SSC CPO Notification
SSC CPO Notification 2026 Out, Check What’s New
SSC CPO Notification 2026 is out for 1,871 tentative vacancies. Major changes include the new SI (Fire) post in CISF, revised Paper 1 and Paper 2 patterns, sectional timing and updated negative marking.
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SSC CPO Exam Date
SSC CPO Exam Date 2026, CBT Date To Be Announced
SSC CPO 2026 Computer-Based Examination date has not been announced yet. SSC will release the Paper 1 exam schedule separately on its official website.
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SSC CGL Apply Online
SSC CPO Apply Online 2026, Application Form Active
SSC CPO Apply Online 2026 has started from 10 September for 1,871 vacancies. Candidates can submit the application form till 30 September 2026, while the fee payment deadline is 1 October 2026.
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The SSC CPO Notification 2026 has been released on 10 September 2026 for recruitment to Sub-Inspector posts in Delhi Police, CAPFs and the newly added Sub-Inspector (Fire) post in CISF. A total of 1,871 tentative vacancies have been announced. The online application process is open from 10 September to 30 September 2026, while the last date for fee payment is 1 October 2026. SSC has not announced the Computer-Based Examination date yet.
When is the SSC CPO Notification 2026 released?
The Staff Selection Commission released the SSC CPO Notification 2026 on 10 September 2026. Candidates can apply online until 30 September 2026 at 11:00 PM. The correction window will remain open from 8 October to 10 October 2026.
From where can I download SSC CPO Notification PDF?
Candidates can download the SSC CPO 2026 Notification PDF from the official SSC website, ssc.gov.in. The notification contains all important details about vacancies, eligibility, application dates, exam pattern, syllabus, physical standards and selection process.
Download the SSC CPO Notification 2026 PDF
What is New in SSC CPO Notification 2026?
SSC CPO 2026 comes with several important changes compared with the previous recruitment cycle. The biggest updates are the addition of Sub-Inspector (Fire) in CISF, a completely revised Paper 1 and Paper 2 pattern, and a new final merit system where Paper 2 plays the key role in final selection.
| Change | SSC CPO 2026 Update |
|---|
| New Post | Sub-Inspector (Fire) in CISF added |
| Total Vacancies | 1,871 tentative vacancies |
| Paper 1 | Reduced to 100 questions, 100 marks and 1 hour |
| Paper 1 Sectional Timing | 15 minutes for each section |
| Paper 2 | Reasoning, GA, Quant and English now included |
| Paper 2 Marks | 160 questions for 320 marks |
| Paper 2 Negative Marking | 0.50 mark per wrong answer |
| Final Selection | Based on Paper 2 performance and post/force preferences |
| CISF SI Fire Age Limit | 18–30 years |
| Exam Centre Choice | Three centres must be selected within the same SSC Region |
| Post Preference | Online option form after Paper 2 result |
| ESM Physical Test | PET exemption continues, but PST will be conducted |
| NCC Bonus | Expressed as 5%, 3% and 2% of maximum marks |
The notification confirms that Paper 1 performance will be used to shortlist candidates for PST/PET, while final selection and allocation will be based on Paper 2 performance, including applicable NCC bonus marks, and the candidate's post/force preferences.
SSC CPO 2026 Exam Overview
SSC CPO 2026 is being conducted for recruitment to Sub-Inspector posts in Delhi Police and CAPFs. A major change this year is the addition of Sub-Inspector (Fire) in CISF. All these posts are placed in Pay Level 6, with a pay scale of ₹35,400 to ₹1,12,400.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|
| Exam Name | SSC CPO 2026 |
| Conducting Body | Staff Selection Commission |
| Notification Date | 10 September 2026 |
| Application Dates | 10 September to 30 September 2026 |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | 1 October 2026 |
| Correction Window | 8 October to 10 October 2026 |
| Exam Date | To be notified later |
| Vacancies | 1,871 |
| Posts | SI in Delhi Police, SI (GD) in CAPFs, SI (Fire) in CISF |
| Exam Mode | Computer-Based Examination |
| Official Website | ssc.gov.in |
What are the important dates of SSC CPO Exam 2026?
