1What is SSC CPO 2026?
The SSC CPO (Central Police Organisation) Examination — formally the Sub-Inspector in Delhi Police and Central Armed Police Forces Examination — is conducted annually by the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) to recruit Sub-Inspectors in Delhi Police and in five Central Armed Police Forces: BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP and SSB.
It is a graduate-level national exam with one of the tightest age windows (20–25 years) among all SSC exams. SI (GD) in CAPFs is a Group ‘B’ (Non-Gazetted), Non-Ministerial post; SI (Executive) in Delhi Police is classified Group ‘C’ by Delhi Police. Both carry the same Pay Level 6 (₹35,400–₹1,12,400). Recent cycles have recruited only Sub-Inspector posts; the ASI in CISF post from older CPO notifications was not part of the 2024, 2025 or 2026 cycles. New in 2026: the exam also recruits Sub-Inspector (Fire) in CISF (234 posts), which has its own qualification and a wider 18–30 age limit.
Unlike SSC CGL or CHSL, which lead to desk jobs, SSC CPO is a uniformed service with operational duties. Candidates must clear two written papers and physical fitness tests. All posts except SI in Delhi Police carry All-India Service Liability — you may be posted anywhere in the country.
2SSC CPO Important Dates 2026
| Event | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| SSC CPO 2026 Notification Released | 10 September 2026 | ✓ Done |
| Online Application (2026 cycle) | 10 – 30 September 2026 (11 PM) | ✓ Done |
| Last Date for Online Fee Payment | 1 October 2026 (11 PM) | ✓ Done |
| Application Correction Window | 8 – 10 October 2026 (11 PM) | 📅 Scheduled |
| Paper I (CBT) Exam — 2026 cycle | 20 – 28 November 2026 | 📅 Scheduled |
| Exam City Slip & Admit Card — 2026 cycle | To be notified (TBN) — usually a few days before Paper I | TBN |
| Paper I Result, PET/PST, Paper II — 2026 cycle | To be notified (TBN) | TBN |
| 2025 cycle: Notification Released | 26 September 2025 | ✓ Done |
| 2025 cycle: Paper I (CBT) Exam | 9–12 December 2025 | ✓ Done |
| 2025 cycle: Paper I Result + Cut-off (48,615 shortlisted) | 30 March 2026 | ✓ Done |
| 2025 cycle: PET / PST (Physical Test) | 21–28 July 2026 | ✓ Done |
| 2025 cycle: PET / PST Result | To be notified (TBN) | TBN |
| 2025 cycle: Paper II | To be notified (TBN) | TBN |
| 2025 cycle: Detailed Medical Examination (DME) | To be notified (TBN) | TBN |
3Delhi Police Sub Inspector Vacancy & Online Form 2026
💡 Short answer: there are 317 Delhi Police Sub Inspector vacancies in 2026 (205 male, 112 female). They are filled only through SSC CPO; there is no separate Delhi Police SI form. The online form ran from 10 to 30 September 2026 and is now closed. If you applied, you can make corrections from 8 to 10 October 2026. The Delhi Police SI written exam (Paper I) is on 20–28 November 2026.
2026 Delhi Police SI vacancies: 317
There are 205 male posts and 112 female posts (UR 47, OBC 30, SC 16, ST 8, EWS 11). That is up from 212 in 2025 (142 male, 70 female). SSC calls the numbers tentative, so they can still be revised.
LMV driving licence
Male candidates must hold a valid LMV licence (Motorcycle and Car) on the date of the physical test. Without it you are considered for CAPF posts only — the application itself is not rejected.
Posting
SI in Delhi Police is the only post in this exam without All-India Service Liability — you serve within the National Capital Territory of Delhi.
Departmental quota
Constables, Head Constables and ASIs of Delhi Police with 3+ years of service can apply up to 30 years of age (33 OBC, 35 SC/ST) against both open and departmental vacancies.
