Salaries and Allowances for SSC Stenographers in 2023

Stenography is an art of writing at a very fast speed but with absolute accuracy. It requires an attentive mind and a lot of focus on what the other person is dictating to you. Almost every corporate organisation has at least one or more stenographers. These professionals serve as executive assistants to the managing directors, general managers, and other professionals at the top rung of the hierarchy who are too busy to create a letter themselves. A stenographer’s job in a government office provides a lot of stability and is accompanied by interesting perks. 

The Staff Selection Commission is responsible for organising the SSC stenographer examination every year in order to recruit stenographers for the Grade C and D categories. Successful candidates are employed across important departments of the government of India in accordance with their skill sets. When it comes to salaries, the compensation package of a Grade C stenographer exceeds that of a stenographer of the Grade D category. Some of the benefits these professionals are entitled to include a dearness allowance, house rent, as well as a travel allowance. These are a part of their gross remuneration. There are many aspirants who hone their skills and appear for these exams every year.

Did you know? In the year 2018, a total of 185,356 individuals appeared for the SSC stenographer examination.

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Details of the SSC Stenographer Salary 2023

Let us explore the SSC stenographer salary structure.

The two grades of this job profile entail two different compensation packages. A grade D stenographer’s salary is lesser than that of a grade C Stenographer, though both categories are entitled to almost similar benefits. Income tax, as well as provident fund rules, are applicable to the gross salary of both these categories. The amount they receive after these deductions is their ‘in-hand’ salary. After successfully qualifying in the examinations, they are offered employment in different departments, some of which are as follows:

Grade C:

• Indian foreign service
• Armed forces (headquarters)
• Central vigilance commission
• Indian President’s secretariat
• The election commission of India

Grade D:

• Armed forces (headquarters)
• Indian foreign service
• Railway board secretariat
• Central vigilance commission
• The election commission of India
• Central secretariat

Let us simply understand this by depicting the details of each category as given below:

Remuneration for SSC Stenographer (Grade C):

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 Remuneration for SSC Stenographer (Grade D):

The above salary structures for both Grace C as well as Grade D categories of stenographers are well complemented with various allowances. These include the following:

• Dearness allowance – Paid by the government of India to all its employees as well as pensioners to combat inflation when it occurs.
• Transport allowance – Paid for commuting between place of work and residence.
• Medical allowance.
• Telephone bill allowance.
• House rent allowance – Payment towards rent for accommodation. This is dependent on the city of residence. It varies across cities. This brings about a change in the salaries also.

The salaries are also dependent on the ministry or department in which the stenographers are employed. The average Indian salary of a Grade C category stenographer can even surpass ₹6,50,000 per year, depending on the person’s capabilities and dedication.

SSC Stenographer Salary: Allowances and Benefits

In 2014, the 7^th central pay commission (7CPC) established the structure of all remunerations, which are applicable to employees of the Central Government of India. This details a complete breakdown of the salary packages of employees at various levels in the hierarchy as well as the scope of growth in their respective roles

• The gross remuneration per month for an SSC Stenographer (Grade C) = ₹50,682.
• The gross remuneration per month for an SSC Stenographer (Grade D) = ₹37,515.

Both the categories avail of almost similar benefits, which include transport allowance (between the place of residence and office), rent allowance (if the person is living in a rented house), dearness, as well as medical and phone allowance (official phone usage). These profiles are accompanied by brilliant growth prospects depending on the stenographer’s skills. The Grade C qualified individuals are always offered employment in the national capital always. The Grade D qualified individuals are divided into two groups, Group X (central government departments in Delhi) and Group Y (central government departments across the country. The former is employed in Delhi, the capital, while the latter can be employed across the various states or even in the Union territories. The allowances vary across the ministries and various government departments, but the opportunities for growth are numerous.

• As a stenographer, Grade C or Grade D, you get employed in the ministry of external affairs, and you also stand a chance to work abroad. Those who prove their aptitude can enjoy a profile change and get elevated to that of a personal assistant or secretary. Global postings are accompanied by striking pay packages as well as attractive allowances.
• One of the most attractive benefits is that of interacting and communicating with established dignitaries from all walks of life. These jobs offer an opportunity to exchange notes with renowned individuals across industries.
• These roles also enable stenographers to widen their horizons. The job profiles give a chance to gain insights into various trade, geopolitical, economic as well as humanitarian affairs.

