SSC CPO Exam Pattern Syllabus 2026

SSC CPO Exam Pattern and Syllabus 2026: Paper 1 & Paper 2

The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) conducts the Sub-Inspector in Delhi Police and Central Armed Police Forces Examination (SSC CPO) for recruitment to Sub-Inspector posts in Delhi Police and the Central Armed Police Forces.

For SSC CPO 2026, the Commission has introduced significant changes to the computer-based examination. Paper-I has been reduced to 100 questions and 100 marks, with a strict 15-minute sectional timer. Paper-II has also been redesigned and now includes General Intelligence & Reasoning, General Knowledge & General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude and English Comprehension, for a total of 160 questions and 320 marks.

Important: SSC CPO Recruitment 2026: Apply Online 1,871 Posts

This makes the 2026 examination considerably different from previous SSC CPO cycles. Candidates preparing from older books, videos or previous-year exam-pattern articles should therefore update their strategy before beginning serious preparation.

This article provides the complete SSC CPO Exam Pattern and Syllabus 2026, including the selection process, Paper-I and Paper-II patterns, subject-wise syllabus, physical tests, marking scheme, qualifying marks, NCC bonus and preparation strategy.

SSC CPO Exam Pattern 2026: Overview

The SSC CPO selection process consists of written examinations followed by physical and medical stages.

The broad selection sequence is:

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

The written papers are computer-based objective examinations. PST/PET and medical examination are qualifying stages.

SSC CPO 2026 Exam Pattern at a Glance

Stage	Examination/Test	Nature
Stage 1	Paper-I	Computer-Based Examination
Stage 2	Physical Standard Test (PST)	Qualifying
Stage 2	Physical Endurance Test (PET)	Qualifying
Stage 3	Paper-II	Computer-Based Examination
Stage 4	Detailed Medical Examination	Qualifying
Stage 5	Document Verification & Final Selection	As per SSC rules

There is no interview in the SSC CPO selection process.

SSC CPO Paper-I Exam Pattern 2026

Paper-I is the first computer-based examination. It tests four areas:

General Intelligence and Reasoning
General Knowledge and General Awareness
Quantitative Aptitude
English Comprehension

Unlike previous cycles, Paper-I of SSC CPO 2026 contains 100 questions for 100 marks and must be completed within 60 minutes. Each section has a separate 15-minute sectional timer.

Paper-I Pattern

Part	Subject	Questions	Marks	Time
I	General Intelligence & Reasoning	25	25	15 minutes
II	General Knowledge & General Awareness	25	25	15 minutes
III	Quantitative Aptitude	25	25	15 minutes
IV	English Comprehension	25	25	15 minutes
Total		100	100	60 minutes

Important Features of Paper-I

Total questions: 100
Maximum marks: 100
Duration: 1 hour
Sectional timing: 15 minutes per section
Question type: Objective Multiple Choice Questions
Negative marking: 0.25 marks for every wrong answer
Parts I, II and III are available in Hindi and English
English Comprehension is conducted in English.
SSC may prescribe separate cut-offs for individual parts while shortlisting candidates for PST/PET.

What Does the 15-Minute Timer Mean?

The sectional timer is one of the most important changes candidates need to understand.

For example, a candidate cannot spend 25 minutes on Reasoning and compensate by spending only 5 minutes on English. Once the prescribed time for a section expires, the candidate moves forward according to the examination interface.

With 25 questions in 15 minutes, candidates have an average of approximately 36 seconds per question. Therefore, speed, question selection and accuracy become extremely important.

SSC CPO Paper-II Exam Pattern 2026

Paper-II has undergone an even bigger transformation.

In earlier SSC CPO examinations, Paper-II primarily tested English Language and Comprehension. For 2026, SSC has expanded Paper-II to four sections:

General Intelligence and Reasoning
General Knowledge and General Awareness
Quantitative Aptitude
English Comprehension

The revised Paper-II contains 160 questions carrying 320 marks.

