A good fit if you...
- Are a graduate who wants a police officer role with investigation or command responsibility.
- Are physically fit and enjoy athletics.
- Are open to postings across India, including border areas.
SSC · Police Officer Entry
SSC CPO — Sub-Inspector in Delhi Police & CAPFs
SSC CPO (Central Police Organisation) recruits Sub-Inspectors in Delhi Police and the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) — Border Security Force (BSF), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and Services Selection Board (SSB). It is the most direct route for graduates to become a non-gazetted police officer.
QualificationGraduation (any stream)
Age Limit20–25 years
Starting PayLevel 6 — ₹35,400 basic
StagesPaper I → PST/PET → Paper II → Medical
Overview
What is SSC CPO?
The Sub-Inspector in Delhi Police and CAPF Examination is held by the SSC every year. Sub-Inspectors supervise constables and head constables, lead investigations (in Delhi Police) and command platoons (in CAPFs).
CISF Sub-Inspectors protect airports, metros and industrial installations, while BSF, ITBP and SSB SIs serve on India's borders.
Delhi Police SIBSF SICRPF SICISF SIITBP SISSB SI
Fit check
Who should choose SSC CPO
Think twice if you...
- Want a regular 9-to-5 job.
- Cannot meet height, chest or eyesight standards.
- Are a male candidate without a driving licence and want Delhi Police specifically.
What gives you an edge
Any degree
Graduation in any discipline is accepted.
Strong English
Paper II is entirely English Language & Comprehension.
Athletics
The PET includes sprint, middle-distance, long jump, high jump and shot put.
Step-by-step plan for your background
Arts / Humanities
If you're from Arts
- Paper II is entirely English — your reading habit is a big advantage.
- Build quantitative aptitude step by step for Paper I.
- Train for sprint, jumps and middle-distance running early.
Commerce
If you're from Commerce
- Use your arithmetic for quant and spend more time on English for Paper II.
- Read current affairs daily for General Awareness.
- Start athletics training alongside study.
Science
If you're from Science
- Quant and reasoning are your edge in Paper I.
- Paper II (English, 200 marks) decides merit — read and practise daily.
- Practise all PET events, especially long and high jump technique.
Eligibility
SSC CPO eligibility criteria
| Criterion | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Indian citizen |
| Qualification | Bachelor's degree from a recognised university by the cut-off date |
| Age limit | 20–25 years |
| Delhi Police (men) | Valid LMV driving licence (motorcycle and car) needed at the PET stage |
| Physical & medical | Must meet the standards below and eyesight standards |
Upper age relaxation
| Category | Relaxation |
|---|---|
| Other Backward Classes (OBC) (non-creamy layer) | 3 years |
| SC / ST | 5 years |
| PwBD (UR / OBC / SC-ST) | 10 / 13 / 15 years |
| Ex-servicemen | As per government rules (military service deducted from age, plus 3 years) |
| Economically Weaker Section (EWS) | No age relaxation |
Physical standards
| Standard | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 170 cm | 157 cm |
| Chest (men) | 80 cm, with 5 cm expansion | Not applicable |
| 100 m race | 16 seconds | 18 seconds |
| 1.6 km / 800 m race | 1.6 km in 6½ minutes | 800 m in 4 minutes |
| Long jump | 3.65 m (3 chances) | 2.7 m (3 chances) |
| High jump | 1.2 m (3 chances) | 0.9 m (3 chances) |
| Shot put (16 lbs) | 4.5 m (3 chances) | Not applicable |
Height relaxation applies for hill areas and ST candidates. The PET is qualifying.
Step-by-step
SSC CPO selection process
Stage 1
Apply online
Give force preferences as the notification instructs.
Stage 2
Paper I
200 questions in 2 hours.
Stage 3
PST / PET
Measurement and athletics events — qualifying.
Stage 4
Paper II
English Language & Comprehension, 200 questions in 2 hours.
Stage 5
Detailed medical exam
As per CAPF / Delhi Police standards.
Stage 6
Final merit & allotment
Based on Paper I + Paper II marks.
