SSC CPO Exam: Eligibility, Exam Pattern, Syllabus & FAQs
The SSC Sub-Inspector in Delhi Police and Central Armed Police Forces Examination, commonly known as the SSC CPO Exam, is conducted by the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) for recruitment to the post of Sub-Inspector (SI) in Delhi Police and various Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs).
The examination is suitable for graduates who are interested in a career in policing, law enforcement and Central Armed Police Forces. Unlike most SSC examinations, SSC CPO includes both written examinations and physical tests, followed by medical examination.
The major posts covered under SSC CPO include Sub-Inspector in Delhi Police and Sub-Inspector (GD) in CAPFs such as BSF, CISF, CRPF, ITBP and SSB, subject to vacancies notified for the particular recruitment cycle.
Note: Eligibility conditions, vacancies, physical standards and other recruitment provisions may change between recruitment cycles. Candidates should always refer to the latest official SSC notification before applying.
SSC CPO Exam – Overview
SSC CPO Exam – Overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Sub-Inspector in Delhi Police and Central Armed Police Forces Examination |
| Conducting Body | Staff Selection Commission |
| Posts | Sub-Inspector in Delhi Police & CAPFs |
| Minimum Qualification | Graduation |
| Age Limit | Generally 20–25 years |
| Exam Mode | Computer Based Examination |
| Physical Test | PET/PST |
| Medical Test | Yes |
| Selection Stages | Paper-I → PET/PST → Paper-II → Medical Examination |
SSC CPO Eligibility Criteria
SSC CPO Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
Candidates must generally possess a Bachelor’s degree from a recognised university or equivalent qualification.
The degree must be obtained by the prescribed cut-off date mentioned in the relevant SSC notification.
Special requirement for Delhi Police SI – Male Candidates
Male candidates applying for Sub-Inspector in Delhi Police must generally possess a valid Driving Licence for Light Motor Vehicles (LMV), including motorcycle and car, by the date specified for the Physical Endurance and Measurement Test.
This driving-licence requirement does not apply in the same manner to female candidates or candidates applying for SI in CAPFs.
Age Limit
The usual age range for SSC CPO is:
Minimum Age: 20 years
Maximum Age: 25 years
The crucial date for calculating age is specified in the recruitment notification.
Age Relaxation
Upper-age relaxation is available to eligible candidates according to Government of India rules.
Common relaxations include:
| Category | Relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC/ST | 5 years |
| OBC | 3 years |
| Ex-Servicemen | As prescribed |
| Other eligible categories | As per applicable rules |
Candidates claiming relaxation must possess the required supporting documents.
Nationality
Candidates must satisfy the nationality conditions prescribed by SSC. Generally, candidates must be citizens of India, with specific provisions for certain other categories as mentioned in the official notification.
3. SSC CPO Physical Eligibility
Physical fitness is an important part of SSC CPO recruitment. Candidates who qualify the first written paper are required to appear for the Physical Standard Test (PST) and Physical Endurance Test (PET).
Physical Standard Test
Height
| Candidate | Height |
|---|---|
| Male – General | 170 cm |
| Male – specified hill/NE areas etc. | 165 cm |
| Male – ST | 162.5 cm |
| Female – General | 157 cm |
| Female – specified hill/NE areas etc. | 155 cm |
| Female – ST | 154 cm |
Chest – Male Candidates
| Standard | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Unexpanded | 80 cm |
| Expanded | 85 cm |
Specified relaxations apply to eligible categories and regions. Female candidates do not have a chest measurement requirement.
Physical Endurance Test
Male Candidates
| Event | Requirement |
|---|---|
| 100 metres race | 16 seconds |
| 1.6 km race | 6.5 minutes |
| Long Jump | 3.65 metres |
| High Jump | 1.2 metres |
| Shot Put (16 lbs) | 4.5 metres |
Female Candidates
| Event | Requirement |
|---|---|
| 100 metres race | 18 seconds |
| 800 metres race | 4 minutes |
| Long Jump | 2.7 metres |
| High Jump | 0.9 metres |
The applicable jumping and shot-put events provide the prescribed number of chances under the recruitment rules.
The PET/PST is qualifying in nature and does not itself carry marks for the written examination.
SSC CPO Selection Process
SSC CPO Selection Process
The recruitment process consists of four major stages:
Stage 1 – Paper-I
Computer Based Examination covering:
- General Intelligence & Reasoning
- General Knowledge & General Awareness
- Quantitative Aptitude
- English Comprehension
Stage 2 – PET/PST
Candidates qualifying Paper-I are called for the Physical Standard Test and Physical Endurance Test.
Stage 3 – Paper-II
Computer Based Examination consisting of English Language & Comprehension.
Stage 4 – Detailed Medical Examination
Candidates who qualify the required stages undergo the prescribed medical examination.
The official SSC scheme specifies Paper-I → PST/PET → Paper-II → DME as the recruitment stages.
SSC CPO Exam Pattern
SSC CPO Exam Pattern
Paper-I
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 50 | 50 |
| General Knowledge & General Awareness | 50 | 50 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 50 | 50 |
| English Comprehension | 50 | 50 |
| Total | 200 | 200 |
Duration: 2 hours
The examination has sectional timing, with the relevant sections subject to the prescribed timer.
Negative Marking: 0.25 marks for each incorrect answer.
Paper-II
Paper-II tests:
English Language & Comprehension
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| English Language & Comprehension | 200 | 200 |
Duration: 2 hours
Negative Marking: 0.25 marks for each incorrect answer under the current examination scheme.
