The UPSC Section Officers/ Stenographers is an abbreviation for UPSC SO. To hire graduate candidates as departmental officers and crypto professionals, the UPSC Stenographer/ SO Exam is held.
A nationwide test for UPSC SO Steno Grade B/Grade 1 is given by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). For the recruitment of applicants for Section Officer (SO) and Stenographers Grade B/Grade 1 positions, the UPSC Section Officers/Stenographers Grade Exam is held.
Every year, the Union Public Service Commission administers the exam for Section Officers (SO) and Stenographers. The written test and assessment of the performance of the candidates are key components of the UPSC SO Steno selection process. The candidates are only invited for evaluation if they achieve the required minimum marks. The UPSC SO / Steno 2023 post is a Class B appointment with the Central Government. There will be objective and subjective question types in the UPSC Stenographer Exam.
Latest Update
| UPSC Stenographer 2024-25 : Exam Summary | |
| Full Form of the Exam | UPSC Section Officers/Stenographers 2024-25 |
| Organization | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Post Name | Section Officers or Stenographers |
| Vacancy | To be announced |
| Exam Date | 7th December 2024 (Tentatively) |
| Exam Frequency | Annually conducted |
| Exam Level | National Level |
| Exam Mode | English and Hindi |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Exam Mode | Offline (Pen and Paper mode) |
| Recruitment Process | Based on Written Exams & Skills |
| Education Qualification | Graduate |
| Age Limit | No age limit |
| Official website | https://www.upsc.gov.in/ |
Click the below link for the Revised Exam Calendar of UPSC for the year 2025.
The official announcement for the UPSC Steno 2024 Recruitment has not yet been made. Soon after the official notice, the crucial dates for UPSC SO/Steno 2024 are going to be released. Following the publication of the notification, one may consult the official announcement for the important dates. The following dates are approximate for the UPSC SO/Steno Recruitment 2024:
| Event | Date (Tentative) |
|---|---|
| UPSC SO Steno Notification 2024-25 | July 3, 2024 |
| Registration Start | July 3, 2024 |
| Registration Ends | October 1, 2024 |
| UPSC Stenographer Admit Card Availability | November 2024 |
| UPSC Stenographer Exam Date | December 7, 2024 |
| UPSC Stenographer Result | To be Announced |
The Union Public Service Commission claims that several openings need to be filled. However, the estimate has not yet been made public. The vacancies will be made available with the official notification soon. Check the below link of the official website for the “UPSC Stenographer Notification pdf”, currently it’s empty, but check it from time to time for updates.
SO-Steno (GD-B-GD-I) LDCE: Click Here
Before applying for the test, applicants are recommended to review the UPSC SO/Steno Eligibility Criteria. There are nine categories in the UPSC SO Steno, which are listed below:
There is no age limit for UPSC Stenographer 2024-25 examination as of now. If there are any it will be officially announced on UPSC official site.
The following provides a summary of the UPSC SO Steno criteria for eligibility for the various services and categories:
| Services | Eligibility Criteria |
|---|---|
| Section Officers (SO) Grade of the Central Secretariat Service | Candidates must have 5 years of working experience and have at least four annual performance appraisals in the assistant’s grade of the Central Secretariat Service Personal Assistants’ Grade of the Central Secretariat Stenographers Service. Must possess the degree of bachelor from any recognized university. |
| Section Officers (SO) Integrated Grade 2nd & 3rd) of the General Cadre of the Indian Foreign Service, Branch ‘B’ | Applicants must have not less than five years of experience in Grade 4 of the general cadre or Grade 2 of the stenographer’s cadre or Grade 2 of the Cypher sub-cadre of the Indian Foreign Service or branch B of IFS or all the mentioned criteria. |
| Section Officers (SO) Grade of the Railway Board Secretariat Service | Must have at least five years experience in service in the assistant’s grade of the Railway Board Secretariat Service or Grade 2/Grade C of the Railway Board Secretariat Stenographers’ Service or both. |
| Private Secretary Grade of the Central Secretariat Stenographers’ Service | Must have not less than 3 years of work experience in service in the Personal Assistant Grade of the Central Secretariat Stenographers’ Service. Candidates should have a bachelor’s degree from any recognized university or any equivalent |
| Grade I of the Stenographers’ Cadre of the Indian Foreign Service, Branch B | Should have at least five years of work experience in service of Grade 2 of the Stenographers cadre of the Indian Foreign Service, Branch B. |
| Grade ‘A’ & ‘B’ merged the Armed Forces Headquarters Stenographers’ Service | Candidates require to have at least three years of experience in service of Grade 2/Grade C of the Armed Forces Headquarters Stenographer’s Service |
| Grade ‘B’ of the Railway Board Secretariat Stenographers Service | Aspirants must have at least 5 years of experience in the service of Grade 2 or Grade C of the RBSSS (Railway Board Secretariat Stenographers Service). |
| Section Officers’ Grade of the Intelligence Bureau. | Aspirants who are permanently appointed with a minimum of 4 years of experience as Assistants/ Personal Assistants (Stenos Grade 2) of the Intelligence Bureau. If aspirants are selected via LDCE, then the LCD Exam must be conducted after 5 years from the crucial date. |
| Private Secretary Grade in Employees’ State Insurance Corporation | Aspirants must have at least three years of regularized experience in PA (Personal Assistant) Grade in ESIC (Employees’ State Insurance Corporation). |
The applicant must be an Indian citizen and should have Indian citizenship to be eligible for the UPSC Stenographer 2024-25 examination. Additionally, he should be engaged in any of the central government departments in any profile.