🔔 What to do now (applied candidates)
- Log in on ssc.gov.in during the 8–10 October 2026 correction window if anything in your form is wrong. Corrections cost ₹200 (first) and ₹500 (second).
- Switch your practice to the new pattern: 25 questions per section in 15 minutes for Paper I (see Section 7).
- Watch for the exam city slip and admit card a few days before 20 November 2026.
- Get your LMV driving licence before the physical test date if you want the Delhi Police post. Licences take weeks to issue.
4SSC CPO 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Nationality
Citizen of India, or a subject of Nepal or Bhutan holding a certificate of eligibility issued by the Government of India.
Educational Qualification (Delhi Police SI & CAPF SI GD)
Bachelor's Degree in any discipline from a recognised university. Final-year candidates may apply but must hold the degree on or before the closing date for applications.
Age Limit 2026 (Delhi Police SI & CAPF SI GD)
20 to 25 years as on 1 August 2026, so you must be born between 02.08.2001 and 01.08.2006. Reserved categories get the relaxations in the table below.
SI (Fire) in CISF: new in 2026
Qualification: B.Sc. with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics, OR Matriculation plus a three-year diploma in a specified engineering discipline. Age: 18 to 30 years as on 1 August 2026 (born 02.08.1996 to 01.08.2008). Male candidates only.
Driving Licence (Delhi Police Male)
A valid LMV licence (Motorcycle and Car) is mandatory on the date fixed for the Physical Endurance and Measurement Test. Male candidates without one remain eligible for CAPF posts.
📋 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 | Varies | +3 years after deducting military service from actual age as on the closing date |
| Widows / divorced / judicially separated women — SI Delhi Police only | 35 years | Not remarried |
| Widows / divorced / judicially separated women (SC/ST) — SI Delhi Police only | 40 years | Not remarried |
| Departmental Delhi Police (UR / EWS), 3+ years service | 30 years | Delhi Police vacancies only |
| Departmental Delhi Police (OBC), 3+ years service | 33 years | Delhi Police vacancies only |
| Departmental Delhi Police (SC/ST), 3+ years service | 35 years | Delhi Police vacancies only |
⚠️ Note on PwBD: SSC CPO Sub-Inspector posts do not carry PwBD reservation or PwBD age relaxation — the age-relaxation table in the official notice lists no PwBD category. Do not rely on the generic “PwBD +10 years” rule you may see quoted for other SSC exams.
Age relaxation and ESM reservation are not available to sons, daughters or dependants of Ex-Servicemen. Candidates on the Delhi NCT OBC list who are not on the Central OBC list are treated as OBC for the Delhi Police post only.
Check your eligibility in 30 seconds →5Vacancies & Posts
💡 SSC CPO 2026 has 1,871 tentative vacancies (SSC notice of 10 September 2026). That is fewer than 2025’s 3,073, but Delhi Police SI posts rose from 212 to 317. BSF now has the largest CAPF share, and CISF SI (Fire) is a new post.
| Force / Post | 2026 Vacancies | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Delhi Police – SI (Executive) Male | 205 | Valid LMV driving licence needed by the PE&MT date |
| Delhi Police – SI (Executive) Female | 112 | UR 47 · OBC 30 · SC 16 · ST 8 · EWS 11 |
| BSF – SI (GD) | 457 | 435 male + 22 female — largest CAPF share in 2026 |
| CRPF – SI (GD) | 254 | 225 male + 29 female |
| CISF – SI (GD) | 250 | 200 male + 50 female |
| ITBP – SI (GD) | 187 | 159 male + 28 female |
| SSB – SI (GD) | 172 | 154 male + 18 female |
| CISF – SI (Fire) 🆕 | 234 | New post in 2026 · male only · UR 74 · OBC 75 · SC 52 · ST 16 · EWS 17 |
| TOTAL (SSC CPO 2026) | 1,871 | Delhi Police SI 317 + CAPF SI (GD) 1,320 + CISF SI (Fire) 234 |
Vacancy Trend (Last 4 Cycles)
| 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4,300 | 1,876 | 4,187 | 3,073 | 1,871 |
The 2024 cycle opened with 4,187 posts and was later revised upward to 5,308. The 2025 cycle had 3,073: Delhi Police 212, CISF 1,294, CRPF 1,029, ITBP 233, BSF 223 and SSB 82. The 2026 cycle has 1,871. Vacancy numbers are set by the Ministry of Home Affairs and Delhi Police, not by SSC, so year-to-year swings are large and cannot be predicted.
