Supreme Court Court Master Recruitment 2026: Apply Online for 20 Posts in Level 11

The Supreme Court of India has published an official recruitment notification inviting online applications for 20 vacancies for the post of Court Master (Shorthand) in the Registry. This position is a Gazetted appointment placed in Pay Matrix Level 11 under the 7th Central Pay Commission. The online registration portal opened on October 25, 2026, and qualified stenographers with government or public sector experience can submit applications until November 15, 2026.

Important Dates

Candidates must track these registration and examination milestones announced by the Registry.

• Detailed Notification Release Date: October 16, 2026
• Online Application Commencement Date: October 25, 2026
• Closing Date for Online Applications: November 15, 2026 (11:55 PM)
• Last Date for Application Fee Payment: November 15, 2026
• Tentative Examination Date: December 2026

Vacancy Details

The Supreme Court Registry has announced 20 vacancies for Court Master (Shorthand). Court Masters take down judicial proceedings, record extempore dictations of judgments and orders in courtrooms, and transcribe sensitive legal records with absolute accuracy.

The 20 vacancies are tentative and subject to adjustment based on administrative requirements in the Supreme Court of India.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must fulfill degree qualifications, professional shorthand speeds, verified administrative service, and age benchmarks as of October 1, 2026.

Educational Qualifications & Professional Benchmarks

• Academic Qualification: Candidates must hold a Bachelor degree in any discipline from a recognized university in India.
• Shorthand Proficiency: Applicants must possess a demonstrated English shorthand speed of 120 words per minute (wpm).
• Computer Typing Speed: Candidates must possess working computer knowledge with an English typing speed of at least 40 words per minute on a computer keyboard.

Qualifying Experience

Applicants must have completed at least 5 years of regular continuous service in the cadre of Private Secretary, Senior Personal Assistant, Personal Assistant, or Senior Stenographer in any of the following setups:

• Central or State Government Departments and Ministries.
• High Courts or District and Subordinate Courts.
• Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) or Central Autonomous Bodies.
• Statutory Organizations established under Acts of Parliament.

Age Limit & Relaxations

Age parameters are evaluated as of October 1, 2026:

• Minimum Age: 30 years.
• Maximum Age: 45 years.
• Age Relaxations: Upper age limits are relaxed for Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC), Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD), and Ex-Servicemen according to Central Government and Supreme Court Registry rules.

Salary Structure & Pay Level 11 Emoluments

The post of Court Master (Shorthand) carries central gazetted pay terms:

• Pay Matrix Level: Level 11 (Rs 67,700 to Rs 2,08,700).
• Starting Basic Pay: Rs 67,700 per month.
• Allowances: Officers receive Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA) at 27 percent for New Delhi (Class X city), Transport Allowance, and official reimbursement facilities under Central Government rules.
• Initial Gross Emoluments: Approximately Rs 1,18,000 to Rs 1,28,000 per month including basic pay and allowances.

Application Fee

The application fee is non-refundable and must be remitted during online registration:

• General, Unreserved, and OBC Candidates: Rs 1,500.
• SC, ST, OBC-NCL, PwBD, and Ex-Servicemen Candidates: Rs 750.
• Payment Gateways: Online payments via Credit Card, Debit Card, Net Banking, or UPI through the integrated gateway.

Selection Process & Exam Scheme

The selection methodology evaluates language proficiency, verbatim recording ability, and procedural comprehension across five consecutive stages:

1. Written Examination: An objective multiple-choice test evaluating General English, General Awareness, Indian Constitution and Judicial Setup, Supreme Court Rules 2013, and Basic Computer Operations.
2. Shorthand Dictation Test: Candidates must transcribe an English passage dictated at a speed of 120 words per minute for a duration of 5 minutes. Transcription must be typed on a computer within the allotted time limit with prescribed error tolerance limits.
3. Computer Typing Test: A 10-minute computer keyboard typing test requiring a minimum speed of 40 words per minute in English.
4. Personal Interview: Shortlisted candidates who pass the written and skill tests are evaluated on personality, legal temperament, and communication by a committee of Supreme Court registrars.
5. Document Verification & Medical Review: Verification of original academic degrees, vigilance clearance from current employers, service experience certificates, and medical fitness assessment.

How to Apply Online

Applications are accepted only through the official Supreme Court recruitment portal.

1. Visit the Supreme Court of India website at www.sci.gov.in.
2. Navigate to the Recruitments section on the homepage.
3. Click on the link reading "Application form for the post of Court Master (Shorthand) - 2026".
4. Register by entering your full name, email ID, mobile number, and current designation.
5. Complete the application form by filling in educational background, shorthand speed details, and employer history.
6. Upload scanned copies of your passport photograph, signature, service certificate signed by the competent authority, and Class 10 date of birth certificate.
7. Pay the application fee through the online payment portal.
8. Submit the application and download the final acknowledgment copy for your employer No Objection Certificate (NOC) records.

Official Links

• Supreme Court of India Portal: sci.gov.in
• Recruitment Section: sci.gov.in/recruitments

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the closing date for Supreme Court Court Master Recruitment 2026?

The deadline to complete online applications and pay the processing fee is November 15, 2026, up to 11:55 PM.

What is the required shorthand speed for Court Master?

Candidates must possess an English shorthand transcription speed of 120 words per minute and an English computer typing speed of at least 40 words per minute.

Can fresh graduates apply for the Court Master post?

No. Applicants must have at least 5 years of regular service as a Private Secretary, Senior PA, PA, or Senior Stenographer in a government department, court, or public sector enterprise.

What is the pay scale for Court Master in the Supreme Court?

The post is placed in Pay Matrix Level 11 with a basic pay of Rs 67,700 to Rs 2,08,700 per month plus central allowances.

Is an employer No Objection Certificate (NOC) required?

Yes. Since candidates must be currently serving in government departments, courts, or PSUs with 5 years of regular service, an official NOC and vigilance clearance are required during document verification.