The Staff Selection Commission Central Police Organisation (SSC CPO) examination is a national-level recruitment process conducted to select eligible candidates for Sub-Inspector (SI) posts in the Delhi Police and various Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs). The selection process is divided into four distinct phases: Paper-I, the Physical Standard Test (PST) / Physical Endurance Test (PET), Paper-II, and a Detailed Medical Examination (DME).
Paper-I tests foundational skills in reasoning, general awareness, quantitative aptitude, and English comprehension across 100 questions. Candidates qualifying the written tests must meet specific physical standard criteria and clear physical endurance events, such as timed races and jumps, which are qualifying in nature. Paper-II further evaluates English language proficiency with a dedicated 200-mark paper. Overall, the examination offers a structured entry pathway into prestigious uniformed administrative and enforcement roles across India.
The selection process consists of Paper-I, Physical Standard Test (PST) / Physical Endurance Test (PET), Paper-II, and a Detailed Medical Examination (DME).
Paper-I (Computer Based Examination)
- Duration: 1 Hour (15-minute sectional timer for each part)
- Negative Marking: 0.25 marks deducted for each incorrect answer
- Structure:
| Part | Subject | Questions | Max Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | General Intelligence & Reasoning | 25 | 25 |
| II | General Knowledge & General Awareness | 25 | 25 |
| III | Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 25 |
| IV | English Comprehension | 25 | 25 |
Paper-II (Computer Based Examination)
- Duration: 2 Hours total (Parts I, II, & III share 1 hour with a 20-minute sectional timer each; Part IV is 1 hour)
- Negative Marking: 0.50 marks deducted for each incorrect answer
- Structure:
| Part | Subject | Questions | Max Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | General Intelligence & Reasoning | 20 | 40 |
| II | General Knowledge & General Awareness | 20 | 40 |
| III | Quantitative Aptitude | 20 | 40 |
| IV | English Comprehension | 100 | 200 |
Physical Tests (Qualifying in Nature)
Physical Standard Test (PST)
1. Male Candidates:
- General / OBC / SC: Height: 170 cm | Chest: 80 cm (Unexpanded) / 85 cm (Expanded)
- Hill Areas (Garhwal, Kumaon, Himachal Pradesh, Gorkhas, Dogras, Marathas, Kashmir Valley, Leh & Ladakh, NE States, Sikkim): Height: 165 cm | Chest: 80 cm (Unexpanded) / 85 cm (Expanded)
- Male Gorkhas (CAPFs only): Height: 157 cm | Chest: 80 cm (Unexpanded) / 85 cm (Expanded)
- Scheduled Tribes (ST): Height: 162.5 cm | Chest: 77 cm (Unexpanded) / 82 cm (Expanded)
- ST of North-Eastern States (CAPFs only): Height: 157 cm | Chest: 77 cm (Unexpanded) / 82 cm (Expanded)
- SI (Fire) in CISF: Height: 170 cm (165 cm for Hill Areas, 162.5 cm for ST) | Chest: 81 cm (Unexpanded) / 86 cm (Expanded) (77/82 cm for ST)
2. Female Candidates:
- General / OBC / SC: Height: 157 cm
- Hill Areas: Height: 155 cm
- Scheduled Tribes (ST): Height: 154 cm
- Chest measurement is not applicable for female candidates.
Physical Endurance Test (PET)
1. Male Candidates:
- 100 Metre Race: Within 16 seconds
- 1.6 Km Race: Within 6.5 minutes
- Long Jump: 3.65 metres (in 3 chances)
- High Jump: 1.2 metres (in 3 chances)
- Shot Put (16 Lbs): 4.5 metres (in 3 chances)
2. Female Candidates:
- 100 Metre Race: Within 18 seconds
- 800 Metre Race: Within 4 minutes
- Long Jump: 2.7 metres (in 3 chances)
- High Jump: 0.9 metres (in 3 chances)
(Note: Ex-Servicemen are exempt from the PET but must fulfill the PST requirements.)
SSC CPO 2026 Important Links
| SSC CPO 2026 Notification | Notification |
| SSC Official Website | SSC |