Paper-II Pattern

Part	Subject	Questions	Marks	Time
I	General Intelligence & Reasoning	20	40	20 minutes
II	General Knowledge & General Awareness	20	40	20 minutes
III	Quantitative Aptitude	20	40	20 minutes
IV	English Comprehension	100	200	60 minutes
Total		160	320	2 hours

Parts I, II and III have individual 20-minute timers, while English Comprehension receives a separate 60-minute block. The current 2026 reporting consistently identifies the overall Paper-II structure as 160 questions and 320 marks.

Paper-II Important Points

Total questions: 160
Maximum marks: 320
Total duration: 2 hours
Reasoning: 20 questions, 40 marks
General Awareness: 20 questions, 40 marks
Quantitative Aptitude: 20 questions, 40 marks
English: 100 questions, 200 marks
Negative marking: 0.50 marks per wrong answer
Paper-II has a higher difficulty level than Paper-I.
Parts I, II and III are set in Hindi and English.
English Comprehension is in English.

Why Paper-II Is Extremely Important

English alone contributes 200 of the 320 marks, or 62.5% of Paper-II.

However, candidates can no longer prepare for Paper-II as an English-only examination. Reasoning, General Awareness and Quantitative Aptitude together account for 120 marks.

This is a fundamental strategic change for SSC CPO 2026.

SSC CPO 2026 Negative Marking

Negative marking applies to both computer-based papers.

Paper	Marks per Correct Answer	Negative Marking
Paper-I	1	0.25
Paper-II	2	0.50

Thus, four incorrect answers in Paper-I can reduce the score by one mark, while four incorrect answers in Paper-II can reduce the score by two marks.

Candidates should therefore avoid blind guessing and focus on accuracy.

SSC CPO Minimum Qualifying Marks 2026

The prescribed minimum qualifying percentages are:

Category	Minimum Qualifying Percentage
UR	30%
OBC/EWS	25%
All Other Categories	20%

Meeting the minimum qualifying percentage does not mean that a candidate will automatically qualify for the next stage. SSC may establish higher cut-offs depending on vacancies, candidate performance and other applicable factors.

SSC CPO Syllabus 2026

The SSC CPO syllabus broadly covers four subjects:

General Intelligence and Reasoning
General Knowledge and General Awareness
Quantitative Aptitude
English Comprehension

The same broad subject areas appear across the revised Paper-I and Paper-II structure, although the difficulty and weightage differ. The detailed topic coverage below follows the syllabus framework used by SSC for CPO.

1. SSC CPO General Intelligence & Reasoning Syllabus

The General Intelligence and Reasoning section contains both verbal and non-verbal reasoning questions.

The section tests a candidate’s ability to recognize relationships, identify patterns, analyse information, solve problems and draw logical conclusions.

Important Topics

Analogy

Semantic Analogy
Symbolic Analogy
Number Analogy
Figural Analogy

Classification

Semantic Classification
Symbolic/Number Classification
Figural Classification

Series

Semantic Series
Number Series
Figural Series
Arithmetic Number Series
Non-verbal Series

Coding and Decoding

Letter Coding
Number Coding
Symbol Coding
Mixed Coding
Decoding
Small and Capital Letter Coding
Classification-based Coding

Logical Reasoning

Syllogism
Statement and Conclusion
Drawing Inferences
Venn Diagrams
Relationship Concepts
Decision Making
Judgment
Critical Thinking

Spatial and Visual Reasoning

Space Orientation
Space Visualization
Embedded Figures
Figure Completion
Pattern Folding
Paper Folding and Unfolding
Punched Hole Patterns

How to Prepare Reasoning

Candidates should not merely memorize question types. The best approach is to learn the basic method for each topic and then solve timed questions.

