Stenographers who have spent years quietly powering courtrooms just got a shot at the biggest courtroom in the country. The Registry of the Supreme Court of India has opened direct recruitment for 20 Court Master (Shorthand) posts, and the pay is serious: Pay Matrix Level 11, which means a starting basic pay of Rs 67,700 per month plus allowances. The official notification, issued on October 15, 2026, is now available on the court’s website, and online applications open on October 25.
Court Masters sit right at the heart of how the country’s top court functions. They take down proceedings in real time, transcribe judicial orders, and keep the official record of what is said and decided in open court. It is demanding, precision work, and the Supreme Court is paying accordingly. For experienced stenographers in government service, PSUs and statutory bodies, this is one of the most senior shorthand posts on offer anywhere this year.
What’s on offer: 20 posts, Level 11 pay
The recruitment covers 20 tentative posts of Court Master (Shorthand) in the Registry of the Supreme Court of India. The word “tentative” matters: the advertisement notes that the final number could change because of administrative needs, which is standard for such notifications.
The pay scale is Pay Matrix Level 11, running from Rs 67,700 to Rs 2,08,700, with the initial basic pay fixed at Rs 67,700 per month. Allowances applicable to central government employees in Delhi, including dearness allowance, house rent allowance and transport allowance, will be added on top. The posting will be in Delhi/NCR.
Who can apply
This is not a fresher recruitment. The Supreme Court wants experienced professionals, and the eligibility bar reflects that:
- Education: A bachelor’s degree from a recognised university in India.
- Shorthand skill: English shorthand speed of 120 words per minute.
- Typing: Knowledge of computer operation with a typing speed of 40 words per minute.
- Experience: Minimum five years of regular service as a Private Secretary, Senior PA, PA or Senior Stenographer in government, public sector undertakings or statutory bodies.
- Age: Between 30 and 45 years as on October 1, 2026. Relaxation in the upper age limit applies for SC, ST, OBC (non-creamy layer), ex-servicemen and other categories under government rules.
Key dates to mark
- October 25, 2026: Online applications open
- November 15, 2026 (11:55 pm): Last date to apply and pay the fee
- December 7, 2026 (tentative): Objective type test
- December 8, 2026 (tentative): Answer key published; objections open till December 9 night
The dates for the shorthand test, typing test and interview will be announced later on the court’s website.
How the selection will work
The selection is a four-stage process, and every stage counts:
- Objective type test (100 marks)
- Shorthand (English) test (100 marks)
- Computer typing test (20 marks)
- Interview (30 marks)
That 250-mark structure makes the shorthand test the real decider. Candidates will want to read the detailed notification PDF carefully, since it carries the syllabus, the transcription time allowed, and the qualifying benchmarks for each stage.
Application fee
The fee is Rs 1,500 for General and Unreserved candidates, and Rs 750 for SC, ST, OBC (non-creamy layer) and ex-servicemen candidates. Bank charges, if any, are extra. Payment will be accepted through the online application portal on the Supreme Court’s official website.
A few things to keep in mind
First, the five-year service condition is strict: it must be regular service in the specified cadres, so contractual or ad-hoc stints will not count. Second, candidates should verify that their shorthand and typing speeds meet the thresholds on the actual test day, not just in practice, since the test is the bulk of the score. Third, the vacancy count is tentative, so the final number could be revised before the results. And finally, apply only through the official portal. The Supreme Court has repeatedly warned applicants against fake recruitment websites.
Applications close on November 15, but waiting till the last evening is never wise with government portals. If the speed, the experience and the degree are in place, October 25 is a good day to start.
FAQs
When do Supreme Court Court Master applications open?
Online applications open on October 25, 2026 and close at 11:55 pm on November 15, 2026.
What is the salary of a Supreme Court Court Master?
The post carries Pay Matrix Level 11, from Rs 67,700 to Rs 2,08,700 per month, with initial basic pay of Rs 67,700 plus allowances.
Can fresh graduates apply for this post?
No. Applicants need a bachelor’s degree plus at least five years of regular service as a Private Secretary, Senior PA, PA or Senior Stenographer in government, PSU or statutory bodies.
What is the age limit for Court Master (Shorthand)?
Candidates must be between 30 and 45 years as on October 1, 2026, with relaxation for reserved categories under government rules.
Where can I apply?
Only through the official Supreme Court of India website. Applications are online only.
Informeia News Desk: keep your documents, speed certificates and service records ready before the window opens on October 25. We will track the test schedule as the court announces it.