Candidates have the option of applying online for the UPSC SO Steno Exam. Application for the UPSC SO Steno position is done online. On the UPSC’s official website, applicants must complete the application forms. The candidate must take a printed copy of the application after completing it and sending it by the deadline and mail it to the Commission’s administration.
The application fees for various categories are mentioned below:
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General | Rs. 100 |
| OBC | Rs. 100 |
| SC | Rs. 100 |
| ST | Rs. 100 |
An online application is completed and submitted in 6 steps. The UPSC SO/STENO 2024-25 application procedure is outlined below in detail.
The UPSC SO/STENO test hall ticket will be available for download to all applicants who complete the application. Three weeks before the UPSC SO/STENO test, the link to get the entrance ticket will be live. The UPSC SO / Steno admit card is available for download from the UPSC website.
The following information is included in the UPSC SO Steno Admit Card:
Visit UPSC’s official website.
Candidates will have the option to select their exam location based on the names of the other locations in which the exam will be taken because the UPSC SO/STENO exam is a nationwide examination that will be held in 5 distinct states of the nation. The test is administered as follows.
The UPSC SO/Steno Exam consists of three papers. There will be objective and subjective question types in the UPSC SO Steno test. The information for each paper in the UPSC SO Steno Exam is provided below.
| Exam Mode | Offline |
|---|---|
| Duration | 2 Hours |
| Type of Questions | MCQs (Multiple Choice Questions) |
| Medium of Exam | Hindi and English |
| Maximum Marks | 150 Marks |
| Negative Marking | A 0.33 mark will be deducted for every incorrect answer |
| Exam Mode | Offline |
|---|---|
| Duration | 2 Hours |
| Type of Questions | MCQs (Multiple Choice Questions) |
| Medium of Exam | Hindi and English |
| Maximum Marks | 150 Marks |
| Negative Marking | A 0.33 mark will be deducted for every incorrect answer |
| Exam Mode | Written Exam |
|---|---|
| Timing | 03 hours |
| Type of Questions | Subjective Type |
| Medium of Exam | Hindi/ English (Optional) |
| Maximum Marks | 200 |
| Negative Marking | No |
Note: Candidates must write at a speed of 100 words per minute for 10 minutes to pass the verbatim English/Hindi test. They will then be given 55 and 45 minutes in Hindi to complete the test and written exam in English accordingly. 5% of the overall written score will be reduced for illegible writing.
The Union Civil Service Commission will also make a full announcement of the UPSC Steno syllabus along with the first portion of the official release. Knowing the curriculum and outline is crucial before studying for this test.
