Key Takeaways
- SSC GD Constable recruits candidates with Class 10 education for 25,487 vacancies, while SSC CPO recruits Sub-Inspectors requiring a Bachelor’s Degree for 1,871 vacancies.
- The selection process for SSC GD includes one Computer Based Examination, while SSC CPO involves two papers plus physical and medical tests.
- Physical tests differ: SSC GD focuses on a timed race, whereas SSC CPO includes multiple events like jumps and shot put.
- Salary levels differ, with SSC GD at Level 3 (₹21,700–₹69,100) and SSC CPO at Level 6 (₹35,400–₹1,12,400).
- Candidates should apply based on their qualifications: SSC GD for Class 10 passers, and SSC CPO for graduates seeking Sub-Inspector roles.
SSC GD and SSC CPO are two major recruitment examinations conducted by the Staff Selection Commission for posts in India’s police and security forces. However, the post level, educational qualification, written exam, physical test and selection process are different.
SSC GD 2026 recruits candidates for Constable (GD) in CAPFs and SSF and Rifleman (GD) in Assam Rifles. The 2026 cycle has 25,487 vacancies. SSC CPO 2026, on the other hand, has 1,871 tentative vacancies for Sub-Inspector posts in Delhi Police, CAPFs and the newly added SI (Fire) in CISF.
SSC GD Constable Vs SSC CPO 2026
SSC GD is a Constable-level recruitment for candidates who have passed Class 10, while SSC CPO primarily recruits Sub-Inspectors and generally requires graduation. SSC CPO 2026 has also introduced SI (Fire) in CISF with separate age and qualification requirements.
| Criteria | SSC GD Constable 2026 | SSC CPO 2026 |
| Conducting Body | Staff Selection Commission | Staff Selection Commission |
| Post Level | Constable / Rifleman | Sub-Inspector |
| Main Posts | Constable GD in CAPFs/SSF, Rifleman GD in Assam Rifles | SI in Delhi Police, SI (GD) in CAPFs, SI (Fire) in CISF |
| 2026 Vacancies | 25,487 | 1,871 tentative |
| Educational Qualification | Class 10/Matriculation | Bachelor’s Degree for Delhi Police/CAPF SI; separate qualification for SI (Fire) |
| Standard Age Limit | 18–23 years | 20–25 years for Delhi Police/CAPF SI; 18–30 years for SI (Fire) |
| Pay Level | Level 3 | Level 6 |
| Basic Pay Range | ₹21,700–₹69,100 | ₹35,400–₹1,12,400 |
| Written Exam | One CBE | Paper 1 + Paper 2 |
| Physical Test | PET + PST | PET + PST |
| Medical Examination | Yes | Yes |
| Official Website | ssc.gov.in | ssc.gov.in |
SSC GD Pay Level 3 and the 25,487-vacancy figure are given in the SSC GD 2026 notice. SSC CPO 2026 has 205 Delhi Police SI Male, 112 Delhi Police SI Female, 1,320 CAPF SI and 234 CISF SI (Fire) vacancies.
SSC GD Constable Vs SSC CPO 2026 Eligibility Criteria
The SSC GD Eligibility Criteria differs significantly from because SSC CPO Eligibility Criteria. SSC GD is a Constable-level recruitment whereas SSC CPO recruits candidates mainly at the Sub-Inspector level.
| Eligibility | SSC GD 2026 | SSC CPO 2026 |
| Minimum Qualification | Class 10/Matriculation | Bachelor’s Degree for Delhi Police SI and CAPF SI |
| SI (Fire) Qualification | Not Applicable | B.Sc. with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics OR Matriculation with prescribed 3-year Engineering Diploma |
| Standard Age Limit | 18–23 years | 20–25 years for regular SI posts |
| SI (Fire) Age Limit | Not Applicable | 18–30 years |
| Age Relaxation | As per category rules | As per category/post rules |
| Physical Standards | Required | Required |
- For SSC GD 2026, candidates need to have passed Matriculation and the standard age range is 18–23 years.
- For SSC CPO, Delhi Police SI and CAPF SI candidates generally require a Bachelor’s Degree and must be 20–25 years old as on 1st August 2026. SI (Fire) in CISF has an age limit of 18–30 years and requires either B.Sc. with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics or the prescribed diploma qualification.
SSC GD Constable Vs SSC CPO 2026 Selection Process
Both recruitments include written, physical and medical stages, but the SSC CPO Selection Process is more extensive as it includes Paper 1, PST/PET, Paper 2, Medical Examination and Document Verification. In comparison, the SSC GD Selection Process consists of a single Computer Based Examination (CBE) followed by PET/PST, Medical Examination and Document Verification.
| SSC GD Constable | SSC CPO |
| Computer Based Examination (CBE) | Paper 1 |
| Physical Efficiency Test (PET) | Physical Standard Test / Physical Endurance Test |
| Physical Standard Test (PST) | Paper 2 |
| Detailed Medical Examination / Review Medical Examination | Detailed Medical Examination / Review Medical Examination |
| Document Verification | Document Verification |
There is no interview stage in the current SSC CPO selection process. The old article’s reference to an interview should therefore be removed. SSC CPO 2026 follows Paper 1 → PST/PET → Paper 2 → Medical Examination and related verification stages.
SSC GD Constable Vs SSC CPO 2026 Exam Pattern
The biggest difference in the written examination is that SSC GD Exam Pattern has a single 60-minute CBE, while SSC CPO Exam Pattern now has revised Paper 1 and Paper 2 structures.