High-priority areas generally include:

Analogy
Series
Coding-Decoding
Classification
Venn Diagrams
Syllogism
Statement and Conclusion
Figure-based reasoning
Non-verbal series

2. SSC CPO General Knowledge & General Awareness Syllabus

General Knowledge and General Awareness is designed to test the candidate’s awareness of the environment around them and knowledge of current events.

The syllabus includes India and neighbouring countries, particularly topics related to:

History
Culture
Geography
Economic Scene
General Polity
Indian Constitution
Scientific Research
Current Events

Sports, awards, important events and other areas of general awareness may also appear as part of current/general knowledge questions.

History

Candidates should cover:

Ancient Indian History
Medieval Indian History
Modern Indian History
Indian National Movement
Major dynasties
Important battles
Social and religious reform movements
Freedom struggle
Important personalities

Geography

Important areas include:

Physical Geography
Indian Geography
Rivers
Mountains
Plateaus
Climate
Soil
Agriculture
Minerals
Industries
States and capitals
Important geographical locations
World geography basics

Indian Polity

Prepare:

Indian Constitution
Fundamental Rights
Fundamental Duties
Directive Principles
President
Vice-President
Prime Minister
Council of Ministers
Parliament
Supreme Court
High Courts
Election Commission
Constitutional bodies
Local government
Constitutional amendments

Indian Economy

Important topics include:

Basic economic concepts
National income
Inflation
Banking
Fiscal policy
Monetary policy
Taxation
Budget
Financial institutions
Poverty and unemployment
Government economic schemes

Science

Candidates should revise basic concepts from:

Physics

Motion
Force
Work
Energy
Power
Heat
Sound
Light
Electricity
Magnetism

Chemistry

Elements
Compounds
Acids and bases
Metals and non-metals
Chemical reactions
Periodic table
Everyday chemistry

Biology

Human body
Cells
Nutrition
Diseases
Plants
Genetics
Ecology
Human health

Current Affairs

Current affairs preparation should cover:

National events
International events
Government schemes
Sports
Awards
Appointments
Defence exercises
Science and technology
Important reports
Books and authors
Important days
Summits
Government initiatives

Because SSC CPO is a national-level examination, candidates should combine static GK with current affairs rather than preparing current affairs in isolation.

3. SSC CPO Quantitative Aptitude Syllabus

Quantitative Aptitude tests numerical ability and the ability to apply mathematical concepts.

The major areas include arithmetic, algebra, geometry, mensuration, trigonometry and statistical charts.

Number System

Whole Numbers
Decimals
Fractions
Relationship between Numbers
Square Roots
Basic numerical operations

Percentage

Basic percentage
Percentage increase/decrease
Successive percentage
Applications of percentage

Ratio and Proportion

Ratio
Proportion
Direct proportion
Inverse proportion
Partnership applications

Average

Simple average
Weighted average
Problems involving ages
Average speed

Profit, Loss and Discount

Cost Price
Selling Price
Marked Price
Profit
Loss
Discount
Successive discounts

Interest

Simple Interest
Compound Interest
Basic applications

Partnership

Investment ratio
Profit-sharing ratio
Time-based partnership

Mixture and Alligation

Mixture problems
Replacement
Alligation

Time and Work

Work efficiency
Work and wages
Pipes and cistern-type concepts
Combined work

Time, Speed and Distance

Basic speed-distance-time
Relative speed
Trains
Boats and streams
Average speed

Algebra

Basic algebraic identities
Elementary surds
Linear equations
Graphs of linear equations

Geometry

Important areas include:

Lines and angles
Triangles
Centres of triangles
Congruence
Similarity
Quadrilaterals
Regular polygons
Circles
Chords
Tangents
Angles subtended by chords
Common tangents

Mensuration

2D Mensuration

Triangle
Square
Rectangle
Quadrilateral
Circle
Regular polygon

3D Mensuration

Right prism
Right circular cone
Right circular cylinder
Sphere
Hemisphere
Rectangular parallelepiped
Regular right pyramid

Trigonometry

Trigonometric ratios
Degree and radian measures
Standard identities
Complementary angles
Heights and distances

Statistical Charts and Data Interpretation

Tables
Histogram
Frequency polygon
Bar diagram
Pie chart

These areas are explicitly reflected in the detailed SSC quantitative syllabus framework.

