1What is SSC CPO 2026?
The SSC CPO (Central Police Organisation) Examination 2026 is conducted annually by the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) to recruit Sub-Inspectors (SI) in Delhi Police and in five Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) — BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, and SSB — as well as Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) in CISF.
It is a national-level, graduate-level exam with one of the tightest age windows (20–25 years) among all SSC exams. The posts are Group B (Non-Gazetted) and Group C (Non-Gazetted) — a Sub-Inspector has law enforcement authority and a clear promotion pathway up to Inspector, ACP, DCP, and beyond.
Unlike SSC CGL or CHSL which are desk jobs, SSC CPO is a uniformed service with operational duties. Candidates must clear both written exams AND physical fitness tests. The role demands discipline, physical fitness, and a strong command of English.
2SSC CPO Important Dates 2026
| Event | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| SSC CPO 2025 Notification Released | 26 September 2025 | ✓ Done |
| Application Window (2025 cycle) | 26 Sep – 16 Oct 2025 | ✓ Done |
| Application Correction Window | 24–26 October 2025 | ✓ Done |
| Paper I (CBT) Exam | 9–12 December 2025 | ✓ Done |
| Paper I Result + Cut-off Released | 30 March 2026 | ✓ Done |
| PET / PST (Physical Test) | To be notified (TBN) | TBN |
| Paper II (English Comprehension) | To be notified (TBN) | TBN |
| Detailed Medical Examination | To be notified (TBN) | TBN |
| SSC CPO 2026 Notification | 31 May 2026 (Expected) | 🔔 Upcoming |
| Application Opens (2026 cycle) | 31 May 2026 (Expected) | 🔔 Upcoming |
| Last Date to Apply Online (2026) | 30 June 2026 (Expected) | 🔔 Upcoming |
| Paper I Exam Date (2026 cycle) | October–November 2026 (Expected) | 🔔 Upcoming |
3SSC CPO 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Nationality
Indian citizen (or subject of Nepal/Bhutan with certificate of eligibility from Govt. of India).
Educational Qualification
Bachelor's Degree in any discipline from a recognised university. Final-year graduates can also apply (must have degree by cut-off date).
Age Limit (General)
20 to 25 years as on the reference date in the notification (expected 1 Aug 2026). Born between 02 Aug 2001 and 01 Aug 2006 (tentative).
Driving Licence (Delhi Police Male)
A valid driving licence for LMV (Motorcycle and Car) is MANDATORY on the date of the Physical Test. This requirement is specific to SI (Executive) Male in Delhi Police.
📋 Age Relaxation Table
| Category | Upper Age Limit | Relaxation |
|---|---|---|
| General / EWS | 25 years | None |
| OBC | 28 years | +3 years |
| SC / ST | 30 years | +5 years |
| Ex-Servicemen | 28 years | +3 years (after deducting military service from actual age) |
| PwBD (General) | 35 years | +10 years |
| PwBD (OBC) | 38 years | +13 years |
| PwBD (SC/ST) | 40 years | +15 years |
| Departmental Candidates (Delhi Police) | 30 years | +5 years (for constables/HCs with 3+ years service) |
4Vacancies & Posts 2026
💡 2026 vacancies are ⚠️ TBN (To Be Notified with the 31 May 2026 notification). The table below shows the 2025 cycle (revised) distribution of 5,308 vacancies for reference. Based on the trend, 3,000–5,000+ posts are expected for 2026.
