SSC Stenographer Cut Off: Previous Year Category-wise Marks

The SSC Stenographer cut off is the minimum score in the computer-based exam needed to move ahead to the skill test and, eventually, to a post. Two different numbers matter here: the fixed qualifying percentage SSC prints in its notice, and the category-wise merit cut-off that comes out with the result and changes every year.

This page explains both, shows the category-wise figures reported for the previous cycle, and gives a practical way to set your own target. The figures are for the benchmark only. Check the official result notice on ssc.gov.in for the authoritative numbers.

Table of Contents

• Two kinds of cut-off

• Previous cycle category-wise cut-off

• What the numbers tell you

• What affects the cut-off

• How to set your target score

Two kinds of cut-off

The notice for the 2026 cycle fixes minimum qualifying marks for the computer-based exam. These are floors, not the real competition level.

The merit cut-off is the score at which the Commission shortlists candidates for the skill test, separately for Grade C and Grade D and for each category. It is far above the qualifying floor.

Previous cycle category-wise cut-off

The table below shows the computer-based exam cut-off marks out of 200 for the 2025 cycle, as reported from the Commission's result. These are indicative figures. Please confirm each number against the result notice on the official website before relying on it.

Decimal values appear because scores are normalised when an exam runs in several shifts. The 2026 cut-offs will be published only after the result of the current cycle, so this table is a reference for planning, not a prediction.

What the numbers tell you

• Grade C needs a higher score: In every category where both grades have a cut-off, Grade C is higher than Grade D. In the unreserved category the gap was about 10 marks.

• The unreserved Grade C figure is about 71 percent: 142.43 out of 200 is roughly 71 percent, and the Grade D figure of 132.31 is roughly 66 percent. Both are well above the 30 percent floor.

• Wide spread across categories: The unreserved, OBC and EWS cut-offs sit close together, while the PwD and ex-servicemen figures are much lower. Compare yourself with your own category row, not with the unreserved figure.

What affects the cut-off

• Paper difficulty: A harder English or Reasoning paper pulls scores down for everyone.

• Vacancies: More vacancies in a category usually push the shortlisting cut-off lower.

• Number of applicants: Stiffer competition raises the score needed to be shortlisted.

• Normalisation: If there were several shifts, normalisation can shift your final score slightly up or down.

• Negative marking: Each wrong answer costs 0.25 marks, so accuracy matters as much as attempts.

How to set your target score

1. Pick your grade and category: Find your row in the table above.

2. Add a safety margin: Cut-offs change every year, so aim for 8 to 10 marks above last cycle's figure rather than a bare match.

3. Work backwards by section: A target of 145 out of 200 could be 38 in Reasoning, 35 in General Awareness and 72 in English. Adjust to your strengths.

4. Measure with timed mocks: Take full-length tests, use the net score after negative marking, and track the trend over several attempts rather than a single result.

Cut-offs also change how you plan your attempts. A candidate who scores 145 by attempting 170 questions at high accuracy is in a stronger position than one who attempts all 200 with many errors. You can practise this balance with SSC Stenographer online tests on Testkart and compare section-wise scores against the targets above.