6Application Fee & How to Apply
💳 Fee Structure
- ₹100 — General, OBC and EWS candidates
- Nil — all women candidates, SC, ST and Ex-Servicemen eligible for reservation
- Payment online only: BHIM UPI, Net Banking, Visa / MasterCard / Maestro / RuPay debit card
- Correction window (2026: 8–10 October 2026): ₹200 for the first correction, ₹500 for the second. Everyone pays, whatever the category
- Fee once paid is never refunded or adjusted
📝 Application Steps
2026 applications closed on 30 September 2026. These steps are for reference and for the next cycle.
- Complete One-Time Registration (OTR) on ssc.gov.in — the old ssc.nic.in OTR does not carry over
- Log in and open the SSC CPO application under Latest Notifications
- Capture a live photograph through the form (no cap, no spectacles, plain background) — uploading a photo of an existing photo leads to rejection
- Upload your signature: JPEG, 10–20 KB, about 6.0 cm × 2.0 cm
- Choose three exam centre preferences in order of priority — no change is allowed later
- Declare NCC certificate and Ex-Servicemen/departmental status if applicable, then pay the fee
Post preference matters more than most people realise. Before the final result, SSC takes your order of preference across every post you are eligible for: Delhi Police, BSF, CISF, CRPF, ITBP and SSB, plus CISF SI (Fire) from 2026 for eligible candidates. The choice is final and irreversible, you are not considered for a force you did not opt for, and once your first available preference is allotted you are out of the running for everything below it. Candidates who miss the preference window are dropped from the final result entirely.
7SSC CPO Exam Pattern 2026 (New)
🆕 Pattern changed in 2026. Paper I is now 100 questions / 100 marks in 60 minutes (earlier 200 / 200 in 2 hours). Paper II is now 160 questions / 320 marks and tests Reasoning, GK and Quant as well as English (earlier English only). Old mocks and previous papers are still useful for topics, but practise timing on the new pattern.
Paper I – Computer Based Test (CBT) | 100 Marks | 60 Minutes
| Subject | Questions | Marks | Sectional Timer |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 25 | 25 | 15 min |
| General Knowledge & General Awareness | 25 | 25 | 15 min |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 25 | 15 min |
| English Comprehension | 25 | 25 | 15 min |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 60 Minutes |
Stage 2 – PST / PET (Physical Standard & Endurance Test)
Mandatory but qualifying in nature — no marks are added to merit. Candidates shortlisted from Paper I are called for the PST (height, chest, weight) and PET (running, jumps, shot put). Failure ends the candidature. Ex-Servicemen are exempt from the PET but must still meet the physical standards and medical standards. See Section 9 for the full standards.
Paper II – Computer Based Test | 320 Marks | 2 Hours
| Subject | Questions | Marks | Sectional Timer |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 20 | 40 | 20 min |
| General Knowledge & General Awareness | 20 | 40 | 20 min |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 20 | 40 | 20 min |
| English Language & Comprehension | 100 | 200 | 60 min |
| Total | 160 | 320 | 2 Hours |
English is the heavyweight: 100 questions for 200 of the 320 marks, with a 60-minute timer. It covers error recognition, fill in the blanks, vocabulary, spellings, grammar, sentence structure, synonyms and antonyms, idioms and comprehension. Reasoning, GK and Quant come back at 20 questions (40 marks) each with 20-minute timers. Many candidates who clear Paper I lose their rank in the English part of this paper.
