The SCI SPA Exam Pattern 2026 includes an Objective Type Test, English Shorthand Test, Typing Speed Test on Computer and Interview. Candidates preparing for the Supreme Court Senior Personal Assistant examination therefore need a combination of subject knowledge, shorthand proficiency, typing accuracy, and timed mock-test practice.
According to the official Supreme Court notification, the Objective Test contains 100 questions for 100 marks in 90 minutes. The skill requirements include 110 WPM English shorthand and 40 WPM English typing. A total of 65 tentative vacancies have been notified for Senior Personal Assistant.
The right preparation approach is:
Concepts + Supreme Court Rules + Shorthand + Typing + Mock Practice
Candidates looking for other Supreme Court and High Court preparation resources can also explore the HeMantra Court Exams Preparation Hub.
Latest Update
The Supreme Court of India issued the detailed Senior Personal Assistant recruitment advertisement on 12 October 2026.
Online applications opened on 20 October 2026 and close on 10 November 2026 at 11:55 PM.
The Objective Type Test is tentatively scheduled for:
7 December 2026
The Shorthand Test and Typing Speed Test will be conducted in Delhi/NCR, while their exact dates will be notified separately.
Candidates should regularly check the Supreme Court of India Recruitment Portal for official notices.
SCI SPA Exam Pattern 2026: Quick Overview
| Stage | Test | Marks | Minimum Qualifying Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 | Objective Type Test | 100 | 50 |
| Stage 2 | English Shorthand Test | 100 | 50 |
| Stage 3 | Typing Speed Test | 20 | 10 |
| Stage 4 | Interview | 30 | 15 |
The selection process therefore tests both knowledge and practical professional skills.
What Is the SCI SPA Objective Test Pattern 2026?
The Objective Type Test consists of:
100 Questions | 100 Marks | 90 Minutes
The subject-wise distribution is:
| Subject | Questions |
|---|---|
| General English | 25 |
| General Knowledge | 25 |
| Judiciary Provisions in the Constitution of India | 25 |
| Supreme Court Rules, 2013 | 15 |
| Computer Knowledge | 10 |
| Total | 100 |
Candidates require at least 50 marks to qualify.
There is also an important advantage:
No Negative Marking
However, candidates should not interpret the absence of negative marking as an excuse for slow preparation.
With 100 questions in 90 minutes, the average available time is only about 54 seconds per question.
This makes timed practice particularly important.
SCI SPA Syllabus 2026
1. General English — 25 Questions
General English contributes one-fourth of the Objective Test.
Candidates should revise:
Grammar
Vocabulary
Synonyms and Antonyms
Idioms and Phrases
Error Detection
Sentence Correction
One-Word Substitution
Sentence Completion
Reading Comprehension
Correct Usage
English should become a scoring section through repeated practice rather than last-minute vocabulary memorisation.
2. General Knowledge — 25 Questions
The General Knowledge section should include both current and static areas.
Focus on:
Current National Events
International Events
Indian Polity
History
Geography
Economy
Science
Important appointments
Government initiatives
Judiciary-related developments
Awards and important personalities
The objective should not be to collect unlimited material.
Read limited sources and revise them repeatedly.
3. Judiciary Provisions — 25 Questions
Judiciary is a major part of the SCI SPA syllabus because it contributes 25 questions.
Candidates should understand provisions relating to:
Supreme Court
High Courts
Appointment of Judges
Removal of Judges
Original Jurisdiction
Appellate Jurisdiction
Advisory Jurisdiction
Judicial Review
Writ Jurisdiction
Court of Record
Independence of Judiciary
Subordinate Courts
Constitutional powers of courts
For MCQ preparation, use:
Provision → Condition → Authority → Power → Exception
Do not prepare the judiciary section only by memorising Article numbers.
Questions can also test the conditions under which a constitutional power operates.
Supreme Court Rules, 2013 — 15 Questions
The Supreme Court Rules, 2013 contribute 15 questions to the Objective Test.
This is a highly exam-specific section, and candidates should prepare it differently from a descriptive law subject.
Focus on:
Rule → Authority → Procedure → Time Limit → Number → Exception
Important areas may include:
court procedure,
filing requirements,
powers of officers,
advocates,
petitions,
applications,
notices,
limitation-related provisions,
prescribed periods,
numerical rules and exceptions.
Candidates can revise important rule-based concepts and MCQs through:
Supreme Court JCA 2026: Important Rules & MCQs
Although the resource is prepared around SCI JCA, Supreme Court Rules concepts remain directly useful for SPA because 15 questions in the SPA Objective Test are specifically from the Supreme Court Rules, 2013.
How to use this video effectively
Do not simply watch the complete session passively.
Use:
Watch → Note Key Rules → Attempt MCQs → Identify Weak Rules → Revise
This is particularly useful for revising authorities, procedural provisions, numbers, time limits and commonly confused rules before mock tests.