| Name of Paper | UPSC SO Steno Exam Topics |
|---|---|
| Paper I | 1. The principles of the Constitution of India 2. The organization of the machinery of the Govt. of India Designation and allocation of subjects between Ministries, Departments and Attached & Subordinate Offices and their relation inter Se. 3. Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha RTI Act, 2005. |
| Paper II (for Category I, IV, VIII & IX) | 1. Manual of office procedure (latest edition) 2. Notes on office procedure issued by the Institute of Secretarial Training and Management. 3. Handbook of orders regarding the use of Hindi for the official purpose of the Union issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs. (for Category I & IV only) 4. Fundamental and Supplementary Rules (A.G.P.&T’s compilation, Chaudhury’s compilation, Swamy’s compilation). 5. The Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules. 6. The Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules. 7. The Central Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules. Central Civil Service (Leave) Rules. Compilation of the General Financial Rules, (Revised and Enlarged). Delegation of Financial Power Rules. Intelligence Bureau Standing Orders (for Category VIII only). |
| Paper II (for Category II & V) | 1. Manual of office procedure (latest edition). 2. Handbook of orders regarding the use of Hindi for the official purpose of the Union issued by the Mm. of Home Affairs. 3. Notes on office procedure issued by the I.S.T.M. 4. Fundamental and Supplementary Rules (A.G.P. & T’s compilation, Chaudhury’s compilation, Swamy’s compilation). 5. The Central Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules. 6. The Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules. 7. Compilation of the General Financial Rules (Revised and enlarged). Delegation of Financial Power Rules. Indian Foreign Service (PLCA) Rules. Financial Powers of Government of India’s Representatives Abroad. 8. Assisted Medical Attendance Schemes. 9. Indian Foreign Service (Conduct and Discipline) rules. |
| Paper II (for Category III & VII) | 1. Manual of Office Procedure issued by the Mm. of Railways (Railway Board). 2. Indian Railway Admn. and Finance (excluding Chapters V, VI, VIII & IX). 3. Handbook of orders regarding the use of Hindi for the official purpose of the Union issued by the Mm, of Home Affairs 4. Indian Railway Financial Code Vol. I (excluding Chapters II and VI). 5. The Railway Services (Conduct) Rules, 1966. 6. Indian Railway Establishment Code Vol. I. 7. The Railway Servants (Discipline and Appeal) Rule, 1968. |
| Paper II (for Category VI & X) | 1. Manual of office procedure (latest edition). 2. Handbook of orders regarding the use of Hindi for official purposes of Home Affairs. 3. Notes on office procedure issued by the Institute of Secretarial Training and Management. 4. The Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules. 5. Fundamental and Supplementary Rules (A.G.P.&T’s comp Swamy’s compilation). 6. The Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules. 7. The Central Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules. 8. Central Civil Service (Leave) Rules. Financial Regulations Part I (Revised Edition). |
| Paper III | Candidates need to make notes and drafts on certain problems and précis from a passage. |
The UPSC SO / Steno results/scorecards for the exam will be available for download by the applicant after clearing the examination. The selection procedure will determine the ultimate hiring outcomes, which will be disclosed. A merit list will be released by UPSC based on the total number of qualifications granted for each position.
The UPSC Steno cut-off marks from the previous year are now accessible on the commission’s official website. The paper-by-paper cut-off marks for the UPSC Steno test pattern are shown here for applicants who wish to advance to the various rounds.
The table below displays the minimum cutoff scores for each category for the most recent UPSC SO / Steno test. This table should be used by applicants to gain a sense of the anticipated cutoffs.
| Category | General | SC | ST |
|---|---|---|---|
| Category 1 | 150 | 100 | 77 |
| Category 2 | 180 | 103 | NA |
| Category 3 | 242 | NA | NA |
| Category 8 | 331 | NA | 187 |
| Category | General | SC | ST |
|---|---|---|---|
| Category 4 | 210 | 168 | NA |
| Category 5 | 230 | NA | NA |
| Category 6 | 253 | 252 | NA |
| Category 7 | 222 | 172 | NA |
| Category 9 | NA | NA | NA |
| Category | General | SC | ST |
|---|---|---|---|
| Category 1 | 274 | 199 | 177 |
| Category 2 | 310 | 222 | NA |
| Category 3 | 368 | NA | NA |
| Category 8 | 230 | 201 | 90 |
| Category | General | SC | ST |
|---|---|---|---|
| Category 4 | 110 | 88 | NA |
| Category 5 | 130 | NA | NA |
| Category 6 | 135 | NA | NA |
| Category 7 | 122 | 92 | NA |
| Category 9 | NA | NA | NA |
Every year, Section Officer and Stenographer examinations are held by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). It is reasonable to assume that many candidates will try this test, thus it is advisable to thoroughly familiarise yourself with the exam format and content and to devote yourself to your preparations.
