SSC CPO Recruitment 2026: 1,871 SI Vacancies
Apply Online Dates, Post-wise Breakdown, Eligibility, Salary, PET & Selection Process.
The Staff Selection Commission has released the SSC CPO 2026 notification for recruitment to Sub-Inspector posts in Delhi Police, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and Sub-Inspector (Fire) in CISF.
The 2026 notification contains a major change in the written examination pattern. Unlike the older SSC CPO pattern, Paper-I now has 100 questions for 100 marks with a total duration of 1 hour, while Paper-II has 160 questions for 320 marks. Both papers have sectional timing.
This page provides the official SSC CPO Syllabus 2026, subject-wise topics, Paper-I and Paper-II exam pattern, negative marking, sectional timing, NCC bonus marks, PST/PET requirements and preparation strategy.
SSC CPO Syllabus 2026 – Quick Overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Sub-Inspector in Delhi Police and Central Armed Police Forces Examination, 2026 |
| Conducting Body | Staff Selection Commission |
| Posts | SI in Delhi Police, SI (GD) in CAPFs, SI (Fire) in CISF |
| Written Papers | Paper-I & Paper-II |
| Paper-I Questions | 100 Questions |
| Paper-I Marks | 100 Marks |
| Paper-I Duration | 1 Hour |
| Paper-I Sectional Timer | 15 minutes per section |
| Paper-I Negative Marking | 0.25 mark per wrong answer |
| Paper-II Questions | 160 Questions |
| Paper-II Marks | 320 Marks |
| Paper-II Duration | 1 Hour |
| Paper-II Sectional Timer | 20 minutes per section |
| Paper-II Negative Marking | 0.50 mark per wrong answer |
| PST/PET | Mandatory, qualifying |
| Medical Examination | Mandatory, qualifying |
| Exam Date | To be notified later |
SSC CPO 2026 Notification: Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification | 10 September 2026 |
| Online Application Starts | 10 September 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 30 September 2026 |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | 1 October 2026 |
| Application Correction | 8 October to 10 October 2026 |
| Computer-Based Examination | To be notified later |
Major Change in SSC CPO Exam Pattern 2026
Important Notice for Candidates
Several popular SSC CPO syllabus pages were written before the 10 September 2026 notification and continue to show the older examination structure (200 questions/200 marks for Paper-I and English-only Paper-II).
The official 2026 notification has fundamentally changed the pattern:
Paper-I (2026)
100
Questions / 100 Marks
1 Hour | 15-min SectionsPaper-II (2026)
160
Questions / 320 Marks
1 Hour | 20-min SectionsSSC CPO Paper-I Syllabus 2026
Paper-I consists of four sections. Each section contains 25 questions for 25 marks with a 15-minute sectional timer.
| Section | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 25 | 25 | 15 minutes |
| General Knowledge & General Awareness | 25 | 25 | 15 minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 25 | 15 minutes |
| English Comprehension | 25 | 25 | 15 minutes |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 60 minutes |
Negative Marking: 0.25 mark deduction for every wrong answer in Paper-I.
1. General Intelligence & Reasoning Syllabus
The official syllabus states that General Intelligence & Reasoning includes both verbal and non-verbal reasoning.
- Analogy (Semantic, Symbolic, Figural)
- Classification (Semantic, Symbolic, Figural)
- Series (Semantic, Number, Figural)
- Coding-Decoding
- Word Building
- Numerical Operations
- Symbolic Operations
- Venn Diagrams
- Drawing Inferences
- Punched Hole / Pattern Folding
- Space Orientation & Visualization
- Problem Solving
- Trends
- Indexing & Address Matching
- Date & City Matching
- Embedded Figures
- Critical Thinking
- Emotional Intelligence
- Social Intelligence
- Syllogistic Reasoning
2. General Knowledge & General Awareness Syllabus
The official SSC CPO syllabus does not restrict General Awareness to only current affairs. It covers:
- Current Affairs (National & International)
- Indian History & Major Historical Events
- Indian Culture & Cultural Heritage
- Indian Geography & World Geography
- Economic Scene & Basic Economics
- General Polity & Indian Constitution
- Scientific Research & Everyday Science
- India and Neighbouring Countries
3. Quantitative Aptitude Syllabus
- Number System & Arithmetic
- Whole Numbers, Decimals, Fractions
- Percentage
- Ratio & Proportion
- Averages
- Interest (SI/CI)
- Profit & Loss, Discount
- Partnership, Mixture & Alligation
- Time & Distance, Time & Work
- Algebra & Geometry
- Basic Algebraic Identities
- Elementary Surds
- Graphs of Linear Equations
- Triangle & Various Centres
- Congruence & Similarity
- Circle, Chords, Tangents
- Common Tangents
- Mensuration & Trigonometry
- Triangle, Quadrilaterals, Polygons
- Circle, Cylinder, Cone, Sphere
- Right Prism, Hemisphere
- Trigonometric Ratios
- Heights & Distances
- Data Interpretation
- Histogram, Bar, Pie Chart
- Frequency Polygon
4. English Comprehension Syllabus
- Error Recognition
- Fill in the Blanks
- Verbs, Prepositions, Articles
- Vocabulary & Spellings
- Grammar & Sentence Structure
- Synonyms & Antonyms
- Phrases & Idiomatic Use
- Reading Comprehension
SSC CPO Paper-II Syllabus 2026
| Section | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 20 | 40 | 20 minutes |
| General Knowledge & General Awareness | 20 | 40 | 20 minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 20 | 40 | 20 minutes |
| English Comprehension | 100 | 200 | 20 minutes |
| Total | 160 | 320 | 60 minutes |
Negative Marking: 0.50 mark deduction for each wrong answer in Paper-II.
