RBSE SS Hindi Typewriting key terms
RBSE SS Hindi Typewriting · Get comfortable with the vocabulary.
- Inscript layout
- Related: Remington layout, Home row, Touch typing
The standard Indian keyboard layout in which Devanagari characters are arranged according to the Indian script code, with vowels and consonants placed on fixed keys. Candidates learn its key positions for consistent Hindi typing.
- Remington layout
- Related: Inscript layout, Home row
A Devanagari keyboard arrangement derived from the Remington typewriter, widely used in older Hindi typing exams and offices. Its key positions differ from Inscript, so candidates must practise the specific layout required by their exam.
- Home row
- Related: Touch typing, Finger assignment chart
The middle row of keys where typists rest their fingers between strokes. On Devanagari keyboards it holds frequently used consonants and serves as the base position for touch typing.
- Touch typing
- Related: Home row, Copy typing
Typing without looking at the keyboard, using memorised finger movements for each key. It allows faster Hindi transcription because the eyes stay on the passage being copied.
- Finger assignment chart
- Related: Home row, Touch typing
A diagram mapping each keyboard column to a specific finger. It guides learners to press Devanagari keys with the correct finger, preventing strain and building speed.
- Shift key
- Related: Matra, Nukta
A modifier key held down to type the alternate character or symbol printed above a key. In Devanagari layouts it often produces matras, digits, or punctuation placed on the upper shift level.
- Matra
- Related: Halant, Conjunct consonant, Chandrabindu
A dependent vowel sign attached to a consonant, such as ा, ि, or ू. It has no independent form and must be typed in the correct position around the consonant letter.
- Halant
- Related: Conjunct consonant, Half form, Reph
Also called viram, this mark (्) cancels the inherent vowel of a consonant. Typing it joins consonants into conjunct forms or shows a bare consonant at the end of a word.
- Conjunct consonant
- Related: Halant, Half form
Two or more consonants combined into a single written unit, such as क्ष or त्र. In typing, the halant key is used to build these clusters in the proper order.
- Reph
- Related: Halant, Conjunct consonant
The small hook-like form of र that appears above a following consonant, as in कर्म. It is produced by typing र with halant before the next consonant.
- Rakar
- Related: Halant, Conjunct consonant
The shortened र shape attached below a preceding consonant, as in प्र. It is typed after the base consonant using the rakar key or a halant-based sequence, depending on layout.
- Anusvara
- Related: Chandrabindu, Matra
A dot placed above or after a vowel to indicate nasalisation, as in हिंदी. It is a single key stroke and must not be confused with chandrabindu.
- Chandrabindu
- Related: Anusvara, Matra
A crescent with a dot above it, marking strong nasalisation of a vowel, as in आँख. It is typed as a separate sign after the vowel or matra.
- Nukta
- Related: Shift key, Matra
A small dot placed under a consonant to form an additional letter, such as क़ or ज़. It changes pronunciation and must be typed as a distinct character where the layout provides it.
- Half form
- Related: Halant, Conjunct consonant
The incomplete shape of a consonant without its inherent vowel, used in clusters. Typing the halant after a consonant usually produces this half form on screen.
- Gross words per minute
- Related: Net words per minute, Standard word
The total number of words typed in a minute before any deduction for errors. Speed tests often report both gross and net figures so candidates can see raw typing pace.
- Net words per minute
- Related: Gross words per minute, Error penalty
The typing speed left after errors are subtracted from the gross total. It is the figure usually considered for qualifying in Hindi typewriting speed tests.
- Standard word
- Related: Gross words per minute, Key depressions per hour
A unit of five characters, including spaces, used to calculate typing speed. Examiners count every five keystrokes as one word regardless of actual word length.
- Key depressions per hour
- Related: Standard word, Gross words per minute
The number of key presses made in an hour, often used for data-entry and typing speed assessment. It is calculated from the total characters typed, including spaces.
- Copy typing
- Related: Touch typing, Proofreading
Typing directly from a printed or handwritten Hindi passage. The typist reads a small group of words, then types them without looking down, maintaining accuracy and steady rhythm.
- Accuracy percentage
- Related: Net words per minute, Error penalty
The proportion of correctly typed characters to the total typed, expressed as a percentage. It is calculated after subtracting errors and is reported alongside speed in typing tests.
- Proofreading
- Related: Spell check, Copy typing
Checking a typed Hindi document against the source for spelling, matra placement, missing conjuncts, and formatting errors. It is done before submission because corrections after printing waste time.
- Error penalty
- Related: Net words per minute, Accuracy percentage
The deduction applied for each typing mistake, usually a fixed number of words or keystrokes subtracted from the gross speed. Knowing the penalty helps candidates decide when to correct.
- Spell check
- Related: Proofreading, Find and Replace
A word-processor feature that flags misspelled Hindi words and suggests alternatives. It helps catch obvious errors but may miss wrong matras or valid-looking conjunct mistakes.
- Margin
- Related: Alignment, Line spacing
The blank space between the text and the edge of the page. Standard official documents keep equal or prescribed margins so the page looks balanced and can be filed or bound.
- Heading
- Related: Alignment, Margin
A title or caption placed at the top of a document or section to show its subject. In official drafts it is often centred and typed in capitals or bold.
- Paragraph indentation
- Related: Tabulation, Line spacing
The space left before the first line of a paragraph, usually five spaces or a tab stop. Consistent indentation makes long Hindi passages easier to read.
- Tabulation
- Related: Paragraph indentation, Alignment
Arranging information in rows and columns using tab stops or a table so figures and names line up. It is common in statements, schedules, and official annexures.
- Line spacing
- Related: Margin, Paragraph indentation
The vertical distance between successive lines of typed text. Single spacing saves paper, while one-and-a-half or double spacing is used when corrections or signatures are needed.
- Alignment
- Related: Margin, Heading
The horizontal positioning of text, such as left, right, centre, or justified. Official letters usually use left alignment, while headings and dates may be centred.
- Office memorandum
- Related: Reference number, Subject line
An internal official communication used within a department to convey decisions, instructions, or information. It usually carries a reference number, date, subject, and the signature of the issuing officer.
- Subject line
- Related: Reference number, Office memorandum
A short phrase placed after the reference and before the salutation that states the purpose of an official letter. It helps the recipient route and file the correspondence quickly.
- Reference number
- Related: Subject line, Endorsement copy
An identification code printed on official correspondence, linking it to a file or earlier communication. It is quoted in replies so the matter can be traced easily.
- Complimentary close
- Related: Subject line
The formal ending of a letter, such as भवदीय or सादर, placed above the signature. It should match the level of formality used in the salutation.
- Endorsement copy
- Related: Reference number, Office memorandum
A copy of an official letter sent to another office for information or action, noted at the foot of the letter. It records who else received the communication.
- Save As
- Related: Find and Replace, Word wrap
A word-processor command that stores the current document under a new name, location, or file format. It protects the original file while creating a separate revised copy.
- Find and Replace
- Related: Spell check, Save As
A word-processor tool that searches for a word or character string and substitutes another. It is useful for correcting a repeated matra or spelling mistake throughout a long document.
- Word wrap
- Related: Margin, Save As
The automatic movement of text to the next line when the right margin is reached. It prevents manual line breaks and keeps paragraphs reflowable during editing.