SSC CPO Eligibility Criteria 2026
SSC CPO Eligibility Criteria 2026, Check Age Limit & Qualification
SSC CPO Eligibility Criteria 2026 covers age limit, educational qualification, nationality, category-wise relaxation and post-specific requirements for Delhi Police, CAPFs and CISF SI (Fire).
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SSC CPO Physical Eligibility 2026
SSC CPO Physical Eligibility 2026, Check PST & PET Standards
SSC CPO Physical Eligibility 2026 includes height, chest, weight, running, long jump, high jump and other PST/PET standards for male and female candidates.
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SSC CPO Eligibility Tool
SSC CPO Eligibility Tool 2026, Check Your Eligibility Online
Use the SSC CPO Eligibility Tool 2026 to quickly check whether you meet the required age, qualification and category criteria for SSC CPO posts.
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The SSC CPO Eligibility Criteria 2026 has been released along with the official notification. Candidates applying for Sub-Inspector posts in Delhi Police and CAPFs must meet the prescribed nationality, age, educational qualification and physical standards. A separate eligibility condition has also been introduced for the newly added Sub-Inspector (Fire) in CISF post. This article covers the latest SSC CPO age limit, qualification, nationality, physical standards, PET/PST and medical requirements.
What is the eligibility criteria for SSC CPO Exam?
The SSC CPO eligibility requirements differ slightly depending on the post for SSC CPO Exam. For SI in Delhi Police and CAPFs, candidates generally need a Bachelor's degree and must be 20-25 years of age as on 1 August 2026. The newly introduced SI (Fire) in CISF has a separate age limit of 18-30 years and post-specific educational qualifications.
| Eligibility Parameter | Delhi Police SI / CAPF SI | SI (Fire) in CISF |
|---|
| Nationality | India/Nepal/Bhutan as applicable | India/Nepal/Bhutan as applicable |
| Age Limit | 20–25 years | 18–30 years |
| Age Reckoning Date | 1 August 2026 | 1 August 2026 |
| Qualification | Bachelor's degree | B.Sc. with PCM OR Matric + specified 3-year Engineering Diploma |
| Physical Standards | As prescribed | Separate CISF SI Fire standards apply |
The official notification confirms that the standard SI posts carry an age limit of 20–25 years, while SI (Fire) in CISF carries a separate 18–30 years age limit.
What is SSC CPO Nationality Requirement?
SSC CPO Nationality Requirement is that a candidate must be a citizen of India, or a subject of Nepal, or a subject of Bhutan, with Nepalese/Bhutanese candidates requiring a Certificate of Eligibility from the Government of India.
| Nationality/Citizenship | Eligibility Condition | Additional Requirement |
|---|
| Citizen of India | Eligible | None |
| Subject of Nepal | Eligible | Certificate of Eligibility from Govt. of India |
| Subject of Bhutan | Eligible | Certificate of Eligibility from Govt. of India |
- Candidates belonging to Nepal or Bhutan must have a Certificate of Eligibility issued by the Government of India.
- Candidates requiring the Certificate of Eligibility will be allowed to appear for the examination, but the offer of appointment will only be issued after the necessary certificate is provided by the Government of India.
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What is SSC CPO Age Limit 2026?
The SSC CPO age limit is calculated as on 1 August 2026. The age requirement differs for the standard SI posts and the newly introduced CISF SI (Fire) post.
| Post | Age Limit | Date of Birth Range |
|---|
| SI in Delhi Police | 20–25 years | 2 August 2001 to 1 August 2006 |
| SI (GD) in CAPFs | 20–25 years | 2 August 2001 to 1 August 2006 |
| SI (Fire) in CISF | 18–30 years | 2 August 1996 to 1 August 2008 |
Age Relaxation:
Below are the age relaxations for SSC CPO:
| Category | Age Relaxation |
|---|
| SC/ST | 5 years |
| OBC | 3 years |
| Ex-Servicemen (ESM) | 3 years (after deducting military service) |
| Widows, Divorced Women, and Women Judicially Separated (Unreserved) | Up to 35 years |
| Widows, Divorced Women, and Women Judicially Separated (SC/ST) | Up to 40 years |
For Departmental candidates of Delhi Police, the following age limits apply:
| Category | Age Relaxation |
|---|
| Unreserved (with 3 years of regular and continuous service) | Up to 30 years |
| OBC (with 3 years of regular and continuous service) | Up to 33 years |
| SC/ST (with 3 years of regular and continuous service) | Up to 35 years |
What is SSC CPO Educational Qualification 2026?
SSC CPO Educational Qualification 2026 requires candidates to hold a Bachelor's degree from a recognized university or equivalent, with certain conditions for distance learning, awaiting results, and equivalent qualifications. The educational qualification now needs to be presented separately for the regular SI posts and SI (Fire) in CISF.
