Staff Selection Commission (SSC)
Last Date: 30.09.2026


SSC CPO Recruitment 2026: Quick Overview

Feature

Details

OrganizationStaff Selection Commission (SSC)
Advertisement No.E/37/2026-C-2 Section
Post NameSub-Inspector (GD) in CAPFs, Sub-Inspector (Exe.) in Delhi Police, Sub-Inspector (Fire) in CISF
Total Vacancies1,871 (tentative)
Job TypeCentral Government, Group B / Group C, Permanent
Application ModeOnline only (ssc.gov.in or mySSC app)
Application Start Date10.09.2026
Last Date to Apply30.09.2026 (23:00 hrs)
Minimum QualificationBachelor's degree (varies slightly by post)
Age Limit 20 to 25 years; 18 to 30 years for SI (Fire) CISF
Selection ProcessPaper-I, PST/PET, Paper-II, Medical Examination, Document Verification
Salary / Pay ScaleLevel-6, Rs 35,400 to Rs 1,12,400
Job LocationAll India for CAPFs and CISF, Delhi for Delhi Police
Official Websitessc.gov.in
Topic/Subject-wise Practice Quizzes For All Types of Examsapnaupdates.com/apna-quiz


SSC CPO Recruitment 2026: Quick Intro

The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has started the recruitment process for Sub-Inspector posts in Delhi Police, the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), and the Fire Wing of CISF. The notification was released on 10 September 2026 for 1,871 vacancies, and eligible candidates can submit their applications online until 30 September 2026. This recruitment is commonly known as SSC CPO. The 2026 examination also introduces changes to the paper pattern, so candidates who have prepared for previous SSC CPO exams will need to adjust their strategy accordingly.

The Staff Selection Commission conducts the SSC CPO exam every year to recruit Sub-Inspectors for Delhi Police and five Central Armed Police Forces: BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, and SSB. The 2026 recruitment also includes Sub-Inspector (Fire) posts in CISF, which are part of a specialised recruitment category. Candidates with a Bachelor’s degree who meet the prescribed age limit and other eligibility conditions can apply. Due to the number of posts and the wide range of candidates eligible for the exam, SSC CPO attracts a large number of applicants each year.

The 1,871 vacancies make this year's SSC CPO recruitment more competitive than recent cycles. The exam had more than 4,000 vacancies in 2024 and over 3,000 in 2025, while each year has attracted a large number of applicants.

Another major change in SSC CPO 2026 is the written exam pattern. Paper-I has been shortened and restructured with sectional timing, while Paper-II now includes more than just English. These changes affect the way candidates need to plan their preparation and manage time during the exam.


SSC CPO Recruitment 2026: Vacancy Details

The 1,871 vacancies in SSC CPO 2026 are divided among four different posts. The CAPF Sub-Inspector (GD) posts make up the largest share, accounting for more than two-thirds of the total vacancies. The category-wise vacancy distribution is given below:


SSC CPO Recruitment 2026: Application Fee

The application fee for SSC CPO 2026 is Rs.100. Candidates can pay the fee through BHIM UPI, Net Banking, or Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, and RuPay debit cards.
Women candidates and eligible SC, ST, and Ex-Servicemen candidates are exempt from paying the application fee.
 
The application fee must be paid by 11:00 PM on 1 October 2026, which is one day after the application deadline. If the fee is not received by the last date, the application will be treated as incomplete and rejected. Late fee payment is not allowed, and the fee once paid is non-refundable and cannot be adjusted against another SSC examination.


SSC CPO Recruitment 2026: Age Limit

The age limit is calculated as on 1 August 2026. For all posts except SI (Fire) in CISF, candidates must be 20 to 25 years old, with the date of birth falling between 2 August 2001 and 1 August 2006. For SI (Fire) in CISF, the age limit is 18 to 30 years, and candidates must have been born between 2 August 1996 and 1 August 2008. The upper age relaxation available for different categories is given below: 


Note: Enter your date of birth exactly as it appears on your matriculation certificate. Even a small mismatch can cause problems, and SSC will not accept requests to change the date of birth later.


SSC CPO Recruitment 2026: Educational Qualification

For Sub-Inspector (Executive) in Delhi Police and Sub-Inspector (GD) in CAPFs, candidates must have a Bachelor’s degree from a recognised university. Candidates appearing in their final year can also apply, but they must obtain the required degree qualification by the closing date of the application.

*The eligibility criteria for Sub-Inspector (Fire) in CISF are different from the other posts. Candidates can qualify with either a Bachelor’s degree in Science with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics or Matriculation plus a three-year diploma in Mechanical, Civil, Electrical, Automobile, Chemical, Mining, Aeronautical, or Telecommunication Engineering. A higher qualification such as B.Tech or M.Tech in these engineering fields is also accepted, provided the candidate already has the required diploma qualification.