| Force / Post | 2025 Vacancies | 2024 (Approx.) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delhi Police – SI (Executive) Male | 125 | ~900 | Driving licence (LMV) required |
| Delhi Police – SI (Executive) Female | 87 | ~100 | Driving licence (LMV) required |
| BSF – SI (GD) | ~800 | ~1,200 | Pan-India posting |
| CRPF – SI (GD) | ~600 | ~700 | Pan-India posting |
| CISF – ASI & SI | ~700 | ~800 | Industrial security |
| ITBP – SI (GD) | ~350 | ~300 | Mountain border force |
| SSB – SI (GD) | ~411 | ~500 | Nepal/Bhutan border |
| TOTAL (Revised 2025) | 5,308 | ~4,500+ | — |
Vacancy Trend (Last 6 Cycles)
| 2019 | 2020 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,564 | 1,564 | 4,300 | 4,187 | 4,500+ | 5,308 (revised) |
5SSC CPO Exam Pattern 2026
Paper I – Computer Based Test (CBT) | 200 Marks | 2 Hours
| Subject | Questions | Marks | Sectional Timer |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 50 | 50 | 30 min (sectional timer) |
| General Knowledge & General Awareness | 50 | 50 | 30 min (sectional timer) |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 50 | 50 | 30 min (sectional timer) |
| English Comprehension | 50 | 50 | 30 min (sectional timer) |
| Total | 200 | 200 | 2 Hours |
Stage 2 – PET / PST (Physical Endurance & Standard Test)
Qualifying in nature — no marks added to merit. Candidates who clear Paper I are called for PET (running, long jump, high jump) and PST (height, chest, weight). Failure at PET/PST ends the candidature. See Section 7 for full physical standards.
Paper II – English Language & Comprehension | 200 Marks | 2 Hours
Paper II is conducted only in English (not bilingual). Questions test reading comprehension, grammar, vocabulary, and error detection. Strong English skills are essential — many candidates who clear Paper I fail Paper II.
Stage 4 – Detailed Medical Examination (DME)
Conducted for candidates shortlisted after Paper II. Tests vision (near/distant), colour blindness, hearing, physical fitness, and overall health. Post-specific medical standards apply. Candidates declared medically unfit can appeal through the Review Medical Examination process.
📊 How Final Merit is Calculated
The final selection rank is based on the total composite score of Paper I + Paper II (combined 400 marks). Candidates must secure the minimum qualifying marks in each paper separately as specified by SSC for their category — clearing one paper alone is not sufficient. Note: the 30-minute sectional timer in Paper I is a time-management constraint, not a sectional cut-off for marks.
- NCC 'C' Certificate: 10 bonus marks per paper (5% of 200 max marks)
- NCC 'B' Certificate: 6 bonus marks per paper (3% of 200 max marks)
- NCC 'A' Certificate: 4 bonus marks per paper (2% of 200 max marks)
NCC bonus is applicable to both Paper I and Paper II. Candidates must produce the original NCC certificate at the time of document verification.
6SSC CPO Syllabus 2026
General Intelligence & Reasoning
- ▸Analogy, Classification, Series
- ▸Coding-Decoding, Direction Sense
- ▸Blood Relations, Syllogism
- ▸Venn Diagrams, Seating Arrangement
- ▸Statement & Conclusions
- ▸Non-Verbal: Figure completion, Mirror image, Paper cutting
- ▸Matrix, Word Formation
General Knowledge & Awareness
- ▸History of India & World
- ▸Indian Polity & Constitution
- ▸Indian & World Geography
- ▸Economy & Five-Year Plans
- ▸Science: Physics, Chemistry, Biology
- ▸Current Affairs (last 6 months)
- ▸Awards, Sports, Books, Schemes
Quantitative Aptitude
- ▸Number System, HCF & LCM
- ▸Percentage, Ratio & Proportion
- ▸Profit & Loss, Discount, SI & CI
- ▸Average, Time & Work, Speed–Distance
- ▸Geometry: Lines, Triangles, Circles
- ▸Mensuration: Area, Volume
- ▸Trigonometry, Heights & Distances
- ▸Data Interpretation: Tables, Graphs
English Comprehension (Paper I)
- ▸Synonyms & Antonyms
- ▸Idioms & Phrases
- ▸One Word Substitution
- ▸Sentence Improvement & Error Detection
- ▸Active/Passive Voice, Direct/Indirect Speech
- ▸Reading Comprehension passages
- ▸Cloze Test, Para Jumbles
English Language & Comprehension (Paper II – 200 marks)
- ▸Reading Comprehension (3–4 passages)
- ▸Cloze Test
- ▸Para Jumbles (sentence rearrangement)
- ▸Error Spotting
- ▸Fill in the Blanks
- ▸Idioms & Phrases
