SSC CPO Complete Guide: SI Eligibility, Pattern & Salary

SSC CPO recruits Sub-Inspectors — an officer-track uniformed post — in Delhi Police and the Central Armed Police Forces. It is a graduate-level exam and a popular route for those who want a uniformed career with good pay and authority.

This guide covers the posts, eligibility, the two-paper exam, physical standards, salary and selection. Details change with each notification, so confirm against the official SSC notification on ssc.gov.in.

What posts does SSC CPO fill?

SSC CPO recruits Sub-Inspector (SI) posts in Delhi Police and in the Central Armed Police Forces (BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP and SSB).

Eligibility and age

• Education: a bachelor's degree in any discipline. For Delhi Police SI, male candidates often need a valid LMV driving licence (check the notification).
• Age: generally 20–25 years, with standard category relaxations.
• Physical standards apply (height, chest for men), with relaxations for hill-area and tribal candidates.

Exam pattern

Selection runs through two computer-based papers with a physical test in between. Both papers carry 0.25 negative marking.

• Paper I: 200 questions, 200 marks, 2 hours — General Intelligence & Reasoning, General Knowledge & Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude and English Comprehension.
• Physical Standard Test (PST) and Physical Efficiency Test (PET) — qualifying.
• Paper II: English Language & Comprehension, 200 questions, 200 marks, 2 hours.
• A medical examination as the final step.

Physical standards (PST/PET)

• PST: minimum height around 170 cm for men and 157 cm for women (relaxed for certain categories), with chest measurement for men.
• PET: races, long jump and high jump (and shot put for men) within set times/distances.

Salary

SSC CPO Sub-Inspector is a Pay Level 6 post (basic pay around ₹35,400, band ₹35,400–₹1,12,400). With allowances, in-hand pay is commonly in the ₹55,000–₹65,000 range depending on posting, with strong career growth in the force.