For male candidates applying for Sub-Inspector (Executive) in Delhi Police, a valid driving licence for both motorcycle and car is mandatory by the date scheduled for the Physical Endurance and Measurement Test (PE&MT). Candidates without the required driving licence can still be eligible for CAPF Sub-Inspector (GD) posts, but they will not be considered for the Delhi Police SI post.

Note: Degrees obtained through open or distance learning are accepted only when the university had the required UGC Distance Education Bureau approval for the year in which the course was completed, and the programme was permitted to be offered through that mode. Candidates with degrees in restricted fields such as engineering or medicine should check this requirement carefully before relying on an open or distance learning qualification.


SSC CPO Recruitment 2026: Selection Process

The SSC CPO selection process has four stages: Paper-I, Physical Standard Test/Physical Endurance Test (PST/PET), Paper-II, and Detailed Medical Examination (DME). Candidates must qualify at each stage to move on to the next one.
 
Paper-I has been revised this year compared with the previous two cycles. It now consists of 100 questions for 100 marks, divided equally into four sections: General Intelligence and Reasoning, General Knowledge and General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, and English Comprehension. Each section has 25 questions, with a separate 15-minute time limit. The total duration of Paper-I is therefore 60 minutes.

In Paper-I, 0.25 marks will be deducted for each wrong answer. The minimum qualifying marks are 30% for UR candidates, 25% for OBC and EWS candidates, and 20% for candidates from other categories. SSC may also fix separate qualifying cut-offs for each section, so candidates need to perform well across all four sections rather than relying only on their overall score.

Candidates who qualify in Paper-I move on to the Physical Standard Test (PST) and Physical Endurance Test (PET). This stage is qualifying in nature, so its marks are not added to the final score. Ex-Servicemen candidates are exempt from the endurance test, but they still need to meet the prescribed physical standards.

Only candidates who qualify in PST/PET can appear for Paper-II. The paper has also been changed this year and now covers all four subjects, instead of focusing only on English as in earlier cycles.
Paper-II carries 320 marks and is divided into three shorter sections and one longer English section, with separate time limits for each section.


In Paper-II, 0.50 marks will be deducted for every wrong answer, which is higher than the negative marking in Paper-I.

There is no interview stage in the SSC CPO selection process. Final merit is prepared using the combined marks of Paper-I and Paper-II, along with applicable NCC bonus marks.
NCC certificate holders can receive bonus marks equal to 5% of the maximum marks for NCC ‘C’, 3% for ‘B’, and 2% for ‘A’. The Detailed Medical Examination and Document Verification are qualifying stages and do not carry marks. Therefore, your performance in the written papers plays the main role in determining your final merit position.

Note: The complete Paper-I and Paper-II syllabus, along with the PST/PET details, is provided from page 17 onwards in the official notification. You can find the notification PDF in the Important Links section below.


Salary, Job Location and Service Conditions

All three post categories carry the same Level-6 pay scale of Rs.35,400 to Rs.1,12,400. This is the basic pay range, while allowances such as HRA and DA are provided separately and may vary depending on the place of posting.

The Sub-Inspector (GD) in CAPFs and Sub-Inspector (Fire) in CISF posts carry All India Service Liability, so selected candidates can be posted anywhere the respective force operates. While, the Sub-Inspector in Delhi Police doesn't have All India Service Liability and is limited to the Delhi Police jurisdiction.

All selected candidates will undergo a two-year probation period and must complete the training and examinations prescribed by the concerned authority during this period.
As part of the training, candidates must also qualify in seven specified obstacle events, including the Tarzan swing, monkey crawl, and vertical rope climbing. Candidates who fail to meet the required training standards may not be retained in the service. Physical requirements therefore continue during training even after clearing the PST/PET stage of recruitment.


How to Apply

  1. Complete the One-Time Registration (OTR) on ssc.gov.in if you do not already have a valid OTR on the new SSC website. An OTR created on the old ssc.nic.in website will not be transferred to the new portal.
  2. Keep your mobile number, email ID and either your Aadhaar number or an alternative ID document ready before you start, since both mobile and email get verified through OTP.
  3. If possible, choose Aadhaar-based authentication while completing your OTR. This can simplify the application process by avoiding stricter photo and signature requirements and may also remove the need to carry a physical photo ID to the examination centre.
  4. Log in with your Registration Number and password, then open the Sub-Inspector in Delhi Police and CAPFs Examination 2026 link under Latest Notifications.
  5. Fill in your educational qualification details and the additional information pages covering category, Ex-Servicemen status, sports background and age relaxation, as applicable to you.
  6. Select three examination centres in your preferred order, and all three must be within the same SSC region. Once submitted, the examination centre preference cannot be changed later.
  7. Capture your live photograph through the application module in good lighting against a plain background. Do not wear a cap, mask, or spectacles while taking the photograph. Also upload your scanned signature in the prescribed format and size.
  8. Review the complete application form carefully, accept the declaration, and submit it. If you are required to pay the application fee, complete the payment immediately after submitting the form.
  9. Download and save a printout of your submitted form and payment confirmation for your own records.


