Two Great Systems — One Right Choice for You
Both Pitman and Gregg are phonetic shorthand systems with over a century of proven use. But in 2025 India, they are not equally advantageous for all career paths.
Pitman Shorthand
Origins & System
Developed by Sir Isaac Pitman in 1837, Pitman uses geometric shapes — lines, curves, and dots — to represent sounds. Position of writing on the line indicates vowels.
Advantages
- Accepted for ALL Indian government exams
- More structured — easier to verify accuracy
- Excellent learning resources available in Hindi and English
- Preferred by courts and Parliament
Challenges
- Position writing requires precision
- Vowels indicated by position/dots (initially tricky)
- Slight learning curve initially steeper
Gregg Shorthand
Origins & System
John Robert Gregg developed this system in 1888. Uses cursive, flowing strokes based on ellipse shape. More similar to longhand writing.
Advantages
- More natural, flowing writing motion
- Faster to learn initially for many students
- Higher speed potential for skilled writers
Challenges
- NOT accepted for most Indian government exams
- Fewer Indian teaching resources
- Less commonly examined in Hindi
The Verdict for Indian Aspirants
If your goal is government employment in India, learn Pitman shorthand. Period. SSC, UPSC, Courts, Parliament, Ministries — they all specify Pitman.
Learn Gregg only if you’re targeting multinational companies, international organizations, or journalism.
Start learning Pitman today with our beginner’s guide.