Shorthand Course: Certificate Details, Skills and Scope
A Shorthand Course ranges from short-term 1-day workshops to 1-year full-time Diplomas and DGT ITI Craftsmen Training Scheme (CTS) programs. Course fees range from Rs. 3,500 to Rs. 58,844, and graduates earn an average salary of Rs. 3.0 LPA, with speed requirements reaching up to 80 wpm for dictation transcription.
Prospective students will find detailed information below regarding shorthand course eligibility, DGT CTS trade hours, speed benchmarks, institute fee structures, top colleges, and career prospects across India.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Course Duration | 1 Day (Short-term) to 1 Year (Diploma / ITI CTS Trade) |
| Eligibility Criteria | 10+2 pass with 50-60% aggregate (5-10% relaxation for reserved categories) |
| Total Course Fees | Rs. 3,500 to Rs. 58,844 |
| Average Starting Salary | Rs. 3.0 LPA (Rookie pay Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 25,000/month) |
| Dictation Speed Standards | 60 wpm for Business Letters; 80 wpm for Unseen Passages |
| NSQF Level & Certification | NSQF Level 3.5; National Trade Certificate (NTC) awarded by DGT |
What is Shorthand Course
Shorthand is a specialized system of recording spoken speech using signs, symbols, or strokes to write and transcribe significantly faster than standard longhand writing. Stenography combines shorthand note-taking with computer transcription and fast typewriting to produce formal official documents, minutes, and dictations across corporate and administrative domains.
Shorthand Course Eligibility
- Educational Qualification: Candidates must have passed 10+2 from a recognized educational board.
- Minimum Marks: 50% to 60% aggregate marks are required for admission to a Diploma in Stenography.
- Category Relaxation: Reserved category applicants receive a 5% to 10% relaxation in minimum aggregate marks.
- Admission Process: Selection is merit-based using 10+2 marks or conducted through an institute entrance examination.
A full-time Diploma in Stenography spans 1 year and requires 10+2 qualifications for eligibility. Admission is merit-based or through entrance examinations, with aggregate mark relaxations for reserved categories.
Shorthand Course Admission Process
- Eligibility Verification: Candidates must satisfy basic eligibility, securing 50% to 60% aggregate marks in 10+2, with a 5% to 10% relaxation for reserved categories.
- Application Submission: Candidates apply for admission through the official website of the respective college.
- Selection Screening: Admission is granted based on 10+2 scorecard performance or an institute entrance examination.
- Fee Payment: Selected candidates finalise their seats by paying the prescribed course fees.
Admission to a shorthand diploma relies on 10+2 merit screening or college entrance examinations. Selected candidates secure enrollment by applying online and paying the required course fees.
Shorthand Course Syllabus and Subjects
CBSE Class XII Shorthand (English) Subject Code 825 comprises 100 marks divided into 60 theory and 40 practical marks over 260 instruction hours. DGT CTS Stenographer training allocates 840 hours to Trade Practical, 240 hours to Trade Theory, and 120 hours to Employability Skills.
DGT CTS Stenographer Secretarial Assistant Course Structure
The Stenographer Secretarial Assistant (English) trade under the DGT Craftsmen Training Scheme (CTS) delivers 1,200 training hours categorized into practical trade work, theoretical concepts, and workplace readiness modules over a 1-year timeframe.
Graduates passing final examinations are awarded the National Trade Certificate (NTC). Assessment regulations require minimum pass marks of 60% in Trade Practical and Formative Assessment, alongside 33% in core written subjects.
| Course Component | Notional Training Hours | Focus Area |
|---|---|---|
| Professional Skill (Trade Practical) | 840 hours | Consonants, vowels, logograms, note-taking, MS-Word typing speed |
| Professional Knowledge (Trade Theory) | 240 hours | Shorthand rules, office procedures, network & computer theory |
| Employability Skills | 120 hours | Communication, ICT skills, entrepreneurial & green skills |
| Mandatory OJT / Group Project | 150 hours | Industry experience or real-world office practical project |
| Optional Courses | 240 hours | Short-term add-on certificate or 10th/12th dual certification |
Shorthand Course Fees
Total course fees for shorthand and stenography diplomas in India range from Rs. 3,500 to Rs. 58,844. 3,500.
