SSC CPO 2026 — SI in Delhi Police & CAPF: Notification, Exam Pattern, PET/PST & Salary
Two numbers tell you everything about SSC CPO 2026: the notification is expected in September 2026, and the exam lands in October–November. That is a short runway for an exam that demands two different kinds of preparation — a 200-mark written paper and a 1600m race in 6.5 minutes. SI posts in Delhi Police and five CAPFs (BSF, CISF, CRPF, ITBP, SSB) are on the table, and the pattern now comes with 30-minute sectional timers that changed how the paper is attempted.
For the 2026 cycle, the notification is expected to be out in September 2026 with the computer-based examination scheduled for October–November 2026, as per current SSC schedule indications. This guide covers everything verified so far — the previous cycle’s vacancy pattern, the revised exam pattern with sectional timers, PET/PST standards, salary and the complete selection flow — so you can start preparing before the notification drops.
SSC CPO 2026 — Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | SSC Central Police Organization (CPO) 2026 |
| Conducting Body | Staff Selection Commission |
| Posts Covered | SI (Executive) Delhi Police, SI (GD) in BSF, CISF, CRPF, ITBP, SSB |
| Expected Notification | September 2026 |
| Computer-Based Exam | October – November 2026 |
| Selection Stages | Paper 1 (CBT) → PET/PST → Paper 2 (CBT) → Medical → DV |
| Mode of Application | Online through ssc.gov.in |
| Helpline (SSC) | 1800 309 3063 (Toll-Free) |
SSC CPO 2026 Important Dates (Expected Schedule)
SSC publishes the confirmed schedule with the notification on ssc.gov.in. Based on the current cycle’s calendar indications, the expected timeline is:
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification & Online Application Start | September 2026 (expected) |
| Online Application End | TBA with notification |
| Last Date for Online Fee Payment | TBA |
| Application Form Correction Window | TBA |
| Computer-Based Examination | October – November 2026 |
Verify every date on the official notification when it releases — the table above reflects the currently indicated schedule, and SSC’s notification is the final authority.
Vacancy Details — How the Posts Are Distributed
The SSC CPO 2025 cycle released 3,073 vacancies, and the 2026 distribution is expected to follow the same post-wise structure. Here is how the previous cycle’s posts were allocated — the 2026 numbers will be confirmed in the notification:
| Post / Force | Gender | Vacancies (Previous Cycle) |
|---|---|---|
| SI (Executive) Delhi Police | Male | 142 |
| SI (Executive) Delhi Police | Female | 70 |
| SI (GD) in CISF | Male + Female | 1,294 + 130 |
| SI (GD) in CRPF | Male + Female | 1,029 + 23 |
| SI (GD) in BSF | Male + Female | 223 + 11 |
| SI (GD) in ITBP | Male + Female | 233 + 35 |
| SI (GD) in SSB | Male + Female | 82 + 11 |
CISF and CRPF carry the largest share of posts, followed by ITBP and BSF. Note that candidates selected for SI (GD) in CAPFs are liable to serve anywhere in India — the posting zone is not limited to one region.
Eligibility — Three Conditions That Catch Candidates Out
Educational Qualification
A Bachelor’s degree in any stream from a recognized university for all posts. The degree must be complete before the cutoff date specified in the notification — final-year candidates should check the notification’s exact wording before applying.
Age Limit
Between 20 and 25 years as on the notification’s cutoff date, with relaxation for OBC (3 years), SC/ST (5 years) and other categories per Government of India rules. Calculate your age against the exact cutoff date in the notification — a single day has decided eligibility disputes in past cycles.
Driving Licence (Female SI Delhi Police)
Female candidates applying for SI (Executive) in Delhi Police must hold a valid LMV (car) driving licence by the document verification stage. This requirement surprises many applicants late in the process — if you lack the licence, start the process now, because it takes weeks.
Revised Exam Pattern — Sectional Timers for Both Papers
SSC has revised the CPO exam pattern: both Paper 1 and Paper 2 now carry a sectional timer of 30 minutes per section. Candidates can no longer borrow time across sections — every section is its own battle.
Paper 1 Pattern (Where the Merit Is Built)
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 50 | 50 |
| General Knowledge & General Awareness | 50 | 50 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 50 | 50 |
| English Comprehension | 50 | 50 |
| Total | 200 | 200 (2 hours) |
Negative marking: 0.25 per wrong answer. The final merit list is built on Paper 1 (subject to qualifying the subsequent stages), so this is where preparation pays. The section mix overlaps heavily with the SSC CGL syllabus — candidates preparing for CGL are automatically 80% prepared for CPO Paper 1.
Paper 2 Pattern (English, Qualifying in Nature)
| Section | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| English Language & Comprehension | 200 | 200 | 2 Hours (sectional timers apply) |
Paper 2 is qualifying in nature in recent cycles — candidates must clear it, but the merit comes from Paper 1. Verify the 2026 notification’s wording when it releases, because the qualifying rule can change between cycles.
