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SSC Stenographer 2026: Notice Released With 731 Vacancies In Central Ministries
New Delhi. ; Stenographer Grade C and D 2026 notification was published by the Staff Selection Commission on April 24, 2026. The 2025 notification listed 261 vacancies. This year, 731 provisional vacancies have been posted. The number of vacancies makes the 2026 Stenographer recruitment drive one of the largest Stenographer recruitment drives for the selection of staff for the different ministries and departments of the government of India.
The 2026 notification comes a year after the 2025 notification. The notification states that the online applications have been opened. The end date for the submission of the application is May 15, 2026, 11 PM. The end date for the payment of the application fees is May 16, 2026. Applicants had two days to correct their applications from May 20 to 21, 2026.
The Computer-Based Examination is to be conducted from August to September 2026, as per the SSC Exam Calendar 2026 - 27. Other sources predict that the examination will be conducted as early as July, 2026. The exam date and related details will be published on their official website. Applicants are advised to stop waiting and start preparing. The office will announce the exam dates and issue the admit cards.
Eligibility, Exam Pattern and the Key Change in SSC Stenographer 2026
The SSC Stenographer 2026 is an excellent opportunity for any Class 12 pass candidate looking for a central government job. Candidates looking to apply for SSC Stenographer 2026 should be Class 12 pass, should be in the age group of 18 to 30 years for Grade C or in the age group of 18 to 27 years for Grade D, and should fulfill the SSC nationality requirements. The cut-off date for age calculation is August 1, 2026. While there are no restrictions on the number of attempts, the candidate should be within the age limit. Age relaxations are as per the government rule. OBC candidates will get a relaxation of 3 years, SC and ST candidates will get a relaxation of 5 years, and PwBD candidates will get a relaxation of 10 years.
The selection process consists of 2 stages. The first stage is a computer-based test (CBT) consisting of 200 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) of 200 marks. There are 50 questions each from Reasoning and General Awareness, and 100 questions from English. The duration of the test is 2 hours with 0.25 negative marking. Candidates qualifying for the CBT will be required to appear for the Stenography Skill Test.
The introduction of sectional timing in 2026 is a significant change in the SSC Stenographer exam. The new exam pattern has introduced sectional timing in which candidates are required to complete the Reasoning and General Awareness sections in 30 minutes each, and in English in 60 minutes.
Steps to take to prepare for SSC Stenographer 2026
Though the application window is closed, there is a critical window between now and the date of the exam in July to August where the results will be determined. The applicants have approximately two to three months to prepare after the application. The 2026 Stenographer CBT design means certain types of preparation are mandatory and non-negotiable.
Candidates must be aware that English Language and Comprehension carries 100 marks out of 200 marks in the CBT. This section, therefore, carries more marks than the combined total of the Reasoning and General Awareness sections. The return on time invested in preparation for grammar, error spotting, vocabulary, reading comprehension, and cloze tests will be the greatest. To better understand the distribution of questions, answer the previous years SSC Stenographer’s question papers for 2024 and 2025.
For the preparation for Reasoning, ensure you cover all the standard topics. General Awareness should include current affairs for the last six to twelve months and should be supplemented with static GK of History, Polity, Geography, Science, and Economics.
Daily practice of the skill test is imperative as the test is mandatory to qualify. A Stenography test of 100 words per minute for Grade C and 80 words for Grade D must be passed. As a motor skill, shorthand requires practice for months and cannot be rushed in the final week. Candidates who are new to Shorthand practice should prepare for the Stenographer’s CBT along with drills in shorthand.
SSC Stenographer 2026 Complete Date Chart (Confirmed May 30, 2026):
Date of Notification: April 24, 2026
Online Applications Commence: April 24, 202
End of Applications: May 15, 2026 (by 11:00 PM)
End of Fee Payment: May 16, 2026
Application Modifications: May 20 to May 21, 2026
Tentative schedule of CBT: July to August 2026 (Exact date is not confirmed)
Skill Test: After the announcement of CBT results, the date is to be confirmed
Expected Vacancies: 731 (Combined Grade C & Grade D)
Note: All exam dates given in the SSC Exam Calendar 2026-2027 are tentative. Exact date(s) have to be checked by candidates at ssc.gov.in before making any sort of travel or exam day arrangements.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1. When is the SSC Stenographer 2026 notification, and what is the vacancy?
The official SSC Stenographer Grade C and D 2026 notification was published on April 24, 2026, on the SSC website at ssc.gov.in. For the Stenographer Grade C (Group B Non-Gazetted) and Grade D (Group C) posts, there are 731 provisional vacancies that have been published.
Q2. When is the SSC Stenographer 2026 exam?
According to the SSC Exam Calendar 2026-27, the SSC Stenographer Computer-Based Exam 2026 is expected to be held in the period of July to August 2026. The exact date, along with the city intimation and admit card, will be published on the website ssc.gov.in. Candidates are advised to regularly check the official website.
Q3. What is the SSC Stenographer Grade C and D 2026 eligibility?
The minimum educational qualification is Class 12 from a recognised board. The upper age limit as of August 1, 2026, is 30 years for Grade C and 27 years for Grade D, with no limits on the number of attempts. The age relaxations are as follows: OBC by 3 years, SC/ST by 5 years, and 10 years for PwBD.
Q4. What will be the exam pattern for the SSC Stenographer 2026 exam?
The SSC Stenographer 2026 computer-based test (CBT) will have 200 questions for a total of 200 marks. The three sections will be General Intelligence and Reasoning (50 marks), General Awareness (50 marks), and English Language and Comprehension (100 marks). The test will have a duration of 2 hours and will have sectional timing.
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