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SSC Stenographer Salary: Roles and Responsibility

The job profiles of stenographers in Grade C, as well as Grade D, come bundled with highly important responsibilities. While the positions are accompanied by stability and interesting growth opportunities, they demand a lot of dedication and sincerity in the execution of the responsibilities assigned to the stenographers. Let us explore some of these in detail:

• Providing assistance to the Ministry in which the stenographer is employed - Assisting in crafting meaningful speeches for the concerned minister for whom the stenographer works. This would entail crisp and lucid language for all to understand. The wording must be in the audience's larger interests, which will be addressed. The stenographer can work in tandem with the minister in the preparation of the said speech/speeches whenever the occasion necessitates the same
• Transcription and writing - Most ministers are occupied with various tasks at all times. This leaves them with little time to recall everything they plan and are desirous of expressing, especially when it comes to sharing the details with the media. Stenographers have to be highly adept at making brisk notes of what the said minister states and then transcribe them in an appropriate language. This is possible only through shorthand, and the stenographer has to be highly proficient to take down the accurate details without committing errors
• Public relations – Stenographers have to be consistently in sync with their employer’s thought processes. This enables them to create the right type of content, which the public relations officer (PRO) is able to communicate to the said audiences
• Press conferences – Stenographers play a crucial role at press conference briefings. Their key responsibility lies in noting down the exact words of the minister or senior government personnel. This information is then shared with the public at large via print or digital media across platforms, including magazines and apps

SSC Stenographer Salary: Career Growth

The growth prospects of  SSC stenographers in Grade C and Grade D are very promising and rewarding. As mentioned above, the pay package varies depending on the city in which the stenographers are employed. However, the allowances, as well as the benefits, are immensely attractive. To rise up the hierarchy ladder, these stenographers have to keep appearing and become eligible for the next upgrade. They have to successfully pass the departmental examinations which are held to elevate them to the next position. As with any other profession, these individuals have to prove their worth, adhere to the norms as per their job profiles, and, depending on their performance, can scale new heights.

Eligibility Criteria for an SSC Stenographer:

Age requirement: for SSC Stenographer:

• Grade C - A minimum of 18 years and a maximum of 30 years.
• Grade D - A minimum of 18 years and a maximum of 27 years.

Education qualification:

A candidate must have successfully completed higher secondary studies (12^th class) from a recognised State Board or University.

Required Skills of Candidates include the following:

• Must be proficient in typing and taking dictation in shorthand.
• Should possess good writing and transcription skills.
• Should be capable of a proper compilation of office documents.
• Have the ability to transcribe what is typed into a common language which can be easily understood.
• Should be capable of maintaining all files, documents, and other important office items in an organised manner for anyone to be able to access the same with ease.
• Grade C - Candidates should have a stenography speed of 100 words per minute.
• Grade D – Candidates should have a stenography speed of 80 words per minute.

How to Apply for SSC Stenographer?

There are two levels of examination, namely:

• Computer-based
• Skill-based

Candidates who successfully complete the computer-based exam are eligible to appear for the skill-based exam. Candidates who qualify for the skill-based exam are selected for the Grade C and D stenographers.

How to Apply for the SSC Stenographer Examination?

Candidates who fulfil the requisite age, skills and qualification requirements can file an application online. They should visit the official website of the Staff Selection Commission, and follow the instructions given below:

• Click on the Application tab and then on the registration tab
• Key in all your details
• Submit the form
• You will be issued with a registration id for the SSC Stenographer, Grade C and Grade D exams
• Upload your photograph and signature
• Login with your registration id and password
• Review all the details keyed in by you
• Click on the ‘Final Submit’ tab
• You can download the form and keep a printout of it
• You also have to make a mandatory online payment of ₹100 which is the normal fee for this examination.

The website provides you with all the details of the structure of the examination paper, the syllabus, and the method of correction for both the Grades. The website also furnishes you with an admit card for the exam. You will have to download this and take a printout of the same. You have to present this at the examination centre. Successful Grade D stenographers can earn a salary that ranges between ₹5,200 and ₹20,200. Grade C stenographers can earn a salary that ranges between ₹9,300 and ₹34, 800.

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Conclusion:

This article enlightens you on the profession of stenographers established by the Staff Selection Commission. Once you cross the hurdles of the examinations and gain entry, there is no looking back. Thereafter it is dependent on every individual to strive for a better role. With each new role, the responsibilities increase but so do the future prospects. From comfortable working hours to opportunities of working abroad, the sky is the limit for this category of stenographers. Their roles are distinct and demanding, but the profiles are highly rewarding.

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