The SSC CPO Notification 2026 is expected in May 2026, with the online application window in June 2026 and exams (Paper-I & Paper-II) likely scheduled between October and November 2026. The previous cycle's Paper-II is yet to be conducted and is expected in January-February 2026. This article provides key details including the notification PDF, application dates, eligibility, syllabus, exam pattern, and salary.
When will the SSC CPO Notification 2026 be released?
As per the SSC Calendar 2026, the SSC CPO Notification 2026 is expected to be released in May 2026.
From where can I download SSC CPO Notification PDF?
Candidates will be able to download the SSC CPO 2026 Notification PDF from the official SSC website (ssc.gov.in) or using the direct link provided below once it is officially released. For reference, the previous year's notification PDF can be checked to understand the exam structure and requirements.
Download the SSC CPO Notification 2025 PDF
SSC CPO 2026 Exam Overview
The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) conducts the CPO exam to recruit Sub-Inspectors in Delhi Police and CAPFs and Assistant Sub-Inspectors in CISF. The exam is held in two stages: Paper-I (CBT) and Paper-II (CBT) followed by PST/PET (for physical posts) and document verification.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|
| Exam Name | SSC Central Police Organization (SSC CPO) |
| Conducting Body | Staff Selection Commission |
| Exam Level | National |
| Vacancies | TBA |
| Exam Frequency | Yearly |
| Notification Release Date | May 2026 (Expected) |
| Post | Sub-Inspector (Delhi Police & CAPFs), ASI (CISF) |
| Exam Mode | Online (CBT) |
| Exam Duration | 2 hours per paper |
| Exam Purpose | Recruitment of Group-B non-gazetted posts |
| Exam Language | English & Hindi |
| Official Website | ssc.gov.in |
What are the important dates of SSC CPO Exam 2026?
The important dates for SSC CPO Exam 2026 are: Notification in May 2026, Apply Online from May 2026, Last Date to Apply in June 2026. The previous cycle's Paper-II is expected in January-February 2026.
| Event | 2025 Cycle | 2026 Cycle (Expected) |
|---|
| Notification Release | 26th September 2025 | May 2026 |
| Apply Online Start | 26th September 2025 | May 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 16th October 2025 | June 2026 |
| Last Date to Pay Fees | 17th October 2025 | June 2026 |
| Application Form Correction | 3rd–5th November 2025 | June 2026 (TBA) |
| Paper-I (CBT) | 9th–12th December 2025 | Oct–Nov 2026 |
| Paper-II (CBT) | January-February 2026. | TBA |
| PST/PET | After Paper-I | After Paper-I (as applicable) |
What are the expected SSC CPO vacancies 2026?
The expected SSC CPO vacancies 2026 will be announced with the official notification. For reference, the previous year's cycle had 3073 vacancies distributed as follows:
Sub-Inspector (Exe.) in Delhi Police for male
The vacancies for male candidates in Delhi Police are given below, including open category, ex-servicemen, and departmental candidates.
| Details | UR | OBC | SC | ST | EWS | TOTAL |
|---|
| OPEN | 50 | 27 | 15 | 08 | 14 | 114 |
| Ex-Servicemen (Others) | 04 | 02 | 01 | 01 | - | 08 |
| Ex-Servicemen (Special Category) | 03 | 02 | 01 | - | - | 06 |
| 10% Reservation for Departmental Candidates | 06 | 04 | 02 | 01 | 01 | 14 |
| TOTAL VACANCIES | 63 | 35 | 19 | 10 | 15 | 142 |
Sub-Inspector (Exe.) in Delhi Police for female
The vacancies for female candidates in Delhi Police are listed in the table below.
| Details | UR | OBC | SC | ST | EWS | TOTAL |
|---|
| OPEN | 32 | 17 | 09 | 05 | 07 | 70 |
| TOTAL VACANCIES | 32 | 17 | 09 | 05 | 07 | 70 |
Sub-Inspector (GD) in CAPFs
The vacancies for Sub-Inspectors in CAPFs (BSF, CISF, CRPF, ITBP, and SSB) are given below for both male and female candidates.
| Force | Gender | UR | EWS | OBC | SC | ST | Total | Grand Total | Ex-Servicemen @10% |
|---|
| CRPF | Male | 407 | 101 | 272 | 151 | 75 | 1006 | 1029 | 103 |
| | Female | 10 | 02 | 06 | 03 | 02 | 23 | | |
| BSF | Male | 87 | 21 | 57 | 31 | 16 | 212 | 223 | 22 |
| | Female | 04 | 01 | 03 | 02 | 01 | 11 | | |
| ITBP | Male | 85 | 18 | 52 | 32 | 11 | 198 | 233 | 23 |
| | Female | 15 | 03 | 09 | 06 | 02 | 35 | | |
| CISF | Male | 473 | 116 | 314 | 175 | 86 | 1164 | 1294 | 130 |
| | Female | 53 | 13 | 35 | 19 | 10 | 130 | | |
| SSB | Male | 30 | 07 | 14 | 15 | 05 | 71 | 82 | 8 |
| | Female | 06 | 01 | 04 | 00 | 00 | 11 | | |
| Total | Male | 1082 | 263 | 709 | 404 | 193 | 2651 | 2861 | 286 |
| | Female | 88 | 20 | 57 | 30 | 15 | 210 | | |
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) |
|---|
| 2024 | 186 | 5,122 |
| 2023 | 162 | 1,714 |
| 2022 | 340 | 3,960 |
| 2021 | 169 | 1,395 |
| 2019 | 211 | 2,534 |
Attempt Free New Interface SSC CPO Mock Test
What is the Eligibility Criteria for SSC CPO Exam?
