SSC Stenographer Grade C LDCE 2025 Detailed Official Notification

The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has officially released the Grade ‘C’ Stenographers Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE) 2025 Notification. This departmental examination is conducted to prepare a Select List for promotion to Stenographer Grade ‘C’ in various Central Government services. Eligible Stenographer Grade ‘D’ officials working in participating departments can apply online within the prescribed dates. SSC Stenographer Grade C LDCE

SSC Grade ‘C’ Stenographer Vacancies 2025

• Central Secretariat Stenographers Service – 267 posts
• Railway Board Secretariat Stenographers Service – 08 posts
• Armed Forces Headquarters Stenographers Service – 37 posts
• Election Commission of India Stenographers Service – 01 post
• Indian Foreign Service (Branch B) Stenographers – 13 posts
• Central Vigilance Commission – To be intimated later

Age Limit Details SSC Grade C Stenographer LDCE

Age Limit Overview: The SSC Grade ‘C’ Stenographers Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE) 2025 does not follow a traditional age limit structure like open competitive examinations. Since this recruitment is purely departmental and promotional in nature, the Staff Selection Commission has not prescribed a specific minimum or maximum age in years. Instead, eligibility is determined mainly based on the length of approved service completed by the candidate in the feeder grade as per the applicable service rules.

Crucial Date for Age and Service Eligibility: For SSC Stenographer Grade ‘C’ LDCE 2025, the crucial date for determining eligibility is 01 July 2025. All age-related and service-related conditions must be fulfilled on or before this date. Candidates who complete the required years of approved service after this date will not be considered eligible for the examination. Therefore, applicants must carefully verify their service records as of the notified crucial date before applying. SSC Stenographer Grade C LDCE

No Fixed Maximum Age Limit: Unlike direct recruitment examinations conducted by SSC, there is no fixed upper age limit prescribed for the Grade ‘C’ Stenographer LDCE 2025. Since only serving government employees are allowed to apply, the age factor is indirectly controlled through departmental service rules. As long as a candidate remains eligible under service conditions and has not exceeded the permissible age for promotion under their cadre rules, they can appear for the examination.

Minimum Age Requirement Explained: SSC has also not specified a minimum age limit for this departmental examination. The minimum age is indirectly satisfied because only employees who have completed the required minimum years of regular service as Stenographer Grade ‘D’ are eligible. By the time an employee fulfills the service eligibility, the minimum age condition is automatically met, making a separate minimum age rule unnecessary for this examination.

Age Rules Vary by Department: Although SSC conducts the examination, the age and service eligibility conditions may vary slightly depending on the service or cadre to which the candidate belongs. Departments such as Central Secretariat Stenographers Service (CSSS), Railway Board Secretariat, Armed Forces Headquarters, Election Commission of India, and Indian Foreign Service (Branch B) follow their own recruitment and promotion rules. Candidates must ensure compliance with their respective departmental age-related norms. SSC Stenographer Grade C LDCE

Applicability of Service Rules: The age eligibility for SSC Grade ‘C’ Stenographer LDCE 2025 is governed by the service rules of the parent cadre, not by general SSC recruitment rules. This means that if a candidate is otherwise eligible for promotion as per departmental regulations and has not crossed any internal age ceiling for promotion, they remain eligible to appear in the LDCE, regardless of their actual age in years.

Age Relaxation Provisions: Since no numerical age limit is prescribed, age relaxation rules applicable to SC, ST, OBC, or PwBD candidates do not apply in the usual manner. However, relaxations in service length requirements, if notified by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) or the controlling authority, will be applicable. Any such relaxations are strictly as per government orders and departmental instructions in force. SSC Stenographer Grade C LDCE

Deputation and Age Consideration: Candidates who are on deputation to ex-cadre posts, but hold a valid lien in Stenographer Grade ‘D’, are eligible to apply for SSC Grade ‘C’ LDCE 2025. In such cases, age is not a disqualifying factor as long as the candidate satisfies the service conditions and departmental eligibility norms. The deputation period, if approved, is counted towards eligibility as per applicable rules.

Effect of Resignation or Retirement: Candidates who resign from service, take voluntary retirement, or otherwise sever their connection with the parent cadre before final selection will not be considered eligible, irrespective of age. The age eligibility remains valid only for candidates who continue to remain in service up to the selection stage. Therefore, maintaining uninterrupted service status is more important than age for this examination.

