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). Candidates preparing for the examination should understand the complete SSC CPO Exam Pattern and Syllabus 2026, including Paper-I, PST/PET, Paper-II, Medical Examination and final selection process.
The SSC CPO examination is conducted in multiple stages. Paper-I and Paper-II are Computer Based Examinations, while PST/PET and Medical Examination are qualifying in nature. Candidates can check the complete subject-wise syllabus, marking scheme, physical standards, PET requirements and final selection criteria below.
SSC CPO 2026 Selection Process
The SSC CPO 2026 selection process consists of the following stages:
- Paper-I – Computer Based Examination
- Physical Standard Test (PST) / Physical Endurance Test (PET)
- Paper-II – Computer Based Examination
- Detailed Medical Examination (DME/RME)
- Document Verification
- Final Selection
Candidates first appear in Paper-I. Based on Paper-I performance, candidates are shortlisted for PST/PET. Candidates who qualify the physical stage are allowed to appear in Paper-II. Medical examination and document verification are conducted at the later stages.
SSC CPO Exam Pattern 2026
SSC CPO consists of two Computer Based Examination papers – Paper-I and Paper-II.
SSC CPO Paper-I Exam Pattern 2026
Paper-I consists of four sections. The examination contains 100 questions for 100 marks and is conducted for 1 hour.
| Part | Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | General Intelligence & Reasoning | 25 | 25 |
| II | General Knowledge & General Awareness | 25 | 25 |
| III | Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 25 |
| IV | English Comprehension | 25 | 25 |
| Total | — | 100 | 100 |
SSC CPO Paper-I Important Points
- Total Questions: 100
- Total Marks: 100
- Duration: 60 Minutes
- Each section contains 25 questions
- Each question carries 1 mark
- Negative Marking: 0.25 marks for each wrong answer
- There is a 15-minute sectional timer for each part
- Questions in Parts I, II and III are available in Hindi and English
- Paper-I is an objective-type multiple-choice examination
SSC CPO Paper-II Exam Pattern 2026
Paper-II gives significant weightage to English Comprehension. It contains 160 questions for 320 marks and is conducted for 2 hours.
| Part | Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | General Intelligence & Reasoning | 20 | 40 |
| II | General Knowledge & General Awareness | 20 | 40 |
| III | Quantitative Aptitude | 20 | 40 |
| IV | English Comprehension | 100 | 200 |
| Total | — | 160 | 320 |
SSC CPO Paper-II Important Points
- Total Questions: 160
- Total Marks: 320
- Duration: 2 Hours
- English Comprehension carries 200 marks
- Negative Marking: 0.50 marks for each wrong answer
- Parts I, II and III are available in Hindi and English
- English Comprehension has a separate 1-hour duration
- Parts I, II and III have a 20-minute sectional timer each
- The difficulty level of Paper-II is higher than Paper-I
SSC CPO Negative Marking 2026
| Paper | Negative Marking |
|---|---|
| Paper-I | 0.25 marks per wrong answer |
| Paper-II | 0.50 marks per wrong answer |
Candidates should attempt questions carefully because negative marking applies in both written examination papers.
SSC CPO Minimum Qualifying Marks 2026
The minimum qualifying percentage for Paper-I and Paper-II is as follows:
| Category | Minimum Qualifying Marks |
|---|---|
| UR | 30% |
| OBC/EWS | 25% |
| All Other Categories | 20% |
The minimum qualifying percentage does not mean that a candidate will automatically qualify for the next stage. SSC may fix higher cut-off marks depending on vacancies, candidates and other factors.
SSC CPO Syllabus 2026
The SSC CPO syllabus includes the following four major subjects:
- General Intelligence & Reasoning
- General Knowledge & General Awareness
- Quantitative Aptitude
- English Comprehension
1. General Intelligence & Reasoning Syllabus
The Reasoning section includes both verbal and non-verbal reasoning topics.
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 questions may test analysis, judgment, decision-making, visual memory, observation, relationship concepts, arithmetical reasoning and syllogistic reasoning.
2. General Knowledge & General Awareness Syllabus
The General Awareness section tests candidates’ awareness of their surroundings and its application to society.
Important areas include:
- Current Events
- General Awareness
- History
- Culture
- Geography
- Economic Scene
- General Polity
- Indian Constitution
- Scientific Research
- India and its Neighbouring Countries
- Everyday Observations and Scientific Experiences
Candidates should prepare both Static GK and Current Affairs for this section.
3. Quantitative Aptitude Syllabus
The Quantitative Aptitude section tests numerical ability and mathematical concepts.
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
4. English Comprehension Syllabus
The English section tests candidates’ understanding and knowledge of the English language.
Important topics include:
- 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 in Paper-II because 100 English Comprehension questions carry 200 marks.
SSC CPO Physical Standard Test (PST) 2026
Candidates shortlisted for the physical stage must meet the prescribed physical standards.
Delhi Police Height – Male Candidates
| Category | Height | Chest |
|---|---|---|
| General Male Candidates | 170 cm | 80–85 cm |
| Specified Hill/Other Categories | 165 cm | 80–85 cm |
| Male ST Candidates | 162.5 cm | 77–82 cm |
Delhi Police Height – Female Candidates
| Category | Height |
|---|---|
| General Female Candidates | 157 cm |
| Specified Hill/Other Categories | 155 cm |
| Female ST Candidates | 154 cm |
There is no chest measurement requirement for female candidates.
