Posts & vacancies
English Stenographer (Basic Grade) – Schedule 'A'
146 posts
English Stenographer (Basic Grade) – Schedule 'B'
120 posts
Eligibility for all posts above: Passed Madhyamik Examination of the West Bengal Board of Secondary Education or equivalent; and elementary knowledge of computer operation with typing speed of 30 words per minute in English.
Key dates
16 Oct 2026
Advertisement issued
18 Oct 2026
Online application opens
7 Nov 2026, 3:30 PM
Last date for online application and online fee payment
10 Nov 2026 – 13 Nov 2026, 3:30 PM
Edit Window (one-time edit of some fields)
December 2026 (tentative)
Examination at various centres in Kolkata
Eligibility snapshot
| Education | Madhyamik (West Bengal Board of Secondary Education) or equivalent |
| Computer skill | Elementary knowledge of computer operation with typing speed of 30 words per minute in English |
| Age limit | Not below 18 and not above 44 years as on 01.01.2025 (born not earlier than 2 Jan 1981 and not later than 1 Jan 2007). Age as recorded in the Madhyamik or equivalent certificate only. |
| Age relaxation | SC/ST: 5 years. OBC (Non-creamy layer) of West Bengal: 3 years. PwBD: upper age limit relaxable up to 45 years. No relaxation for SC/ST/OBC candidates of other States (treated as general). No age limit for permanent Schedule-B Stenographers, permanent Typists, permanent Steno-Typists and permanent Clerk-cum-Typists in service under the Govt. of West Bengal. |
| Nationality | Citizen of India, or other nationals declared eligible by the Govt. of India (with a certificate of eligibility) |
| Language | Ability to read, write and speak Bengali (not required for candidates whose mother tongue is Nepali). Knowledge of Bengali will be tested at the computer typing test for candidates whose mother tongue is other than Bengali/Nepali. |
| Reservation benefit | EWS/SC/ST/OBC (Non-creamy layer) reservation is available to candidates of West Bengal only. Candidates of other States are considered for Unreserved posts only. |
Selection process
The examination has three papers. Paper-I is held first in Kolkata; a limited number of candidates qualifying in it are allowed to sit Paper-II and Paper-III. The final merit list is prepared on the total marks in all three papers.
1
Paper-I: General English
100 marks. Held first; shortlists candidates for the other two papers.
2
Paper-II: Dictation & Transcription
400 marks.
3
Paper-III: Computer Typing
100 marks.
4
Final merit list
Prepared on total marks in Paper-I, Paper-II and Paper-III taken together.
Aggregate qualifying marks applyApplication fee
Rs. 160/-
General / OBC (West Bengal) plus service charges where applicable
Nil
SC/ST of West Bengal and PwBD (40% and above)
Fee is payable online only, up to 7 Nov 2026, 3:30 PM. No fee exemption for SC/ST/OBC candidates of other States. No refund of fee will be entertained, nor will it be held in reserve for any other examination.
Documents to upload
Certificates for reservation claims
| SC / ST / OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | Certificate from a competent authority of West Bengal issued on or before the closing date. OBC (NCL) candidates must submit a renewed/revalidated NCL certificate before the Computer Type Test and at appointment. |
| EWS | Income and Asset Certificate in the prescribed format (Annexure C) from the competent authority. Renewed/revalidated certificate required before interview and at appointment. |
| PwBD (40% and above) | Certificate from a Medical Board at a Government Medical College Hospital in Kolkata, District Hospital or Sub-divisional Hospital. Appendix-I certificate needed only if opting for scribe or compensatory time. |
| Meritorious Sportsperson (MSP) | MSP certificate from the competent authority, with duly filled and signed Form 1/2/3/4 as applicable, at the time of personality test |
Photo ID
| Accepted IDs | Madhyamik or equivalent certificate with photograph, Passport, PAN Card, EPIC (Voter ID), Driving Licence, or any other ID issued by the State or Central Government |
| At the exam | Bring the same original Photo ID mentioned in the application form |
Written test centres
The examination will be held at various centres in Kolkata, tentatively in December 2026 or thereabout.
