SSC CPO Recruitment 2026: Apply Online for 1,871 Sub-Inspector Posts, Eligibility, Age Limit, Physical Test & Exam Pattern

The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has released the notification for the Sub-Inspector in Delhi Police and Central Armed Police Forces Examination, 2026. Through this recruitment drive, SSC is inviting online applications for 1,871 tentative Sub-Inspector vacancies in Delhi Police, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and CISF Fire.

The SSC CPO Recruitment 2026 application process has started on 10 September 2026. Eligible candidates can submit their applications through the SSC website up to 30 September 2026 at 11:00 PM. The recruitment includes written examinations, physical tests, medical examination and document verification as part of the selection process.

Candidates interested in SSC CPO 2026 should carefully check the post-wise qualification, age limit, driving licence requirement, physical standards and examination pattern before applying.

SSC CPO Recruitment 2026 – Overview

The SSC CPO examination is conducted for recruitment to Sub-Inspector positions in Delhi Police and various Central Armed Police Forces. The recruitment also includes the Sub-Inspector (Fire) in CISF post, which has separate educational and physical requirements.

SSC CPO Recruitment 2026 Important Dates

Candidates should keep the application and correction deadlines in mind. The examination date has not yet been announced in the provided recruitment schedule.

Important Links for SSC CPO Recruitment 2026

Candidates can access the application portal and official recruitment information through the links provided below.

SSC CPO Vacancy 2026

SSC has announced 1,871 tentative vacancies across Delhi Police, BSF, CISF, CRPF, ITBP and SSB. The vacancy distribution includes both male and female positions wherever applicable.

The CISF SI (Fire) vacancies are available only for male candidates, while the other listed SI posts have separate male and female vacancies.

The vacancies mentioned above are tentative. Candidates should refer to the official notification for the category-wise reservation details.

SSC does not distribute these CAPF vacancies on a state-wise basis. Therefore, candidates selected for CAPF posts may be posted anywhere in India.

SSC CPO Posts and Pay Scale

The recruitment covers three broad categories of Sub-Inspector positions. The nature and classification of the post depend on the organisation in which the candidate is selected.

The available posts are:

• Sub-Inspector (Executive) in Delhi Police
• Sub-Inspector (GD) in CAPFs
• Sub-Inspector (Fire) in CISF

All these positions carry Pay Level-6, with a pay scale of ₹35,400 to ₹1,12,400.

The Delhi Police SI position is classified as a Group C post. SI (GD) in CAPFs and SI (Fire) in CISF are classified as Group B, Non-Gazetted and Non-Ministerial posts.

SSC CPO Eligibility Criteria 2026

Candidates must satisfy the eligibility conditions prescribed for the particular Sub-Inspector post. The educational qualification is not identical for all posts, especially in the case of CISF SI (Fire).

Applicants should ensure that their qualification is completed within the prescribed cut-off date before submitting the application.

Nationality

Candidates must meet the nationality conditions prescribed by SSC. Applicants must be:

• Citizens of India, or
• Subjects of Nepal, or
• Subjects of Bhutan.

Candidates who are subjects of Nepal or Bhutan must obtain the required eligibility certificate from the Government of India before appointment.

Educational Qualification for Delhi Police SI and CAPF SI (GD)

For Sub-Inspector in Delhi Police and SI (GD) in CAPFs, candidates should possess a Bachelor’s Degree from a recognised university or an equivalent qualification.

Candidates who are appearing for their qualifying examination may also apply, provided their qualifying result is declared on or before 30 September 2026. Simply appearing in or completing the examination by that date will not be sufficient if the result has not been declared.

Educational Qualification for CISF SI (Fire)

The CISF Sub-Inspector (Fire) post is available for male candidates and has a separate qualification requirement.

Candidates may qualify through the prescribed Science or Engineering route, including:

• A Bachelor’s Degree in Science with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics, or
• Matriculation along with a three-year diploma in the prescribed engineering disciplines.

The engineering diploma disciplines specified include Mechanical, Civil, Electrical, Automobile, Chemical, Mining, Aeronautical and Telecommunication Engineering, or the equivalent qualification recognised under the notification.

The qualification must be obtained from a recognised university, Board or institution by 30 September 2026. The notification also specifies conditions relating to B.Tech/M.Tech qualifications under the diploma route.

