This notice announces a recruitment process, not a result. The 20 vacancies are tentative and may change; the Registry reserves the right to alter, restrict or cancel the selection process without notice. The objective-test date and the answer-key objection dates are tentative, and dates for the shorthand test, typing test and interview will be notified later. Admission at every stage is provisional and subject to document verification.
- Issuer
- Supreme Court of India (Registry)
- Exam
- Court Master (Shorthand) Examination-2026
- Cycle
- 2026
- Notice
- Advertisement issued
- Online applications open
- Online applications close
- Objective test (tentative)
- Answer keys uploaded (tentative)
- Answer-key objections open (tentative)
- Answer-key objections close (tentative)
- As of
- Status
- Recruitment announcement: the Supreme Court's Registry invites online applications (25 October to 15 November 2026) for 20 tentative Court Master (Shorthand) posts (gazetted, Level 11); four-stage selection beginning with a tentative objective test on 7 December 2026.
What is open
The Supreme Court of India has invited online applications for 20 tentative Court Master (Shorthand) vacancies, a gazetted post in the Registry, in Level 11 of the pay matrix (Rs. 67,700 to Rs. 2,08,700), with initial basic pay of Rs. 67,700 plus allowances.
Advertisement No. F.6/11/CM(S)/2026-SC (RC) is dated 15 October 2026. The vacancy figure may change, and the Registry may cancel, restrict, enlarge, modify or alter the selection process without notice.
Who can apply
Applicants need a Bachelor's degree of a recognised University in India, proficiency in shorthand at 120 words per minute in English, and computer operation knowledge with a typing speed of 40 words per minute.
They must also have at least five years' regular service as Private Secretary, Senior Personal Assistant, Personal Assistant or Senior Stenographer in Government, Public Sector Undertakings or statutory bodies.
As on 1 October 2026, candidates must be at least 30 years old, and the upper age limit is 45 years. Usual relaxation applies to the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes (Non-Creamy Layer) and Ex-Servicemen, including up to five years for dependants of freedom fighters. Departmental candidates of the Supreme Court Registry have no upper age limit; candidates in other Government Departments, Public Sector Undertakings, statutory bodies or nationalised banks get no relaxation.
Reservation follows Rule 4A of the Supreme Court Officers and Servants (Conditions of Service and Conduct) Rules, 1961.
How selection works
The first stage is an objective test of 100 questions in one and a half hours, carrying 100 marks: 25 each on General English, General Knowledge and judiciary provisions in the Constitution, 15 on the Supreme Court Rules, 2013, and 10 on computer operation; minimum qualifying marks are 50.
The second stage is a shorthand (English) test at 120 words per minute: seven minutes of dictation, 45 minutes for transcription, 100 marks, minimum qualifying 50. Mistakes up to 5% are permissible, graded from 100% for none down to 50% for 5%.
The third stage is a typing test on computer in English: 10 minutes at 40 words per minute minimum, 20 marks, minimum qualifying 10, up to 2% mistakes permissible. The fourth stage is an interview of 30 marks, minimum qualifying 15.
Shortlisting for the second stage is 1:10 against the tentative vacancies. Shorthand and typing tests are held in Delhi and the National Capital Region; the interview is online or in Delhi. The ratio of 1:3, as against the number of tentative vacancies, will be kept for interview, in respect of the candidates who successfully qualify in all the three Tests.
Fee and how to apply
Applications are online only, through the link on the Supreme Court's website. The non-refundable fee is Rs. 1,500 for General or Unreserved candidates and Rs. 750 for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes (Non-Creamy Layer) and Ex-Servicemen, plus bank charges, paid online through the UCO Bank gateway. Fee once paid is not refunded, no postal form is accepted, and an unsigned application is summarily rejected.
Applicants must undertake that they have read and understood the advertisement's terms, and that incorrect or false information will lead to cancellation without notice.
Key dates
Online registration opens on 25 October 2026 and closes at 11.55 p.m. on 15 November 2026.
The objective test is tentatively on 7 December 2026. Answer keys are uploaded tentatively on 8 December 2026, with objections tentatively open from 8 to 9 December 2026 till 11.55 p.m., online only, at Rs. 100 per objection, refunded if valid; the competent authority's decision is final. Later stage dates will be notified on the Supreme Court's website and by SMS and email.
BANTHRY ANALYSISFor law students and applicants
This is a senior Registry post, not an entry-level one: a degree, 120 words per minute in shorthand, 40 in typing and five years of stenographic service narrow the field, which is why only 20 tentative vacancies carry a gazetted Level 11 scale.
Two cautions matter. Dates after the application window are tentative, and later stages have none yet. Admission at every stage is purely provisional: documents are checked only at verification, and a candidate found ineligible at any time before or after the tests or interview stands to lose the candidature without notice.
READING PROMPTSQuestions for a closer reading
- What are the four stages of the Court Master (Shorthand) selection, and what must a candidate score to qualify in each?
- What qualification, shorthand and typing speeds, and experience does the post require?
- Which dates in the advertisement are tentative, and which stages have no date yet?
