What is SSC CPO?
Central Police Organisations (SSC CPO) is national level central govt. exam which is conducted by Selection Staff Commission every year to recruit candidates to the post of Sub Inspector in Delhi Police, Sub Inspector in CAPFs, Assistant Sub Inspector in CISF, Inspector posts and Sub Inspector Posts in the Central Police Organization (CPO).
SSC CPO exam has four different phases that candidates need to clear in order to get selected for various posts in Delhi Police, CAPFs & CISFs. In phase 1, candidates have to pass paper 1, which is an Objective Multiple-Choice Questions paper from the subjects of English, Reasoning, Maths & General Studies. In phase 2, PET/PST Test is conducted to check the endurance (physical strength) of candidates. In phase 3, candidates have to qualify Paper II in which objective questions are asked from the subject of English only. In phase 4, detailed medical examination is done.
SSC CPO is one of the great opportunities for students looking forward for a reputed position in Central Police Organizations. Through this article, we will provide all relevant information regarding SSC CPO exam like important dates, eligibility criteria, the application process, exam pattern, syllabus, selection process, post-wise vacancies etc.
SSC CPO Eligibility Criteria
The criteria that an applicant has to fulfil for the eligibility to appear in the SSC CPO Exam are given below:
Educational Qualifications:
- A candidate should possess a Bachelor’s Degree in any discipline from a renowned University.
- For the placement as Sub Inspector in Delhi Police (only) – Male candidates should hold a valid Driving License for LMV (Motorcycle and Car) as on the date set for Physical Endurance and Standard Tests. Otherwise, they will not be permitted to undertake Physical Endurance and Standard Tests.
Age Limit:
- Minimum Age Limit for an applicant is 20 years
- Maximum Age Limit for an applicant is 25 years
Age Relaxation:
| Category | Age Relaxation |
| SC/ST | 5 years |
| OBC | 3 years |
| Jammu & Kashmir domiciled during 01.01.1980 to 31.12.1989 (UR/GEN) |
5 years |
| Jammu & Kashmir domiciled during 01.01.1980 to 31.12.1989 (OBC) |
8 years |
SSC CPO Syllabus
SSC CPO Paper 1
| General Reasoning | General Knowledge | Quantitative Aptitude | English Comprehension |
| Verbal Reasoning | Current Affairs | Percentage | Reading Comprehension |
| Syllogism | Awards and Honours | Ratio and Percentage | Grammar |
| Circular Seating Arrangement | Books and Authors | Data Interpretation | Vocabulary |
| Linear Seating Arrangement | Sports | Mensuration and Geometry | Verbal Ability |
| Double Lineup | Entertainment | Quadratic Equation | Synonyms-Antonyms |
| Scheduling | Obituaries | Interest | Active and Passive Voice |
| Input Output | Important Dates | Problems of Ages | Para Jumbles |
| Blood Relations | Scientific Research | Profit and Loss | Fill in the Blanks |
| Directions and Distances | Number Series | Error Correction | |
| Ordering and Ranking | Speed, Distance and Time | ||
| Data Sufficiency | Time and Work | ||
| Coding and Decoding | Number System | ||
| Code Inequalities | Data Sufficiency |
SSC CPO Paper 2
| Section | Syllabus |
| English Language and Comprehension | Error Recognition Fill in the Blanks Vocabulary Spellings Grammar Sentence Structure Synonyms Antonyms Sentence Completion Phrases and Idiomatic Use of Words Comprehension |
SSC CPO Exam Pattern
SSC CPO Exam is held on objective mode with MCQs. It is bilingual i.e. in the languages Hindi and English. It observes negative marking with as much as 0.25 as a penalty for every mistake committed by the candidate. SSC CPO comprise of three stages as given below:
SSC CPO Paper 1 Exam Pattern
| S.No | Subject | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Duration |
| 1 | General Intelligence & Reasoning | 50 | 50 | 2 hours |
| 2 | General Knowledge | 50 | 50 | |
| 3 | Quantitative Aptitude | 50 | 50 | |
| 4 | English Comprehension | 50 | 50 |
Note – SSC CPO Paper-2 will be held once you qualify PET/PST Test.
SSC CPO PET, PST and Medical Test.
| Candidate | Height | Chest | |
| Unexpanded | Expanded | ||
| Male (Gen) | 170 | 80 | 85 |
| Belonging to Hilly regions & areas of J&K, North East & Sikkim | 165 | 80 | 85 |
| Scheduled Tribes | 162.5 | 77 | 82 |
| Female (Gen) | 157 | – | – |
| Belonging to Hilly regions & areas of J&K, North East & Sikkim | 155 | – | – |
| Scheduled Tribes | 154 | – | – |
Details for SSC CPO PET Test
For Male Candidates
- 100 meters race in 16 seconds
- 1.6 meters race in 6.5 minutes
- Long Jump: 3.65 meters in 5 chances
- High Jump: 1.2 meters in 3 chances
- Short put 16 LBS: 4.5 meters in 3 chances
For Female Candidates
- 100-meter race in 18 second
- 800-meter race in 4 minutes
- Long Jump: 2.7 meters or 9 feet in 3 chances
- High Jump: 0.9 meters or 3 feet in 3 chances
SSC CPO Medical Test
- Eligibility Criteria for the Medical Test is mentioned below:
- Minimum Near Vision: N6 (better eye) and N9 (worse eye)
- Minimum Distant Vision: 6/6 (better eye) and 6/9 (worse eye)
- Must not have knock knee, flat foot, varicose vein or squint in eyes
- Eye standards should be without visual correction of any kind even by glasses.
SSC CPO Paper 2 Exam Pattern
SSC CPO Paper-2 will be conducted after PET/PST Test for SSC CPO is conducted.
| Subject | Number of questions | Maximum marks | Duration |
| English language & Comprehension | 200 | 200 | 2 hours |
- The total time duration of the exam is of 120 minutes i.e. 2 hours.
- The total number of questions asked will be around 200 and the maximum marks for Paper-2 will be 200.
- The test will be of English Language and Comprehension conducted online.
SSC CPO Application Fee
Applicants can pay the FEE through SBI Challan/SBI Net banking or through credit/debit cards of any bank.
The SSC CPO application fees for various categories are given below:
- General/OBC – Rs 100/-
- Females/SC/ST/Ex-Servicemen – No Fees
SSC CPO Selection Procedure
- Stage 1 – Candidates have to qualify in paper 1.
- Stage 2 – Qualify PET/PST Test
- Stage 3 – Candidates have to qualify in paper 2.
- Stage 4 – Detailed Medical Examination
The final merit list will be determined on the foundation of the performance of the candidate in all the three stages of SSC CPO Exam.
SSC CPO SI Salary
| Post Name | Level | Group | Salary/ Pay Scale |
| Sub Inspector in Delhi Police (Male/ Female) | 6 | ‘C’ Non-Gazetted | Rs. 35400-112400/- |
| Sub Inspector in CAPF | 6 | ‘B’ Non-Gazetted | Rs. 35400-112400/- |
| Assistant Sub-Inspector(ASI) in CISF | 6 | ‘C’ Non-Gazetted | Rs. 29200-92300/- |