PET/PST — The Real Filter That Eliminates More Candidates Than Paper 1
More candidates are eliminated at the physical stage than fail the written exam. For reference, the previous cycle’s PET/PST was conducted from 21 to 28 July 2026 with rescheduling allowed for exam clashes. The standards:
| Test | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| Race | 1600 m in 6.5 minutes | — |
| Long Jump | 3.65 m (3 chances) | 2.7 m (as per notification) |
| High Jump | 1.2 m (3 chances) | 0.9 m (as per notification) |
| Height (PST) | 170 cm (category relaxations apply) | 157 cm |
| Chest (Male) | 81 cm, expansion +5 cm | — |
Physical standards vary by post, category and department — the notification’s annexure is the final authority, with relaxed standards for Garhwali, Gorkha, ST and other notified categories.
The 1600m race in 6.5 minutes needs weeks of running practice — gym strength does not translate to race pace. Start conditioning the day you apply, not after the result. From our experience covering SSC cycles: candidates who begin running after the result almost always miss the PET window by 10-15 seconds. It’s the most avoidable failure in this exam.
Salary — What the Uniform Pays
Selected candidates draw pay in the range ₹35,400 to ₹1,12,400 (Pay Level-6 for SI posts), depending on the post and force:
| Post | Pay Level | Basic Pay |
|---|---|---|
| SI (Delhi Police) | Level-6 | ₹ 35,400 |
| SI (CAPF) | Level-6 | ₹ 35,400 |
With Dearness Allowance, HRA and force-specific duty allowances, the gross monthly package for SI-level posts generally lands in the ₹65,000 – ₹75,000 range depending on the city and force — before counting CAPF benefits like ration money and special duty allowances.
Selection Process — Stage by Stage
- Paper 1 (Computer-Based Test) — the merit-deciding stage
- PET/PST — physical endurance and standard tests for Paper 1 qualifiers
- Paper 2 (Computer-Based Test) — qualifying English paper
- Detailed Medical Examination — as prescribed for the post
- Document Verification — before final appointment
Candidates must clear every stage to move forward — there are no carry-forward allowances between stages.
SSC CPO 2026 Important Links
SSC CPO 2026 Official Notification – Click Here
SSC CPO 2026 Online Application – Click Here
SSC CPO Exam Calendar 2026 – Click Here
More SSC Jobs Notifications – Click Here
Police Jobs Updates – Click Here
Home Page – Click Here
Questions Aspirants Are Asking
When will the SSC CPO 2026 notification release?
The notification is expected in September 2026, with the computer-based exam in October–November 2026. Confirm on ssc.gov.in as soon as it releases.
How many vacancies are there in SSC CPO 2026?
The 2026 vacancy count will be announced with the notification. The previous cycle released 3,073 posts — with CISF (1,424) and CRPF (1,052) carrying the largest shares.
Is there negative marking in SSC CPO?
Yes — 0.25 marks per wrong answer in both Paper 1 and Paper 2.
What is the revised SSC CPO exam pattern?
Both Paper 1 and Paper 2 now carry sectional timers of 30 minutes per section — time can’t be borrowed across sections.
Does Paper 2 count in the final merit?
In recent cycles Paper 2 has been qualifying in nature, with merit built on Paper 1. Verify the 2026 rule from the notification when it releases.
Can female candidates apply for SSC CPO 2026?
Yes — for SI (Executive) in Delhi Police and SI (GD) in CAPFs as per the vacancy distribution. Female SI Delhi Police candidates need a valid LMV driving licence at the DV stage.
What is the physical requirement?
For males: 1600 m race in 6.5 minutes, long jump 3.65 m, high jump 1.2 m, height 170 cm, chest 81 cm with +5 cm expansion. Female standards are per the notification. PET applies only to Paper 1 qualifiers.
What is the SSC CPO salary?
Pay ranges from ₹35,400 to ₹1,12,400 (Level-6 for SI posts), with gross monthly package typically ₹65,000–₹75,000 including allowances.
Which CAPFs are covered under SSC CPO?
BSF, CISF, CRPF, ITBP and SSB — SI (GD) officer entries across all five forces, with all-India service liability.
Editor’s note: We last checked SSC’s calendar and medical guideline updates on 5 September 2026. The sectional timer change is recent — older mock tests you’ll find online don’t reflect it, so practise with timed sections only.
Conclusion
SSC CPO 2026 rewards a rare combination — a sharp Paper 1 performance under sectional timers and a body prepared for a 6.5-minute 1600m race. The notification is expected in September, which means the preparation runway is short. Candidates who train for both simultaneously, starting now rather than after the result, always finish ahead. Track ssc.gov.in for the notification, keep a daily current affairs habit for Paper 1’s GK section, and follow JobsAlertsIndia for the notification, admit card and result updates as they happen.