Qualification Concession for Ex-Servicemen

The notification provides a separate qualification concession for eligible matriculate Ex-Servicemen who have completed 15 years of Armed Forces service.

This concession is limited to reserved Group C Sub-Inspector posts in Delhi Police. Candidates applying under this provision must fulfil the applicable service and release conditions prescribed by SSC.

Driving Licence Requirement for Delhi Police SI

Male candidates who want to be considered for Delhi Police SI must possess a valid LMV driving licence for both motorcycle and car on the date prescribed for the Physical Endurance and Measurement Test (PE&MT).

Candidates who do not possess the required driving licence may still be considered for CAPF posts, subject to fulfilling the remaining eligibility requirements.

SSC CPO Age Limit 2026

The prescribed age limit varies according to the post. The age is calculated with reference to 1 August 2026 for the relevant posts.

For Delhi Police SI and CAPF SI (GD), candidates should have been born between 2 August 2001 and 1 August 2006, before applying any permissible age relaxation.

For CISF SI (Fire), the prescribed date-of-birth range is 2 August 1996 to 1 August 2008, before relaxation.

Age Relaxation

Relaxation in the upper age limit is available to eligible categories according to the applicable rules.

Eligible Ex-Servicemen receive the prescribed relaxation after deducting the period of military service from their actual age as on 30 September 2026.

Special Age Relaxation for Delhi Police

Certain additional age concessions are available for specific Delhi Police candidates.

Widows, divorced women and judicially separated women who have not remarried can apply up to 35 years, while the limit is 40 years for SC/ST candidates.

Eligible Delhi Police departmental candidates who have completed at least three years of regular and continuous service by 30 September 2026 can apply up to:

• 30 years for UR/EWS
• 33 years for OBC
• 35 years for SC/ST

SSC CPO Application Fee 2026

Candidates belonging to the applicable categories are required to pay an examination fee of ₹100. However, SSC has provided fee exemption for certain categories.

The application fee can be paid online through BHIM UPI, Net Banking or the specified debit cards.

SSC CPO Selection Process 2026

The SSC CPO selection procedure consists of written examinations followed by physical, medical and document-verification stages. Candidates have to qualify at each applicable stage before being considered for final selection.

The recruitment process includes:

Paper-I → PST/PET → Paper-II → Medical Examination → Document Verification

The Physical Standard Test (PST), Physical Endurance Test (PET) and medical examination are qualifying in nature. Ex-Servicemen are exempted from PET but are required to meet the prescribed physical and medical standards.

Paper-I is primarily used to shortlist candidates for the physical stages, while Paper-II marks play an important role in final selection. Applicable NCC bonus marks and the candidate’s post/force preferences are also considered.

SSC CPO Final Merit and Post Preference

The final merit is prepared on the basis of Paper-II marks, including applicable NCC bonus marks, along with the candidate’s preferences for posts and forces.

Candidates must submit their online post preferences during the period announced by SSC after the declaration of the Paper-II result. Therefore, candidates who qualify for the final stage should not miss the separate preference-submission window.

SSC CPO Exam Pattern 2026

SSC CPO consists of two computer-based papers. Both papers are objective in nature, but the number of questions, marks and section-wise timing differ.

SSC CPO Paper-I Pattern

Paper-I consists of 100 questions carrying 100 marks. The total examination duration is one hour, with separate timings for each section.

Each of the first three sections is available in Hindi and English as prescribed.

SSC CPO Paper-II Pattern

Paper-II contains 160 questions carrying 320 marks and has a total duration of two hours.

The English Comprehension section carries the largest share of Paper-II, with 100 questions for 200 marks.

Negative Marking in SSC CPO

Candidates should take care while attempting both papers because incorrect answers carry negative marks.

• Paper-I: 0.25 marks deducted for each wrong answer
• Paper-II: 0.50 marks deducted for each wrong answer

Both papers are objective-type examinations.

Minimum Qualifying Marks

Candidates must secure the minimum qualifying percentage prescribed for their category in each paper.

These are only minimum qualifying marks and do not automatically guarantee shortlisting for the next stage.

NCC Bonus Marks

Candidates holding eligible NCC certificates can receive bonus marks in each paper.

The candidate must hold the applicable certificate by 30 September 2026 and claim the benefit in the application form.

