Overview
SSC CPO recruits Sub-Inspectors for Delhi Police and the Central Armed Police Forces — BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP and SSB. It is one of the few SSC exams with a mandatory physical component: candidates who clear Paper I must pass the Physical Efficiency Test (PET) and Physical Standard Test (PST) before sitting Paper II, and the process ends with a detailed medical examination given the operational nature of the posts. Because fitness standards and Paper II both gate final selection, candidates need a genuinely dual-track preparation plan covering both the written syllabus and physical conditioning from the start.
What's New in the 2026 Cycle
What changed in the 2026 cycle
- PET/PST is a hard gate between Paper I and Paper II — candidates who fail physical standards are eliminated regardless of Paper I score.
- Paper II focuses specifically on English Language & Comprehension at a graduate level, distinct from Paper I's general sections.
- A valid driving licence (light motor vehicle) is compulsory at the PET/PST stage.
- Final medical examination standards are stringent given the operational/field nature of CAPF and Delhi Police postings.
Eligibility Criteria
| Criterion | Details |
|---|---|
| Age Limit | 20–25 years (as on the notified cut-off date; standard relaxation for reserved categories) |
| Educational Qualification | Bachelor's degree from a recognised university; a valid driving licence (LMV) is required at the time of Physical Test |
| Nationality | Indian citizen |
| Application Fee | ₹100 (General/OBC/EWS male candidates). Women and SC/ST candidates are exempted. |
SSC CPO Exam Pattern
The SSC CPO selection process runs through paper i + pet/pst + paper ii + medical. Each stage has its own timing, marking scheme and qualifying rules, detailed below.
Paper I (Computer-Based Test)
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 50 | 50 |
| General Knowledge & General Awareness | 50 | 50 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 50 | 50 |
| English Comprehension | 50 | 50 |
Physical Efficiency Test (PET) & Physical Standard Test (PST)
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Race (post & gender specific distance/time) | — | Qualifying |
| Height, Chest & Weight measurement | — | Qualifying |
Paper II (Computer-Based Test)
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| English Language & Comprehension | 200 | 200 |
SSC CPO Detailed Subject-Wise Syllabus
Below is the complete topic-wise SSC CPO syllabus for every subject tested across all stages, with a short note on what each section actually rewards — use this to build a section-wise study plan rather than relying on generic topic summaries.
General Intelligence & Reasoning
Standard pattern-based reasoning; consistent practice under timed conditions is the fastest way to improve.
- Analogy, similarities & differences
- Spatial visualisation & orientation
- Analysis & judgement
- Decision making & problem solving
- Arithmetic reasoning & figural classification
- Coding-decoding
- Non-verbal series & abstract ideas
General Knowledge & General Awareness
Broad and current-affairs-heavy — build a weekly revision habit rather than cramming.
- Current affairs — national & international
- India and its neighbouring countries
- Sports, history, culture, geography
- Economic scene, general polity & the Constitution
- General science & scientific research
- Everyday observation & experience-based questions
Quantitative Aptitude
Set at a graduate-entry level; focus on speed with fundamentals rather than advanced topics.
- Number systems & simplification
- Percentage, ratio, average
- Profit, loss & discount
- Time, work & distance
- Mensuration & basic algebra
- Trigonometry basics
- Data interpretation — graphs, charts & tables
English Comprehension (Paper I & Paper II)
Carries outsized weight because Paper II is dedicated entirely to English — prioritise comprehension speed and vocabulary.
- Grammar & sentence structure
- Vocabulary — synonyms, antonyms, one-word substitution
- Spotting errors & sentence improvement
- Cloze test & para jumbles
- Reading comprehension (extensive weightage in Paper II)
- Idioms and phrases
Selection Process
- Paper I — Computer-Based Test.
- Physical Efficiency Test (PET) and Physical Standard Test (PST).
- Paper II — Computer-Based Test (English Language & Comprehension).
- Detailed Medical Examination.
- Final merit list based on combined Paper I and Paper II scores.
Salary & Job Profile
Sub-Inspector posts are placed in Pay Level 6 (₹35,400–₹1,12,400) of the 7th CPC matrix, along with Dearness Allowance, HRA, Transport Allowance and force-specific allowances (e.g. Ration Money Allowance) depending on the posting force and location.
Best Books for SSC CPO Preparation
- Objective General English — S.P. Bakshi (Arihant)
- Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations — R.S. Aggarwal
- A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning — R.S. Aggarwal
- Lucent's General Knowledge
Previous Cut-off Trends
Approximate — always verify officially
SSC CPO Paper I cut-offs have generally fallen in the 130–155 range (out of 200) for unreserved male candidates in recent cycles, with separate and often lower cut-offs for women candidates and reserved categories. PET/PST elimination rates are historically high, so a strong Paper I score alone doesn't guarantee selection — always check the latest official cut-off release.
Preparation Tips
- Start PET training (timed runs) in parallel with written preparation — many otherwise strong candidates are eliminated at the physical stage.
- Paper II is entirely English — if this is a weak area, dedicate disproportionate early practice time to comprehension speed and vocabulary.
- General Knowledge in Paper I rewards daily current-affairs habits more than last-minute cramming, given its broad, non-static scope.
- Get medical fitness parameters (eyesight, BMI) checked early so any correctable issues don't derail selection at the final stage.
Exam Day Guidelines
- Carry your Document Checker, a valid original photo ID, and — by the PET/PST stage — your driving licence, since it's compulsory for that round.
- Begin physical conditioning (timed runs) well ahead of the PET date; last-minute training rarely closes a large fitness gap.
- No electronic devices or written material are allowed in either Paper I or Paper II.
- For the medical examination, avoid tattoos or grooming choices that may conflict with force-specific medical standards, and get a preliminary fitness check done early.
Frequently Asked Questions
Standards vary by post and gender — covering a timed race along with minimum height, chest and weight criteria — and are specified in detail in the official notification.
Yes, a valid light motor vehicle (LMV) driving licence is required at the time of the Physical Standard Test.
Paper II is dedicated entirely to English Language & Comprehension at a graduate level, distinct from the four-section Paper I.
Yes — 0.50 marks are deducted per wrong answer in Paper I, and 0.25 marks per wrong answer in Paper II.
Candidates who qualify proceed to a detailed medical examination; final selection is based on the combined Paper I and Paper II merit list plus fitness for duty.
Related Exams
Back to Syllabus Hub — browse all government exam syllabus pagesSyllabus content on this page is compiled and reviewed against the official Staff Selection Commission notification as of 8 Jul 2026. Exam patterns, vacancies, salary figures and cut-offs are subject to change — always cross-check with the official notification at ssc.gov.in before applying.