TypingTestExamAlmost every government department recruits stenographers, and the skill test always combines two things: shorthand dictation (taking down speech at high speed) and computer transcription (typing your notes back accurately). This hub covers the major stenographer exams and the typing speed that underpins them all.
Stenographer speeds across exams
| Exam / body | Shorthand speed | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| SSC Stenographer Grade C | 100 WPM | ~10-min dictation, transcribe on computer |
| SSC Stenographer Grade D | 80 WPM | ~10-min dictation, transcribe on computer |
| RRB Junior Stenographer | As per CEN 08/2025 | SST 300 marks, KrutiDev/Mangal Hindi, 10% error limit |
| EPFO Stenographer | 80 WPM | Shorthand + computer transcription |
| ESIC Stenographer | 80 WPM | Shorthand + computer transcription |
| KVS / NVS Stenographer | Per notification | Shorthand, typing and computer proficiency |
| Court / High Court stenographers | 80–100+ WPM | Legal vocabulary, high accuracy |
The two skills every steno needs
1. Shorthand
You hear a passage dictated at the target speed (say 80 or 100 WPM) and record it in shorthand outlines. Speed alone isn't enough — you must be able to read your own outlines back quickly, which is where most candidates struggle.
2. Computer transcription (the typing part)
Hindi fonts and layouts
Hindi stenographers commonly face KrutiDev (Remington) or Mangal (Inscript) depending on the exam. RRB, for example, requires KrutiDev and Mangal. Confirm your exam's font from the official notification and practise that layout specifically.
How to prepare for any stenographer test
- Dictation practice slightly above your target speed (e.g. 110 for a 100 WPM test).
- Read-back drills under a timer — transcribe your own shorthand.
- Build typing to 40 WPM so transcription always finishes in time.
- Practise formal, official-style passages for vocabulary and punctuation.
- Master your Hindi layout (KrutiDev or Mangal) if applicable.
