SSC CPO 2026 Complete Guide: Notification, Eligibility, Selection Process, Exam Pattern and more

As SSC is about to release the notification for the SSC CPO 2026 exam paper 1, we provide you with a comprehensive exam blog that contains important details like important exam dates, eligibilitty conditions, exam pattern, syllabus, salary structure, etc. 

Introduction: 

Staff Selection Commission (SSC) conducts a national-level exam for the recruitment of potential candidates for the posts of Sub-Inspector in Delhi Police and Central Police Reserve Forces. The SSC will release notification for the SSC CPO exam 2026 on 30th May, 2026. 

The following blog provides a comprehensive overview of the SSC CPO exam, providing details such as important dates, exam patterns , eligibility conditions and much more in order to enable you to form effective exam preparation strategy and streamline your preparation in efficicient ways: 

SSC CPO 2026 Important Details 

Steps to Apply: 

• Visit the official website of SSC, i.e.  www.ssc.gov.in. 

• Click on “Register Now’ and register with your name, date of birth, mobile no., E-mail Id, etc. 

• After registration, login with your registered credentials. 

• Go to “Examinations/Apply”

• Fill personal and educational details and upload required documents such as photo, ID proof, signature

• Pay the application fees and preview the application 

• Submit the application and save the application for future references

Eligibility Criteria: 

Educational Qualification: 

• Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized university 

• For the post of Sub Inspector in Delhi Police, male candidates must possess valid driving licence as on the date fixed for Physical Endurance and Standard Test

Nationality:

• A candidate must either be: 

i) Citizen of India, or 

ii) Subject of Nepal, or 

iii) Subject of Bhutan 

• Candidates belonging to category 2 or 3 must be persons in whose favour a certificate of eligibility has been issued by the Government of India 

• A candidate for whom the certificate of eligibility is necessary will be admitted for the examination but the offer of appointment will only be given after the certificate of eligibility is issued by the Government of India

SSC CPO Age Limit: 

The age limit for each social category is provided in the following table: 

SSC CPO Selection Process: 

The SSC CPO selection process involves three stages, i.e. i) Paper 1, 

 ii) PET/PST  iii) Paper 2 . 

i) Paper 1: This section involves General Intelligence and Reasoning, General Knowledge and General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude and English Comprehension. The duration of the exam is 2 hours and total marks is 200 marks

ii) PET/ PST - This stage involves testing of a candidate’s physical fitness in accordance with the medical benchmarks provided by SSC 

iii) Paper 2: This stage involves English Language and Comprehension. The duration of the exam is 2 hours and total marks is 200 marks

iv) Medical Examination: This stage involves medical examination of candidates who have passed paper 2

The final merit is calculated on the basis of the combined performance in Paper 1 and 2 only. PET/PST and Medical Examination are only qualifying in nature. 

SSC CPO Exam Pattern: 

The exam pattern of the SSC CPO paper 1  is given as follows: 

The exam pattern of SSC CPO Paper 2 is as follows: 

SSC CPO Exam PST Requirements: 

The following table provides details about the Physical Standard Test benchmarks for candidates belonging to different social categories: 

SSC CPO PET Requirements: 

The following table provides details about the  SSC CPO Physical Endurance Test (PET) benchmarks for male and female candidates: 

SSC CPO Medical Examination Requirements: 

Candidates who have qualified SSC CPO PET/PST are required to undergo a Detailed Medical Examination (DME). Following conditions have to be fulfilled for successfully qualifying the medical examinations: 

• Vision should be 6/6 and 6/9 without glasses 

• No knock knees, flat foot, varicose veins 

• Good mental and physical health 

• Normal color vision 

• Medical Fitness  

SSC CPO Syllabus: 

