SSC CPO Recruitment 2026: Notification Out for 1,871 Sub-Inspector Posts, Apply Online

SSC CPO Recruitment 2026 – Overview

SSC CPO Vacancy 2026

SSC has announced 1,871 tentative vacancies for Sub-Inspector posts. The force-wise vacancy distribution is given below:

The vacancies are tentative and may be revised by SSC depending on the final vacancies reported by Delhi Police and the Ministry of Home Affairs/CAPFs.

New Post in SSC CPO 2026 – SI Fire

For the first time, SSC CPO 2026 includes the post of Sub-Inspector (Fire) in CISF.

A total of 234 vacancies have been announced for this post. This is a male-only post in the current notification and has separate educational and age requirements.

Candidates interested in this post should carefully check the specific qualification and physical standards before applying.

SSC CPO Eligibility Criteria 2026

Educational Qualification

For regular Sub-Inspector posts in Delhi Police and CAPFs, candidates must possess a Bachelor’s Degree from a recognised university or an equivalent qualification.

The required educational qualification must be obtained within the prescribed date mentioned in the official notification.

For CISF SI (Fire), separate educational eligibility conditions apply. Candidates should check the detailed notification before selecting this post.

Age Limit

For most SSC CPO Sub-Inspector posts, the prescribed age limit is:

20 to 25 years

For the newly introduced CISF SI (Fire) post, the age limit is:

18 to 30 years

Age relaxation will be available to eligible candidates belonging to reserved categories as per Government of India rules.

• SC/ST: 5 years
• OBC: 3 years
• Other eligible categories: Relaxation as per SSC rules

Driving Licence Requirement for Delhi Police SI

Male candidates applying for Sub-Inspector (Executive) in Delhi Police must possess a valid LMV driving licence for motorcycle and car by the prescribed date for the physical test.

Candidates without the required driving licence may still be eligible for CAPF SI posts, provided they fulfil the other eligibility conditions.

SSC CPO Physical Standards 2026

Physical standards are an important part of the SSC CPO selection process because candidates have to qualify the prescribed Physical Standard Test (PST) and Physical Endurance Test (PET).

Candidates should carefully check the official notification for the prescribed requirements relating to:

• Height
• Chest measurements for applicable male candidates
• Weight
• Running
• Long Jump
• High Jump
• Other prescribed physical activities

The physical requirements can differ according to gender, category and post/force. Therefore, candidates should refer to the official SSC CPO notification for the exact standards applicable to them.

SSC CPO Exam Pattern 2026

SSC has introduced an important change in Paper-I this year. Paper-I now has four sections, and each section has a separate 15-minute sectional timer.

Paper-I

There is a negative marking of 0.25 marks for each incorrect answer in Paper-I.

Candidates therefore need to maintain both speed and accuracy because they cannot carry unused time from one section to another.

SSC CPO Paper-I Syllabus 2026

General Intelligence & Reasoning

Important topics include:

• Analogy
• Classification
• Series
• Coding-Decoding
• Syllogism
• Blood Relations
• Direction Sense
• Venn Diagrams
• Statement and Conclusion
• Non-Verbal Reasoning
• Problem Solving
• Logical Reasoning
• Figure Classification
• Space Visualization
• Visual Memory

General Knowledge & General Awareness

Questions may be asked from:

• Current Affairs
• Indian History
• Geography
• Indian Polity
• Indian Constitution
• Economics
• General Science
• Environment
• Sports
• Awards & Honours
• Important Government Schemes
• National and International Events

Quantitative Aptitude

Major topics include:

• Number System
• Percentage
• Ratio & Proportion
• Average
• Profit & Loss
• Discount
• Simple and Compound Interest
• Time & Work
• Time, Speed & Distance
• Algebra
• Geometry
• Mensuration
• Trigonometry
• Data Interpretation
• Statistics

English Comprehension

The English section generally tests candidates on:

• Reading Comprehension
• Vocabulary
• Grammar
• Synonyms & Antonyms
• Error Detection
• Sentence Improvement
• Fill in the Blanks
• Idioms & Phrases
• One Word Substitution
• Cloze Test
• Sentence Rearrangement

SSC CPO Paper-II Exam Pattern

Paper-II is focused on English Language & Comprehension.

The updated pattern includes four sections, with English Comprehension carrying the highest weightage.

Candidates should prepare grammar, vocabulary, comprehension and language-based questions thoroughly for this stage.

SSC CPO Selection Process 2026

The SSC CPO selection process consists of the following stages:

1. Paper-I

Candidates first appear for the computer-based Paper-I examination.

2. Physical Standard Test (PST) / Physical Endurance Test (PET)

Candidates qualifying Paper-I are called for the prescribed physical tests.

3. Paper-II

Candidates who qualify the physical stage appear for Paper-II.

4. Medical Examination

Candidates shortlisted after the written and physical stages have to undergo the prescribed medical examination.

5. Document Verification

Educational, category and other required documents are verified before final appointment.

SSC CPO Application Fee 2026

The application fee for eligible candidates is:

₹100

The following candidates are exempted from payment of the application fee:

• Women candidates
• SC candidates
• ST candidates
• Eligible Ex-Servicemen

The fee can be paid through the available online payment methods within the prescribed deadline.

Important Dates for SSC CPO 2026

How to Apply for SSC CPO Recruitment 2026?

Candidates can apply online through the official SSC website by following these steps:

Step 1: Visit the official SSC website at ssc.gov.in.

Step 2: Complete the One-Time Registration (OTR) on the new SSC website if you are applying for the first time.

Step 3: Log in using your registered details.

Step 4: Open the SSC CPO 2026 application form.

Step 5: Enter personal, educational and other required information carefully.

Step 6: Select the applicable post/force preferences.

Step 7: Complete the required authentication and photograph-related process as instructed by the application system.

Step 8: Pay the application fee, if applicable.

Step 9: Carefully check all details before final submission.

Step 10: Submit the application form before 30 September 2026 and save/download the final application and payment confirmation for future reference.

SSC CPO Recruitment 2026 – Important Links

SSC CPO Official Website: ssc.gov.in