SSC CPO: syllabus, exam pattern & eligibility
Staff Selection Commission Sub-Inspector in Delhi Police and Central Armed Police Forces Examination (CPO). Recruitment of Sub-Inspector (Executive) in Delhi Police, Sub-Inspector (GD) in the CAPFs (BSF, CISF, CRPF, ITBP, SSB) and Sub-Inspector (Fire) in CISF, all at Pay Level-6 (Rs 35,400-1,12,400).
- Category
- SSC
- Conducted by
- Staff Selection Commission (SSC), Government of India
- Level
- Recruitment
- Frequency
- Once a year
- Mode
- CBT (Paper-I and Paper-II) plus physical (PST/PET) and medical stages
- Languages
- English, Hindi
- Application fee
- Rs 100; women, SC, ST and Ex-Servicemen eligible for reservation are exempt (2026 notice). Correction charges: Rs 200 first time, Rs 500 second time, for all candidates.
Eligibility
- Education: Bachelor's degree from a recognised university or equivalent, held on or before the closing date of applications (30-09-2026). SI (Fire) in CISF: Bachelor's in science with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics, or Matriculation plus a 3-year engineering diploma (Mechanical, Civil, Electrical, Automobile, Chemical, Mining, Aeronautical, Telecommunication). Delhi Police male candidates also need a valid LMV (motorcycle and car) driving licence on the PET date.
- Age: As on 01-08-2026: 20-25 years (born 02-08-2001 to 01-08-2006); SI (Fire) CISF 18-30 years. Relaxation: SC/ST 5 years, OBC 3 years, ESM 3 years after deducting military service; Delhi Police posts: widows/divorced women 35 (SC/ST 40); Delhi Police departmental candidates (3 years' service) 30 (OBC 33, SC/ST 35).
- Nationality: Citizen of India, or subject of Nepal or Bhutan (certificate of eligibility from Government of India needed).
Exam pattern
Paper-I
60 min · 100 questions · 100 marks
- Part I: General Intelligence and Reasoning: 25 questions, 25 marks
- Part II: General Knowledge and General Awareness: 25 questions, 25 marks
- Part III: Quantitative Aptitude: 25 questions, 25 marks
- Part IV: English Comprehension: 25 questions, 25 marks
Paper-II
120 min · 160 questions · 320 marks
- Part I: General Intelligence and Reasoning: 20 questions, 40 marks
- Part II: General Knowledge and General Awareness: 20 questions, 40 marks
- Part III: Quantitative Aptitude: 20 questions, 40 marks
- Part IV: English Comprehension: 100 questions, 200 marks
PST / PET (qualifying, no marks)
Detailed Medical Examination (qualifying, no marks)
Syllabus
General Intelligence and Reasoning
Verbal and non-verbal reasoning (Paper-I and Paper-II)
General Knowledge and General Awareness
General awareness (Paper-I and Paper-II)
Quantitative Aptitude
Number system and arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Mensuration, Trigonometry, Statistical charts
English Comprehension
English language (Paper-I and Paper-II)
Important dates (2024 (last finished cycle))
- Notice published, applications open: 2024-03-04
- Applications close: 2024-03-28
- Result of PET/PST (shortlist for Paper-II): 2025-02-03
- Paper-II: 2025-03-08
- Result of Paper-II (shortlist for medical): 2025-08-08
- Final result: 2025-10-20
- Revised final result: 2025-11-26
Selection process
Paper-I (shortlisting, category-wise cut-offs) -> PST/PET (qualifying) -> Paper-II (shortlisting for medical; also the merit paper) -> DME/RME (qualifying) and Document Verification. Final selection and allotment of post/force is by Paper-II marks (with NCC bonus) and the candidate's post/force preferences, collected online after the Paper-II result; preferences are final. Ties: Paper-II total, then Paper-II English marks, then older date of birth, then alphabetical order.
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Frequently asked questions
What is SSC CPO?
SSC CPO stands for Staff Selection Commission Sub-Inspector in Delhi Police and Central Armed Police Forces Examination (CPO). Recruitment of Sub-Inspector (Executive) in Delhi Police, Sub-Inspector (GD) in the CAPFs (BSF, CISF, CRPF, ITBP, SSB) and Sub-Inspector (Fire) in CISF, all at Pay Level-6 (Rs 35,400-1,12,400). It is conducted by Staff Selection Commission (SSC), Government of India. Level: Recruitment.
Who is eligible for SSC CPO?
Education: Bachelor's degree from a recognised university or equivalent, held on or before the closing date of applications (30-09-2026). SI (Fire) in CISF: Bachelor's in science with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics, or Matriculation plus a 3-year engineering diploma (Mechanical, Civil, Electrical, Automobile, Chemical, Mining, Aeronautical, Telecommunication). Delhi Police male candidates also need a valid LMV (motorcycle and car) driving licence on the PET date. Age limit: As on 01-08-2026: 20-25 years (born 02-08-2001 to 01-08-2006); SI (Fire) CISF 18-30 years. Relaxation: SC/ST 5 years, OBC 3 years, ESM 3 years after deducting military service; Delhi Police posts: widows/divorced women 35 (SC/ST 40); Delhi Police departmental candidates (3 years' service) 30 (OBC 33, SC/ST 35). Nationality: Citizen of India, or subject of Nepal or Bhutan (certificate of eligibility from Government of India needed).
What is the exam pattern of SSC CPO?
Paper-I: 60 minutes, 100 questions, 100 marks. Paper-II: 120 minutes, 160 questions, 320 marks. Mode: CBT (Paper-I and Paper-II) plus physical (PST/PET) and medical stages.
How often is SSC CPO held?
Once a year.
When is SSC CPO held?
2024 (last finished cycle) cycle: Notice published, applications open 2024-03-04; Applications close 2024-03-28; Result of PET/PST (shortlist for Paper-II) 2025-02-03; Paper-II 2025-03-08; Result of Paper-II (shortlist for medical) 2025-08-08; Final result 2025-10-20.
How are candidates selected through SSC CPO?
Paper-I (shortlisting, category-wise cut-offs) -> PST/PET (qualifying) -> Paper-II (shortlisting for medical; also the merit paper) -> DME/RME (qualifying) and Document Verification. Final selection and allotment of post/force is by Paper-II marks (with NCC bonus) and the candidate's post/force preferences, collected online after the Paper-II result; preferences are final. Ties: Paper-II total, then Paper-II English marks, then older date of birth, then alphabetical order.
What is the application fee for SSC CPO?
Rs 100; women, SC, ST and Ex-Servicemen eligible for reservation are exempt (2026 notice). Correction charges: Rs 200 first time, Rs 500 second time, for all candidates.
Compiled from public sources, last checked 2026-10-04. Dates, fees and rules change, so confirm with the official website before you apply.