SSC JHT Exam: Posts, Paper 1 and Paper 2, Eligibility and Preparation

One exam fills several translator posts. Posts in recent cycles have included:

The Senior Hindi Translator post has asked for extra experience in translation. The post list, departments and vacancies are given in each notice.

Paper 1 is an objective, computer-based test. In recent cycles it has had two parts of equal weight:

• General Hindi - grammar, vocabulary, synonyms and antonyms, idioms, sentence correction and comprehension.
• General English - the same areas in English.

Both parts are set at roughly the graduate level. Negative marking has applied, usually a quarter mark for each wrong answer.

Only candidates who reach the Paper 1 cut-off have their Paper 2 answer sheets evaluated. The number of questions, marks and time are given in the notice.

Paper 2 is a descriptive, pen-and-paper test. It has had two parts:

• Translation - a passage from Hindi into English and a passage from English into Hindi. The passages are often taken from official, administrative or general writing.
• Essay - one essay in Hindi and one essay in English, chosen from the given topics.

Examiners check accuracy, natural language, correct terminology and clear structure. Word-for-word translation usually loses marks.

The marks, time and word limits are stated in the notice for each cycle.

The final merit list has been drawn from the combined marks of Paper 1 and Paper 2. There is no interview and no skill test.

After the result, candidates go through document verification, where degree certificates, translation diplomas or experience certificates are checked. Posts are then allotted on the basis of merit and the candidate's post preference.

Because the exam has a small number of posts each year, a high score in Paper 2 makes the biggest difference.

Translators usually join at a fixed pay level and can rise to posts such as Senior Translator, Assistant Director and Deputy Director of Official Language over time, as per the service rules. Many also move to other central departments through later exams.

The core requirement has been a master's degree of a recognised university in:

• Hindi, with English as a compulsory or elective subject, or as the medium of examination, at the degree level; or
• English, with Hindi as a compulsory or elective subject, or as the medium of examination, at the degree level; or
• Any other subject, with Hindi and English as the medium or as subjects in the ways set out in the notice.

Many posts also ask for a diploma or certificate in translation between Hindi and English, or experience of translation work in a government office.

The age limit has been 18 to 30 years on a date stated in the notice, with relaxations for reserved categories and other groups under central rules.

The exact qualification per post, age band and relaxations are set in each notice. Check them before applying.

Most marks in Paper 2 come from translation. A steady method helps:

1. Read the whole passage first. Understand the meaning before you write a word.
2. Mark the hard terms. Note official or technical words and recall their standard equivalents.
3. Translate sentence by sentence. Keep the meaning and tone, not the exact word order.
4. Break long sentences. If a sentence becomes heavy, split it into two clear ones.
5. Read your answer again. Check that it reads naturally in the target language and that no line is left out.

Practise this method daily with timed passages. Speed and accuracy both improve with steady practice.

A little background helps in the essay and in understanding the job:

• Article 343 says the official language of the Union shall be Hindi in Devanagari script.
• The Official Languages Act, 1963 allows English to continue alongside Hindi for official work.
• 14 September is observed as Hindi Diwas, because the Constituent Assembly adopted Hindi as the official language on that day in 1949.
• The Department of Official Language under the Ministry of Home Affairs looks after the use of Hindi in central offices.

Translators are the people who make this policy work in daily office life.

Give Paper 2 as much time as Paper 1. Paper 2 decides most ranks.

Grammar in both languages. Revise Hindi vyakaran and English grammar topic by topic, and solve objective questions daily for Paper 1.

Translation practice. Translate one passage each way every day. Use government circulars, reports and newspaper editorials as practice material.

Official terminology. Learn standard Hindi terms for administrative words, such as those in the government's glossaries of technical terms.

Essay writing. Write one essay a week in each language on topics such as governance, education, technology and the environment.

For other SSC exams, see the SSC CGL, SSC CHSL and SSC Stenographer guides.

1. Translating word for word. Aim for natural, accurate meaning.
2. Ignoring one language. Both Hindi and English carry equal weight.
3. Weak handwriting and layout. Paper 2 is written by hand; keep it neat.
4. Missing the diploma rule. Some posts need a translation diploma or experience.
5. Guessing freely in Paper 1. Negative marking applies.