Last Updated on September 12, 2026 by Gaurav Kumar
Quick Answer: The SSC CPO Exam 2026 application process is open from 10 to 30 September for 1,871 tentative Sub-Inspector vacancies. Graduates can apply for Delhi Police and CAPF SI posts, while CISF SI Fire has separate eligibility rules. SSC will announce the Computer-Based Examination date separately on its official website.
The Staff Selection Commission has released the notification for recruiting Sub-Inspectors in Delhi Police, Central Armed Police Forces and CISF Fire. Online applications began on 10 September and will close at 11:00 PM on 30 September.
This recruitment cycle introduces major changes. Paper 1 now contains 100 questions rather than the earlier 200-question format. Paper 2 covers four subjects and carries 320 marks. SSC has also added the Sub-Inspector Fire post in CISF, which has separate qualification, age and physical requirements.
Candidates should check the rules for their preferred post before submitting the application. Eligibility for Delhi Police or CAPF SI does not automatically establish eligibility for CISF SI Fire.
SSC CPO 2026 Latest Updates
- 10 September: SSC released the official notification and opened online registration.
- 30 September: The application window will close at 11:00 PM.
- 1 October: Online fee payment will close at 11:00 PM.
- 8–10 October: SSC will open the application correction window.
- Computer-Based Examination: The exact date has not yet been announced.
Date Alert: Some older pages display May–June application dates or expected October–November examination dates taken from SSC’s tentative calendar. The detailed notification released on 10 September is the newer source and states that the CBE schedule will be notified separately.
What Is the SSC CPO Exam?
The SSC CPO Exam is conducted by the Staff Selection Commission to recruit candidates for Sub-Inspector positions in Delhi Police and Central Armed Police Forces.
The current recruitment includes:
- Sub-Inspector Executive in Delhi Police
- Sub-Inspector General Duty in CAPFs
- Sub-Inspector Fire in CISF
Participating Central Armed Police Forces include:
- Border Security Force
- Central Industrial Security Force
- Central Reserve Police Force
- Indo-Tibetan Border Police
- Sashastra Seema Bal
Applicants must pass written examinations, physical tests, a medical examination and document verification. A graduation degree alone does not establish eligibility. Age, physical measurements and post-specific requirements also apply.
Recruitment Overview
| Particular | Official detail |
|---|---|
| Examination | SSC CPO Exam 2026 |
| Conducting authority | Staff Selection Commission |
| Notification date | 10 September 2026 |
| Application dates | 10–30 September 2026 |
| Total vacancies | 1,871 tentative posts |
| Posts | Delhi Police SI, CAPF SI GD and CISF SI Fire |
| Application mode | Online |
| Examination mode | Computer-Based Examination |
| CBE date | To be notified |
| Selection stages | Paper 1, PST/PET, Paper 2, medical examination and document verification |
| Official website | ssc.gov.in |
| Application helpline | 1800 309 3063 |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| SSC CPO Notification 2026 released | 10 September 2026 |
| Online application started | 10 September 2026 |
| Last date to submit the form | 30 September 2026, 11:00 PM |
| Last date for fee payment | 1 October 2026, 11:00 PM |
| Application correction window | 8–10 October 2026 |
| Correction window closing time | 10 October 2026, 11:00 PM |
| Paper 1 examination | To be announced |
| Admit card release | To be announced |
| PST/PET schedule | To be announced |
| Paper 2 examination | To be announced |
The fee-payment deadline does not extend the application period. Applicants must submit the SSC CPO Application Form 2026 by 30 September, even though online fee payment remains open until the following day.
Has the Examination Date Been Announced?
SSC has not announced the exact examination date yet. The detailed notification states that the Computer-Based Examination schedule will be communicated separately.
Candidates should not treat December or October–November as confirmed unless SSC publishes a fresh schedule. Dates on coaching and news websites may help with planning, but expected dates should not be confused with an official announcement.
Use this route to check official updates:
SSC Home Page → Notice Board → CAPF → Sub-Inspector Examination Notice
After SSC confirms the Paper 1 schedule, application-status and admit-card information will be published through the Commission’s official or regional portals.
What Has Changed This Year?
CISF SI Fire Added
The recruitment includes 234 tentative Sub-Inspector Fire vacancies in CISF. These are male vacancies and are separate from the regular CISF SI GD posts.
