SSC CPO Selection Process 2026
SSC CPO Selection Process 2026, Check All Selection Stages
SSC CPO Selection Process 2026 includes Paper 1, PST/PET, Paper 2, DME/RME and Document Verification. Check the revised exam pattern and final selection criteria.
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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 Previous Year Papers
SSC CPO Previous Year Papers, Download Paper 1 & Paper 2 PDFs
SSC CPO Previous Year Papers include Paper 1 question papers to help candidates understand the exam pattern, difficulty level and commonly asked topics.
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The Staff Selection Commission conducts the SSC CPO Exam 2026 for recruitment to Sub-Inspector posts in Delhi Police, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), and the newly introduced Sub-Inspector (Fire) in CISF. The SSC CPO Selection Process 2026 includes Paper 1, PST/PET, Paper 2, Detailed Medical Examination/Review Medical Examination, and Document Verification. Candidates must qualify the required stages to be considered for final selection.
SSC CPO Selection Process 2026
The SSC CPO Exam 2026 selection process evaluates candidates through written examinations, physical tests and medical fitness. PST/PET and medical examination are qualifying in nature, while the final selection and allocation of Post/Force are based on Paper 2 performance, including applicable NCC bonus marks, and post/force preferences.
| Stage | Details |
|---|
| Paper 1 | First Computer-Based Examination covering Reasoning, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude and English. |
| PST/PET | Tests prescribed physical standards and endurance. It is qualifying in nature. |
| Paper 2 | Second Computer-Based Examination covering Reasoning, GA, Quantitative Aptitude and English at a higher difficulty level. |
| DME/RME | Medical examination to determine fitness for appointment. |
| Document Verification | Verification of educational, category and other applicable documents. |
| Final Selection | Based on Paper 2 performance, applicable NCC bonus marks and Post/Force preference. |
SSC CPO Selection Process Overview
The SSC CPO 2026 examination is conducted for SI in Delhi Police, SI (GD) in CAPFs and SI (Fire) in CISF. The selection process is conducted in multiple stages, with candidates progressing to the next stage after meeting the prescribed qualifying criteria.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|
| Name | Staff Selection Commission Central Police Organization Examination |
| Conducted By | Staff Selection Commission |
| Exam Level | National |
| Exam Mode | Computer-Based Examination |
| Posts | Delhi Police SI, CAPF SI and CISF SI (Fire) |
| Selection Process | Paper 1 → PST/PET → Paper 2 → DME/RME + DV |
| PST/PET | Qualifying |
| Medical Examination | Qualifying |
| Final Selection Basis | Paper 2 Marks + NCC Bonus, if applicable + Post/Force Preference |
| Official Website | ssc.gov.in |
The 2026 notification includes Delhi Police SI, CAPF SI and the new SI (Fire) Male post in CISF.
SSC CPO Paper 1 and 2 Exam Pattern
SSC has substantially revised SSC CPO Exam Pattern for both Paper 1 and Paper 2 for the 2026 examination. Paper 1 has been reduced to 100 questions for 100 marks, while Paper 2 is now a multi-subject examination carrying 320 marks. The comprises two stages: Paper I and Paper II.
SSC CPO Exam Pattern 2026 for Paper I
Paper 1 consists of 100 objective questions for 100 marks. Candidates get 1 hour, with a sectional timer of 15 minutes for each part. There is a negative marking of 0.25 mark for each incorrect answer.
| 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 |
SSC CPO Exam Pattern 2026 for Paper 2
Paper 2 is no longer limited to English Language & Comprehension. It now includes Reasoning, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude and English Comprehension.
| Subject | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 20 | 40 | 20 minutes |
| General Knowledge & General Awareness | 20 | 40 | 20 minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 20 | 40 | 20 minutes |
| English Comprehension | 100 | 200 | 1 hour |
| Total | 160 | 320 | 2 hours |
The first three parts together are conducted in 1 hour with a 20-minute sectional timer for each, followed by 1 hour for English Comprehension. Paper 2 carries a negative marking of 0.50 mark for each wrong answer
Attempt A Free SSC CPO Mock Test
SSC CPO Physical Test 2026
The SSC CPO Physical Test includes the Physical Standard Test (PST) and Physical Endurance Test (PET). These tests are mandatory and qualifying in nature. Ex-Servicemen are exempted from PET but are still required to undergo PST and meet the prescribed medical standards.
