SSC CPO Syllabus 2026: Updated Exam Pattern, Marking Scheme & PDF Download

SSC CPO Syllabus 2026

The SSC CPO 2026 syllabus is officially published by the Staff Selection Commission alongside the notification for Sub-Inspector roles in Delhi Police and CAPFs. Aspirants must master the latest Tier 1 and Tier 2 syllabus, exam pattern, and selection criteria to build a robust preparation strategy. A thorough understanding of subject-wise weightage is crucial for streamlining your study plan and targeting high-yield topics.

SSC CPO Syllabus: Overview

Refer to the summary table below for a quick, organized overview of the exam's key components and requirements.

Particular	Details
Conducting Body	Staff Selection Commission
Exam Name	SSC CPO 2026
Posts	SI in Delhi Police & CAPFs
Exam Level	National
Selection Process	Paper 1, PET/PST, Paper 2, Medical Examination
Paper 1 Marks	200
Paper 2 Marks	200
Negative Marking	0.25 Marks
Official Website	ssc.gov.in

What’s New in SSC CPO 2026?

The SSC CPO 2026 exam now features strict sectional timing for Paper 1. Each section—General Intelligence & Reasoning, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, and English Comprehension—is allotted a fixed 30-minute window. Since candidates cannot carry over unused time between sections, mastering time management and speed through consistent practice is more critical than ever.

SSC CPO Selection Process 2026

The comprehensive recruitment process consists of the following three stages:

Tier	Type of Examination	Mode of examination
Tier-I	Objective Multiple Choice	CBT (Online)
PET/PST	Running, Long Jump, High Jump, and Shot Put	Physical exam
Tier-II	Objective Multiple Choice	CBT (Online)

SSC CPO Paper 1 Exam Pattern 2026 (Revised)

SSC CPO Tier 1 comprises 200 questions totaling 200 marks, with a 2-hour completion window. The paper is divided into four equal sections of 50 questions each, and final scores are determined using normalization. Notably, the introduction of sectional timing is a key update for this year’s examination.

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

Important 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. Only candidates who successfully qualify for the Tier 1 cutoff are eligible to appear for this stage.

Subject	No. of Questions	Maximum Marks	Duration
English Language & Comprehension	200	200	120 minute

Qualifying Marks in SSC CPO Exam 2026

To qualify for the SSC CPO 2026 selection, candidates must achieve the Commission's minimum qualifying marks: 30% for General, 25% for OBC/EWS, and 20% for SC/ST and other reserved categories.

Keep in mind that achieving the minimum qualifying marks is a prerequisite, but candidates must also score above the final category-wise cut-off to progress to subsequent selection rounds.

SSC CPO Paper 1 Syllabus 2026

SSC CPO Tier 1 serves as the initial online screening stage. Qualifiers proceed to the Physical Endurance Test (PET/PST) and Tier 2. Below is the detailed breakdown of the four-subject Tier 1 syllabus.

CPO SI Syllabus for Reasoning

Key topics covered in the Reasoning section for Paper 1 include the following:

• 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 Knowledge section evaluates candidates on Current Affairs and core Static GK, covering History, Geography, Economics, and Science.

• 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 focuses on analytical skills, including Data Interpretation, Arithmetic, Algebraic Equations, and Geometry.

• 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

CPO SI Syllabus for English Comprehension

Success in the English section requires a strong grasp of reading comprehension, grammar proficiency, vocabulary, and core linguistic concepts.

• Reading Comprehension
• Grammar
• Vocabulary
• Verbal Ability
• Synonyms-Antonyms
• Active and Passive Voice
• Para Jumbles
• Fill in the Blanks
• Error Correction
• Idioms

SSC CPO Tier 2 Syllabus 2026

Paper 2 is dedicated exclusively to the English Language & Comprehension. Important topics include:

• Reading Comprehension
• Fill in the Blanks
• Synonyms
• Antonyms
• Active Passive
• Direct Indirect Speech
• Error Spotting
• Sentence Improvement
• Idioms
• One Word Substitution
• Vocabulary
• Para Jumbles
• Cloze Test

Best Books for SSC CPO Preparation

Subject	Book
Maths	Fast Track Objective Arithmetic by Rajesh Verma
Reasoning	Analytical Reasoning by M.K. Pandey
English	Objective General English by S.P. Bakshi
GK	Lucent General Knowledge

SSC CPO Physical Standards Test 2026

Prospective candidates should review the mandated physical requirements for the SSC CPO. The specific Physical Standards are outlined in the following table:

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 cut-off. As all events must be completed on the same day, diligent physical training is essential.

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 seconds
• 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 detailed criteria for the SSC CPO 2026 Medical Examination are provided 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.