SSC CPO- Exam Pattern, Syllabus & Preparation
Serve in uniform as Sub-Inspector in Delhi Police and CAPFs - one of the most respected SSC careers.
SSC CPO recruits Sub-Inspectors (SI) for Delhi Police and the Central Armed Police Forces - BSF, CISF, CRPF, SSB, and ITBP. Conducted by the Staff Selection Commission for graduates, it combines a written CBT with physical and medical standards, making it the premier route into a uniformed central government career. SI is a Pay Level 6 post with uniform, risk, and hardship allowances on top of regular pay.
2,000–4,500 typically (4,187 in 2023 cycle)
Vacancies / Cycle
Graduation
Qualification
4 (Paper I + PET/PST + Paper II + Medical)
Selection Stages
Delhi Police, BSF, CISF, CRPF, SSB, ITBP
Forces
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Eligibility Criteria
Education
Bachelor's degree from a recognised university. Delhi Police SI applicants (male) must also hold a valid LMV driving licence at the physical test stage
Age Limit
20–25 years as on the notification cut-off date (SC/ST +5 years, OBC +3 years)
Nationality
Citizen of India
Exam Pattern
SSC CPO has four stages: Paper I (2-hour CBT, 200 questions), a qualifying PET/PST (physical efficiency and standards test), Paper II (2-hour English CBT, 200 marks), and a Detailed Medical Examination. Negative marking of 0.25 marks per wrong answer applies in both papers.
Paper I - CBT
Online CBT120 min| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 50 | 50 |
| General Knowledge & Awareness | 50 | 50 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 50 | 50 |
| English Comprehension | 50 | 50 |
Paper II - English Language & Comprehension
Online CBT120 min| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| English Language & Comprehension | 200 | 200 |
Key Topics & Syllabus
General Intelligence & Reasoning
- check_circleAnalogies
- check_circleSimilarities & Differences
- check_circleSpatial Visualization
- check_circleJudgment & Decision Making
- check_circleCoding-Decoding
- check_circleNumber Series
- check_circleArithmetic Reasoning
Quantitative Aptitude
- check_circleNumber System
- check_circlePercentage
- check_circleRatio & Proportion
- check_circleAverages
- check_circleInterest
- check_circleProfit & Loss
- check_circleGeometry
- check_circleMensuration
- check_circleTime & Work
- check_circleTime, Speed & Distance
- check_circleData Interpretation
English Language
- check_circleReading Comprehension
- check_circleCloze Test
- check_circleGrammar (Active/Passive, Direct/Indirect)
- check_circleError Spotting
- check_circleFill in the Blanks
- check_circlePara Jumbles
- check_circleVocabulary
General Awareness
- check_circleCurrent Affairs
- check_circleIndian History & Culture
- check_circleGeography
- check_circleIndian Polity
- check_circleEconomy
- check_circleScience & Technology
- check_circleSports
- check_circleIndia & the World
Career Roles & Salary
Sub-Inspector (Delhi Police)
₹35,400 – ₹1,12,400/month
Law enforcement in India's capital. High-visibility investigative and station duties within Delhi.
Sub-Inspector (CRPF/BSF)
₹35,400 – ₹1,12,400/month
Paramilitary leadership roles in internal security and border guarding, pan-India postings.
Sub-Inspector (CISF)
₹35,400 – ₹1,12,400/month
Security of airports, metro networks, PSUs, and critical infrastructure.
Sub-Inspector (SSB/ITBP)
₹35,400 – ₹1,12,400/month
Border-guarding forces on the Nepal/Bhutan and India–China frontiers, with hardship allowances in field areas.
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How to Prepare
Train physically from day one
The PET is eliminatory: male candidates run 100 m in 16 seconds and 1.6 km in 6.5 minutes plus long jump and shot put; female standards are proportionate. Do not park fitness for after Paper I - build it alongside your study plan.
Treat Paper II English as your biggest lever
Paper II is 200 marks of pure English. Master Reading Comprehension, Para Jumbles, grammar rules, and vocabulary, and read quality editorials daily. Strong English lifts both papers.
