SSC CPO Exam Date 2026: Notification, Important Dates, Vacancy & Complete Guide

The SSC CPO Notification 2026 is expected to be released in July 2026 as per the official SSC Exam Calendar 2026-27, with online applications continuing for about a month after release. The Paper 1 (Tier 1) exam is tentatively scheduled for October to November 2026. The recruitment is for Sub-Inspector posts in Delhi Police and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) such as CRPF, BSF, CISF, ITBP and SSB. Candidates preparing for this exam can also check our detailed SSC CPO study material at Sreedhar's CCE to get started early.

If you are targeting a uniformed government job with a respectable salary, job security and a clear career path, SSC CPO is one of the best options available through the Staff Selection Commission. This guide covers everything you need to know about the SSC CPO Exam Date 2026, from the notification and application process to eligibility, exam pattern, syllabus, physical standards and salary.

SSC CPO Exam Date 2026

Latest Update

As of the latest update, the Staff Selection Commission has not yet released the official SSC CPO 2026 notification. Based on the SSC Exam Calendar 2026-27, the notification was originally expected around 31 May 2026, but it has been pushed and is now expected to be released in July 2026, along with the start of the online application process. Meanwhile, the PET/PST for the SSC CPO 2025 cycle is being conducted between 21 and 28 July 2026, with admit cards already released. Candidates preparing for the 2026 cycle should keep checking the official website and can also bookmark our SSC CPO notification updates page for verified information as soon as it is announced.

Notification Status

The SSC CPO Notification 2026 will be released for recruitment to the posts of Sub-Inspector (Executive) in Delhi Police and Sub-Inspector (General Duty) in CAPFs. Once released, the notification PDF will carry all official details including the exact schedule, force-wise vacancy break-up, eligibility conditions, application fee, and the syllabus for Paper 1 and Paper 2. Candidates should always download the notification from the official SSC website, ssc.gov.in, and cross-check details with our SSC CPO notification breakdown once it goes live.

Paper 1 Exam Schedule

The Paper 1 (Tier 1) Computer-Based Examination for SSC CPO 2026 is tentatively scheduled to be conducted between October and November 2026. This is based on the standard SSC pattern where Paper 1 is generally held about four to five months after the notification is released. For reference, Paper 1 of the SSC CPO 2025 cycle was conducted from 9 to 12 December 2025, and the result for that cycle was declared on 30 March 2026.

PET/PST Status

The Physical Endurance Test (PET) and Physical Standard Test (PST) for the SSC CPO 2025 cycle are currently underway, scheduled from 21 July to 28 July 2026. Candidates whose PET/PST dates clash with another examination have been permitted to appear on any day during this window at their allotted centre, provided they carry proof of the conflicting exam. For SSC CPO 2026, the PET/PST round will follow only after the Paper 1 result is declared, which is expected sometime around January to February 2027 based on past trends.

Admit Card Status

The SSC CPO Paper 1 Admit Card 2026 will be released a few days before the exam date, once the notification and application process are complete. Admit cards are always released separately for Paper 1, PET/PST and Paper 2. Candidates should regularly check the official SSC regional website linked to their exam centre and our SSC CPO admit card page for direct download links and step-by-step instructions.

Important Dates Table

SSC CPO Notification 2026

Notification Highlights

The SSC CPO 2026 notification will cover the Sub-Inspector recruitment for Delhi Police and five CAPFs: CRPF, BSF, CISF, ITBP and SSB. It is a graduate-level, direct recruitment exam conducted once every year, and it remains one of the most sought-after uniformed government jobs because of the combination of field duty, a strong pay scale and long-term career growth.

SSC CPO Notification PDF

Once released, the official SSC CPO Notification PDF 2026 will be available for download on ssc.gov.in. It will contain the complete schedule, category-wise and post-wise vacancy details, eligibility norms, application fee structure, and exam pattern. We recommend downloading it directly from the source and referring to our simplified SSC CPO notification PDF summary so you do not miss any deadline.

What's New in SSC CPO 2026?

The most notable change for the 2026 cycle is the revised exam pattern, which now includes a sectional time limit of 30 minutes for each of the four sections in Paper 1, instead of a single composite two-hour window. This means candidates can no longer shift extra time from one section to another, making balanced preparation across Reasoning, General Knowledge, Quantitative Aptitude and English Comprehension more important than before.

