Are you aspiring to join the elite ranks of Sub-Inspectors in Delhi Police, CAPFs, or CISF? The SSC CPO Exam Pattern 2026 is your roadmap to success in one of India’s most prestigious government recruitment drives. With over 3,000 vacancies expected in 2026, similar to recent trends, this exam tests not just your intellect but also your physical prowess and resilience. As the official notification is slated for release in December 2025, understanding the exam structure now will give you a head start.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll break down the SSC CPO Exam Pattern 2026, including Paper 1, Paper 2, PET/PST, and medical standards. Whether you’re a first-time aspirant or refining your strategy, this post covers everything from marking schemes to preparation tips. Let’s dive in and gear up for the challenge!
What is the SSC CPO Exam 2026?
The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) conducts the Central Police Organization (CPO) exam annually to recruit Sub-Inspectors (SI) and Assistant Sub-Inspectors (ASI) in organizations like Delhi Police, CRPF, BSF, ITBP, and CISF. The SSC CPO 2026 will follow a multi-stage process emphasizing objective knowledge, English proficiency, physical fitness, and medical eligibility.
Key highlights:
- Vacancies: Approximately 3,000+ posts (based on 2025 trends).
- Eligibility: Bachelor’s degree; age 20-25 years (relaxations for reserved categories up to 40 years).
- Exam Dates (Tentative): Notification in Dec 2025; Paper 1 in March-April 2026.
- Application: Online via ssc.gov.in; fee payment deadline follows notification.
Clearing all stages is mandatory, making holistic preparation essential for this high-stakes exam.
Detailed SSC CPO Exam Pattern 2026: Stage-by-Stage Breakdown
The SSC CPO Exam Pattern 2026 comprises four stages: two written papers, physical tests, and medical examination. Both papers are Computer-Based Tests (CBT) with objective MCQs and a negative marking of 0.25 marks per wrong answer. A key update from recent years: 30-minute sectional timers for each section in both papers to enhance focus and time management.
Stage 1: Paper 1 (Tier 1) – Objective CBT
Paper 1 is the qualifying gateway, worth 200 marks and lasting 2 hours (120 minutes). It’s divided into four sections, each with 50 questions. Expect bilingual questions (English/Hindi), except for the English section.
| Section | Subjects | No. of Questions | Marks | Time Allotted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | General Intelligence & Reasoning | 50 | 50 | 30 minutes |
| 2 | General Knowledge & General Awareness | 50 | 50 | 30 minutes |
| 3 | Quantitative Aptitude | 50 | 50 | 30 minutes |
| 4 | English Comprehension | 50 | 50 | 30 minutes |
| Total | 200 | 200 | 120 minutes |
- Mode: Online CBT.
- Difficulty: Moderate; focuses on speed and accuracy.
- Cut-off Insight: Aim for 150+ marks for general category to qualify comfortably.
Qualifiers proceed to PET/PST. Paper 1 scores contribute to the final merit.
Stage 2: Physical Endurance Test (PET) & Physical Standard Test (PST)
This stage assesses your fitness for police duties. It’s qualifying—no marks—but failure here disqualifies you. Standards vary by gender.
PET Requirements:
| Test | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| 100m Race | 16 seconds | 18 seconds |
| 800m Race | 3 minutes 45 seconds | 4 minutes 45 seconds |
| Long Jump | 3.65m (3 chances) | 2.7m (3 chances) |
| High Jump | 1.2m (3 chances) | 0.9m (3 chances) |
PST Standards:
| Category | Height (Male/Female) | Chest (Male only, Unexpanded/Expanded) | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| General | 170 cm / 157 cm | 80 cm / 85 cm | Proportionate to height |
| Relaxations (SC/ST/OBC) | 5% reduction in height/chest | 5 cm in chest | Proportionate |
- Tip: Start training early—running and jumps are key. Maintain a fitness log and consult SSC’s tattoo policy for compliance.
