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Government jobPay Level 4Group CNon‑gazetted

Stenographer Grade 'D'

आशुलिपिक ग्रेड 'डी'

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

Central ministries, departments and field offices · central government

In-hand pay at joining, per month

₹42,000–₹50,000

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

Exam
SSC Stenographer
Qualification
12th pass
Age limit
18–27 years
Transfers
Within your allotted zone/region
Work hours
Regular office hours, with occasional late sittings
Probation
2 years

Estimated in-hand / month

₹44,500

Gross ₹48,780 · CTC ≈ ₹6.5 lakh/yr

Level 4

Where are you posted?

Joining

Stenographer Grade 'D' · 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 typing letters and notes
  • Maintaining the officer's diary and files
  • Attending phone calls and receiving visitors
  • Making travel and meeting arrangements
  • General typing work for the section when needed

A typical day

You are attached to an officer at Under Secretary or Deputy Secretary level, or to a head of office in the field. Much of the day is typing drafts, taking short dictations, keeping the meeting diary and handling calls. Workload depends heavily on the officer; some days are quiet, others run late when Parliament questions or deadlines come up.

Stress2/5
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 'D' (joining)

    Pay Level 4

    ₹42,000–₹50,000 in-hand

  2. Stenographer Grade 'C' / Personal Assistant

    5–10 years, or sooner through a departmental exam · Level 6 · via departmental exam

    ₹57,000–₹67,000 in-hand

  3. Private Secretary

    Further 8–12 years · Level 8 · via dpc

    ₹76,000–₹88,000 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 80 words per minute, with transcription on a computer. Age 18–27. SC/ST: 5 years, OBC: 3 years, PwBD: 10 years (more for SC/ST/OBC PwBD), as per the notification.

The good

  • Level 4 pay after Class 12
  • Less crowded exam than CHSL, for those with shorthand
  • Departmental exam to Grade C

The hard parts

  • Learning shorthand takes many months of practice
  • Tied to an officer's working style and hours
  • Limited independent work

Postings

Vacancies are in ministries in Delhi and in departmental offices across India. The place depends on the department allotted by rank and preference.

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 'D'?+

Stenographer Grade 'D' is a Pay Level 4 post with a starting basic pay of ₹25,500. At current rates (DA 60%, January 2026), the starting in-hand salary is roughly ₹42,000–₹50,000 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 'D'?+

Class 12 pass from a recognised board. Shorthand skill test at 80 words per minute, with transcription on a computer. Age: 18–27 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 'D'?+

SSC Stenographer (Staff Selection Commission).

Which language is the skill test in?+

You choose Hindi or English when applying. Those who opt for one may be required to learn the other after joining.

Compare with similar posts

Stenographer Grade 'D' vs Stenographer Grade 'C'Stenographer Grade 'D' vs Lower Division Clerk / Junior Secretariat AssistantStenographer Grade 'D' vs Data Entry Operator

Stenographer Grade 'C'

आशुलिपिक ग्रेड 'सी'

Pay Level 6

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

₹57,000–₹67,000 in-handSSC Stenographer

Lower Division Clerk / Junior Secretariat Assistant

अवर श्रेणी लिपिक / कनिष्ठ सचिवालय सहायक

Pay Level 2

Pay Level 2 clerical post via SSC CHSL in central government offices — typing, diary, dispatch and basic file work.

₹32,000–₹37,000 in-handSSC CHSL

Data Entry Operator (DEO)

डाटा एंट्री ऑपरेटर

Pay Level 4

Pay Level 4 post via SSC CHSL in central offices — high-speed data entry and record maintenance on computers.

₹42,000–₹50,000 in-handSSC CHSL

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.