TThe application process has already started with the release of the notification. Candidates should complete the form well before the closing date to avoid last-minute issues.
| Event | Date |
|---|
| Notification Release | 10th September 2026 |
| Apply Online Start | 10th September 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 30th September 2026, 11:00 PM |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | 1st October 2026, 11:00 PM |
| Application Correction Window | 8th to 10th October 2026 |
| Paper I Exam Date | To be notified later |
| PST/PET | To be notified |
| Paper II | To be notified |
| DME | To be notified |
Download SSC CPO Paper 1 Previous Year Question Papers
What are the SSC CPO Vacancies 2026?
SSC has announced 1,871 tentative vacancies for the 2026 cycle. These are divided among Delhi Police SI, CAPF SI and the newly introduced CISF SI (Fire) post.
Sub-Inspector (Executive) in Delhi Police – Male
A total of 205 vacancies have been announced for male candidates in Delhi Police.
| Category | UR | OBC | SC | ST | EWS | Total |
|---|
| Open | 77 | 49 | 27 | 13 | 18 | 184 |
| Ex-Servicemen (Others) | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 12 |
| Ex-Servicemen (Special Category) | 5 | 2 | 1 | - | 1 | 9 |
| Total | 87 | 54 | 30 | 14 | 20 | 205 |
Sub-Inspector (Executive) in Delhi Police – Female
A total of 112 vacancies have been announced for female candidates.
| UR | OBC | SC | ST | EWS | Total |
|---|
| 47 | 30 | 16 | 8 | 11 | 112 |
Sub-Inspector (GD) in CAPFs
There are 1,320 vacancies for SI (GD) in CAPFs across CRPF, BSF, ITBP, CISF and SSB.
| Force | Male | Female | Total |
|---|
| CRPF | 225 | 29 | 254 |
| BSF | 435 | 22 | 457 |
| ITBP | 159 | 28 | 187 |
| CISF | 200 | 50 | 250 |
| SSB | 154 | 18 | 172 |
| Total | 1173 | 147 | 1320 |
Sub-Inspector (Fire) in CISF – Male
SSC CPO 2026 has introduced 234 vacancies for Sub-Inspector (Fire) in CISF.
| UR | OBC | SC | ST | EWS | Total |
|---|
| 74 | 75 | 52 | 16 | 17 | 234 |
SSC CPO Vacancy Trends
The details of the SSC CPO vacancy trends for the last 5 years are as follows:
| Year | Vacancy (Sub-Inspector Exe.) | Vacancy (Sub-Inspector GD) |
|---|
| 2025 | - | 3073 |
| 2024 | 186 | 5,122 |
| 2023 | 162 | 1,714 |
| 2022 | 340 | 3,960 |
| 2021 | 169 | 1,395 |
| 2019 | 211 | 2,534 |
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What is the Eligibility Criteria for SSC CPO Exam?
The SSC CPO Eligibility Criteria depends on the post. For SI in Delhi Police and SI (GD) in CAPFs, candidates need a Bachelor's degree from a recognised university or equivalent. The newly added CISF SI (Fire) post has a separate educational qualification and 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.
What is SSC CPO Age Limit?
For SI in Delhi Police and SI (GD) in CAPFs, the age limit is 20 to 25 years as on 1 August 2026. Candidates should have been born between 2 August 2001 and 1 August 2006. For SI (Fire) in CISF, the age limit is 18 to 30 years, with the date of birth falling between 2 August 1996 and 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 will require 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 qualification differs for regular SI posts and SI (Fire)..
| Post | Educational Qualification |
|---|
| SI in Delhi Police | Bachelor's degree from a recognised university or equivalent |
| SI (GD) in CAPFs | Bachelor's degree from a recognised university or equivalent |
| SI (Fire) in CISF | B.Sc. with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics OR Matriculation with a 3-year Diploma in specified engineering disciplines |
For CISF SI (Fire), relevant diploma branches include Mechanical, Civil, Electrical, Automobile, Chemical, Mining, Aeronautical and Telecommunication Engineering, among others.
What has Changed in ODL and Distance Education Rules?
The 2026 notification refers to the UGC Open and Distance Learning Programmes and Online Programmes Regulations, 2020, instead of relying on the older 2017 regulations. It also refers to the Supreme Court order concerning the validity of specified IGNOU B.Tech qualifications. For candidates using an ODL or online qualification, the degree must satisfy the applicable UGC and regulatory conditions for the relevant period.
How to Apply for SSC CPO 2026?
Candidates must follow the below-mentioned steps while applying for the SSC CPO Exam 2026:
- Visit the Official Website: Go to the SSC website (ssc.gov.in) and click on "APPLY" to begin the application.
