Age 20–25 is very strict — can I appeal for relaxation?

SSC doesn't give age relaxation for CPO. Age limit is firm. If you're 26 years old, you cannot apply. This exam is designed for younger candidates (post-graduation at 22–23, apply at 23–24). Plan accordingly. Don't delay graduation or exam prep.

If I clear Paper 1 but fail Physical Test, can I re-appear?

No. Physical Test is qualifying — if you fail (e.g., don't meet height requirement, fail 100m run timing), your candidature ends. You cannot re-attempt in same exam cycle. You must apply again next year and clear from Paper 1. This is why physical preparation must start 6 months before exam.

Delhi Police SI vs CGL Group B posts — which is better?

Delhi Police SI: Officer rank, commanding authority, ₹40,000–55K/month. CGL Group B: Lower rank (UDC/LDC), clerical role, ₹25,000–35K/month. Police SI is clearly better in rank, authority, and pay. But police work is demanding (12-hour shifts, law & order complexity). CGL is better for stability and work-life balance. Choose based on career aspirations.

Is there interview in SSC CPO?

No. SSC CPO is purely objective-based selection. Paper 1 (merit-determining) + Paper 2 (qualifying) + Physical & Medical (qualifying). No interview. This makes SSC CPO fully predictable unlike civil services.

Is SSC CPO difficult to crack?

Moderate difficulty. Paper 1 and Paper 2 are similar to SSC CGL in syllabus (GK, Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, English). The additional challenge is the physical test — about 30-40% of Paper 1 qualifiers fail PET. If you're physically fit and have CGL-level academic preparation, CPO is achievable in 4-6 months.

Can women apply for SSC CPO?

Yes. Women are eligible for Sub-Inspector posts in CAPF and Delhi Police. Physical standards are different (relaxed) for women candidates. There is no reservation — women compete in the general category with relaxed physical requirements. Several CAPF units actively encourage women recruitment.

Registration OpenUpdated: March 2026

🚔

SSC CPO 2026 — Sub Inspector Exam

Sub Inspector recruitment in Delhi Police, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), and CISF. Officer-rank entry with ₹35–50K salary.

Vacancies

4,000+

Notification

May 31, 2026

Application

June 30, 2026

Salary

₹35–50K/mo

📋Key Details

Conducting BodyStaff Selection Commission (SSC)

EducationBachelor's degree from recognized university

Age Limit (Gen)20–25 years (very strict)

Age Limit (OBC)20–28 years

Age Limit (SC/ST)20–30 years

Physical (Male)Height 170 cm, Chest 80/85 cm, 100m run 16 sec, Long jump 3.65m

Physical (Female)Height 157 cm, 100m run 18 sec, Long jump 2.70m

Fee₹100–200

📝Paper 1 — CBT (120 minutes)

200 MCQs in 4 sections: GI (50), GK (50), QA (50), English (50). Each MCQ worth 1 mark. Negative marking: 0.25 mark per wrong.

General Intelligence & Reasoning50 Qs · 50 marks

General Knowledge & Awareness50 Qs · 50 marks

Quantitative Aptitude50 Qs · 50 marks

English Comprehension50 Qs · 50 marks

Total200 Qs · 200 marks · 120 minutes

⚠️ Negative marking: 0.25 per wrong

📝Physical Test (Qualifying)

Height, chest, running, jumping. Must pass to appear in Paper 2.

Total Qs · marks ·

⚠️ Negative marking:

📝Paper 2 — English (Qualifying)

Essay writing, letter/formal writing. Only marks don't matter; must clear (typically 40+ out of 100). Tests communication skills.

Total Qs · marks ·

⚠️ Negative marking:

📝Medical Test (Qualifying)

Fitness for police/paramilitary service. Medical examination, vision check, hearing test.

Total Qs · marks ·

⚠️ Negative marking:

💰Posts & Salary

Sub Inspector — Delhi Police(Delhi Police (Law & Order))

₹40,000–55,000/month

Sub Inspector — CAPF (BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, SSB)(Central Armed Police Forces)

₹35,000–50,000/month + special allowances

⚔️Delhi Police SI vs CAPF SI: Career Comparison

Aspect	Delhi Police SI	CAPF SI (BSF/CRPF/CISF/ITBP/SSB)
Posting Location	Delhi NCR only (urban)	All-India (border, counter-terror, VIP protection)
Work Responsibility	Law & order, crime investigation, station management	Border patrol, counter-insurgency, VIP protection, asset security
Adventure & Challenge	Moderate (urban policing)	High (dangerous operations, extreme climates)
Family Life	Better — home posting, weekends off possible	Difficult — extended deployments, family separation
Pay & Allowances	₹40–55K basic + allowances	₹35–50K basic + high special allowances in border areas
Career Growth	Promotion to ACP/DCP (superintendent)	Promotion to Commandant (unit commander)
Best Fit For	Urban professionals, family-oriented, investigation interest	Adventure seekers, physically fit, patriotic motivation, unmarried preferred
Risk Level	Moderate (crime-related)	High (border operations, counter-terror)

SSC CPO is unique — it has a physical test (PET/PST) between Paper 1 and Paper 2. You must pass the physical standards to proceed.