Stage 4 – Detailed Medical Examination (DME)
Conducted for candidates shortlisted after Paper II, by a Medical Officer of the CAPFs or a Grade-I Assistant Surgeon of a Central/State government hospital. Candidates found unfit undergo a Review Medical Examination, held in continuation of the DME — preferably the next day. The Review Board’s decision is final.
📊 How Final Merit is Calculated
Final selection uses your Paper I and Paper II scores, NCC bonus marks and the post preferences you submit. Under the new 100 + 320 mark structure, the exact weighting of Paper I in the final merit is ⚠️ TBN on this page until we confirm it from the notice, so check the notice on ssc.gov.in. Minimum qualifying marks, before bonus marks, are 30% for UR, 25% for OBC and EWS, and 20% for all other categories, and you need them in both papers. Where an exam runs in multiple shifts, scores are normalised using the procedure SSC published in its notice dated 02.06.2025, and it is the normalised score that decides cut-offs and merit.
- NCC ‘C’ Certificate: 5% of maximum marks (5 in Paper I, 16 in Paper II)
- NCC ‘B’ Certificate: 3% of maximum marks (3 in Paper I, 9.6 in Paper II)
- NCC ‘A’ Certificate: 2% of maximum marks (2 in Paper I, 6.4 in Paper II)
The certificate must be held as on the closing date for applications and produced at Document Verification.
8SSC CPO Syllabus 2026
The four subjects below make up Paper I. Under the 2026 pattern, Paper II tests the same Reasoning, GK and Quant topics (20 questions each) plus a much larger English section (100 questions), covered in the last card.
General Intelligence & Reasoning
- ▸Analogy, Classification, Series (semantic, symbolic, figural)
- ▸Coding-Decoding, Space Orientation & Visualization
- ▸Blood Relations, Syllogistic Reasoning
- ▸Venn Diagrams, Drawing Inferences
- ▸Statement & Conclusions, Problem Solving
- ▸Non-Verbal: Paper folding/cutting, Embedded figures, Mirror images
- ▸Indexing, Address matching, Word Building
General Knowledge & Awareness
- ▸History of India & the World
- ▸Indian Polity & Constitution
- ▸Indian & World Geography
- ▸Economic Scene & Government Schemes
- ▸General Science: Physics, Chemistry, Biology
- ▸Current Affairs (last 6–8 months)
- ▸Scientific Research, Awards, Sports, Culture
Quantitative Aptitude
- ▸Number System, HCF & LCM, Square Roots, Surds
- ▸Percentage, Ratio & Proportion, Partnership, Mixture & Alligation
- ▸Profit & Loss, Discount, Simple & Compound Interest
- ▸Average, Time & Work, Time–Speed–Distance
- ▸Geometry: Triangles, Circles, Chords, Tangents, Quadrilaterals, Polygons
- ▸Mensuration: Prism, Cone, Cylinder, Sphere, Hemisphere, Pyramid
- ▸Trigonometry: Ratios, Identities, Heights & Distances
- ▸Data Interpretation: Histogram, Frequency Polygon, Bar Diagram, Pie Chart
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 of 320 marks)
- ▸Error Recognition and Spotting
- ▸Fill in the Blanks (verbs, prepositions, articles)
- ▸Vocabulary, Spellings, Grammar
- ▸Sentence Structure and Sentence Completion
- ▸Synonyms, Antonyms
- ▸Phrases and Idiomatic use of words
- ▸Reading Comprehension passages
9Physical Test (PET & PST) Standards
Physical Endurance Test (PET) — all posts
| Candidate | Event | Qualifying Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Male | 100 metre race | 16 seconds |
