DRDO Stenographer Syllabus, Exam Pattern, Eligibility
152 topics across 5 subjects. Every question carries a written explanation.
DRDO recruits stenographers at two levels through CEPTAM, its Delhi recruitment centre. Stenographer Grade-I is a Group B post at Pay Level 6 and needs a degree. Stenographer Grade-II is Group C at Level 4 and needs Class 12. Both use English shorthand and are part of the Admin and Allied (A&A) cadre.
The last recruitment was CEPTAM-10/A&A, notified in November 2022, with 215 Grade-I and 123 Grade-II posts. That was a big jump: the 2019 round (CEPTAM-09/A&A) had only 13 Grade-II posts and no Grade-I. CEPTAM issued the instructions for its skill test in October 2023.
There has been no stenographer advertisement since then. CEPTAM-11, in December 2025, was limited to technical posts.
Last checked against the official notification on .
DRDO Stenographer Details
Exam Pattern
Tier-I: one CBT for both grades, 75 questions for 75 marks in 60 minutes, on quantitative aptitude, reasoning, general awareness and general English. Hindi or English medium, no negative marking, minimum 40% (UR, OBC, EWS) or 35% (SC, ST).
Tier-II: the stenography skill test, qualifying only. A recorded passage is played over a public address system after one short trial passage. You then get 10 minutes to read your notes before typing the transcription on a computer.
| Dictation | Transcription | PwBD transcription | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade-I | 10 min at 100 wpm | 40 min | 55 min |
| Grade-II | 10 min at 80 wpm | 50 min | 70 min |
Copy, paste, autocorrect and spell check are switched off. No scribe is allowed for transcription, and no category is exempt from the test. CEPTAM supplies the shorthand notebook; bring your own pen and pencil. See the October 2023 skill test instructions.
Syllabus
The FAQ only says the Tier-I questions match the qualification for the post. There is no separate topic list for either grade.
Eligibility Criteria
| Grade-I (post 0401) | Grade-II (post 0501) | |
|---|---|---|
| Qualification | Bachelor's degree from a recognised university | Class 12 from a recognised board or university |
| Shorthand norm | 10 minutes dictation at 100 wpm, 40 minutes transcription | 10 minutes dictation at 80 wpm, 50 minutes transcription |
| Age | Up to 30 | 18 to 27 |
| Group and pay | Group B, Level 6 | Group C, Level 4 |
Upper age limits relax by 3 years for OBC (NCL), 5 for SC and ST and 10 more for PwBD, with other relaxations under central rules.
| Post | SC | ST | OBC | EWS | UR | Total | PwBD | ESM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stenographer Grade-I | 13 | 4 | 40 | 12 | 146 | 215 | 8 | 1 |
| Stenographer Grade-II | 6 | 0 | 16 | 1 | 100 | 123 | 7 | 0 |
Grade-I posts were at 18 stations and Grade-II at all 24 listed in the advertisement, including Leh, Tezpur, Jagdalpur and Mussoorie.
Selection Process
Candidates are ranked on Tier-I marks and roughly eight per vacancy are called for the skill test. Passing the skill test is compulsory but it carries no marks, so final order follows Tier-I. Interviews are not held. Ties go to the older candidate.
Salary
| Grade | Pay level | Pay band |
|---|---|---|
| Stenographer Grade-I | Level 6 | ₹35,400–1,12,400 |
| Stenographer Grade-II | Level 4 | ₹25,500–81,100 |
Plus DA, HRA, transport allowance and the usual central benefits; NPS applies.
How to Apply
Apply online when CEPTAM opens the link. The fee is ₹100, waived for women, SC, ST, PwBD and ex-servicemen. Grade-I and Grade-II are separate post codes, so apply to each one you want. If both exams fall in the same shift, you can only sit one.
Important Dates
| Event (CEPTAM-10/A&A) | Date |
|---|---|
| Advertisement | Employment News, 5–11 November 2022 |
| Apply online | 7 November to 7 December 2022 |
| Crucial date of eligibility | 7 December 2022 |
| Tier-I CBT | March 2023 |
| Tier-I result | May 2023 |
| Stenography skill test instructions issued | 11 October 2023 |
The next round has not been announced. Watch DRDO Vacancies.
Result
Results for CEPTAM-10/A&A were posted post by post through 2023, starting with the Tier-I result in May. CEPTAM also publishes the scores of qualified candidates who were not selected. New results will appear on DRDO's Vacancies page.
Preparation Tips
- Grade-I asks 100 wpm, a big step from 80. Build speed on passages of exactly 10 minutes.