- ▸Vocabulary: Synonyms, Antonyms, One-word substitution
7Physical Test (PET & PST) Standards
Physical Endurance Test (PET)
| Category | Event | Qualifying Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Male – General / OBC / EWS / SC | 5 km run | 24 minutes |
| Male – ST / Tribal / NE States / Hilly | 5 km run | 27 minutes |
| Female – General / OBC / EWS / SC | 1.6 km run | 8 min 30 sec |
| Female – ST / Tribal / NE States / Hilly | 1.6 km run | 9 minutes |
| Male – Long Jump | 3.65 m (3 chances) | N/A |
| Male – High Jump | 1.2 m (3 chances) | N/A |
| Female – Long Jump | 2.7 m (3 chances) | N/A |
| Female – High Jump | 0.9 m (3 chances) | N/A |
Physical Standard Test (PST)
| Category | Min. Height | Chest (Unexpanded / Expanded) | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male – General / OBC / EWS / SC | 170 cm | 80–85 cm | Proportionate |
| Male – ST / Tribal / Hill / NE States | 162.5 cm | 77–82 cm | Proportionate |
| Female – General / OBC / EWS / SC | 157 cm | N/A | Proportionate |
| Female – ST / Tribal / Hill / NE States | 154 cm | N/A | Proportionate |
8Salary, Benefits & Career Growth
💰 In-Hand Salary Estimate (after joining)
| Posting City Class | Basic Pay | HRA | Approx. In-Hand |
|---|---|---|---|
| X Class (Metro – Delhi, Mumbai) | ₹35,400 | 24% = ₹8,496 | ₹48,000–₹55,000 |
| Y Class (Urban – Lucknow, Pune) | ₹35,400 | 16% = ₹5,664 | ₹43,000–₹49,000 |
| Z Class (Rural / Other towns) | ₹35,400 | 8% = ₹2,832 | ₹40,000–₹45,000 |
| CAPF (Field / Border posting) | ₹35,400 | Govt. quarters | ₹41,000–₹52,000 + hardship allowance |
* Includes DA (current rate), TA, and standard allowances. CAPF field posts also receive ration money (≈₹3,000–₹5,000/month extra) and uniform allowance. Figures are estimates; actual salary depends on DA revision, posting city, and joining date.
Career Progression Ladder
94-Month Study Plan for SSC CPO 2026
Month 1 – Foundation
- ✓Build number system & arithmetic (QA fundamentals)
- ✓Start basic reasoning: analogy, series, coding-decoding
- ✓Read NCERTs: Geography Cl 6–10, History Cl 6–10
- ✓Vocabulary: learn 15 new words/day; read a newspaper
- ✓Physical: start 2 km running daily, build up to 5 km
Month 2 – Core Topics
- ✓QA: advance to geometry, trigonometry, mensuration
- ✓Reasoning: matrix, Venn diagrams, sitting arrangement
- ✓GK: Polity (NCERT), Economy basics, Science facts
- ✓English: grammar rules, reading comprehension, cloze tests
- ✓Physical: 5 km under 24 min daily; start long/high jump
Month 3 – Revision & Mocks
- ✓Solve 2 full-length SSC CPO mock tests per week (timed)
- ✓Analyse error patterns; revise weak topics aggressively
- ✓GK: Current affairs Jan–June 2026 from trusted sources
- ✓English Paper II: 3 comprehension passages + cloze tests/day
- ✓Physical: maintain 5 km pace; include long jump practice
Month 4 – PYQs + Final Prep
- ✓Solve 5 years of SSC CPO previous year papers (Paper I & II)
- ✓Identify high-weightage topics and do final 3-round revision
- ✓Current affairs: last 3 months daily revision capsule
- ✓Speed drills: 50 QA questions in 30 minutes daily
- ✓Physical: peak conditioning — timed 5 km runs, jump drills
10Best Books for SSC CPO 2026
| Subject | Book | Author / Publisher |
|---|---|---|
| Quantitative Aptitude | Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Exams | R.S. Aggarwal (S. Chand) |
| Quantitative Aptitude | Fast Track Arithmetic | Rajesh Verma (Arihant) |
| Reasoning | A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning | R.S. Aggarwal (S. Chand) |
| Reasoning | Analytical Reasoning | M.K. Pandey (BSC Publishing) |
| General Knowledge | Lucent's General Knowledge | Lucent Publications |
| Current Affairs | Monthly Current Affairs Capsule | Vision IAS / GK Today (Free Online) |
| English (Paper I) | Objective General English | S.P. Bakshi (Arihant) |
| English (Paper II) | Plinth to Paramount – English | Neetu Singh (KD Publications) |
| Previous Year Papers | SSC CPO SI Solved Papers | Arihant / Kiran Prakashan |
11Expert Preparation Tips
Master the Sectional Timer
Paper I now has a 30-minute sectional timer. You cannot move to the next section early, and you cannot come back. Practice section-wise timed mocks from Day 1 to build the right exam reflex.
