How to become a Stenographer: Eligibility, Selection Process, Skills, Salary

How to become a Stenographer: A stenographer is a specialist with the skills to convert a language into shorthand, a popular type of coding. Stenographers are an essential component of today's organisational structure. Shorthand and a steno machine are used by stenographers to record information. There is no technology employed in this field. The stenographers have to write, type and prepare documents through a steno machine. Stenographers with the ability to type in Hindi and English, or another regional language are high in demand by various departments. Their services are utilised in a variety of settings, including courtrooms, government buildings, corporate firms, offices of politicians, and many other settings. A stenographer's duty is to be present whenever spoken words are being transcribed and written down. Knowing the grammar and nuances of the language in which one wants to work as a stenographer is crucial if one wishes to become a professional stenographer.

Aspiring applicants must take certificate or diploma typewriting or writing courses in order to become stenographers. Students can choose from a variety of Type Writing Institutes to pursue their selected studies. Candidates who have completed their 12th grade in any stream from an accredited institution with at least 55% of the required marks are eligible to become stenographers. Additionally, a candidate should be well-versed in any language, but shorthand should be their primary focus. To be considered for the position of stenographer, interested candidates must be familiar with shorthand.

How to become a Stenographer - Eligibility Criteria

In order to pursue employment as a Stenographer, students must pursue a stenography course. Before applying for a course, students must meet the eligibility requirements, which are as follows:

Educational Qualification: Candidates should have finished their 10+2 requirements, possess a stenography diploma or certificate, and be able to pass a skill test. A good level of typing speed is necessary since stenographers must listen to the talk and then swiftly write it down. From one organisation to another, different qualifications may be required.

Typing Speed: The minimum typing and shorthand speeds for an English stenographer are 25 words per minute and 80 words per minute, respectively. For a Hindi stenographer, the minimum typing and shorthand speeds are 30 words per minute and 100 words per minute.

Age: Applicants must be between the ages of 18 and 27. Government determines the age restriction.

Scope in Stenography for Students

India has a large market for stenographers due to the demand for effective services from both public and private institutions. Despite advances in translation technology, a human touch still outperforms artificial intelligence in terms of effectiveness. Stenographers are necessary for lawyers since they are helpful in courtrooms, when meeting witnesses, and when interacting with clients. Additionally, tenure ensures that stenographers who are hired by the government will have a job for the foreseeable future.

Stenographer Grade C and D Examination

Staff Selection Commission is again going to conduct the skill test of Stenographer Grade C & D. SSC has issued an important notification for the Stenographer position Grade C& D on 25th April and 26th April 2023.

Previously, the Skill Test for Stenographer Grade C & D was held on 15th February and 16th February 2023. After the conduction of the examination, the Commission received various complaints and feedback from the candidates. The complaints were related to technical issues at the Commission's regional offices during the conduction of the skill test on 15th February 2023. Looking into the matter, the Commission rescheduled it for 10th March 2023. However, it has been noted that many candidates faced the same issue on 10th March 2023 during the Skill Test.

Finally, the Commission has announced to conduct the Skill Test again. All the candidates who appeared for the Skill Test on 15th February and 16th February 2023 can now appear for the exam on 25th and 26th April 2023. The test will be conducted for the Stenographer Grade C & D (Hindi) on 25th April 2023, and for Stenographer Grade C & D (English) on 26th April 2023.

Stenographer Grade C & D Skill Test Revised Exam Dates

Skills Required to Become a Stenographer

Below is a list of some of the main competencies needed to become a stenographer for your reference.

Observation of details

Usually, stenographers can type up notes right away. These transcripts could include critical data that is necessary for generating official documents or for use in upcoming proceedings.

Ability to listen actively

Stenographers are in charge of quickly transcribing conversations as well as legal and medical proceedings.

Patience

Typical lengths of time for court and other commercial proceedings are considerable. Throughout the procedure, a stenographer patiently waits and completes their tasks.

Ability to communicate in writing

It could be necessary for stenographers to have a solid grasp of the language used by speakers. They might be well-versed in the language's grammar, vocabulary, spelling, and punctuation.