💪SSC CPO Selection Process & Physical Fitness Requirements

Stage 1: Paper 1 (CBT) — Merit-Determining. 200 MCQs (50 each: GI, GK, QA, English) in 120 minutes. Negative marking: -0.25 per wrong.

Cutoff: 115–130/200 typical (58–65%). This stage is merit-determining — your Paper 1 score decides your final ranking.

Unlike civil services (where interview has 250 marks), in CPO the written exam is everything.

Stage 2: Physical Standard Test (PST) — Qualifying, Strict Cutoffs. Male candidates: Height 170 cm (no relaxation, rigid), Chest 80/85 cm.

Female: Height 157 cm. Running: 100m in 16 seconds (male) / 18 seconds (female) — this is the toughest part.

Long jump: 3.65m (male) / 2.70m (female). Many candidates clear Paper 1 but fail PST due to inadequate physical fitness.

There's NO interview to compensate for lower physical performance.

Stage 3: Paper 2 (English) — Qualifying Only. Essay writing, letter writing.

Candidates need 40+/100 to pass. Marks don't affect final ranking.

This stage tests written English communication — essential for police/paramilitary work (filing FIRs, writing reports, testimonies in court).

Stage 4: Medical Examination — Qualifying. Vision test (Snellen chart, minimum vision 6/6 correctable), hearing test, general health.

Any disqualifying condition (flat feet, color-blindness, psychological issues) ends candidature.

🏃Physical eligibility — the make or break

Male candidates: Height 170cm (relaxation for hill areas), chest 80cm (5cm expansion). 100m race in 16 seconds, 1.6km run in 6.5 minutes, long jump 3.65m, shot put (7.26kg) 4.5m. Female candidates: Height 157cm, 100m in 18 seconds, 800m run in 4 minutes, long jump 2.7m, shot put (4kg) 3m.

Start physical training 3-4 months before the expected PET date. Running stamina is the most common reason for elimination. Practice the 1.6km run daily — target finishing under 6 minutes comfortably. Many academically strong candidates fail at PET because they ignore physical preparation.

SSC CPO salary and posting

💡SSC CPO salary and posting

Sub-Inspector in Delhi Police/CAPF: Pay Level 6 (Rs 35,400 basic). Total monthly salary: Rs 52,000-65,000 depending on city. CAPF postings can be anywhere in India including border areas (BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, SSB). Delhi Police posting is in Delhi NCR. Promotion path leads to Inspector and beyond.

CPO vs CGL — which is better?

💡CPO vs CGL — which is better?

CPO offers uniformed service (Sub-Inspector) with field postings, authority, and physical fitness requirements. CGL offers desk jobs (Inspector of Income Tax, Auditor) with office postings. CPO salary starts higher (Pay Level 6 vs Level 4-5 for most CGL posts). Choose CPO if you want an active, field-based career; CGL if you prefer office-based administrative work.

📅Important Dates

Notification ReleaseMay 31, 2026

Application DeadlineJune 30, 2026

Admit Card3–4 weeks before exam

Paper 1 ExamAugust–September 2026 (likely)

Physical TestPost-Paper 1 result

Paper 2 & MedicalLater in cycle

📚Preparation Strategy

1.SSC CPO Paper 1 is identical to SSC CGL Tier 1 in difficulty and syllabus. If preparing for CGL, use CPO as 2nd exam with zero additional written-exam preparation. Both exams are conducted separately but same written test difficulty.

2.Physical fitness is equally important as written exam. Start running practice now: (1) Sprint training (100m daily, aiming 16 seconds for men, 18 for women). (2) Long jump practice (approach speed + technique). (3) Strength training (push-ups, pull-ups for endurance). (4) Flexibility (stretching to prevent injury). Many candidates clear Paper 1 but fail Physical Test due to lack of fitness — don't let this be you.

3.English Paper 2 is qualifying — you need only 40+/100. Don't stress over it. Focus 80% on Paper 1, 15% on fitness, 5% on English Mains. Paper 1 is merit-determining.

4.Time management in Paper 1: 200 Qs in 120 min = 36 sec per question. Speed is critical. Strategy: (1) Reasoning (50 Qs) in 45 min (complex, needs thought). (2) GK (50 Qs) in 30 min (straightforward). (3) QA (50 Qs) in 35 min (calculations). (4) English (50 Qs) in 10 min (comprehension usually easier). Practice mocks at this pace.

❓Frequently Asked Questions

🔗Related Exams

Staff Selection Commission

ssc.gov.in

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Ashutosh Khulbe

Researched & verified from official sources

Updated
March 2026