KVS Stenographer Eligibility 2026: Qualification, Age Limit and Relaxation

KVS Stenographer eligibility covers four checks: nationality, educational qualification, skill norms and age. The latest rules come from Recruitment Notification 01/2025, under which CBSE ran the exam for Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan. No newer notification has been released as of October 2026, so the 2025 rules are the best guide for the next cycle, though they can change.

In the 2025 cycle, the crucial date for eligibility was the closing date of the online application, 4 December 2025, as fixed in the notification. Your age, degree and any required experience had to be in place by that date. This page lists the exact conditions for Grade I and Grade II, the age relaxation table and the common reasons candidates turn out to be ineligible.

KVS Stenographer Eligibility

Educational Qualification for KVS Stenographer

Stenographer Grade II

• Degree: Graduation from a recognised university or institute.

• Skill test norms: Dictation of 10 minutes at 80 words per minute, with transcription on computer in 50 minutes (English) or 65 minutes (Hindi).

• Computer: Knowledge of working on a computer.

• Languages: Proficiency in Hindi and English.

Stenographer Grade I

• Degree: Graduation from a recognised university or institute.

• Speed: Shorthand at 100 words per minute and typing at 45 words per minute, in English or Hindi.

• Experience: Five years of regular service as Stenographer Grade II at Pay Level 4 in Central or State Government or an autonomous body.

• Computer and languages: Knowledge of computer applications and a working knowledge of Hindi and English.

No minimum percentage in graduation is set for either grade. Older pages may still show Class 12 as the qualification for Grade II, so follow the 2025 notification, which asks for graduation.

KVS Stenographer Age Limit

The minimum age is 18 years. The upper age limit is 27 years for Grade II and 30 years for Grade I, counted as on the crucial date. For the 2025 cycle, that date was 4 December 2025. The notification does not print a date-of-birth window, so work it out from the crucial date and your category.

Age Relaxation

KVS employees who are also PwBD get a further 5 years. Only the single highest applicable relaxation is given, and the women's age relaxation in the notification applies to teaching posts only, not to Stenographer posts.

Nationality and Other Conditions

• Nationality: Only Indian nationals can apply.

• Posting: Selected candidates can be posted anywhere in India.

• PwBD functional requirements: The post needs sitting, standing, walking, reading, writing, seeing, hearing and communication. PwBD candidates must meet these and produce a medical certificate at the final stage.

• Exam centre: Exam cities for Stenographer posts are allotted at random based on applicant numbers and cannot be changed.

Who Is Not Eligible

• Class 12 only: Candidates without a completed degree by the crucial date cannot apply in the 2025 rules.

• Over age: Candidates above the limit after the single highest relaxation they qualify for.

• Grade I without experience: Fresh graduates cannot apply for Grade I, because it needs five years as Stenographer Grade II.

• Mismatched details: Details that do not match the Class 10 certificate can lead to rejection at document verification.

Fee and Documents

The fee in the 2025 cycle was Rs. 1,200 exam fee plus Rs. 500 processing fee for General, OBC and EWS candidates. SC, ST, PwBD and ex-servicemen candidates paid only the Rs. 500 processing fee. Keep your degree certificate, Class 10 certificate for date of birth, category certificate and the application printout ready for document verification.