The SSC Stenographer Exam 2025 is a national-level competitive examination organized by the Staff Selection Commission (SSC). It aims to recruit skilled candidates for Grade C and Grade D stenographer posts across various ministries, government departments, and offices of the Central Government. If you’re planning to appear for this exam, it’s essential to understand the complete structure of the exam, including the exam pattern, marking scheme, qualifying criteria, and the skill test process. This article will walk you through every important aspect of the SSC Stenographer 2025 exam in a clear and well-organized format.
SSC Stenographer 2025 Examination
Conducted by the Staff Selection Commission, the SSC Stenographer 2025 is a computer-based recruitment test followed by a skill test for shortlisted candidates. The exam is conducted in online mode and is open to candidates across India. Aspirants can choose either English or Hindi as their medium for the test. It serves as an entry point into prestigious stenographer roles in various central government departments. The official website for all SSC exam updates is www.ssc.gov.in.
Computer-Based Test (CBT) Pattern
The first stage of the selection process is the Computer-Based Test (CBT). This is an online exam that includes Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) from three key areas: General Intelligence & Reasoning, General Awareness, and English Language & Comprehension. The total number of questions in the CBT is 200, carrying a total of 200 marks. Specifically, 50 questions each are asked from General Intelligence & Reasoning and General Awareness, while the English Language section carries 100 questions.
Candidates are given a total of 2 hours (120 minutes) to complete the exam. They can attempt the paper in either English or Hindi, except for the English Language section which must be attempted in English only. One crucial point to note is the negative marking scheme—for every incorrect answer, 0.25 marks are deducted, while correct answers earn one mark. Unanswered questions do not carry any penalty.
Skill Test Details and Language Proficiency
Candidates who clear the CBT are called for the next crucial phase, which is the Skill Test in Stenography. This test is conducted to evaluate the actual stenography skills of the candidates in either English or Hindi. The Skill Test varies slightly for Grade C and Grade D posts.
For Grade C posts, the dictation speed is 100 words per minute (w.p.m) in English or Hindi, and the candidates are given 600 seconds (10 minutes) for the dictation. The transcription time allotted is 40 minutes for English and 55 minutes for Hindi. On the other hand, for Grade D posts, the dictation speed is 80 w.p.m, with the same 10-minute dictation time. The transcription time is slightly longer: 50 minutes for English and 65 minutes for Hindi.
It’s important to note that the Skill Test is qualifying in nature, meaning candidates must perform well enough to pass, but the marks do not contribute to the final merit list. However, failure to qualify this stage will lead to disqualification, regardless of the marks obtained in CBT.
CBT Minimum Qualifying Marks
The SSC has set minimum qualifying marks that candidates must secure in the CBT to become eligible for the Skill Test. For General (UR) category candidates, the minimum is 30%, while OBC and EWS candidates must score at least 25%. The qualifying marks are set lower at 20% for SC, ST, PwD, and Ex-Servicemen categories. However, meeting these minimum marks does not guarantee progression to the next stage, as selection depends on overall performance and cut-off scores determined by the number of vacancies and candidates’ performance.
Selection Process
The complete selection process for SSC Stenographer 2025 involves three major stages. The first is the Computer-Based Test (CBT), which tests reasoning, general knowledge, and English skills. Once candidates qualify the CBT, they move to the Skill Test, where their stenography speed and accuracy are examined. Finally, those who clear both stages undergo Document Verification, where their original documents and eligibility claims are thoroughly checked before final appointment.
