SSC CPO
Staff Selection Commission — Central Police Organisation
SSC CPO Exam 2025-26 — Sub-Inspector in Delhi Police and CAPFs
The SSC CPO (Staff Selection Commission – Central Police Organisation) examination is a central-level recruitment exam conducted by the Staff Selection Commission (SSC), an autonomous body under the Department of Personnel and Training, Government of India. The exam is held to fill the posts of Sub-Inspector (GD) in Delhi Police and the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) including the BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, SSB and Assam Rifles. It is conducted roughly once a year, with vacancies, dates, and cut-offs varying from cycle to cycle.
Selection is a multi-stage process: a computer-based Paper-1, a qualifying PET/PST (Physical Efficiency Test and Physical Standard Test), a computer-based Paper-2 on English language, and finally Document Verification (DV) along with a Medical Examination. Final merit is drawn from the combined score of Paper-1 and Paper-2, while the PET/PST and medical tests are qualifying in nature. Candidates must be graduates from a recognised university and are typically expected to be in the age group of 20–25 years (details and relaxations below). Figures in this guide that are not part of the current year's official notification are marked tentative and are based on the previous cycles.
Overview / Key Highlights
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | Staff Selection Commission (SSC), Government of India |
| Post(s) | Sub-Inspector (GD) in Delhi Police & CAPFs (BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, SSB, Assam Rifles) |
| Exam Level | Graduate level (Group-B / Non-Gazetted, based on previous cycles) |
| Mode of Exam | Online (Computer-Based Test) for both papers |
| Medium | Paper-1 in English & Hindi; Paper-2 in English only |
| Selection Stages | Paper-1 CBT → PET/PST (qualifying) → Paper-2 CBT → DV & Medical |
| Number of Papers | 2 (Paper-1: 200 marks, Paper-2: 200 marks) |
| Negative Marking | Yes — 0.50 marks per wrong answer in Paper-1; 0.25 marks per wrong answer in Paper-2 (tentative, as per previous cycles) |
| Vacancies | Vary by cycle — roughly 3,000–4,500 (tentative) |
| Official Website | https://ssc.gov.in |
Selection Process
The selection process is strictly stage-wise and a candidate must clear each stage to move ahead:
- Paper-1 (Computer-Based Test) — Objective paper of 200 marks covering four sections. It is used both to shortlist candidates for the PET/PST and to count towards the final merit.
- PET/PST (Physical Efficiency Test & Physical Standard Test) — Qualifying in nature. Includes physical standards (height, chest, weight as applicable) and physical efficiency events such as running, high jump, long jump, and shot-put (exact events per cycle notification).
- Paper-2 (Computer-Based Test) — English Language & Comprehension of 200 marks. Appears in the final merit.
- Document Verification (DV) — Verification of educational, age, category, and service certificates of the shortlisted candidates.
- Medical Examination — Detailed medical standards applicable for Delhi Police / CAPF service.
Note: Only candidates who clear the qualifying cut-off in Paper-1 are called for the PET/PST; only those who clear the PET/PST sit for Paper-2. The PET/PST is qualifying and its scores do not add to the final merit.
Exam Pattern
Paper-1 (CBT) — Objective
| Section | Subject | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | Reasoning & General Intelligence | 50 | 50 | 2 Hours (with sectional timing, based on previous cycles) |
| B | General Knowledge & General Awareness | 50 | 50 | |
| C | Quantitative Aptitude | 50 | 50 | |
| D | English Comprehension | 50 | 50 | |
| Total | 200 | 200 | 2 Hours | |
Every question carries 1 mark. 0.50 marks are deducted for each wrong answer in Paper-1 (tentative, based on previous cycles). Unattempted questions attract no penalty.
Paper-2 (CBT) — English Language
| Subject | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| English Language & Comprehension | 200 | 200 | 2 Hours |
Each question in Paper-2 carries 1 mark, with 0.25 marks deducted per wrong answer (tentative, based on previous cycles). Paper-2 is counted towards the final merit along with Paper-1.