Recruitment Overview

SSC CPO is conducted annually by the Staff Selection Commission to fill Sub-Inspector vacancies across Delhi Police and the CAPFs. The selection process runs through four major stages: Paper 1, PET/PST, Paper 2 and a Detailed Medical Examination, followed by document verification and the final merit list.

SSC CPO Important Dates 2026

Complete Exam Schedule

These dates are tentative and based on the SSC Exam Calendar 2026-27 and previous years' patterns. Once the official notification is released, all dates will be confirmed. Candidates should keep checking our SSC CPO important dates tracker for real-time updates.

SSC CPO Vacancy 2026

Total Vacancies

The exact number of vacancies for SSC CPO 2026 will be announced along with the official notification. For reference, the SSC CPO 2025 cycle had a revised vacancy count of over 5,000 posts, and a similar or higher number is expected for 2026 given the consistent recruitment trend in Delhi Police and CAPFs.

Delhi Police SI Vacancy

A significant share of the total vacancies is allotted to Sub-Inspector (Executive) posts in Delhi Police, for both male and female candidates. Delhi Police vacancies tend to attract the highest number of applicants because of the posting location and career prospects within the capital's police force.

CAPF-wise Vacancy

The remaining vacancies are distributed across the Central Armed Police Forces, which includes CRPF, BSF, CISF, ITBP and SSB. Each force publishes its own force-wise vacancy break-up within the notification, and the numbers vary from year to year depending on operational requirements.

Category-wise Vacancy

Vacancies are further divided category-wise across General, EWS, OBC, SC and ST candidates, in line with the reservation policy applicable to central government recruitment. The detailed category-wise table will be available once the notification is out.

Previous Year Vacancy Trends

Vacancy numbers for SSC CPO have generally ranged between 3,000 and over 5,000 in recent cycles, depending on the requirement raised by Delhi Police and the CAPFs for that year. Reviewing these trends helps candidates gauge the level of competition and plan their preparation accordingly. You can check our detailed SSC CPO vacancy trend analysis for a year-wise comparison.

SSC CPO Eligibility Criteria

Nationality

A candidate must be a citizen of India. Subjects of Nepal and Bhutan are also eligible, provided they hold a certificate of eligibility issued by the Government of India.

Educational Qualification

Candidates must hold a Bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognised university. Those in their final year of graduation can also apply, but they must be able to produce proof of having passed the degree by the cut-off date mentioned in the notification.

Age Limit

The age limit for SSC CPO 2026 is expected to be 20 to 25 years, calculated as on the reference date given in the official notification, typically 1 August of the exam year. This means candidates born within the specified date range will be eligible to apply.

Age Relaxation

Age relaxation is available for candidates belonging to reserved categories and other special groups as per government norms.

For a complete and updated breakdown, refer to our SSC CPO eligibility criteria page.

SSC CPO Application Process

How to Apply Online

Candidates can apply for SSC CPO 2026 only through the official SSC website, ssc.gov.in. The process involves one-time registration, filling in personal and educational details, uploading photograph and signature, choosing exam centres, paying the application fee and submitting the final form before the last date.

Application Fee

The application fee for SSC CPO is generally Rs. 100 for General, OBC and EWS male candidates. Female candidates and those belonging to SC, ST, Ex-Servicemen and PwBD categories are exempted from paying the fee. The exact fee structure will be confirmed in the 2026 notification.

Documents Required

Candidates should keep the following documents ready before applying: a valid photo ID, educational certificates, category certificate if applicable, a recent passport-size photograph and signature in the prescribed format, and a valid driving licence for LMV, since this is mandatory at the time of the Physical Test.

Photograph & Signature Guidelines

Photograph and signature must be scanned and uploaded strictly as per the size and format specified in the notification. Applications with incorrect image specifications are often rejected, so candidates should follow the guidelines carefully. Our SSC CPO application process guide covers this step by step.

SSC CPO Exam Pattern

Paper 1 Exam Pattern

Paper 1 is a Computer-Based Test consisting of 200 questions worth 200 marks, to be attempted in 2 hours. The exam is divided into four sections of 50 questions and 50 marks each: General Intelligence and Reasoning, General Knowledge and General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, and English Comprehension. As per the revised 2026 pattern, each section now carries its own sectional time limit of 30 minutes, so candidates cannot spend extra time on one section by cutting short another.

Paper 2 Exam Pattern

Paper 2 focuses entirely on English Language and Comprehension, carrying 200 marks across 200 questions, to be completed in 2 hours. It tests grammar, vocabulary, sentence correction, comprehension passages and usage of words.