The Fire post has:
- A separate educational requirement
- A basic age limit of 18–30 years
- Post-specific physical measurements
- Different service-related conditions
Paper 1 Revised
Paper 1 now consists of:
- 100 questions
- 100 marks
- Four sections
- 15 minutes for each section
- 60 minutes in total
- A penalty of 0.25 mark per incorrect answer
Paper 2 Revised
Paper 2 now tests Reasoning, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude and English Comprehension. It contains 160 questions carrying 320 marks, with English accounting for 200 marks.
Candidates following preparation material based on the previous English-only Paper 2 format should revise their study plan immediately.
SSC CPO Vacancy 2026
SSC has announced 1,871 tentative vacancies across Delhi Police, five CAPFs and CISF Fire.
| Post or force | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delhi Police SI Executive | 205 | 112 | 317 |
| BSF SI GD | 435 | 22 | 457 |
| CISF SI GD | 200 | 50 | 250 |
| CRPF SI GD | 225 | 29 | 254 |
| ITBP SI GD | 159 | 28 | 187 |
| SSB SI GD | 154 | 18 | 172 |
| CISF SI Fire | 234 | — | 234 |
| Total | 1,612 | 259 | 1,871 |
BSF has the largest number of SI GD vacancies at 457. Delhi Police offers 317 positions, including 205 for male and 112 for female candidates.
These vacancy figures are tentative. SSC may revise them based on requirements received from Delhi Police, the Ministry of Home Affairs and participating forces.
Post Selection Tip: Do not select a force only because it has more openings. Compare the eligibility conditions, physical standards, service environment, transfer possibilities and personal preferences before ranking posts.
SSC CPO Eligibility Criteria 2026
Eligibility depends on nationality, education, age, physical standards and the position selected.
Nationality
An applicant must be:
- A citizen of India;
- A subject of Nepal; or
- A subject of Bhutan.
Candidates from Nepal or Bhutan must possess the required eligibility certificate issued by the Government of India under the notification rules.
Educational Qualification
| Post | Qualification |
|---|---|
| Delhi Police SI Executive | Bachelor’s degree from a recognised university or equivalent |
| CAPF SI GD | Bachelor’s degree from a recognised university or equivalent |
| CISF SI Fire | Bachelor’s degree in Science with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics, or the specified engineering diploma route |
Applicants must possess the required qualification by 30 September 2026. Appearing in a final examination is not enough unless the degree or required qualification is acquired by the closing date.
Candidates interested in SI Fire should check the official list of permitted engineering diploma disciplines. The listed branches include Mechanical, Civil, Electrical, Automobile, Chemical, Mining, Aeronautical and Telecommunication Engineering.
Age Limit
Age is calculated as of 1 August 2026.
| Post | Basic age limit | Eligible date-of-birth range before relaxation |
|---|---|---|
| Delhi Police SI and CAPF SI GD | 20–25 years | 2 August 2001 to 1 August 2006 |
| CISF SI Fire | 18–30 years | 2 August 1996 to 1 August 2008 |
Common relaxation provisions include:
- SC/ST: five years
- OBC: three years
- Eligible Ex-Servicemen: according to prescribed rules
- Eligible Delhi Police departmental candidates: post-specific relaxation
- Other notified categories: according to official conditions
Applicants claiming relaxation must possess valid supporting documents.
Driving Licence for Delhi Police SI
Male candidates seeking Delhi Police SI must possess a valid LMV driving licence for a motorcycle and car by the date fixed for the Physical Endurance and Measurement Tests.
A male candidate without the prescribed licence may remain eligible for CAPF SI posts, subject to all other conditions, but will not qualify for Delhi Police SI.
60-Second Eligibility Check
Use the POST–DEGREE–AGE–PHYSICAL–PROOF framework:
- Post: Identify whether you want Delhi Police SI, CAPF SI GD or CISF SI Fire.
- Degree: Match your qualification with the selected position.
- Age: Calculate your age as of 1 August 2026.
- Physical: Check the applicable height, chest and endurance standards.
- Proof: Arrange category, education, NCC and driving-licence documents where applicable.
This check can prevent applicants from paying for or submitting a form for a position whose conditions they do not meet.
SSC CPO Application Form 2026
The application is available online from 10 to 30 September through the SSC website and mySSC mobile application.
New applicants must complete One-Time Registration on the current SSC portal. An OTR created on the old website will not work on the new platform.
SSC CPO Apply Online 2026: Direct Route
ssc.gov.in → Login/Register → Latest Notifications → Sub-Inspector in Delhi Police and CAPFs Examination 2026 → Apply
How to Apply
- Visit the official SSC website.
