Quick Summary
Introduction
The ssc cpo age limit for 2026 is 20 to 25 years as on 01.08.2026 for Delhi Police SI and CAPF SI GD posts, with graduation as the minimum qualification and strict height, chest and race norms for male and female candidates. The SSC CPO SI Fire post in CISF has a separate age band of 18 to 30 years.
The Staff Selection Commission released the SSC CPO Notification 2026 on 10 September 2026 for 1871 Sub Inspector posts. Applications close on 30 September 2026. Every year, hundreds of fit and high scoring candidates get rejected because they miss the age cutoff by a few days, apply without a valid driving licence, or fail the 1.6 km race and long jump.
This guide gives you the complete SSC CPO eligibility 2026 in one place. You will find the category wise age relaxation chart, qualification rules for final year students, ssc cpo height for male and female standards, ssc cpo physical test timings, medical rules, and where SSC verifies each condition.
SSC CPO 2026 Overview
The ssc cpo exam is the Staff Selection Commission Central Police Organisation exam for Sub Inspector posts. SSC CPO 2026 recruits Sub Inspector Executive in Delhi Police, Sub Inspector GD in CAPF forces like BSF, CISF, CRPF, ITBP and SSB, and Sub Inspector Fire in CISF for male candidates only.
SSC checks eligibility at four levels. Age, education and nationality are checked on paper at document verification. Height, chest and weight are checked at PST. Running, jumps and shot put are checked at PET. Eyesight, flat foot and general fitness are checked at medical.
| SSC CPO 2026 Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam name | Sub Inspector in Delhi Police and CAPFs Examination, 2026 |
| Conducting body | Staff Selection Commission |
| Total vacancies | 1871 tentative |
| Application dates | 10 September to 30 September 2026, fee till 01 October 2026 |
| Age cutoff date | 01.08.2026 |
| Education cutoff date | 30.09.2026, closing date of applications |
| Pay scale | Level 6, ₹35,400 to ₹1,12,400 |
| Selection | Paper 1, PST and PET, Paper 2, Detailed Medical Examination |
For the full vacancy split, dates and how to apply, read our SSC CPO Notification 2026.
SSC CPO Age Limit 2026
The ssc cpo age limit for Delhi Police SI and CAPF SI GD posts is 20 to 25 years as on 01.08.2026. This means the SSC CPO 2026 candidate must have been born not earlier than 02.08.2001 and not later than 01.08.2006. SSC accepts only the date of birth recorded in the Matriculation or Secondary certificate. No later request for change is allowed.
The SSC CPO SI Fire post in CISF has a wider band. The age limit for SI Fire is 18 to 30 years as on 01.08.2026. That means birth between 02.08.1996 and 01.08.2008.
Age Relaxation Chart
Relaxation means extra years added to the upper age limit. You must hold a valid certificate in the prescribed format on the closing date, 30 September 2026, to claim it.
| Category | Relaxation | Effective Upper Age for SI GD and Delhi Police |
|---|---|---|
| UR and EWS | No relaxation | 25 years |
| ssc cpo age limit for obc | 3 years | 28 years |
| ssc cpo age limit for sc and ST | 5 years | 30 years |
| Ex Servicemen | 3 years after deduction of military service from actual age as on closing date | Depends on service length |
| Widows, divorced women and judicially separated women not remarried, for Delhi Police SI only | Up to 35 years of age | 35 years |
| Same category as above, SC and ST | Up to 40 years of age | 40 years |
| Departmental candidates of Delhi Police with 3 years regular service, UR and EWS | Up to 30 years of age | 30 years |
| Departmental candidates of Delhi Police, OBC | Up to 33 years of age | 33 years |
| Departmental candidates of Delhi Police, SC and ST | Up to 35 years of age | 35 years |
Three fine print rules often cause rejection:
- Ex Servicemen who already joined a Group C or Group D civil post on regular basis after using ESM reservation cannot claim ESM reservation again, unless they gave a self declaration to the employer at joining time with date wise details of earlier applications.
- A matriculate Ex Serviceman with at least 15 years of Armed Forces service as on closing date can be considered for Group C SI posts in Delhi Police against ESM quota. Non graduates without 15 years service are not eligible for any post.
- Age relaxation and ESM reservation are not available to sons, daughters and dependents of Ex Servicemen.
Note: OBC certificates issued by Delhi Government for castes listed by Delhi but not in the Central OBC list are valid only for Delhi Police SI posts for reservation and age relaxation. For CAPF posts, such candidates are treated as UR or EWS.
SSC CPO Qualification Rules
The ssc cpo exam qualification for Delhi Police SI and CAPF SI GD is simple. The SSC CPO 2026 candidate must hold a Bachelor degree from a recognized university or equivalent by 30 September 2026, the closing date of applications. The stream or percentage does not matter for these two posts.
The SSC CPO SI Fire qualification is technical. For SI Fire in CISF, male candidates need one of the following:
- Bachelor degree in Science with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics from a recognized university or equivalent. Higher degrees like B.Tech or M.Tech in relevant fields are accepted as value addition if the basic diploma condition is met.