- Practise transcribing on a plain editor with no spell check, because that is what the test machine gives you.
- Tier-I sets your rank, so prepare it as seriously as shorthand.
Official Links
Frequently Asked Questions
Is any DRDO stenographer recruitment open?
No. The latest was CEPTAM-10/A&A in 2022.
Is the shorthand test in Hindi?
No. In CEPTAM-10 both grades were English shorthand, transcribed on computer.
Do skill test marks count in the merit list?
No. You must pass it, but the merit list follows Tier-I.
Who can apply for Grade-I?
Graduates up to 30 years old, subject to relaxations.
What does Grade-II pay?
Level 4, ₹25,500 basic to start.
Computer Awareness (21)
- Computer Fundamentals
- MS Excel
- MS Office
- MS Powerpoint
- MS Word
- Computer Internet
- Computer System Architecture
- Computer Operating System
- Important File Extensions
- Important Abbreviations
- Keyboard Shortcuts
- History of Computers
- Computer Hardware and Software
- Input /Output Devices
- Memory Management
- Computer Languages
- Number System
- Logic Gates
- Computer Network
- Database Management System
- Computer Security
English Language (25)
- Synonyms
- Antonyms
- Double Synonyms
- Homonyms
- One Word Substitution
- Reading Comprehension
- Theme Detection
- Deriving Conclusions from Passages
- Sentence Completion
- Passage Completion
- Fill in the Blanks
- Spotting Errors
- Sentence Improvement
- Passage Correction
- Choose the Correct - Incorrect Sentence
- Reconstruction of Sentence
- Sentences Rearrangement
- Reconstruction of Paragraphs
- Rearrangement of Jumbled Parts
- Word Formation
- Idioms and Phrases
- Active-Passive voice
- Direct-Indirect Speech
- Transformation of Sentences
- Spelling Test
General Awareness / General Knowledge (GK) (23)
- Indian Politics
- Indian History
- Indian Economy
- Important Acts of the Parliament of India
- Honours and Awards
- Indian Geography
- Indian Culture
- World Geography
- Famous Places in India
- Famous Personalities
- Books and Authors
- Sports
- Days and Years
- Inventions
- Highest, Longest, Biggest, Largest, Deepest, Smallest of the World
- General Science
- World Currency
- Country Languages
- Technology
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Biology
- Scientific Names of Plants and Animals
Quantitative Aptitude (49)
- Number System
- H.C.F. & L.C.M.
- Decimal Fractions
- Simplification
- Square Roots & Cube Roots
- Average
- Problems on Numbers
- Problems on Ages
- Surds & Indices
- Percentage
- Operations on Numbers
- Profit & Loss
- Ratio & Proportion
- Partnership
- Chain Rule
- Time & Work
- Pipes & Cistern
- Time & Distance
- Problems on Trains
- Boats & Streams
- Alligation or Mixture
- Simple Interest
- Compound Interest
- Logarithms
- Area
- Volume & Surface Areas
- Mensuration
- Races & Games of Skill
- Calendar
- Clocks
- Stocks & Shares
- Permutations & Combinations
- Probability
- True Discount
- Banker’s Discount
- Heights & Distances
- Odd Man Out & Series
- Algebra
- Divisibility Rules & Remainder Theorem
- Factorials & Power Cycles
- Progressions (A.P., G.P., H.P.)
- Work & Wages
- Set Theory / Venn Diagrams
- Geometry (Lines, Angles, Triangles, Polygons)
- Coordinate Geometry
- Data Interpretation
- Trigonometry
- Statistics (Mean, Median, Mode)
- Arithmetic Operations
Reasoning (34)
- Analogy
- Number Series
- Classification
- Series Completion
- Coding-Decoding
- Input Output
- Inequality
- Blood Relation
- Puzzle Test
- Sequential Output Tracing
- Direction Sense Test
- Linear Seating Arrangement
- Circular Seating Arrangement
- Alphabet Test
- Number, Ranking and Time Sequence Test
- Mathematical Operations
- Logical Sequence of Words
- Arithmetical Reasoning
- Inserting The Missing Character
- Data Sufficiency
- Decision Making
- Assertion and Reason
- Situation Reaction Test
- Verification of Truth of the Statement
- Letter and Symbol Series
- Logic
- Statement - Arguments
- Statement - Assumptions
- Statement - Courses of Action
- Syllogisms
- Statement - Conclusions
- Deriving Conclusions From Passages
- Theme Detection
- Question - Statements
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