SSC CPO Syllabus
SSC CPO Syllabus
A. General Intelligence & Reasoning
Important topics include:
- Analogy
- Classification
- Series
- Coding-Decoding
- Syllogism
- Statement and Conclusion
- Blood Relations
- Direction Sense
- Venn Diagrams
- Problem Solving
- Logical Reasoning
- Numerical Operations
- Spatial Visualization
- Spatial Orientation
- Non-Verbal Reasoning
- Pattern Recognition
- Analytical Reasoning
The section primarily tests logical thinking, analytical ability and the ability to identify relationships and patterns.
B. General Knowledge & General Awareness
Important areas include:
History
- Ancient India
- Medieval India
- Modern India
- Indian National Movement
Geography
- Indian Geography
- World Geography
- Physical Geography
- Rivers, mountains and climate
Indian Polity
- Constitution
- Fundamental Rights
- Parliament
- President and Prime Minister
- Supreme Court
- Constitutional bodies
- Government structure
Economy
- Basic economic concepts
- Indian economy
- Banking
- Inflation
- Fiscal and monetary concepts
General Science
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Biology
- Everyday science
Current Affairs
- National and international events
- Sports
- Awards
- Appointments
- Government schemes
- Science and technology
Quantitative Aptitude Syllabus
Important topics include:
Arithmetic
- Number System
- Percentage
- Ratio and Proportion
- Average
- Profit and Loss
- Discount
- Simple and Compound Interest
- Time and Work
- Time, Speed and Distance
- Partnership
- Mixture and Alligation
Algebra
- Algebraic identities
- Basic algebraic operations
- Linear equations
Geometry
- Lines and angles
- Triangles
- Circles
- Quadrilaterals
- Congruence and similarity
Mensuration
- Area
- Perimeter
- Volume
- Surface Area
Data Interpretation
- Tables
- Graphs
- Charts
- Basic data analysis
English Language & Comprehension Syllabus
English is tested in both Paper-I and Paper-II, making it one of the most important areas of SSC CPO preparation.
Important topics include:
- Vocabulary
- Grammar
- Sentence Structure
- Error Detection
- Fill in the Blanks
- Sentence Improvement
- Synonyms and Antonyms
- Idioms and Phrases
- One-word Substitution
- Active and Passive Voice
- Direct and Indirect Speech
- Cloze Test
- Reading Comprehension
- Sentence Rearrangement
Candidates should focus on both grammar accuracy and reading comprehension, as Paper-II is entirely devoted to English Language & Comprehension.
SSC CPO Medical Examination
SSC CPO Medical Examination
Candidates who qualify the required written and physical stages must undergo a Detailed Medical Examination (DME).
The medical examination assesses whether the candidate meets the prescribed medical standards for the post and force.
Candidates should pay particular attention to:
- Vision
- General physical fitness
- Hearing
- Musculoskeletal fitness
- Relevant medical conditions
- Other standards prescribed for police/CAPF service
The exact medical standards should be checked in the latest official SSC recruitment notification rather than relying on general police-exam information.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions About SSC CPO
Q1. What is SSC CPO?
SSC CPO is the examination conducted by the Staff Selection Commission for recruitment to Sub-Inspector posts in Delhi Police and Central Armed Police Forces.
Q2. What is the minimum educational qualification?
Candidates generally need a Bachelor’s degree from a recognised university.
Q3. What is the age limit for SSC CPO?
The usual age range is 20 to 25 years, subject to the applicable cut-off date and age relaxations.
Q4. Is there a physical test in SSC CPO?
Yes. Candidates who qualify Paper-I must undergo PST/PET.
Q5. Is the physical test qualifying?
Yes. PET/PST is qualifying in nature and candidates must meet the prescribed standards to proceed further.
Q6. What is the SSC CPO Paper-I pattern?
Paper-I consists of 200 questions for 200 marks from Reasoning, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude and English Comprehension.
Q7. What is SSC CPO Paper-II?
Paper-II is a 200-question, 200-mark Computer Based Examination in English Language & Comprehension.
Q8. Is there negative marking in SSC CPO?
Yes. Under the current examination scheme, 0.25 marks are deducted for each incorrect answer in both Paper-I and Paper-II.
Q9. Is a driving licence required for SSC CPO?
For male candidates applying for Sub-Inspector in Delhi Police, a valid LMV driving licence is generally required. This requirement does not apply in the same way to female candidates or candidates applying for CAPF SI posts.
Q10. What is the height requirement for SSC CPO?
For the standard category, the prescribed height is generally 170 cm for male candidates and 157 cm for female candidates, with relaxations for specified categories and regions.
Q11. What is the SSC CPO PET for male candidates?
It includes a 100-metre race, 1.6 km race, long jump, high jump and shot put with the prescribed standards.
Q12. What is the SSC CPO PET for female candidates?
It includes a 100-metre race, 800-metre race, long jump and high jump with the prescribed standards.
Q13. Which subjects should I prepare for SSC CPO?
The main subjects are Reasoning, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude and English. English requires additional attention because it is the subject of Paper-II as well.
Q14. Can final-year graduation students apply?
Candidates must satisfy the educational qualification by the date prescribed in the relevant recruitment notification. A candidate who has not obtained the required degree by that date may not meet the eligibility condition.
Important Note
SSC may revise the eligibility criteria, physical standards, examination pattern, medical requirements or other recruitment conditions from one recruitment cycle to another. Candidates should always read the latest official SSC CPO notification before applying.
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