- Or, Matriculation or equivalent plus a three year diploma in Mechanical, Civil, Electrical, Automobile, Chemical, Mining, Aeronautical, Telecommunication Engineering or equivalent from a recognized university, board or institution.
Other rules to note:
- Open and Distance Learning degrees are accepted only if the university and period were approved by the Distance Education Bureau of UGC. Engineering, Medicine, Pharmacy and Architecture programmes are not permitted through distance or online mode, except where the statutory body permits and UGC notifies it.
- Male candidates for Delhi Police SI must hold a valid driving licence for LMV, both motorcycle and car, on the date fixed for Physical Endurance and Measurement Tests. Male candidates without this licence can be considered only for CAPF SI posts.
- Nationality must be citizen of India, or subject of Nepal or Bhutan with an eligibility certificate issued by the Government of India.
Can Final Year Students Apply?
Yes, final year graduation students can apply for SSC CPO 2026, but only if the result is declared on or before 30 September 2026 and they can prove it with documentary evidence from the board or university.
The SSC CPO 2026 notice states that candidates who appeared in the Bachelor degree exam can apply, but they must possess the qualification by the closing date. At document verification, candidates must produce mark sheets or provisional degree or diploma certificates. If the result was declared by the cutoff date, SSC treats the candidate as qualified. Mere processing of result by the university by that date is not enough. Candidates claiming equivalent qualification must also produce an equivalence certificate when asked.
SSC CPO Physical Test 2026
The ssc cpo physical test has two parts held together on the ground. PST checks body measurements. PET checks running and jumping ability. Both are qualifying in nature. No marks are added to merit, but failure in any single event means elimination.
Only Paper 1 qualified candidates are called for PST and PET. Ex Servicemen are exempted from PET, but they must still pass PST, written tests and medical standards.
SSC CPO Running Time for Male
For male candidates, the SSC CPO 2026 PET norms for all posts are:
| Event | Norm for Male |
|---|---|
| 100 metre race | In 16 seconds |
| 1.6 km race | In 6.5 minutes |
| Long jump | 3.65 metre in 3 chances |
| High jump | 1.2 metre in 3 chances |
| Shot put, 16 lbs | 4.5 metre in 3 chances |
The ssc cpo running time for male is therefore 16 seconds for 100 metre and 6.5 minutes for 1.6 km. All five events must be cleared. Practice on a proper track, because the 1.6 km cutoff needs steady pacing and the jumps need technique, not just strength.
PET Norms for Female
| Event | Norm for Female |
|---|---|
| 100 metre race | In 18 seconds |
| 800 metre race | In 4 minutes |
| Long jump | 2.7 metre in 3 chances |
| High jump | 0.9 metre in 3 chances |
| Shot put | Not applicable |
Pregnancy rule: on reporting for PST and PET, every female candidate gives a self declaration about pregnancy status. If she declares she is not pregnant, she can take the test at her own risk if the declaration is false. If she declares pregnancy and the confirmatory test is positive, SSC declares her temporarily unfit irrespective of duration. Her vacancy is kept reserved. She is re examined six weeks after confinement with a fitness certificate from a registered medical practitioner.
Height Chest Weight Rules
Weight for all posts must be corresponding to height. There is no separate chest norm for female candidates.
SSC CPO Height for Male
The ssc cpo height for male for General candidates is 170 cm. Hill region and ST candidates get relaxation on production of the prescribed certificate from district authorities where they ordinarily reside.
| Category | Height | Chest Unexpanded | Chest Expanded |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delhi Police SI, General male | 170 cm | 80 cm | 85 cm |
| Delhi Police SI, hill areas like Garhwal, Kumaon, Himachal, Gorkhas, Dogras, Marathas, Kashmir Valley, Leh and Ladakh, North East and Sikkim | 165 cm | 80 cm | 85 cm |
| Delhi Police SI, all ST male | 162.5 cm | 77 cm | 82 cm |
| CAPF SI, General male | 170 cm | 80 cm | 85 cm |
| CAPF SI, hill areas as above, except Gorkhas listed separately | 165 cm | 80 cm | 85 cm |
| CAPF SI, Gorkha male | 157 cm | 80 cm | 85 cm |
| CAPF SI, all ST male except North East ST below | 162.5 cm | 77 cm | 82 cm |
| CAPF SI, ST of North Eastern states, male | 157 cm | 77 cm | 82 cm |
| CISF SI Fire, General male | 170 cm | 81 cm | 86 cm |
| CISF SI Fire, hill areas including Sikkimese, Leh and Ladakh, Kashmir Valley and North East | 165 cm | 81 cm | 86 cm |
| CISF SI Fire, all ST including Mizos and Nagas, male | 162.5 cm | 77 cm | 82 cm |
The ssc cpo chest measurement rule is therefore 80 cm unexpanded and 85 cm expanded for General male candidates in Delhi Police and CAPF, with 5 cm expansion mandatory. For SI Fire, it is 81 cm unexpanded and 86 cm expanded. For ST male candidates, it is 77 cm unexpanded and 82 cm expanded.