- New User Registration: Click on "New User, Register Now" to create a new account.
- Fill Registration Form: Enter your name, birth date, email, and phone number. Create a strong password.
- Log In: Use your registration number and password to log in to your account.
- Complete Application Form: Fill in personal details, educational qualifications, and address. Double-check for accuracy.
- Upload Documents: Upload scanned copies of your signature and photograph as per the given requirements.
- Review Application: Review all the details carefully before submitting to avoid any errors.
- Pay Application Fee:
- General/OBC: Rs. 100 (Payment can be made online using Debit/Credit Card, Net Banking).
- SC/ST/Women/Ex-Servicemen: No fee required (Exempted).
- Final Submission: Submit your form and save a copy of the application form and payment receipt for future reference.
SSC CPO 2026 Signature and Photograph Specifications:
Below are the signature and Photograph specifications for SSC CPO 2026:
| Document | Size | Format |
|---|
| Signature | 10-20 KB | JPEG or JPG |
| Photograph | Have to be uploaded Online As per the guideline | JPEG or JPG |
What is SSC CPO Application Fee 2026?
The SSC CPO Application Fee 2026 is ₹100 for General/OBC male candidates, while female candidates, SC/ST, and Ex-Servicemen are exempted from the fee.
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|
| General/OBC (Male) | ₹100 |
| Female (All Categories) | Exempted |
| SC/ST/Ex-Servicemen | Exempted |
For detailed information check out SSC CPO Apply Online
What is the SSC CPO Selection Process 2026?
The SSC CPO Selection Process consists of Paper 1, PST/PET, Paper 2, Detailed Medical Examination (DME/RME) and Document Verification. Paper 1 is now mainly used to shortlist candidates for the physical test. Candidates who qualify PST/PET are called for Paper 2, and Paper 2 performance is used for further shortlisting and final selection.
| Stage | Role in Selection |
|---|
| Paper 1 | Used to shortlist candidates for PST/PET |
| PST/PET | Mandatory and qualifying in nature |
| Paper 2 | Main merit-determining written examination |
| DME/RME | Mandatory and qualifying |
| Document Verification | Verification of eligibility and documents |
| Final Selection | Based on Paper 2 marks and post/force preference |
For Ex-Servicemen, PET is not required, but PST will still be conducted.
Major Change in Final Merit
This is an important change from SSC CPO 2025. Under the 2026 notification, Paper 1 marks are used for shortlisting candidates for PST/PET, while the final selection and allocation of posts/forces are based on the candidate's Paper 2 performance and submitted preferences. Candidates should therefore not treat Paper 2 as only an English qualifying-type paper. It now has a much greater role in the final selection process.
What is SSC CPO Paper 1 Exam Pattern?
The SSC CPO Exam Pattern for Paper I consists of 100 questions for 100 marks, divided into four sections of 25 questions each, with a duration of 2 hours. SSC has made a major change to Paper I this year. Instead of 200 questions in 2 hours, Paper I now has 100 questions for 100 marks to be completed in 1 hour. Each section has 25 questions, and candidates get 15 minutes per section.
| Subject | Questions | Marks | Sectional 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 |
There is a negative marking of 0.25 mark for each wrong answer in Paper I.
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What is SSC CGL Paper 2 Exam Pattern?
Paper II has also changed significantly. It is no longer an English-only paper. The revised Paper II includes Reasoning, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude and English Comprehension.
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 20 | 40 |
| General Knowledge & General Awareness | 20 | 40 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 20 | 40 |
| English Comprehension | 100 | 200 |
| Total | 160 | 320 |
For Reasoning, GK/GA and Quant, candidates get 20 minutes per section. English Comprehension has a separate 1-hour duration.
There is a negative marking of 0.50 mark for each wrong answer in Paper II.
What are SSC CPO 2026 Posts?
SSC CPO 2026 includes the following posts:
- Sub-Inspector (Executive) in Delhi Police – Male
- Sub-Inspector (Executive) in Delhi Police – Female
- Sub-Inspector (GD) in CRPF
- Sub-Inspector (GD) in BSF
- Sub-Inspector (GD) in CISF
- Sub-Inspector (GD) in ITBP
- Sub-Inspector (GD) in SSB
- Sub-Inspector (Fire) in CISF – Male
The CISF SI (Fire) post is a new addition in the 2026 recruitment cycle.
What is SSC CPO Post Preference 2026?