5. Computer Knowledge — 10 Questions
Computer Knowledge contributes 10 questions.
Important areas include:
Computer Fundamentals
Hardware and Software
Input and Output Devices
Operating Systems
MS Office
Internet
Networking Basics
Computer Memory
Keyboard Shortcuts
Cybersecurity
Basic computer terminology
Because the syllabus is relatively compact, Computer Knowledge can become a scoring section with regular revision.
SCI SPA Shorthand Test 2026
The next major skill requirement is the English Shorthand Test.
The prescribed shorthand speed is:
110 Words Per Minute
Candidates receive:
7 Minutes — Dictation
followed by:
45 Minutes — Transcription
The Shorthand Test carries:
100 Marks
and candidates need:
50 Marks to Qualify
The maximum permissible mistakes are:
5% of the Total Words Dictated
SCI SPA Shorthand Grading
| Mistakes | Score |
|---|---|
| No Mistake | 100% |
| Up to 1% | 90% |
| Up to 2% | 80% |
| Up to 3% | 70% |
| Up to 4% | 60% |
| Up to 5% | 50% |
This makes shorthand accuracy extremely important.
The target should not simply be:
110 WPM
It should be:
110 WPM + Listening Accuracy + Accurate Transcription
Practise dictation and transcription together rather than treating them as separate skills.
SCI SPA Typing Test 2026
The Typing Speed Test is conducted in English on computer.
The minimum required speed is:
40 WPM
The duration is:
10 Minutes
The test carries:
20 Marks
with:
10 Marks required to qualify
The maximum permissible mistakes are:
3% of the Total Words Typed
Candidates should therefore practise until 40 WPM becomes comfortable rather than merely touching the qualifying speed once.
Full Mistake and Half Mistake in Typing
The official scheme distinguishes between different types of typing errors.
Full Mistake
An incorrect word or figure is treated as a full mistake.
Half Mistake
Half mistakes include:
incorrect capital letter instead of a small letter,
incorrect small letter instead of a capital letter,
punctuation omission,
punctuation addition,
punctuation substitution.
Your typing practice should therefore measure:
WPM + Accuracy + Full Mistakes + Half Mistakes
Raw speed alone does not reflect actual test readiness.
Why Are Mock Tests Important?
SCI SPA combines five subjects in a 90-minute Objective Test.
Mocks help candidates identify:
weak subjects,
time-management issues,
repeated mistakes,
Supreme Court Rules gaps,
Judiciary weaknesses,
accuracy problems.
Use:
Attempt → Analyse → Revise → Retest
SCI SPA 2026 | Rank Excellence Series
HeMantra has launched the SCI SPA 2026 | Rank Excellence Series for aspirants preparing according to the latest Supreme Court pattern.
Test Series Starts: 21 November 2026
The series includes:
15 Premium Mock Tests
Performance Evaluation
Detailed Feedback
Preparation Guidance
Progress Tracking
Speed and Accuracy Practice
Dedicated Telegram Support
Enroll in SCI SPA 2026 | Rank Excellence Series
Use each mock with one objective:
Attempt → Identify Weakness → Revise → Improve
SCI SPA Weekly Preparation Plan
| Day | Objective | Skill |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | English + Judiciary | Shorthand |
| Tuesday | GK + Computer | Typing |
| Wednesday | Supreme Court Rules | Shorthand |
| Thursday | English + Judiciary | Typing |
| Friday | GK + Rules | Shorthand |
| Saturday | Sectional Test | Shorthand + Typing |
| Sunday | Full Mock | Analysis |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the SCI SPA Exam Pattern 2026?
The selection process includes an Objective Test, Shorthand Test, Typing Test and Interview.
What is the SCI SPA Syllabus 2026?
The Objective Test includes General English, General Knowledge, Judiciary Provisions, Supreme Court Rules, 2013 and Computer Knowledge.
Is there negative marking?
No, there is no negative marking in the Objective Test.
What shorthand speed is required?
Candidates need 110 WPM English shorthand.
What typing speed is required?
Candidates need 40 WPM English typing.
When is the SCI SPA Objective Test 2026?
The Objective Test is tentatively scheduled for 7 December 2026.
Is an SCI SPA Mock Test Series available?
Yes. HeMantra’s SCI SPA 2026 | Rank Excellence Series is live with 15 mock tests, evaluation, feedback and guidance
Conclusion
The SCI SPA Exam Pattern 2026 requires balanced preparation across the Objective Test, Shorthand, Typing and Interview.
Focus particularly on Judiciary and Supreme Court Rules, while continuing daily shorthand and typing practice.
Use:
Learn → Revise → Mock → Analyse → Improve
The HeMantra SCI SPA 2026 | Rank Excellence Series can help candidates practise the latest pattern through structured mock tests and performance analysis.