Educational Qualification for Delhi Police SI and CAPF SI
Candidates must possess a Bachelor's degree from a recognised university or equivalent by the prescribed cut-off date.
| Criteria | Details |
|---|
| Bachelor's Degree | Required from a recognised university or equivalent |
| Result Awaited Candidates | Must possess the qualification by the prescribed cut-off date |
| ODL/Online Degree | Accepted subject to applicable UGC rules |
| Equivalent Qualification | Documentary proof of equivalence may be required |
Educational Qualification for SI (Fire) in CISF
Candidates applying for SI (Fire) in CISF must possess either:
- B.Sc. with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics, or
- Matriculation/equivalent with a 3-year Diploma in Mechanical, Civil, Electrical, Automobile, Chemical, Mining, Aeronautical or Telecommunication Engineering, or an equivalent discipline.
This qualification is different from the general Bachelor's degree requirement applicable to Delhi Police and CAPF SI posts.
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SSC CPO Special Requirements for Sub-Inspector (SI) in Delhi Police
The below-mentioned SSC CPO Eligibility Criteria are important for the post of Sub-Inspector. Further details are provided below.
| Eligibility Requirement | Details |
|---|
| Valid Driving License | Male candidates for Sub-Inspector in Delhi Police must have a valid LMV (Motorcycle and Car) license on the date of Physical Endurance and Measurement Tests (PE&MT). Without the license, candidates will only be eligible for Sub-Inspector in CAPFs. |
| Document Verification | Candidates must present original documents during the verification process. Missing documents will lead to disqualification. |
| Final Eligibility Check | Candidates with qualifications declared after the cut-off date or those holding provisional certificates must provide valid proof from their educational institution by the specified date. |
What is SSC CPO Physical Test 2026?
The SSC CPO Physical Test 2026 will include a Physical Standard Test (PST) and a Physical Endurance Test (PET). The PST checks height and chest measurements, while the PET involves races, jumps, and shot put events. The exact schedule for these tests under the SSC CPO Exam 2026 will be released by the CAPFs.
What is SSC CPO Physical Standard Test 2026?
The SSC CPO Physical Standard Test (PST) includes specific requirements for candidates. For male candidates, the chest measurement is mandatory, with different standards based on category and height. Female candidates do not have chest measurement requirements. Instead, they must meet height standards specific to their category. The details of the SSC CPO PST are as follows:
What are SSC CPO height standards for male & female candidates?
The SSC CPO height standards are 170 cm for general male and 157 cm for general female candidates, 165 cm (male) and 155 cm (female) for specified hill-area categories, and 162.5 cm (male) and 154 cm (female) for scheduled tribe candidates.
| Category | Height for male candidates | Height for female candidates |
|---|
| General | 170 cm | 157 cm |
| Candidates belonging to Hill areas of Garhwal, Kumaon, Himachal Pradesh, Gorkhas, Dogras, Marathas, Kashmir Valley, Leh & Ladakh regions, North-Eastern States and Sikkim. | 165 cm | 155 cm |
| Scheduled Tribes | 162.5 cm | 154 cm |
What are SSC CPO weight standards for male & female candidates?
For all SSC CPO posts, weight must be proportional to height for both male and female candidates. This means that candidates should maintain a healthy weight in relation to their height to meet the physical standards required for the role.
What are chest measurement requirement for male candidates?
The SSC CPO chest measurement requirement for male candidates is 80-85 cm for General and hill-area categories, and 77–82 cm for Scheduled Tribe candidates, with no chest measurement applicable for female candidates.
| Category | Chest (Unexpanded) | Chest (Expanded) |
|---|
| General | 80 cm | 85 cm |
| Candidates belonging to Hill areas of Garhwal, Kumaon, Himachal Pradesh, Gorkhas, Dogras, Marathas, Kashmir Valley, Leh & Ladakh regions, North-Eastern States and Sikkim. | 80 cm | 85 cm |
| Scheduled Tribes | 77 cm | 82 cm |
What is SSC CPO Physical Endurance Test 2026?
The SSC CPO Physical Endurance Test (PET) 2026 assesses candidates' physical fitness through various exercises. For male candidates, the PET includes a 100-meter race, a 1.6 km race, long jump, high jump, and shot put. Female candidates will also participate in a 100-meter race and an 800-meter race, along with long jump and high jump. The details of the SSC CPO PET are as follows:
| Test | Male Candidates | Female Candidates |
|---|
| 100 meter race | 16 seconds | 18 seconds |
| 1.6 km race | 6.5 minutes | Not applicable |
| 800 meter race | Not applicable | 4 minutes |
| Long Jump | 3.65 meters (3 attempts) | 2.7 meters (3 attempts) |
| High Jump | 1.2 meters (3 attempts) | 0.9 meters (3 attempts) |
| Shot Put (16 lbs) | 4.5 meters (3 attempts) | Not applicable |
What is SSC CPO Final Physical Test 2026?