Detailed Syllabus
Reasoning & General Intelligence (Paper-1, Section A)
- Analogies, similarities and differences
- Classification / Odd one out (words, letters, numbers, figures)
- Number, letter, and alpha-numeric series
- Coding and decoding (letters, numbers, symbols)
- Direction sense and distance tests
- Blood relations and family trees
- Syllogisms and statements-conclusions
- Venn diagrams and set-based questions
- Mathematical operations and signs & symbols
- Dice, cubes, and cube arrangement problems
- Mirror image, water image, and paper folding/cutting
- Embedded figures and completion of incomplete pattern
- Figure series, analogy, and classification (non-verbal)
- Arithmetical word problems: clocks, calendars, age, and counting figures
General Knowledge & General Awareness (Paper-1, Section B)
- Current affairs — national and international (last 12 months, tentative)
- Indian history — ancient, medieval, and modern India
- Freedom movement and important personalities
- Indian polity, Constitution, and governance
- Geography of India and the world — physical, economic, and social
- Indian economy, budget, and economic surveys
- General science — physics, chemistry, and biology basics
- Science and technology developments & space missions
- Environment, ecology, and biodiversity
- Sports, awards, honours, books, and authors
- Important days, national symbols, and static GK
- International organisations (UN, WTO, etc.) and summits
Quantitative Aptitude (Paper-1, Section C)
- Number system, divisibility, and LCM/HCF
- Simplification and BODMAS
- Percentages, profit & loss, and discounts
- Simple and compound interest
- Ratio, proportion, and partnership
- Averages, mixtures, and alligation
- Time & work and pipes & cisterns
- Speed, distance, time, trains, and boats
- Mensuration — 2D and 3D figures
- Algebra, identities, and equations
- Geometry — triangles, circles, and polygons
- Trigonometry and heights & distances
- Data interpretation — tables, bar, pie, and line graphs
- Probability and basic permutations & combinations
English Comprehension (Paper-1, Section D)
- Spotting and correcting errors in sentences
- Fill in the blanks (single and double)
- Synonyms, antonyms, and spelling errors
- One-word substitution and word meaning
- Idioms and phrases — meaning and usage
- Para jumbles and sentence arrangement
- Cloze test and passage-based questions
- Reading comprehension passages
- Sentence improvement and phrase replacement
- Active-passive voice and direct-indirect speech
English Language & Comprehension (Paper-2)
- Reading comprehension with longer, deeper passages
- Cloze tests and gap-filling passages
- Error spotting and sentence correction
- Sentence improvement and reordering of sentences
- Para jumbles with complex topics
- Synonyms, antonyms, and contextual word meanings
- Idioms and phrases (including phrasal verbs)
- One-word substitutions and foreign expressions
- Fillers (single and multiple blanks)
- Verbal ability: usage, grammar, and vocabulary in context
Marking Scheme
| Particular | Paper-1 (CBT) | Paper-2 (CBT) |
|---|---|---|
| Total Marks | 200 (50 per section) | 200 |
| Marks per Question | 1 | 1 |
| Negative Marking | 0.50 per wrong answer (tentative) | 0.25 per wrong answer (tentative) |
| Nature | Merit + shortlisting for PET/PST | Merit only |
| Qualifying Cut-offs | Category-wise qualifying cut-off in Paper-1 to reach PET/PST | Paper-2 combined with Paper-1 for final merit |
| Cut-off Factors | Vacancies, number of candidates, difficulty level, and category-wise reservations | |
Eligibility Criteria
| Criteria | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Educational Qualification | Bachelor's degree from a recognised university or equivalent |
| Age Limit | 20–25 years as on the date mentioned in the notification (tentative) |
| Age Relaxation | As per government norms — OBC: 3 years; SC/ST: 5 years; PwD and ex-servicemen: as per rules of the previous cycles |
| Nationality | Citizen of India; subjects of Nepal/Bhutan; or Tibetan refugees / Indian-origin persons from prescribed countries as per the notification |
| Physical Standards | Height: Male 157.5 cm, Female 152 cm (approx., with organisation-wise/category relaxations); chest for male with minimum expansion (tentative, as per previous cycles) |
| Number of Attempts | No fixed cap — limited only by the upper age limit and category relaxations |
Application Process & Fees
Candidates must apply online only through the official SSC website. The process involves registration with basic details, filling the application form, uploading photograph, signature, and other documents, and payment of the fee before the last date.
| Category | Application Fee (tentative, per previous cycles) |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS (Male) | Rs. 100 |
| Women | Exempted |
| SC / ST / PwD / Ex-Servicemen | Exempted |
Important: Fees are paid online via net banking, UPI, debit/credit card, or the SBI challan. Always verify the exact fee and exemption list in the official notification of the current cycle.