Aim for a comfortable Paper I score
Reasoning and English are your quickest 80–90 marks; Quant needs daily practice; GK rewards the last 6 months of current affairs plus polity and history. Balance accuracy against the 0.25 negative marking.
Know the physical and medical standards early
Height, chest (males), and eyesight standards (6/6 and 6/9 unaided distant vision as per recent notifications) are strict, and knee surgery, flat foot, or squint can disqualify at medicals. Get a preliminary check-up before you invest a year.
Choose force preferences deliberately
Delhi Police SI serves within Delhi; CAPF SI means pan-India field postings. Rank your preferences based on lifestyle, not just brand value - you cannot easily change forces later.
Drill full-length mocks for both papers
Simulate the 2-hour, 200-question Paper I weekly and add Paper II English mocks after the physical stage. Practise free SSC CPO mock tests and sectional questions on PrepClever to track your percentile before the real exam.
Important Dates (Tentative)
| Event | Expected Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | Varies by cycle - the 2026 notification was deferred from its planned May–June window (tentative) |
| Application Window | Roughly 3–4 weeks from notification |
| Paper I Exam | Typically October–November (tentative) |
| PET / PST | Typically 2–3 months after Paper I |
| Paper II Exam | Typically a few months after PET/PST |
| Medical Examination & Final Result | Varies by year |
* Dates are indicative based on historical patterns. Check the official website for confirmed dates.
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SSC CPO FAQ
What is the height requirement for SSC CPO?
Male candidates: 170 cm (relaxed to 165 cm for certain hill-area and category candidates). Female: 157 cm (relaxed for specified categories). Chest for males: 80 cm unexpanded with minimum 5 cm expansion. Exact relaxations are listed in each notification.
What is the salary of an SSC CPO Sub-Inspector?
SI is a Pay Level 6 post (₹35,400–₹1,12,400 scale). Gross in-hand salary with DA, HRA, and uniform/risk allowances is typically around ₹55,000–₹70,000 per month depending on posting; hard-area postings add hardship allowance.
How many vacancies does SSC CPO have?
It varies by cycle with force requirements - recent cycles have ranged roughly from 1,800 to 4,500 posts (the 2023 cycle had 4,187, including 1,000+ Delhi Police SI posts). The exact count is published with each notification.
What is the age limit and how many attempts do I get in SSC CPO?
The age band is 20–25 years (SC/ST +5, OBC +3). There is no attempt limit - you can appear in every cycle while you remain within the age band, which effectively gives most candidates 5–8 attempts.
Can female candidates apply for SSC CPO?
Yes. Women can apply for SI posts in Delhi Police and CAPFs. Physical standards differ - height 157 cm and no chest measurement - and PET standards (100 m in 18 seconds, 800 m in 4 minutes as per recent notifications) are separate.
Is SSC CPO harder than SSC CGL?
The written papers are comparable, with CPO slightly easier on Quant but heavier on English (a full 200-mark paper). The real extra hurdle in CPO is physical and medical standards, which eliminate many written-exam qualifiers. Choose CPO if a uniformed role motivates you.
Is there negative marking in SSC CPO?
Yes, 0.25 marks are deducted per wrong answer in both Paper I and Paper II. With 200 questions in each paper, disciplined question selection matters as much as knowledge.
Is a driving licence required for SSC CPO?
For the post of SI in Delhi Police, male candidates must possess a valid driving licence for LMV (motorcycle and car) as on the date of the physical test. It is not required for CAPF SI posts.
What medical standards apply in SSC CPO?
The Detailed Medical Examination checks eyesight (6/6 and 6/9 unaided distant vision as per recent notifications), colour vision, hearing, and disqualifying conditions like flat foot, varicose veins, and squint. Get a preliminary check-up early in your preparation.
How long does it take to prepare for SSC CPO?
Plan 6–9 months covering both academics and fitness. Spend the first months on concepts, then shift to timed practice - take free SSC CPO mock tests and English practice sets on PrepClever - while running and strength work continue in parallel.
Is SSC CPO a permanent government job?
Yes. SI through SSC CPO is a permanent Central Government post with NPS pension coverage, medical benefits, housing or HRA, and a defined promotion ladder up to Inspector and beyond.
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