Required Documents and Important Instructions

Keep your Matriculation certificate, degree or diploma certificate, category certificate, if applicable, and any required Ex-Servicemen or departmental-candidate documents ready before Document Verification. These documents will be checked against the details in your application, and any mismatch can lead to cancellation of your candidature. Male candidates who have applied for Delhi Police should also keep their motorcycle and car driving licence ready for verification.
 
A few application rules require careful attention:
> The photograph must be captured live through the application camera, and an existing photograph or photo of a photo should not be uploaded.
> Only one application is allowed per candidate during the normal application period. Submitting multiple applications, even unintentionally, may lead to cancellation of candidature and debarment from future SSC examinations.
> If you need to correct any details after the application window closes, the correction facility will be available from 8 to 10 October 2026. The fee is Rs.200 for the first correction and Rs.500 for the second correction.

Note: There are strict penalties for examination-related violations, such as, carrying a mobile phone or other electronic device into the exam hall can result in a 3 to 5-year debarment, while impersonation or use of forged documents can lead to 7 years of debarment.
SSC also uses measures such as CCTV footage, biometric data, and login records to identify and investigate cases of unfair practices. 


Related Posts:


❓Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How many vacancies are there in SSC CPO 2026?

There are 1,871 tentative vacancies across Sub-Inspector (Exe.) in Delhi Police, Sub-Inspector (GD) in CAPFs, and Sub-Inspector (Fire) in CISF, combined across male and female posts.

What is the last date to apply for SSC CPO 2026?

Online applications close on September 30, 2026 at 11 pm. Fee payment stays open one extra day, until October 1, 2026 at 11 pm.

Who is eligible for these Sub-Inspector posts?

Indian citizens, or subjects of Nepal or Bhutan holding an eligibility certificate, with a Bachelor's degree and falling within the prescribed age band, can apply. Specific eligibility varies slightly by post.

What is the age limit, including relaxations?

The general age band is 20 to 25 years, and 18 to 30 years for SI (Fire) in CISF, as on August 1, 2026. SC/ST candidates get 5 years relaxation, OBC gets 3 years, and further relaxation applies to Ex-Servicemen and departmental Delhi Police candidates.

What educational qualification is needed?

A Bachelor's degree works for Delhi Police SI and CAPF SI (GD). SI (Fire) in CISF accepts either a BSc with Physics, Chemistry and Maths, or Matriculation plus a three-year diploma in specified engineering trades.

What does the selection process involve?

Candidates go through Paper-I, PST/PET, Paper-II, and a Detailed Medical Examination, in that order. There is no interview stage, and final merit is based on combined Paper-I and Paper-II marks.

What is the salary for these posts?

All three posts carry the Level-6 pay scale of Rs 35,400 to Rs 1,12,400 per month, before allowances.

What is the application fee?

The fee is Rs 100. Women, SC, ST and eligible Ex-Servicemen candidates are exempted from paying it.

How can candidates apply online?

Applications go through ssc.gov.in or the mySSC mobile app, starting with One-Time Registration followed by the actual application form, photograph capture and fee payment.

What is the official website for this recruitment?

The official website is ssc.gov.in, where the notice, application link and all future updates will be published.

Is a driving licence compulsory for the Delhi Police SI post?

Yes, for male candidates. You need a valid licence for both motorcycle and car by the date fixed for the physical tests, or you remain eligible only for the CAPF Sub-Inspector post instead.

Has the SSC CPO exam pattern changed this year?

Yes. Paper-I has been reduced from 200 to 100 questions with new sectional timers, and Paper-II now covers all four subjects instead of English alone, carrying 320 marks with steeper negative marking.


Conclusion

At ApnaUpdates, we aim to provide accurate and relevant recruitment information to help you understand the process and apply with confidence. Before applying, make sure you meet the specific eligibility requirements of the post you are choosing, not just the general age and educational criteria. Pay special attention to the driving licence requirement for Delhi Police and the separate SI (Fire) qualification criteria. If you are applying for Delhi Police, arrange the required motorcycle and car driving licence well before the physical test.

Keep checking ssc.gov.in for the Computer-Based Examination schedule and other official updates. SSC may announce these details separately and doesn't always send individual alerts for every update. (You can also bookmark this page for quick reference and follow our Telegram and WhatsApp channels to receive important recruitment updates and notifications without missing any major announcement)


 

This article is based on the official notification and simplified for easy understanding. For the most accurate and updated information, always refer to the official website.

 
Tags: SSC CPO 2026, SSC Recruitment, Delhi Police SI, CAPF Sub Inspector, Government Jobs 2026, SSC Notification, Police Recruitment, Central Government Jobs