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Reference

Krutidev Keyboard Layout

Full visual reference showing every key's Hindi character in Normal and Shift modes. This is the Remington typewriter layout used across Indian government offices and CPCT exams.

Normal Layer (No Modifier)

What each key produces when pressed without Shift. Lowercase letters produce full consonants, vowels, and matras.

ृ`
11
22
33
44
55
66
77
88
99
00
.-
त्र=
ुq
ूw
मe
तr
जt
लy
नu
पi
वo
चp
ख्[
,]
Caps
ंa
ेs
कd
िf
हg
ीh
रj
ाk
सl
य;
श्'
Shift
्रz
गx
बc
अv
इb
दn
उm
ए,
ण्.
ध्/

Shift Layer

What each key produces when Shift is held. Uppercase letters typically produce half consonants (with halant), retroflex variants, or alternative characters.

्Shift+`
!Shift+1
/Shift+2
रुShift+3
$Shift+4
ःShift+5
'Shift+6
-Shift+7
'Shift+8
;Shift+9
द्धShift+0
ऋShift+-
़Shift+=
फShift+q
ॅShift+w
म्Shift+e
त्Shift+r
ज्Shift+t
ल्Shift+y
न्Shift+u
प्Shift+i
व्Shift+o
च्Shift+p
क्ष्Shift+[
द्वShift+]
Caps
।Shift+a
ैShift+s
क्Shift+d
थ्Shift+f
ळShift+g
भ्Shift+h
श्रShift+j
ज्ञShift+k
स्Shift+l
रूShift+;
ष्Shift+'
Shift
र्Shift+z
ग्Shift+x
ब्Shift+c
टShift+v
ठShift+b
छShift+n
डShift+m
ढShift+,
झShift+.
घ्Shift+/

Layout Comparison: Krutidev vs InScript vs Mangal

Three keyboard layouts are used for Hindi typing in India. Each serves a different purpose and user base.

FeatureKrutidev (Remington)InScriptMangal (Remington GAIL)
EncodingLegacy ASCII (non-Unicode)UnicodeUnicode
Key arrangementBy typing frequencyBy phonetic groupsSame as Krutidev
Font requiredKrutidev 010 must be installedAny Unicode Hindi fontAny Unicode Hindi font
WhatsApp/Web compatibleNo (requires conversion)YesYes
Used in examsCPCT, most state examsCentral govt data entryNewer CPCT, RSMSSB
Learning curve4-6 weeks for 20 WPM6-8 weeks for 20 WPMInstant if you know Krutidev

Mangal with Remington GAIL layout is the best of both worlds: it uses the same key positions as Krutidev (so existing typists switch without relearning) but outputs Unicode text (so no conversion is needed). If you are learning from scratch and your exam supports Mangal, choose Mangal. If your exam specifically requires Krutidev, train on Krutidev and use our converter for sharing text.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Krutidev layout the same as Remington GAIL?
Yes. Krutidev 010 implements the Remington layout digitally. "Remington" refers to the physical Hindi typewriter layout designed in the 1960s, and "GAIL" is a later refinement. When CPCT or UPSSSC exams say "Remington keyboard," they mean this exact layout. InScript is the other standard - it arranges characters by phonetic groups rather than typing frequency.
Why is the layout different from InScript?
InScript was designed by the Indian government in the 1980s for computer use. It groups characters phonetically: all "ka" variants (क, ख, ग, घ) sit together. Remington/Krutidev was designed for typewriter speed: the most-typed characters sit on the home row regardless of their position in the alphabet. Government typists trained on Remington find InScript slower because muscle memory does not transfer.
Which layout is used in government typing exams?
Most Hindi-belt states (MP, UP, Rajasthan, Bihar, CG) use the Remington/Krutidev layout for legacy exams. Newer exams increasingly offer Mangal (Unicode with Remington layout) alongside Krutidev. InScript is less common in typing speed tests but is the standard for data entry roles in central government. Check your specific exam notification for the required layout.
How long does it take to learn this layout?
With 30 minutes of daily practice, most people memorize the home row within 3-5 days and reach 10 WPM within 2 weeks. Reaching 20 WPM (above the CPCT minimum of 15) typically takes 4-6 weeks. Experienced typists from English QWERTY need to suppress their existing muscle memory, which adds 1-2 weeks to the learning curve.
Can I use this layout on my phone?
Krutidev is a desktop font - it does not work on mobile devices. For Hindi typing on phones, use the built-in Google Hindi keyboard (Gboard) or the device manufacturer keyboard with Hindi enabled. These use Unicode, not Krutidev encoding. If you need to convert Krutidev text you receive on your phone, use our online converter.