🗓️Last Updated: June 2026

SSC CPO 2026: Sub-Inspector CAPF & Delhi Police — Eligibility, Physical Test & Complete Guide

SSC CPO (Central Police Organisation) fills Sub-Inspector posts in BSF, CRPF, CISF, SSB, ITBP, and Delhi Police, plus ASI (Steno) in CISF. These are uniformed central police force posts with risk pay, uniform allowance, and unique career growth. This guide covers eligibility, physical standards, 4-stage selection process, and how to apply at ssc.gov.in.

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Verified by NagrikIQ Research Team
Sources: Official .gov.in portals only · Updated June 2026
🔗Staff Selection Commission — ssc.gov.in — Official Portal →

📋 Overview

SSC CPO (Central Police Organisation) is a unique SSC exam that recruits candidates for uniformed central paramilitary (CAPF) posts — not desk jobs. Unlike SSC CGL or CHSL, SSC CPO involves a mandatory Physical Endurance Test (PET), Physical Standard Test (PST), and Medical Examination. It is for those who aspire to serve in India's Central Armed Police Forces in a supervisory uniformed role. Posts Filled Through SSC CPO: (1) Sub-Inspector (GD) in Central Armed Police Forces: BSF (Border Security Force), CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force), CISF (Central Industrial Security Force), SSB (Sashastra Seema Bal), ITBP (Indo-Tibetan Border Police) — Pay Level 6 (₹35,400–₹1,12,400). (2) Sub-Inspector in Delhi Police — Pay Level 6 (₹35,400). (3) ASI (Assistant Sub-Inspector) Steno in CISF — Pay Level 5 (₹29,200–₹92,300). In addition to basic pay, CAPF personnel receive: Risk and Hardship Allowance, Uniform Allowance, Ration Money Allowance (RMA), Group Insurance, and excellent housing facilities in force campuses. Career progression: SI → Inspector → DSP equivalent (Dy. Commandant) and higher through departmental promotion exams. 4-Stage Selection Process: Stage 1: Tier 1 CBT (200 marks, 2 hours — General Intelligence, General Knowledge, Quantitative Aptitude, English Comprehension — 0.25 negative marking per wrong answer). Stage 2: PET (Physical Endurance Test) and PST (Physical Standard Test) — qualifying, no marks added to merit. Stage 3: Tier 2 CBT (200 marks, 2 hours — English Language and Comprehension). Stage 4: Medical Examination — detailed medical by CAPF medical board. Visit ssc.gov.in for the current notification, exact dates, and vacancy details. NagrikIQ is not affiliated with SSC or any government body — this guide is for informational purposes only.

✅ Eligibility

  • ✓Educational qualification: Bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognised university (as on the closing date of application)
  • ✓Age: 20–25 years for Sub-Inspector (GD) in CAPF and ASI Steno in CISF — check official notification for post-wise age limits
  • ✓Age relaxation: SC/ST +5 years, OBC (NCL) +3 years, PwD +10 years, Ex-Servicemen as per rules, Central Government Civilian Employees +5 years (up to 30 years)
  • ✓Physical Standards — Male candidates: Height minimum 170 cm (165 cm for candidates from hill areas, north-eastern states, Gorkha/Garhwali communities), Chest 80 cm (unexpanded) / 85 cm (expanded minimum 5 cm expansion required)
  • ✓Physical Standards — Female candidates: Height minimum 157 cm (152 cm for hill areas/NE states/Gorkha/Garhwali/Kumaoni communities), No chest requirement
  • ✓Physical Endurance Test (PET) — Male: 100m race in 16 seconds, 1.6 km race in 6.5 minutes, Long Jump 3.65m, High Jump 1.2m, Shot Put (7.26 kg) 4.5m. Female: 100m in 18 seconds, 800m in 4 minutes, Long Jump 2.7m, High Jump 0.9m, Shot Put (4 kg) 3m
  • ✓Vision: Distant vision 6/6 and 6/9 (corrected); near vision N5 and N6. Colour blindness DISQUALIFIES — no exemption
  • ✓No criminal conviction, no dismissal from government service; medically fit as per CAPF medical standards

📁 Documents Required

▸Class 10 certificate/mark sheet — for Date of Birth proof (the only accepted DOB document by SSC)
▸Graduation degree certificate and mark sheets (all semesters/years)
▸Aadhaar card (mandatory for CBT entry and Admit Card generation)
▸Caste certificate (SC/ST/OBC-NCL) from the competent authority
▸EWS income and asset certificate from SDM/Tehsildar for EWS candidates
▸Passport-size photograph (JPEG, white background, 20–50 KB) and signature scan (10–20 KB JPEG)
▸Ex-Serviceman discharge certificate for ex-serviceman candidates
▸NOC from employer if currently serving in a government post
▸Medical certificates as required during Medical Examination stage (detailed list provided in admit letter for medical exam)

💰Fees & Processing Time

Fee
General/OBC/EWS: ₹100. SC/ST/PwD/Ex-Serviceman/Women: FREE. Payment via debit card, credit card, net banking, or UPI on the SSC portal.
Processing Time
Tier 1 result: 4–6 weeks after exam. PET/PST: 2–3 months after Tier 1 result. Tier 2: 2–3 months after PET/PST. Medical Examination: 2–4 months after Tier 2. Final merit list and joining: approximately 15–20 months from notification. Check ssc.gov.in for current schedule.