4. SSC CPO English Comprehension Syllabus

English is particularly important in SSC CPO 2026 because it carries 25 marks in Paper-I and 200 marks in Paper-II.

The English syllabus evaluates candidates’ understanding of correct English, vocabulary, grammar, sentence construction and comprehension.

Major Topics

Grammar

Parts of Speech
Nouns
Pronouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Adverbs
Prepositions
Conjunctions
Articles
Tenses
Subject-Verb Agreement

Vocabulary

Synonyms
Antonyms
One-word substitutions
Word meanings
Commonly confused words
Spellings
Idioms and phrases

Sentence-Based Questions

Error Recognition
Sentence Improvement
Sentence Completion
Fill in the Blanks
Sentence Structure
Correct Usage

Comprehension

Reading Comprehension
Passage-based questions
Main idea
Inference
Vocabulary in context
Tone and purpose

The syllabus specifically identifies error recognition, fill-in-the-blanks, vocabulary, spelling, grammar, sentence structure, synonyms, antonyms, sentence completion, phrases, idiomatic usage and comprehension.

SSC CPO Paper-II English: Special Importance

Although Paper-II now contains four subjects, English remains the dominant section.

Paper-II Section	Marks	Share of Paper-II
Reasoning	40	12.5%
General Awareness	40	12.5%
Quantitative Aptitude	40	12.5%
English Comprehension	200	62.5%
Total	320	100%

Therefore, candidates should not neglect English while preparing for the other three subjects.

SSC CPO Physical Standard Test 2026

Candidates shortlisted after Paper-I must qualify the prescribed Physical Standard Test (PST) and Physical Endurance Test (PET).

The physical stage is qualifying and does not ordinarily contribute marks to the written merit.

The commonly prescribed standards include minimum height and chest requirements, with relaxations for specified categories and regions. The exact standard can differ according to post, force and candidate category, so candidates should check the relevant annexure in the official notification.

Indicative PST Standards

Candidate Category	Height
Male candidates, general	170 cm
Male candidates from specified hill/NE categories	165 cm
Male ST candidates	162.5 cm
Female candidates, general	157 cm
Female candidates from specified hill/NE categories	155 cm
Female ST candidates	154 cm

For male candidates, chest requirements also apply, while female candidates generally do not have a chest measurement requirement. The official standards contain category-specific relaxations.

Important: These are not a substitute for checking the post-specific 2026 notification. Candidates should use the official SSC notification as the final authority for their particular category/post.

SSC CPO Physical Endurance Test 2026

For CAPF-related posts, the prescribed PET includes running, jumping and, for male candidates, shot put.

Male Candidates

Event	Standard
100-metre race	16 seconds
1.6 km race	6.5 minutes
Long Jump	3.65 metres, 3 chances
High Jump	1.2 metres, 3 chances
Shot Put, 16 lbs	4.5 metres, 3 chances

Female Candidates

Event	Standard
100-metre race	18 seconds
800-metre race	4 minutes
Long Jump	2.7 metres, 3 chances
High Jump	0.9 metres, 3 chances

These PET standards are reflected in SSC’s CAPF physical-test material and previous CPO documentation.

Candidates should nevertheless verify the applicable 2026 post-specific standard in the recruitment notice before relying on any physical-test table.

SSC CPO Selection Process in Detail

Stage 1: Paper-I

Candidates first appear for the 100-mark computer-based Paper-I.

SSC uses the performance in this paper to shortlist candidates for the physical stage.

Stage 2: PST/PET

Candidates shortlisted from Paper-I undergo physical measurements and endurance tests.

