SSC CPO Exam Dates: The Full Yearly Cycle
From notification to Paper II, a CPO cycle runs close to a year. Here is the typical month-by-month shape.
An SSC CPO cycle typically opens with the notification around March or April and does not finish until Paper II the following February or March. That is close to a year from first form to final written paper, with the physical tests in between. The months below are the typical pattern, not this cycle's confirmed dates.
SSC publishes the confirmed calendar and each cycle's notification on ssc.gov.in. Check it before planning leave, travel or a preparation timeline around any month named here.
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The Typical CPO Cycle, Month by Month
| Event | Typical months |
|---|---|
| Notification release | March to April (expected) |
| Application window | April to May |
| Paper I exam | September to October |
| PET / PST | November to December |
| Paper II exam | February to March (following year) |
What the Long Cycle Means for Planning
The gap between the application window and Paper I is roughly four to five months. That is the natural core preparation window, long enough for a full syllabus pass plus mock practice if you start when you apply rather than when admit cards appear.
The second gap matters just as much: the PET falls only weeks after the Paper I months, so physical readiness has to be built during study, and Paper II sits far enough out that English preparation can deepen after the physicals. The cycle rewards candidates who map their effort to its shape.
Whatever the dates, the syllabus is waiting. Start free.
Dates Shift Between Cycles
SSC adjusts its calendar year to year, and months here are the typical historical pattern only. The official notification and exam calendar on ssc.gov.in are the single source of truth for the cycle you are entering.
Exam Dates FAQs
When is the SSC CPO notification released?expand_more
Typically around March to April, with the application window running April to May. Confirm the live cycle on ssc.gov.in, since SSC's calendar shifts between years.
How long does a full SSC CPO cycle take?expand_more
Close to a year: Paper I typically falls in September to October, the PET/PST in November to December, and Paper II in February to March of the following year.
How much preparation time does the cycle allow?expand_more
Applying in April or May and sitting Paper I around September gives roughly four to five months of core preparation, with further months before Paper II for candidates who clear the physical stage.
Next steps
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