Marks & timing
SSC CPO exam pattern
Stage 1
Paper I
Questions200Marks200Duration2 hours
| Section | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 50 | 50 | — |
| General Knowledge & General Awareness | 50 | 50 | — |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 50 | 50 | — |
| English Comprehension | 50 | 50 | — |
| Total | 200 | 200 | 2 hours |
Stage 2
Paper II
Questions200Marks200Duration2 hours
| Section | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| English Language & Comprehension | 200 | 200 | 2 hours |
Key rules at a glance
Marking
1 mark per correct answer.
Negative marking
0.25 marks deducted per wrong answer in both papers.
Language
Paper I in English and Hindi; Paper II in English only.
Merit
Final merit is based on the combined marks of Paper I and Paper II.
What to study
SSC CPO syllabus
Reasoning
AnalogiesClassificationCoding-decodingSeriesPuzzlesSyllogismNon-verbal reasoning
General Awareness
HistoryGeographyPolityEconomyGeneral scienceSports and current affairs
Quantitative Aptitude
ArithmeticAlgebraGeometryMensurationTrigonometry and data interpretation
English (Papers I & II)
Error spottingFill in the blanksVocabularyGrammarSentence structureSynonymsAntonymsComprehension
Pay, perks & work
SSC CPO salary, designation & job profile
Basic pay₹35,400/month
Pay Level 6 (₹35,400–1,12,400).
Indicative in-hand₹55,000 – ₹65,000/month
With DA, House Rent Allowance (HRA) and allowances; before deductions.
PerksAccommodation, medical, ration allowance
Plus risk and hardship allowances in CAPF postings.
Job role & responsibilities
Delhi Police SI
Investigation officer for cases, supervising police station staff.
CAPF SI
Platoon commander in border, internal security or industrial security duties.
Leadership
Supervise constables and head constables.
Training
Basic training at the respective force academies.
Career ladder
1Entry
Sub-Inspector
Entry rank.
2Step 2
Inspector
Promotion after several years.
3Step 3
Assistant Commandant / ACP
Gazetted officer ranks through promotion.
4Step 4
Senior ranks
Deputy Commandant and above with seniority.
Preparation strategy
How to prepare for SSC CPO
A practical, phase-by-phase plan. Adjust the timeline to when the next notification is expected.
1Weeks 1–2
Check eligibility
- Measure your height and chest against the standards.
- Read the notification; arrange documents and (if needed) a driving licence.
2Months 1–3
Study + fitness
- Daily: 1 hour maths, 1 hour reasoning, 1 hour General Knowledge (GK).
- Running 5–6 days a week, increasing distance gradually.
3Months 3–4
Practice
- Previous papers and sectional tests.
- Timed runs at the target distance; practise jumps.
4Final 4–6 weeks
Mocks and PET readiness
- Full mocks three times a week.
- Simulate the PET at least once a week.
Trusted resources
Where to study from
- Official notification on ssc.gov.in or your state police recruitment board website
- National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) Maths and Science (Class 6–10)
- Previous-year papers of the same exam
- PIB (pib.gov.in) for current affairs
- A structured running plan, ideally with a local sports ground or coach
Keep exploring
Related government exams
Student doubts
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Graduation in any discipline is accepted.
Yes. Women are eligible for Sub-Inspector posts in Delhi Police and the CAPFs.
No. Many candidates clear CPO through self-study and physical practice.
There is no attempt limit within the age limit.
Yes. PET and PST are qualifying; merit is based on Paper I and II.
Delhi Police SIs serve in Delhi. CAPF SIs can be posted anywhere in India, including borders and airports (CISF).
Sub-Inspector → Inspector → Assistant Commandant (CAPF) or ACP (Delhi Police).
*Eligibility, age limits, exam pattern and pay figures are based on recent official notifications and the 7th Central Pay Commission structure as of 2026. In-hand salary estimates are indicative and vary with city (HRA) and the current Dearness Allowance rate. Every recruitment cycle can change the details — always confirm in the latest official notification before applying.
Official source: Staff Selection Commission (ssc.gov.in)