| Male | 1.6 km race | 6.5 minutes |
| Male | Long Jump | 3.65 m (3 chances) |
| Male | High Jump | 1.2 m (3 chances) |
| Male | Shot Put (16 lbs) | 4.5 m (3 chances) |
| Female | 100 metre race | 18 seconds |
| Female | 800 metre race | 4 minutes |
| Female | Long Jump | 2.7 m (3 chances) |
| Female | High Jump | 0.9 m (3 chances) |
Physical Standard Test (PST) — SI in Delhi Police
| Category | Min. Height | Chest (Unexpanded – Expanded) |
|---|---|---|
| Male – all except the two rows below | 170 cm | 80 – 85 cm |
| Male – Hill areas (Garhwal, Kumaon, HP, Gorkhas, Dogras, Marathas, Kashmir Valley, Leh & Ladakh, NE States, Sikkim) | 165 cm | 80 – 85 cm |
| Male – Scheduled Tribes | 162.5 cm | 77 – 82 cm |
| Female – all except the two rows below | 157 cm | Not applicable |
| Female – Hill areas (as listed above) | 155 cm | Not applicable |
| Female – Scheduled Tribes | 154 cm | Not applicable |
Physical Standard Test (PST) — SI in CAPFs
| Category | Min. Height | Chest (Unexpanded – Expanded) |
|---|---|---|
| Male – all except the rows below | 170 cm | 80 – 85 cm |
| Male – Hill areas (Garhwal, Kumaon, HP, Dogras, Marathas, Kashmir Valley, Leh & Ladakh, NE States, Sikkim) | 165 cm | 80 – 85 cm |
| Male – Gorkha candidates | 157 cm | 80 – 85 cm |
| Male – Scheduled Tribes (other than NE States) | 162.5 cm | 77 – 82 cm |
| Male – Scheduled Tribes of North-Eastern States | 157 cm | 77 – 82 cm |
| Female – all except the two rows below | 157 cm | Not applicable |
| Female – Hill areas (as listed above) | 155 cm | Not applicable |
| Female – Scheduled Tribes | 154 cm | Not applicable |
SI (Fire) in CISF: this new post has its own physical standards, so check them in the official notice before the PET/PST. The tables above cover SI in Delhi Police and SI (GD) in CAPFs. Candidates declared not qualified in height or chest may appeal on the spot to the appellate authority present at the PST/PET ground. That decision is final.
10Medical Standards, Tattoo Rules & Training
👁️ Eyesight & Medical
- Distant vision: 6/6 (better eye) and 6/9 (worse eye) — without glasses or any corrective surgery
- Near vision: N6 (better eye) and N9 (worse eye)
- High colour vision required; colour blindness and squint are disqualifying
- No knock knee, flat foot or varicose vein
- Must be in good mental and bodily health, free of any defect likely to interfere with duties
In a right-handed person, the right eye is treated as the better eye, and vice versa.
🖊️ Tattoo Policy
- Content: only religious symbols or figures, and names — as followed in the Indian Army
- Location: traditional sites only — the inner aspect of the left forearm (the non-saluting limb) or the dorsum of the hands
- Size: less than one-quarter of the relevant body part (elbow or hand)
Tattoos outside these limits are a common and avoidable cause of rejection at the medical stage.
🏋️ After selection: seven obstacle events in training
Selection is not the finish line. As part of the training curriculum, finally selected Sub-Inspectors must pass seven obstacle events, failing which they may not be retained in the force: jumping over the vertical board, holding the rope on jumping from the board, Tarzan swing, jumping on the horizontal board, parallel rope, monkey crawl and vertical rope. Appointment also carries a two-year probation.