Negative Marking

Both Paper 1 and Paper 2 carry a negative marking of 0.25 marks for every wrong answer, so candidates should attempt questions carefully rather than guessing randomly.

For a detailed section-wise weightage analysis, check our SSC CPO exam pattern guide.

SSC CPO Syllabus

General Intelligence & Reasoning

This section covers analogies, similarities and differences, spatial visualisation, problem solving, analysis, judgement, decision making, arithmetical reasoning, coding-decoding, statement conclusion and non-verbal reasoning based on figures.

General Knowledge & Current Affairs

This section tests awareness of current events, history, culture, geography, economics, general polity, Indian Constitution, sports and scientific developments, including questions relevant to a candidate's day-to-day observation.

Quantitative Aptitude

Topics include number systems, simplification, percentage, ratio and proportion, average, profit and loss, time and work, time and distance, mensuration, algebra, trigonometry and basic data interpretation.

English Comprehension

This section evaluates a candidate's understanding of basic English grammar, vocabulary, spellings, sentence structure and correct usage of words, along with comprehension passages, especially since Paper 2 is entirely based on English.

Download Syllabus PDF

A detailed subject-wise SSC CPO Syllabus PDF is usually released along with the notification. Candidates can also access a simplified topic-wise breakdown on our SSC CPO syllabus page to plan their study schedule.

SSC CPO Selection Process

Paper 1 (Computer-Based Examination)

Paper 1 is the first and most important stage of the selection process. Only candidates who qualify Paper 1 are shortlisted for the Physical Standard Test and Physical Endurance Test.

Physical Standard Test (PST)

The PST checks whether a candidate meets the minimum height, chest and weight standards prescribed for the post. This is a qualifying stage, and candidates who fail to meet the standards are disqualified regardless of their Paper 1 score.

Physical Endurance Test (PET)

The PET assesses stamina, speed and physical fitness through running, long jump, high jump and, for male candidates, shot put. This is also qualifying in nature.

Paper 2

Candidates who clear both PST and PET are called for Paper 2, which is focused entirely on English Language and Comprehension.

Medical Examination

After Paper 2, shortlisted candidates undergo a Detailed Medical Examination (DME) that checks vision, hearing, absence of knock-knee or flat foot, no varicose veins and overall general fitness.

Final Merit List

The final merit list is prepared based on the combined marks of Paper 1 and Paper 2, subject to candidates having cleared PST, PET and the medical examination. PET and PST marks are not added to the final merit; they are purely qualifying.

SSC CPO Physical Standards

Height & Chest Requirements

For general male candidates, the minimum height required is 170 cm, while it is 165 cm for candidates from hilly areas and 162.5 cm for ST candidates. Chest measurement for male candidates must be a minimum of 80 cm unexpanded, with a minimum expansion of 5 cm, taking it to 85 cm. For ST candidates, the chest requirement is 77 cm. Female candidates are not required to meet any chest measurement, but they must meet the height requirement, which is a minimum of 157 cm for the general category.

Running, Long Jump & High Jump

Male candidates need to complete a 100 metre race within 16 seconds and a 1.6 km race within 6.5 minutes, along with clearing a long jump of 3.65 metres and a high jump of 1.2 metres. Female candidates are tested on a 100 metre race, an 800 metre race, long jump and high jump, with separate qualifying standards. Ex-Servicemen are exempted from the PET but must still clear the PST and written papers.

Medical Standards

Medical standards include distant vision of 6/6 in the better eye and 6/9 in the other, with candidates wearing spectacles required to meet the same standards with correction. Colour vision, hearing ability and the absence of any obvious physical deformity are also assessed during the Detailed Medical Examination.

SSC CPO Admit Card 2026

Release Date

The SSC CPO Paper 1 Admit Card 2026 will be released a few days before the exam, once dates are confirmed after the application process closes. Admit cards for PET/PST and Paper 2 are issued separately at their respective stages.

Download Steps

Candidates can download their admit card by visiting the regional SSC website relevant to their examination zone, logging in with their registration number and password or date of birth, and downloading the PDF for printing.

Exam Day Guidelines

Candidates must carry a printed copy of the admit card along with a valid photo ID to the exam centre. It is advisable to reach the centre well before the reporting time and follow all instructions related to permitted items and dress code, especially for the PET/PST stage.

