The WBPSC English Stenographer syllabus 2026 is out. The Public Service Commission, West Bengal published the official scheme and syllabus for the English Stenographer (Basic Grade) in Schedule A and B recruitment examination, 2025 (Advt. No. 04/2025) on its website on 17 October 2026. The exam has three papers: General English, Dictation and Transcription, and Computer Typing, worth 600 marks in all. Read the full WBPSC English Stenographer recruitment 2026 notification first for dates, eligibility and the application process, then use this page to plan your preparation.
Quick Summary of WBPSC English Stenographer Syllabus 2026
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Public Service Commission, West Bengal |
| Post | English Stenographer (Basic Grade) in Schedule A and B |
| Examination | English Stenographer Recruitment Examination, 2025 |
| Advertisement No. | 04/2025 |
| Number of papers | 3 (Paper I, Paper II, Paper III) |
| Total marks | 600 |
| Paper II mode | Shorthand dictation, then transcription on computer |
| Official website | psc.wb.gov.in |
WBPSC English Stenographer Exam Pattern 2026
The written and skill tests are held in three papers. Paper II carries 400 of the 600 marks, so shorthand speed and transcription accuracy decide the final result.
| Paper | Subject | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | General English | 100 | 1½ hours |
| Paper II | Dictation and Transcription | 400 | 6 minutes dictation + 1 hour transcription |
| Paper III | Computer Typing | 100 | 10 minutes |
| Total | 600 |
Paper I: General English Syllabus (100 Marks)
Paper I tests your command of everyday English. The Commission lists these topics, and you get 1½ hours to finish the paper.
- Spelling of words
- Correct use of words
- Correction of sentences
- Use of common phrases
- Synonyms and antonyms
- Punctuation
Practise with previous question papers from other WBPSC clerical exams. The WBPSC Clerkship syllabus 2026 also has an English section, and its topics overlap with this paper.
Paper II: Dictation and Transcription (400 Marks)
In Paper II, the candidate takes down a passage in shorthand and then types it out on a computer.
| Stage | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Dictation | 6 minutes at a uniform speed of 80 words per minute (about 480 words) |
| Transcription | Shorthand notes transcribed on computer in 1 hour |
| Marks | 400 |
The Commission will fix the number of errors admissible in this paper at its own discretion. Accuracy matters as much as speed, so practise with timed dictation and proofread every transcript.
Paper III: Computer Typing Test (100 Marks)
Candidates must type on a computer at a rate of not less than 30 words per minute. The time limit is 10 minutes. The number of admissible errors here is also fixed at the Commission’s discretion.
Qualifying Marks and Relaxation
The Commission fixes qualifying marks for Paper I, Paper II and Paper III separately and in the aggregate. It may relax these marks for candidates from the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, OBC (Non-creamy layer), Persons with Benchmark Disabilities in West Bengal and other reserved categories. The exact cut-offs are not given in the scheme.
How to Prepare for the WBPSC English Stenographer Exam
- Give most of your time to Paper II. It is two-thirds of the total marks. Build shorthand speed beyond 80 words per minute so the test feels easy.
- Practise transcription on a computer. Type from your own notes within the one-hour limit and check spelling and punctuation line by line.
- Revise English basics daily. Cover spelling, synonyms, antonyms, phrases and sentence correction in short daily sessions.
- Test your typing speed every week. Aim for a safe margin above 30 words per minute with very few mistakes.
Also track other state openings on our West Bengal jobs page and keep an eye on the syllabus section for new exam patterns. If you are applying for several clerical posts, see the WBPSC Clerkship recruitment 2026 as well.
Important Links
| Details | Link |
|---|---|
| Official scheme and syllabus PDF | Download PDF |
| Official website | psc.wb.gov.in |
| Recruitment notification article | WBPSC English Stenographer Recruitment 2026 |
| More West Bengal government jobs | West Bengal Jobs |
FAQs
How many papers are there in the WBPSC English Stenographer exam?
There are three papers: General English (100 marks), Dictation and Transcription (400 marks) and Computer Typing (100 marks), for 600 marks in total.
What is the dictation speed in the WBPSC English Stenographer syllabus?
The dictation lasts 6 minutes at a uniform speed of 80 words per minute. Candidates then transcribe their shorthand notes on a computer in 1 hour.
What is the typing speed required for Paper III?
Candidates must type at not less than 30 words per minute on a computer. The time limit is 10 minutes and the paper carries 100 marks.
What topics come in Paper I General English?
Paper I covers spelling of words, correct use of words, correction of sentences, common phrases, synonyms and antonyms, and punctuation. The time limit is 1½ hours.
Written and verified by
Sandeep Khati
Founder and Editor, India Job Alerts
B.Tech in Computer Science from Jalpaiguri Government Engineering College (2010). Former Systems Engineer at TCS and in digital publishing since 2011. He started India Job Alerts in April 2025 to publish verified government and PSU job notifications for West Bengal, Sikkim and the rest of India. Every post is checked against the official notification before it goes live. Also writes about the Darjeeling hills at SearchDarjeeling.