The newly introduced SI (Fire) in CISF has separate chest standards in certain categories, while the PET requirements are common for all posts.
SSC CPO Physical Standard Test 2026
The PST checks height, chest and weight as applicable. Female candidates are not required to meet any minimum chest measurement.
SSC CPO Height Standards for Male & Female Candidates
For regular Delhi Police SI and CAPF SI posts, the existing physical standards remain applicable.
| Category | Male Height | Female Height |
|---|
| General | 170 cm | 157 cm |
| Specified Hill-Area Categories | 165 cm | 155 cm |
| Scheduled Tribes | 162.5 cm | 154 cm |
SSC CPO Weight Standards
Weight must be corresponding/proportional to height for all SSC CPO posts.
SSC CPO Chest Measurement for Male Candidates
For regular Delhi Police SI and CAPF SI posts:
| Category | Unexpanded | Expanded |
|---|
| General | 80 cm | 85 cm |
| Specified Hill-Area Categories | 80 cm | 85 cm |
| Scheduled Tribes | 77 cm | 82 cm |
SSC CPO SI (Fire) CISF Physical Standards 2026
The SI (Fire) post in CISF is for male candidates. Its height standards broadly follow the regular male standards, but the chest requirement is 81–86 cm for General and specified hill-area candidates.
| Category | Height | Chest Unexpanded | Chest Expanded |
|---|
| General Male | 170 cm | 81 cm | 86 cm |
| Specified Hill-Area Male Candidates | 165 cm | 81 cm | 86 cm |
| Scheduled Tribe Male Candidates | 162.5 cm | 77 cm | 82 cm |
SSC CPO Physical Endurance Test 2026
The PET standards are prescribed for all applicable SSC CPO posts. Male candidates have five endurance events, while female candidates have four.
| Test | Male Candidates | Female Candidates |
|---|
| 100 metre race | 16 seconds | 18 seconds |
| 1.6 km race | 6.5 minutes | Not applicable |
| 800 metre race | Not applicable | 4 minutes |
| Long Jump | 3.65 metres in 3 chances | 2.7 metres in 3 chances |
| High Jump | 1.2 metres in 3 chances | 0.9 metres in 3 chances |
| Shot Put (16 lbs) | 4.5 metres in 3 chances | Not applicable |
These PET standards are specified for all posts, including SI (Fire) in CISF.
SSC CPO Medical Exam 2026
Candidates shortlisted on the basis of Paper 2 performance undergo the Detailed Medical Examination (DME). Candidates declared unfit in DME may undergo the Review Medical Examination (RME) according to the prescribed procedure.
| Category | Details |
|---|
| Medical Examination | Conducted by a Medical Officer of CAPFs or other prescribed Grade-I government medical authority. |
| Review Medical Examination | Candidates found unfit in DME may undergo RME, preferably in continuation of DME. |
| Near Vision | N6 in better eye and N9 in worse eye |
| Distant Vision | 6/6 in better eye and 6/9 in worse eye |
| Vision Correction | Required standards must be met without glasses or corrective surgery to improve visual acuity. |
| Physical Conditions | Candidates must not have knock knee, flat foot, varicose veins or squint eyes. |
| Colour Vision | High colour vision required |
| General Health | Candidate must be in good mental and bodily health. |
The DME/RME stage is mandatory but qualifying in nature.
SSC CPO Document Verification 2026
Document Verification is conducted by the CAPFs before declaration of the final result, preferably along with the DME/RME stage. Candidates must produce the required original documents and copies.
Important documents include:
- Matriculation/Secondary Certificate
- Educational Qualification Certificate
- Category Certificate, if applicable
- Age-relaxation certificate, where applicable
- Ex-Servicemen documents, where applicable
- Delhi Police departmental candidate certificate, where applicable
- NOC for candidates already employed in Government
- Valid Motorcycle and Car driving licence for male candidates opting for Delhi Police SI
Male candidates seeking Delhi Police SI must possess a valid LMV licence for Motorcycle and Car by the date fixed for PST/PET.
SSC CPO Post Preference 2026
A major point in the 2026 selection process is that candidates will submit their Post/Force preferences through an Online Option Form after the Paper 2 result and before declaration of the final result. The post/force codes are:
| Code | Post/Force |
|---|
| A | Sub-Inspector in Delhi Police |
| B | Sub-Inspector in BSF |
| C | Sub-Inspector in CISF |
| D | Sub-Inspector in CRPF |
| E | Sub-Inspector in ITBP |
| F | Sub-Inspector in SSB |
| G | Sub-Inspector (Fire) in CISF |
Preferences are final and irreversible. Candidates who do not submit their preferences within the stipulated period will not be considered for any post in the final result.