Physical Prep is Non-Negotiable
Start running from Day 1. The 5 km in 24 minutes goal requires months of consistent training — not last-minute sprints. Many toppers who clear Paper I fail the PET due to insufficient fitness preparation.
English Paper II is the Differentiator
Most candidates neglect Paper II (English only). Since it's conducted only in English with no bilingual option, 30–40 minutes of daily English reading comprehension practice is essential to rank in the top tier.
Current Affairs: Consistent Over Intensive
GK and current affairs carry 50 marks in Paper I. Read one reliable current affairs app or YouTube channel daily. Don't leave it for revision week — it won't work.
Use Negative Marking Strategically
Both papers have −0.25 per wrong answer. For questions where you can eliminate 2 out of 4 options, attempting is still mathematically favourable. For pure guesses, skip.
Apply the Day the Notification Drops
SSC applications are first-come, first-served for exam city preferences. Set a reminder for 31 May 2026. Apply within the first 2–3 days to get your preferred city.
12Frequently Asked Questions – SSC CPO 2026
What is the educational qualification for SSC CPO 2026?
Candidates must hold a Bachelor's Degree in any discipline from a recognised university. Those in their final year of graduation may also apply, but must have the degree by the cut-off date in the notification. For SI (Executive) in Delhi Police (Male), a valid Driving Licence for LMV (Motorcycle and Car) is additionally required on the date of the Physical Test.
What is the age limit for SSC CPO 2026?
The age limit is 20 to 25 years, calculated on the reference date given in the official notification (typically 1 August of the exam year). Age relaxation: OBC +3 years, SC/ST +5 years, Ex-Servicemen +3 years (after deducting military service), PwBD +10 years. The 2026 notification will confirm the exact reference date.
What are the stages of the SSC CPO selection process?
SSC CPO has four stages: (1) Paper I – CBT with 200 objective-type questions, 200 marks, 2 hours with a 30-minute sectional timer per subject; (2) PET/PST – Physical Endurance Test (running, long jump, high jump) and Physical Standard Test (height, chest, weight); (3) Paper II – English Language & Comprehension, 200 questions, 200 marks, 2 hours; (4) Detailed Medical Examination. Only candidates qualifying each stage proceed to the next.
What is the SSC CPO salary per month in 2026?
SSC CPO Sub-Inspectors are placed at Pay Level 6 under the 7th Pay Commission. Basic pay is ₹35,400/month with a scale up to ₹1,12,400/month. With DA, HRA (city-based), TA, ration money (for CAPF), and other allowances, the in-hand take-home salary ranges from approximately ₹41,000–₹55,000/month depending on the posting city (metro/urban/rural).
How many vacancies are expected for SSC CPO 2026?
The exact 2026 vacancies will be announced with the official notification on 31 May 2026. Based on recent trends — 4,187 in 2023, 4,500+ in 2024, and 5,308 (revised) in 2025 — a similar or higher number is expected. Vacancies cover Sub-Inspector posts in Delhi Police (Male/Female), BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, and SSB.
Is there negative marking in SSC CPO Paper I and Paper II?
Yes. Both Paper I and Paper II carry negative marking of 0.25 marks (¼ mark) for each incorrect answer. Unattempted questions carry no penalty. Since Paper I has a 30-minute sectional timer per section, time management is critical — do not leave an entire section for the end.
Can female candidates apply for all SSC CPO posts?
Yes. Female candidates can apply for Sub-Inspector (Executive) in Delhi Police and Sub-Inspector (GD) posts in all CAPFs (BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, SSB). Separate physical standards apply for female candidates — shorter height requirement and no chest measurement test. Female candidates must also clear the PET (1.6 km run) and PST.
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