Important Advice for Candidates: Before applying for SSC Grade ‘C’ Stenographer LDCE 2025, candidates should carefully check their service length, cadre rules, and internal promotion age limits, if any. Since age eligibility is linked with service conditions rather than numerical limits, verifying details with the Head of Office or Establishment Section is strongly recommended. Incorrect assumptions about age eligibility may lead to rejection at later stages. SSC Stenographer Grade C LDCE

Educational Qualification Details SSC Grade C Stenographer LDCE

Educational Qualification Overview: The SSC Grade ‘C’ Stenographers Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE) 2025 is a departmental promotion examination, and therefore, its educational qualification requirements are different from open SSC recruitments. Candidates are not required to possess higher academic degrees such as graduation or post-graduation specifically for this exam. Instead, eligibility is primarily linked to the educational qualification prescribed at the time of initial appointment as Stenographer Grade ‘D’ in the respective service or cadre.

Minimum Educational Requirement: To be eligible for SSC Stenographer Grade ‘C’ LDCE 2025, a candidate must be a regularly appointed Stenographer Grade ‘D’ who already fulfills the minimum educational qualification laid down under their departmental recruitment rules. Generally, this includes passing Matriculation (10th class) or equivalent, along with proficiency in stenography, as required at the time of original recruitment. No fresh or additional academic qualification is mandated separately for appearing in this departmental examination. SSC Stenographer Grade C LDCE

Importance of Initial Appointment Qualification: The educational qualification considered for SSC Grade ‘C’ LDCE 2025 is the one that was accepted and verified during the candidate’s initial appointment to Stenographer Grade ‘D’. If a candidate was validly appointed under the relevant service rules, SSC treats the educational requirement as already fulfilled. Therefore, candidates are not required to submit new qualification certificates, except those related to service records and departmental verification.

Department-Specific Qualification Rules: Different participating services such as the Central Secretariat Stenographers Service (CSSS), Railway Board Secretariat Stenographers Service, Armed Forces Headquarters Stenographers Service, Election Commission of India, Indian Foreign Service (Branch B), and Central Vigilance Commission follow their own recruitment rules. Educational qualification standards applicable at the time of entry into Grade ‘D’ differ slightly across cadres, but SSC accepts all qualifications that are valid under the respective service rules. SSC Stenographer Grade C LDCE

No Higher Degree Requirement: SSC has clearly not prescribed any mandatory higher educational qualification like graduation, diploma, or professional degree for the Grade ‘C’ Stenographer LDCE 2025. Candidates who possess higher qualifications may apply, but such qualifications do not provide any additional advantage in eligibility or selection. The examination strictly follows departmental promotion norms rather than academic merit-based eligibility criteria.

Computer Literacy Requirement: Although not a formal academic qualification, computer literacy is an essential requirement for SSC Stenographer Grade ‘C’ LDCE 2025. Candidates must be capable of transcribing shorthand notes on a computer during the skill test. This requirement is treated as a functional qualification rather than a certificate-based educational condition. Candidates lacking basic computer operation skills may find it difficult to qualify the skill test. SSC Stenographer Grade C LDCE

Stenography Skill as a Core Qualification: For SSC Grade ‘C’ promotion, stenography proficiency is considered more important than academic education. Candidates must have already qualified the stenography test required for confirmation or continuation in Grade ‘D’, unless exempted under service rules. This skill-based qualification ensures that only experienced and professionally competent stenographers are promoted to Grade ‘C’ through the LDCE.

Qualification Validity and Verification: All educational qualifications claimed by the candidate must be recognized and valid under government norms at the time of original appointment. SSC reserves the right to verify educational and service-related documents through the controlling authority. Any discrepancy found between claimed qualifications and service records may lead to rejection of candidature, even if the candidate clears the examination stages. SSC Stenographer Grade C LDCE

Candidates on Deputation: Candidates who are on approved deputation to ex-cadre posts but hold a valid lien in Stenographer Grade ‘D’ are eligible to apply. Their educational qualification eligibility remains intact, provided their original appointment qualification meets departmental norms. Deputation does not affect educational eligibility as long as service continuity and lien conditions are fulfilled.