The syllabus for the SSC CPO exam  is as follows: 

i) General reasoning and intelligence

1. Verbal reasoning 

2. Syllogism 

3. Circular Seating Arrangement 

4. Linear Seating Arrangement 

5. Double Lineup 

6. Scheduling 

7. Input Output 

8. Blood Relations 

9. Directions and Distances

10. Ordering and ranking 

11. Data Sufficiency 

12. Coding and Decoding 

13. Code Inequalities  

ii) General Knowledge 

1. Current Affairs 

2. Awards and Honours 

3. Sports 

4. Entertainment 

5. Books and Authors 

6. Obituaries 

7. Important Dates 

8. Scientific Research 

iv) Quantitative Aptitude 

1. Ratio & Percentage 

2. Data Interpretation 

3. Mensuration and Geometry 

4. Interest 

5. Quadratic Equation 

6. Problems of Ages 

7. Profit and Loss 

8. Number Series 

9. Speed, Distance and Time 

10. Time and Work 

11. Data Sufficiency 

v) English Comprehension 

1. Reading Comprehension 

2. Grammar 

3. Vocabulary 

4. Verbal Ability 

5. Synonyms & Antonyms 

6. Active & Passive Voice 

7. Para Jumbles 

8. Error Correction 

SSC CPO 2026 Vacancy: 

The SSC CPO 2026 vacancies for Sub-Inspector (Executive) and Sub-Inspector (General Duty) in Delhi Police and Central Reserve Police Forces will be released by Staff Selection Commission (SSC) along with the notification on 30th May, 2026. Candidates are requested to keep checking the official website for further updates. 

SSC CPO Salary Structure: 

The following table provides the salary scale for Sub-Inspectors in Delhi Police and in CAPFs: 

SSC CPO 2026 Admit Card: 

The admit cards for the SSC CPO exam usually releases one week before the exam. Follow the steps given below to download the admit card: 

• Visit the official website of SSC, i.e. www.ssc.gov.in. 

• On the homepage, click on the “Admit Card” option at the top. 

• Select your respective region, and you will be redirected to the regional SSC website 

• Find the link for SSC CPO admit card or “Status/Download Admit Card for Sub-inspector in Delhi Police and CAPFs examination” 

• Enter registration number or roll number and date birth or password 

• Click on Submit button 

• The admit card will appear on your screen. Download it and save it carefully for future references 
  

Top Recommended Books: 

Disha Publication offers a range of SSC CPO preparation materials encompassing subjects such as Mathematics, General Awareness, Reasoning Ability and English Comprehension. 

Curated by top study experts and packed with errorless PYQs and mock tests, books by Disha Publication are tailored towards boosting an aspirant’s preparation and guiding them towards securing desirable scores and prestigious positions in the Delhi Police and CRPFs. 

FAQs 

Q1. When will the SSC CPO 2026 notification be released?

Ans. The expected date for the release of SSC CPO 2026 exam notification is 30th May, 2026. Candidates are advised to regularly check the official website for exam details and updates. 

Q2. What is the age limit for SSC CPO 2026?

Ans. The minimum qualification age is 20 years, and the maximum qualification age is 25 years for general category candidates. Specific age relaxations are provided for reserved social categories as per government rules. 

Q3. Can female candidates apply for SSC CPO?

Ans. Yes, both male and female candidates are eligible to apply for SSC CPO exam. Separate benchmarks for the PET/PST stage are prescribed for both female and male candidates. 

Q4. Which posts are offered through SSC CPO exam?

Ans. SSC CPO exams offer posts of sub-inspector (executive) and sub-inspector (GD) in other CAPFs such as CISF, BSF, ITBP and SSB. 

Q5. What is the salary of an SSC CPO sub-inspector?

Ans. The salary of a CPO sub-inspector generally ranges from Rs 35,400 to 112,400 for Group “C” non-gazetted officers and Group “B” non-gazetted officers. 

Q6. Which books are best for SSC CPO preparation?

Ans. Books that are equipped with errorless mock tests and PYQs, provide concept-driven content and have a topic-wise division of chapters are ideal for SSC CPO preparation. Disha Publication offers books that contain all the above features.