Stage 3: Paper 2 (Tier 2) – English Language & Comprehension
For PET/PST qualifiers, Paper 2 is a 200-mark CBT focused solely on English, lasting 2 hours. It includes 200 objective questions on grammar, vocabulary, and comprehension.
- Key Topics: Error spotting, fill in the blanks, synonyms/antonyms, idioms, reading passages.
- Negative Marking: 0.25 marks deducted per wrong answer.
- Cut-off Insight: Target 170+ marks for safety.
Paper 2 scores are crucial for final merit alongside Paper 1.
Stage 4: Detailed Medical Examination (DME)
A final health check post-Paper 2. It verifies vision, hearing, and overall fitness. Rejections are common here, so prepare accordingly:
- Vision: 6/6 distant vision (corrected); no color blindness.
- Other: No major illnesses; height/weight as per PST.
SSC CPO Syllabus 2026: Subject-Wise Essentials
Aligning with the SSC CPO Exam Pattern 2026, here’s a concise syllabus overview to guide your study plan.
Paper 1 Syllabus
- General Intelligence & Reasoning: Analogies, similarities/differences, spatial visualization, problem-solving, coding-decoding, blood relations.
- General Knowledge & General Awareness: Current affairs, history, geography, polity, economy, science, sports, books/authors.
- Quantitative Aptitude: Number systems, percentages, ratio/proportion, algebra, geometry, mensuration, time/work, data interpretation.
- English Comprehension: Reading passages, cloze test, sentence improvement, error detection, vocabulary.
Paper 2 Syllabus
- English Language & Comprehension: Advanced grammar, comprehension passages, one-word substitutions, active/passive voice, direct/indirect speech.
Download the official PDF from ssc.gov.in once released for the latest updates.
Key Changes in SSC CPO Exam Pattern 2026
No major overhauls expected from 2025, but anticipate:
- Sectional Timing: Strict 30-minute per-section enforcement.
- Negative Marking Tweaks: Possible minor adjustments; confirm via notification.
- Current Affairs Focus: Updated to 2025-26 events.
Preparation Tips to Ace SSC CPO 2026
- Build a Study Plan: Dedicate 6-8 hours daily; 2 hours each for weak sections.
- Practice Mock Tests: Solve previous papers and sectional mocks to master timing.
- Physical Training: Run 1.6 km daily; incorporate jumps and strength workouts.
- Resources: Use NCERT books for basics, Lucent for GK, RS Aggarwal for Quant, and Wren & Martin for English.
- Stay Updated: Follow ssc.gov.in and apps like Testbook for alerts.
Conclusion: Your Path to Becoming an SSC CPO Officer Starts Here
Mastering the SSC CPO Exam Pattern 2026 is about strategy, not just hard work. With consistent effort across all stages, you can secure a rewarding career in law enforcement. Bookmark this guide, start your prep today, and check the official SSC calendar for exact dates. Got questions? Drop them in the comments below!
Disclaimer: Patterns are based on 2025 trends; refer to the official 2026 notification for confirmations.
FAQs on SSC CPO Exam Pattern 2026
Q: Is there negative marking in SSC CPO 2026? A: Yes, 0.25 marks per wrong answer in both papers.
Q: How many stages in SSC CPO? A: Four—Paper 1, PET/PST, Paper 2, DME.
Q: What is the minimum qualifying score? A: Varies by category; aim 150+ in Paper 1 and 170+ in Paper 2.
Hi, I’m Varun Pathak, the founder of TheSarkariNaukri.com—a dedicated platform for the latest updates on government jobs (Sarkari Naukri) in India. With years of experience curating reliable information on job vacancies, admit cards, exam results, and preparation strategies, I help thousands of aspirants navigate the competitive world of public sector opportunities. Passionate about job security, career growth, and empowering freshers for roles like IAS, IPS, and PSU positions, I update the site regularly with actionable insights for 2025 and beyond. Let’s connect to turn your career dreams into reality!