The tests are qualifying.

A candidate who fails the required physical standards generally does not proceed to the next written stage.

Stage 3: Paper-II

Candidates who qualify the physical stage are eligible for Paper-II.

The 2026 Paper-II is substantially more important than in previous cycles because it contains 320 marks and four subjects.

Stage 4: Medical Examination

Candidates who qualify the prescribed stages undergo the required medical examination.

The examination assesses whether candidates meet the applicable medical standards for appointment.

Stage 5: Final Selection

Final selection and post/force allocation are made according to the applicable SSC rules, performance, eligibility, vacancies, preferences and other conditions prescribed in the notification.

SSC CPO 2026: Major Changes From Previous Pattern

The 2026 examination should not be prepared using an outdated pattern.

Feature	Earlier Pattern	SSC CPO 2026
Paper-I	200 questions	100 questions
Paper-I Marks	200	100
Paper-I Duration	2 hours	1 hour
Paper-I Sectional Timer	Longer/no equivalent 15-minute structure	15 minutes per section
Paper-II	Primarily English	4 subjects
Paper-II Questions	200	160
Paper-II Marks	200	320
Paper-II English	English-focused paper	100 questions, 200 marks
Paper-II Reasoning	Not included as a separate section	20 questions, 40 marks
Paper-II GK	Not included as a separate section	20 questions, 40 marks
Paper-II Quant	Not included as a separate section	20 questions, 40 marks
Paper-II Negative Marking	0.25 in earlier pattern	0.50 per wrong answer

The revised 2026 pattern has been reported by multiple current sources following release of the notification.

How to Prepare for SSC CPO 2026

The revised examination requires a different preparation strategy.

1. Prepare All Four Subjects From the Beginning

Candidates should not wait until after Paper-I to start preparing for Paper-II.

Because the same broad subjects appear in both papers, preparation can be integrated.

2. Give Extra Attention to English

English carries:

25 marks in Paper-I
200 marks in Paper-II

This makes English the single largest component of the written examination.

A strong preparation plan should include daily:

Grammar practice
Vocabulary revision
Error spotting
Reading comprehension
Sentence improvement
Cloze tests
Previous-year questions

3. Practise With Sectional Timers

The new sectional timing makes conventional full-paper practice insufficient.

Candidates should practise:

25 questions in 15 minutes for each Paper-I section.

For Paper-II:

20 questions in 20 minutes for Reasoning, GK and Quant, followed by the longer English block.

4. Build a Current Affairs Revision System

Rather than reading unlimited current-affairs material, candidates should maintain short notes covering:

National news
International news
Government schemes
Defence
Sports
Awards
Appointments
Science and technology
Important reports
Economy

5. Solve Previous-Year Questions

Previous-year SSC questions are particularly useful for understanding:

Difficulty level
Question framing
Repeated concepts
Common traps
Time requirements

However, previous papers should be used to understand the syllabus and question style, not to assume that the 2026 paper will follow the old numerical distribution.

6. Start Physical Training Early

A common preparation mistake is treating PET as something to handle after the written examination.

Candidates targeting CAPF/Delhi Police SI should gradually develop:

Running endurance
Sprinting ability
Leg strength
Jumping technique
General conditioning

Physical preparation should be consistent rather than compressed into the final weeks.

SSC CPO 2026 Preparation Priority

A practical priority order for written preparation is:

Very High Priority

English
Quantitative Aptitude
Reasoning
Current Affairs

High Priority

Indian Polity
History
Geography
General Science
Economy

Continuous Practice

Reading Comprehension
Vocabulary
Mathematical calculations
Reasoning speed
Sectional mock tests

Recommended Daily Study Structure

Candidates with approximately 6 hours available for preparation can use a schedule such as:

Activity	Suggested Time
English	90 minutes
Quantitative Aptitude	90 minutes
Reasoning	60 minutes
GK/Current Affairs	60 minutes
Previous-Year Questions	45 minutes
Mock/Sectional Test	45 minutes

The exact distribution should be adjusted according to individual strengths and weaknesses.

