SSC Stenographer Typing Test — Grade C / Grade D
SSC Stenographer is the only Indian government exam where typing speed is paired with shorthand. Grade D needs 50 WPM typing plus 80 WPM shorthand. Grade C needs 65 WPM typing plus 100 WPM shorthand. Backspace is disabled in the skill test — every error is permanent. Pick your grade and language, then practise with no-backspace mode.
- Grade D typing
- 50 WPM (= 15,000 KDPH)
- Grade C typing
- 65 WPM (= 19,500 KDPH)
- Backspace
- NOT allowed
- Test duration
- 10 minutes
Choose your typing test
Each card below links to a practice page with that exact language and font preloaded. Start with the one matching your application form.
English Typing
- QWERTY keyboard, Unicode font
- ~70% of stenographer applicants choose English
- Faster cutoff path due to keyboard familiarity
- Test runs 10 minutes — pacing critical
- Backspace disabled — every error stands
Hindi Kruti Dev
- Remington layout — only Kruti Dev for Stenographer
- Hindi Mangal is NOT offered for this exam
- Common for candidates with typewriter background
- Stenographer Hindi uses court/legal-style passages
- Backspace disabled — accuracy critical
Shorthand Prep
- Shorthand is dictation-transcription, not typing
- Pitman or Gregg system depending on training
- TypeForExam covers typing only — shorthand requires institute training
- Most candidates fail shorthand before typing
- Read our Stenographer strategy article
Which one fits you
If you are still deciding at the application stage, run through this checklist before submitting. Once submitted, your choice cannot be changed.
The honest decision tree
Stenographer requires picking three things at the application stage: grade (C or D), typing language, and committing to shorthand training. Each choice is permanent once submitted. Use the table to confirm your fit before applying.
Rules that apply across all formats
The language changes the keyboard layout and the cutoff. Everything below stays consistent across versions.
10-minute typing test
The typing skill test is 10 minutes — same duration as CHSL. The passage is one continuous text, ~2,500-3,500 characters depending on speed cutoff.
Backspace DISABLED
The single biggest difference from CHSL. The Stenographer skill test does not allow backspace. Every wrong keystroke is permanent and counted as a full mistake. Train accuracy obsessively before chasing speed.
Net WPM scoring
Same Net WPM formula as CHSL — Gross WPM minus errors per minute. But because backspace is off, errors accumulate. A 70 Gross WPM run with 8 errors/min is 62 Net WPM = below Grade C cutoff.
Two-stage skill test
Both shorthand and typing must clear cutoffs. Failing either disqualifies. Most candidates clear shorthand harder than typing — but typing failure is what eliminates trained stenographers who got complacent.
5 keystrokes = 1 word
Same convention as every SSC exam. 1,625 correct keystrokes in 10 minutes = 325 words = 32.5 WPM. Grade D needs 1,875+ correct keystrokes. Grade C needs 2,440+ correct keystrokes.
Qualifying only
Both shorthand and typing are qualifying. Final merit is decided on the written exam. But missing either skill cutoff removes you from the cycle entirely.
What this typing test actually feels like
Stenographer is the SSC exam that punishes shortcuts. Every other SSC test (CHSL, CGL, MTS) allows backspace and forgives small errors. Stenographer does neither. The 50 WPM Grade D cutoff sounds easy until you realise every single typo counts as a full mistake, with no opportunity to fix. Aspirants who casually hit 50 WPM in CHSL practice are often shocked to find their Stenographer Net WPM is 38-42 because they relied on backspace.
The practical training shift: practise with backspace disabled from day 1 of your prep. Build accuracy first. A 35 Net WPM run with 99% accuracy is more useful than a 45 Net WPM run with 92% accuracy, because Stenographer accuracy thresholds are absolute. Most successful candidates aim 5-8 WPM above their grade cutoff in practice to absorb exam-day mistakes.
About the shorthand stage — TypeForExam does not teach shorthand. Pitman, Gregg, and the few less-common systems are taught at dedicated institutes (state-level or private coaching). The shorthand stage is dictation-transcription: the examiner dictates at the required WPM, the candidate writes shorthand notes by hand, then has 50 minutes to transcribe into typed text. You cannot self-teach shorthand. Plan for an institute and 3-4 months of guided practice before attempting the exam.
A common failure pattern: candidates who can hit 65 WPM English typing in CHSL-style practice (backspace on) fail at 50 WPM Grade D Stenographer (backspace off). The skill is different. Move to no-backspace practice early and your real Net WPM will be the number that matters on exam day.
Frequently asked questions
If your question is not answered below, email contact@typeforexam.com. We update this section based on what aspirants ask us.
What is the difference between SSC Stenographer Grade C and Grade D?
Grade C is gazetted (higher post) and needs 100 WPM shorthand + 65 WPM typing. Grade D is non-gazetted and needs 80 WPM shorthand + 50 WPM typing. Grade C posts are PA roles in ministries (MEA, Lok Sabha, RS), while Grade D posts are typist roles in various ministries. Most fresh aspirants apply for Grade D, build experience, and switch to Grade C later.
Is backspace allowed in SSC Stenographer typing test?
No. Unlike SSC CHSL where the 2022 clarification permits backspace, the SSC Stenographer skill test does not allow backspace. Every keystroke is permanent. This single rule is what makes Stenographer typing substantially harder than CHSL even at lower nominal WPM cutoffs.
Does SSC Stenographer offer Hindi Mangal typing?
No. The Hindi medium for Stenographer is only offered in Kruti Dev (legacy Remington-style ASCII font). Mangal Unicode is not an option here. This is one of the few SSC exams that still mandates Krutidev for its Hindi-medium candidates. If you trained on Mangal, switching to Krutidev for Stenographer Hindi requires 4-6 weeks of keyboard re-learning.
Can I clear Stenographer with only typing skills?
No. Stenographer requires both shorthand and typing. The shorthand stage comes first and is the harder of the two — most candidates fail shorthand. You must train at an institute (Pitman or Gregg system) for 3-6 months before realistic exam attempts.
What is the cutoff for the typing test in KDPH?
50 WPM Net = 15,000 KDPH (Grade D). 65 WPM Net = 19,500 KDPH (Grade C). The Stenographer notification cites WPM, not KDPH. Most other RRB and India Post recruitments cite KDPH. Use our WPM ↔ KDPH converter if you are switching between exam targets.
How long does it take to prepare for SSC Stenographer Grade C?
For a candidate starting from 0 WPM typing and no shorthand: 12-18 months. For a candidate with 30 WPM typing and basic shorthand exposure: 6-9 months. For a candidate at 50 WPM typing and 80 WPM shorthand (i.e., already Grade D level): 3-6 months to reach Grade C cutoffs. The shorthand speed is usually the rate-limiting factor.
Is shorthand really required, or can I skip and just take the typing test?
Shorthand is mandatory. The skill test has two sub-tests — shorthand transcription and typing. Failing either disqualifies. There is no path to Stenographer that skips shorthand.