Top Shorthand Course Colleges
| Institute / Provider | Location | Total Course Fee |
|---|---|---|
| YWCA Women’s Training Institute | Delhi | Rs. 58,844 |
| YWCA Vocational Training Institute | Delhi | Rs. 58,844 |
| Indian Institute Of Skill Development Training | All India / Online | Rs. 3,500 |
YWCA Women’s Training Institute and YWCA Vocational Training Institute in Delhi offer 1-year Diploma in Stenography programs at Rs. 58,844. Indian Institute Of Skill Development Training provides a low-cost option at Rs. 3,500.
Career Progression and Higher Studies After Shorthand Course
- Career Progression: Advance from entry-level Stenographer to Senior Stenographer, Supervisor, and Manager in industry.
- Teaching Roles: Enroll in the Crafts Instructor Training Scheme (CITS) to become a certified instructor in ITIs.
- Higher Studies & Apprenticeships: Pursue Advanced Diploma (Vocational) courses under DGT or join apprenticeship programs leading to a National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC).
- Entrepreneurship: Start self-employment or business ventures in the secretarial and shorthand field.
National Trade Certificate (NTC) holders can progress internally to Senior Stenographer, Supervisor, and Manager positions. They can also pursue CITS to become ITI instructors, take up Advanced Diploma (Vocational) courses, or become entrepreneurs.
How to Apply for Shorthand Course Admission in 2026: Step by Step
- Check Eligibility: Verify passing 10+2 from a recognized educational board with 50% to 60% aggregate marks, noting that reserved category candidates receive a 5% to 10% relaxation.
- Select Course Variant: Choose a program suited to your goals, ranging from 1 day of skill training to a 1-year full-time Diploma in Stenography or DGT CTS trade.
- Submit Application: Apply for admission directly through the official website of the respective college or institute.
- Merit Screening or Entrance Exam: Secure seat allocation through merit based on 10+2 scorecard marks or by qualifying in an institute entrance examination.
- Seat Finalization and Fee Payment: Finalize your admission by paying the total course fee, which ranges from Rs. 3,500 to Rs. 58,844 depending on the institute.
| What to do | Where | Link |
|---|---|---|
| official DGT CTS curriculum standards and National Trade Cer | Directorate General of Training (DGT) | dgt.gov.in |
| official CBSE Senior Secondary Shorthand (English) curriculu | CBSE Academic Skill Education Portal | cbseacademic.nic.in |
| state DTE shorthand syllabus guidelines and technical examin | Tamil Nadu Directorate of Technical Education (DTE TN) | dte.tn.gov.in |
| Compare colleges, fees and cutoffs | Shorthand Course colleges in India | findmycollege.com |
Candidates can select between short-term skill workshops and structured 1-year diploma programs based on their training goals. Admission is formally finalized once the candidate completes the fee payment at the selected institute.
FAQs
How many months is the shorthand course?
A standard full-time Diploma in Stenography or DGT CTS Stenographer trade takes 1 year. Short-term skill training courses can be as short as 1 day, delivered via live online or corporate training sessions.
Can a 12th pass apply for stenographer?
Yes, completing 10+2 from a recognized board with 50% to 60% aggregate marks satisfies eligibility for a 1-year Diploma in Stenography. Reserved category candidates receive a 5% to 10% relaxation in minimum aggregate marks.
What is steno salary?
What are the fees for a steno course in Delhi?
In Delhi, institutes like YWCA Women’s Training Institute and YWCA Vocational Training Institute charge Rs. 58,844 for a 1-year Diploma in Stenography. Alternatively, Indian Institute Of Skill Development Training offers a diploma course for Rs. 3,500.
Is there any scope in shorthand?
Yes, shorthand skills are required across courts, legislative assemblies, media houses, legal firms, healthcare institutions, and corporate offices for roles like Stenographer (Rs. 3.0 LPA), Broadcast Captioner (Rs. 5.0 LPA), and Administrative Assistant (Rs. 3.9 LPA).
Can I learn shorthand in 2 months?
