘D’: 18–27 years (born between 02/08/1998 and 01/08/2007).
• Age Relaxations:
  • SC/ST: 5 years.
  • OBC: 3 years.
  • PwBD (Unreserved): 10 years.
  • PwBD (OBC): 13 years.
  • PwBD (SC/ST): 15 years.
  • Ex-Servicemen (ESM): 3 years after deducting military service from actual age as on 01/08/2025.
  • Defence Personnel (disabled in operations): 3 years (8 years for SC/ST).
  • Central Govt. Civilian Employees (Group C, 3+ years service): Up to 40 years (45 years for SC/ST).
  • Widows/Divorced Women (not remarried): Up to 35 years (40 years for SC/ST).
• Note:
  • Age based on Matriculation/Secondary Certificate.
  • ESM already employed in Group C/D posts cannot claim ESM reservation but may avail age relaxation for subsequent jobs if self-declaration is provided.
  • ESM must have acquired status via retirement/discharge (not misconduct) or complete engagement within 1 year from 26/06/2025.
  • Matriculate ESM with 15+ years of Armed Forces service eligible only for Stenographer Grade ‘D’ (ESM quota).
  • No age relaxation for dependents of ESM.

Educational Qualifications (as on 01/08/2025)

• Minimum Requirement: Passed 12th Standard or equivalent from a recognized Board/University.
• Open & Distance Learning: Degrees/diplomas via Open and Distance Learning recognized if approved by Distance Education Bureau, UGC.
• Exceptions: Engineering, medical, and related programs not permitted via Open and Distance Learning (except B.Tech. from IGNOU enrolled up to 2009–10, per Supreme Court order).
• Document Verification: Candidates must produce original 12th certificates/mark sheets at DV; failure leads to cancellation.

Stenography Skills

• Requirement: Mandatory for all candidates.
• Skill Test: Details in selection process (below).

Selection Process

• Stage-1: Computer-Based Examination (CBE):
  • Mode: Online, objective MCQs.
  • Structure:
    • General Intelligence & Reasoning: 50 Qs, 50 marks.
    • General Awareness: 50 Qs, 50 marks.
    • English Language & Comprehension: 100 Qs, 100 marks.
    • Total: 200 Qs, 200 marks, 2 hours (2 hours 40 minutes for PwBD with scribe).
  • Marking: +1 for correct answer, -0.25 for incorrect answer.
  • Syllabus:
    • General Intelligence & Reasoning: Verbal/non-verbal, analogies, similarities, differences, space visualization, problem-solving, analysis, judgment, decision-making, visual memory, discrimination, observation, relationship concepts, arithmetical reasoning, number series, non-verbal series, coding-decoding.
    • General Awareness: Current events, India and neighbors, History, Culture, Geography, Economic Scene, General Polity, Indian Constitution, Scientific Research.
    • English Language & Comprehension: Vocabulary, grammar, sentence structure, synonyms, antonyms, comprehension, writing ability.
  • Qualifying Criteria: Category-wise cut-offs set by SSC.
• Stage-2: Stenography Skill Test:
  • Mode: Qualifying nature, conducted for CBE shortlisted candidates.
  • Details:
    • Stenographer Grade ‘C’: 100 wpm (English/Hindi).
    • Stenographer Grade ‘D’: 80 wpm (English/Hindi).
    • Transcription on computer (time limits not specified in document).
  • Exemptions: PwBD candidates may be exempt if certified unable to perform stenography (per Annexure-XI/IA).
• Final Merit: Based on CBE marks, subject to qualifying Skill Test and Document Verification.
• Document Verification (DV): Conducted by User Departments post-result; candidates must produce:
  • 12th certificate/mark sheet.
  • Caste/Category certificates (SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwBD/ESM).
  • Disability certificate (Annexure-XI/IA/IIA/IIB, if applicable).
  • Photo ID (Aadhar/Voter ID/Driving License/PAN).
  • Scribe-related documents (if applicable).
• BRO-Specific Requirements (Stenographer Grade ‘D’):
  • Physical Efficiency Test (PET): One-mile run in 10 minutes (mandatory at GREF Centre, Pune).
  • Physical Standards: Region-wise (e.g., Western Himalayan: 158 cm height, 75 cm chest + 5 cm expansion, 47.5 kg weight). Relaxations for Gorkhas, sons of GREF personnel (2 cm height, 1 cm chest, 2 kg weight).
  • Medical Standards: Sound health, no constitutional/acquired disabilities, BMI ≥18, visual acuity 6/12 (correctable), no chronic diseases.
  • Medical Examination: Conducted by BRO Medical Board; candidates declared temporarily/permanently unfit may appeal within 60 days (Rs. 40 for permanent unfit re-examination).
  • Note: BRO candidates must meet standards; no re-allocation if failed.