SSC CPO Height for Female
The ssc cpo height for female for General candidates is 157 cm in both Delhi Police and CAPF.
| Category | Height for Female |
|---|---|
| Delhi Police and CAPF SI, General female | 157 cm |
| Hill areas like Garhwal, Kumaon, Himachal, Gorkhas, Dogras, Marathas, Kashmir Valley, Leh and Ladakh, North East and Sikkim | 155 cm |
| All ST female | 154 cm |
What Is SSC CPO Eligibility for Female?
Female eligibility for SSC CPO 2026 has four checks: age 20 to 25 years as on 01.08.2026 with relaxation for OBC, SC and ST, Bachelor degree by 30 September 2026, height as in the table above with weight matching height, and PET norms of 100 metre in 18 seconds, 800 metre in 4 minutes, 2.7 metre long jump and 0.9 metre high jump. Chest measurement is not required for female candidates. Female candidates can apply for Delhi Police SI female posts and CAPF SI GD female posts. SI Fire in CISF is male only.
Candidates declared not qualified in height or chest can appeal on the ground itself to the appellate authority present there. The decision of that authority is final.
Medical and Selection Check
The ssc cpo selection process is Paper 1, PST and PET, Paper 2, and Detailed Medical Examination, followed by document verification. All stages are mandatory. PST, PET and medical are qualifying only. Final merit for post allocation is based on Paper 2 performance, including NCC bonus marks, and the post preferences filled by the candidate.
The ssc cpo medical test is held for Paper 2 qualified candidates by a CAPF medical officer or a Grade 1 officer of a Central or State hospital. Candidates found unfit in Detailed Medical Examination can appear for Review Medical Examination, preferably on the next day. The review board decision is final.
Key medical norms to check before you apply:
- Eyesight without correction like glasses or surgery: near vision N6 for better eye and N9 for worse eye, distant vision 6 by 6 for better eye and 6 by 9 for worse eye. In a right handed person, the right eye is the better eye and vice versa.
- Must not have knock knee, flat foot, varicose vein or squint in eyes, and must possess high colour vision.
- Must be in good mental and bodily health and free from any defect likely to affect duty.
- Tattoos are allowed only for religious symbols or names as in the Army, on the inner left forearm or back of hands, and size must be less than one quarter of that part.
- Finally selected Sub Inspectors must pass seven obstacle events during training, including vertical board jump, rope hold, Tarzan swing, horizontal board jump, parallel rope, monkey crawl and vertical rope. Failure can lead to removal from the force.
Eligibility is verified at document verification, held by CAPFs preferably with medical. You must carry Matriculation certificate for age, degree or diploma certificates, caste or EWS certificate, driving licence for motorcycle and car issued before PST and PET for Delhi Police male preference, discharge and undertaking papers for Ex Servicemen, and age relaxation proof. If any claim in the form is not supported by originals, SSC cancels the candidature.
Is SSC CPO conducted every year. Yes. The Staff Selection Commission holds this open competitive exam every year for Delhi Police and CAPF Sub Inspector posts, subject to vacancies reported by Delhi Police and the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Mistakes That Reject Forms
- Filling the wrong date of birth that does not match the Class 10 certificate.
- Claiming OBC, SC, ST or EWS without a certificate valid on 30 September 2026. For EWS, you need income and asset certificate for financial year 2026 to 27 based on income of 2025 to 26.
- Applying for Delhi Police SI male without arranging the LMV driving licence before PET.
- Ignoring weight proportion to height and chest expansion practice till the last week.
- Assuming Paper 1 is qualifying only. Paper 1 shortlists for PET, and Paper 2 decides final merit. Both need minimum qualifying marks of 30 percent for UR, 25 percent for OBC and EWS, and 20 percent for others, plus higher cutoffs fixed by SSC.
There are many current affairs sources available, such as newspapers and coaching PDFs. The Scoreclever Current Affairs Website stands out because it gives elaborated daily coverage for full understanding, with crisp daily Banking and SSC Plus PDFs on Scoreclever’s Telegram channel. Since General Awareness carries weight in both Paper 1 and Paper 2, steady daily coverage helps more than last minute reading.
Official & Helpful Links
What to do next?
First, match your Class 10 birth date with the 02.08.2001 to 01.08.2006 band, or 02.08.1996 to 01.08.2008 for SI Fire, and confirm your degree result date falls on or before 30 September 2026. If you are eyeing Delhi Police SI as a male candidate, arrange your motorcycle and car driving licence before the PET date.
Second, measure height, chest expansion and weight today, and time your 100 metre sprint and 1.6 km or 800 metre run. If you are close to the cutoff, start daily running and jump practice now, because PET allows no grace marks.
For daily preparation, join Scoreclever’s Current Affairs League at 8 PM and Vocab League at 7 PM to keep General Awareness and English strong for Paper 1 and Paper 2.