SSC CPO Physical Standard Test 2026

Candidates shortlisted for the physical stage must satisfy the prescribed height, chest and weight requirements. The standards vary according to gender, post and certain categories or geographical areas.

General Physical Standards

For CISF SI (Fire), the prescribed male chest measurement is 81 cm unexpanded and 86 cm expanded.

Weight should be proportionate to height as prescribed in the recruitment requirements.

Physical Relaxation for North-Eastern Candidates

Candidates belonging to North-Eastern States, including Assam, receive a relaxation in the minimum height requirement.

The applicable chest requirements remain unchanged unless a separate concession, such as the ST relaxation, applies. The CISF SI (Fire) position is open only to male candidates.

ST and Other Physical Relaxations

Special physical concessions are available for eligible ST candidates and certain notified communities and regions.

For example, male ST candidates have prescribed relaxed height and chest measurements. Male ST candidates from North-Eastern States applying for CAPF SI (GD) have a further relaxed height requirement.

Male Gorkha candidates also have a separate height requirement for CAPF SI (GD).

Candidates claiming any height or chest relaxation must produce the prescribed Annexure-VIII certificate issued by the competent authority.

SSC CPO Physical Endurance Test for Male Candidates

The Physical Endurance Test (PET) requires male candidates to complete running, jumping and shot-put events within the prescribed standards.

Candidates receive three chances for the long jump, high jump and shot put events.

SSC CPO Physical Endurance Test for Female Candidates

Female candidates have a separate set of PET standards involving short-distance running, 800-metre running and jumping events.

Three attempts are provided for each of the jumping events.

SSC CPO Medical Examination

Candidates who reach the medical stage must satisfy the medical requirements prescribed for the post. The medical assessment includes eyesight and other physical/medical standards specified in the SSC notification.

The prescribed distant vision requirement includes 6/6 in the better eye and 6/9 in the worse eye, while the near vision requirement is N6 and N9, respectively.

SSC CPO Exam Centres in Assam

Candidates from Assam may be allotted one of the tentative examination centres listed by SSC.

The date of the Computer-Based Examination will be announced separately by the Commission.

How to Apply for SSC CPO Recruitment 2026

The SSC CPO application form can be submitted through the official SSC website or the mySSC mobile application.

Candidates who have not completed One-Time Registration on the new SSC website must complete the OTR before filling out the application. Registration created on the old SSC website will not work on the new portal.

Applicants should also keep their scanned signature ready before starting the form. The signature should be in JPEG format, with a file size of 10 KB to 20 KB and approximately 6 cm wide and 2 cm high. The application also requires a live photograph to be captured during the process.

Steps to Submit SSC CPO Online Form

1. Visit the official SSC website or open the mySSC mobile application.
2. Complete One-Time Registration if you have not already registered.
3. Log in using your registration number and password.
4. Select Sub-Inspector in Delhi Police and CAPFs Examination, 2026.
5. Enter your personal and educational information.
6. Select the required examination centre preferences.
7. Capture the live photograph as instructed.
8. Upload the prescribed scanned signature.
9. Check all information carefully before final submission.
10. Submit the application by 30 September 2026 at 11:00 PM.
11. Pay the applicable fee by 1 October 2026 at 11:00 PM.
12. Check the payment status after making the payment.
13. Save or print the final application form for future reference.

SSC CPO Application Correction 2026

SSC will provide a correction facility for eligible applicants after the completion of the application process.

The correction window will remain open from 8 October to 10 October 2026, with the facility closing at 11:00 PM on 10 October 2026.

The correction charges are:

The correction fee applies to candidates of all categories and genders. Only applicants whose forms were completed within the prescribed period, including the required fee payment, will be eligible to use the correction facility.

Important Instructions for SSC CPO Candidates

Candidates should carefully verify their eligibility before submitting the application. In particular, applicants should check the educational qualification, age limit, driving licence requirement for Delhi Police SI, physical standards and applicable category relaxations.

Candidates claiming any physical or age relaxation should ensure that they possess the required supporting certificate in the prescribed format. Candidates applying for CAPF positions should also remember that the vacancies are not state-wise and that selected candidates may be posted anywhere in India.

The SSC CPO examination date will be announced separately. Candidates should therefore regularly check the official SSC website for updates regarding the Computer-Based Examination, admit card, physical tests and subsequent stages of the recruitment.