What Do You Need for SSC CPO?
SSC CPO 2026 at a Glance
The Sub-Inspector exam recruits graduates to Delhi Police and the Central Armed Police Forces — BSF, CISF, CRPF, ITBP and SSB.
* As reported. Fee exempt: women, SC, ST and eligible ex-servicemen. Always confirm details on ssc.gov.in.
SSC CPO 2026 Vacancies
All posts are at Pay Level 6 (₹35,400–1,12,400).
| Post | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| SI (Executive), Delhi Police | 205 | 112 | 317 |
| SI (GD), CAPFs | 1,173 | 147 | 1,320 |
| SI (Fire), CISF | 234 | — | 234 |
| Total | 1,612 | 259 | 1,871 |
Tentative vacancies as reported from the notification; final numbers may change.
Who Is Eligible for SSC CPO 2026?
1. Age
20–25 years on 1 August 2026 (born 2 August 2001 to 1 August 2006). CISF SI (Fire): 18–30 years.
2. Qualification
Bachelor’s degree in any subject. CISF SI (Fire): B.Sc. with Physics, Chemistry and Maths, or an equivalent qualification as notified.
3. Driving licence
Male candidates for Delhi Police SI need a valid LMV licence by the date of the PET/PST.
4. Age relaxation
5 years for SC/ST, 3 years for OBC, and other relaxations as per rules.
Selection Process
Four stages, in this order.
Paper 1
Computer-based screening test in four subjects.
PET and PST
Physical tests — qualifying only.
Paper 2
Computer-based test, with English as the largest part.
Medical exam
Detailed medical examination, then document verification and allocation.
Minimum qualifying marks in recent notifications: 30% UR, 25% OBC/EWS, 20% others.
Paper 1 Pattern (2026)
100 questions in 60 minutes, with a 15-minute timer for each section. 0.25 marks deducted for each wrong answer.
| Section | Qs | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 25 | 25 | 15 min |
| General Knowledge & Awareness | 25 | 25 | 15 min |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 25 | 15 min |
| English Comprehension | 25 | 25 | 15 min |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 60 min |
Revised pattern as reported for 2026 (earlier: 200 questions in 2 hours).
Paper 2 Pattern (2026)
For candidates who pass the physical tests. 2 marks per question, 0.50 deducted for each wrong answer.
| Section | Qs | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 20 | 40 | 20 min |
| General Knowledge & Awareness | 20 | 40 | 20 min |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 20 | 40 | 20 min |
| English Language & Comprehension | 100 | 200 | 60 min |
| Total | 160 | 320 | 2 h |
Revised pattern as reported for 2026 (earlier: English only). Confirm in the official notification.
Physical Tests (PET and PST) Qualifying
Standards for general-category candidates, from recent notifications.
| Test | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 170 cm | 157 cm |
| Chest | 80 cm (+5 cm expansion) | — |
| 100 m race | 16 sec | 18 sec |
| Long race | 1.6 km in 6.5 min | 800 m in 4 min |
| Long jump | 3.65 m | 2.7 m |
| High jump | 1.2 m | 0.9 m |
| Shot put (16 lb) | 4.5 m | — |
Jumps and shot put: three chances each. Height relaxed for hill-area and ST candidates. Check the notification for full standards.
SSC CPO Syllabus
The same four subjects appear in both papers. Tap a subject to see its topics.
General Intelligence & ReasoningPaper 1 · Paper 2
- Analogy, classification and series
- Coding-decoding
- Blood relations and directions
- Syllogism and statements
- Venn diagrams
- Non-verbal reasoning — figures, mirror images
- Puzzles and arrangements
General Knowledge & AwarenessPaper 1 · Paper 2
- Current affairs
- History and culture
- Geography
- Indian polity and Constitution
- Economy
- General science
- Security, defence and police-related awareness
Quantitative AptitudePaper 1 · Paper 2
- Number system, HCF and LCM
- Percentage, ratio, averages
- Profit and loss, interest
- Time and work, time and distance
- Algebra and geometry
- Mensuration and trigonometry
- Data interpretation
English ComprehensionPaper 1 · Paper 2 (major)
- Reading comprehension
- Error spotting and sentence improvement
- Fill in the blanks
- Synonyms, antonyms and one-word substitution
- Idioms and phrases
- Active/passive and direct/indirect speech
- Cloze test and para jumbles
Free SSC CPO Study Material
Notes, practice questions and a physical-test training plan.
These resources are being added subject by subject. Pages marked “Coming soon” are not published yet.
Reasoning
Verbal and non-verbal reasoning practice.
Coming soon →General Awareness
Static GK, science and current affairs.
Coming soon →Quantitative Aptitude
Arithmetic and advanced maths.
Coming soon →English Comprehension
Grammar, vocabulary and reading — key for Paper 2.
Coming soon →PET Training Plan
A week-by-week plan for running, jumps and shot put.
Coming soon →SSC CPO Mock Tests
Full-length tests in the 2026 pattern with sectional timers and negative marking.
Under development. The mock tests below are planned and will open here when ready.
Paper 1 Full Mock
Paper 2 Full Mock
Sectional Tests
English Practice Sets
SSC CPO Previous-Year Papers
Shift-wise papers with answer keys and solutions.
Coming soon. Note: papers before 2026 follow the older pattern.
How to Prepare for SSC CPO
Written papers and fitness need equal attention.
Practise with timers
Each section now has a fixed time — practise finishing 25 questions in 15 minutes.
Make English strong
English carries 200 of Paper 2’s 320 marks.
Train physically early
Start running and jump practice months before the PET.
Read news daily
Follow current affairs and revise static GK regularly.
Take weekly mocks
Attempt full mocks and analyse every mistake.
Keep documents ready
Degree, category certificates and, for Delhi Police (male), the LMV licence.
SSC CPO 2026 Dates
Applications ran from 10 to 30 September 2026; corrections were 8–10 October 2026. Paper 1 is reported for 20–28 November 2026. Always check the official website.
SSC CPO FAQs
What is SSC CPO?
The Sub-Inspector in Delhi Police and Central Armed Police Forces examination (commonly called SSC CPO) is held by the Staff Selection Commission to recruit graduates as Sub-Inspectors. Official information is on ssc.gov.in.
What is the age limit for SSC CPO 2026?
20–25 years on 1 August 2026 (born between 2 August 2001 and 1 August 2006) for most posts, and 18–30 years for CISF SI (Fire), as reported. Relaxation: 5 years SC/ST, 3 years OBC, and others as per rules.
Is a driving licence required?
Yes, for male candidates applying to Delhi Police SI (Executive): a valid Light Motor Vehicle (LMV) licence is needed by the date of the physical test.
What changed in the 2026 pattern?
As reported, Paper 1 is now 100 questions in 1 hour (earlier 200 in 2 hours), and Paper 2 now has reasoning, GK and quantitative aptitude along with English, with 0.50 negative marking.
Are the physical tests qualifying?
Yes. PET and PST are qualifying only. Candidates who qualify Paper 1 are called for the physical tests, and those who pass them sit Paper 2.
Do NCC certificate holders get bonus marks?
Yes, as per recent notifications: 5% of maximum marks for NCC ‘C’, 3% for ‘B’ and 2% for ‘A’ certificate holders, added after qualifying.