The UPSSSC Stenographer skill test is a qualifying round held after the written exam, and it checks two separate abilities – taking dictation in Hindi shorthand and then typing that matter back on a computer within a fixed time. Both stages have their own speed benchmark, and missing either one means the candidate is out, regardless of how well they scored in the written exam. Here’s what the skill test actually checks, the speed rules candidates must clear, and the parts of the format that are still unconfirmed ahead of the 1 September 2026 test dates.
Skill Test at a Glance
| Component | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Hindi Shorthand (Ashulekhan) Speed | 80 words per minute |
| Hindi Typing (Transcription) Speed | 25 words per minute |
| Test Nature | Qualifying (Pass/Fail) – not added to written exam marks |
| Negative Marking | Not applicable in the skill test (0.25 negative marking applies only to the earlier written/main exam) |
| Permitted Typing Fonts | Mangal (Inscript) or Kruti Dev-010 only – no other font accepted |
How the Test Works
The skill test is conducted in two linked stages on the same day:
- Dictation stage: A passage is read out or played to the candidate in Hindi, and the candidate takes it down using shorthand outlines at the required speed of 80 words per minute.
- Transcription stage: The candidate then types out the same passage on a computer, reading back their own shorthand notes, at a minimum Hindi typing speed of 25 words per minute, using only the Mangal or Kruti Dev-010 font/keyboard layout.
Both the dictation speed and the typing speed have to be met – a candidate who takes fast shorthand notes but cannot type them back within the allotted time is not considered to have cleared the test, and the same applies in reverse.
What Isn’t Officially Confirmed Yet
Several format details that are commonly published for the central SSC Stenographer skill test (Grade C/D) do not carry over directly to the UPSSSC Stenographer post, since UPSSSC recruits for a single Stenographer post rather than SSC’s separate Grade C and Grade D streams with their own 100 wpm/80 wpm split. The following specifics have not been located in a UPSSSC-specific official source and should be treated as pending confirmation, not fact, until the call-letter or test-day instructions are issued:
- Exact duration of the dictation passage
- Exact time window given for computer transcription
- Permitted error/mistake percentage for a transcript to be marked as passing
- Whether a fixed word-count passage or a timed passage is used
Eligibility Tied to the Skill Test
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Educational Qualification | Intermediate (12th) pass from a recognised board |
| Computer Course | Triple C (CCC)/DOEACC-equivalent, or a UP Board/state-government-recognised equivalent computer course |
| Hindi Shorthand | Minimum 80 words per minute |
| Hindi Typing | Minimum 25 words per minute |
One lower-detail source additionally lists a 30 words-per-minute English typing benchmark for this post; since this figure did not corroborate elsewhere and the notified skill test is specifically a Hindi shorthand and Hindi typing test, it is mentioned here only as an unconfirmed aside rather than included in the main eligibility table.
Preparation Tips
- Practise Hindi shorthand outlines daily against audio dictation rather than only reading theory – speed comes from repetition, not memorising the shorthand rules alone.
- Train transcription specifically on Mangal (Inscript) and Kruti Dev-010 keyboard layouts, since these are the only two fonts the test will accept – practising on a different Hindi layout does not transfer directly.
- Time yourself reading back your own shorthand notes, not just writing them – being able to write fast outlines is only half the test if they can’t be read back quickly during transcription.
- Once official test-day instructions are released, re-check the exact dictation duration and transcription time window against them rather than relying on general shorthand-test assumptions.
Important Links
| Link | URL |
|---|---|
| UPSSSC Official Website | CLICK HERE |
| UPSSSC Stenographer Typing Test 2026 Date Announced | CLICK HERE |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the required Hindi shorthand speed for UPSSSC Stenographer?
25 words per minute, during the computer transcription stage of the skill test.
2. What is the required Hindi typing speed for UPSSSC Stenographer?
25 words per minute, during the computer transcription stage of the skill test.
3. Which fonts are allowed for the typing/transcription stage?
Only Mangal (Inscript) or Kruti Dev-010. No other font is accepted.
4. Is there negative marking in the skill test?
No. Negative marking (0.25 per wrong answer) applies to the written/main exam only; the skill test is qualifying in nature.
5. Does clearing the skill test add marks to the final merit?
No, the skill test is Pass/Fail – it does not add or subtract marks from the written exam score.
6. Are the dictation duration and transcription time fixed for UPSSSC like they are for SSC Stenographer?
Not confirmed. SSC’s Grade C/D figures are published officially by SSC, but UPSSSC has not published matching duration figures for its own Stenographer skill test as of this article, so candidates should rely on their official call letter/test-day instructions for exact timing.