11Salary, Benefits & Career Growth
💰 In-Hand Salary at Entry (basic ₹35,400 + DA 60%)
| Posting City Class | HRA | Transport Allowance | Approx. Gross | Approx. In-Hand |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| X Class (metro — Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune, Ahmedabad) | 30% = ₹10,620 | ₹3,600 + DA | ≈ ₹73,000 | ≈ ₹66,000 |
| Y Class (larger cities — Lucknow, Jaipur, Patna, Bhopal, Indore, etc.) | 20% = ₹7,080 | ₹1,800 + DA | ≈ ₹66,600 | ≈ ₹60,000 |
| Z Class (all other cities and towns) | 10% = ₹3,540 | ₹1,800 + DA | ≈ ₹63,000 | ≈ ₹56,500 |
| CAPF field / border posting (government quarters allotted) | Not payable | ₹1,800 + DA | ≈ ₹59,500 + ration money | ≈ ₹54,000 + field allowances |
* Calculated on 7th CPC Pay Level 6 with Dearness Allowance at 60% (effective 1 January 2026) = ₹21,240 on the entry basic of ₹35,400. HRA is 30% / 20% / 10% of basic for X / Y / Z cities — these are the enhanced rates that apply because DA has crossed 50%. In-hand is gross less NPS (10% of basic + DA), CGHS and CGEGIS. CAPF field postings add ration money (roughly ₹3,000–₹5,000/month) and hardship or field allowances. The 8th Pay Commission was constituted in November 2025 and its report is expected around mid-2027 — it is not implemented, so no 8th CPC figures apply yet. Figures here are estimates; the exact amount depends on your posting, DA revisions and joining date.
Career Progression Ladder
Promotion timelines differ between Delhi Police and each CAPF, and depend on vacancies, departmental exams and service records.
124-Month Study Plan for SSC CPO
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: begin daily running; add sprint drills for the 100 m
Month 2 – Core Topics
- ✓QA: advance to geometry, trigonometry, mensuration
- ✓Reasoning: matrix, Venn diagrams, seating arrangement
- ✓GK: Polity (NCERT), Economy basics, Science facts
- ✓English: grammar rules, reading comprehension, cloze tests
- ✓Physical: target 1.6 km under 6.5 min; start long jump, high jump and shot put
Month 3 – Revision & Mocks
- ✓Solve 2 full-length SSC CPO mock tests per week on the new 2026 pattern (timed)
- ✓Analyse error patterns; revise weak topics aggressively
- ✓GK: current affairs from the last 6–8 months, from trusted sources
- ✓English Paper II: 3 comprehension passages + cloze tests/day
- ✓Physical: maintain 1.6 km pace; practise shot put technique weekly
Month 4 – PYQs + Final Prep
- ✓Solve 5 years of SSC CPO previous year papers (Paper I & II)
- ✓Identify high-weightage topics and do a final 3-round revision
- ✓Current affairs: last 3 months daily revision capsule
- ✓Speed drills: 25 QA questions in 15 minutes daily (new Paper I sectional timer)
- ✓Physical: peak conditioning — timed runs, jump and shot put drills
13Best Books for SSC CPO
| Book | Author | Subject |
|---|---|---|
| Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations | R.S. Aggarwal (S. Chand) | Quantitative Aptitude |
| Fast Track Objective Arithmetic | Rajesh Verma (Arihant) | Quantitative Aptitude |
| A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning | R.S. Aggarwal (S. Chand) | Reasoning |
| Analytical Reasoning | M.K. Pandey (BSC Publishing) | Reasoning |
| Lucent's General Knowledge | Lucent Publications | General Knowledge |
| Objective General English | S.P. Bakshi (Arihant) | English (Paper I) |
| Plinth to Paramount | Neetu Singh (KD Publications) | English (Paper II) |
| SSC CPO Sub-Inspector Solved Papers | Arihant / Kiran Prakashan | Previous Year Papers |
Books are suggested on merit only. No publisher pays us to recommend a title.
14Expert Preparation Tips
Master the New Sectional Timers
Paper I now gives you 15 minutes for each 25-question section. Paper II gives 20 minutes each for Reasoning, GK and Quant, and 60 minutes for the 100 English questions. You cannot come back to a section once its time is up. Practise section-wise timed mocks on the new pattern from Day 1.
Train for the Right Events
The male endurance run is 1.6 km in 6.5 minutes — not 5 km. Shot put with a 16 lb ball over 4.5 m is a compulsory male event and is the one most aspirants never practise until it is too late. Female candidates need 800 m in 4 minutes and a 100 m sprint in 18 seconds.
