Maharashtra Zilla Parishad Stenographer Exam Pattern

A single online paper at Class 10 level, with no technical section.

All papers were computer-based and objective, 100 questions at 2 marks each (200 marks) in 120 minutes. To enter the merit list a candidate needed 45% of the total marks. There was no interview.

• Education: Class 10 (school leaving certificate) pass or equivalent.
• Shorthand: a certificate for 100 words a minute, from the state government examinations department or a recognised body.
• Typing: a certificate for 40 words a minute in English or 30 in Marathi. A 1997 government order makes Marathi shorthand and typing the norm in this department.
• Computers: a government-recognised computer certificate, or one obtained within two years of joining.

Merit is decided by the written paper. Shortlisted candidates then bring original certificates, including the shorthand and typing ones, to the district ZP for verification. No oral test is held for Group C posts under the 2022 state order.

Pay level S-14, ₹38,600 to ₹1,22,800 a month in the 2023 advertisement.

Apply online through the IBPS portal, one application per district and post. Because the papers for each post were set on a common schedule across districts, applying to many districts mostly meant paying the fee several times.

The fee in 2023 was ₹1,000 for the open category and ₹900 for reserved categories and orphans. Ex-servicemen paid nothing. It is paid online only, and each post needs its own application and its own fee.

Written tests ran from October 2023 and merit lists followed through 2024. Dharashiv, for one, has posted a final selection list for this post.

Each district publishes its own provisional list, document verification list and final selection list. See the Dharashiv final selection list for this post for the format.

Keep the shorthand and typing certificates ready, since they are checked at verification. For the paper, practise Marathi and English language questions, general knowledge and arithmetic at Class 10 level.

• Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department, where state-level recruitment orders appear
• Osmanabad ZP advertisement notice and the advertisement PDF (2023)
• Ratnagiri ZP advertisement notice, one of the other districts that ran the same drive
• IBPS application portal used in 2023
• Dharashiv ZP final selection list, stenographer (lower grade)

Each district Zilla Parishad lists its own advertisement, merit lists and document verification notices on its own website.

Is the stenographer post open now?

No new advertisement has been published since August 2023.

What speed is needed?

100 words a minute in shorthand, and 40 in English or 30 in Marathi typing, going by the 2023 advertisement.

How many marks is the paper?

200, for 100 questions in 120 minutes. You need 45% to reach the merit list.

What is the salary?

Level S-14, ₹38,600 to ₹1,22,800.