BSSC Stenographer 2026 Syllabus

BSSC Stenographer / Steno Typist Grade-III Exam Overview

The Bihar Staff Selection Commission (BSSC) conducts the Stenographer / Steno Typist Grade-III recruitment to fill stenographer posts in various Bihar government departments and offices. Selected candidates work as stenographers, taking dictation in shorthand and transcribing it accurately on a computer. Vacancy numbers change with every notification, so the total seats for the 2026 cycle should be checked in the official advertisement. Because the post is a Grade-III clerical role with steady government career progression, the exam attracts a large pool of graduates and higher secondary pass candidates every year.

Exam Pattern

The selection process has two main components: a written objective examination and a skill test covering shorthand and typing. The table below gives an indicative structure. Confirm the exact question count, marks, and duration in the official notification, as BSSC revises these details between recruitment cycles.

Subject-wise Syllabus

General Hindi

• Vyakaran: sandhi, samas, muhavare, lokoktiyan, shabd shakti
• Synonyms, antonyms, and word usage
• Sentence correction and error detection
• Comprehension of unseen passages
• Hindi literature basics and important authors

General English

• Grammar: tenses, voice, narration, articles, prepositions
• Vocabulary: synonyms, antonyms, one-word substitution, idioms and phrases
• Spotting errors and sentence improvement
• Reading comprehension and cloze test

General Awareness

• History: ancient, medieval, and modern Indian history with a focus on the Bihar region
• Geography: physical geography of India and Bihar, rivers, climate, soils, and natural resources
• Polity: Constitution of India, fundamental rights and duties, Parliament, state government, panchayati raj
• Economy: Five Year Plans, NITI Aayog, banking, budget, and basic economic concepts
• Science: physics, chemistry, and biology basics in everyday life, health, and environment
• Current Affairs: national and state events, awards, schemes, sports, and appointments from the last 6 to 12 months

Reasoning

• Verbal reasoning: analogy, classification, series, coding-decoding, blood relations, direction sense
• Non-verbal reasoning: figure series, mirror and water images, paper folding
• Logical reasoning: syllogisms, statement and conclusions, puzzles, seating arrangement

Quantitative Aptitude

• Number system, HCF and LCM, simplification, approximation
• Percentage, profit and loss, simple and compound interest, ratio and proportion
• Time and work, time speed and distance, averages, mixtures
• Algebra basics, mensuration, data interpretation with tables, bar graphs, and pie charts

Computer Knowledge

• Computer fundamentals, hardware, software, and operating systems
• MS Word, MS Excel, and MS PowerPoint basics
• Internet, email, networking, and cyber safety terms
• Shortcut keys and basic office software usage

Previous Year Cut-off Trends

BSSC does not always publish detailed category-wise cut-offs for every stenographer recruitment, and figures change with each cycle, vacancy count, and paper difficulty. In general, candidates in recent Bihar steno and clerical exams have needed to score well above the average on the written paper to clear the merit list, with General category candidates typically at the higher end and reserved categories at a lower threshold as per reservation rules. Check the official result PDF and the notice for the previous cycle on the BSSC website for the latest category-wise figures.

Recommended Books

• General Hindi: Hindi Vyakaran by Kamta Prasad Guru, and previous year Hindi grammar workbooks
• General English: High School English Grammar and Composition by Wren and Martin, and Objective General English by S.P. Bakshi
• General Awareness: Lucent General Knowledge by Lucent Editorial Team, and Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth
• Indian History: India's Struggle for Independence by Bipin Chandra
• Geography: Geography of India by Majid Husain
• Reasoning: A Modern Approach to Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning by R.S. Aggarwal
• Quantitative Aptitude: Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations by R.S. Aggarwal
• Shorthand: standard dictation books for Hindi and English shorthand, with daily practice from Pitman or Gregg style material

Preparation Strategy

Most candidates with a basic graduation need about four to six months of focused preparation, while those returning after a long gap may need more time. Plan for two to three hours of daily study on weekdays and four to five hours on weekends. Split the day between one subject block for concepts and one block for practice questions. Give extra time to shorthand and typing, since these skill tests are cleared only with regular speed practice, usually for 30 to 45 minutes each day.

Prioritise Quantitative Aptitude and Reasoning, as these subjects reward regular practice and produce quick score gains. Keep General Awareness and Current Affairs as a daily 30-minute habit. Start full-length mock tests after the first two months, taking one mock every week and two per week in the final month. Review every mock for accuracy, time spent per section, and repeated mistakes.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

• Ignoring the skill test: candidates who clear the written paper but neglect shorthand and typing often fail the second stage. Practise dictation and typing from the first month onward.
• Studying without mock tests: reading notes alone does not build exam speed. Attempt timed mock tests and track the results.
• Skipping the official notification: syllabus details, marks, and language options can change. Always verify the current notice on the BSSC website.
• Overloading on current affairs: reading everything leads to burnout. Use a monthly digest and focus on high-yield topics.
• Guessing carelessly: if negative marking applies, guess only when you can eliminate at least two options.
• Neglecting revision: revise formulas, grammar rules, and shorthand outlines every week to retain them for exam day.