English Decides Paper II
English carries 200 of the 320 marks in Paper II, more than the other three sections combined. Thirty to forty minutes of daily reading comprehension and grammar practice is what separates a selection from a near miss.
Current Affairs: Consistent Over Intensive
GK and current affairs appear in both papers (25 marks in Paper I, 40 in Paper II). Read one reliable daily source. Leaving it for revision week does not work — the syllabus explicitly covers everyday observation and scientific awareness, which cannot be crammed.
Use Negative Marking Strategically
Paper I deducts 0.25 per wrong answer (1 mark per question) and Paper II deducts 0.50 (2 marks per question), the same one-quarter penalty. If you can eliminate two of four options, attempting is still mathematically favourable. For pure guesses, skip — under a sectional timer, a guessed question also costs you the time to read it.
Use the Correction Window, then Lock In
If anything in your 2026 form is wrong (category, NCC certificate, post preferences or exam centres), fix it during the 8–10 October 2026 correction window. After that, nothing can be changed. For the next cycle, keep your One-Time Registration on ssc.gov.in ready so you can apply on day one.
15Frequently Asked Questions – SSC CPO 2026
Has the SSC CPO 2026 notification been released? Can I still apply?
Yes, the notification was released on 10 September 2026. The online form was open from 10 to 30 September 2026 (11 PM), and the last date for online fee payment was 1 October 2026. Applications are now closed. Candidates who have already applied can edit their form in the correction window from 8 to 10 October 2026 (11 PM). SSC charges ₹200 for the first correction and ₹500 for the second, whatever your category.
What is the SSC CPO 2026 exam date (Delhi Police SI exam date)?
Paper I (Computer Based Examination) of SSC CPO 2026 is scheduled for 20 to 28 November 2026, as per the SSC notice issued on 1 October 2026. The exam city slip and admit card usually come out a few days before your exam date. PET/PST, Paper II and the medical exam dates are still To Be Notified (TBN).
How many Delhi Police Sub Inspector vacancies are there in SSC CPO?
SSC CPO 2026 has 317 Delhi Police Sub-Inspector (Executive) vacancies: 205 for male candidates and 112 for female candidates. The female posts split as UR 47, OBC 30, SC 16, ST 8 and EWS 11. The full exam has 1,871 tentative vacancies. The other posts are 1,320 SI (GD) in the CAPFs (BSF 457, CRPF 254, CISF 250, ITBP 187, SSB 172) and 234 SI (Fire) in CISF. For comparison, 2025 had 212 Delhi Police SI posts out of 3,073.
What is the educational qualification for SSC CPO?
Candidates must hold a Bachelor's Degree in any discipline from a recognised university. Those appearing in the final year may also apply, but must possess the degree on or before the closing date for applications. For Sub-Inspector (Executive) in Delhi Police, male candidates must additionally hold a valid Driving Licence for LMV (Motorcycle and Car) on the date fixed for the Physical Endurance and Measurement Test. Male candidates without an LMV licence remain eligible for CAPF posts only.
What is the age limit for SSC CPO 2026?
The age limit is 20 to 25 years as on 1 August 2026, so you must be born between 02.08.2001 and 01.08.2006. The new SI (Fire) post in CISF has a wider limit of 18 to 30 years (born between 02.08.1996 and 01.08.2008). Age relaxation: SC/ST +5 years, OBC +3 years, and Ex-Servicemen +3 years after deducting military service from actual age. For SI in Delhi Police, widows, divorced women and women judicially separated and not remarried are eligible up to 35 years (40 years for SC/ST). Departmental Delhi Police candidates with 3+ years of service are eligible up to 30 years (33 for OBC, 35 for SC/ST). SSC does not provide PwBD age relaxation or reservation for these posts.
What are the stages of the SSC CPO selection process?
