SSC CPO 2026 (SI Delhi Police and CAPF): Exam Date, Syllabus, Pattern, Mock Tests and Cut Off
The Staff Selection Commission recruits Sub-Inspectors in Delhi Police and the Central Armed Police Forces (BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP and SSB) through the SSC CPO examination. The 2026 cycle has 1,871 vacancies.
Selection is Paper-I (screening), physical tests (PST/PET), Paper-II (merit), and a detailed medical examination. The 2026 pattern is much shorter than 2025: Paper-I fell from 200 questions in 2 hours to 100 questions in 1 hour, and Paper-II now tests all four subjects instead of English alone.
- Recruiting body
- Staff Selection Commission (SSC)
- Posts
- Sub-Inspector in Delhi Police and CAPFs; 1,871 vacancies
- Qualification
- Bachelor's degree in any discipline
- Age limit
- 20-25 years as on 01.08.2026 (SI Fire: 18-30), with relaxation for reserved categories
- Application fee
- Rs 100 (exempted for women, SC, ST and ESM candidates)
- Selection
- Paper-I → PST/PET → Paper-II → detailed medical examination
Latest SSC CPO notification and updates
Paper-I is scheduled for 23 to 28 November 2026, per SSC's corrigendum dated 26.10.2026 (the window was earlier 20 to 28 November). The city intimation slip is expected around 13 November and the admit card around 20 November; the Paper-II date has not been announced.
Source: SSC corrigendum dated 26.10.2026 (revised Paper-I window)
Official website: ssc.gov.in. Always confirm dates and eligibility in the official notice before applying.
SSC CPO key dates (official)
Only dates published by Staff Selection Commission. Anything not yet announced is marked "Awaited".
- NotificationDone10 September 2026
- Paper-I (computer based)Upcoming23 to 28 November 2026
- Admit cardAwaitedAwaited (expected around 20 November 2026)Not announced
- PST/PETAwaitedAwaitedNot announced
- Paper-IIAwaitedAwaitedNot announced
| Event | Date | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notification | 10 September 2026 | Done | SSC CPO 2026 notice (10.09.2026), Para 12 and 16 |
| Paper-I (computer based) | 23 to 28 November 2026 | Upcoming | SSC corrigendum dated 26.10.2026 (revised Paper-I window) |
| Admit card | Awaited (expected around 20 November 2026) | Awaited | Not announced |
| PST/PET | Awaited | Awaited | Not announced |
| Paper-II | Awaited | Awaited | Not announced |
SSC CPO exam pattern
SSC CPO Paper-I Exam Pattern 2026
| Part | Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | General Intelligence and Reasoning | 25 | 25 |
| II | General Knowledge and General Awareness | 25 | 25 |
| III | Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 25 |
| IV | English Comprehension | 25 | 25 |
| Total | 100 | 100 |
- 1 hour in total, with a 15-minute sectional timer for each part.
- 0.25 mark is deducted for each wrong answer. Parts I, II and III are in Hindi and English; Part IV is in English only.
- Paper-I shortlists candidates for the physical tests (PST/PET). SSC may fix different cut-offs in each part (Para 16.3).
- This is the new 2026 pattern: Paper-I fell from 200 questions in 2 hours to 100 questions in 1 hour.
SSC CPO Paper-II Exam Pattern 2026
| Part | Subject | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | General Intelligence and Reasoning | 20 | 40 | 1 hour for Parts I-III (20-min timer each) |
| II | General Knowledge and General Awareness | 20 | 40 | |
| III | Quantitative Aptitude | 20 | 40 | |
| IV | English Comprehension | 100 | 200 | 1 hour |
| Total | 160 | 320 | 2 hours |
- Each Paper-II question carries 2 marks, and 0.50 mark is deducted for each wrong answer.
- Only candidates who qualify PST/PET can sit Paper-II. Paper-II tests all four subjects, not English alone.
