SSC Stenographer syllabus 2026: CBT topics, skill test and exam pattern
The SSC Stenographer Grade 'C' and 'D' exam has two stages: a computer-based test (CBT) of 200 questions in 2 hours, which decides your merit, and a shorthand skill test, which you only have to qualify. The CBT has three parts: General Intelligence and Reasoning (50 marks), General Awareness (50) and English Language and Comprehension (100), with a sectional timer of 30, 30 and 60 minutes. Half the paper is English, which is what makes this syllabus different from other SSC exams. The facts below are from SSC's notice of 24 April 2026 for the 2026 exam, checked on 26 October 2026.
SSC Stenographer exam pattern
| Part | Questions | Marks | Time (sectional) |
|---|---|---|---|
| I: General Intelligence and Reasoning | 50 | 50 | 30 minutes |
| II: General Awareness | 50 | 50 | 30 minutes |
| III: English Language and Comprehension | 100 | 100 | 60 minutes |
| Total | 200 | 200 | 2 hours |
- Negative marking: 0.25 marks for each wrong answer.
- Language: questions in English and Hindi, except Part III, which is in English.
- Minimum qualifying marks in the CBT: 30% for UR, 25% for OBC and EWS, 20% for other categories.
- Normalisation: marks from different shifts are normalised.
- Scribe: eligible candidates get 2 hours 40 minutes.
SSC Stenographer syllabus for the CBT
Part I: General Intelligence and Reasoning (50 questions)
- Analogies, similarities and differences
- Verbal and figure classification
- Arithmetical number series and non-verbal series
- Coding and decoding, relationship concepts
- Space visualisation, visual memory, discriminating observation
- Problem solving, analysis, judgement and decision making
- Arithmetical reasoning and computation
There is no separate Mathematics section in this exam. Arithmetic appears only as arithmetical reasoning inside Part I.
Part II: General Awareness (50 questions)
- Current events
- Everyday science and scientific research
- India and its neighbouring countries: history, culture, geography, the economic scene and sports
- General polity, including the Indian Constitution
Part III: English Language and Comprehension (100 questions)
| Area | Topics |
|---|---|
| Vocabulary | Synonyms, antonyms, spellings, one-word substitution, idioms and phrases |
| Grammar | Spotting the error, fill in the blanks, sentence improvement |
| Sentence structure | Active and passive voice, direct and indirect speech, sentence rearrangement |
| Reading | Cloze passages, reading comprehension |
100 questions in 60 minutes is 36 seconds a question, so speed in vocabulary and error spotting decides how much time is left for the comprehension passages.
SSC Stenographer skill test
Those who clear the CBT are shortlisted category-wise for the skill test: one dictation of 10 minutes in English or Hindi, as chosen in the application form, transcribed on a computer.
| Grade 'C' | Grade 'D' | |
|---|---|---|
| Dictation speed | 100 words per minute | 80 words per minute |
| Dictation time | 10 minutes | 10 minutes |
| Transcription, English | 40 minutes | 50 minutes |
| Transcription, Hindi | 55 minutes | 65 minutes |
| Transcription with a scribe (English / Hindi) | 55 / 75 minutes | 70 / 90 minutes |
The skill test is qualifying only: selection is by merit in the CBT among those who qualify it. The notice says SSC fixes the category-wise standards of the skill test; read the notice of your year for them. Only candidates who already have shorthand skill should apply.
How to prepare from this syllabus
- English first. It is 100 of the 200 marks. Spend half your daily time on it: 20 new words with their usage, one error-spotting set and one comprehension passage a day.
- Reasoning in short sets. 25 questions in 15 minutes, twice a week, to build the pace of 36 seconds a question that the 30-minute part needs.
- General Awareness: 30 minutes a day on current events and static GK (polity, history, geography).
- Shorthand every day. The skill test is only qualifying, but failing it ends the selection. Take dictation at your grade's speed and transcribe on a computer within the time limit.
- Mock tests with the sectional timers. Take a full SSC Stenographer mock test once a week, then analyse it part by part.
Useful links
- SSC Stenographer 2026: exam date, pattern and how to apply
- SSC Stenographer syllabus page
- Free SSC Stenographer mock tests
- SSC Stenographer 2026 notice (PDF, ssc.gov.in)
- Negative marking: when to guess
Frequently asked questions
What is the syllabus of SSC Stenographer?
The CBT has three parts: General Intelligence and Reasoning (50 questions), General Awareness (50) and English Language and Comprehension (100). After the CBT there is a qualifying shorthand skill test.
Is there Maths in the SSC Stenographer exam?
There is no separate Mathematics section. Arithmetic appears only as arithmetical reasoning and number series inside the reasoning part.
Is there negative marking in SSC Stenographer?
Yes. 0.25 marks are deducted for each wrong answer in the CBT.
What is the speed for the SSC Stenographer skill test?
100 words per minute for Grade 'C' and 80 words per minute for Grade 'D', in a 10-minute dictation in English or Hindi.
Are skill test marks added in SSC Stenographer?
No. The skill test is qualifying only. Selection is by CBT merit among the candidates who qualify the skill test.