SSC CPO Syllabus 2026: Quick Revision List

General Intelligence & Reasoning

Analogy, classification, series, coding-decoding, problem solving, word building, numerical operations, Venn diagrams, spatial orientation, spatial visualization, drawing inferences, paper folding, embedded figures, critical thinking, emotional intelligence and social intelligence.

General Knowledge & General Awareness

Current affairs, history, culture, geography, economy, Indian polity, Constitution, scientific research, sports and important national/international developments.

Quantitative Aptitude

Number system, decimals, fractions, percentage, ratio, proportion, square roots, average, interest, profit and loss, discount, partnership, mixture and allegation, time and work, time and distance, algebra, geometry, mensuration, trigonometry and statistical charts.

English Comprehension

Grammar, vocabulary, spellings, error recognition, fill in the blanks, sentence structure, synonyms, antonyms, sentence completion, phrases, idioms and reading comprehension.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the SSC CPO Exam Pattern 2026?
SSC CPO 2026 has two computer-based written papers. Paper-I contains 100 questions for 100 marks, while Paper-II contains 160 questions for 320 marks. Candidates must also qualify the PST/PET and medical stages.
How many questions are in SSC CPO Paper-I?
Paper-I contains 100 questions, with 25 questions each from Reasoning, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude and English Comprehension.
How many marks is SSC CPO Paper-I?
Paper-I carries 100 marks.
What is the duration of SSC CPO Paper-I?
The total duration is 60 minutes, with a 15-minute timer for each section.
How many questions are in SSC CPO Paper-II?
Paper-II contains 160 questions.
How many marks does SSC CPO Paper-II carry?
Paper-II carries 320 marks.
Is English included in SSC CPO Paper-II?
Yes. English Comprehension contains 100 questions for 200 marks, making it the largest section of Paper-II.
Is there negative marking in SSC CPO 2026?
Yes. 0.25 marks are deducted for every wrong answer in Paper-I and 0.50 marks for every wrong answer in Paper-II.
Is SSC CPO Paper-II only English?
No. This is one of the major changes in 2026. Paper-II includes Reasoning, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude and English Comprehension.
Is the SSC CPO physical test qualifying?
Yes. PST/PET is qualifying in nature and candidates must meet the prescribed standards to proceed.
Is there an interview in SSC CPO?
No. SSC CPO recruitment does not have a conventional interview stage.
Which subject has the highest weightage in SSC CPO 2026?
English Comprehension has the highest individual weightage, with 200 out of 320 marks in Paper-II.

Final Preparation Strategy for SSC CPO 2026

The SSC CPO 2026 examination is not simply a smaller version of the previous CPO examination. The written structure has been redesigned.

The biggest changes candidates should remember are:

Paper-I = 100 questions + 100 marks + 60 minutes

Paper-II = 160 questions + 320 marks + 2 hours

Paper-II now includes Reasoning + GK/GA + Quant + English.

The introduction of strict sectional timing also means that candidates must train for speed and accuracy simultaneously. A candidate who knows the syllabus but cannot finish a section within its allotted time can lose valuable marks.

English deserves particular attention because it contributes 200 marks in Paper-II, but Reasoning, General Awareness and Quantitative Aptitude can no longer be ignored.

The strongest preparation strategy is therefore to begin all four subjects early, practise under sectional time limits, revise current affairs systematically, solve previous-year questions and maintain physical fitness throughout the preparation period.

Candidates should always refer to the latest official SSC notification for any subsequent modification to the examination scheme, syllabus, physical standards or selection procedure.

Official SSC Reference

The official SSC CPO 2026 notification should be treated as the final authority for the examination pattern, syllabus, eligibility and selection rules.