Key Advice on Educational Eligibility: Candidates are strongly advised to verify their service book entries, particularly the educational qualification details recorded at the time of appointment. Since SSC relies on departmental verification rather than fresh qualification screening, any mismatch in records can cause issues during scrutiny. Consulting the Establishment or Personnel Section before applying is recommended to avoid rejection at later stages. SSC Stenographer Grade C LDCE

Application Fee Details SSC Grade C Stenographer LDCE

Application Fee Overview: The SSC Grade ‘C’ Stenographers Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE) 2025 follows a simplified application fee structure compared to open SSC recruitments. Since this examination is meant exclusively for serving government employees, the fee requirements are minimal and strictly regulated. The application fee is collected only to cover administrative processing, and no additional examination or service charges are imposed beyond what is officially notified by the Staff Selection Commission. SSC Stenographer Grade C LDCE

Prescribed Application Fee Amount: For SSC Stenographer Grade ‘C’ LDCE 2025, the prescribed application fee is NIL (₹0) for all eligible candidates. The Staff Selection Commission has clearly stated that no application fee is required to be paid while submitting the online application form. This applies uniformly to all candidates, irrespective of their category, service, or cadre, making the application process financially accessible to all eligible departmental candidates. SSC Stenographer Grade C LDCE

No Category-Based Fee Difference: Unlike open competitive examinations where application fees differ for General, OBC, SC, ST, and PwBD candidates, no category-based fee differentiation exists for this departmental examination. Since the SSC Grade ‘C’ LDCE 2025 does not involve fee payment at all, candidates belonging to Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, Persons with Benchmark Disabilities, or any other category are equally exempted from paying any application charges. SSC Stenographer Grade C LDCE

Reason for Fee Exemption: The primary reason for waiving the application fee in SSC Grade ‘C’ Stenographer LDCE 2025 is that the examination is departmental in nature. All applicants are already serving government employees whose service records are verified through their respective departments. Therefore, SSC does not levy an application fee, as the recruitment process is conducted through official channels with departmental authentication, reducing administrative overheads. SSC Stenographer Grade C LDCE

Online Application Without Payment Gateway: Candidates applying for SSC Stenographer Grade ‘C’ LDCE 2025 will notice that the online application process does not include any payment gateway step. After completing One Time Registration (OTR) and filling out the application form, candidates can submit the form directly without making any online or offline payment. This ensures a smooth and hassle-free application experience for departmental candidates. SSC Stenographer Grade C LDCE

No Refund or Transaction Issues: Since no application fee is charged, candidates do not have to worry about issues related to payment failure, transaction errors, or refund processing. This eliminates common problems faced during online payments in large-scale recruitments. Candidates only need to focus on accurately filling the application form and ensuring that it is forwarded through the proper departmental channel within the stipulated time. SSC Stenographer Grade C LDCE

Application Fee and Departmental Forwarding: Although no application fee is required, candidates must note that submission of the online form alone is not sufficient. The printed application, along with required documents, must be forwarded by the Head of Department or Head of Office to SSC. Failure to comply with this procedural requirement will lead to rejection of the application, regardless of the fee exemption status.

No Hidden or Additional Charges: SSC has clearly indicated that there are no hidden charges, processing fees, or examination fees associated with the Grade ‘C’ Stenographer LDCE 2025. Candidates are advised not to pay any money to agents or third parties claiming to assist with application submission. The entire application process is official, transparent, and completely free of cost.

Fee Policy Uniform Across Services: The no-fee policy applies uniformly across all participating services, including Central Secretariat Stenographers Service, Railway Board Secretariat Stenographers Service, Armed Forces Headquarters Stenographers Service, Election Commission of India, Indian Foreign Service (Branch B), and Central Vigilance Commission. Regardless of the parent cadre, all eligible candidates can apply without paying any application fee. SSC Stenographer Grade C LDCE

Important Advice for Candidates: Candidates should carefully read the official notification and rely only on SSC-authorized information regarding application fees. Since no fee is required, any demand for payment should be treated as fraudulent. Applicants are advised to complete the online application early and ensure timely forwarding through departmental channels to avoid rejection due to procedural delays.

Important Dates SSC Grade C Stenographer LDCE