SO’s/STENO’s (GR B/GR I) Limited Departmental Competitive Examination is conducted for the recruitment of post section officer or stenographer to fill the vacancies under the Central Government sector. The candidates those who successfully clear this exam will be posted as a stenographer at Armed Forces Headquarters, Railway Board Service, and Intelligence Bureau.

The various categories to which the recruitment is made by conducting UPSC Combined examination is listed below.

Category - I

Section Officers’ Grade of the Central Secretariat Service

Category - II

Sections Officers’ Grade (Integrated Grade II & III) of the General Cadre of the Indian Foreign Service, Branch ‘B’

Category - III

Section Officers’ Grade of the Railway Board Secretariat Service

Category - IV

Grade ‘A’ &’B’ merged of the Central Secretariat Stenographers’ Service

Category - V

Grade I of the Stenographers’ Cadre of the Indian Foreign Service, Branch ‘B’

Category - VI

Grade ‘A & ‘B’ merged of the Armed Forces Headquarters Stenographers’ service

Category - VII

Grade ‘B’ of the Railway Board Secretariat Stenographer’s Service

Category - VIII

Section Officers’ Grade of the Intelligence Bureau

Structure and Syllabus for UPSC S/O Grade B Exam

The examination is conducted in four days. Essay type questions will be asked from each subject. Each paper carries 100 marks and it should be completed within hours. The questions will be asked to create drafts, to prepare notes on certain problems as well as to summarize the given passages.

• General Knowledge
• Principles of the Constitution of India
• Rules of procedure and Conduct of Business in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha
• The organisation of the machinery of Government of India
• Designation and allocation of subjects between Ministries
• Departments Attached and Subordinate offices and their relation

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates of any age can attend this examination. It is not particular that the candidate should possess specific educational qualifications.

How to Apply?

Application forms can be obtained by making a payment of Rs 20/- at UPSC counter. It can also be purchased by sending a money order of Rs 20/- to Union Public Service Commission Dholpur House, Shahjahan Road, New Delhi – 110069. The postal address of the candidate must be clearly written on the envelope in bold letters.

How to fill the Form?

Candidates should be very careful while filling the application form. The name of the candidate should be filled in capital letters. The other information such as the address and educational qualifications should be filled in small bold letters. Paste a recent passport size photograph along with the application form in the space provided in the application form.

Important Dates (Tentative)

Date of Notification: Third week of July, 2012

Last date for receiving the application form: Last week of September, 2012

Date of Commencement of Examination: Last week of December, 2012

List of UPSC S/O Grade B Exam centers

• Chennai
• Delhi
• Kolkata
• Mumbai
• Nagpur

Contact Address for the UPSC S/O Grade B Exam

• The Secretary, Union Public Service Commission, Dholpur House, Shahjahan Road, New Delhi – 110069
• Website: http://www.upsc.gov.in/

Reference Books for UPSC S/O Grade B Exam

• Painless Reading Comprehension by Darolyn Jones M.S
• Manual of office procedure current at the time of the notification
• Notes on office procedure issued by the institute of secretarial training and management
• Handbook of orders regarding use of Hindi for official purpose of the union issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs
• Fundamental and Supplementary Rules (A.G.P. & T’s compilation, Chaudhury’s compilation or Swamy’s compilation)
• The Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1972
• The Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964
• The Central Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules,1965
• Compilation of the General Financial Rules, (Revised and Enlarged), 1963
• Delegation of financial Power Rules, 1978
• Central Civil Services (Leave) Rules, 1972
• The Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1972
• The Central Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules,1965
• Compilation of the General Financial Rules, (Revised and Enlarged), 1963
• Delegation of Financial Power Rules, 1978
• Indian Foreign Service (PLCA) Rules, 1961
• Financial Powers of Government of India’s Representatives abroad
• Assisted Medical Attendance Schemes
• Indian Foreign Service (Conduct and Discipline) Rules, 1961
• Indian Railways Admn. and Finance (excluding Chapters V,VI, VIII & IX)
• Financial Code Vol. I (excluding Chapter II and VI)
• Indian Railway Establishment Code Vol I
• The Railway Service (Conduct) Rule, 1966
• The Railway Servants (discipline and Appeal) Rule, 1968
• The Central Civil Service (Pension) Rules, 1972
• The Central Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1965
• The Central Civil Service (Conduct) Rules, 1964
• Central Civil Service (Leave) Rules, 1972
• Financial Regulations Part I (Revised Edition 1963)

Coaching Centers for UPSC S/O Grade B Exam

• Ambedkar Study circle
• Brain Tree
• Gandhi IAS Study Circle
• Venkateswara Reddy Study Circle
• S.M
• Jagan Civil Services
• Target IAS
• Analog IAS Institute
• Indian School of IAS
• Shankar’s IAS
• Puka’s IAS
• Career IAS Study Center
• Centre for Civil Services
• Career Institute
• Training Establishment
• Dr.YSR Study Circle
• New Delhi IAS
• Para digm IAS
• Career Plus
• Anand Institute of Mathematics
• Political Science for IAS
• Mitra IAS
• Vajram and Ravi Institute for Civil services Examination
• Hamdard Study Circle
• Vision India IAS Study Circle
• Geocampus
• Aastha IAS
• Best study Circle
• Inspiration IAS Academy
• Achievers IAS
• Apoorva IAS

Study Plan

The preparation of UPSC exam needs wise planning. The aspirant will not succeed until he makes use of the available time in a proper manner. There are several factors that affect the performance of a candidate. In order to achieve success in the examination the candidate should give first priority to studies. Reduce the activities like hanging out with friends, watching TV etc. The place you choose to study also plays a vital role in preparing for the examinations. A calm environment helps the student to understand the complex and tough portions in a better way. Purchase all the study materials at the proper time.

How and Where To Get the Results?

The results can be obtained from the UPSC official website on the prescribed date of publication of the results. The website address is given below, http://www.upsc.gov.in/

Score Validity

The score obtained through the UPSC combined Stenographers Limited Departmental Competitive Exam is valid until the vacancies are filled.