Candidates will be asked to submit their post and force preferences after the Paper 2 result and before declaration of the final result. SSC will provide an Online Option Form for this purpose. The available preference codes are:
| Code | Post/Force |
|---|
| A | Sub-Inspector in Delhi Police |
| B | Sub-Inspector in Border Security Force |
| C | Sub-Inspector in Central Industrial Security Force |
| D | Sub-Inspector in Central Reserve Police Force |
| E | Sub-Inspector in Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force |
| F | Sub-Inspector in Sashastra Seema Bal |
| G | Sub-Inspector (Fire) in CISF |
The new Code G has been introduced for CISF SI (Fire). Preferences once submitted are final and irreversible. Candidates who do not submit their preferences within the given time will not be considered for any post in the final result.
How is Tie-Breaking Done in SSC CPO 2026?
If two or more candidates have equal aggregate marks, SSC will resolve the tie in the following order:
- Total marks obtained in Paper 2
- Marks obtained in English in Paper 2
- Date of birth, with the older candidate placed higher
- Alphabetical order of candidates' names
The specific inclusion of English marks in Paper 2 as a tie-breaking parameter should be included in the updated article.
What is the NCC Bonus in SSC CPO 2026?
NCC certificate holders continue to receive bonus marks, but SSC now expresses the benefit as a percentage of the maximum marks of the respective paper.
| NCC Certificate | Bonus Marks |
|---|
| NCC C Certificate | 5% of maximum marks |
| NCC B Certificate | 3% of maximum marks |
| NCC A Certificate | 2% of maximum marks |
This is important because the maximum marks of Paper 1 and Paper 2 are no longer the same as in the 2025 pattern.
What is the SSC CPO Exam Centre Preference Rule 2026?
Candidates have to select three examination centres in order of priority within the same SSC Region. SSC will try to allot one of the preferred centres, but it can add, cancel or divert examination centres when required. Once the application has been submitted, requests for changing the examination centre will not be considered. This is different from the 2025 wording, which allowed candidates to select three centres anywhere in the country.
What is SSC CPO Salary 2026?
The SSC CPO Salary 2026 for Sub-Inspector posts starts with a basic pay of ₹35,400 per month under Pay Level 6. The maximum pay in the level is ₹1,12,400. The newly introduced SI (Fire) in CISF also carries the same Pay Level 6 salary.
| Name of Post | Classification | Pay Level & Salary |
|---|
| Sub-Inspector (Executive) in Delhi Police – Male/Female | Group C | Pay Level 6: ₹35,400–₹1,12,400 |
| Sub-Inspector (GD) in CAPFs | Group B, Non-Gazetted, Non-Ministerial | Pay Level 6: ₹35,400–₹1,12,400 |
| Sub-Inspector (Fire) in CISF – Male | Group B, Non-Gazetted, Non-Ministerial | Pay Level 6: ₹35,400–₹1,12,400 |
The newly added CISF SI (Fire) post therefore does not have a separate pay scale; it carries the same Level 6 pay as the other SSC CPO SI posts.
What were SSC CPO Paper 1 Previous Year Cut Off Marks?
The SSC CPO Previous Year cut-off ranged from 42.69 (ESM category) to 135.27 (UR Female), varying by category, gender, and departmental quota.
| Category | Female Cut-Off | Male Cut-Off | Male (Departmental, Delhi Police) |
|---|
| SC | 106.75022 | 89.85810 | 96.85972 |
| ST | 98.10614 | 82.65680 | 88.19063 |
| ESM | 42.69427 | 40.07024 | - |
| OBC | 128.64348 | 113.50911 | 125.06044 |
| EWS | 127.40295 | 111.43520 | 109.17362 |
| UR | 135.27003 | 119.80335 | 134.59289 |
What are the key takeaways?
Below are the key takeaways from this article:
- SSC CPO Notification 2026 was released on 10 September 2026.
- Applications are open from 10 September to 30 September 2026.
- A total of 1,871 vacancies have been announced.
- SI (Fire) in CISF has been added as a new post with 234 vacancies.
- Paper I now has 100 questions for 100 marks in 1 hour.
- Each Paper I section has a 15-minute sectional timer.
- Paper II now includes Reasoning, GK/GA, Quant and English.
- Paper II carries 320 marks in total.
- Negative marking is 0.25 in Paper I and 0.50 in Paper II.
- The age limit is 20–25 years for regular SI posts and 18–30 years for CISF SI (Fire).
- The exam date has not been announced yet.
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