English carries 200 of 320 marks in Paper-II — this is why English deserves particular preparation attention.
SSC CPO Exam Pattern 2026
| Subject | Q | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Reasoning | 25 | 25 |
| GK & GA | 25 | 25 |
| Quant | 25 | 25 |
| English | 25 | 25 |
| Total | 100 | 100 |
| Subject | Q | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Reasoning | 20 | 40 |
| GK & GA | 20 | 40 |
| Quant | 20 | 40 |
| English | 100 | 200 |
| Total | 160 | 320 |
SSC CPO Selection Process 2026
Minimum Qualifying Marks
| Category | Minimum Qualifying Marks |
|---|---|
| UR (General) | 30% |
| OBC / EWS | 25% |
| All Other Categories (SC/ST/PwD/Ex-SM) | 20% |
NCC Bonus Marks
Candidates holding an NCC certificate as on the closing date can receive bonus marks in both Paper-I and Paper-II.
| NCC Certificate | Bonus in Each Paper | Example (Paper-I: 100 Marks) |
|---|---|---|
| NCC 'C' | 5% of maximum marks | +5 bonus marks |
| NCC 'B' | 3% of maximum marks | +3 bonus marks |
| NCC 'A' | 2% of maximum marks | +2 bonus marks |
SSC CPO Physical Test (PET/PST) 2026
PST/PET is qualifying/elimination in nature and carries no marks.
| Event | Requirement |
|---|---|
| 100 metre race | 16 seconds |
| 1.6 km race | 6.5 minutes |
| Long Jump | 3.65 metres – 3 chances |
| High Jump | 1.2 metres – 3 chances |
| Shot Put (16 lbs) | 4.5 metres – 3 chances |
| Event | Requirement |
|---|---|
| 100 metre race | 18 seconds |
| 800 metre race | 4 minutes |
| Long Jump | 2.7 metres – 3 chances |
| High Jump | 0.9 metre – 3 chances |
Note: Ex-Servicemen candidates are not required to undergo PET, but they must meet prescribed physical standards.
Physical Standards (SI Delhi Police)
| Category | Height | Chest (Unexpanded–Expanded) |
|---|---|---|
| General Male | 170 cm | 80–85 cm |
| Hill/Listed Regions Male | 165 cm | 80–85 cm |
| Scheduled Tribe Male | 162.5 cm | 77–82 cm |
Physical standards vary by post and category/region. Separate standards apply for SI (Fire) in CISF. Refer to the official notification for complete details.
Medical Test Requirements
- Near Vision: N6 better eye, N9 worse eye
- Distant Vision: 6/6 better eye, 6/9 worse eye
- No corrective glasses/surgery for prescribed visual standard
- No knock knee, flat foot, varicose vein, squint
- High colour vision required
- Good mental and bodily health
Driving Licence Requirement
For male candidates applying for SI in Delhi Police: A valid LMV driving licence for motorcycle and car is required on the date of PE&MT.
A male candidate without the required licence can still be eligible for SI in CAPFs, subject to other requirements. This distinction is post-specific.
How to Prepare for SSC CPO 2026
Phase 1 – Build Basics
Start with Reasoning + Maths + English Grammar + Static GK. Complete fundamentals before mock tests.
Phase 2 – Topic-Wise Practice
Reasoning: Analogy → Series → Coding. Maths: Percentage → Algebra → Geometry → Trigo. English: Grammar → Vocabulary → Comprehension.
Phase 3 – Sectional Timer Practice
Practice 15-minute Paper-I sectional tests and 20-minute Paper-II sectional tests. Do not use old 2-hour pattern papers.
Phase 4 – Physical Fitness
Start running and physical practice alongside written preparation. Do not wait for Paper-I results.
| Area | Priority |
|---|---|
| English (Paper-II: 200/320 marks) | Very High |
| Mathematics | High |
| Reasoning | High |
| General Awareness | High |
| Paper-II Practice | Very High |
| Physical Fitness | Very High |
| Mock Tests & PYQs | Very High |
SSC CPO Syllabus 2026 – FAQs
Official Links
Conclusion
The SSC CPO Syllabus 2026 is significantly different from previous cycles. The most important changes are:
- Paper-I: 100 Questions / 100 Marks / 1 Hour / 15-min sections
- Paper-II: 160 Questions / 320 Marks / 1 Hour / 20-min sections
- Paper-II: Now includes Reasoning + GK + Maths + English (not English-only)
- Paper-II English: 100 questions / 200 marks (62.5% of Paper-II)