As the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) gears up to release the notification for Sub-Inspector posts in Delhi Police, CAPFs, and CISF, understanding the SSC CPO Syllabus 2026 is your first step toward success. This highly competitive exam attracts thousands of aspirants annually, offering prestigious roles with job security, attractive salaries, and the chance to serve the nation.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll break down the SSC CPO Syllabus 2026 subject-wise, exam pattern, and preparation tips. Whether you’re a beginner or revisiting your strategy, this post will help you streamline your prep. Download the official SSC CPO Syllabus PDF from ssc.gov.in once released, but for now, let’s dive into the expected details based on the latest updates.
What is SSC CPO Exam?
The SSC CPO (Central Police Organization) Exam is conducted by the Staff Selection Commission to recruit Sub-Inspectors (SI) in Delhi Police, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) like BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, SSB, and Assistant Sub-Inspectors in CISF. For SSC CPO 2026, expect around 3,000+ vacancies, similar to recent years.
The selection process includes four stages:
- Paper 1 (Tier 1): Online CBT (Computer-Based Test)
- Physical Standard Test (PST) / Physical Endurance Test (PET): Qualifying physical fitness check
- Paper 2 (Tier 2): Online CBT (English-focused)
- Detailed Medical Examination (DME): Final health verification
Clearing all stages is mandatory. The exam emphasizes not just knowledge but also physical and mental resilience—perfect for aspiring law enforcers.
SSC CPO Exam Pattern 2026: Key Changes and Overview
The SSC CPO Exam Pattern 2026 remains largely consistent with 2025, but watch for minor tweaks in negative marking or sectional timing. Recent revisions include a 30-minute sectional timer per section in Papers 1 and 2, and negative marking of 0.25 marks (1/4th) per wrong answer in Paper 2 (down from 1/3rd).
Paper 1 (Tier 1) Exam Pattern
- Mode: Online CBT
- Total Questions: 200 (Objective MCQs)
- Total Marks: 200
- Duration: 2 hours (with 30-min sectional timer)
- Negative Marking: 0.25 marks per wrong answer
| Section | Subjects | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | General Intelligence & Reasoning | 50 | 50 |
| 2 | General Knowledge & General Awareness | 50 | 50 |
| 3 | Quantitative Aptitude | 50 | 50 |
| 4 | English Comprehension | 50 | 50 |
| Total | 200 | 200 |
Paper 2 (Tier 2) Exam Pattern
- Mode: Online CBT
- Total Questions: 200 (English Language & Comprehension)
- Total Marks: 200
- Duration: 2 hours (with 30-min sectional timer)
- Negative Marking: 0.25 marks per wrong answer
PET/PST Standards
- For Male Candidates:
- 100m Race: 16 seconds
- 1.6 km Race: 6.5 minutes
- Long Jump: 3.65m (3 chances)
- High Jump: 1.2m (3 chances)
- Shot Put (16 lb): 4.5m
- For Female Candidates:
- 100m Race: 18 seconds
- 800m Race: 4 minutes
- Long Jump: 2.7m (3 chances)
- High Jump: 0.9m (3 chances)
Height, chest, and weight measurements apply as per category relaxations. These are qualifying; no marks awarded.
Detailed SSC CPO Syllabus 2026: Subject-Wise Breakdown
The SSC CPO Syllabus 2026 covers foundational topics to test analytical, awareness, and language skills. Focus on high-weightage areas like arithmetic in Quant and current affairs in GK.
1. General Intelligence & Reasoning Syllabus
This section evaluates logical thinking and problem-solving. Expect non-verbal and verbal reasoning questions.
- Analogies
- Similarities & Differences
- Spatial Visualization
- Spatial Orientation
- Visual Memory
- Discrimination
- Observation
- Relationship Concepts
- Arithmetical Reasoning
- Figural Classification
- Arithmetic Number Series
- Non-Verbal Series
- Coding & Decoding
- Statement Conclusion
- Syllogistic Reasoning
- Semantic Analogy
- Symbolic/Number Analogy
- Figural Analogy
- Semantic Classification
- Symbolic/Number Classification
Tip: Practice puzzles and series daily to score 40+.
