SSC CPO 2026 Notification Out For Over 1,800 SI Vacancies In Delhi Police, CAPFs; Know Major Exam Changes | Education and Career News

SSC CPO Recruitment 2026: Eligibility Criteria

For most posts, candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree from a recognised university or an equivalent qualification. Candidates applying for the Sub-Inspector (Fire) post must have a bachelor’s degree with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics as subjects, or a three-year diploma in Mechanical, Civil or Electrical Engineering. Male candidates applying for the Delhi Police SI post must also possess a valid Light Motor Vehicle (LMV) driving licence.

The prescribed age limit is 20 to 25 years. Candidates belonging to reserved categories are eligible for age relaxation as per government rules, including five years for SC/ST candidates and three years for OBC candidates.

SSC CPO 2026: Major Changes In Exam Pattern

The 2026 recruitment introduces several changes to the SSC CPO examination pattern, including sectional timing and changes in the duration and marking scheme.

Sectional timing: Sectional timing has been introduced in Paper I, following a format already used in examinations such as SSC CHSL and CGL.

Paper I: The paper will comprise 100 questions, with 25 questions each from General Intelligence and Reasoning, General Knowledge and General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude and English Comprehension. The examination duration has been reduced from two hours to one hour.

Paper II: Paper II will consist of 100 questions carrying 200 marks.

Negative marking: Candidates will face a negative marking of 0.25 marks for every incorrect answer in Paper I and 0.50 marks for every incorrect answer in Paper II.

SSC CPO Salary

Sub-Inspectors in the Delhi Police and CAPFs are placed in Pay Level 6. The salary structure ranges from Rs 35,400 to Rs 1,12,400, along with applicable allowances and benefits.

SSC CPO 2026: Height And Physical Test

The prescribed minimum height is 170 cm for male candidates and 157 cm for female candidates. Relaxations are applicable to candidates belonging to certain categories, including those from specified hilly areas and Scheduled Tribe communities.

The Physical Endurance Test requires male candidates to complete a 100-metre race within 16 seconds, while female candidates must complete it within 18 seconds. Candidates are also required to clear the prescribed long-jump and high-jump standards.

Candidates should refer to the official SSC notification for complete details on vacancies, eligibility, examination dates, physical standards, category-wise relaxations and the application process before submitting their forms.