There are four stages. (1) Paper I is a CBT with 100 questions for 100 marks in 60 minutes, in four 15-minute timed sections. This is the new pattern from 2026. (2) PET/PST, the Physical Endurance and Physical Standard Tests, is qualifying only. (3) Paper II has 160 questions for 320 marks in 2 hours: Reasoning, GK and Quant carry 20 questions (40 marks, 20 minutes) each, and English has 100 questions (200 marks, 60 minutes). (4) Detailed Medical Examination, followed by Document Verification. Check the notice on ssc.gov.in for exactly how Paper I and Paper II marks combine in the final merit.
What is the minimum qualifying mark in SSC CPO Paper I and Paper II?
As per the SSC notice, the minimum qualifying marks (before NCC bonus marks are added) are 30% for Unreserved candidates, 25% for OBC and EWS candidates, and 20% for all other categories. Meeting the minimum is only the floor — the actual cut-off for shortlisting is set separately by the Commission based on category-wise vacancies and candidate numbers, and is normally far higher.
What is the SSC CPO salary per month in 2026?
Sub-Inspectors are placed at Pay Level 6 of the 7th Pay Commission — basic pay ₹35,400 rising to ₹1,12,400. With Dearness Allowance at 60% (effective 1 January 2026), HRA at 30%/20%/10% for X/Y/Z cities, and Transport Allowance with DA on it, gross pay works out to roughly ₹73,000 in a metro, ₹66,600 in a Y-class city and ₹63,000 in a Z-class city. In-hand is roughly ₹6,000–₹6,500 lower after NPS (10% of basic + DA), CGHS and CGEGIS deductions. CAPF personnel in government quarters draw no HRA but receive ration money and field/hardship allowances instead.
Is there negative marking in SSC CPO Paper I and Paper II?
Yes. In Paper I, each question carries 1 mark and you lose 0.25 for every wrong answer. In Paper II, each question carries 2 marks and you lose 0.50 for every wrong answer. That is the same one-quarter penalty. Unattempted questions carry no penalty. Every section of both papers has its own timer and you cannot go back once it expires, so blind guessing under time pressure is the most common way candidates lose marks.
What is the new SI (Fire) post in CISF in SSC CPO 2026?
From the 2026 cycle, SSC CPO also recruits Sub-Inspector (Fire) in CISF, with 234 male-only vacancies (UR 74, OBC 75, SC 52, ST 16, EWS 17). The qualification differs from other SI posts. You need either a B.Sc. with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics, or Matriculation plus a three-year diploma in a specified engineering discipline. The age limit is 18 to 30 years as on 1 August 2026. Read the official notice for the full list of accepted diplomas and the physical standards for this post.
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) in all five CAPFs. Separate physical standards apply — a lower minimum height and no chest measurement. The female PET is a 100 m race in 18 seconds, an 800 m race in 4 minutes, a 2.7 m long jump and a 0.9 m high jump; shot put does not apply to female candidates. Women candidates are also exempt from the ₹100 application fee, and must submit a pregnancy self-declaration before the PST/PET.
Are tattoos allowed in SSC CPO?
Only within limits. As per the SSC notice, tattoos depicting religious symbols or figures and names (as followed in the Indian Army) are permitted. They must be located on traditional sites of the body — the inner aspect of the left forearm only, being the non-saluting limb, or the dorsum of the hands. The size must be less than one-quarter of the relevant body part. Tattoos outside these content, location and size limits can lead to rejection at the medical stage.
Disclaimer: This page is compiled from the Staff Selection Commission’s published notices and official sources, and is provided for guidance only. Recruitment details can change without notice. Always read the official notification PDF on ssc.gov.in before applying or making any decision. Salary figures use the 7th CPC Pay Level 6 with DA at 60% (w.e.f. 1 January 2026). Anything not yet confirmed by SSC is marked TBN. TaiyarHo.in is not affiliated with SSC, Delhi Police or any Central Armed Police Force. Last updated: 4 October 2026.
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