Supreme Court of India Recruitment 2026 - 20 Court Master Tentative Posts, Apply now

The Supreme Court of India has invited online applications for 20 tentative Court Master (Shorthand) posts, a gazetted post at Pay Level 11 (₹67,700 starting basic pay), under Advt. No. F.6/11/CM(S)/2026-SC (RC). This is not an entry-level recruitment: it needs a Bachelor's degree, 120 wpm English shorthand and 5 years of regular service as a Private Secretary, PA or Stenographer, and the application window runs from 25 October to 15 November 2026, 11:55 PM.

Who Should Apply

• Court Master (Shorthand) — 20 tentative posts: Bachelor's degree, 120 wpm English shorthand, 40 wpm computer typing, and at least 5 years of regular service as Private Secretary, Senior PA, PA or Senior Stenographer in a Government department, PSU or statutory body

Freshers cannot apply. The source's "Any Degree" label hides the experience requirement. The selection is "by direct recruitment, for preparation of a panel". The Registry may change the number of posts, and being placed on the panel does not give a right to appointment.

Eligibility & Age Limit

You need a Bachelor's degree from a recognised Indian university, English shorthand proficiency at 120 wpm, and computer typing at 40 wpm. You also need at least 5 years of regular service in the cadre of Private Secretary, Senior PA, PA or Senior Stenographer in a Government department, PSU or statutory body. All conditions are checked as on 1 October 2026.

Age as on 1 October 2026: not below 30 and not above 45. The source article gives the range as 30–45 years but then lists relaxation figures that the official advertisement does not contain. The advertisement says:

• Usual age relaxation applies to SC, ST and OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) candidates and ex-servicemen, as per Government of India rules. No numbers are given.
• Dependants of freedom fighters get up to 5 years' relaxation.
• There is no upper age limit for departmental candidates of the Supreme Court Registry.
• No relaxation is allowed for candidates working in other Government departments, PSUs, statutory bodies or nationalised banks.

The source also lists 10, 13 and 15 years' relaxation for persons with disabilities, which the advertisement does not mention. [check] Check the advertisement before you rely on any relaxation. You can check your exact age as on the cut-off date.

See every current Any Graduate opening.

Salary & Pay Scale

Level 11 of the pay matrix, ₹67,700–₹2,08,700, with an initial basic pay of ₹67,700 plus allowances as admissible under the Rules. The advertisement gives no in-hand figure.

Important Dates

The portal is not open yet; it opens on 25 October 2026.

Application Fee

Both are plus bank charges, payable online only through the UCO Bank payment gateway, and non-refundable. The source article gives the ₹750 fee to "ST/SC/Ex-s/PWD" and ₹1,500 to everyone else, which is wrong: the advertisement includes OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) in the ₹750 group and does not list PwBD candidates.

How to Apply

1. Read the advertisement fully before you apply.
2. When the link opens on 25 October, apply through the Careers or Recruitment page of the Supreme Court website, https://www.sci.gov.in/. Postal applications are not accepted.
3. Fill in the form with your name, father's name, mother's name and date of birth exactly as on your Class 10 certificate.
4. Upload a recent photograph, your signature, and scans of your Class 10, Class 12 and graduation certificates, experience certificate and, if you claim reservation, your caste certificate and non-creamy layer certificate.
5. Pay the fee online and submit. You cannot withdraw or modify the form, and you cannot change your category afterwards.
6. Keep your application number for the admit card. If you submit more than one form, only the last one counts.

Print your form for your records, but do not send it to the Registry.

How Are Candidates Selected

Shorthand gradation: no mistakes 100%, up to 1% mistakes 90%, up to 2% 80%, up to 3% 70%, up to 4% 60%, up to 5% 50%.

Candidates who score at least 50 in the Objective Type Test are shortlisted in the ratio of 1:10 against the number of vacancies for the shorthand and typing tests. Those who qualify in all three tests are called for the interview in the ratio of 1:3. The panel is made in order of merit.

The Objective Type Test is held at centres across India. Tamil Nadu centres are Chennai and Coimbatore. The shorthand and typing tests are in Delhi/NCR. No TA/DA is paid.

Why This Job Matters

The Supreme Court recruits its own Registry staff, and Court Master (Shorthand) is a gazetted post at Level 11, much higher than the clerical posts it also recruits for. Court Masters record the Court's proceedings, so the post demands very high shorthand accuracy.

The FreshersLike Take

Best fit: A Private Secretary, PA or Senior Stenographer with 5 or more years of regular government or PSU service, aged between 30 and 45, who can take 120 wpm English dictation and wants a gazetted post at Level 11.

Who should think twice: This is closed to freshers, selected candidates must work at odd hours and on holidays, no TA/DA is paid for the tests, and the fee is not refundable, so only apply if you meet every condition now.

Practical tip: The objective test is not a formality, because you need 50 out of 100 and only about 10 candidates per vacancy go on to the shorthand test, and if you work in Government, a PSU or a bank, get your employer's No Objection Certificate ready, since it is checked at document verification.

Documents Required

• Class 10 certificate (name, parents' names and date of birth are taken only from this)
• Class 12 certificate
• Graduation certificate
• Experience certificate showing 5 years of regular service in the required cadre
• Caste/community certificate and non-creamy layer certificate, if you claim reservation
• No Objection Certificate from your employer, for those working in Government, PSU or banks
• Recent photograph and signature in the format shown on the application link

What Happens After Selection

Selected candidates are empanelled in order of merit for consideration for the post. Mere placement in the panel does not give a right to appointment. Appointed Court Masters must work at odd hours and on holidays, and must give an undertaking to this effect. The advertisement gives no joining or probation details.

Contact & Helpline

The advertisement gives one official email address for the Recruitment Cell: recruitment.cell@sci.nic.in. This is the only official channel named; the Supreme Court will not contact candidates through any other number for payment or personal details. Updates are posted on www.sci.gov.in and sent by SMS and email.

Important Links

Common Questions

What is the last date to apply for Supreme Court Court Master (Shorthand) 2026?

15 November 2026, 11:55 PM. The online application opens on 25 October 2026.

Can a fresher apply?

No. You need at least 5 years of regular service as a Private Secretary, Senior PA, PA or Senior Stenographer in a Government department, PSU or statutory body.

What is the age limit?

30 to 45 years as on 1 October 2026. SC/ST/OBC-NCL candidates and ex-servicemen get the usual relaxation under Government rules, and there is no relaxation for those working in other Government departments or PSUs.

How much is the application fee?

₹1,500 for General candidates and ₹750 for SC/ST/OBC-NCL/ex-servicemen, plus bank charges. It is not refundable.

Is there negative marking?

No, not in the Objective Type Test.

What is the shorthand speed required?

120 words per minute in English, with up to 5% mistakes allowed in transcription. You also need a typing speed of 40 wpm on a computer.

Can I change my application after submitting?

No. The application cannot be withdrawn or modified, and you cannot change your category.

Do I need my employer's permission?

Yes, if you work in Central or State Government, a PSU or a nationalised bank, you must submit a No Objection Certificate at document verification.

Browse every current Central Government opening.