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Government jobPay Level 6Group BNon‑gazetted

Stenographer Grade 'C'

आशुलिपिक ग्रेड 'सी'

Group B non-gazetted post via SSC Stenographer — personal assistant to senior officers: dictation, scheduling, office management.

Central ministries and departments (including the Central Secretariat Stenographers' Service) · central government

In-hand pay at joining, per month

₹57,000–₹67,000

Lower in small towns, higher in metros. Work out your own city below.

Exam
SSC Stenographer
Qualification
12th pass
Age limit
18–30 years
Transfers
Within your allotted zone/region
Work hours
Office hours in theory; tied to the officer's schedule, so late sittings are common
Probation
2 years

Estimated in-hand / month

₹60,736

Gross ₹66,600 · CTC ≈ ₹8.9 lakh/yr

Level 6

Where are you posted?

Joining

Stenographer Grade 'C' · rates as of January 2026 (DA 60%). Excludes CGHS, GPF/insurance deductions and special allowances. Estimate only.

New to pay slips? Read how in-hand salary is worked out.

What you will actually do

  • Taking dictation and transcribing letters, notes and minutes
  • Managing the officer's calendar, calls and visitors
  • Arranging meetings and tours and keeping papers ready
  • Handling confidential files and correspondence
  • Tracking pending matters and reminding the officer

A typical day

You sit outside a senior officer's room. The day follows the officer's: taking dictation, typing it up, fixing and re-fixing meetings, answering the phone, letting visitors in and making sure the right file is on the table at the right time. When the officer stays late, so do you. Good stenographers become trusted gatekeepers; the flip side is that your day is never your own.

Stress3/5
CalmIntense
Public dealing3/5
LittleConstant
Field work1/5
DeskOutdoors

Promotion path

Timelines are ranges and vary by cadre. See how promotions and MACP work.

  1. Stenographer Grade 'C' (joining)

    Pay Level 6

    ₹57,000–₹67,000 in-hand

  2. Private Secretary

    8–12 years · Level 8 · via dpc

    ₹76,000–₹88,000 in-hand

  3. Principal Private Secretary

    Further 8–10 years · Level 11 · via dpc

    ₹1,02,000–₹1,19,000 in-hand

Promotion timelines vary by cadre and vacancies. If not promoted, MACP gives a pay upgrade after 10, 20 and 30 years.

How to get in

SSC StenographerOnce a year

Staff Selection Commission

  1. 1.Computer-based examination
  2. 2.Shorthand skill test
  3. 3.Document verification

Eligibility: Class 12 pass from a recognised board. Shorthand skill test at 100 words per minute, with transcription on a computer. Age 18–30. SC/ST: 5 years, OBC: 3 years, PwBD: 10 years (more for SC/ST/OBC PwBD), as per the notification.

The good

  • Group B post open to Class 12 pass candidates
  • Close view of how senior officers work
  • Delhi posting for most

The hard parts

  • Your hours depend on your officer
  • Shorthand at 100 wpm is hard to reach and maintain
  • Work is supportive, not independent

Postings

Most vacancies are in ministries and offices in Delhi; others are in departments' offices around the country.

Central government job securityNPS with a 14% government contributionLeave Travel Concession (LTC)Medical cover (CGHS in covered cities)

Questions people ask

What is the in-hand salary of Stenographer Grade 'C'?+

Stenographer Grade 'C' is a Pay Level 6 post with a starting basic pay of ₹35,400. At current rates (DA 60%, January 2026), the starting in-hand salary is roughly ₹57,000–₹67,000 a month, depending on whether you are posted in a Z, Y or X class city.

What is the qualification and age limit for Stenographer Grade 'C'?+

Class 12 pass from a recognised board. Shorthand skill test at 100 words per minute, with transcription on a computer. Age: 18–30 years. Relaxation: SC/ST: 5 years, OBC: 3 years, PwBD: 10 years (more for SC/ST/OBC PwBD), as per the notification.

Which exam do I need to clear for Stenographer Grade 'C'?+

SSC Stenographer (Staff Selection Commission).

Is shorthand still used?+

Yes for the skill test, and for dictation with many senior officers, though a lot of daily work is now typing and scheduling.

Compare with similar posts

Stenographer Grade 'C' vs Stenographer Grade 'D'Stenographer Grade 'C' vs Assistant Section OfficerStenographer Grade 'C' vs Senior Secretariat Assistant / Upper Division Clerk

Stenographer Grade 'D'

आशुलिपिक ग्रेड 'डी'

Pay Level 4

Pay Level 4 post via SSC Stenographer — shorthand, typing and personal-staff work for middle-level officers.

₹42,000–₹50,000 in-handSSC Stenographer

Assistant Section Officer (CSS)

सहायक अनुभाग अधिकारी (CSS)

Pay Level 7

Pay Level 7 policy-support post in central ministries in New Delhi via SSC CGL — file work at the heart of government.

₹72,000–₹84,000 in-handSSC CGL

Senior Secretariat Assistant / Upper Division Clerk

वरिष्ठ सचिवालय सहायक / उच्च श्रेणी लिपिक

Pay Level 4

Pay Level 4 clerical post via SSC CGL in central government offices — file work, noting and record keeping.

₹42,000–₹50,000 in-handSSC CGL

Books to prepare for SSC Stenographer

  • Fast Track Objective Arithmetic

    Rajesh Verma (Arihant)

    Shorter and more shortcut-oriented than R.S. Aggarwal. Useful when time per question matters.

    See on Amazon

  • Lucent's General Knowledge

    Lucent Publications

    Compact static GK for history, polity, geography and science. It does not cover current affairs.

    See on Amazon

  • Lucent Samanya Gyan Hindi

    Lucent Publications

    The Hindi edition of Lucent's GK, widely used for SSC and railway exams.

    See on Amazon

All 7 books for SSC CHSL, MTS, GD, Stenographer and Delhi Police

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Sources

This profile is being reviewed. Confirm details in the latest official notification. Salary computed from pay rules as of January 2026.