SSC CPO Answer Key 2026

Provisional Answer Key

After the Paper 1 exam is conducted, SSC releases a provisional answer key along with recorded responses, allowing candidates to estimate their probable score.

Challenge Process

Candidates who wish to challenge any answer in the provisional key can do so within a specified window, usually by paying a nominal fee per challenged question, along with supporting justification.

Final Answer Key

Based on the challenges received, SSC releases the final answer key, and the Paper 1 result is prepared using this key.

SSC CPO Result 2026

Result Date

The Paper 1 result is usually declared a few months after the exam, once the answer key process is complete. For the 2025 cycle, Paper 1 was held in December 2025 and the result came out in March 2026, giving a fair idea of the expected timeline for 2026.

Merit List

The Paper 1 merit list includes candidates shortlisted for PST and PET, based on category-wise cut-off marks. Later, a separate merit list is released after Paper 2 and the medical examination for final selection.

Scorecard

Candidates can download their individual scorecard from the official SSC website using their registration details once the result is declared.

SSC CPO Expected Cut Off 2026

Previous Year Cut Off Analysis

SSC CPO cut-off marks vary each year depending on the number of vacancies, difficulty level of the paper and the number of candidates appearing. Reviewing previous years' Paper 1 and Paper 2 cut-off trends, category-wise, gives a realistic benchmark for candidates preparing for the 2026 cycle. You can check our SSC CPO cut-off analysis for a detailed, year-wise comparison.

SSC CPO Salary

In-Hand Salary

Selected Sub-Inspectors under SSC CPO receive a pay scale ranging from Rs. 35,400 to Rs. 1,12,400 per month, as per the 7th Pay Commission, along with applicable allowances based on posting location.

Pay Level

The post falls under Pay Level 6 of the 7th Central Pay Commission, classifying it as a Group B, Non-Gazetted post.

Allowances & Benefits

In addition to basic pay, selected candidates receive Dearness Allowance, House Rent Allowance, Transport Allowance and other benefits applicable to central government uniformed personnel, along with medical facilities and pension benefits under the applicable scheme.

Career Growth

SSC CPO Sub-Inspectors have a clear promotional path, moving up to Inspector and higher ranks over the course of their service, based on seniority, departmental exams and performance.

Best Books for SSC CPO Preparation

SSC CPO Preparation Tips

30-Day Study Plan

A focused 30-day plan should include daily practice of all four Paper 1 sections, with extra emphasis on Reasoning and Quantitative Aptitude, along with a fixed slot for current affairs revision every day.

PET/PST Preparation

Since PET and PST are qualifying stages that eliminate many candidates who clear Paper 1, physical preparation should start well in advance, ideally alongside written preparation, rather than after the Paper 1 result.

Mock Tests

Regular mock tests under the revised sectional-timer format help candidates get used to the 30-minute limit per section and avoid running out of time in any one part of the paper.

Previous Year Papers

Solving previous year question papers helps candidates understand the difficulty level, frequently repeated topics and the ideal time management strategy for each section.

Time Management Tips

With the new sectional timing rule, candidates should practise treating each section as a separate mini-exam rather than relying on shifting time between sections, which was possible under the older pattern. For a structured plan, explore our SSC CPO preparation strategy and mock test series at Sreedhar's CCE.

SSC CPO Previous Year Papers

Download Previous Papers

Previous year SSC CPO Paper 1 and Paper 2 papers are available for download and practice, giving candidates a realistic sense of the question pattern and difficulty level across recent cycles.

Benefits of Solving PYQs

Practising previous year papers helps identify frequently tested topics, strengthens time management and builds exam-day confidence, which is especially useful given the revised sectional timing introduced for 2026.

Latest SSC CPO News & Updates

Notification Updates: The SSC CPO 2026 notification is expected to be released in July 2026, slightly later than the originally planned date on the SSC Exam Calendar.

Vacancy Updates: The 2026 vacancy count will be confirmed with the notification, with the 2025 cycle recording over 5,000 revised vacancies as a reference point.

Admit Card Updates: PET/PST admit cards for the SSC CPO 2025 cycle have already been released, with the physical test running from 21 to 28 July 2026.

Result Updates: The SSC CPO 2025 Paper 1 result was declared on 30 March 2026, and the next stages for that cycle are currently in progress.

For structured SSC CPO coaching, mock tests and updated study material, explore Sreedhar's CCE SSC CPO course page.