How is Final Selection Done in SSC CPO 2026?
The final selection and allocation of Post/Force are based on Paper 2 performance, including applicable NCC bonus marks, and the preferences submitted by candidates. PST/PET, DME/RME and Document Verification are qualifying stages and must be cleared.
SSC CPO Minimum Qualifying Marks
The minimum qualifying marks in Paper 1 and Paper 2, before adding applicable NCC bonus marks, are:
| Category | Minimum Qualifying Marks |
|---|
| UR | 30% |
| OBC/EWS | 25% |
| All Other Categories | 20% |
SSC CPO NCC Bonus Marks
NCC certificate holders receive bonus marks in both Paper 1 and Paper 2.
| NCC Certificate | Bonus |
|---|
| NCC C | 5% of maximum marks in each Paper |
| NCC B | 3% of maximum marks in each Paper |
| NCC A | 2% of maximum marks in each Paper |
Because the maximum marks have changed in 2026, the bonus should be described as a percentage of maximum marks, rather than reusing old fixed-mark figures.
SSC CPO Final Training Test 2026
Finally selected Sub-Inspectors have to clear seven obstacle events during training. Failure to clear the prescribed training requirements may affect retention in the Force.
| Obstacle Event | Details |
|---|
| Jumping over the Vertical Board | Required training obstacle |
| Holding the Rope on Jumping from the Board | Required training obstacle |
| Tarzan Swing | Required training obstacle |
| Jumping on the Horizontal Board | Required training obstacle |
| Parallel Rope | Required training obstacle |
| Monkey Crawl | Required training obstacle |
| Vertical Rope | Required training obstacle |
The 2026 notification continues to prescribe these obstacle events for finally selected Sub-Inspectors.
SSC CPO Tattoo Guidelines
Candidates should follow the tattoo standards prescribed by the competent CAPF/Delhi Police authorities as part of the medical and physical eligibility requirements.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|
| Content | Tattoos depicting permitted religious symbols/figures and names may be allowed as per applicable guidelines. |
| Location | Generally permitted only at prescribed traditional sites. |
| Size | Must remain within the permissible size prescribed by the authority. |
This section can broadly remain, but avoid expanding beyond the exact standards prescribed in the notification/medical guidelines.
SSC CPO Documents to be Carried
Candidates must carry the documents specified for the respective examination or selection stage.
| Document | Details |
|---|
| Admission Certificate | Printed copy of the applicable SSC CPO Admission Certificate |
| Photo ID Proof | Original valid prescribed photo ID |
| Passport-Size Photographs | At least two recent colour photographs where required |
| Educational Certificates | Required during Document Verification |
| Category/Relaxation Certificates | If applicable |
| Driving Licence | Mandatory for male candidates seeking Delhi Police SI |
| Other Documents | Any document specifically mentioned in the Admission Certificate or notification |
For candidates who have not undergone Aadhaar-based authentication, SSC requires earlier reporting along with the specified photographs and original photo ID proof.
What are the Key Takeaways?
The key points candidates should know about the SSC CPO Selection Process 2026 are:
- The selection process includes Paper 1, PST/PET, Paper 2, DME/RME and Document Verification.
- SSC CPO 2026 recruitment covers SI in Delhi Police, SI (GD) in CAPFs and SI (Fire) in CISF.
- Paper 1 consists of 100 questions for 100 marks with a total duration of 1 hour.
- Each Paper 1 section has a 15-minute sectional timer.
- Paper 2 consists of 160 questions for 320 marks and includes Reasoning, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude and English.
- Negative marking is 0.25 mark in Paper 1 and 0.50 mark in Paper 2.
- PST/PET is qualifying in nature.
- Ex-Servicemen are exempted from PET but must undergo PST.
- SI (Fire) in CISF has separate physical standards for chest measurement.
- Candidates shortlisted after Paper 2 undergo DME/RME and Document Verification.
- Post/Force preferences are submitted through an Online Option Form after the Paper 2 result.
- Final selection and allocation are based on Paper 2 performance, applicable NCC bonus marks and Post/Force preferences.
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