SSC CPO Syllabus 2026: Exam Pattern, Marking Scheme & Official PDF Download
The SSC CPO 2026 syllabus encompasses General Awareness, English, Reasoning, and Quantitative Aptitude. Explore the comprehensive CPO SI syllabus, updated exam patterns for Paper 1 and 2, and physical standards (PET/PST). Download the official syllabus PDF to streamline your study plan.
SSC CPO Syllabus 2026
Achieving a top rank in the SSC CPO 2026 exam requires a deep understanding of the official syllabus. A clear grasp of the exam structure and marking scheme is vital for effective, goal-oriented preparation. The following breakdown provides a quick, essential guide for all aspirants.
| SSC CPO Syllabus 2026 | |
| Recruitment Body | Staff Selection Commission(SSC) |
| Recruitment | SSC CPO 2026 |
| Category | Syllabus |
| Exam Level | National |
| Mode of Exam | Online Exam |
| Selection Process |
|
| Question type | MCQ-based |
| Negative Marking | 0.25 Marks |
| Official Website | ssc.gov.in |
SSC CPO Result 2026 Released: Click Here to Check Your Status
SSC CPO Selection Process 2026
The SSC CPO selection process consists of three rigorous stages:
| Tier | Type of Examination | Mode of examination |
| Tier-I | Objective Multiple Choice | CBT (Online) |
| PET/PST | Running, Long Jump, High Jump, and Short Put | Physical exam |
| Tier-II | Objective Multiple Choice | CBT (Online) |
SSC CPO Paper 1 Exam Pattern 2026 (Revised)
The SSC CPO Exam Pattern 2026 for Tier 1 features 200 questions, totaling 200 marks. Candidates have a 120-minute (2-hour) duration to complete the exam. It is divided into four distinct sections, each worth 50 marks. Please note that SSC employs normalisation to finalise scores, and sectional timing is now implemented.
| Sections | No. of Questions | Total Marks | Duration |
| General Intelligence and Reasoning | 50 Qs | 50 Marks | 30 Mins |
| General Awareness | 50 Qs | 50 Marks | 30 Mins |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 50 Qs | 50 Marks | 30 Mins |
| English Comprehension | 50 Qs | 50 Marks | 30 Mins |
| Total | 200 Qs | 200 Marks | 2 Hours |
Note: A negative marking of 0.25 marks applies to every incorrect answer.
SSC CPO Paper 2 Exam Pattern 2026
The SSC CPO Tier 2 exam consists of 200 questions worth 200 marks. Candidates who successfully qualify for the Tier 1 cutoff are eligible to appear for this secondary stage.
| Subject | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Duration |
| English Language & Comprehension | 200 | 200 | 120 minute |
Qualifying Marks in SSC CPO Exam 2026
Qualifying criteria for the SSC CPO 2026 exam are set by the official commission. Candidates must achieve minimum marks of 30% for General, 25% for OBC/EWS, and 20% for SC/ST/Other categories. Meeting these minimum standards is essential, alongside surpassing the category-wise cut-off to advance in the selection process.
SSC CPO Paper 1 Syllabus 2026
The SSC CPO Tier 1 (Paper 1) is a computer-based test representing the preliminary stage. Qualifiers proceed to the Physical Efficiency & Standard Test (PET/PST) and Tier 2 (Paper 2). The syllabus covers four core subjects, detailed in the breakdown below.
CPO SI Syllabus for Reasoning
The Reasoning section for Paper 1 covers the following analytical topics:
- Verbal Reasoning
- Syllogism
- Circular Seating Arrangement
- Linear Seating Arrangement
- Double Lineup
- Scheduling
- Input-Output
- Blood Relations
- Directions and Distances
- Ordering and Ranking
- Data Sufficiency
- Coding and Decoding
- Code Inequalities
CPO SI Syllabus for General Knowledge
The General Awareness section tests your knowledge of Current Affairs and static subjects, including History, Geography, Polity, and Economics.
- Current Affairs
- Awards and Honours
- Books and Authors
- Sports
- Entertainment
- Obituaries
- Important Dates
- Scientific Research
CPO SI Syllabus for Quantitative Aptitude
The Quantitative Aptitude section primarily evaluates proficiency in Data Interpretation, Arithmetic, Algebra, and Geometry.
