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SSC CPO 2026: 1,871 Vacancies, New Exam Pattern, Eligibility, PET/PST & How to Apply

SSC CPO 2026: 1,871 Vacancies, New Exam Pattern, Eligibility, PET/PST & How to Apply

SSC CPO 2026 notification is out for 1,871 vacancies. Check eligibility, new exam pattern, PET/PST, important dates, application fee and how to apply online.

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Last Updated: 28 September 2026

If you are planning to become a Sub-Inspector in Delhi Police or CAPFs, SSC CPO 2026 is an important recruitment opportunity to check.

The SSC CPO 2026 notification has been released with 1,871 tentative vacancies. Applications are open from 10 September to 30 September 2026.

This year, SSC has also introduced important changes in the exam pattern, especially in Paper-I and Paper-II.

Quick Update: Vacancies: 1,871 Last Date: 30 September 2026 Fee Payment: 1 October 2026 Correction Window: 8–10 October 2026 Paper-I: Date yet to be announced

SSC CPO 2026: Quick Overview

DetailsInformation
ExamSSC CPO 2026
Conducting BodyStaff Selection Commission
Total Vacancies1,871
Notification Date10 September 2026
Application Start10 September 2026
Last Date30 September 2026
Application Fee₹100
Paper-ITo be announced
Official Websitessc.gov.in

The vacancies are tentative, so the final number may be revised by SSC.

SSC CPO 2026 Vacancy

SSC has announced 1,871 Sub-Inspector vacancies.

PostVacancies
SI in Delhi Police – Male205
SI in Delhi Police – Female112
SI (GD) in CAPFs1,320
SI (Fire) in CISF – Male234
Total1,871

The CAPF vacancies are spread across BSF, CISF, CRPF, ITBP and SSB.

Important

The 1,871 vacancies are tentative, not final.

SSC CPO 2026 Important Dates

EventDate
Notification10 September 2026
Application Starts10 September 2026
Last Date to Apply30 September 2026
Fee Payment Last Date1 October 2026
Correction Window8–10 October 2026
Paper-ITo be announced
PET/PSTTo be announced
Paper-IITo be announced

The exact Paper-I examination date has not yet been announced in the recruitment notification.

SSC CPO 2026 Eligibility

Before applying, check these four things:

  • Educational qualification
  • Age limit
  • Nationality
  • Physical requirements

Educational Qualification

For Delhi Police SI and CAPF SI, candidates need a Bachelor's degree from a recognised university or equivalent.

The required qualification must be obtained by 30 September 2026.

SI (Fire) in CISF

This post has separate educational requirements involving Science with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics or specified engineering qualifications.

So, candidates applying for SI (Fire) should check the official notification carefully.

SSC CPO 2026 Age Limit

For Delhi Police SI and CAPF SI:

20 to 25 years

For SI (Fire) in CISF:

18 to 30 years

Age relaxation is available for eligible reserved categories as per government rules.

Is a Driving Licence Required for SSC CPO?

This is important for Delhi Police SI aspirants.

Male candidates applying for Delhi Police SI

A valid LMV driving licence for Motorcycle and Car is required at the prescribed physical test stage.

CAPF SI

The Delhi Police-specific driving licence requirement does not apply to CAPF SI.

So, if you are a male candidate without a driving licence, check your post preference carefully before applying.

SSC CPO 2026 Exam Pattern

The 2026 exam pattern has changed significantly.

Paper-I

SubjectQuestionsMarks
Reasoning2525
General Awareness2525
Quantitative Aptitude2525
English Comprehension2525
Total100100

Duration: 60 minutes

There is a 15-minute sectional timer for each subject.

Negative marking: 0.25 mark for every wrong answer.

Paper-II

SubjectQuestionsMarks
Reasoning2040
General Awareness2040
Quantitative Aptitude2040
English Comprehension100200
Total160320

Duration: 2 hours

Negative marking: 0.50 mark for every wrong answer.

SSC CPO 2026: What's New?

The biggest changes are easy to understand:

Previous PatternSSC CPO 2026
Paper-I: 200 questions100 questions
Paper-I: 200 marks100 marks
Paper-I: 2 hours1 hour
Paper-II mainly English4 subjects
Paper-II: 200 marks320 marks
No 15-min section timer15-min timer per Paper-I section

So, don't prepare for SSC CPO 2026 using the old pattern alone.

SSC CPO 2026 Syllabus

Reasoning

Important topics include:

  • Analogy
  • Series
  • Coding-Decoding
  • Classification
  • Syllogism
  • Venn Diagrams
  • Non-verbal Reasoning
  • Problem Solving

General Awareness

Focus on:

  • Current Affairs
  • History
  • Geography
  • Polity
  • Constitution
  • Economy
  • General Science

Quantitative Aptitude

Important topics include:

  • Percentage
  • Ratio
  • Average
  • Profit & Loss
  • Time & Work
  • Time & Distance
  • Algebra
  • Geometry
  • Mensuration
  • Trigonometry

English

Prepare:

  • Grammar
  • Vocabulary
  • Error Detection
  • Synonyms & Antonyms
  • Fill in the Blanks
  • Idioms & Phrases
  • Reading Comprehension

SSC CPO 2026 PET & PST

After Paper-I, shortlisted candidates have to qualify the Physical Endurance Test (PET) and Physical Standard Test (PST).

