UPSC SO Steno Exam Pattern: Check detailed Selection Process
UPSC SO Steno Exam Pattern 2026 evaluates a candidate’s general knowledge, administrative, and stenography skills as required for their posts. UPSC Steno 2026 exam pattern is divided into three stages, namely, a written examination, a shorthand/typing test, and an evaluation of service records. In the written exam, Paper 1 and Paper 3 are common for all categories, but Paper 2 varies depending on the department or service group the candidate belongs to. The shorthand/typing stage evaluates the candidate’s accuracy and speed. In the service evaluation stage, candidates get marks based on their services.
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UPSC SO Steno Written Test Exam Pattern 2026
UPSC SO Steno Written exam 2026 has three papers, and each paper evaluates a candidate on a different domain. The written exam has a total of 500 marks and a duration is 7 hours.
UPSC SO Steno Paper 1 Exam Pattern 2026
Below is the table for UPSC SO Steno Paper 1 Exam Pattern:
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Mode | Offline |
| Duration | 2 Hours |
| Type of Questions | Objective-type |
| Medium of Exam | English and Hindi |
| Maximum Marks | 150 Marks |
| Correct Answer | +1 Mark |
| Negative Marking | 0.33 Marks deducted for every incorrect answer |
| Subject | General Studies 85 General Knowledge of the Constitution of India and the Machinery of Government, Practice and Procedures in Parliament, and Knowledge of the RTI Act, 2005. |
UPSC SO Steno Paper 2 Exam Pattern 2026
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Mode | Offline |
| Duration | 2 Hours |
| Type of Questions | Objective type |
| Medium of Exam | English and Hindi |
| Maximum Marks | 150 Marks |
| Correct Answer | +1 Mark |
| Negative Marking | 0.33 Marks deducted for every incorrect answer |
| Subject | Procedure & Practice in the Govt. of India Secretariat and attached offices, and General Financial and Service Rules, duly taking into account the requirements of relevant categories of services. |
UPSC SO Steno Paper 3 Exam Pattern 2026
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Mode | Written |
| Duration | 3 Hours |
| Type of Questions | Subjective type |
| Medium of Exam | English and Hindi |
| Maximum Marks | 200 Marks |
| Negative Marking | No. But 5% marks are deducted for illegible writing. |
| Subject | Noting, Drafting, and Précis Writing |
UPSC SO Steno Shorthand Exam Pattern 2026
Candidates who qualify written exam are called for the Shorthand/Typing test. This stage is qualifying in nature, which means that marks are not added to the final merit but are mandatory to pass.
- Shorthand: This test assesses a candidate’s shorthand proficiency in English or Hindi at a speed of 100 words per minute. Candidates are required to transcribe a dictated passage within 40 minutes in English, or 55 minutes in Hindi. Candidates will be required to transcribe their shorthand notes on Computers (PCs), which will be provided at the Examination centre by the Commission.
- Posts: All candidates who are competing for the following categories will be required to take qa ualifying shorthand test at the time as may be decided by the Commission:
- Private Secretary Grade of the Central Secretariat Stenographers' Service
- Private Secretary Grade of the Stenographers' Cadre of the Indian Foreign Service Branch "B'
- Grade 'A' & 'B' merged of the Armed Forces Headquarters Stenographers' Service
- Grade of the Railway Board Secretariat Stenographers' Service
- Private Secretary Grade in Employees' State Insurance Corporation.
UPSC SO Steno Service Record Evaluation Exam Pattern 2026
This is the final stage of UPSC SO Steno recruitment 2026 . This stage carries a total of 100 marks and applies mainly to Section Officer (SO) candidates. It involves an assessment of the candidate’s service record or APARs (Annual Performance Appraisal Reports). Only those candidates who secure at least 40% in this evaluation are considered for the final ranking. Once the APARs are assessed by the Evaluation Board, no requests for reassessment or changes in grading will be accepted later.
UPSC SO Steno Exam Pattern FAQs
Ques: Is UPSC SO Steno syllabus the same every year?
Ans: No. Although the main syllabus remains similar, minor updates or emphasis on specific rules or acts may change each year based on UPSC notifications and government updates.
Ques: Which books are recommended for UPSC SO Steno syllabus?
Ans: Candidates can study NCERT books for basics, M. Laxmikanth for polity, and government manuals like the Central Secretariat Manual of Office Procedure for Paper 2
Ques: Does UPSC SO Steno syllabus include current affairs?
Ans: Yes. Paper 1 includes General Studies and current events, which focus on recent developments in governance, policies, and administrative procedures relevant to government services.
Ques: Is there any sectional cutoff in UPSC SO Steno written exam?
Ans: UPSC does not have sectional cutoffs, but candidates must perform well in all papers to achieve an overall score sufficient for shortlisting to the next stage.
Ques: Are there minimum qualifying marks in each paper of UPSC SO Steno exam?
Ans: Yes. UPSC sets minimum qualifying marks for each paper. Candidates must score at least 10% marks in every written paper and 40% aggregate overall to qualify for the next selection stage, as per official UPSC notifications.
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