2. General Knowledge & General Awareness Syllabus
Stay updated with static GK and current events (last 6-12 months).
- India & Neighboring Countries: History, Culture, Geography, Economic Scene, General Polity, Indian Constitution
- Scientific Research
- Current Affairs (National & International)
- Sports
- Books & Authors
- Important Schemes
- Static GK: Capitals, Currencies, Awards, Inventions
Tip: Read newspapers like The Hindu and use apps for daily quizzes.
3. Quantitative Aptitude Syllabus
Focus on Class 10-level math with speed and accuracy.
- Whole Numbers, Decimals, Fractions
- Relationship Between Numbers
- Fundamental Arithmetical Operations
- Percentages, Ratio & Proportion
- Averages, Interest (Simple & Compound)
- Profit & Loss, Discount
- Mensuration (Triangle, Quadrilaterals, Regular Polygons, Circle, Right Prism, Right Circular Cone, Right Circular Cylinder, Sphere, Hemispheres, Rectangular Parallelepiped, Regular Right Pyramid)
- Time & Distance, Time & Work
- Ratio & Time
- Mixture & Allegation
- Algebra: Basic Identities, Linear Equations, Quadratic Equations
- Surds & Indices
- Geometry: Triangle Congruence, Circle Chords, Tangents
- Trigonometry: Ratios, Complementary Angles, Heights & Distances
- Statistical Charts: Histogram, Frequency Polygon, Bar Diagram, Pie Chart
Tip: Master shortcuts for calculations to tackle 50 questions in 30 minutes.
4. English Comprehension Syllabus (Paper 1 & 2)
Paper 1 tests basic comprehension; Paper 2 is in-depth.
- Reading Comprehension
- Fill in the Blanks
- Synonyms/Antonyms
- Spelling/Detecting Misspelt Words
- Idioms & Phrases
- One-Word Substitution
- Improvement of Sentences
- Active/Passive Voice
- Direct/Indirect Narration
- Shuffling of Sentence Parts
- Error Correction
- Cloze Passage
Tip: Build vocabulary with 20 new words daily and practice RC passages.
How to Prepare for SSC CPO 2026: Proven Strategies
- Create a Study Plan: Allocate 6-8 hours daily—2 hours each for Reasoning, Quant, GK, and English. Revise weekly.
- Recommended Books:
- Reasoning: RS Aggarwal
- Quant: Kiran SSC Mathematics
- GK: Lucent’s General Knowledge
- English: SP Bakshi Objective English
- Mock Tests & Previous Papers: Solve 2 mocks weekly. Analyze errors to improve speed.
- Physical Prep: Start jogging and gym from Day 1 for PET/PST.
- Stay Updated: Follow SSC’s official site for SSC CPO 2026 Notification (expected Dec 2025).
Aim for 150+ in Paper 1 and 170+ in Paper 2 for a safe score.
FAQs on SSC CPO Syllabus 2026
Q1: Is the SSC CPO Syllabus 2026 changed from 2025?
A: No major changes expected; minor updates in current affairs and pattern tweaks. Check official notification.
Q2: What is the weightage of Quantitative Aptitude in Paper 1?
A: 50 questions, 50 marks—focus on arithmetic and geometry.
Q3: How to prepare for PET/PST?
A: Train consistently: Run 1.6 km under time, practice jumps, and maintain fitness logs.
Q4: When is SSC CPO 2026 Notification?
A: Likely December 2025; exam in March-April 2026.
Q5: Is there negative marking in SSC CPO 2026?
A: Yes, 0.25 marks for wrong answers in both papers.
Conclusion: Your Path to Becoming an SSC CPO Officer Starts Now
Mastering the SSC CPO Syllabus 2026 isn’t just about cramming—it’s about smart, consistent effort. With the right resources and strategy, you can crack this exam and join the ranks of India’s elite forces. Bookmark this guide, start your prep today, and share your progress in the comments below!
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!