- Complete One-Time Registration on the current portal.
- Log in using the registration credentials.
- Open the Latest Notifications section.
- Select the Sub-Inspector recruitment examination.
- Enter the required personal and educational details.
- Select post and force preferences carefully.
- Complete the live-photograph process.
- Upload the scanned signature in the required format.
- Pay the fee if it applies to your category.
- Preview the name, date of birth, category, qualification and preferences.
- Submit the form before the closing time.
- Save the submitted application and payment receipt.
Photograph and Signature Requirements
The application module captures a live photograph. Candidates should:
- Use a plain background
- Face the camera directly
- Keep the face within the displayed area
- Use adequate lighting
- Avoid a cap, mask or spectacles during capture
- Follow the portal prompts instead of photographing an old printed photograph
The signature should be uploaded in JPEG format, generally within the prescribed 10–20 KB range and approximately 6 cm wide by 2 cm high. Confirm the specifications on the upload screen before submitting.
Application Fee
| Candidate category | Fee |
|---|---|
| Candidates not covered by an exemption | â‚ą100 |
| Women candidates | Exempt |
| SC/ST candidates | Exempt |
| Eligible Ex-Servicemen | Exempt |
Applicants required to pay should check that the transaction status shows success. Merely entering payment details does not prove that the application fee has been received.
Application Correction Window
SSC will open the correction facility from 8 to 10 October.
| Correction attempt | Charge |
|---|---|
| First correction and resubmission | â‚ą200 |
| Second correction and resubmission | â‚ą500 |
A maximum of two corrected submissions is permitted. Correction charges apply irrespective of gender or category.
Applicants should still verify every field before the initial submission. The correction window should be treated as a way to fix genuine errors, not as extra time to finish an incomplete form.
Selection Process
The recruitment stages are:
Paper 1 → PST/PET → Paper 2 → Detailed Medical Examination → Document Verification
Paper 1 and Paper 2 are scored stages. The Physical Standard Test measures whether candidates meet the required physical dimensions, while the Physical Endurance Test assesses fitness through running, jumping and other prescribed activities.
Candidates must also satisfy medical standards and establish eligibility through original documents.
SSC CPO Exam Pattern 2026
Paper 1 Pattern
| Subject | Questions | Marks | Sectional time |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Intelligence and Reasoning | 25 | 25 | 15 minutes |
| General Knowledge and General Awareness | 25 | 25 | 15 minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 25 | 15 minutes |
| English Comprehension | 25 | 25 | 15 minutes |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 60 minutes |
Each wrong answer attracts a penalty of 0.25 mark.
⚠️ Sectional-Timing Warning: Paper 1 now enforces a strict 15-minute timer for each section. Unused time in General Awareness cannot be carried over to Quantitative Aptitude or another section. Candidates accustomed to the old pattern must change their mock-test strategy and practise every subject under its individual time limit.
How to Adapt to the Paper 1 Timer
Use a 10–3–2 approach within each 15-minute section:
- First 10 minutes: Attempt direct and familiar questions.
- Next 3 minutes: Return to questions that need a short calculation or second look.
- Final 2 minutes: Review marked responses and avoid rushed guesses.
This is a practice framework, not an SSC-mandated timing rule. Test it during mocks and adjust it according to personal speed.
Paper 2 Pattern
| Subject | Questions | Marks | Sectional time |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Intelligence and Reasoning | 20 | 40 | 20 minutes |
| General Knowledge and General Awareness | 20 | 40 | 20 minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 20 | 40 | 20 minutes |
| English Comprehension | 100 | 200 | 60 minutes |
| Total | 160 | 320 | 120 minutes |
Paper 2 carries a penalty of 0.50 mark for every incorrect answer. English represents 62.5% of the total marks, but the remaining sections still account for 120 marks and cannot be ignored.
Minimum Qualifying Marks
| Category | Minimum qualifying percentage |
|---|---|
| UR | 30% |
| OBC/EWS | 25% |
| Other categories | 20% |
Minimum qualifying percentages should not be confused with the final competitive cut-off. Actual shortlisting marks may be higher depending on vacancies, category, paper difficulty and candidate performance.
SSC CPO Syllabus 2026
General Intelligence and Reasoning
Topics include analogy, classification, number and alphabet series, coding-decoding, relationships, Venn diagrams, spatial orientation, non-verbal reasoning and logical problem-solving.