Various centres in Kolkata
Good to know before you apply
One application only Submitting more than one application by the same candidate is strictly forbidden and such applications are liable to cancellation.
Application is final No change in the application and no claim for EWS/SC/ST/OBC (NCL)/PwBD/MSP/Ex-Servicemen status will be entertained after final submission, other than the one-time Edit Window.
Edit Window From 10 Nov to 13 Nov 2026 (up to 3:30 PM), log in at https://psc.wb.gov.in to edit some fields. The edit can be used only once. Take a printout of the form to spot discrepancies; to change address, update it first in the Profile Section.
Scribe and compensatory time PwBD candidates with limitation in writing may use a scribe (preferably their own, with qualification one step below the candidate's) and get 20 minutes compensatory time per hour on producing a valid Appendix-I certificate. Scribe engagement is not accepted after the application is submitted.
Mobile phones banned Mobile phones, smart watches, Bluetooth and other communication devices are not allowed in the exam premises. Frisking is done at entry points. Candidates will not be admitted to any venue other than the one on their admit card.
Penalty for revealing identity 10% of full marks is deducted in a paper if the candidate writes their name, roll number or any identifying mark on the answer script.
Help desk Email pscwbit01@gmail.com on any working day, 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
How to Apply
1. Applications are accepted online only at https://psc.wb.gov.in
2. Apply between 18 Oct 2026 and 7 Nov 2026 (up to 3:30 PM)
3. Pay the fee online by 7 Nov 2026 (up to 3:30 PM), if applicable
4. Use the Edit Window from 10 Nov to 13 Nov 2026 (up to 3:30 PM) to correct permitted fields, once only
Category-wise Qualifying Marks (Aggregate)
UR: 40%
EWS: 40%
OBC: 38%
SC: 35%
ST: 30%
PwBD: 30%
MSP: 40%
The Commission may further relax qualifying marks if a sizeable number of posts in reserved categories remain unfilled.
Tie-Breaking Principles
1. Higher marks in Dictation and Transcription paper
2. Higher marks in Typing paper
3. Higher marks in Accuracy in the Typing paper
4. Higher marks in Speed
5. Higher age
Reservation Details
Some vacancies are reserved for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (40% and above) who are otherwise suitable for the duties.
OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) reservation: Notification No. 945-BCW/MR-23/2026 dated 18 May 2026, BCW Department, Govt. of W.B.
PwBD reservation: Notification No. Labr/85-Emp/EC/1M-01/2025 dated 25.05.2026
Meritorious Sportspersons (MSP) reservation covers International Competition, National Competition, Inter-University Tournament and National Sports/Games for School Education in 20 listed sports, as per Labour Department Notifications No. 49-EMP/1M-25/98 dated 01.03.2011 and No. Labr./209-Emp/1M-17/2014 (Pt.-I) dated 21.09.2016.
Reservation of vacancies is shown as reported by the Government.
Schedule A and Schedule B Posts
Schedule A: Stenographer posts under all Secretariat Departments, Governor's Secretariat, WB Legislative Assembly Secretariat and the Public Service Commission, for officers of the rank of Secretary, Special Secretary or Joint Secretary (including ex-officio Joint Secretary); posts for specified Heads of Directorate (DGP, IGP, Chief Engineers, DPI, Director of Health Services, Commissioner of Police Kolkata, Labour Commissioner etc.); Stenographers of the PSC; Commissioners of Divisions; Principal CCF; Director of Medical Education; Chairman, Land Use Board; Advisor, Planning, Statistics & Program Monitoring.
Schedule B: Stenographer posts in the headquarters offices of Heads of Directorates (excluding those in Schedule A); posts for any Directorate officer holding the rank of ex-officio Joint Secretary; all other Stenographer posts not included in Schedule A.
Medical Examination and Verification
Selected candidates must appear before a Medical Board for a fitness certificate for Government service.
Police verification of antecedents is carried out before appointment.
Candidature is cancelled if a candidate is declared unfit or has an adverse antecedent report.