In the previous article we discussed the UPSC SO/Stenographer Exam in brief. In this article, let us understand the scheme and syllabus of the exam in detail.

This examination comprises two different stages:

Stage I comprises three different question papers, followed by a qualifying shorthand test in Hindi and English at 100 words per minute. The three question papers/test booklets are set in both Hindi and English. The details of the three question papers are:

1) General Studies & General Knowledge of Constitution of India and Machinery of Government, Practice and Procedures in Parliament and Knowledge of RTI Act, 2005 (objective type)                                                         2 hours, 150 marks

2) Procedure and Practice in the Govt. of India Secretariat and attached offices and General Financial and Service Rules, duly taking into account the requirement of relevant categories of services (objective type)                                                                                                                              2 hours, 150 marks

3) Noting and Drafting, Précis writing (subjective type)   3 hours, 200 marks

(Note: There is a penalty for wrong answers in the objective type question papers. For each question for which a wrong answer has been given by the candidate, one third (0.33) of the marks assigned to that question will be deducted as penalty.)

Stage II comprises an evaluation of the candidates’ record of service. This evaluation carries 100 marks.

Thus, this examination carries a total of 600 marks (including Stage I and II).

The syllabi for the above mentioned papers are as follows:

Paper I

In this paper, questions pertaining to Five Year Plans, Indian Economy, and major government schemes, events of national and international importance, etc. are expected. Apart from these, knowledge of the principles of Constitution of India, Rules and Procedure and conduct of Business in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, etc. is also tested.

Paper II

This paper is intended to be an intensive and detailed test on the methods and procedure of work in the Government of India secretariat and attached offices. In this paper, detailed knowledge of general, financial and service rules, viz., Conduct rules, Leave rules, TA rules, etc. is tested.

Paper III

In this paper, candidates are required to prepare notes and drafts on specific problems and write a précis from a passage.

Those candidates who obtain the minimum qualifying marks fixed by the commission (in the written examination and in the shorthand test) would be called for the Evaluation of Record of Service.

For additional information regarding this exam, refer to the SO/Stenographer notification 2014:

http://upsc.gov.in/exams/notifications/2014/SO_Steno/Binder2%20English.pdf