For CAPFs, separate physical standards and category-wise relaxations are prescribed.
SSC CPO PET 2026
The Physical Endurance Test (PET) is qualifying in nature and does not carry marks.
PET for Male Candidates
| Event | Requirement |
|---|---|
| 100 Metre Race | 16 Seconds |
| 1.6 Km Race | 6.5 Minutes |
| Long Jump | 3.65 Metres – 3 Chances |
| High Jump | 1.2 Metres – 3 Chances |
| Shot Put (16 lbs) | 4.5 Metres – 3 Chances |
PET for Female Candidates
| Event | Requirement |
|---|---|
| 100 Metre Race | 18 Seconds |
| 800 Metre Race | 4 Minutes |
| Long Jump | 2.7 Metres – 3 Chances |
| High Jump | 0.9 Metre – 3 Chances |
PST/PET carries no marks and is conducted on a qualifying/elimination basis.
SSC CPO Medical Examination 2026
Candidates who qualify Paper-II are shortlisted for the Detailed Medical Examination (DME).
Candidates declared medically unfit may undergo a Review Medical Examination (RME). The decision of the Review Medical Board is final.
Important medical requirements include:
- 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 should be in good mental and bodily health
SSC CPO NCC Bonus Marks 2026
Candidates holding NCC certificates may receive bonus marks in both Paper-I and Paper-II.
| NCC Certificate | Bonus in Each Paper |
|---|---|
| NCC ‘C’ Certificate | 5% of Maximum Marks |
| NCC ‘B’ Certificate | 3% of Maximum Marks |
| NCC ‘A’ Certificate | 2% of Maximum Marks |
The certificate must be held on or before the closing date of receipt of applications.
SSC CPO Final Selection 2026
PST/PET and the medical examination do not add marks to the merit list.
Candidates are shortlisted for PST/PET based on Paper-I performance. After qualifying the physical stage, candidates appear in Paper-II. Candidates are subsequently shortlisted for medical examination based on Paper-II performance.
Final selection and allocation of Post/Force are based on the candidate’s Paper-II performance, applicable NCC bonus marks and the preferences of Posts/Forces exercised by the candidate.
Candidates should therefore fill their post/force preferences carefully.
SSC CPO 2026 Selection Process – Important Points
- Paper-I is the first written examination.
- 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.
- English Comprehension alone carries 200 marks in Paper-II.
- Medical Examination is qualifying in nature.
- Document Verification is mandatory.
- Final selection is based on Paper-II performance, applicable NCC bonus and post/force preference.
- Both Paper-I and Paper-II have negative marking.
- Paper-II has a higher difficulty level than Paper-I.
- Candidates should exercise post/force preferences carefully.
SSC CPO Exam Pattern 2026 – At a Glance
| Particular | Paper-I | Paper-II |
|---|---|---|
| Questions | 100 | 160 |
| Marks | 100 | 320 |
| Duration | 1 Hour | 2 Hours |
| Main Focus | Reasoning, GK, Maths, English | Reasoning, GK, Maths, English |
| Negative Marking | 0.25 | 0.50 |
| English Questions | 25 | 100 |
| English Marks | 25 | 200 |
| Nature | CBT | CBT |
If the Computer Based Examination is conducted in multiple shifts, scores will be normalized. The normalized scores are used for determining merit and cut-offs.
SSC CPO 2026 Important Links
| Particular | Link |
|---|---|
| SSC CPO Recruitment 2026 Syllabus PDF | Download Syllabus PDF |
| SSC CPO Recruitment 2026 Notification PDF | Download Notification |
| SSC Official Website | Visit SSC Official Website |
| SSC CPO Latest Updates | Check Latest Updates |
FAQs – SSC CPO Exam Pattern and Syllabus 2026
What is the SSC CPO Paper-I exam pattern?
Paper-I consists of 100 questions carrying 100 marks. It includes General Intelligence & Reasoning, General Knowledge & General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude and English Comprehension.
How many marks is SSC CPO Paper-II?
SSC CPO Paper-II carries 320 marks and consists of 160 questions.
What is the negative marking in SSC CPO?
There is 0.25 marks negative marking in Paper-I and 0.50 marks negative marking in Paper-II for each wrong answer.
Does SSC CPO PET carry marks?
No. PST/PET is qualifying in nature and does not carry marks.
How many English questions are there in SSC CPO Paper-II?
Paper-II contains 100 English Comprehension questions carrying 200 marks.
What are the minimum qualifying marks in SSC CPO?
The minimum qualifying percentage is 30% for UR, 25% for OBC/EWS and 20% for all other categories.
Is NCC bonus available in SSC CPO?
Yes. Eligible NCC certificate holders can receive bonus marks in both Paper-I and Paper-II.
On what basis is SSC CPO final selection made?
Final selection and post/force allocation are based on Paper-II performance, applicable NCC bonus marks and the candidate’s post/force preferences, subject to qualifying all required stages.
Conclusion
The SSC CPO Exam Pattern and Syllabus 2026 covers two written examinations along with PST/PET, medical examination and document verification. Candidates should give special attention to Paper-II because it carries 320 marks, with English Comprehension alone accounting for 200 marks.
Along with written examination preparation, candidates should also prepare for the physical requirements and carefully understand the final selection and post/force preference process.
