SSC CPO vs SSC CGL: Quick Answer
Choose SSC CPO if you want a uniformed Sub-Inspector post (all at Pay Level 6, Rs 35,400-1,12,400) and can clear a running-and-jumping physical test; choose SSC CGL if you want a desk, audit or inspector post across central ministries in Pay Level 4 to Level 8 (Rs 25,500 up to Rs 47,600 starting basic). Both first papers test the same four subjects, but CPO Paper-I has 100 questions for 100 marks in 1 hour (-0.25 per wrong answer) while CGL Tier-I has 100 questions for 200 marks in 1 hour (-0.50).
Every number below comes from the two official 2026 notices: the SSC notice for Sub-Inspector in Delhi Police and CAPFs Examination, 2026 (PDF) (dated 10.09.2026) and the SSC CGL 2026 notice (PDF) (dated 21.05.2026). Paragraph numbers are given so you can check them.
Status as of 31 Oct 2026: SSC CPO 2026 Paper-I (CBE) is scheduled for 23 to 28 November 2026 (SSC corrigendum of 26.10.2026). SSC CGL 2026 Tier-I was scheduled from 30 September to 30 October 2026 (SSC Important Notice of 12.09.2026), and the notice lists Tier-II tentatively in December 2026. Applications for both have closed.
SSC CPO vs SSC CGL 2026 at a Glance
| Point | SSC CPO 2026 | SSC CGL 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Sub-Inspector in Delhi Police and CAPFs Examination | Combined Graduate Level Examination |
| Posts | SI (GD) in CAPFs, SI (Executive) in Delhi Police, SI (Fire) in CISF | ASO, Inspectors (Income Tax, CBIC), Auditor, Accountant, AAO, SI in CBI/NIA and more |
| Pay level | Level 6 for every post (Para 1) | Level 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 (Para 2) |
| Qualification | Bachelor's degree (SI Fire: B.Sc. with PCM or specified diploma) (Para 7) | Bachelor's degree; some posts need specific subjects (Para 8) |
| Age (as on 01.08.2026) | 20-25 years; SI (Fire) 18-30 (Para 5) | 18-27, 20-30, 18-30 or 18-32 by post (Para 5) |
| Stages | Paper-I → PST/PET → Paper-II → Medical (Para 12.1) | Tier-I → Tier-II (Para 13.1) |
| First paper | 100 Q, 100 marks, 1 hour, -0.25 | 100 Q, 200 marks, 1 hour, -0.50 |
| Physical test | Compulsory for all (qualifying) | Only for a few posts (e.g. CBIC/CBN Inspectors) |
| Final merit based on | Paper-II marks + post preference (Para 16.8) | Tier-II Paper-I Sections I and II (Para 16.10, 16.14) |
| Tentative vacancies | See our SSC CPO salary 2026 note | 10,731 (SSC list of 24.09.2026) |
SSC CPO Paper-I vs SSC CGL Tier-I Pattern
Same four subjects, same 25 questions per subject, same one hour with a sectional timer. The difference is in marks and negative marking.
| Subject | CPO Paper-I (Para 12.1) | CGL Tier-I (Para 13.8) |
|---|---|---|
| General Intelligence and Reasoning | 25 Q / 25 marks | 25 Q / 50 marks |
| General Knowledge / General Awareness | 25 Q / 25 marks | 25 Q / 50 marks |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 25 Q / 25 marks | 25 Q / 50 marks |
| English Comprehension | 25 Q / 25 marks | 25 Q / 50 marks |
| Total | 100 Q / 100 marks | 100 Q / 200 marks |
| Time | 1 hour, 15 minutes per part | 1 hour, 15 minutes per subject |
| Negative marking | 0.25 per wrong answer (Para 12.2) | 0.50 per wrong answer (Para 13.8.2) |
In both cases a wrong answer costs one-quarter of the question's value, so the guessing risk is the same in proportion. A Tier-I mock works as Paper-I practice too; just halve the score. Note that CPO cut-offs from before 2026 were out of 200, so compare them as percentages (SSC CPO cut off).