🖥️ How to Apply Online

  1. 1Create or log in to your One Time Registration (OTR) account at ssc.gov.in
  2. 2Complete your OTR profile: name (as per Aadhaar), DOB, category, educational qualification, photo and signature upload
  3. 3When SSC CPO notification is live, apply from your OTR dashboard during the application window
  4. 4Select post preference (SI in CAPF forces + ASI Steno CISF), exam centre preferences, and language medium
  5. 5Pay ₹100 application fee (free for SC/ST/PwD/Women/Ex-Servicemen) and save receipt
  6. 6Download and save the application confirmation with your Registration Number
  7. 7Download Tier 1 Admit Card from ssc.gov.in approximately 10–14 days before exam
  8. 8Appear for Tier 1 CBT (200 marks, 2 hours): General Intelligence (50), General Knowledge (50), Quantitative Aptitude (50), English Comprehension (50) — 0.25 negative marking per wrong answer
  9. 9After Tier 1 result, shortlisted candidates receive PET/PST call letter — report to the assigned CAPF centre for physical tests
  10. 10Clear PET (Physical Endurance Test) and PST (Physical Standard Test) at the CAPF venue
  11. 11Appear for Tier 2 CBT (English Language, 200 marks, 2 hours) after clearing PET/PST
  12. 12After Tier 2 result, attend detailed Medical Examination conducted by CAPF medical board

🏢 How to Apply Offline

  1. 1SSC CPO applications are accepted ONLY online at ssc.gov.in — no offline application mode.
  2. 2PET/PST and Medical Examination are conducted in person at designated CAPF training centres/venues across India.
  3. 3Candidates must carry original documents and PET/PST call letter to the physical test venue.

⚠️Common Problems & Solutions

✗Failed PET — disqualified from SSC CPO
→PET is qualifying and mandatory. If you fail any event (race, jump, shot put), you are eliminated from that cycle regardless of your Tier 1 score. You must reapply in the next SSC CPO cycle and clear all PET events. Start physical training 3–6 months before the exam: daily 5km run, sprint practice, jump drills. PET cut-offs are fixed and have no relaxation for any category.
✗Colour blindness detected during medical exam
→Colour blindness is a permanent disqualification for SSC CPO posts — there is no relaxation, no retest, and no appeal on medical grounds for colour vision deficiency. If you have colour blindness (even mild), do not apply for SSC CPO as you will be rejected at the medical stage after spending time and effort on Tier 1 and PET. Consider SSC CGL, CHSL, or other non-CAPF exams instead.
✗Height short by 1–2 cm during PST measurement
→PST height measurement is done by SSC-appointed officials using a standard stadiometer. If you believe the measurement is incorrect, you can request re-measurement on the spot (this is your right). Carry a certified height certificate from a government doctor or district hospital if your height is borderline. Measurements done later in the day can sometimes be marginally lower — request morning measurement if possible.
✗Medical examination failed for a treatable condition (e.g., hernia, flat feet, varicose veins)
→Some medical conditions that lead to rejection can be corrected surgically (hernia, hydrocele, varicose veins). If rejected at the medical stage for a treatable condition, you may undergo the required treatment/surgery and reappear in the next CPO cycle. Flat feet (pes planus) is a disqualifying condition for CAPF posts — no surgical remedy. Get a pre-exam medical check-up from a government hospital to identify issues before the selection process.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Q.Which CAPF force is best to join through SSC CPO?

All five CAPF forces (BSF, CRPF, CISF, SSB, ITBP) offer the same Pay Level 6 (₹35,400–₹1,12,400) and similar benefits. Differences: CISF works in industrial security (airports, PSUs, metro) — more urban postings. BSF/ITBP are border forces with postings in remote/hilly/border areas. CRPF handles counter-insurgency, deployed in conflict zones. SSB is posted on Nepal and Bhutan borders. Express your preferences during document verification, but final posting depends on vacancies.

Q.Is there an age bar for SSC CPO if I have served in armed forces (Ex-Serviceman)?

Yes, ex-servicemen get age relaxation for SSC CPO. The relaxation is typically: 3 years + length of military service rendered. The effective upper age limit is usually extended to 28–35 years depending on the category and exact rules in the current notification. Check ssc.gov.in for the exact ex-serviceman age relaxation formula in the current CPO notification.

Q.Can women apply for SSC CPO Sub-Inspector posts?

Yes. Women candidates are eligible to apply for SI (GD) posts in CAPF and ASI Steno in CISF through SSC CPO. Women have different (lower) physical standards: height 157 cm (152 cm for hill/NE), no chest measurement, different PET events. However, female candidates must still pass PET, PST, and Medical Examination. Some forces have limitations on posting locations for female SI — check the official notification for force-specific terms.

Q.How does SSC CPO Tier 2 (English only) scoring work?

Tier 2 in SSC CPO consists of only one paper: English Language and Comprehension — 200 marks, 200 questions, 2 hours, with 0.25 negative marking per wrong answer. Unlike SSC CGL Tier 2 which has Math and other subjects, CPO Tier 2 tests only English. Final merit = Tier 1 marks + Tier 2 marks. PET/PST and Medical are qualifying stages — they do not add to merit.

Q.What is the promotion path for SI in CAPF after joining?

The typical promotion ladder for SI (GD) in CAPF: Sub-Inspector (SI) → Inspector → Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) / Assistant Commandant → Deputy Commandant → Second-in-Command → Commandant (equivalent to Colonel). Promotions are based on seniority, departmental exam, and annual performance appraisal. CAPF officers also have the option to apply for IPS through UPSC or internal promotion channels at the Commandant level.

📞Helpline & Support

  • ▸SSC HQ Helpline: 011-24360840 (Delhi)
  • ▸Regional SSC office contacts: ssc.gov.in → 'Contact Us'
  • ▸Email: sschqrc@gmail.com
  • ▸For CAPF/force-specific queries post-joining: contact respective CAPF HQ
  • ▸Result and admit card: ssc.gov.in → 'CPO' section
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Disclaimer: NagrikIQ is an informational platform and is not affiliated with any government department. Information provided is for guidance only. Always verify details on the official government portal before taking action.