SSC CPO SI 2026 — Complete Exam Guide (Delhi Police & CRPF)

SSC CPO (Central Police Organizations) recruits Sub-Inspectors for Delhi Police and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) — BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, SSB. It's a prestigious exam offering one of the best police officer jobs with salary, stability, and career growth.

Conducting Body: Staff Selection Commission (SSC)
Notification expected: September–October 2026

Organizations and Posts Under SSC CPO

Eligibility — SSC CPO 2026

Selection Process — 4 Stages

1. Paper I — Computer Based Test (CBT)
2. PST (Physical Standard Test) — Height + chest measurement
3. PET (Physical Efficiency Test) — Running + long jump
4. Paper II — CBT
5. Medical Examination
6. DV (Document Verification)

Paper I Pattern (CBT)

• Duration: 2 hours
• Negative marking: 0.25 per wrong answer
• Merit from Paper I + Paper II combined

Paper II Pattern

• Duration: 2 hours
• No negative marking in Paper II
• Only qualifying — Paper I + Paper II marks combined for merit

Physical Efficiency Test (PET)

PET is qualifying only — no extra marks.

Syllabus — Key Areas

General Intelligence & Reasoning:

Classification, Series, Analogies, Coding-decoding, Blood relations, Direction test, Syllogism, Venn diagrams, Matrix, Nonverbal (pattern-based)

Quantitative Aptitude:

Number system, Percentage, Profit-Loss, SI/CI, Trigonometry, Geometry, Time-Work, Time-Distance, Data Interpretation

General Knowledge:

History, Polity, Geography, Economy, Science & Technology, Current Affairs (6 months), Defence/police related GK, Indian constitution, Important government schemes

English Comprehension (Paper II):

Reading comprehension, Cloze test, Para jumbles, Error detection, Sentence correction, Fill in the blanks, Vocabulary (synonyms, antonyms, idioms)

SSC CPO Salary 2026 (Level 6)

Additional benefits:

• Delhi Police: Delhi housing (police quarters), uniform allowance
• CAPFs: Free ration during duty, accommodation, medical, LTC
• Risk allowance
• Pension under NPS

Expected Cut-Off 2025 (Reference)

Preparation Strategy (4 Months)

Month 1: Reasoning + GK

• Reasoning: Complete all major topics (syllogism, classification, coding — 30Q daily)
• GK: Indian history, polity, geography (NCERT class 9–12)

Month 2: Quant + English

• Quant: Data interpretation (high marks), percentage, trigonometry
• English: Grammar foundation + daily editorial reading

Month 3: Paper II English Focus

• English Paper II — 200 questions: Practice comprehension sets daily
• Vocabulary: 30 words daily + idioms + one-word substitution
• Mock Paper II: Complete in 1:45 minutes target

Month 4: Mocks + Physical

• 2 full mocks (Paper I + II together) per week
• Physical: 1.6 km run daily (target 6 minutes), long jump practice
• Current affairs: Last 6 months intensive

Frequently Asked Questions

SSC CPO vs UPSC CAPF (AC) — which is better? SSC CPO: Sub-Inspector (directly commissioned). UPSC CAPF AC: Assistant Commandant (officer above SI). CAPF AC is higher rank with better salary and faster promotion. But CAPF AC is much harder (UPSC exam + interview). For graduates who clear SSC: CPO first, then prepare for CAPF AC simultaneously.

Delhi Police SI vs CRPF/BSF SI — which is better posting? Delhi Police: Same city (Delhi), non-field posting mostly, no fencing duty. CRPF/BSF/CISF: Paramilitary duties, postings in difficult areas, border/counter-insurgency. Delhi Police is generally preferred for stable city life.

SSC CPO — is physical fitness tested after Paper I only? PET + PST are conducted after Paper I qualifying. Medical is after Paper II. So: Clear Paper I → Appear for PST/PET → Clear Paper II → Medical.

Female candidates — what are the physical requirements for SSC CPO? Height 157 cm (General). Weight: Proportionate to height. Running: 800m in 4 minutes. Long jump: 2.7 metres. High jump: 0.9 metres. No chest measurement. Separate female vacancies in Delhi Police and CAPFs.

Can 12th-pass candidates apply for SSC CPO? No — SSC CPO requires graduate degree (any discipline). 12th-pass candidates: Apply for SSC GD Constable (the level below SI). Complete graduation first, then appear for SSC CPO.