SSC CPO Paper-II vs SSC CGL Tier-II
This is where the two exams split apart, and it decides your final rank in both.
| Feature | CPO Paper-II (Para 12.1-12.2) | CGL Tier-II Paper-I (Para 13.9) |
|---|---|---|
| Reasoning | 20 Q / 40 marks | 30 Q / 90 marks (Section I) |
| Maths | 20 Q / 40 marks | 30 Q / 90 marks (Section I) |
| General Awareness | 20 Q / 40 marks | 25 Q / 75 marks (Section II) |
| English | 100 Q / 200 marks, 1 hour | 45 Q / 135 marks (Section II) |
| Computer | None | Computer Knowledge Test 20 Q / 60 marks, qualifying |
| Typing | None | Data Entry Speed Test, 15 minutes, qualifying |
| Negative marking | 0.50 per wrong answer | 1 mark per wrong answer (Sections I-III) |
| Extra papers | None | Paper-II Statistics (JSO/SI) and Paper-III GS Finance and Economics (AAO), 100 Q / 200 marks each |
The CPO first three parts run for 1 hour with a 20-minute timer each, and English is a separate hour. SSC's notice adds that Paper-II difficulty "will be higher than that of Paper-I". Practical meaning: in CPO, English carries 200 of the 320 Paper-II marks, so strong English decides selection. In CGL, Maths, Reasoning, English and GA are more evenly weighted, and you must also clear the computer and typing tests. Full topic lists are in our SSC CPO syllabus 2026 and SSC CGL exam pattern 2026 notes.
Physical Test: Only SSC CPO Has a Compulsory PET
Every CPO candidate must clear the Physical Standard Test and Physical Endurance Test before Paper-II (Para 12.10, 16.4-16.5). They are qualifying only; marks are not added.
| PET event (Para 12.10.4) | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| 100 metre race | 16 seconds | 18 seconds |
| Long run | 1.6 km in 6.5 minutes | 800 m in 4 minutes |
| Long jump (3 chances) | 3.65 m | 2.7 m |
| High jump (3 chances) | 1.2 m | 0.9 m |
| Shot put 16 lbs (3 chances) | 4.5 m | Not applicable |
Height for SI in CAPFs is 170 cm for most male candidates and 157 cm for most female candidates, with relaxation for listed regions and categories (Para 12.10.1.2). Details are in our SSC CPO physical test 2026 note.
CGL: most posts have no physical test. The notice prescribes physical standards and a walking/cycling test only for posts such as Inspector (Central Excise/Examiner/Preventive Officer) and Inspector/Sub-Inspector in the Central Bureau of Narcotics, for example 1,600 m walking in 15 minutes and 8 km cycling in 30 minutes for men (Annexure-XV).
SSC CPO vs SSC CGL Salary and Pay Level
| Pay level | Starting basic | SSC CPO posts | SSC CGL posts (examples, Para 2) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 8 | Rs 47,600 | — | Assistant Audit Officer, Assistant Accounts Officer |
| Level 7 | Rs 44,900 | — | ASO (CSS, MEA, Railways, IB), Inspector of Income Tax, Inspector CBIC, Assistant Enforcement Officer, SI in CBI, Inspector Posts |
| Level 6 | Rs 35,400 | SI (GD) CAPFs, SI (Exe) Delhi Police, SI (Fire) CISF | SI in NIA, JSO, Divisional Accountant, Research Assistant (NHRC) |
| Level 5 | Rs 29,200 | — | Auditor, Accountant |
| Level 4 | Rs 25,500 | — | Postal/Sorting Assistant, Senior Secretariat Assistant/UDC, Tax Assistant |
Verdict on pay: an SI through CPO starts at the same basic as a Level 6 CGL post, below the Level 7 inspector and ASO posts that top CGL rankers usually target, and above CGL's Level 4 and 5 posts. CAPF and police roles can carry force-specific allowances; see SSC CPO salary 2026 and SSC CGL salary 2026 for in-hand estimates.
SSC CPO vs SSC CGL Age Limit and Eligibility
- CPO: 20-25 years for SI in Delhi Police and SI (GD) in CAPFs, so you must be born between 02.08.2001 and 01.08.2006; SI (Fire) in CISF allows 18-30 (Para 5.1-5.2). Graduation was required by the closing date, 30.09.2026.
