The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) conducts the Stenographer Grade ‘C’ and ‘D’ Examination annually, offering lucrative opportunities for aspirants aiming to secure government positions. This comprehensive guide delves into the exam’s syllabus, cut-off trends, preparation strategies, recommended study materials, and emphasizes the importance of mock tests to aid candidates in their preparation journey.
Exam Overview
The SSC Stenographer examination is a national-level test comprising two primary stages:
- Computer-Based Test (CBT): An objective-type examination assessing candidates’ proficiency in General Awareness, General Intelligence & Reasoning, and English Language & Comprehension.
- Skill Test: Evaluates candidates’ stenography skills, crucial for the roles offered.
Detailed Syllabus
A thorough understanding of the syllabus is paramount for effective preparation. Here’s a breakdown of the subjects and their respective topics:
1. General Awareness
This section evaluates candidates’ knowledge of current events and general information. Key topics include:
- Static Awareness: Fundamental facts about India and the world.
- Current Affairs: Recent events of national and international significance.
- Science & Technology: Basic scientific principles and technological advancements.
- History: Important historical events and movements.
- Culture: Cultural heritage and traditions.
- Geography: Physical and political geography.
- Economic Scene: Economic developments and policies.
- General Polity: Political systems and governance.
- Scientific Research: Recent research and discoveries.
- Indian Constitution: Key features and amendments.
- Sports: Major sports events and personalities.
Source: Career Power – SSC Stenographer Syllabus
2. General Intelligence & Reasoning
This section assesses logical reasoning and analytical abilities. Topics encompass:
- Analogy
- Similarities & Differences
- Space Visualization
- Problem-Solving
- Analysis & Judgment
- Decision Making
- Visual Memory
- Discriminating Observation
- Coding-Decoding
- Puzzles
- Venn Diagrams
- Direction & Distance
- Blood Relations
- Order & Ranking
- Number Series
- Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning
Source: Career Power – SSC Stenographer Syllabus
3. English Language & Comprehension
This segment tests candidates’ command over the English language. Key areas include:
- Reading Comprehension
- Synonyms & Antonyms
- Fill in the Blanks
- Spellings
- Phrases & Idioms
- Active & Passive Voice
- Direct & Indirect Speech
- Para Jumbles & Sentence Jumbles
- Phrase Replacement/Sentence Correction
- Error Spotting
Source: Career Power – SSC Stenographer Syllabus
Exam Pattern
Understanding the exam pattern is crucial
Exam Pattern
Understanding the exam pattern is crucial for strategic preparation.
Computer-Based Test (CBT)
The CBT comprises three sections:
Subject | No. of Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
General Awareness | 50 | 50 | |
General Intelligence & Reasoning | 50 | 50 | |
English Language & Comprehension | 100 | 100 | 2 hours (120 minutes) |
- Marking Scheme: Each correct answer awards 1 mark, while each incorrect response incurs a penalty of 0.25 marks.
Skill Test
Post qualifying the CBT, candidates undergo a skill test in stenography:
- Dictation: 10 minutes at:
- 100 words per minute (w.p.m.) for Stenographer Grade ‘C’.
- 80 w.p.m. for Stenographer Grade ‘D’.
- Transcription: To be done on a computer within:
- 40 minutes (English) or 55 minutes (Hindi) for Grade ‘C’.
- 50 minutes (English) or 65 minutes (Hindi) for Grade ‘D’.
Cut-Off Trends
Analyzing previous years’ cut-off scores provides insights into the exam’s competitiveness. Here’s a summary of the cut-off marks for SSC Stenographer Grade ‘C’ and ‘D’ up to 2024:
Grade ‘C’ Cut-Offs
Year | UR (General) | OBC | SC | ST |
|---|---|---|---|---|
2024 | 140-150 | 130-140 | 120-130 | 110-120 |
2023 | 147.45 | 145.03 | 136.08 | 128.04 |
SSC Stenographer Cut Off 2025
The cut-off marks are the minimum scores required to qualify for the next stage, which is the Skill Test in Stenography. The cut-off varies for different categories based on factors such as exam difficulty, number of vacancies, and candidate performance. The category-wise cut-off marks for Stenographer Grade ‘C’ and ‘D’ are given below:
SSC Stenographer Cut Off 2025 – Grade ‘C’
Category | Cut-Off Marks | Candidates Qualified |
SC | 138.16760 | 1540 |
ST | 114.72905 | 942 |
OBC | 148.57526 | 2650 |
EWS | 148.57526 | 1077 |
UR | 148.57526 | 2508* |
OH | 108.57415 | 206 |
HH | 40.17497 | 122 |
VH | 77.61547 | 204 |
Others-PWD | 40.21264 | 96 |
Total | – | 9345 |
SSC Stenographer Cut Off 2025 – Grade ‘D’
Category | Cut-Off Marks | Candidates Qualified |
SC | 109.72227 | 5594 |
ST | 85.13361 | 2430 |
OBC | 130.63115 | 7892 |
EWS | 117.84812 | 4052 |
UR | 130.93746 | 5376** |
ESM | 40.04063 | 381 |
OH | 86.94139 | 415 |
HH | 40.21264 | 119 |
VH | 62.90406 | 255 |
Others-PWD | 40.21264 | 96 |
Total | – | 26,610 |
Recommended Books
SSC Stenographer Aspirants must have a set of good books to read. The SSC Stenographer Exam can be cracked with only with the help of proper strategy and good books. Sometimes it is very difficult to find right books which we could prepare for SSC Stenographer Exam. Here are some recommended books for each section:
Selecting the right study materials is crucial for effective preparation.
General Intelligence & Reasoning
- “Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning” by R.S. Aggarwal
- “Analytical Reasoning” by M.K. Pandey
General Awareness
- “General Knowledge” by Binay Karna
- “Lucent’s General“
For English
- Objective General Books by SP Bakshi Published by Arihant
- Mirror of the Common Error by Dr. Ashok Kumar Singh
- Black Book of English Vocabulary by Nikhil Gupta
Preparation Tips
Effective preparation is the cornerstone of success in the SSC Stenographer examination. Here are some strategies to enhance your study plan:
- Understand the Syllabus and Exam Pattern: Begin by thoroughly reviewing the syllabus and exam pattern to identify key topics and allocate study time accordingly.
- Create a Study Schedule: Develop a realistic timetable that covers all subjects, ensuring regular revisions and practice sessions.
- Practice Mock Tests: Regularly attempt mock tests to familiarize yourself with the exam format and improve time management skills.
- Focus on Weak Areas: Identify and dedicate extra time to topics where you face challenges.
- Enhance Stenography Skills: For the skill test, practice dictations daily to improve speed and accuracy.
- Stay Updated: Regularly read newspapers and follow current affairs to excel in the General Awareness section.
- Maintain Health: Ensure a balanced diet and adequate rest to keep your mind and body fit for preparation.
Important Dates for SSC Stenographer 2025
SSC will release the official notification for SSC Stenographer 2025 on July 29th, 2025. Below is the complete schedule of important dates for the exam:
Events | Date |
|---|---|
Notification Release | July 29th, 2025 |
Online Application Starts | July 29th, 2025 |
Last Date to Apply Online | August 21st, 2025 |
Last Date to Pay Application Fee | August 21st, 2025 |
Exam Date (Computer-Based Exam) | October – November 2025 |
Admit Card Release | October 2025 (Expected) |
Skill Test | Will be Updated Soon |
Source: SSC Stenographer 2025 – SSC Adda
Stay updated with official SSC notifications for any changes in the schedule.