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Gazette Notification: Combined Stenographers Grade B/I LDCE for 2019-2021 – Complete Guide for Central Government Employees

Gazette Notification: Combined Stenographers Grade B/I LDCE for 2019-2021 – Complete Guide for Central Government Employees

The Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions has issued a comprehensive gazette notification announcing the Combined Stenographers' (Grade B/Grade I) Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE) for the years 2019, 2020, and 2021. This significant notification, published on September 17, 2025, provides opportunities for stenographic cadre advancement across multiple central government services.

Examination Overview

Multi-Year Coverage

This unique examination covers three consecutive years (2019, 2020, and 2021) in a single combined test, allowing eligible candidates to compete for promotions across multiple vacancy years simultaneously.

Participating Services

The examination encompasses nine categories across major government departments:

  • Category IV: Central Secretariat Stenographers' Service (Private Secretary Grade)
  • Category V: Indian Foreign Service Branch 'B' Stenographers' Cadre (Private Secretary Grade)
  • Category VI: Armed Forces Headquarters Stenographers' Service (Private Secretary)
  • Category VII: Railway Board Secretariat Stenographers' Service (Grade B/Private Secretary Grade)
  • Category IX: Employees' State Insurance Corporation (Private Secretary Grade)

Eligibility Criteria and Key Dates

Crucial Eligibility Dates

  • July 1, 2019: For 2019 examination eligibility
  • July 1, 2020: For 2020 examination eligibility
  • July 1, 2021: For 2021 examination eligibility

Cascading Eligibility

Candidates eligible for 2019 can also appear for 2020 and 2021, while those eligible for 2020 can compete for 2021, subject to fulfilling all conditions and specific opt-in choices.

Service-Specific Requirements

Category IV - Central Secretariat Service

Basic Requirements:

  • Bachelor's degree from recognized university
  • Minimum 3 years approved continuous service in Personal Assistant grade
  • Special provisions for competitive examination appointees (reduced to 2 years with 3-year examination gap)

Relaxations Available:

  • Seniority Quota candidates: Up to 1.5 years relaxation for 2016-2018 batches
  • LDCE Quota candidates: 2 months plus 2 days relaxation for 2016 batch

Category V - Indian Foreign Service

  • Minimum 5 years approved service in Personal Assistant Grade of Stenographers' Cadre
  • Bachelor's degree from recognized university
  • Completion of mandatory training programs prescribed by Ministry of External Affairs
  • Special relaxation: 1 year reduction for 2015 batch candidates

Category VI - Armed Forces Headquarters

  • Minimum 3 years approved continuous service in Grade II/Grade C
  • Special provisions for competitive examination appointees with adjusted service requirements

Category VII - Railway Board Secretariat

  • For 2019-2020: 5 years approved continuous service requirement with specific relaxations for LDCE appointees
  • For 2021: Reduced to 3 years approved continuous service with bachelor's degree requirement

Category IX - ESIC

  • Minimum 3 years approved continuous service in Personal Assistant Grade

Examination Structure and Pattern

Written Examination (500 Marks)

  • Paper I: General Studies (150 marks, 2 hours)
    • Current affairs and contemporary issues
    • Constitution of India principles
    • Parliamentary procedures
    • Right to Information Act 2005
  • Paper II: Procedures and Rules (150 marks, 2 hours)
    • Government secretariat procedures
    • General Financial and Service Rules
    • Service-specific regulations
  • Paper III: Noting and Drafting (200 marks, 3 hours)
    • Note preparation and drafting skills
    • Precis writing
    • Subjective examination format

Shorthand Test

  • 100 words per minute dictation (10 minutes)
  • Transcription time: 40–55 minutes
  • Language options: Hindi or English

Service Record Evaluation (100 marks)

  • APAR assessment
  • Minimum 40% marks required
  • One-time evaluation

Important Features & Implications

Negative Marking

  • One-third marks deducted for wrong answers
  • Multiple answers treated as wrong
  • No penalty for blank answers

Language & Accessibility

  • Papers in Hindi (Devanagari) or English
  • Scribe facility and compensatory time for differently-abled candidates

Application & Selection

  • Apply via UPSC
  • Hard copy verification by cadre units
  • Merit list based on aggregate marks, written papers, shorthand, and age

Conclusion

This gazette notification offers a significant career advancement opportunity for stenographers through a combined LDCE spanning three years. Candidates should review eligibility, prepare thoroughly, and submit applications promptly to capitalize on this chance.

📢 Important Update (22 October 2025)

The Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT) has issued a Corrigendum dated 22 October 2025 regarding the Tie-Breaking Principles in the Combined Stenographers’ (Grade ‘B’/Grade-‘I’) Limited Departmental Competitive Examination for 2019, 2020 & 2021.

You can read the full corrigendum and updated rule details here:
🔗 Read Corrigendum Details

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