Application Process

How to Apply

• Mode: Online only via https://ssc.gov.in.
• Steps:
  1. Register via One-Time Registration (OTR) with Aadhar authentication.
  2. Upload scanned photograph (20–50 KB, JPG) and signature (10–20 KB, JPG).
  3. Fill application form, select post preferences, and upload certificates (e.g., PwBD, scribe-related).
  4. Pay application fee online.
  5. Download application form and e-receipt.
• Correction Window: 01/07/2025 to 02/07/2025 (charges apply).
• Note:
  • Only latest application considered for multiple submissions.
  • Incomplete/invalid applications rejected.

Application Fee

• General/OBC: Rs. 100 (non-refundable).
• SC/ST/PwBD/ESM/Women: Nil.
• Payment Mode: Online (BHIM UPI, Net Banking, Visa/MasterCard/Maestro, Debit/Credit Cards).

Documents to Upload

• Photograph: Recent, 20–50 KB, JPG.
• Signature: 10–20 KB, JPG.
• Certificates (if applicable):
  • PwBD: Annexure-XI (≥40% disability) or Annexure-IA/IIA (writing difficulty).
  • Scribe: Annexure-IB/IIB, scribe’s ID proof photocopy.
  • OBC/EWS: Annexure-IX/X (EWS valid for FY 2025–26, based on FY 2024–25 income).
• DV Documents:
  • Matriculation certificate (DoB proof).
  • 12th certificate/mark sheet.
  • Caste/Category certificates.
  • Disability certificate.
  • ESM discharge certificate.
  • Photo ID matching application details.

Scribe Guidelines (PwBD/PwD)

• Eligibility:
  • PwBD (≥40% disability): Blindness, Both Arms Affected (BA), Cerebral Palsy (Annexure-XI).
  • PwD (<40% disability): Writing difficulty certified by CMO/Civil Surgeon (Annexure-IA/IIA).
• Rules:
  • Option for own scribe or SSC-provided scribe (select during application).
  • Own scribe:
    • Must complete OTR with Aadhar authentication.
    • Qualification one step below candidate’s.
    • Not a candidate in this exam or debarred by SSC.
    • Submit ID proof photocopy (signed) and Annexure-IB/IIB.
  • Scribe registration: Up to 5 days before exam; OTP-based process via SSC portal.
  • Compensatory Time: 20 minutes per hour for scribe users or eligible PwBD/PwD without scribe.
  • Documents: Submit Annexure-XI/IA/IIA/IIB at exam and DV; failure leads to cancellation.
• Other:
  • Partially blind candidates using magnifying glass (self-provided) not entitled to scribe.
  • No attendants allowed except scribe.

Examination Centres

• Locations: Across India (list in SSC notification; candidates select 3 preferences).
• Note: SSC may cancel/redirect centres; no changes post-submission.

BRO-Specific Instructions (Stenographer Grade ‘D’)

• Physical Efficiency Test: One-mile run (10 minutes) at GREF Centre, Pune.
• Physical Standards:
  • Western Himalayan: 158 cm height, 75 cm chest (+5 cm), 47.5 kg.
  • Eastern Himalayan: 152 cm height, 75 cm chest (+5 cm), 47.5 kg.
  • West Plain: 162.5 cm height, 76 cm chest (+5 cm), 50 kg.
  • Eastern Plain/Central/Southern: 157 cm height, 75 cm chest (+5 cm), 50 kg.
  • Gorkhas/Sons of GREF: Relaxations (2 cm height, 1 cm chest, 2 kg weight).
• Medical Standards:
  • General: Sound health, BMI ≥18, no nervous instability, no tattoos (except inner forearms/palm).
  • Permanent Rejection: Impaired constitution, deafness, squint, chronic infections, tattoos on other body parts.
  • Temporary Rejection: Correctable defects (e.g., vision 6/6 with glasses, minor dental issues); re-examination within 2–3 months.
  • Visual Standards: 6/12 each eye (correctable); unaided 6/60.
  • Appeal: 60 days for unfit candidates (Rs. 40 for permanent unfit re-examination).
• Medical Examination: By BRO Medical Board; unfit candidates informed in writing.
• Induction: Medically fit candidates trained at GREF Centre, Pune, then posted anywhere in India.

General Instructions

• Admit Card: Download from https://ssc.gov.in 4 days before exam; no hard copies sent.
• Prohibited Items: Mobiles, calculators, smartwatches banned in exam halls.
• Misconduct: Fraudulent claims (e.g., false SC/ST/OBC/PwBD status) lead to debarment/FIR.
• Certificates:
  • SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwBD/ESM certificates mandatory at DV; formats in Annexures (IX, X, XI, IA, IIA, IIB).
  • OBC: Non-creamy layer status as on 26/06/2025.
  • EWS: Income & Asset certificate for FY 2025–26 (based on FY 2024–25).
• Provisional Candidature: Subject to certificate verification by User Departments.
• No Re-evaluation: Answer sheets not re-checked.
• Updates: Check https://ssc.gov.in for announcements.

Important Links

Official Website: Click here
Apply Now: Click here
Notification: Click here