Candidates who are finally selected for the Sub-Inspector posts must complete a training curriculum that includes passing seven obstacle events. These events are crucial for their training, and failure to pass them may result in not being retained in the Force.
| Obstacle Event | Details |
|---|
| Jumping over the Vertical Board | Candidates must successfully jump over a vertical board. |
| Holding the Rope on Jumping from the Board | Candidates need to hold onto a rope while jumping from a board. |
| Tarzan Swing | Candidates must complete a Tarzan swing. |
| Jumping on the Horizontal Board | Candidates must jump onto a horizontal board. |
| Parallel Rope | Candidates need to navigate along a parallel rope. |
| Monkey Crawl | Candidates must perform a monkey crawl. |
| Vertical Rope | Candidates need to climb a vertical rope. |
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What is SSC CPO Eligibility Criteria for Female Candidates?
Female candidates applying for SSC CPO 2026 must be Indian citizens (or subjects of Nepal/Bhutan with a Certificate of Eligibility), aged 20–25 years with category-wise relaxation, and hold a bachelor's degree from a recognized university. They must meet the required height and weight standards and clear the Physical Endurance Test (PET) and medical examination. Chest measurement is not required for female candidates. For the regular Delhi Police SI and CAPF SI posts, the basic age range is 20–25 years as on 1 August 2026, subject to applicable category-wise relaxation.
| Criteria | Requirement |
|---|
| Height | General: 157 cm, Hill/NE: 155 cm, ST: 154 cm |
| Weight | Proportional to height |
| 100 m Race | 18 seconds |
| 800 m Race | 4 minutes |
| Long Jump | 2.7 meters (3 attempts) |
| High Jump | 0.9 meters (3 attempts) |
What is SSC CPO Medical Exam 2026?
Candidates who will clear Paper II will need to undergo a medical examination to ensure they meet the required health and physical standards. The examination will be conducted by a Medical Officer from CAPF or a Grade-I Medical Officer from a Central or State Government Hospital or Dispensary.
| Category | Details |
|---|
| Medical Check-up | Conducted by a CAPF Medical Officer or a Grade-I Medical Officer from a Government Hospital/Dispensary after Paper 2. |
| Review Medical Exam (RME) | Candidates found unfit in the Detailed Medical Examination (DME) can apply for an RME, usually conducted the next day. The Review Medical Board's decision is final. |
| Eyesight | - Near Vision: N6 (better eye), N9 (worse eye)
- Distant Vision: 6/6 (better eye), 6/9 (worse eye)
- Vision must be clear without glasses or corrective surgery.
- For right-handed candidates, the right eye is the better eye, and vice versa. |
| Physical Conditions | Candidates must not have knock knees, flat feet, varicose veins, or squint eyes. Normal color vision is required. |
| General Health | Candidates must be mentally and physically fit, with no medical issues affecting their job performance. |
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What are SSC CPO Tattoo Guidelines 2026?
As part of the SSC CPO Physical Test, candidates must adhere to specific tattoo guidelines. These guidelines outline what is acceptable regarding the content, location, and size of tattoos for those applying for the SSC CPO positions. Understanding and following these rules is essential for ensuring that candidates meet the necessary requirements for their application.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|
| Content | Tattoos depicting religious symbols or figures and names are permitted, similar to the Indian Army guidelines. |
| Location | Tattoos are allowed only on traditional sites such as the inner aspect of the left forearm or the dorsum of the hands. |
| Size | Tattoos must be smaller than ¼ of the respective body part (e.g., elbow or hand). |
What are the key takeaways?
Below are the key takeaways from this article:
- Age Limit for Delhi Police SI and CAPF SI: 20–25 years as on 1 August 2026.
- Age Limit for SI (Fire) in CISF: 18–30 years.
- Qualification for regular SI posts: Bachelor's degree from a recognised university or equivalent.
- Qualification for SI (Fire): B.Sc. with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics OR prescribed 3-year Engineering Diploma after Matriculation.
- Nationality: Indian citizen or eligible subject of Nepal/Bhutan.
- Delhi Police SI Male: Valid Motorcycle and Car driving licence required.
- PST: Height, chest and weight standards apply according to category/post.
- PET: Includes running, long jump, high jump and shot put where applicable.
- ESM: Exempt from PET, but PST will still be conducted.
- Medical Examination: Candidates must meet prescribed eyesight and general health standards.
- New 2026 Change: SI (Fire) in CISF has separate age, educational and physical eligibility
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