- CGL: 18-27 for Level 4 and 5 posts, 18-30 or 20-30 for most Level 6-8 posts, and 18-32 for JSO (Para 2 and 5.1).
- Category relaxations apply in both; check our SSC CPO eligibility and age limit 2026 and SSC CGL eligibility and age limit 2026 notes.
Key point: CPO's upper age limit of 25 is tighter than CGL's, so a 26-year-old graduate can still try CGL but not CPO (except SI Fire).
Which Is Tougher: SSC CPO or SSC CGL?
SSC does not rank difficulty, so this is our reading of the official structure:
- Written exam: CGL Tier-II is longer and broader (four subjects, computer test, typing test, -1 negative marking). CPO Paper-II is narrower but English-heavy.
- Physical filter: CPO adds a PET and a strict medical exam that CGL candidates mostly avoid.
- Competition: CGL has far more posts (10,731 tentative vacancies for 2026), but also a much larger applicant pool.
If your English is strong and you are fit, CPO is often the more direct route. If you prefer a desk career and stronger Maths, CGL gives more posts and higher pay levels.
Can You Prepare for SSC CPO and SSC CGL Together?
Yes. The first papers share the same four subjects and question count, so about the same preparation covers both. A workable split:
| Phase | Focus |
|---|---|
| Common base | Reasoning, Quant, GA, English for CPO Paper-I and CGL Tier-I |
| CPO add-on | 100-question English practice; PET training (sprint, 1.6 km/800 m, jumps) |
| CGL add-on | Tier-II level Maths, computer knowledge, typing (DEST) practice |
For timed practice, try the SSC CPO Paper-I full mock test 01.
SSC CPO vs SSC CGL: FAQs
Which is better, SSC CPO or SSC CGL?
It depends on the job you want. CPO gives a uniformed Sub-Inspector post at Level 6. CGL offers Level 4 to Level 8 desk and inspector posts. Choose by role, fitness and age, not only by pay.
Is SSC CPO salary higher than SSC CGL?
Not always. CPO posts are all Level 6 (Rs 35,400 starting basic). CGL's Level 7 and 8 posts start higher (Rs 44,900 and Rs 47,600), but its Level 4 and 5 posts start lower.
Is the syllabus of SSC CPO and SSC CGL the same?
The four subjects in CPO Paper-I and CGL Tier-I are the same. The second stage differs: CPO Paper-II has a 200-mark English part, while CGL Tier-II adds computer knowledge and a typing test.
SSC CPO ya CGL, kaun sa exam tough hai?
CGL Tier-II lamba hai aur usme computer aur typing test bhi hai, jabki CPO mein physical test (PET) aur medical compulsory hai. Agar aapki English strong hai aur fitness achhi hai to CPO aapke liye behtar ho sakta hai.
Can a 26-year-old apply for SSC CPO?
Not for SI in Delhi Police or SI (GD) in CAPFs, where the limit is 20-25 years without relaxation. SI (Fire) in CISF allows up to 30 years.
Is there negative marking in SSC CPO and SSC CGL?
Yes. CPO: 0.25 in Paper-I and 0.50 in Paper-II. CGL: 0.50 in Tier-I and 1 mark in Tier-II Paper-I (Sections I-III).
Related SSC Notes
- Hubs: SSC CGL 2026 and all SSC exams
- SSC CPO: syllabus 2026, physical test 2026, salary 2026, exam day guidelines 2026
- SSC CGL: exam pattern 2026, salary 2026, SSC CGL vs CHSL
Sources: SSC notice of examination for Sub-Inspector in Delhi Police and CAPFs Examination, 2026 (10.09.2026), Para 1, 5, 7, 12 and 16; SSC corrigendum of 26.10.2026; SSC CGL 2026 notice (21.05.2026), Para 2, 5, 8, 13 and 16 and Annexure-XV; SSC Important Notice of 12.09.2026; SSC tentative vacancy list for CGL 2026 (24.09.2026). All facts as of 31 Oct 2026. The "which is better/tougher" views are BookOfExams analysis, not SSC statements.