Hindi Typing Test: Free Online Practice (Mangal & Kruti Dev)

A Hindi typing test measures how fast and accurately you can type in Devanagari (Hindi script). It is a core part of Indian government recruitment exams such as SSC CHSL, CPCT, High Court LDC, and many state-level clerk exams. This guide explains how a Hindi typing test works, the difference between the Mangal and Kruti Dev fonts, how your score is calculated, and how to practice for free.

How the Hindi typing test works

A Hindi typing test gives you a printed passage in Devanagari and asks you to retype it within a fixed time — usually 10 minutes. The software records your keystrokes and calculates two numbers:

• Gross speed — total characters typed ÷ 5 ÷ time in minutes (the "÷5" converts characters into standard 5-letter "words").
• Net speed — gross speed minus a penalty for errors. This is the number that decides whether you qualify.

Most exam software disables the backspace key or penalises corrections, so accuracy matters as much as raw speed. Typing the wrong character, skipping a character, or adding an extra one each counts as an error.

Mangal vs Kruti Dev fonts

This is the single most important thing to confirm before you practise, because the font changes the keyboard layout you must use.

• Mangal is a Unicode font. It is the modern standard used by most current exams (including CPCT and newer SSC tests). You type Mangal using the Inscript or Remington (GAIL/CBI) layout in Windows, or a phonetic input method.
• Kruti Dev is a legacy non-Unicode font that was the default for decades. It is still required by some state exams and older private typing software. Kruti Dev maps Devanagari characters onto the English QWERTY keys in a fixed way (the classic "Remington" mapping).

Rule of thumb: always check the official exam notification for the exact font. Practising on the wrong font wastes weeks, because the key positions differ between Mangal-Inscript and Kruti Dev-Remington. On learntype.app you can switch the Hindi typing engine between phonetic, Inscript, and Remington layouts so you practise on the one your exam uses.

Scoring Hindi WPM

Speed is reported two ways:

• WPM (words per minute) — common in English tests; for Hindi it is approximated as characters ÷ 5.
• KDPH (key depressions per hour) — the unit most Indian government notifications use. 35 WPM ≈ 10,500 KDPH; 30 WPM ≈ 9,000 KDPH.

Your net score is what qualifies you. A common scoring method subtracts errors: net = gross − (errors × penalty). Some exams (e.g. certain Rajasthan/RSMSSB tests) use a heavier penalty per mistake than others, so a high-accuracy 28 WPM can beat a sloppy 34 WPM.

Free practice passages

The fastest way to raise your Hindi typing speed is daily repetition on exam-style Devanagari passages — government circulars, formal letters, and news-style text. Aim for two 15-minute blocks a day: one for new-key accuracy, one for speed. Track net WPM and accuracy every session.

Improve your Hindi typing speed

1. Lock the layout early — pick Inscript or Remington based on your target exam and stay with it.
2. Drill the conjuncts (जुक्ताक्षर) — combinations like क्ष, त्र, ज्ञ, श्र slow most beginners down. Practise them in isolation until they're automatic.
3. Type blind — cover the keyboard; looking down caps your speed at ~25 WPM.
4. Hit accuracy first — push for 97%+ before chasing raw speed. Net speed rises faster from fewer errors than from faster fingers.
5. Use the right tool — practise on software that mimics the exam (backspace rules, font, timer).

Frequently asked questions

Is Mangal or Kruti Dev used in SSC? Modern SSC tests use the Mangal (Unicode) font with the Inscript/Remington layout; older notifications referenced Kruti Dev. Always confirm against the latest SSC notification for your cycle.

What is a good Hindi typing speed? For most clerk-grade government posts, 30–35 WPM (9,000–10,500 KDPH) net is the qualifying benchmark, though the exact figure varies by post and notification.

Can I use a phonetic keyboard in the exam? No. Government exams require a fixed layout (Inscript or Remington), not phonetic guessing. Phonetic typing is great for everyday Hindi writing but not for the test.

How many errors are allowed? It depends on the exam's formula, but each uncorrected error typically removes several keystrokes from your net count — so accuracy is decisive.

Related guides

• How to Type in Hindi: 5 Easy Methods (2026)
• SSC Typing Test: Rules, Speed & Free Practice
• CPCT Typing Test: Pattern, Speed & Free Practice
• Browse typing courses →

Speed figures and qualifying benchmarks above reflect commonly cited Indian government typing-test standards. Always verify the exact font, layout, time, and qualifying speed in the official notification for your specific exam before you practise.