Salary / Pay Scale
| Particular | Details (7th CPC, indicative) |
|---|---|
| Pay Level | Level-6 (Rs. 35,400 – 1,12,400) for SI (GD) posts, based on previous cycles |
| Basic Pay | Rs. 35,400 per month (tentative) |
| In-hand / Gross | Approx. Rs. 40,000–50,000 per month including allowances like DA, HRA, and police-specific allowances (indicative) |
| Other Benefits | Dearness allowance, house rent allowance, transport allowance, medical facilities, and other perks as per government norms |
Note: Exact pay and allowances depend on the posting organisation (Delhi Police or a specific CAPF) and place of posting. Figures above are indicative.
Official Links & PDFs
- Official SSC Website — https://ssc.gov.in
- SSC Official Page for Graduate-level Exams (CPO/CGL/MTS etc.) — the official notification and syllabus PDF for the current SSC CPO cycle are published here; download the CPO notification PDF and syllabus from this page when released.
Note: The direct notification/syllabus PDF of the current cycle is released on ssc.gov.in each year. Since the exact PDF link changes every cycle, candidates should open the official website above and download the latest CPO (CAPF) notification from the "Graduation and Above Courses" section. All details such as vacancies, dates, and cut-offs in the official notification supersede the tentative figures in this guide.
Preparation Tips & Strategy
- Know the pattern first: Build your strategy around the 200-question Paper-1 and the separate 200-question Paper-2; allocate time to all four sections equally.
- Master the basics: In Quantitative Aptitude and Reasoning, practise from basic to moderate difficulty and move to previous-year questions only after the fundamentals are clear.
- Read English daily: For both Paper-1 and Paper-2 English, read editorials and practise comprehension, cloze tests, and error-spotting regularly since Paper-2 is entirely English.
- Keep current affairs fresh: Revise the last 12 months of current affairs and static GK together; make short notes for revision before the exam.
- Practise mock tests: Take full-length timed mocks to simulate the exam, improve speed, and build accuracy — remember the 0.50 negative marking in Paper-1 and 0.25 in Paper-2.
- Do not ignore the physical test: Since the PET/PST is qualifying, start a running routine (1.6 km in 6.5 minutes for males, 800 m in 4 minutes for females, tentative) well in advance of the notification.
- Revise with previous-year papers: Analyse cut-off trends and repeat topics to understand the level and weightage of questions asked.
FAQ
Q: What is the SSC CPO exam for?
The SSC CPO exam recruits Sub-Inspectors in Delhi Police and the Central Armed Police Forces (BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, SSB, and Assam Rifles).
Q: How many papers are there in SSC CPO?
Two computer-based papers — Paper-1 (200 marks, four sections) and Paper-2 (English Language, 200 marks) — plus a qualifying PET/PST and a DV-cum-Medical stage. Paper-2 is attempted only by candidates who clear Paper-1 and the PET/PST.
Q: Is there negative marking in SSC CPO?
Yes. Paper-1 deducts 0.50 marks per wrong answer and Paper-2 deducts 0.25 marks per wrong answer (tentative, as per previous cycles). Unattempted questions carry no penalty.
Q: What is the age limit for SSC CPO?
Candidates should generally be between 20 and 25 years of age as on the notification date (tentative), with category-wise relaxations for OBC, SC/ST, PwD, and ex-servicemen as per government rules.
Q: What is the qualifying physical standard?
Typical standards from previous cycles include height of about 157.5 cm for males and 152 cm for females, with chest (for males) and other organisation-wise relaxations. The exact physical standard is given in the official notification and may vary by organisation.
Q: Where is the SSC CPO official notification published?
On the official SSC website (ssc.gov.in) under the "Graduation and Above Courses" section. Candidates must rely only on this source for vacancies, dates, fees, and cut-offs.
Final Note
All tentative figures in this guide — fees, physical standards, age limits, and pay scale — are based on previous SSC CPO cycles and may change in the current notification. Always keep following the official SSC website for the latest updates, notification, admit cards, and results for the SSC CPO examination.