The list of UPSC SO books for Paper 1 is provided below for candidates.
| Subject | Book Title | Author Name |
|---|---|---|
| Manual of office procedures | Practice and Procedures of Parliament | M.N. Kaul, S.L. Shakdher |
| Parliament of India | R Gupta | |
| RTI ACT 2005 | RTI Manual | P.C. Garg |
| RTI ACT 2005 | Devendra Kumar Singh | |
| Constitution of India | Indian Political System and Constitution of India | Dr. B.L. Fadia and Dr. Kuldeep Fadiyai |
| The Framework of the Constitution of India and Government | P Banerjee | |
| General Awareness | General Awareness yearbook | Arihant Publications |
There are various categories in Paper 2. Category-wise books are mentioned below:
| Subject | Book Title | Author Name |
|---|---|---|
| Manual of office procedures | Office Procedure | Muthuswamy And Brinda |
| Central Government | Handbook for Central Government Staff | Muthuswamy And Brinda |
| General financial policies | Indian Foreign Policy | Harsh V Pant |
| Central Civil services | Central Civil Service ( Pension ) Rules | Bahri Brothers |
| Compilation of Central Civil Services ( Classification, Control, and Appeal ) Rules | Sumedha | |
| Compilation of General Financial Rules and Advances to Central Govt. Servants | Swamy |
| Subject | Book Title | Author Name |
|---|---|---|
| Manual of office procedures | Office Procedure | Muthuswamy And Brinda |
| Central Government | Handbook for Central Government Staff | Muthuswamy And Brinda |
| Railway Services | The Railway Servants Discipline and Appeal Rules | M.L. Jand |
| Railway Accounts, Finance & Administration (Volume I & II) | KP Sharma, RR Nanda and Sanjiv Malhotra |
In the subjective Paper 3 of the UPSC SO Stenographer exam, candidates will be given a passage to read. The applicant will need to make notes and draughts on certain passage-related topics. Candidates are recommended to practice their comprehension skills for this paper by reading literary passages or scenarios of various governmental organizations.
Important books are listed below:
| Subjects/Papers | Resources |
|---|---|
| Current Affairs | The Hindu The Indian Express Business Standard |
| Indian Polity and Constitution | CBSE 11th and 12th-grade syllabus of Political Science, Economics, and Business Administration. |
| Public Administration | Official Indian Govt Website for Department Administration Reforms |
The UPSC SO/Steno salary is structured according to the guidelines of the 7th Pay Commission. Here’s a detailed breakdown:
| Component | Amount (per month) |
|---|---|
| UPSC Steno Basic Pay | ₹44,900 |
| UPSC Steno Grade Pay | ₹4,200 |
| Dearness Allowance (DA) | ₹7,638 |
| House Rent Allowance (HRA) | ₹10,776 |
| Transport Allowance | ₹3,600 |
| Gross Salary | ₹71,114 |
In addition to the financial benefits, UPSC Stenographers enjoy:
This comprehensive salary structure, along with additional perks and benefits, makes the position of a UPSC Stenographer highly desirable among government job aspirants.
IAS Exam Dates, Fees, Eligibility & Notification
IPS Exam Dates, Fees, Eligibility & Notification
IRS Exam Dates, Fees, Eligibility & Notification
CSAT Exam Dates, Fees, Eligibility & Notification
Ans. In UPSC, “steno” refers to the Section Officer/Stenographer positions. These roles involve administrative and clerical duties in various government departments.
Ans. The salary for a stenographer in UPSC ranges from INR 29,200 to 92,300 per month, along with perks and allowances based on the 7th pay commission.
Ans. Eligibility for UPSC Steno 2024 includes having a Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university, and candidates must be employed as Assistants or Stenographers Grade ‘C’ in central government departments
Ans. The UPSC Steno exam consists of three stages: a written test, a shorthand test, and an evaluation process.
Ans. To download the admit card, visit the official UPSC website, navigate to the “Link / Entrance Cards / Hall Tickets” tab, and click on the SO / STENO 2024 Entry Ticket link. Log in with your application number, password, and captcha code to download the admit card.
Authored by, Amay Mathur | Senior Editor
Amay Mathur is a business news reporter at Chegg.com. He previously worked for PCMag, Business Insider, The Messenger, and ZDNET as a reporter and copyeditor. His areas of coverage encompass tech, business, strategy, finance, and even space. He is a Columbia University graduate.
Editor's Recommendations
Chegg India does not ask for money to offer any opportunity with the company. We request you to be vigilant before sharing your personal and financial information with any third party. Beware of fraudulent activities claiming affiliation with our company and promising monetary rewards or benefits. Chegg India shall not be responsible for any losses resulting from such activities.
Chegg India does not ask for money to offer any opportunity with the company. We request you to be vigilant before sharing your personal and financial information with any third party. Beware of fraudulent activities claiming affiliation with our company and promising monetary rewards or benefits. Chegg India shall not be responsible for any losses resulting from such activities.