SSC GD Exam Pattern 2026
SSC GD CBE contains 80 questions for 160 marks. Candidates get 60 minutes to complete all four sections.
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 20 | 40 |
| General Knowledge & General Awareness | 20 | 40 |
| Elementary Mathematics | 20 | 40 |
| English/Hindi | 20 | 40 |
| Total | 80 | 160 |
- Exam Duration: 60 minutes
- Marks per correct answer: 2 marks
- Negative Marking: 0.25 mark per wrong answer
The current SSC GD pattern is 80 questions for 160 marks, not the older 100-question format shown in the previous version of the article.
SSC CPO Paper 1 Exam Pattern 2026
SSC revised Paper 1 for 2026. It now contains 100 questions for 100 marks, with a fixed 15-minute sectional timer for each 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 incorrect answer.
SSC CPO Paper 2 Exam Pattern 2026
Paper 2 is no longer an English-only paper. The revised Paper 2 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 | 60 minutes |
| Total | 160 | 320 | 120 minutes |
Paper 2 has 0.50 mark negative marking for each wrong answer
SSC GD Vs SSC CPO Physical Test
Both exams have physical standards, but the PET structure is different. SSC GD Physical Test primarily uses a timed race for PET, while SSC CPO Physical Test includes races, long jump, high jump and shot put for male candidates.
SSC GD Physical Efficiency Test 2026
For candidates other than those belonging to the Ladakh region:
| Candidate | Race Requirement |
| Male | 5 km in 24 minutes |
| Female | 1.6 km in 8½ minutes |
For Ladakh-region candidates:
| Candidate | Race Requirement |
| Male | 1.6 km in 7 minutes |
| Female | 800 metres in 5 minutes |
The standard SSC GD height is 170 cm for males and 157 cm for females, with relaxations for eligible categories and regions.
SSC CPO Physical Endurance Test 2026
SSC CPO PET includes multiple events.
| Event | Male Candidates | Female Candidates |
| 100 Metre Race | 16 seconds | 18 seconds |
| Distance Race | 1.6 km in 6.5 minutes | 800 m in 4 minutes |
| Long Jump | 3.65 m in 3 chances | 2.7 m in 3 chances |
| High Jump | 1.2 m in 3 chances | 0.9 m in 3 chances |
| Shot Put (16 lbs) | 4.5 m in 3 chances | Not Applicable |
PST/PET is qualifying in nature. Standard Delhi Police/CAPF SI height is 170 cm for males and 157 cm for females, although category-specific relaxations apply. SI (Fire) in CISF has separate chest standards.
SSC GD Constable Vs SSC CPO Salary
The SSC GD Salary and SSC CPO Salary also differ in pay level because SSC GD recruits Constables while SSC CPO recruits Sub-Inspectors.
| Exam/Post | Pay Level | Basic Pay Range |
| SSC GD Constable | Level 3 | ₹21,700–₹69,100 |
| SSC CPO SI | Level 6 | ₹35,400–₹1,12,400 |
SSC GD posts carry Pay Level 3. SSC CPO SI posts, including the new SI (Fire) post, carry Pay Level 6. Actual monthly salary can vary according to posting location, allowances and applicable deductions.
SSC GD Constable Vs SSC CPO Job Profile
The nature and level of responsibility differ between the two posts.
| SSC GD Constable | SSC CPO Sub-Inspector |
| Performs operational and ground-level security duties | Performs supervisory and operational duties |
| Patrolling and security deployment | Supervises personnel and field activities |
| Supports law-and-order and security operations | May handle investigation, reporting and administrative responsibilities |
| Works at Constable/Rifleman level | Works at Sub-Inspector level |
| Posted in applicable CAPFs, SSF or Assam Rifles | Posted in Delhi Police, CAPFs or CISF Fire, depending on selection |
SSC GD Vs SSC CPO: Which Exam has more Written Stages?
SSC GD has a simpler written-exam structure because candidates take one CBE consisting of 80 questions. SSC CPO has two written papers, and the revised 2026 Paper 2 itself contains 160 questions for 320 marks. SSC CPO therefore involves more written assessment stages. However, whether one exam is personally easier to qualify depends on factors such as preparation, cut-off, vacancies, category and performance in physical tests.
SSC GD or SSC CPO: Which one can you apply for?
The eligibility itself can help candidates understand which recruitment applies to them.
| Candidate Profile | Relevant Recruitment |
| Class 10 pass and meeting SSC GD eligibility | SSC GD |
| Graduate seeking regular Delhi Police/CAPF SI posts | SSC CPO |
| Candidate meeting the special SI (Fire) qualification | SSC CPO SI (Fire) |
| Candidate below graduate level but Class 10 qualified | SSC GD may be applicable, subject to other eligibility |
| Candidate seeking an SI-level post | SSC CPO |
Male candidates applying for SI in Delhi Police must also possess the prescribed valid LMV driving licence at the relevant physical-test stage; candidates without it may still be eligible for CAPF SI subject to the remaining conditions.
SSC GD Constable Vs SSC CPO – FAQs
SSC GD recruits candidates mainly for Constable and Rifleman posts, whereas SSC CPO recruits candidates for Sub-Inspector posts in Delhi Police, CAPFs and CISF.
SSC GD requires candidates to have passed Class 10/Matriculation. Regular SSC CPO SI posts require a Bachelor’s Degree. SI (Fire) in CISF has separate technical/science qualification requirements.
SSC GD 2026 has 25,487 vacancies across the notified forces.
SSC has announced 1,871 tentative vacancies for SSC CPO 2026.
Yes. Both recruitments include prescribed PET/PST requirements, although the events and standards differ.
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