The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has officially released the notification for the Grade ‘C’ Stenographers Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE), 2025. This is a significant opportunity for existing government employees serving as Stenographer Grade ‘D’ to accelerate their career path and move into a higher pay scale and more responsible roles.
With a total of 326 vacancies announced across prestigious central government departments, this year’s departmental exam is highly competitive. If you are aiming to transition from Grade ‘D’ to Grade ‘C’, understanding the nuances of the notification, the specific eligibility of your cadre, and the exam pattern is essential.
Overview of SSC Stenographer LDCE 2025
The LDCE is not an open recruitment for the general public; it is a “Limited” exam, meaning only regularly appointed departmental candidates can apply. This recruitment aims to fill vacancies in the Grade ‘C’ Stenographer cadre within several participating services of the Government of India.
| Feature | Details |
| Exam Name | Grade ‘C’ Stenographers Limited Departmental Competitive Exam 2025 |
| Conducting Body | Staff Selection Commission (SSC) |
| Total Vacancies | 326 Posts |
| Application Mode | Online (ssc.gov.in) followed by Hard Copy submission |
| Notification Date | December 22, 2025 |
| Last Date to Apply | January 11, 2026 |
| Job Location | Primarily New Delhi (Central Secretariats) |
Vacancy Distribution (326 Posts)
The vacancies are distributed among various cadres. The Central Secretariat Stenographers Service (CSSS) holds the lion’s share of the positions this year.
| Service / Cadre Name | Total Vacancies | UR | SC | ST | PwBD |
| Central Secretariat Stenographers Service (CSSS) | 267 | 195 | 48 | 24 | 11 |
| Armed Forces Headquarters (AFHQ) | 37 | 21 | 09 | 07 | 04 |
| Indian Foreign Service (IFS) Branch (B) | 13 | 11 | 01 | 01 | 02 |
| Railway Board Secretariat | 08 | 03 | 02 | 03 | 01 |
| Election Commission of India | 01 | 00 | 00 | 01 | 00 |
| Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) | To be notified | – | – | – | – |
| Grand Total | 326 | 230 | 60 | 36 | 18 |
Detailed Eligibility Criteria
To apply for the SSC stenographers departmental exam, candidates must meet specific service requirements. The “crucial date” for determining eligibility is July 1, 2025.
1. Educational Qualification
- Candidates must have passed the 12th Standard or equivalent from a recognized Board or University.
- Computer Literacy: Most cadres now mandate that candidates possess basic computer operating skills.
2. Service Requirement (As of 01.07.2025)
Eligibility varies based on the department you are currently serving in:
- CSSS & AFHQ: Generally requires 3 years of regular service in Grade ‘D’.
- Railway Board: Requires 6 years of regular service.
- CVC: Requires 5 years of regular service.
- Note: Only “Regularly Appointed” Stenographers Grade ‘D’ are eligible. Ad-hoc or contract employees cannot apply.
Exam Pattern and Selection Process
The selection process for the Grade ‘C’ promotion involves two main stages: a Computer Based Examination (CBT) and a Shorthand Skill Test.
Stage 1: Computer Based Examination (CBT)
The written exam consists of 200 objective-type questions. Unlike the open-market SSC Steno exam, the departmental exam focuses heavily on professional knowledge and language.
| Subject | Questions | Marks | Duration |
| General Awareness | 100 | 100 | 2 Hours |
| English Language & Comprehension | 100 | 100 | (2h 40m for Scribes) |
| Total | 200 | 200 |
- Negative Marking: 0.25 marks will be deducted for every wrong answer.
- Medium: General Awareness is bilingual (Hindi/English), but English Comprehension is strictly in English.
Stage 2: Stenography Skill Test
Candidates who clear the CBT cutoff will be called for the Skill Test. This is the most critical part of becoming SSC stenographers at the Grade ‘C’ level.
- Dictation Speed: 100 words per minute (w.p.m.) for 10 minutes.
- Transcription: * English: 40 minutes
- Hindi: 55 minutes
- Nature: The skill test is qualifying. However, the errors allowed are very minimal for Grade ‘C’ compared to Grade ‘D’.
Syllabus for SSC Stenographer LDCE 2025
General Awareness
The focus is on matters of everyday observation and experience.
- Current Events: National and International importance.
- Indian History & Culture: Significant milestones and heritage.
- Geography: Physical and Economic geography of India.
- Polity: Indian Constitution, Parliament, and Governance.
- Scientific Research: Basic developments in science and technology.
English Language & Comprehension
This section tests the candidate’s understanding of the English language.
- Vocabulary: Synonyms, Antonyms, and Homonyms.
- Grammar: Parts of speech, Tenses, and Subject-Verb agreement.
- Sentence Structure: Active/Passive voice, Direct/Indirect speech.
- Writing Ability: Ability to understand complex passages and conclude meanings.
Step-by-Step Application Process
Applying for the departmental exam involves a dual process: online registration and offline forwarding.
- One-Time Registration (OTR): Visit the new official portal [suspicious link removed]. If you have an old OTR from ssc.nic.in, you must create a new one on the new portal.
- Online Application: Log in, navigate to the “Live Exams” section, and find the “Grade ‘C’ Stenographers LDCE 2025” link.
- Upload Documents: Upload a recent live photograph and a scanned signature (10–20 KB).
- Print & Forward: After submitting the online form, take a printout.
- Departmental Verification: Attach your service bio-data and get the form verified/signed by your Head of Office (HOO) or Head of Department.
- Hard Copy Submission: The verified hard copy must reach the Regional Director, SSC (Northern Region), New Delhi by the prescribed deadline (usually late January 2026).
Important Note: Applications sent directly to the SSC without being routed through the proper departmental channel will be summarily rejected.
Preparation Tips for Departmental Candidates
Since you are already working, time management is your biggest challenge.
- Master Shorthand: Grade ‘C’ requires 100 w.p.m. accuracy. Practice daily for at least 1 hour, focusing on parliamentary speeches and editorial columns.
- Focus on English: In the CBT, English carries 50% of the weightage. Focus on “Active/Passive” and “Direct/Indirect” voice as these are scoring areas.
- Previous Year Papers: Solve LDCE specific papers rather than general SSC Steno papers, as the GA section often leans towards administrative and constitutional questions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Can a Stenographer Grade ‘D’ from a State Government apply for this?
No. This exam is only for departmental candidates serving in specific Central Government cadres like CSSS, AFHQ, IFS(B), etc.
Q2: Is there an age limit for the LDCE 2025?
Typically, departmental exams do not have a strict upper age limit like open exams, provided you meet the minimum service requirements (3 to 6 years) and have not reached superannuation.
Q3: What is the salary of a Grade ‘C’ Stenographer?
Grade ‘C’ posts are generally in Pay Level 6 or 7 (7th CPC). The basic pay starts around ₹35,400 to ₹44,900, plus allowances like DA, HRA, and Transport Allowance.
Q4: Will the exam be held across India?
No. Historically, the SSC Stenographer Departmental CBT is conducted only in Delhi.
Q5: Can I change my shorthand language (Hindi to English) after applying?
No. The medium of the Skill Test chosen at the time of application is final.
The SSC stenographers departmental exam is a golden gate for internal growth. With 326 vacancies, the odds are favorable for those who have maintained their shorthand speed while in service. Ensure your application is forwarded by your department well in time to avoid last-minute rejection.
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SSC Stenographer Exam Prep
This video provides a detailed overview of the examination pattern and preparation strategies specifically for SSC Stenographer aspirants.