- Final merit and allocation of post/force are on Paper-II marks (including NCC bonus) and preferences (Para 16.8). SSC says Paper-II will be harder than Paper-I.
SSC CPO free mock tests
39 tests: 9 full mocks, 11 sectional, 19 topic-wise, 0 mini mocks and 0 previous year papers.
Full mocks (9)
- SSC CPO Paper 1 Full Mock Test 2026 (New Pattern) 01100 Qs•60 min•MediumStart
- SSC CPO Paper 1 Full Mock Test 2026 (New Pattern) 02100 Qs•60 min•MediumStart
- SSC CPO Paper 1 Full Mock Test 2026 (New Pattern) 03100 Qs•60 min•MediumStart
- SSC CPO Paper 1 Full Mock Test 2026 (New Pattern) 04100 Qs•60 min•MediumStart
- SSC CPO Paper 1 Full Mock Test 2026 (New Pattern) 05100 Qs•60 min•MediumStart
- SSC CPO Paper-II Mock Test 01160 Qs•120 min•MediumStart
- SSC CPO Paper-II Mock Test 02160 Qs•120 min•MediumStart
- SSC CPO Paper-II Mock Test 03160 Qs•120 min•MediumStart
- SSC CPO Paper-II Mock Test 04160 Qs•120 min•MediumStart
Sectional tests (11)
- SSC CPO Paper 1 English Sectional Mock Test 2026 (25 Questions) 01Start
- SSC CPO Paper 1 English Sectional Mock Test 2026 (25 Questions) 02Start
- SSC CPO Paper 1 English Sectional Mock Test 2026 (25 Questions) 03Start
- SSC CPO Paper-II English Sectional Mock Test 01Start
- SSC CPO Paper 1 General Awareness Sectional Mock Test 2026 (25 Questions) 01Start
- SSC CPO Paper-1 General Awareness Sectional Mock Test 02Start
- SSC CPO Paper-1 General Awareness Sectional Mock Test 03Start
- SSC CPO Paper 1 General Intelligence and Reasoning Sectional Mock Test 2026 (25 Questions) 01Start
- SSC CPO Paper 1 General Intelligence and Reasoning Sectional Mock Test 2026 (25 Questions) 02Start
- SSC CPO Paper 1 Quantitative Aptitude Sectional Mock Test 2026 (25 Questions) 01Start
- SSC CPO Paper 1 Quantitative Aptitude Sectional Mock Test 2026 (25 Questions) 02Start
SSC CPO 2026: FAQs
When is the SSC CPO 2026 Paper-I exam?
23 to 28 November 2026, per SSC's corrigendum dated 26.10.2026. The earlier window was 20 to 28 November.
How many vacancies are there in SSC CPO 2026?
1,871 Sub-Inspector vacancies across Delhi Police and the CAPFs.
What is the age limit for SSC CPO 2026?
20 to 25 years as on 01.08.2026 for Sub-Inspector posts (18 to 30 for SI Fire), with the usual age relaxation for reserved categories.
What is the new SSC CPO exam pattern 2026?
Paper-I: 100 questions, 100 marks, 1 hour, 15-minute timer per part, 0.25 negative marking. Paper-II: 160 questions, 320 marks, 2 hours, 0.50 negative marking. Paper-II now covers all four subjects.
What decides the SSC CPO final merit?
Paper-II marks, including NCC bonus marks, along with post and force preferences. Paper-I only shortlists for the physical tests.
Is there negative marking in SSC CPO?
Yes: 0.25 mark per wrong answer in Paper-I and 0.50 in Paper-II.
What is the SSC CPO physical test?
After Paper-I, candidates face the Physical Standard Test (height, chest) and Physical Endurance Test (race, long jump, high jump, shot put), followed by a detailed medical examination.
Can women apply for SSC CPO?
Yes. Women are eligible for Sub-Inspector posts in Delhi Police and CAPFs, with separate physical standards and separate cut-offs.