The SSC CPO Eligibility Criteria required candidates to be Indian nationals, possess a Bachelor's degree from a recognized university, and be aged between 20 to 25 years (with category-wise age relaxation as per government rules) as per the previous year's notification. The criteria for the 2026 cycle is expected to remain the same.
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?
The SSC CPO Age Limit for previous year's cycle was 20 to 25 years as on 1st August 2025 (born between 02.08.2000 and 01.08.2005), with category-wise age relaxations. For the 2026 cycle, the new reference dates will be announced along with the official notification.
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 similar to last year's notification.
| Criteria | Details |
|---|
| Bachelor's Degree | Must be from a recognized university or equivalent. |
| Candidates Awaiting Results | Can apply if they complete their degree by 01.08.2024 (as per last year's notification). |
| Open and Distance Learning (ODL) | Degrees from UGC-recognized universities are accepted for SSC CPO. |
| Exclusions | Engineering, Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing, Pharmacy, and Architecture courses are not allowed in Open and Distance Learning, except for B.Tech from IGNOU before 2009-10. |
| Equivalence Certificate | Candidates with equivalent qualifications must submit a Certificate of Equivalence. |
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 expected to be ₹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 SSC CPO Selection Process 2026?
The SSC CPO Selection Process consists of four stages: Paper-I, PST/PET, Paper-II, and a Detailed Medical Examination, each designed to assess candidates' knowledge, physical fitness, and medical fitness.
| Stage | Description |
|---|
| Paper-I | Written test covering multiple subjects. |
| PST/PET | Tests physical standards and endurance. |
| Paper-II | Written test with a different subject focus. |
| DME | Comprehensive medical examination to ensure health standards. |
What is SSC CPO Paper 1 Exam Pattern?
The SSC CPO Exam Pattern for Paper I consists of 200 questions for 200 marks, divided into four sections of 50 questions each, with a duration of 2 hours with sectional timer of 30 Minutes for each part and a negative marking of 0.25 marks per wrong answer.
| Subject | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks |
|---|
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 50 | 50 |
| General Knowledge | 50 | 50 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 50 | 50 |
| English Comprehension | 50 | 50 |
What is SSC CGL Paper 2 Exam Pattern?
The SSC CGL Paper 2 Exam Pattern 2026 consists of 200 questions in English Language & Comprehension, carrying 200 marks, to be completed in 2 hours.
| Subject | Number of Questions | Maximum Marks | Time Duration |
|---|
| English Language & Comprehension | 200 | 200 | 2 Hours |
Questions in both papers will be of Objective Multiple Choice Type. Questions will be set in Hindi and English in Parts-I, II and III of Paper-I. There will be negative marking of 0.25 marks for each wrong answer in Paper-I & Paper-II.
What are SSC CPO 2026 Posts?
The SSC CPO 2026 posts include Sub-Inspector roles in various forces and an Assistant Sub-Inspector post in CISF, with candidates selecting their preferences during Document Verification.
| Code | Post |
|---|
| A | Sub-Inspector in Delhi Police |
| B | Sub-Inspector in Border Security Force (BSF) |
| C | Sub-Inspector in Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) |
| D | Sub-Inspector in Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) |
| E | Sub-Inspector in Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force (ITBP) |
| F | Sub-Inspector in Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) |
| G | Assistant Sub-Inspector in Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) |
What is SSC CPO Salary 2026?
The SSC CPO Salary for Sub-Inspector posts in Delhi Police and CAPFs is at Pay Level 6, ranging from ₹35,400 to ₹1,12,400 per month.
| Name of the Post | Group | Salary (Pay Level 6) |
|---|
| Sub-Inspector in Delhi Police (Male/Female) | C (Non-Gazetted) | ₹35,400 – ₹1,12,400 |
| Sub-Inspector in CAPF | B (Non-Gazetted) | ₹35,400 – ₹1,12,400 |
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 is expected in May 2026.
- SSC CPO Exam 2026 Paper-I & Paper-II is likely to be conducted between October and November 2026.
- The selection process includes Paper-I, PST/PET (for physical posts), Paper-II, and a Medical Examination.
- Paper-I consists of 200 questions for 200 marks across four sections with 2 hours duration.
- Paper-II consists of 200 questions in English Language & Comprehension for 200 marks with 2 hours duration.
- There is negative marking of 0.25 marks for each wrong answer in both papers.
- PST/PET is mandatory for Sub-Inspector posts in Delhi Police and CAPFs, qualifying in nature.
- Eligible candidates must be Indian, Nepalese, or Bhutanese (with certificate) with a Bachelor's degree.
- Age limit is 20–25 years with category-wise relaxation.
- SSC CPO Salary ranges from ₹35,400 to ₹1,12,400 per month, based on posting and allowances.
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