- Percentage
- Ratio and Percentage
- Data Interpretation
- Mensuration and Geometry
- Quadratic Equation
- Interest
- Problems of Ages
- Profit and Loss
- Number Series
- Speed, Distance and Time
- Time and Work
- Number System
- Data Sufficiency
CPO SI Syllabus for English Comprehension
For the English section, candidates should focus on reading comprehension, grammatical accuracy, vocabulary enhancement, and sentence structure.
- Reading Comprehension
- Grammar
- Vocabulary
- Verbal Ability
- Synonyms-Antonyms
- Active and Passive Voice
- Para Jumbles
- Fill in the Blanks
- Error Correction
- Idioms
SSC CPO Paper 2 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 Syllabus 2026 PDF Download
The SSC CPO syllabus covers Paper 1 (General Intelligence, Reasoning, GK, Quant, and English) and Paper 2 (English Language & Comprehension). We have curated a comprehensive PDF covering all topics and exam trends. Download the syllabus PDF using the link below to kickstart a structured study schedule.
SSC CPO Physical Standards Test 2026
Candidates must adhere to the official physical standards required for the SSC CPO. The specific height and chest measurements are detailed in the table provided below:
| Candidate | Height | Chest in cms | |
| Unexpanded | Expanded | ||
| A. Male Candidates (General) | 170 | 80 | 85 |
| (i) For candidates belonging to Hill areas of Garhwal, Kumauni, Himachal Pradesh, Gorkhas, Dogra’s, Marathas, Kashmir Valley, Leh & Ladakh regions of J&K, North-Eastern States and Sikkim | 165 | 80 | 85 |
| (ii) For candidates belonging to Scheduled Tribes | 162.5 | 77 | 82 |
| B. Female Candidates (General) | 157 | – | – |
| (i) For candidates belonging to Hill areas of Garhwal, Kumauni, Himachal Pradesh, Gorkhas, Dogra’s, Marathas, Kashmir Valley, Leh & Ladakh regions of J&K, North-Eastern States and Sikkim | 155 | – | – |
| (ii) Scheduled Tribes | 154 | – | – |
SSC CPO Physical Efficiency Test 2026
The Physical Endurance Test (PET) is mandatory for all candidates who clear the Paper 1 cutoff. Since all endurance activities take place on the same day, physical preparation is key to your success.
Male Candidates
- 100-meter race in 16 seconds
- 1.6 Km 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
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 2026
The medical eligibility criteria for the SSC CPO are outlined 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-kneed, flat feet, varicose vein, or squint in eyes
- Eye standards should be without visual correction of any kind, even by glasses.
SSC CPO Exam Syllabus 2026: Important Points to Remember
- As mentioned in the SSC CPO Exam Pattern, questions in both papers will be of the Objective Multiple Choice Type.
- Questions will be set in Hindi and English in Parts I, II, and III of Paper I.
- There will be a negative marking of 0.25 marks for each wrong answer in Paper I & Paper II.
- The SSC (Staff Service Commission ) reserves the right to alter the exam pattern.
- As per the SSC CPO Exam pattern, the Physical test and Medical Exams are to be conducted only after a successful score in papers I & II. This is to ensure that the candidate is perfectly fit for the applied post.
- The physical test is done to determine the basic physical structure of the candidate, like height, chest, etc.
- A Medical Exam is done to verify certain aspects like fitness, vision, flat foot, knee, squint eyes, etc. to ensure that one is free from all sorts of deformities that would hinder efficiency during the duties.
FAQs
The recruitment process for the SSC CPO occurs in three primary stages: Tier I, Physical Test (PET/PST), and Tier II.
Yes, a penalty of 1/4th of the marks assigned to a question is deducted for every incorrect attempt in the SSC CPO exam.
The SSC CPO Paper 1 syllabus includes four sections:
1. General Intelligence and Reasoning
2. General Awareness
3. Quantitative Aptitude
4. English Comprehension
Each section consists of 50 questions worth 50 marks.
A: The examination is held in three phases:
- Tier I (Paper 1): CBT with 200 marks
- PET/PST: Physical assessment
- Tier II (Paper 2): CBT focusing on English language and comprehension skills.
A: You can download the official SSC CPO Syllabus 2026 PDF using the link provided in this article, which covers the updated exam pattern and subject-wise syllabus.
A: The Physical Test comprises running, long jump, high jump, and shot put. Mandatory physical measurements like height and chest vary according to gender and candidate category.
A: Yes, test papers for Parts I, II, and III are available in both Hindi and English for candidate convenience.