Transcription skills 

A professional stenographer should have a thorough awareness of transcribing conventions in addition to strong knowledge of the subject.

How to become a Stenographer - Selection Process

Candidates that are qualified should be proficient in a language. The learner should be proficient in any regional language, whether it is Hindi, English, or another. To find out more about shorthand, the candidate can enrol in a private training facility. A course to learn shorthand lasts between six months and a year. The first factor that is taken into account is how quickly and effectively someone can type.

If a private institution is not an option, the candidate might enrol in a certificate or diploma programme in typing and shorthand at an Industrial Training Institution (ITI). The course lasts between one to one and a half years. Students must have completed their matriculation and be at least 17 years old in order to enrol in ITIs. The Staff Selection Commission, which administers the SSC Stenographer test, is one of many entrance and recruitment exams that are held on a national level. 

Once the course is complete, students can then submit an application for a position as a stenographer after completing a shorthand and typing training. They can visit private organisations, consult with attorneys, or go to the courts. Stenographer employment are available through the SSC, UPSC, State Service Selection Boards, and Banking Service Recruitment Boards.

Stenography Training for Aspirants

One can study the following Certificate and Diploma Courses, which are listed below for your reference, to become a stenographer:

• Aspiring students can enrol in a variety of specialised courses, including MOM (Modern Office Management), which is offered at numerous Polytechnic Colleges.
• Courses pertaining to ITI (Indian Technical Institute)
• In addition to this, a number of one-year courses with a focus on typing or stenography are also available.

Salary for Stenographers

The pay for SSC stenographers varies depending on whether they received a C or a D. Stenographers in Grades C and D earn more money than those in Grades C and D. the stenographers is eligible for House Rent Allowance (HRA), Dearness Allowance (DA), and Travel Allowance in addition to his basic income (TA).

Payscale claims that a candidate's income as a rookie ranges from Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000, depending on their productivity and quickness. A new hire in government organisations can earn around Rs 8,000 per month with other benefits. 

Job Areas for Stenographers

The range of employment opportunities for stenographers is fairly broad. Many public and commercial organisations require stenographers or shorthand specialists. The majority of students who choose this job always desire to work for the government. If you are one of those people looking for a stenography job with a government agency, you must pass their hiring requirements in order to get hired. The majority of government entities hold entrance exams, and they select candidates based on the results of those exams. So let's explore some of the career options available to stenographers.

• SSC
• Railway
• High Court
• DRDO
• CRPF
• CISF
• Private Sector

Future of Stenographer

A stenographer's responsibility is to accurately record legal and medical procedures. The majority of stenographers work in courtrooms because judges and attorneys want a precise transcript during trials and hearings. The script must not include even one error. The steno machine needs to be fed with precise, effective words. In order to ensure that no part of the discussion is lost, stenographers are taught to type at 225 words per minute. The use of grammar, punctuation, and spelling must be accurate.

Role of a Stenographer

Stenographers are the typewriters that stenographers use. The stenographer can type syllables rather than letters thanks to these devices. They can now type more quickly than usual in order to capture lengthy dialogues with numerous speakers. Stenographers can perform a variety of tasks. The following are some typical stenographer tasks:

• using shorthand when typing and taking dictation
• composing, recording, and assembling office papers
• properly converting the typed materials into plain language
• maintaining meticulous records for all files, documents, and other official materials
• coordinating meetings and gathering data for managers
• safeguarding the secrecy of official correspondence and affairs
• keeping the sequence of the documents to be delivered to the cops
• logically ordering and presenting documents
• maintaining reference materials, laws, and regulations current
• monitoring the status of cases until they are resolved

Advantages of Working as a Stenographer

Every job has its advantages and disadvantages. There are advantages to stenography as a career as well. Several advantages of working as a stenographer are covered below for your information.

• Every day, one can pick up new writing techniques.
• Stenographers receive substantial incomes.
• Stenographers can choose to work wherever they choose in the world.
• A job in stenography can be very gratifying, and there is now a large demand for it.