SSC CPO Exam Pattern and Syllabus 2026: The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has released the SSC CPO 2026 Notification for recruitment to the posts of Sub-Inspector (SI) in Delhi Police and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs). The examination will be conducted in multiple stages, including Paper-I, Physical Standard Test (PST)/Physical Endurance Test (PET), Paper-II and Detailed Medical Examination (DME). All these stages are mandatory, although PST/PET and medical examination are qualifying in nature.

This article explains the SSC CPO 2026 selection process, exam pattern, syllabus, physical test requirements and final selection criteria as prescribed in the official notification.

SSC CPO 2026 Selection Process

The SSC CPO 2026 selection process consists of the following stages:

Stage 1 → Paper-I (Computer Based Examination)
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Stage 2 → Physical Standard Test (PST) / Physical Endurance Test (PET)
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Stage 3 → Paper-II (Computer Based Examination)
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Stage 4 → Detailed Medical Examination (DME/RME)
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Document Verification & Final Selection

According to the notification, candidates first appear in Paper-I. Based on Paper-I performance, candidates are shortlisted for PST/PET. Only candidates who qualify the physical tests are allowed to appear in Paper-II. Candidates are then shortlisted for medical examination on the basis of Paper-II performance. Final selection is made from candidates who qualify the medical and document verification stages.

SSC CPO Selection Process – Stage Wise

The PST/PET does not carry any marks and is qualifying/elimination in nature. Ex-Servicemen candidates are exempted from PET but are required to undergo PST and meet the prescribed physical and medical standards.

SSC CPO Exam Pattern 2026

SSC CPO consists of two Computer Based Examination papers.

SSC CPO Paper-I Exam Pattern

Paper-I consists of four sections:

The total duration of Paper-I is 1 hour. There is a sectional timer of 15 minutes for each part.

Paper-I Important Points

• Total Questions: 100
• Total Marks: 100
• Duration: 60 minutes
• Each section: 25 questions
• Each question carries 1 mark
• Negative marking: 0.25 marks for every wrong answer
• Questions in Parts I, II and III are set in Hindi and English.
• Paper-I is an objective multiple-choice examination.

SSC CPO Paper-II Exam Pattern 2026

Paper-II gives much greater weight to English Comprehension.

Paper-II is of 2 hours in total. Parts I, II and III have a sectional timer of 20 minutes each, while English Comprehension has a separate 1-hour duration.

Paper-II Important Points

• Total Questions: 160
• Total Marks: 320
• Duration: 2 hours
• English Comprehension alone carries 200 marks
• Negative marking: 0.50 marks for each wrong answer
• Questions in Parts I, II and III are available in Hindi and English.
• The notification specifically states that the difficulty level of Paper-II will be higher than Paper-I.

SSC CPO Negative Marking

Candidates need to be particularly careful while attempting questions because negative marking applies in both papers.

Therefore, candidates should avoid excessive guessing, particularly in Paper-II where the penalty is higher.

SSC CPO Minimum Qualifying Marks

The notification prescribes the following minimum qualifying percentages for Paper-I and Paper-II, without adding NCC bonus marks:

However, merely achieving the minimum qualifying percentage does not guarantee qualification for the next stage. SSC can fix higher cut-off marks depending on factors such as vacancies and the number of candidates.

SSC CPO Syllabus 2026

The official notification provides an indicative syllabus for Paper-I and Paper-II. The four subjects are:

1. General Intelligence & Reasoning
2. General Knowledge & General Awareness
3. Quantitative Aptitude
4. English Comprehension

1. General Intelligence & Reasoning Syllabus

The Reasoning section includes both verbal and non-verbal reasoning.

Important topics include:

• Analogies
• Similarities and Differences
• Semantic Analogy
• Symbolic/Number Analogy
• Figural Analogy
• Semantic Classification
• Symbolic/Number Classification
• Figural Classification
• Semantic Series
• Number Series
• Figural Series
• Problem Solving
• Word Building
• Coding-Decoding
• Numerical Operations
• Symbolic Operations
• Trends
• Space Orientation
• Space Visualization
• Venn Diagrams
• Drawing Inferences
• Punched Hole/Pattern Folding & Unfolding
• Figural Pattern Folding and Completion
• Indexing
• Address Matching
• Date & City Matching
• Classification of Centre Codes/Roll Numbers
• Small & Capital Letters/Numbers Coding, Decoding and Classification
• Embedded Figures
• Critical Thinking
• Emotional Intelligence
• Social Intelligence

The notification states that questions may test abilities such as analysis, judgment, decision-making, visual memory, observation, relationship concepts, arithmetical reasoning and syllogistic reasoning.

2. General Knowledge & General Awareness Syllabus

The General Awareness section is designed to test the candidate’s awareness of the surrounding environment and its application to society.

The syllabus broadly covers:

• Current Events
• General Awareness
• History
• Culture
• Geography
• Economic Scene
• General Polity
• Indian Constitution
• Scientific Research
• India and its neighbouring countries
• Everyday observations and experiences of scientific importance

Candidates should therefore prepare both static General Knowledge and current affairs.