General Knowledge and General Awareness
Prepare current events, Indian history, geography, culture, polity, the Constitution, economy, general science, scientific research and India’s relations with neighbouring countries.
Quantitative Aptitude
Study number systems, percentages, ratio and proportion, averages, profit and loss, interest, time and work, speed and distance, algebra, geometry, mensuration, trigonometry and data interpretation.
English Comprehension
Focus on grammar, vocabulary, sentence structure, error detection, synonyms, antonyms, idioms, sentence improvement, fill-in-the-blanks exercises and reading comprehension.
The revised syllabus applies these four subjects to both papers. Paper 2 is set at a higher level and assigns much more weight to English.
Physical Standards and Endurance Test
Basic standards for candidates outside relaxation categories include:
| Candidate group | Height | Chest |
|---|---|---|
| Delhi Police/CAPF SI male | 170 cm | 80–85 cm |
| Delhi Police/CAPF SI female | 157 cm | Not applicable |
| CISF SI Fire male | 170 cm | 81–86 cm |
Separate standards or relaxations apply to eligible hill-area and Scheduled Tribe candidates.
The endurance test generally includes:
- Male: 100 metres in 16 seconds
- Male: 1.6 km in 6.5 minutes
- Female: 100 metres in 18 seconds
- Female: 800 metres in four minutes
- Long jump and high jump for both
- Shot put for male candidates where prescribed
PST/PET is qualifying in nature. Candidates should begin gradual running and endurance training alongside written preparation rather than waiting for Paper 1 results.
Our Content Accuracy Audit
Our review of seven prominent exam-information pages on 12 September found that at least four contained a stale, conflicting or incomplete element. Examples included old application dates, an unconfirmed exam month, the previous examination pattern or inconsistent vacancy totals.
Aggregator pages can help explain the recruitment, but dates, vacancies, qualifications and pattern changes should be verified against the newest SSC notice.
Three Verified Facts with Sources
- Applications close at 11:00 PM on 30 September, while online fee payment closes on 1 October.
Source: Official SSC CPO Notification 2026 - The recruitment contains 1,871 tentative vacancies: 317 in Delhi Police, 1,320 CAPF SI GD posts and 234 CISF SI Fire posts.
Source: SSC CPO vacancy and pattern report - The exact Computer-Based Examination date has not been announced in the detailed notice.
Source: SSC Notice Board
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is the SSC CPO Notification 2026 released?
Yes. The SSC CPO Notification 2026 was released on 10 September. It announces 1,871 tentative vacancies for Sub-Inspector posts in Delhi Police, CAPFs and CISF Fire. Eligible candidates can submit their online applications through ssc.gov.in until 11:00 PM on 30 September.
2. Has SSC announced the examination date?
The exact examination date has not been announced. The detailed notice states that the Computer-Based Examination schedule will be published separately. Candidates should not treat dates reported by coaching or news websites as final until a fresh schedule is displayed on the official SSC notice board.
3. Who can apply for the SSC CPO Exam 2026?
Graduates within the prescribed age range can apply for Delhi Police SI and CAPF SI GD posts. The SSC CPO Exam 2026 has separate educational and age rules for CISF SI Fire. Applicants must also meet nationality, physical and post-specific conditions by the applicable dates.
4. How many vacancies are available this year?
SSC has announced 1,871 tentative vacancies. These include 317 Delhi Police SI posts, 1,320 SI GD vacancies across five Central Armed Police Forces and 234 male SI Fire posts in CISF. The Commission may revise these figures if participating departments report changes.
5. What is the new SSC CPO Exam Pattern 2026?
The revised SSC CPO Exam Pattern 2026 gives Paper 1 100 questions for 100 marks and Paper 2 160 questions for 320 marks. Both papers cover four subjects and enforce sectional timers. Negative marking is 0.25 mark in Paper 1 and 0.50 mark in Paper 2.
6. Is a driving licence required?
A driving licence is required specifically for male candidates seeking Delhi Police SI. They must possess a valid LMV licence for motorcycle and car by the physical-test date. Without it, an otherwise eligible candidate may still be considered for CAPF SI posts, subject to all other conditions.
Editorial Note
Recruitment dates and vacancy numbers can change through later SSC notices. Candidates should treat the newest update on ssc.gov.in, their submitted application and official regional announcements as final.
Save the application PDF, payment receipt and registration details. Check the official notice board regularly for the Paper 1 schedule, application status and admit-card announcement.