PET for Male Candidates

EventRequirement
100m Race16 seconds
1.6 km Race6.5 minutes
Long Jump3.65 m
High Jump1.2 m
Shot Put4.5 m

PET for Female Candidates

EventRequirement
100m Race18 seconds
800m Race4 minutes
Long Jump2.7 m
High Jump0.9 m

PET/PST is qualifying in nature.

SSC CPO Height Requirement

For the standard physical category:

Male

Height: 170 cm

Female

Height: 157 cm

Relaxations are available for specified categories such as certain hill-area and ST candidates.

Chest requirements apply to male candidates as prescribed in the notification.

Important: Physical standards can differ by post and category. Always check the official notification before assuming you meet the requirement.

SSC CPO 2026 Selection Process

The recruitment process is:

Paper-I ↓ PET/PST ↓ Paper-II ↓ Medical Examination ↓ Document Verification ↓ Final Selection

PET/PST and medical examination are qualifying stages.

Final selection is based on the applicable merit rules, including Paper-II performance, applicable NCC bonus marks and post/force preferences.

How to Apply for SSC CPO 2026?

Applying online is simple:

  1. Visit the official SSC website.
  2. Complete One-Time Registration (OTR).
  3. Login to your SSC account.
  4. Select SSC CPO 2026.
  5. Enter your personal and educational details.
  6. Select your required preferences.
  7. Complete the application requirements.
  8. Pay the fee, if applicable.
  9. Submit the application.
  10. Save the confirmation/application form.

Apply before:

30 September 2026, 11:00 PM

Don't wait until the last few hours.

SSC CPO 2026 Application Fee

The application fee is:

₹100

Fee exemption is available for:

  • Women candidates
  • SC candidates
  • ST candidates
  • Eligible Ex-Servicemen

The last date for online fee payment is 1 October 2026.

SSC CPO 2026 Correction Window

If you need to correct your submitted application, SSC has provided a correction window:

8 October to 10 October 2026

Candidates should still fill the original application carefully rather than depending on the correction window.

SSC CPO 2026 Salary

Selected candidates are appointed under Pay Level-6.

Pay Scale: ₹35,400 – ₹1,12,400

The actual in-hand salary can vary depending on allowances, deductions and posting.

How Should You Prepare for SSC CPO 2026?

Because the exam pattern has changed, preparation should also change.

For Paper-I

Focus on:

  • PYQs
  • Speed
  • Accuracy
  • Sectional tests
  • Time management

For Paper-II

Give special attention to English, because it carries 200 out of 320 marks.

Also prepare Reasoning, Quant and General Awareness.

For PET/PST

Don't wait for the written exam result.

Start running and physical training early.

For topic-wise practice, PYQs, mock tests and personalised study planning, aspirants can also use PrepOwl's AI Mentor and adaptive learning tools.

Explore PrepOwl for SSC Preparation

SSC CPO 2026 Quick Checklist

Before submitting the form:

☐ Check age ☐ Check graduation qualification ☐ Check physical standards ☐ Check driving licence requirement ☐ Complete OTR ☐ Fill application form ☐ Check preferences ☐ Pay fee if applicable ☐ Submit before 30 September ☐ Save application confirmation ☐ Start Paper-I preparation ☐ Start physical preparation

SSC CPO 2026 FAQs

1. How many vacancies are there in SSC CPO 2026?

There are 1,871 tentative vacancies.

2. What is the last date for SSC CPO 2026?

The last date to apply is 30 September 2026 at 11:00 PM.

3. What is the age limit for SSC CPO?

For Delhi Police and CAPF SI, the age limit is 20–25 years. SI (Fire) in CISF has a different age limit.

4. What qualification is required?

A Bachelor's degree is required for Delhi Police SI and CAPF SI.

5. Is a driving licence compulsory?

It is required for male candidates applying for Delhi Police SI.

6. How many questions are in Paper-I?

Paper-I has 100 questions for 100 marks.

7. How many marks is Paper-II?

Paper-II carries 320 marks.

8. Is there negative marking?

Yes. Paper-I has 0.25 negative marking and Paper-II has 0.50 negative marking per wrong answer.

9. What is the SSC CPO PET?

It is the physical endurance test involving events such as running, long jump and high jump.

10. When will SSC CPO 2026 Paper-I be conducted?

The exact examination date has not yet been announced by SSC.

Important Links

🔗 SSC Official Website

🔗 SSC CPO 2026 Official Notification PDF

🔗 PrepOwl – SSC Preparation

Final Takeaway

SSC CPO 2026 has 1,871 tentative vacancies, and the application deadline is 30 September 2026.

The most important thing to remember this year is the new exam pattern:

Paper-I → 100 marks Paper-II → 320 marks PET/PST → Qualifying

If you're planning to apply, first check your eligibility, physical standards and driving licence requirement, then submit the form before the deadline.

Fact Check: Information checked on 28 September 2026 against the SSC CPO 2026 recruitment information. SSC may update vacancies, exam dates or other details through subsequent official notices.