3. Quantitative Aptitude Syllabus

The Quantitative Aptitude section tests the candidate’s ability to use numbers and numerical concepts.

Important topics mentioned in the notification include:

Arithmetic

• Whole Numbers
• Decimals
• Fractions
• Percentage
• Ratio & Proportion
• Square Roots
• Averages
• Interest
• Profit & Loss
• Discount
• Partnership Business
• Mixture & Alligation
• Time & Distance
• Time & Work

Algebra

• Basic Algebraic Identities
• Elementary Surds
• Graphs of Linear Equations

Geometry

• Triangle and its various kinds of centres
• Congruence and Similarity of Triangles
• Circle and its Chords
• Tangents
• Angles subtended by Chords
• Common Tangents to two or more Circles
• Quadrilaterals
• Regular Polygons

Mensuration / 3D Geometry

• Right Prism
• Right Circular Cone
• Right Circular Cylinder
• Sphere
• Hemispheres
• Rectangular Parallelepiped
• Regular Right Pyramid with triangular or square base

Trigonometry & Data Interpretation

• Trigonometric Ratios
• Degree and Radian Measures
• Standard Identities
• Complementary Angles
• Heights & Distances
• Histogram
• Frequency Polygon
• Bar Diagram
• Pie Chart

These topics are specifically listed under the Quantitative Aptitude syllabus in the notification.

4. English Comprehension Syllabus

The English section tests candidates’ understanding and knowledge of the English language.

The syllabus includes:

• Error Recognition
• Fill in the Blanks
• Verbs
• Prepositions
• Articles
• Vocabulary
• Spellings
• Grammar
• Sentence Structure
• Synonyms
• Antonyms
• Sentence Completion
• Phrases
• Idiomatic Use of Words
• Reading Comprehension

English is particularly important because Paper-II contains 100 English Comprehension questions carrying 200 marks, which is the largest individual component of the written examination.

SSC CPO Physical Standard Test (PST)

Candidates shortlisted for the physical stage have to meet the prescribed physical standards.

Height – Delhi Police

Male Candidates

Female Candidates

There is no chest measurement requirement for female candidates.

For CAPFs, the notification specifies separate physical standards, including category-specific relaxations. For example, the standard height for male candidates in the general category is 170 cm, while female candidates generally require 157 cm.

SSC CPO PET 2026

The Physical Endurance Test is qualifying in nature.

PET for Male Candidates

PET for Female Candidates

The notification confirms that PET/PST carries no marks and is used on a qualifying/elimination basis.

SSC CPO Medical Examination

Candidates who qualify Paper-II are shortlisted for the Detailed Medical Examination (DME).

Candidates found unfit during DME may undergo Review Medical Examination (RME). The decision of the Review Medical Board is final.

The notification specifies, among other requirements:

• Minimum near vision: N6 in better eye and N9 in worse eye
• Minimum distant vision: 6/6 in better eye and 6/9 in worse eye
• Vision standards are specified without correction through glasses or surgery
• Candidate should not have knock knees
• Candidate should not have flat foot
• Candidate should not have varicose veins
• Candidate should not have squint eyes
• Candidate should possess high colour vision
• Candidate must be in good mental and bodily health

SSC CPO NCC Bonus Marks

NCC certificate holders can receive bonus marks in both Paper-I and Paper-II. The bonus is added to the normalized scores.

The certificate must be held as on the closing date of receipt of applications.

SSC CPO Final Selection 2026

The final selection process is important because PST/PET and medical examination do not add marks to the merit list.

SSC will shortlist candidates for PST/PET based on Paper-I performance. After qualifying the physical stage, candidates appear in Paper-II. Candidates are shortlisted for medical examination based on Paper-II performance.

According to the notification, final selection and allocation of Post/Force will be based on the candidate’s performance in Paper-II, including applicable NCC bonus marks, and the preference of Posts/Forces exercised by the candidate.

Once a candidate is allotted the first available preference according to merit, the candidate will not be considered for other options. Therefore, candidates should fill their post/force preferences carefully.

SSC CPO 2026 Selection Process – Important Points

• Paper-I is the first written stage.
• Candidates are shortlisted for PST/PET based on Paper-I performance.
• PST/PET is qualifying only and carries no marks.
• Only candidates qualifying PST/PET can appear in Paper-II.
• Paper-II carries 320 marks, with English alone carrying 200 marks.
• Medical Examination is also qualifying in nature.
• Document Verification is mandatory.
• Final selection is based on Paper-II performance, NCC bonus where applicable and post/force preference.
• Paper-I and Paper-II both have negative marking.
• Paper-II is more difficult than Paper-I according to the notification.
• Candidates should exercise post/force preferences carefully because allocation is made according to merit-cum-preference.

SSC CPO 2026 Exam Pattern at a Glance

The official notification states that if the Computer Based Examination is conducted in multiple shifts, scores will be normalized, and the normalized scores will be used for determining merit and cut-offs.

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