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.
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
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Exam | SSC CPO 2026 |
| Conducting Body | Staff Selection Commission |
| Total Vacancies | 1,871 |
| Notification Date | 10 September 2026 |
| Application Start | 10 September 2026 |
| Last Date | 30 September 2026 |
| Application Fee | ₹100 |
| Paper-I | To be announced |
| Official Website | ssc.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.
| Post | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| SI in Delhi Police – Male | 205 |
| SI in Delhi Police – Female | 112 |
| SI (GD) in CAPFs | 1,320 |
| SI (Fire) in CISF – Male | 234 |
| Total | 1,871 |
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
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification | 10 September 2026 |
| Application Starts | 10 September 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 30 September 2026 |
| Fee Payment Last Date | 1 October 2026 |
| Correction Window | 8–10 October 2026 |
| Paper-I | To be announced |
| PET/PST | To be announced |
| Paper-II | To 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
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Reasoning | 25 | 25 |
| General Awareness | 25 | 25 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 25 |
| English Comprehension | 25 | 25 |
| Total | 100 | 100 |
Duration: 60 minutes
There is a 15-minute sectional timer for each subject.
Negative marking: 0.25 mark for every wrong answer.
Paper-II
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Reasoning | 20 | 40 |
| General Awareness | 20 | 40 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 20 | 40 |
| English Comprehension | 100 | 200 |
| Total | 160 | 320 |
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 Pattern | SSC CPO 2026 |
|---|---|
| Paper-I: 200 questions | 100 questions |
| Paper-I: 200 marks | 100 marks |
| Paper-I: 2 hours | 1 hour |
| Paper-II mainly English | 4 subjects |
| Paper-II: 200 marks | 320 marks |
| No 15-min section timer | 15-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
| Event | Requirement |
|---|---|
| 100m Race | 16 seconds |
| 1.6 km Race | 6.5 minutes |
| Long Jump | 3.65 m |
| High Jump | 1.2 m |
| Shot Put | 4.5 m |
PET for Female Candidates
| Event | Requirement |
|---|---|
| 100m Race | 18 seconds |
| 800m Race | 4 minutes |
| Long Jump | 2.7 m |
| High Jump | 0.9 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:
- Visit the official SSC website.
- Complete One-Time Registration (OTR).
- Login to your SSC account.
- Select SSC CPO 2026.
- Enter your personal and educational details.
- Select your required preferences.
- Complete the application requirements.
- Pay the fee, if applicable.
- Submit the application.
- 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 CPO 2026 Official Notification PDF
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.





